Smart Shop tips!

ovrszd · Jun 10, 2020

Rebeldad1 said:
If you own a pair of vies grip pliers (and who doesnt)....

Before you put them back in the toolbox ALWAYS adjust them so when closed they have a little pressure on them so they wont open. Just a 1/4 turn will do.

I had a pair open inside my toolbox drawer and jam itself 1/2 open. I couldn't get it open enough to get my hand in. Had to take 1/2 the drawers out just to get to it.

+1. Great tip. Always do this one.

ovrszd · Jun 10, 2020

dragoneggs said:
Hoping a bunch of us will chime in here with their tips. I have a bunch...

Get in the habit of putting your tools away when finished for the day. Label your tool box drawers and put them where they belong. Takes a little discipline but once you get in the habit you will save yourself lots of time and aggravation. Some say it is **** but it really works, especially as you acquire more and more tools. Now it is second nature and I rarely have a cluttered workspace and I never search for the tool I am looking for. Except for a tape measure. Got four or five laying around but never where I need one.
:confused3:

My Son is a mechanic. When I bought a new toolbox he gave me a pointer on how to organize it. Load the box as you think will suit you. When you start using it pay attention to the mistakes you make opening the wrong drawer. An example. If you open the third drawer down when looking for a pair of pliers twice, move the pliers there. I used that method. My box makes perfect sense to me and I never pull the wrong drawer. Being a sticker guy, I put stickers on each drawer front. When "guiding" someone to the correct drawer I mention the sticker.

buck12 · Jun 10, 2020

ovrszd said:
My Son is a mechanic. When I bought a new toolbox he gave me a pointer on how to organize it. Load the box as you think will suit you. When you start using it pay attention to the mistakes you make opening the wrong drawer. An example. If you open the third drawer down when looking for a pair of pliers twice, move the pliers there. I used that method. My box makes perfect sense to me and I never pull the wrong drawer. Being a sticker guy, I put stickers on each drawer front. When "guiding" someone to the correct drawer I mention the sticker. :

View attachment 659190

My tool box is organized to minimize bending. Least used tools are in the lowest drawers.

ovrszd · Jun 10, 2020

buck12 said:
My tool box is organized to minimize bending. Least used tools are in the lowest drawers.

I'm weight conscious. Heavy=low.

dragoneggs · Jun 10, 2020

dalola said:
Great thread!

This is not really a "tip" per say, but something I did recently that I was so impressed with, and wished I had done sooner right after I did it! I replaced all my 8' florescent light tubes with LED's. Holy cow, what a difference! About a third the electricity right off the bat. Then add in no more "humming", no more cold start flicker, and way better light quality.

It's a sizable financial hit up front for quality US made LED's, but if you spend a lot of time in your shop, it is a must-have IMO. Money well spent.

Thank you. Yep... LED a great tipl Everything you say. I replaced my 4ft fluorescent fixtures in my underlit shop with a bunch of Costco 4ft LEDs. Way more light and at less energy. Depending on time of year, they go for just under $20 here.