Organise your Workshop
A workshop can come in many sizes, from a temporary corner in a room, the end of your garage, shed or cellar through to a purpose built and fitted-out workshop. No matter what your speciality is – woodworking, mechanics, engineering or just general DIY, you need to be able to keep what space you have got, tidy.

You need to consider storage for hand-tools, power tools, machines, parts & accessories, garden equipment, paints, poisons & powders.

Let’s start by looking at your tool collection, how ever many you may have, you need a way to keep your tools tidy.

Even if your tool kit is the most basic, by keeping everything in one place, you’ll know where to find the tool you want, when you need it most. The old shoe box or biscuit tin approach may look OK to start with, but does it have a carrying handle? What happens if it ends up up-side-down? Will it rust or deteriorate in damp conditions?

The choice of Box, Bag or Tote tray comes down to personal preference, but you need to think about:
1. The tools you want to store - space for larger items, hammers and saws for example - somewhere for those little screwdrivers - an area for sharp knives, so you don’t plunge your hand in and cut yourself. And storage for screws, nails, fuses etc.
2. Where will you need to use them?

With prices starting below £4 Machine Mart has a home for even the most modest tool collection.

As your tool kit expands the storage required will become larger and therefore will need more organisation too. As it enlarges, it gets heavier too. Maybe you could split your collection into different sets of tools for different jobs. Wood-working tools, electrical tools, mechanics tools for example. Do you use the tools where they are stored or do you need to take them to a different location?

Tool Boxes and Tool Bags
Machine Mart has many mobile tool toting solutions, suitable for the enthusiastic amateur through to service engineers and other professionals. Each different solution has its advantages, bags are lighter than boxes and don’t damage you or your vehicle so much when they come into contact. Boxes tend to be tougher, can often be used as a temporary bench or step and may be stacked too. Many boxes and bags have multiple compartments to separate and hold tools and components securely.

Larger tool boxes, like the Stanley Cantilever Workshop come with wheels and handles, to make them easier to move. This means they’re ideal if you store your tool box in one place, but need to use it elsewhere or if you are constantly on the move as part of your job. Many will open out to give you access to your tools while you are working and offer storage space for large power tools and paint cans, smaller hand tools, screws and accessories.

Tool Chests
For a larger work-shop or garage, there are mobile tool chests and tool cabinets, with room to house the largest collection of spanners, sockets and all manner of tools and equipment. The wide range at Machine Mart includes models to suit any budget with a choice of friction or ball bearing drawer runners to keep even the most heavily filled drawer running smoothly. Start at the bottom with a mobile cabinet on castors, with a choice of all drawers or drawers and locker space, depending on your needs. Then add a chest on top. For even more storage there are even step-up chests to slot between the base cabinet and top unit, add on side lockers and drawer units. Most units in these ranges are lockable for peace of mind and have handles to make movement easier.

Tool Racks
If you tend to use your tools at a bench, a tool rack mounted on the wall may be a more suitable solution. If this is the case, is your workshop secure? Or do you need to keep things locked away from light, prying or fiddling fingers? An open wall rack will give you instant, un-hindered access to your tools and can come with a slotted back and hooks/racks to hold specific tools. If you find that your tools go missing, or you are concerned as children have access to them, a lockable cabinet could be a good idea. These can also have a peg-board interior to aid organisation. Magnetic tool holders can offer a solution for awkward shaped tools or for smaller collections.

Workbenches
While you’re thinking about a work bench, for those lucky enough to have a permanent base a sturdy bench is a must, these can often incorporate storage under the work surface. The type of bench you need is dictated by what you want to use it for, a traditional carpenters bench is made entirely from wood and has vices and clamps incorporated into the structure. Benches for mechanics and engineers tend to be metal framed for strength and resilience. There are also folding benches and trestles, which are great for those with limited space or who need a mobile solution. A colour co-ordinated range of benches, cabinets and drawer units will make your workshop look smarter and make room for all your tools and equipment.

Boltless Shelving
Once you’ve decided on a bench and your tool storage the last thing to think about is shelving. There’s a wide range of easy to build, boltless shelving and racking available. Many of these may be assembled to be used as a tall shelving unit or two low units, both of which can be used as shelving or even as a work bench. Garage shelving can be used to store all that clutter off the floor, spare tyres, paint, extension leads and loads more. With a choice of sizes, colours, materials, and maximum shelf capacities of up to 800kg, there’s something suitable for every need and situation.