How to Organize Tool Storage Drawers | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor and general contractors Tom Silva and Zack Dettmore meet at the shop to discuss toolbox organization.
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Host Kevin O'Connor and general contractor Tom Silva enlist the help of carpenter Zack Dettmore to better organize a tool storage cabinet.
Where to find it?
To create custom drawer foam inserts, start by laying out tools on the foam board [www.kaizensource.com/]. Once you’ve arranged the tools, neatly trace around them to create a form guide. Follow the tool outlines with a utility knife and scoop out the foam innards until the tool fits snug in the opening.
Use aluminum u-channels [homedepot.sjv.io/21v76A] and custom cut them to the perfect dimension to divide different drill bits.
To create a U-channel drawer storage
1. Use the miter saw [homedepot.sjv.io/75vKN5] with a metal cutting blade [homedepot.sjv.io/rQmWPD] installed, measure, mark and cut the u-channel to each desired dimension.
2. Smooth the cut edges of the u-channel with a metal file [homedepot.sjv.io/JzMZNv].
3. Apply the magnetic tape [homedepot.sjv.io/zNoOVG] to the back of the u-channel. The tape is peel-and-stick, so there’s nothing particularly difficult about this step to keep in mind.
4. Place the u-channels in the drawer in the desired orientations.
5. Place the drill bits [homedepot.sjv.io/eKQ2vg] in each compartment.
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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How to Organize Tool Storage Drawers | Ask This Old House
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[@charlesjarmanii]

Please more organization videos. these topics are easily relatable and needed in many of our lives. Keep up the good work!

[@Bdbrad71]

I agree

[@garyeverdeen15]

Most definitely, it seems like I'll spend as much time looking for the tool than it takes to actually build whatever I'm working on.

[@jessehummer]

I am there too. I've picked my weekend project now!

[@JBassB1]

From TV to the Internet been watching you guys for at least 28 years

[@gabevilla8578]

Bring back Zach dettmore! 🎉 great presence and great chemistry with the team

[@DapperMKVI]

Check out more of his content on Build show network

[@JerritPruyn]

Zach is the man🎉

[@eagl3ye]

Wow that is a profound lesson that you can apply to any diy project. When it comes to the struggle against chaos, when it’s possible, think like a lazy person; pick the path of least resistance and don’t always depend on willpower.

[@ClevelandDanny]

BRING HIM BACK!!! We want more!!!

[@masontejera506]

Wahoo! Great seeing Zach in good company! Well earned.

[@mitchf1508]

I recently got 2-9 drawer cabinet/work top tool carts and have all my tools sorted now and it's so true that when you know where your tool is and it's easy to find, it's also easy to put them back!! I never put my tools away before.. Now, I know which drawer has what in it and can grab it and when done, it goes back just as easy.

[@chriswilson9230]

I’m right there with Zach. My OCD tells that an item goes back where it came from, no procrastinating. Someone else in my house borrows things out of the shop and either doesn’t return it and I have to go searching for it, or puts it back in the wrong place (yes,I know where everything goes, I don’t have that big of a shop). And I do keep multiples of some items in different places…pencils, tape measures, etc.

[@fredburban8219]

Years ago before I built my shop I had home projects. I found some bins I could hang on T brackets under my work bench. One bin had drills & bits, another had sanders & paper another hays a circular saw & tape measure. I could grab one bin, go to the work site of my house & have everything ready to go.

[@j.mccarthy3008]

Nice!! The real key is having a spot for everything and putting it BACK!!! Good luck 🍀

[@susanmei9980]

Perfect timing! I’m just trying to organize my tools right this very minute!!! Thank you ! 🌷

[@davidwells9342]

I’m glad that you did this I would like for you to have each member of the show doing an organization project for tools, gardening, plumbing, electrical, masonry, etc. for both Shop and mobile. Also some manufactures that sell foam inserts will laser cut to your desire the foam for whatever tools you may have just send a picture.

[@bailey5542]

Zach is made for TV. Well done!

[@V8SKULLS]

Need a video on Zachs van/truck

[@durangodave]

should have covered one of the biggest issues, used nuts bolts and screws. I have 5 coffee cans full of them.

[@donlifecoach]

Zack Dettmore needs to be more of a regular host.

[@tonychan9752]

Love these ideas, myself I am thinking about efficiency improvements all the time.

[@Popcorncedar]

Super great. That aluminum and tape deal is cool.

[@benjaminkoval3807]

You guys are doing a great job, I've learned quite a lot for the last 16 years of watching you. It's helped in the jobs I've had and have. Keep it up.

