I'm a pro-sumer level tool owner. The tools I own are heavily focused on my profession and hobby interests, less so on serious auto mechanic or home handyman stuff. My daily work involves vehicle modification and customization around the installation of emergency vehicle equipment into police and first responder vehicles and off road vehicles. I install lights and sirens, scene lighting, technology products, and fabricated metal storage and mounting solutions. I don't really "fix" vehicles, but do often troubleshoot electrical gremlins and repair interior components. My hobbies are guns, bicycles, RC cars, and various outdoor activities.

As far as tools, I have had everything from junk to top brands and I choose tools based on what works the best for the need. I like German tool brands, Japanese tools, US-made tools, and specialized tools for the work I do. I have reached a point in my life, career, and financial health where I have re-built my tool collection, replacing lesser tools with better ones. I finally have about everything I need and struggle to find tools I need/want to buy now. Once I finally reached my tool nirvana, I focused on organizing my tool storage in three Milwaukee toolboxes

For organizing, I have used a variety of solutions, with Toolbox Widget$ being the main "system" followed by Ernst products and some odds and ends.

Sockets - Toolbox Widgets handle most of the sockets and I have some hex bit holders and a BOXO tray for long items.


Screwdrivers - Toolbox Widgets exclusively, as they made the most of the space.


Pliers - Used 4x metal pliers racks from Amazon. Perfect fit and work well.


Wrenches - Mostly Ernst modular wrench holders (a lot like Toolbox Widgets, but better for wrenches, IMO) and a wrench tray from somewhere to handle my Wright Tools wrench sets.


Ratchets and Extensions - More TBW with set trays for some of the extensions.


Pick/Pry/Trim Tools - My most used items, organized with Ernst trays, TBWs, and set trays.


Hammers and Bicycle Tools


Misc Items and Vice Grips


Punches and Files


Large Wrenches - TBWs to hold most.


Wire Crimping Tools - Just laid out in drawer. These get used a lot.


Wire Strippers - Used daily


Odds and Ends (To be Organized, lol)


Yes, the tools are clean. I keep them that way using Ballistol-soaked wipes and Tub O' Towels HD Cleaning Wipes. Takes a minute or so when putting tools away to keep clean. Most of my work is "clean hands" so not a big task in any case. Keeping tools organized avoids the expense of lost tools and the risk of leaving a stubby thing in a car that carries dangerous folks to jail.

Wow!  A little OCD but very impressive!

Those tool box widgets seem pretty decent.

I see a lot of familiar items in there. Nice collection for sure.

You say that you strip wire daily. Are you an electrician? I've been wiring up a car for Megasquirt and have really enjoyed the process.

Nice.  Been wanting to do a full tool reorganization soon after I find another tool chest.  Some good ideas and products there.  Thanks, OP!

Very nice! I am curious why you have so many screwdrivers however. For me, that is probably the one tool I don't find a need for often.

less than humble brag thread. very clean setup I try to keep my main toolbox somewhat organized. I have these, the real ones. not as pretty as what you have but IMO more functional.

Can you post any pics of the work you do? Took box is fantastic, love the organization.

Yeah, a little “OCD” but tools are something I was taught to take care of early in life. The organization saves tons of time when putting tools away, which I do mid day and end of day for accountability and to keep work areas as uncluttered as I can.

The TBWs are the best socket organization solution I’ve found and I’ve tried many. They allow the most flexibility for full, partial, and odd sets. The trays lock you into sizes you might not have or lack spots for sizes at the extremes. The trays don’t work for hex and torx sockets, adapters, swivels, etc. trays are very inefficient for 1/2” sockets, too. Most of my sockets are 1/4 or 3/8 and I have little need for full sets of 1/2, so widgets work well for me.

Why so many screwdrivers? It’s not really that many in that they are full range sets in both stainless and ferrous versions. Using matching drivers for stainless and non stainless fasteners aids in avoiding rust and wear on tools and fasteners. I love Wera screwdrivers because the colors of the set types help differentiate them. I use screwdrivers of some type on every job. Personally, I think power tools are overused and for me, hand tools avoid expensive, time-consuming mistakes. For example, I often have to remove the visors inside vehicles to hang interior light bars. If I strip out the clips that the screws go into it’s a big problem to fix. In the drawer, you see screwdrivers in the flat, phillips, posiidrive, JIS, Robertson, and torx. Also nut drivers and hex keys in metric and ‘merica sizes.

I wire electrical stuff daily for automotive warning applications, so the stripper drawer is used daily for stripping tools and the various flush cuts to nip zip ties. Anyone who doesn’t flush cut zip ties is a miserable bastard who should rot in hell.

Standard combination wrenches are the ones I use the least. My Wera ratcheting wrenches get used the most, and 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, 7/16 and 1/2” are the workhorses there.

My OCP is jealous and applauds your OCD