After a slow start I am getting ready to install the converted LT1 intake manifold on to my L98. I got the manifold from David Frederick here and it is beautifully done.
Had to deal with dual flooded basement family rooms/bedrooms and baths. I own a duplex near Grand Rapids, MI and live near the intersection of two rivers (Grand River and Flat River). The water did not reach my street but the ground was so saturated that the water just came in through the soil. The house is 13 years old and I am the original owner - never had this problem before. You can just imagine what a mess we had. Fortunately my renters are relatives and we had access to some huge water vacuums and blowers to dry things out.
So I am finally getting the extra stuff that was rescued from the basement out of my pole barn so I can begin work on the 91.
I saw a segment on Stacy David's Gearz show that gave some tips on how to organize your tool chest. He suggested to have a drawer for each type of tool and to arrange the wrenches by size from one side to the other. He said to lay the wrenches facing straight away as you are looking at the tool box.
I have different drawers for metric wrenches, SAE wenches, large metric sockets, small ones etc. In the past I just kind of tossed things in there which makes it a real hassle to pick out the tool you need.
I have stuff in there from when I was a teen and a whole bunch of tools from my Dad who was a die maker for Fisher Body.
One thing I really found handy when I rebuilt the engine from an 81 that I used to own was a rolling table/cart that you can pull right up to your project. Almost as good as having an assistant to hand you things.
Let's hear your project tips. We can all learn something here.

 

Hello,

this sounds interesting, as I am about to do the same reorganization. Do you recall which episode it was, I would like to see if I can find it, to watch it. Right now, I have chaos. I have a scewdriver drawer, 2 socket draws and a wrench drawer, but they are a mess, it takes me longer to find the exact tool than the repair itself!
very frustrating.

 

When I was a mechanic I had a huge tool box and every tool had its place.They were organized by type. If a tool was missing I knew right away. I also had tools organized in sets for jobs I did all the time ...like brakes etc. Sometimes this would call for multiple tools of the same size but in the end it saved time and made me more money. A good roller cabinet with a few drawers is always good to have with the tools you use most. I also use a lot of masking tape and zip lock bags to organize things when I take them off and take pictures because when its your own project you never know when you will be back to it.

When I worked as a tech I used a few magnetic trays to put bolts in groups of what they came off of. I also like to put screws back in the holes they came out of when taking things apart so they don't get mixed up, if possible. Another trick is to draw the outline of the part on card board and stick the bolts through it.

 

I have something like this. One metric, one SAE. Hangs on the wall and portable.


http://www.sears.com/hansen-global-w..._tnt=39869:3:0

 

^THIS^.

There are many ways in which you can physically hold the tools; cut out foam, moulded trays, magnets, socket racks, steel trays...up to you and your wallet. The KEY is like ch@os said:
*Each tool has a place -you know where to find it, you know when it's not there
*group them strategically in a logical way.
*It helps to arrange them such that you can see the sizes quickly. Reduces time pulling out, looking and putting back to find the right size.

Another "trick" that has worked for me is getting rid of nearly all SAE sized tools. They're redundant, take up space, and slow you when selecting the right size. For each of my "sets" (socket set, wrench set, etc) , I have 8mm - 19mm, and then I buy one 1/4", one 3/8" and one 13/16", for each set and slip in in "line" with the metrics to make a single set that fits all sizes.
1/4"
8mm = 5/16"
9mm
3/8"
10mm
11mm = 7/16
12mm
13mm = 1/2"
14mm = 9/16"
15mm
16mm = 5/8"
17mm = 11/16"
18mm
19mm = 3/4"
13/16

That is what each of my "sets" look like. With one metric set and three additional SAE pieces (wrench, socket, whatever), I have ONE "set" that covers everything. both metric and standard, from 1/4" (between 7 & 8 mm) up to 13/16" (~21mm)....and it really cleans up the box a lot, not having complete/double SAE sets AND metric sets for every type of tool.

 

Make a Build Check Off Sheet for your project.
It can be in a Outline format.
Makes it a lot easier when you have to leave the project for awhile. Plus helps keep you focused at the task at hand.

 

I don't have much of a storage facility save for a copla tool boxes. When I work on say intake I bag & label the bolts to facilitate assembly.

Thanks for that neat metric-SAE conversion list...