More from EHT:

Modular Tool Storage System

Organize your Equipment with a Modular Tool Storage System

By Robert Robillard

In the residential remodeling and construction world job sites are busy, hectic arenas with tools and equipment everywhere. Oftentimes contractors simply overlook the “tools that protect the tools.” They are just too darn busy to consider properly organizing and securing their valuable tools and equipment.  But they should!

Jobsite tool storage is just as important as the tools that are used to do the job. The average contractor’s tools are valued at thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars. That’s an investment work protecting.

Take the time to analyze your work efforts during the course of a day. Ask yourself a few questions: How many times did you go back to the truck or trailer for a tool? Did you spend time searching for a bit, blade or accessory? Do you store task-specific tools or accessories together? Do you have a system to get multiple tools and accessories into a job in one trip? Where are your “time sinks” when it comes to tool storage, setup and cleanup?

New systems offer modular storage inserts to customize storage of small parts and accessories. Removable trays mean you can grab what you need and go.
New systems offer modular storage inserts to customize storage of small parts and accessories. Removable trays mean you can grab what you need and go.

See where I’m going? Contractors need to think about tool storage and organization as an investment, and for DIY’ers it will enhance productivity. A smartly designed tool storage system simplifies the protection, storage and transportation of tools and accessories, so you spend more time working and less time searching.

Organized equipment storage results in less wasted time spent looking for items and more productive time on the job. Shown is the Bosch L-Boxx system.
Organized equipment storage results in less wasted time spent looking for items and more productive time on the job. Shown is the Bosch L-Boxx system.

Creating a tailored, customizable tool storage and transport system will save time and work in the long run.

 

Tool Storage Research

Research has shown that the key to becoming better organized on the job site is through the use of modular organizers. Modular organizers are designed to allow for better and more secure storage, better organization and easier mobility.

A popular trend among the new systems is the ability for the modular boxes to stack and interlock together, occupying a smaller storage footprint and transporting as a single unit.
A popular trend among the new systems is the ability for the modular boxes to stack and interlock together, occupying a smaller storage footprint and transporting as a single unit.

We’ve also learned that organization is the key to being productive at work. Contractors use only 33 percent of their time on the job site working. The rest of that time is spent on tasks such as material runs, unplanned interruptions, searching for tools, searching for parts and running errands.

Each system has an optional cart and/or dolly designed to transport the modular storage boxes.
Each system has an optional cart and/or dolly designed to transport the modular storage boxes.

We can’t control all the unplanned “time sinks” but we can choose a system to organize our tools and accessories.

The Bosch L-Cart collapses and folds flat for easy storage when not in use.
The Bosch L-Cart collapses and folds flat for easy storage when not in use.

 

Secure Construction

Today’s storage systems have several things in common. They are durable, lightweight, stackable, and have a uniform footprint designed to protect your tools. They also incorporate mobile carts for transporting the units in fewer trips. The most common individual tool storage and accessory organization systems are:

  • Festool Systainer and  Systainer-Ports systems
  • Bosch L-Boxx, Click and Go System
  • Dewalts TSTAK system and ToughSystem

Equipment Design

The overall quality of the system depends on extra steps the manufacturer takes when constructing the units. Features like customization options, locking lids, strong handles and hinges are important, as are impact- and weather-resistant properties.

The precut foam inserts of the L-Boxx system enables users to remove just enough impact-absorbing foam blocking to create a custom shape that matches your tools. This enables any tool or accessory to be stored safely.
The precut foam inserts of the L-Boxx system enables users to remove just enough impact-absorbing foam blocking to create a custom shape that matches your tools. This enables any tool or accessory to be stored safely.

Manufacturers take pains to design uniform-footprint boxes with stackable and interlocking abilities to minimize the floor space they need to occupy. A variety of box sizes and configurations are available for different purposes. Stackable features allow the containers to click and lock together, making storage and transportation safe, secure, easy and efficient.

Customization means users can store all the tools and accessories together that relate to a particular job.
Customization means users can store all the tools and accessories together that relate to a particular job.

 

Access and organization

Everyone has unique needs when it comes to jobsite storage. Before purchasing a storage system, you should evaluate the quantity and kinds of tools you need to store and how often you need to access them. Always think about portability.

Be sure to label the similarly shaped boxes to add another level of grab-and-go convenience.
Be sure to label the similarly shaped boxes to add another level of grab-and-go convenience.

Consider accessory and parts storage. These are items that get tossed in the truck or trailer or fall behind the seat. They are also the items that we tend to search for most. Everyone can see the bright red drill but finding the thin, slim drill bit is another story. Check for the ability to label the organizational inserts.

Festool pioneered the Systainer line of modular cases years ago as a storage solution for the company’s professional-grade woodworking tools.
Festool pioneered the Systainer line of modular cases years ago as a storage solution for the company’s professional-grade woodworking tools.

Do you work on one job for several months or are you more of a mobile contractor where you frequent several project locations? Portability is an important aspect of choosing a tool storage system. Look at the wheels and see if they are conducive to the terrain that you traverse. Caster wheels are designed to carry substantial weight and travel on hard, compact surfaces (i. e., hard dirt, concrete or finished flooring). Rubber wheels with integrated stair-climbing strips are better suited for stairs and softer surfaces (i.e., mud, lawns and work surfaces associated with newer construction sites). This is the type of transport system I use the most.

The Festool Systainer system interlocks for easy transport with the SysRoll cart, which weighs only 14.3 lbs. but boasts a 220-lb. capacity .
The Festool Systainer system interlocks for easy transport with the SysRoll cart, which weighs only 14.3 lbs. but boasts a 220-lb. capacity .

Make sure your transport system has the flexibility to suit all terrains you’ll find on the job. Some manufacturers offer two-wheel dollies for tough terrain and four-wheel carts for harder, finished surfaces.

 

The Contractor Advantage

If you’re a professional contractor who is serious about purchasing one of the tool storage systems, you can rest assured it’s an investment that will last for years and will make a statement to your clients. That statement is, “I care about my tools as much as my work. You’re in good hands, if I’m rolling in my uniform tool storage system.”

The DeWalt ToughSystem of extremely durable tool boxes can be transported with the DS Carrier, a metal cart with adjustable, foldable brackets that allows tailored configuration.
The DeWalt ToughSystem of extremely durable tool boxes can be transported with the DS Carrier, a metal cart with adjustable, foldable brackets that allows tailored configuration.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and when you look organized it puts your clients at ease and commands respect. It tells people you are in control and can handle the task at hand.

DeWalt’s TSTAK system is a flexible storage platform that allows different combinations. All units can stack on top of the other and connect with durable slide latches.
DeWalt’s TSTAK system is a flexible storage platform that allows different combinations. All units can stack on top of the other and connect with durable slide latches.

Having a system that is organized and labeled just plain makes sense to our world of demolition and debris!

Editor’s Note: Robert Robillard is a remodeling contractor based in Concord, MA, and editor of a www.AConcordCarpenter.com.

Hot Product

fence trac
FenceTrac Fence Systems

FenceTrac is a revolutionary fence system that uses patented U-channel rails and metal posts to create a secure and sturdy frame for any type of infill. You can choose from wood, vinyl, composite, bamboo, metal, or any other material that fits your style and budget. You can also mix and match different infills to create […]

Read More >>