How many COMPLETE sets of Allen wrenches do you have?

[JustaDB]

That bin of Allen keys in video thumbnail photo is how some people "store" their keys.

Hey! Don't be picking on @Susquatch...

 

[ChazzC]

Late in adding my contributions:


UNBRAKO Metric & Craftsman Inch Keys (Garage Toolbox)


Craftsman Metric & Inch Keys & Hunter "Smitty" Inch Set (Shop)


Kobalt Long Metric & Inch 1/4" & 3/8" Drive (Shop)


Bondus Metric & Inch Drivers & Keys (Shop)



Eight Tools Metric & Inch Keys in repurposed HF Stand (Shop)

Plus numerous not-in-set Metric & Inch scattered about the Shop at specific use points.


I'll leave it to the Members to decide how many "sets" (I think 16).

 

[Susquatch]

Hey! Don't be picking on @Susquatch...

Hmmmm. Was that a shot!

Just for shits n giggles it's worth pointing out that my self declared tool storage system is "Organized Chaos". Here are a few actual photos of my Allen key collection.

My main Allen key storage is a hodgepodge of full and partial sets. The bags and boxes in the lower right corner of the drawer were keys purchased in volume to complete other sets or to be used with specific machines in my shop and elsewhere.



This is the set I keep on my lathe bench. They are really cheap sets but I love them. They work so well that I've ended up leaving individual keys sitting with various machines throughout my shop. I really should get a second set of these so I would always have a full set handy.



This is a pair of bags (metric & imperial) of wrenches that I got at a meet-up swap meet a few years ago. I wish I had gotten a stash like these 40 years ago. They were really appreciated and have been really handy to have.



A short story about organized chaos. A few months ago, I overheard one of my brothers talking to my wife on the phone. She was bitching about how messy my shop is. My brother is fairly neat too. So I figured they would end up ganging up on me. Anyway, at one point he told her about the time he visited here and brought along a new to him used torque wrench that he wanted me to help him calibrate. He told her about how I walked around my shop, grabbed this part here, that part there, this tool here, another tool there and a few adapters from some of the drawers in a tool chest - all in just one very quick walk, then moved a stool next to my bench vise so he could sit and watch me, and then went through the usuable range of his wrench, showed him how consistent the readings were vs the actual and was all done in just a few minutes. Not only that but apparently I explained it all such that he understood it and could do it over himself when he got home. So ya, he told her that my stuff was a mess but I know exactly where all that stuff is and it clearly works for me.

I recall that visit. He said nothing of the sort to me at the time but he was quite grateful for the help and the information. I didn't realize it had had that affect on him.

I don't think my wife wanted to hear any of that. He certainly didn't tell me that.

Anyway, that's what organized chaos is all about. It works for me and I don't apologize for it.

 

[ChazzC]

Hmmmm. Was that a shot!

Just for shits n giggles it's worth pointing out that my self declared tool storage system is "Organized Chaos". Here are a few actual photos of my Allen key collection.

My main Allen key storage is a hodgepodge of full and partial sets. The bags and boxes in the lower right corner of the drawer were keys purchased in volume to complete other sets or to be used with specific machines in my shop and elsewhere.

View attachment 89473

This is the set I keep on my lathe bench. They are really cheap sets but I love them. They work so well that I've ended up leaving individual keys sitting with various machines throughout my shop. I really should get a second set of these so I would always have a full set handy.

View attachment 89472

This is a pair of bags (metric & imperial) of wrenches that I got at a meet-up swap meet a few years ago. I wish I had gotten a stash like these 40 years ago. They were really appreciated and have been really handy to have.

View attachment 89471

A short story about organized chaos. A few months ago, I overheard one of my brothers talking to my wife on the phone. She was bitching about how messy my shop is. My brother is fairly neat too. So I figured they would end up ganging up on me. Anyway, at one point he told her about the time he visited here and brought along a new to him used torque wrench that he wanted me to help him calibrate. He told her about how I walked around my shop, grabbed this part here, that part there, this tool here, another tool there and a few adapters from some of the drawers in a tool chest - all in just one very quick walk, then moved a stool next to my bench vise so he could sit and watch me, and then went through the usuable range of his wrench, showed him how consistent the readings were vs the actual and was all done in just a few minutes. Not only that but apparently I explained it all such that he understood it and could do it over himself when he got home. So ya, he told her that my stuff was a mess but I know exactly where all that stuff is and it clearly works for me.

I recall that visit. He said nothing of the sort to me at the time but he was quite grateful for the help and the information. I didn't realize it had had that affect on him.

I don't think my wife wanted to hear any of that. He certainly didn't tell me that.

Anyway, that's what organized chaos is all about. It works for me and I don't apologize for it.

So your wife and one of your brothers are besties? Or am I missing the point?

 

[Elektrishun]

A short story about organized chaos. A few months ago, I overheard one of my brothers talking to my wife on the phone. She was bitching about how messy my shop is.

Hmmm... It's getting close to Christmas. Does she decorate? If she does on the scale my wife decorates you should be fixing all the stuff with broken parts and lights that don't work, etc.. I am in full repair mode right now. Just last night I rewired a bunch of lights for her tree so that they only take up one plug-in. Great time of the year to "build credit" and greatly reduce any negative feedback regarding tool purchases or about how much time is spent in the shop.

 

[Susquatch]

So your wife and one of your brothers are besties? Or am I missing the point?

Ya, you are missing the point.

But your observation is valid. In fact, she likes all my brothers and all my brothers like her.

 

[Susquatch]

Hmmm... It's getting close to Christmas. Does she decorate? If she does on the scale my wife decorates you should be fixing all the stuff with broken parts and lights that don't work, etc.. I am in full repair mode right now. Just last night I rewired a bunch of lights for her tree so that they only take up one plug-in. Great time of the year to "build credit" and greatly reduce any negative feedback regarding tool purchases or about how much time is spent in the shop.

Yup, she is a season's girl. Decorates for summer, winter, spring, and fall. Then adds in all the big holidays. Valentines day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, etc etc.

I fixed up all her lights many decades ago. Worn that welcome completely out.

She doesn't really care how much time I spend in the shop and doesn't track minor purchases either. Just the really big ones.

This particular story wasnt about purchases or time. It was about her total refusal to let me be the piler I was born to be. Two or more of anything is a hoarder in her opinion. Any tools, or dirt, or dust, or fingerprints on a surface, or parts on a bench next to a machine, or any machine not polished is proof of a sick mind that needs to be imprisoned at an asylum. The purchase isn't a problem. My broken brain is.

 

[JustaDB]

Hmmmm. Was that a shot!

Nope. Having been reliably informed of your penchant for piling, I guess I just expected a pile of allen keys somewhere.
😛