How do you organize your tools in tool boxes? need suggestions

[Budweiser John]

When I was working full time in the building and remodeling industry I bought a F550 truck with a 12' Stahl service body. Best decision ever albeit pricy. Each side had four weather tight compartments and the center cargo area was over 4' wide and 12' long.
Each compartment was pretty much job specific and I never left home wondering if I had rounded up all the tools and equipment needed for the day's project. At home the truck lived in the shop and I simply worked out of the tool resource on wheels.
When I retired and sold the truck it took over a year to intergrate all the tools back into permanent homes in the shop building and yes, I still can't find a **** thing
B.John

 

[ultrarunner]

My van is my rolling tool box but it also makes it a target for break-ins... twice at Home Depot and another time at the local Orchard Supply... mid-day on a Sunday both times at Depot and parked right near the entrance.

If I lost the van it would be a real hardship... wish I had a way to park it inside.

I have bins, racks, pull out knack boxes, tool chest, vise, etc...

Built the shelving when I had access to a tig welder for aluminum... just good timing on my part.

 

[Big Barn]

Magnetic tool holders work well for certain items in my roll cab drawers.




Terry

 

[oosik]

ultrarunner - I would sure be looking at some form of electronic anti-theft system for your van - if you don't already have one.

 

[ultrarunner]

Alarm since day one...

Thing is the criminal element in the Home Depot parking lot is so bold they couldn't care less to smash and grab in broad daylight where all can see and alarm blaring.

SF has to be the smash and grab capital of the United States.

First time I lost my sawzall... the handle was chained but simply left the case and took the saw... another time I lost my tool pouch with a few hand-tools... and the last time is was a box of 1/2" copper elbows...

Needless to say I don't take my van to Home Depot anymore without someone riding shotgun... even it it is my 83 year old Mom!

I live in Oakland and never a problem at the supply houses... or the ACE hardware which after 72 years is no more...

All the break ins happened in San Leandro near where I work and the hospital parking lot is a favorite for smash and grab too!

 

[EddieWalker]

After years of going to that Home Depot in San Leandro, it was shocking moving to Texas and seeing everyone with tons of tools left in the back of their trucks while they went into the store. I was all about survival and avoiding being a victim, and these people had no idea. Eventually I was able to calm down, learned to relax, and not be in a panic going into the store with tools in the back of my truck. Most of my clients don't lock their houses, and stores leave stuff out in the parking lot all night long without issue. Sometimes I think I've moved to Mayberry and gone back in time!!!

 

[ultrarunner]

After years of going to that Home Depot in San Leandro, it was shocking moving to Texas and seeing everyone with tons of tools left in the back of their trucks while they went into the store. I was all about survival and avoiding being a victim, and these people had no idea. Eventually I was able to calm down, learned to relax, and not be in a panic going into the store with tools in the back of my truck. Most of my clients don't lock their houses, and stores leave stuff out in the parking lot all night long without issue. Sometimes I think I've moved to Mayberry and gone back in time!!!

I can only imagine... right now Walnut Creek is forecasting 108... yet Mom will close and lock every window at night with no A/C because she fears someone might try to get in...

All of the neighbors have been hit over the last 5 years.

As to organizing tools... I have a cable with padlocks going through my chop saw, compressor and honda generator... the locks on my van have worn out 3 times... always unlock and lock...

Doing a little yard work at the rental and put my string trimmer inside the bed of my pickup... went about 40 feet to lock the gate and the trimmer was gone...

San Leandro and Oakland PD do not come out for property crimes like residential burglary... you are directed to file a report online...

My one man electrician can ONLY work with his dog... amazing dog... when he gets to the job the dog is tethered to the truck... people can walk all day a foot away on the sidewalk... but as soon as someone stops and turns to the truck the dog takes action... said he couldn't work without his dog...

My HVAC guy lost 10k worth of equipment while at the counter at city hall pulling a permit...

When the hospital parking lot was repaved... it was a two day job and the contractor came from Sacramento... so they stayed the night in town... someone stole the cube van from the hotel parking lot and it was recovered a few miles away empty...

Smash and Grab, property crimes seldom get the time of day... police say you have insurance... right???

A few of my soon to be retired co-workers have said they are still in search of their Mayberry...

It does put you on edge having to always think someone is waiting to take what is yours...

There was a rolling gun fight a couple of weeks back... stray bullets hit homes on Brookdale and 35th... my tenant called and wanted me to come down at midnight... said I would be happy to meet her at 6 am and left it at that...

 

[Budweiser John]

Good grief, I can't imagine living or working in those conditions. Central Michigan has it's fair share of crime and more and more job sites are fenced these days. I've never had a theft problem from my truck but for a Milwaukee sidewinder casually tossed in the back after a long day that disappeared.
I suspect it was lifted in a public parking lot when I stopped for an adult beverage at a local watering hole.
It was pointless to file a theft report as it was my fault. Two minutes searching for the correct key would have secured the saw and eliminated the temptation.
I really miss the work but glad not to have to worry about the security and liability of today's society.
B. John

 

[ultrarunner]

President Carter was in town for a Habitat for Humanity build that I pass by everyday...

Even those volunteering to build homes in the community were robbed at the job site... sad doesn't begin to cover it.

Habitat For Humanity Crew Robbed At Gunpoint: SFist

I do think tools are not as easy to sell these days... many wouldn't know how to use them anyway.

Sometimes, I think keeping the van in a bit of disarray might be a theft deterrent... more work than if everything is neatly stored... at least this is my story.

 

[gsganzer]

I was in Sacramento a few months back. I left the job site and on the way back to the hotel, I stopped at a convenience store to get a drink. As soon as I got out and walked towards the store, I watched a black kid walk up to the car and pull up on the door handles. It looked like it was second nature to him.