tool storage

I personally use an old cigar box. I tried buying one of those organizers with all the little drawers, but it turned out that the drawers weren't long enough to hold my brushes, so now I keep it in another area and use it to hold extra bottles of paint and other supplies I don't use very often.

One option for you may be to get one of those drawer organizers used for sorting pens, pencils and other office supplies. I've been thinking about purchasing one of those monster tackle boxes with all the drawers and trays to get everything in the same place, but don't really need it (yet).

My advice... measure twice and buy once. Corollary... be careful about purchasing the modular systems unless you're going to buy everything at the same time... it seems like they change the designs every year, and I'm not sure that a module from one year will connect with a module from another.

hey crown......

try this site, and look for Search site, and type in LC390.....

http://www.modelexpoinc.com/

I have a small peg board along with some very large pill bottles. My desk has a drawer in it, that is a mess and I have a old single kitchen cupboard with a drawer in it as well.
None of which are very neat at the moment, or any other moment for that matter. My only consolation is my wifes craft table is always messyer than mine.

Personally, I think your styrofoam is a good idea for the frequently used tools. Just update it to a block of wood with holes.
I have a small lazy susan on my bench for the common tools, and the others are more or less organized in a tackle box, that way I can move them around easier.
Bruce

A while back one of the guys I work with bought a new computer -and I snagged the foam rubber that lined the box - got a couple of pieces about 2 inches thick, 10 inches wide and 2 foot long - I glued a piece of 1/16 inch thick piece of maghogany plywood to the bottom of one of them and then stuck the items that I use the most into it (exacto knives, scribers, scissors, files etc) - for those items that I have that won't really fit in the foam block (or are only used occasionally) I either hang them on a peg board on the left top of my work bench (Dremel tool, soldering iron etc) or in a Craftsman four drawer tool box (micrometer, Razor saws, drill bits ets) which set on a set of shelves at the end of the bench (got that at a yard sale for $30 and its like new)

I also glued some plywood to the bottom of a piece of foam that was 3" x 3", cut a hole in the foam and stuck my liquid glue and gluing brushes in it - really have to work to knock it over now (ruined a couple of models by knocking over the open glue bottle a while back)

Hey, while editing this (I know how to spell, but my fingers apparently don't), this is my 100th post. Gad

I have a Plano tackle box with a drop front and drawers. I just lay the tool I'm using on the drop front, makes a handy tray.

I use a full size craftsman roll away tool box beside my desk. The large drawer at the bottom holds my compressor, right above it it my airbrush and its assorted pieces parts. One drawer for small paints, one for sheet styrene, another for brushes, you get the idea. With such a large box everything has its own drawer. Nothing gets mixed up or lost. The area under the top lid is my spares box.

I'm the the middle of re-designing my computer/model room...... so i don't haveany real organization, but hopefully i willsoon..... i like the tool box idea.......

I use one of those multi-tubular pen/pencil holder thingies and 2 drawers for paints, bottles and other "stuff". The holder has 4 tubes of different height and diameter set on a round base so all the files, knives, tweezers, pliers etc etc go in different tubes. It only takes up about 6 inches of bench space.

Thanks for all the great ideas. I like the tool box idea since i'm a mechanic and have extra tool boxes in the garage. I also like the thingie ideas.

As I'm confined to the kitchen table, I have no real room for much. I bought a "Rolykit" from Micromark. Its a small tool box that rolls out to retrieve tools, and back up into a relatively small hexoganal shaped box. Quite handy.

I use a tackle box as well..... it has compartments on top for my diorama supplies, a tray inside that holds my longer tools like brushes, and the tray lifts out for lots of storage underneath. The best thing is that it came with a small lure box which I use as a decal soaking chamber :)

just the odd beer can for brushes, old kit boxes for the rest stored in a even bigger box.
Being too tidy spoils the thrill of searching.....lol

Yeah, the tackle box is really the way to go. Since I'm just a rookie with a limited number of tools and paint this really works well. Just open it up and get to buliding.

Over and out.

I use Pegboard, A block of wood w/ holes on it, along with a Tackle/tool box to store my tools in.

I use my dads old Gershner tool makers box. Lots of drawers of various widths and thicknesses. My current use tools i use a small lazy susan thingie. I also have a couple of small three drawer and a 12 drawer plastic storage cabinet from the craft store section of wally world. I keep my paints on a multi level tiered spice rack. I Use small 6x8 or so boxes to store decals. I too am in the process of doing up a dedicated hobby room for my better half & myself. when I finish it maybe I can figure out how to post pictures.
Bruce

You guys have given me some good ideas too. I really need to reorganize my modeling table. I have most of my tools and spare styrene etc... stuffed into a single drawer tote. I keep my paints on top of it a coffee cup holds my brushes and x-acto. I need something to put my stuff in so I don't have to dig through my tote bin.

I have an old tool box that opens on the top and has three drawers below that is quite handy. I keep all my paints and the likes on the top. My brushes, knives,tweezer, scissors and such in the toop drawer. Sand paper and such in the next and etc. But the main things is that whatever you use is perfect for you.

I'm always looking for ways to improve my work area as well. I've started using my pill bottles as holders, and I have an old office desk. But I've found that I do most of my modeling in my easy chair watching (listening) to TV, so I'm in the process of adapting an old beauty salon type cart as a mini desk. A friend's husband found it in a dumpster and thought she could use it for her sewing, but she decided she didn't need it, so they past it one to me. It's stands about 3 ft high, has a pull down cover to an area with three drawers and a sectioned work space on top. There are also braces on the sides that with a little modification, will hold magazines, sheet styrene, or whatever. The only thing it doesn't have that I wish it did at the moment is a handle to pull it around the room.

Don

I keep my larger and less used tools in a tool box the stuff that stays out is stored in SPAM cans.

See a few of my related comments in this thread

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10905

Murray

I am a frequent shooter, I love shooting all kinds of weapons. Some of the larger caliber rounds come in plastic frames in the box. These frames are excelent for storing brushes and other thin handled tools like exacto knives. If you don't like to shoot, take a trip to the neerest gunshop with a range in it.

I bought one of those small storage bins. I think I am going to buy a good size tackle box. Thanks for the ideas.
mark956

Soup Cans. Or as I was thinking on a shoestring budget, get an old model box; ideally one with tall sides. Fill the bottom with pennies (who uses them these days?) Then punch holes in the top.

this may not seem feasable but just ask yer wife or girlfriend to go find what ya need from the other room hahahaha...wait are there any female modelers here ? ahahahaha wait no really is there......... i joke

Here are some pics of my main tool box.

Woody, you are entirely TOO organized. I think you're making a lot of us (including me) look bad!

Great suggestions fellows.
I'm fairly new at this hobby. But I use an old paint box the kind that folds out and has different layers, even though craft box that has drawers that pull out would be more user friendly. I also save jars out of the kitchen for brushes and tall stuff. Actually lots of jars, but I also have loads of brushes from when I painted Santa Claus Figurines as a kid. Also I bought this great find at wal-mart. It's a desk lamp with both a light and a magnifier on bendy arms. Also it has a rotating base with several types of storage compartments. It had been the most handy tool I have. It was only $20 bucks too! Check it out. I hope they still have them. I got it about 2 years ago
Cheers