Small Workshop Solutions, Part 1 (Tool Organizers)

I recall someone said, "When in doubt. organizise". Playful fun with the word organize but a small workshop, such as what I have, needs a dose of it.  Plenty of doses actually. Clutter and finding the tools when you need them is the bane of every hobbyist woodworker (next to sanding).  I must admit it is hard to keep a workshop neat and clutter-free, if one is actively used.  But the most frustrating part is finding the tool when needed and making sure it goes back to where it must, after it is used. At the same place, every time.  Easier said than done.

Marking tools are 99% of what starts a project. All of these (below) were needed to be in one portable carrier. Limited work space calls for keeping these tools (below) in as small a caddy as possible, i.e., one with a mere 3 X 9 inch foot print and the portability of a condiment holder.

Two rare earth magnets at the bottom secures this stand when set on top of the table saw. It will slide smoothly enough or it can be picked up and moved via a handle with a finger hole. 

Each marking tool in a specific slot makes finding and returning easy.  

Pocket hole joinery is quick, strong and convenient to use.  Depending on the thickness of the material to be joined, the special drill bits must have a specific stop collar.  Having each set, marked  and readily available adds to convenience.

Seldom used, small carving chisels need portability too and a small footprint caddy makes it easy to set aside and stored on a shelf.

Drill accessories and drill bits (below) at "parade rest" ready to be called upon ..

.. by the drill sergeant on duty (below). My wife asked once, "Why do you have so many drills?" I answered, "One can't have too many drills".  Because ..

"One can't have too many clamps", along the same line of  non-sequitur arguments husbands use when it comes to buying tools. But clamps need to be organized too.

From above ..

To middle height ..

To below ..

These long clamps (below), some as long as 48 inches, take up residence outside by the workshop door. Often they are used for assembling bigger projects that require space outside the small workshop, such as at the adjoining car garage, so they might as well be conveniently there.

Below, also with a magnet bottom, this caddy typically sits on the table saw fence containing the remote switch for the dust collector, a remote for the air cleaner, a digital angle gauge and tape measure. Procedurally, I'd turn the dust collector and air cleaner on, before turning on the table saw.  The digital gauge is needed when setting the angle of the saw blade. All within easy reach as I stand in front of the table saw. Of course, the entire caddy will slide along the fence or it can be picked up and set aside near-by if called for.

Individual saw blades in their tray..

.. and tucked into their individual slots to the right of the table saw within arms length.

Another caddy, designed to slide along a track on the side of the bench. It is removable if the entire workbench surface needs to be used.

Tucked away in a large drawer are the various hand planes. 

Below is another drawer with the "drill sergeants".

When it is not doable on the drill press this tool makes it possible to drill prefect 90 deg. holes using a hand drill attached to it.

CA glue and accelerator are now  an invaluable part of woodworking, specially for gluing up small pieces or for quick adhesion until regular glue dries.

Camera batteries and charger caddy (often used to take the photos for this blog)

Obviously, it helps to organize a maddening array of tools in a small workshop. I am not a neat freak by any means but a little organizing takes away the madness otherwise.