How do you store tools?

[Boyd]

I have tools dedicated for the layout. Space is limited as my layout is in my 11x13 bedroom. So I get to sleep next to my trains.

[RockIsland52]

I hide all of mine because tools seem to walk away from the toolboxes all by themselves.  The "finer" tools for intricate work (on trains) are hidden in one of my train storage boxes.     

Previously, when I locked the toolboxes, my wife would give the key/combination to the kids, then couldn't understand why I got so upset when something as simple as tightening a screw or drilling a hole required a trip to the hardware store.

I should have encouraged the kids to borrow her makeup rather than argue with her.  THEN SHE WOULD UNDERSTAND.  Buying the kids their own tools didn't work either.  And those sockets I found in the lawn really do a number on your shins while you are mowing.

I've had more sets of screwdrivers, socket wrenches, and vice-grips than a Nascar pit crew.

Jack

[J. Daddy]

My common tools are stored on a work bench - used for other household chores and some train duties. But my dedicated Train tools are stored in a fishermans tackle box ready to go. The top portion is for small parts and tools, the lower portion for larger sockets, screw drivers and special pliers etc.... how ever I do have some tools stored on a cookie sheet lined with a kitchen towl so that a locomotive in need of service or a layout tweek is required, I simply pull the cookie pan from underneath the layout w/ tools and I am ready to go. It has the bare essentials: drill bits, small screw drivers in a case, small socket kit, pliers, wire cutters, tweezers, and a small bottle of light machine oil. This way I am not searching for these key items in a time of need....

[Sturgeon-Phish]

I have a Black and Decker roll around tool box in the train room that has my train related tools in it.  It is large enough to hold 99% of the tools I need when working on train related stuff.  My bride is very good about returning any tool removed, and she does not loan any of the tools out.

Jim

[IRONROOSTER]

I have tools dedicated for the layout. Space is limited as my layout is in my 11x13 bedroom. So I get to sleep next to my trains.

Get a tool box.  The plastic ones aren't too expensive and come in all sizes.  I prefer the ones that don't have all the little compartments - they take up room from the box and usually aren't very useful. 

Enjoy

Paul 

[chuck]

Plano Tackle box, forgot the model number.

[kpolak]

Workforce compartment box with removable inserts $10 at HD.  I can keep all my most used train tools inside, including soldering iron, and have room for a good deal of parts.

Kurt

[lionelsoni]

I have two 41.5-inch high sets of Elfa drawers under one corner of my 45-inch high layout.  Combination wrenches hang from the wall.  Soldering-iron, electric drill, Dremel, vises, and oscilloscope stay on the workbench.  A variable DC power supply, a 1033 transformer, and a large roll of 60-40 solder hang above the bench from under the layout. 

[ogauge]

Stuff in the garage is in a couple of rollaway chests and several top boxes, however the stuff I use on the layout in the basement is in a little cardboard box

[Boonter]

In two drawers to the lefft of the kneehole in my workbench.  Top drawer has small and special tools.  Second drawer soldering iron etc.  On top of the bench is my flex arm CCTV (a magnification system) that I use due to Macular Degeneration.  Not much room taken up and I am still able to work comfortably.

[traindaddy1]

Great question!  Living in an apartment, it required a bit of thought.  Our spare bedroom is multi-functional.   Trainroom, computer room, office etc.  All my tools, for trains and anything else, are in a corner of the room in a Craftsman drawer/tool rolling unit.  Maybe, some day, I'll have the space for a 'real' trainroom AND a special train tool area.

[ChiefEagles]

Went to Lowes and got a plastic about 3 foot tall storage bin with drawers.  Suppose to be on rollers but would not slide under layout with them on.  In fact I love it so good, went and got another one.  Keep tools in one drawer, decals and etc in one, smoke fluid, greese and oil in one, parts in one, electrical in one and so on.

[Brutus]

Great ideas here folks - thanks!  Great thread!!!

[asch]

I built shelfs under my layout to store all of my tools plus scenery supplies, books and magazines, and anything else that needed a home. That way the tools are in easy reach for working on the trains and on the home projects.

[perry1060]

I store most of my heavy tools in the garage. I get half of it so here are 2 pictures. My old truck stays in the driveway. I also have a small inside workshop in my train room where I keep delicate tools and art supply items like acrylic paint tubes, brushes, weathering powders, lights, india inks, wires, extra trees, ballast, razor blade sets, etc...

 

 

 

[BILLBOBBOY1]

I purchased materials for 5 drawers, approx 18" deep and 30" wide, from a woodworking supply catalog.  After assembling and finishing I mounted the drawers under the layout table edge, slightly recessed.  Put all kinds of stuff in them.  One is dedicated to basic electrical wiring and supplies; another has mostly normal hand tools plus a few sized for model work; another has my larger tools such as dremel, soldering station, and multimeter.  The other three contain all kinds of STUFF: smoke containers, glue, train parts, etc.  I started with a method to be organized, but the stuff grew faster than I could keep up.  Thus, a couple of those drawers have stuff I have forgotten I had.

Oh, well, guess that's part of the hobby.

Bill 

[cnw1995]

I have a plastic bin for most of my real tools - don't have many -- my layout tools are stored on a high shelf. They still disappear - I have a little screwdriver and needlenose pliers that I can do everything with - they are also popular with everyone else - my rail cutters somehow end up cutting guitar strings. On this shelf, I have some glues and paints, odds and ends and then a wooden box with model rail tools I got years ago from a mailorder house

[Berk765]

This is a good question for me also. I keep tools in a cabinet and some on a dinner table that (I guess) now became a workbench. It is not very organized so tools get scattered around the house because of other projects. We do have a toolbox in the garage but I would like to get a smaller toolbox, or tacklebox strictly for tools for steam locomotive maintenance.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Here is the train tool box

[ben10ben]

Most of my tools and consumables(solder, flux, soldering gun tips, etc) are stored in just a plain old plastic toolbox. I have a small tackle box where I keep my tap wrench, taps, drill bits, and screws.

I put screws into my layout table legs where I hang my dremel tool, soldering guns, and wire.

[laz 57]

In a box and on the wall like any redneck American.

laz57