Check out this new process I have decided to adopt for my tools! 

I often look for ideas to streamline and organize my process here at my design and fabrication studio. 

I have tools and equipment EVERYWHERE. 

Since I built out my own space; tool organization, custom shelves, tool boxes, and storage ideas are constantly on my mind. 

A time in my life that really stands out to me, was when I was tasked with designing a custom motorcycle for Igor Sikorsky's helicopter company. I would without fail dive in and start researching the company looking for details and design cues to inject into the final design of the chopper.

While at the manufacturing plant in Connecticut I was amazed that it was so clean and so perfect.  Every tool and every part had an exact home, even the tool boxes were a work of art!  Each drawer was carefully thought out and labeled, every tool slid perfectly into a custom created foam pocket.

I was in the middle of a manufacturing plant and I felt peaceful.  I was inspired… I had to do this! 

I finally gave it a shot.  DRAWER 1 down.  Only 26 more drawers to GO! 

Sometimes it is nice to take a step away from the glow of the computer screen and do something simple. Its great to solve a problem by slowing down and using basic hand tools, whenever I make something this way the end result is super rewarding.  Now I will be able to quickly see if my kids "borrowed" any of my tools and keep a clean working environment. 

If you are like me and you need more tool organization in your life you can see how I made this happen below with these 8 simple steps.  If needed I added a few links to help out with the tools I used, feel free to give it a shot with what you have or investigate into other options.

Step 1: I ordered the correct size foam kit to fit inside my tool box drawer. Tool Shadow Foam Kit I really liked how easy it was to work with and install.  The black foam has a sticky back that secures it to the bright red colored foam.  

Step 2:  I carefully organized all the tools to accommodate my work flow for this drawer.

Step 3:  I traced out all the tools using the Long Nose Marker  Funny name but this marker made this whole job possible!  It turns out that I really needed the long nose in order to stay tight on the part I was tracing, using this allowed for greater accuracy around the tools.  The marker was also easy to remove once I was finished cutting.  

Step 4:  I cut away the tool silhouettes using my new Hot Knife This knife is amazing!  I started this process with an old school razor knife, not the best choice.  Then I got smart and ordered this electric hot knife.  It cut right through the foam!  I was like a Ninja with a hot knife slicing through butter.  LOL

Step 5:  I used the Kaizen Knife to cut away and remove the rest of the parts.  This was extremely helpful when cutting tight corners.  However, the strongest feature of this tool is the small hook on the back of the handle.  I used this with ease to extract the foam parts. 

Step 6:  I peeled off the backing material on the cut foam board and place it on top of the colored foam board.

Step 7:  I installed the foam boards inside my drawer and loaded it up with my tools.

Step 8:  I am now enjoying the peacefulness of an organized drawer!