Adam Savage Geeks Out Over New Mobile Tool Caddy

Workshop
Adam Savage Geeks Out Over New Mobile Tool Caddy

adamCarts_2

In this Tested video podcast, Adam Savage talks to Will Smith about his latest mobile tool caddy project and his concept of “First Order Retrieveabilty.” Wha? Basically, it’s Adam’s shop layout philosophy of minimizing the need to go through things to get to other things–the things you need! I.e., as many tools as possible should be visible, mobile, and accessible to you wherever you work (not on shelves, in boxes, etc.). Or put into a bumper sticker slogan: “Drawers are where tools go to die.” The working title for the project was the “F*** Drawers Initiative.”

YouTube player

Explaining the design of the cart, Adam says that it provides “Stadium seating access to everything I would need on a regular basis.” On this particular cart that includes pliers, cutters, grabbers, punchers, clamps, drills, brakes (for bending metal), and more. Adam also shows off his original “First Order” cart, for drills, drill bits, and drivers.

adamCarts_3

Adam says it only took him about 3 to 4 hours to put this simple cart together, but he spent several weeks laying out, looking at, and thinking about all of his tools and the best way to make them first-order accessible. The resulting cart is still kind of open, with some room for modification. Adam thinks he needs some time with it before he decides what changes need to be made to refine its efficiency.

adamCarts_5

The tool space provided by the new cart allowed Adam to empty a 5-drawer Crafstman chest of tools and make all of its contents visible and mobile. And he plans to keep thinking about first-order access and designing new mobile platforms to get the tools he needs ever-closer to him as he works.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

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

ADVERTISEMENT

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 16th iteration!

Prices Increase in....

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
FEEDBACK