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Removable Shop Drawers for Better Tool Transportation and Storage

Easier than fishing multiple tools out of multiple plastic cases

By Rain Noe - July 23, 2015

in Hand Tools | Organization | Furniture Design | DIY

Something I like about the EZSTAX system is how the designers have considered the entire process of clothes storage, from laundry room to closet. Thus the system is meant to be brought to the laundry room, with the clothes folded and "loaded" there, then brought back to the larger storage unit and dropped in, pre-organized.

This idea of a storage system with removable, mobile elements is intriguing, so I'm looking around to see if there are any other precedents or applications. The closest I could find is this project on Lumberjocks by user Kabashu, though it's to do with organizing tools rather than clothes.

"[I got] sick and tired of carrying black plastic cases in and out of my shop every time I have a travel job," he writes. "Tired of opening and closing those same cases every time I need a tool in the shop." Here's his DIY solution:

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"Problem solved. Things I use the most all in two portable boxes that fit into drawers when I'm in the shop and easily loaded into trailer when working off site. Even made a portable charging station with programmable timer to keep them fresh. Long overdue project!"

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Again, this seems like a great 1.0 for what could be a very efficient system. What would those of you with shops do to improve upon this design?

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Dave Barrowcliffe

9 years ago

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Any site worker would know that portability, accessability,weight and space are prime considerations when carting tools and equipment around. My tools are organised in trade specific light weight metal boxes, Brick and wet trades, Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, Framing and a box with all carpentry hand tools. I have aditional boxes which I fill with other tools from my shop which I need for specific jobs. When I go on site I just load the boxes I need for that days work. When I finish I just store them in my shop until next time.
My biggest complaint with power tools are those which come in unnecessaary oversize plastic containers. I have two corded Protool drills (owned by Festool) which came in Systainers. One of the drills fits neatly in a 35 year old metal German AEG drill case. The systainer is 77.56% greater in volume than the metal AEG case. The other drill I put in an old Hilti plastic drill case. The Systainer is 196%, yes 196% greater in volume than the Hilti case. The plasic container my Milwaukee Sawsall comes in is far too large for the contents. The same for my Milwaukee 18v drill and impact driver combo is like a suite case, far too big.
The change from durable metal containers for power tools to fancy non durable plastic containers has made me go back to the pratically indistructable stackable milk crate. In one crate I can hold 2 corded drills, a screw gun, two rotary hammers drills, a battery drill and battery impact driver and battery charger. Easier to carry and far more compact.
The systainer system and similar products are more for show than go and are an overrated and overpriced product. Before you go down the systainer track, sit down and have a big think about what YOUR needs and requirements are before you get seduced by promotional material and campaigns.

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Thom Wright

9 years ago

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Heartily agree with Alex regarding weight. Lightweight plastic would be better.

If they were easily stackable no-lids is better. Lids get in the way on the job-site, get thrown away or damaged.

I also use a lot of buckets now, rectangular boxes would be more space efficient and would get rid of the bucket lids.

So, here's an idea for someone. Oh yea, milk crates have already been invented. Make them solid (no holes for parts to fall out) and sell them at the home centers. Maybe even make them matching milk crates so they can be used in combination.

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Alex Bakker

9 years ago

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I'm looking into this as well, because I currently live in wire-shelf hell. I've got 5 roll cabs, and those are great, and hand power tools live in an old file cabinet. In an ideal world, I'd have a better means of storing liftable bench tools. The best thing you could do for this project is figure out how to make it lighter. Those plywood boxes are probably really heavy, with the tools in them.
when I need to go on site, I just use a lot of buckets for the tools that don't have good cases, and the festool sustainers for the festool tools.

I honestly have more of a problem with wrenches and screwdrivers than portable electrics, though.

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