[@Anchor9Studios]

That aluminium U channel is a clever idea

[@benjaminkoval3807]

Great job guys with the organization. Would like to see for different styles of tool boxes.

[@Tien1million]

I'm still trying to organize my tools for the last ten years.

[@kenmore01]

Same. Trying to organize my apartment since 2015. Basically I have too much stuff.

[@rbtdoster]

Crazy how Dettmore went from IG fame to a fan favorite on This Old House! Way to go, Zac!

[@sirhamalot8651]

Zack is great!

[@bustamante549]

I made easy assemble to box for my manual tire breakdown for the tools I use.

[@Jositoooo]

I’ve been waiting my whole life for this video.

[@peterk7931]

This seemed like a good audition.

[@louisel.sinniger2057]

Hey, this is great. I am organized in my kitchen and with some of my smaller tools. Now I will get working on my larger tools! Thanks

[@lyndabuchholz1216]

Some of these ideas will work for me. Thanks.

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

Most interesting,im totally satisfied and I was just watching.

[@Acemobilesuit]

More mechanics tools and mobile tool storage thank you!

[@txshah78]

Good collaboration on tool project.

[@yaosio]

Is there a new Tommy Silva coming to TOH?

[@andrewyoung8703]

Thanks guys. Where I live it is hot and humid. I rub all my bare steel tools with a light oil regularly but surface rust remains a problem. The best things I have tried so far are anodizing or blueing but that isn't always a good option. Some other suggestions would be helpful.

[@johnh9962]

I usually use a paste wax on my cast iron tops. I just keep a few cans in the shop near the tools. I used to buff the top when I was younger. I just apply it and leave it now. I have not had an issue with hand tools. If you are looking to try something else, paste wax may help with those.

[@LienNguyen-jz7xk]

Little Tommy tinker sat upon a boxer and he began to open,but please more videos coming sooooooon

[@edrcozonoking]

That is just not "foam" . It is Kaisen foam wich has layers you can peel. Dont even try with regular foam.

[@davidhepp1903]

I've used Ethafoam®since the 1970s.

[@anon.cashpoorloser5285]

Zach is the man!

[@silvermine2033]

I just finished organizing my ammo reloading tools. This will be next!

[@hotelmario]

Can you guys do a video on making media shelves like for DVDs.

[@evildead1791]

Good deal

[@tycox8704]

That might help for a workshop, but not for site projects. I don’t organize tools. I prepare kits (toolboxes/tool bags/tool belts) for types of home repairs.

[@TJsVette]

After getting a newer toolbox I have realize you can never have enough space. Ive already outgrew my toolbox and its less than 6 months old.

[@andubyanduby2604]

But what if you keep buying more tools? How do you make room on the precut foam

[@kenmore01]

Freeze spending!

[@Ryanwolson12]

Thats the cleanest mess ive ever seen

[@gregmgm06]

I like my tools neat and organized, but I have more tools than space in the tool box, so they've overflowed onto my work bench. Time for a larger tool box!

[@jamescollet4420]

Zack should replace Tommy when he retires.

[@laser170323]

I think they're preparing for that. Looks like they're grooming Zach to take over.

[@leonardhandzlik6008]

But, if I organized all my tools and stuff, how would I get my 10,000 steps a day if I eliminate the minimum of five extra round trips between my current project and my workshop in the back of my 1.5 acre property to get the tools I should have gotten the first time, but forgot?

[@antonomaseapophasis5142]

5:54 Notice the way he just casually drops “cut to 9 3/8ths” There is no way he is going to accept 9 5/16ths!

[@kenmore01]

Yeah, what an odd dimension.

[@PhlegmBrulee]

Whoever cleans up the saw wishes Tommy didn’t cut the mag-tape with it.

[@rds9872]

These tools don’t look like ever been used lol

[@rfehr613]

The foam and aluminum tracks are dumb af. Nobody who regularly works with their hands would ever waste their time with those.

[@biggiedickson]

Yes that was a horrible idea.

[@williamlouis5011]

Keep Zach, get rid of Kevin.! He can’t even identify tools!

[@bobjones9727]

I love everything about This old House except the red headed ex banker. Where TF did he come from???

[@tacojohnhg8181]

well he's been on the show for 20 years, so you clearly don't like it very much if you're just now noticing him.

[@bobjones9727]

@@tacojohnhg8181 Tolerated

[@snicks50]

That was a waste of time lol