Shop organization ideas, please!

[Steven Shelby]

As previously posted, I have been, finally, in the process of taking my shop out of moving boxes and storage closets and bringing it back to life as a garage-shop in our new house. So far, so good! I am happy to say that, with the hanging of my autographed picture of Norm and the completion of a small project (oak picture frame for the family room), the new shop is at least semi-officially open for business!:D . In an attempt to keep the garage as functional amd as clutter-free as possible, DW and I decided to go with stroage in drawers and cabinets rather than pegboard, which is what I am used to using in my old shop. I do have one wall with pegboard for larger items, but the smaller stuff (screwdrivers, nailsets, chissels, etc) are going into drawers. I am hoping that those of you who use drawers for storage might have some suggestions and ideas regarding organization within the drawers. I appreciate any input !
Thanks

[Steve Stube]

Drawer storage is fine - I really like keeping things put away when not in use. I have many drawers but no way could I keep up so open shelves, above cabinets and bench tops are utilized too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/ceethese/Shop%20Photos/Atlas6inLatheTooling2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/ceethese/Shop%20Photos/WS5-27-042.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/ceethese/Shop%20Photos/WSStores.jpg
And sometimes even the floor. Start building drawers, they will fill:-))

[Carl Eyman]

Here is a method I use for carving tools. I keep them in drawers when not un use, but have a rack they go in when being used for a project. Since one is always changing from one tool to another, the drawers would be a hassle. I didn't do it, but if I were doing it again, I'd make the racks so they fit into the drawers. That way when in use the dools can be readily accessable and to get them ready for use all you do is take the rack from the drawer. Seems to me this method could work for planes, chisels, small backsaws, measuring & layout tools, etc.

[David Wilson]

Steven
Alyways remember rule #1 of organization. "Stuff accumulates to fill available space."

[Jesse Cloud]

Great book. Truly practical examples of storage, movers, jigs, etc. with cut lists and instructions for building. I have built his lumber storage module and outfeed table. Drill station storage and table saw storage are coming soon, I hope.

[Christian Aufreiter]

You might want to have a look at Phil Bumbalough's solution (http://benchmark.20m.com/workshop/WorkBench/workbench.html).

Christian

[Steve Clardy]

Well. I've found that no matter what I build for tool, gun nails, screws, or whatever, my storage solutions fill up too fast. I've even over built storage areas for planned additions, and still everything overflows.

[Roger Bell]

For drawers, I have two sets of 50's vintage dental cabinets, with small, shallow drawers. Great for chisels, squares, gauges and small stuff. About 40 drawers in all in an 8x10" size of staggered depths. You could make something similar with LV's red metal drawer kits. As simple as building a couple of boxes.

I dont have or particularly care for too many large, deep drawers. Too much like storing tools in a barrel for my tastes.

I also have a couple sets of engineering plans-cabinets with large, shallow drawers. About 24 x 36" or so. These hold less frequently used stuff and larger items. The advantage with these is that I can pull out the drawer and see everything. I have two of these stacked atop each other with about fifteen total large drawers. You can often get these Govt surplus or in used office supply joints. My wife uses these also for her picture framing stuff.

I also have some of the cheapo Acro Mills type teeny tiny plastic drawers in smallish plastic cabinets all mounted at eye level for the teeny tiny stuff, such as hardware. Unless they are mounted at eye level, it is a drag to root thru them to find anything.

Each of these provide loads of dense, dense storage in a small footprint. Each "system" is just steps away from the bench.

[Tony Falotico]

Hi Steven, Over the summer I built a set of Chris DeHut's Shop Wall Cabinets, Issue #7 of Woodworking at Home. What a neat project, and what great storage. Talk about maximizing storage space.

See my reply with pic's at http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=204015#post204015
reply #20.

[Christian Aufreiter]

Hi Tony,

great cabinets. I really like that storage system. What slides did you use?

Thanks!

Christian

[Tony Falotico]

Hi Tony, great cabinets. I really like that storage system. What slides did you use? Thanks! Christian


Standard 20" full extension 100# Capacity Ball Bearing slides I got from Custom Service Hardware

http://www.cshardware.com/iwwidb.pvx?;multi_item_submit

(no affiliation, just a satisfied customer)

[Steven Shelby]

Tony,
Those are great! Thank you for sharing!!!