This forum has inspired me to get better organized with my wrench and antique tool collection. For the past week, I've been spending a little time each day pulling wrenches from totes...and sometimes, much to my wife's displeasure, from places like the trunk of the car, the desk drawer, and one or two in the kitchen.

I'd like to know how you organize and store your tools.

You see, I've been a collector of wrenches for quite some time now. I've been attending auctions for years, and buying odd lots of tools. At one point, I decided that some of this stuff was too cool to part with, so I began pulling stuff and keeping it . Most of what I have is in storage bins, or a few tool box drawers that state "Tools that I thought were cool".

So, how do you do it?

Do you have them sorted by make? By manufacturer?

If you collect auto wrenches, do you store them separately from the farm wrenches?

What if you have a wrench made by Vlchek for a Jeep tool kit? Do you put it in with the Vlchek wrenches or with Jeep tools? 

What do you do with your favorite wrenches? Do they have a special place?
   
What kind of containers do you use? Bins? Tool chests? Tool boxes?

Any help you can offer is really appreciated!!!!

When I purchase a tool I assign it two numbers (rwt00001606 & mw0103 ) I then make a folder with picture, information on mfg. purchase date & price and whatever else i can find out, I then put it into a foot locker assigned to type of tool. adjustable wrenches in one box hand drills in another etc .each foot locker is given a number . the number is put on the paper work so i can find it. the paperwork is copied and one set goes into a loose leaf in number sequence and another set goes into another loose leaf  that is filed by type.Some of my favorite pieces go into a attache case to better display.When i sell,trade a tool . the paper work goes into a sold file with date and price.This sounds good but once in a while i run into a tool that has no paperwork that somehow slipped through immigration.   I hope this helps you as you buy but it is a b--ch trying to catch up if you let them build up. like right now I am cleaning my garage finding stuff that i don't remember from where it came . good luck   bob w.

I was all set to explain my system, but after Amertrac's reply,  I pass.


Skip

Here's stage one of my 'system'. I've got about 12 stage twos, but I haven't come any where near amertrac's level of expertise yet either.

Organize? I keep having that fantasy!

Wow...

I thought I was doing good to put a label on each wrench with the make and use! I think I've got about 5 wrenches completed so far.

Sounds like I have some work to do!!!!!

Nah, just throw 'em in a nice pile or basket and every once in a while just run your hands through them and listen to them ring ... like Midas with his gold.
Of course you do have to set aside a few favorites for actual use. I know they make boxes for that, I've got a whole bunch of 'em, all empty, but for two.

I just finished this display yesterday, it is my third try to get it the way I wanted it. It is not an elaborate display , but sort of related for use.

Ray

Not elaborate? Looks pretty fancy to me. Nice; keep it up.

Quote from: skipskip on August 04, 2011, 08:52:46 PM
I was all set to explain my system, but after Amertrac's reply,  I pass.


Skip

Why?

 I keep the newest piece on top.

 
hey guys don't pick on me I am an old man.
Being in a wheel chair setting in front of a computer 10 hours a day. gives me the advantage over someone who has to work for a living, besides i enjoy working with tools even if it is only registering them ,  BOB W.

Awww, now Bob, it's just envy. Your system puts my 'heap them in like piles' method to shame, that's all.

The only possible hope of tool organization is more and better toolboxes of course!
You can try open racks in you live in an airplane hangar.
Otherwise its drawers, drawers and more drawers.
yours Scott