The Brilliant (And Affordable) Hack To Keep All Your Harbor Freight Tools Organized

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Every DIYer knows that having all sorts of hand tools is both a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because anything you need for any task around the house is within reach. At the same time, it's a curse because keeping a huge stash of these tools can get messy fast, especially when you don't have a place to store them neatly. If you collect or invest in Harbor Freight's compendium of instruments and devices — from the retailer's top-rated multipurpose tools for home projects to its super-affordable offerings — then you already have an idea of how laborious tucking them away really is. So, here's a brilliant and inexpensive hack to ensure a clutter-free stash: Use a foam insert.

Having foam inserts for your tools is a smart way to eliminate and prevent clutter, since they give every instrument a dedicated spot. Depending on what is accessible and which one fits your budget, you can choose EVA foam (such as the Foamery Store EVA Foam) or shadow foam sheets (like ONREVA Tool Box Foam) to make the insert, cutting out shapes to snugly fit each tool. It's a straightforward, affordable option to bring some order to your workspace. The inserts will stop your tools from sliding, stacking, or damaging each other inside your garage drawer or tool box. Since they act as an organizer, you also won't have to rummage through the drawer or bin each time you need to grab a tool or two for a specific project. If you already have a Harbor Freight storage cabinet to organize your tools, these inserts make a perfect complement. The foam pads even make it easy to put the tools back where they belong once you are done using them, keeping the space neat and tidy all the time.

To make your own foam inserts for your Harbor Freight tools, start by measuring the drawer or container where you will be putting them. Then, following the measurements, cut a piece of thick foam to size so that it will fit snugly inside the drawer or toolbox. Lay your tools on top of the foam, arranging them in a way that makes sense and makes it easier for you to place like items together and in order. For instance, one drawer insert could be for screwdrivers and bits only. Thin shadow foam around 1 inch in thickness will work for Harbor Freight hand tools, while thicker foam can hold bigger power tools. Once you're done arranging the tools, trace each of them with a marker. Use a hot knife tool (or, if you don't have one, a sharp X-acto knife) to make precise cutouts onto the foam.

When cutting through the material using the hot knife, do it slowly and follow the outlines as cleanly as possible. If you're using shadow foam, carefully cut just to the desired depth. It's best to start by cutting slightly inside the lines first and then widen the cutouts as needed later. After making the cutout, carefully peel away the foam bit by bit to create the holder. For easy grabbing, consider adding small finger notches to the side of the cutouts. This way, you won't struggle each time you have to pluck a hand tool from the insert. If you don't like this idea, however, you can simply stick to the basic foam insert cutouts. Just be sure to leave adequate spacing between the tools for quick and easy access.