Professionals that work with a lot of tools know how easy it is to become disorganised. How much time do you waste looking for tools? You can easily get around this problem if you know how to organise a tool box for work.
No matter whether you use tools in a workshop or carry take them with you to jobs, easy access to your tools is paramount. Knowing how to organise a tool box in logical order can save you a lot of time and stress.
Rummaging around for misplaced tools can add several hours to your working week. This is neither profitable nor good for developing a work-life balance. A tool box also ensures you keep your tools together. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a job only to find you haven’t got the tool you need.
Knowing how to organise a tool box for work can save you time and money returning to your workshop or purchasing a new tool. It also makes you appear more professional. Your customers will trust you more if you are organised and look like you are “with it”.
In addition, a secure tool box means you lose fewer tools. Which is more cost-effective because you don’t have to replace them. It’s worth noting that theft from construction sites and work vans is estimated to cost the UK construction industry around £800m a year.
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How To Organise A Tool box: Rules of Thumb
There are plenty of tool boxes on the market for purchase. However, the best way to organise a tool box that works best for you is to make your own. Customisable tool boxes precisely house the tools you use.
Start by making an inventory of all the tools you need to store in your toolbox. Lay each one out in logical order:
- The tools you use the most should be easy to access.
- Position the tools you use together next to one another.
- or position the same types of tools in their entire set (spanners, screwdrivers, drillbits, sockets).
- Create sections for specific types of tools; cutting, inserting, measuring, marking etc.
- Alternatively, maximise space by creating different compartments for tools that are similar in size.
- Position smaller tools on top and heavier tools in the bottom. This helps to distribute weight and makes the tool box easier to carry.
- Consider building drawers for accessories and small items (screws, nails etc).
- Alternate the direction of the tools to maximise space. For example, if you have a set of screwdrivers, the handle of the largest tool should lay next to the screw head of the next size down and so on.
You can also design your van to serve as a large tool box by installing customised van shelving and van tool storage ideas.
How To Make Customised Tool boxes
Once you know the layout of your tool box, you need to work out how many sections you need and the dimensions for each section.
Lay out your tools on a foam liner. Inserting a foam liner helps to hold your tools in place and prevents them from damage. Cut around the tool using a Stanley knife.
We also recommend cutting a small semi-circle you can put your fingers in to pick up the tool more easily. However, only cut out the finger holes once you have cut the space for all your tools. This will give you more idea of the most logical place for you to position the semi-circle.
If you have more than one tool box, or your created a van storage system, label the boxes or drawers so you know where your tools are. If you want to know how to organise a tool box like a professional, get in touch with the experts at Tecnolam.
