Use Foam Storage Inserts to Keep Track of All Your Tools

Every time we get the tools out for a project, it seems like we spend as much time looking for the right tool as we do working. Whether the one screwdriver you need is the only one missing out of hundreds, or you can’t find the Allen wrench you bought especially for the project, spending 15 minutes looking for a tool you only need for 15 seconds of work is maddening. Because we all want to minimize the time spent working on something, putting tools away in the midst of a project rarely happens, resulting in tool chests turning into an interwoven mess of metal. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to keep tools organized, without doubling the time it takes to finish a job.

With a custom tool insert, foam rubber cut to the shape of your tools is layered over another durable foam base. This organizes your tools in a fully customizable way, and gives each one its own special spot. Using materials like neoprene and cross-linked polyethylene foam, it’s easy to plot a tool layout and carve the silhouettes out by hand. Foam cuts are surprisingly easy to make using a sharp, straight blade like a utility knife, and will leave smooth edges for a professional look. By designing the cuts yourself, you can customize how many tools fit in each drawer and their layout.

The other benefit of this style of organization is the near-inability to lose your tools. Using a foam base of bright colors under a dark top layer makes it exceedingly obvious when a tool is missing from its home. A quick glance at your tool box or chest before you pack up will tell you that you’re missing a tool. With a darkly colored top layer and every tool in its place, the inserts maintain a clean appearance. It becomes a passive alarm system, helping you avoid losing expensive or important tools.

Closed-cell foam materials like polyethylene, neoprene, and cross-linked polyethylene are all durable products that can be safely wiped down as needed, ensuring that you won’t need to treat the inserts any more gently than you’d treat your tools.