Suppose you are putting together a “go to” tool drawer – a drawer that you could open and find 80% or more of the tools you need to do the job on your car or around your house. Now suppose this drawer is only 26” Wide x 14-1/2“ Deep x 4” High. What are you loading it up with?
Making a "Go to" tool drawer
- Thread starter greasegunn
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I suggest a go-to tool caddy to can keep some basic tool in it you can bring to the job. And can hold ones you pull from main tool chest during the job.
For the car I think you'd need to have a socket set with the 5 most common type sizes. Probably need a hammer in there and a pair of vice grips.
Also a breaker bar and probably some gear wrenches 10mm.
For the house stuff, your need a set of screw drivers, stud finder and tape measure.
Also a breaker bar and probably some gear wrenches 10mm.
For the house stuff, your need a set of screw drivers, stud finder and tape measure.
I have 2 hard-sided toolboxes; one with electrical parts and tools and one with plumbing parts and tools. When I go help someone with electrical or plumbing problems I just toss it in the back of the pickup and I have everything I need. If I'm going to be doing any copper plumbing work I also toss in the soldering torches.
I also have a soft sided tool bag. Rather than try to guess what I might need and keep in in a single drawer, I just put what I know I'll need in the tool bag and take it with me-either into the house or to someone else's house.
As far as vehicles? I work on them in the shop, and all the tools I need are already right there-no special drawer needed. I have a list of what I need for common things such as oil changes-for example the car takes a 15mm wrench for the oil drain plug, a 10mm socket with small extension for the splash shield, and a 24mm socket with a longer extension for the oil filter housing. Before I start I get all the tools I know I'll need and have them right there at hand.
I don't think I could (or would want to) keep 80% of the tools I need in a single small drawer.
I also have a soft sided tool bag. Rather than try to guess what I might need and keep in in a single drawer, I just put what I know I'll need in the tool bag and take it with me-either into the house or to someone else's house.
As far as vehicles? I work on them in the shop, and all the tools I need are already right there-no special drawer needed. I have a list of what I need for common things such as oil changes-for example the car takes a 15mm wrench for the oil drain plug, a 10mm socket with small extension for the splash shield, and a 24mm socket with a longer extension for the oil filter housing. Before I start I get all the tools I know I'll need and have them right there at hand.
I don't think I could (or would want to) keep 80% of the tools I need in a single small drawer.
I have one of those battery operated drills.im always using it around the house.
I have a small craftsman 3 drawer chest I keep full in my truck. But you're taking about at home. I can't say that trying to have a catchall drawer is good. Unless you have only one drawer. 26 inch sounds like you have a standup top and bottom toolbox. I say keep all your tools in separate drawers so they can easily be found. After awhile you'll know where the screwdriver drawer is and you'll know where your pliers drawer is. It will be 2nd nature. Then how it works for me is say I have a brake job to do I gather all the tools I need usually going to the toolbox several times for wrenches and different socket sizes. I have a plastic tray-like thing that all the tools and bolts go into so I just carry it over to the next wheel. Sometimes it doesn't all get right away put back in the drawers and it's all ready for the next brake job. LOL The plastic thingy I use is the round case that rotors come in (certain brands). But you can have the same thing by cutting the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket off about 5 inches up.
Does this drawer include any power tools?
I don't know if it'll fit, but here's my best guess of hand tools:
-Metric and SAE 3/8" sockets and ratchet with a cheater bar pipe
-Handful of screw drivers (Philips 0-3, couple flats)
-Ratchet extensions
-Metric and SAE ratcheting combination wrenches
-Claw hammer
-Pliers (needle nose, slip joint, channel lock, side cutter)
-Adjustable wrench
-Couple of Vice Grips
-[censored] File
-Metric and SAE Hex set
-Tape Measure
-Rubber mallet
-Hack Saw
I don't know if it'll fit, but here's my best guess of hand tools:
-Metric and SAE 3/8" sockets and ratchet with a cheater bar pipe
-Handful of screw drivers (Philips 0-3, couple flats)
-Ratchet extensions
-Metric and SAE ratcheting combination wrenches
-Claw hammer
-Pliers (needle nose, slip joint, channel lock, side cutter)
-Adjustable wrench
-Couple of Vice Grips
-[censored] File
-Metric and SAE Hex set
-Tape Measure
-Rubber mallet
-Hack Saw
Originally Posted By: Rand
I have goto buckets.
A hard case of ratchets and sockets.. other common tools are in 3 of those home depot 5gal buckets.
If I need something special I either throw it in a bag or a bucket.. ie Hacksaw whatever.
Originally Posted By: Rand
I have goto buckets.
A hard case of ratchets and sockets.. other common tools are in 3 of those home depot 5gal buckets.
If I need something special I either throw it in a bag or a bucket.. ie Hacksaw whatever.
Yeah - I have a "go to" electrical bag which I can grab for wiring projects. Also have a tool box where I have pipe wrenches and other frequently used plumbing tools.
I have goto buckets.
A hard case of ratchets and sockets.. other common tools are in 3 of those home depot 5gal buckets.
If I need something special I either throw it in a bag or a bucket.. ie Hacksaw whatever.
Originally Posted By: Rand
I have goto buckets.
A hard case of ratchets and sockets.. other common tools are in 3 of those home depot 5gal buckets.
If I need something special I either throw it in a bag or a bucket.. ie Hacksaw whatever.
Yeah - I have a "go to" electrical bag which I can grab for wiring projects. Also have a tool box where I have pipe wrenches and other frequently used plumbing tools.
I bought one of these decades ago:
Rather amazing what that one little box will do. That plus a Swiss Army Multi-Tool, a set of 1/4 sockets, a hammer, and a flashlight covers quite a bit.
The 6' tall rolling tool chest covers the rest....
Rather amazing what that one little box will do. That plus a Swiss Army Multi-Tool, a set of 1/4 sockets, a hammer, and a flashlight covers quite a bit.
The 6' tall rolling tool chest covers the rest....
If you we're to put a set a sockets in your "go to" tool drawer would they be 1/4 " drive or 3/8" drive? Standard depth, deep, or both?
I made a go to 5 gallon bucket. It has the apron with pockets for tools. In the bucket is several recycled tins with sockets, screw drivers, ratchet handles and such in them. I grab and go to Jalopy Jungle, or friends house to help with fixes on other cars. Worked out very well so far.
Originally Posted By: greasegunn
If you we're to put a set a sockets in your "go to" tool drawer would they be 1/4 " drive or 3/8" drive? Standard depth, deep, or both?
I would probably go with 3/8" with standard and deep. You might be able to get by with the right combination wrench in some cases (preferably ratcheting).
If you we're to put a set a sockets in your "go to" tool drawer would they be 1/4 " drive or 3/8" drive? Standard depth, deep, or both?
I would probably go with 3/8" with standard and deep. You might be able to get by with the right combination wrench in some cases (preferably ratcheting).
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