20 Brilliant Tool Storage Solutions

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Properly organizing and storing our tools is something most of us strive for but it’s an ongoing process. And some of us [raises hand] are often far less organized than we’d like to be. Seeing other people’s storage solutions, especially when they are ingenious ones, can help stimulate a little of one’s own re-org inspirations. With that in mind, we present a gallery of twenty solutions we hope will inspire some clever organizational ideas in you.

Suspended Jar Organizers

dvd-openerLet’s face it, there are few parts organizing schemes more universal than the jar lids screwed into a board rack or under a cabinet. Hey, it works! And it works for all kinds and sizes of containers, from baby food jars to CD/DVD tubs and beyond. And, tin cans nailed from the side into a board are another perennial organizing scheme that would make your grandpa proud. [Original post]

Plastic Jug Organizers

milkjugsAfter the jar and can organizers come the milk jugs. More so than just about anything else, uniformity in a storage solution is extremely important. Having all of the containers be the same size and shape allows you the greatest storage efficiency. Using the plastic milk jugs, kitty litter containers, and other plastic product containers is smart because you generate a lot of them and they are all of the same size. And they’re free and you’re recycling! [Original post]

kaas3kaas2These are kitty litter (above) and chocolate milk containers. I love the idea of taping a screw to the container to ID what’s inside. [Original post]

Toilet Tube Cable Organizers

toilet-paper-roll-cord-organizerAnd why overlook the lowly toilet paper and paper towel tubes? They are perfect for sleeving and organizing cables. [Original post]

PVC Rake Rack

garage-10Once you get beyond the above “trashy” organizing solutions, PVC is a universal material for making holders of all sorts. Here, short pieces of PVC are fastened to two boards to create a rack for rakes, shovels, and other long-handled tools. [Source]

PVC Drill Holders

22-garage-storage-organization-ideas[Source]

Make a Tool-Zine

294e920dfe3f388aa9a182b03f561bd5To save space, consider making this type of pegboard tool “magazine.” [Original post]

Overhead Tubular Storage

storageTech_6You’ve gotta love this idea of using a “sonotube” and some metal strapping to create overhead bins for storing light wood, piping, and other long stock. I think you’d want to be careful about the weight on this one. [Original post]

Overhead Ceiling Bins

2-garage-storage-organization-ideasUsing common materials like 2x4s and plywood, you can create these I-beam rails for overhead plastic storage bins. [Source]

Magnetic Tool Hangers

img_74671In this Make: Project, Jason Smith shows you how to create simple mounts for hanging tools underneath cabinets with…. MAGNETISM. [Original post]

Sliding Bolt Latch Holders

20-garage-storage-organization-ideasThis is something I would never think of, a very clever solution to wheelbarrow stowage, using sliding bolt latches like the kind used on gates. There are probably numerous other applications for this idea. [Source]

Pie Plate Blade Holders

24-garage-storage-organization-ideasFrom Family Handyman comes this idea of using metal or paper pie plates to store circular saw blades on a wall. [Source]

Roll Out Storage Case

c5e6de1b961d93467cb37c737b5b07b6[Source]

Portable Workbench

photo-jul-17-6-31-40-pma_origBuilding a workbench and tool racks in a multi-use space. [Original post]

Pallet Bike Rack

rack5Two pallets and a little cutting with a saw and voilà. [Original post]

Parts in a Binder

binder_part_storage_02Keeping small parts and electronic components in binders is something worth considering. [Original post]

Oak Boot Rack

9b62ae91e179f6cccc2e456710cdd5f0A rack for your Wellies. [Source]

Bungie Cord Netting

532ee09945329781ce5e38b552f709f2I never would have thought to use bungie cords as netting like this. [Source]

Insulation Board Tool Stab

FH08DJA_POITOO_01A piece of Styrofoam or blueboard on the wall and you have yourself a convenient place to stab tools and components into. [Source]

Binder Clip Blade Holders

FH120610_003_CLVSTO_12Here’s a super simple and clever way to hang your bandsaw blades. [Source]

Pegboard Tool Stowage

FH120610_003_CLVSTO_04You can create little shelves for storing certain tools on a pegboard by bending straight pegboard hooks to create corners. [Source]

Also, be sure to check out 5 More Clever Tool Storage Solutions.

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Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

View more articles by Gareth Branwyn

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