Bench tops are intended for clear space on which work may be done. But too often, they become cluttered to the point where nothing fits without major shuffling. Frequently the main culprits are tools; mixed in with, under or behind boxes and parts. A partly pulled drawer with tray may alleviate the problem, but it can become junked up rapidly. Sifting through boxes or trays of partially hidden tools is often time comsuming and incovenient. Unsuccessfully rummaging for a tool with one hand; while holding a part, delicately poised in the other, is frustrating. However solutions can be easily developed to hold tools securely and compactly with identifying, working tips or ends clearly visible for easy selection; within reach right on the bench top.
Since many tools vary in handle shapes, different solutions are required. As an example, files, of all sizes, can be stored compactly in tubes, boxes or trays; but the teeth must be protected from abrasion by others. These are best stored in individual or divided pouches in which some are sold. Most of the commercially offered holder failed to meet the crieria. With similar holding problems, office suppliers often have desk top holders which may be modified for use. Others come from imagination, using whatever is available. Some successes and failures are shown to provoke thought.
Probably designed to hold pens and pencils, these three step holders store most straight handled tools well. Sufficient in weight and stable, they can be positioned as needed. Holes can hold several thin handles. But in spite of advertising, they do not handle pliers well, since the free handle is invariably in the way.
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STRAIGHT HANDLE TOOL HOLDER
Original use forgotten, a multiple, semi-flexible fingered gizmo, holds a large number of tweezers nicely, with tips visible. Due to proximity of the Foredom, often burrs and wire brushes find temporary storage in empty spaces.
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TWEEZERS HELD BY MULTI-FINGERED BASE
Part of a file cabinet drawer, Penda-flex system, clamped to edge of desk; the flat bar supports many pliers, cutters and scissors very compactly. Some sprung types are a little wobbly, but they stay on.
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PLIERS, CUTTERS AND SCISSORS HELD ON FLAT BAR
To the right is the base and lower arm of a computer document holder for instruction sheets.
Some scissors and and all hemostats present different problems. Due to the large ringed handles and the locks between them, flat bar devices do not work well. Browsing found a coil spring letter holder, which looked promising. It worked, but, when touched, smaller sized loops occasionally dropped through the bottom, while all passed through the sides permitting the inside loop to drop. Not very elegant, but expedient, three strips of post card were crudely placed inside, along bottom and lower sides to alleviate the problem, with only partial success. Affixing strategically placed rods, after experimentation, would suggest a better solution. Spring tightens as more items are added.
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EXPERIMENTAL, HEMOSTATS IN COIL SPRING HOLDER
To avoid excessive changes of collets and bits, several knobbed pin vises are chucked with common, grab iron and coupler mounting screw, tap and clearance bits. With their large swivel knobs, storing them rapidly became a problem. Although they can be stood on the knobs, they are not stable. Placed in a box large enough to hold knobs on base, one would tumble and domino the rest. In a smaller box, knobs would overlap and invariably the one needed was on the bottom. Rummaging though a box of old medicine vials, several were found that fit the knobs. Drilling a hole in the bottom, they were screwed to a base to hold each pinvise, at least separately, if not completely upright, and to permit easier access.
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VERY COMPACT, BUT BAD, KNOBBED PINVISE HOLDER
Knobs overlap, vises tilt
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MEDICINE VIAL KNOBBED PINVISE HOLDER
Small bench like shelves at back or sides can provide double deck space. One at right supports food containers for leak-proof storage of cements and chemicals on top, with tool power supplies and a few small table-top power tools below. The other at rear supports coupler test track and loco roller test mill with temporarally accumulated rolling stock, for testing, below.
Fitted with trays, the three top desk drawers hold most of the other smaller tools, less frequently used or requiring more specialized storage.
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