I got to thinking about my tools and how often they are used: (how about you?)

Tier 1 : used all the time

• table saw, usually with a crosscut sled, and if not, with a rip fence

• planer

Tier 2 : used often

• router

• drill

• jointer

• random orbit sander

• oscillating drum/belt sander

• bandsaw

• hand planes

• chisels

• clamps

Tier 3 : used when needed

• router table

• disk/belt table top sander

• biscuit joiner

• screw driver

• wrenches

• sharpeners

Tier 4 : used infrequently

• drill press

• mortiser

• jig saw

• pocket hole jig

• Beadlock tenoner

• belt sander (Shopsmith)

• horizontal boring mode (Shopsmith)

Tier 5 : can't remember last time I used

• oscillating multi tool

• angle grinder

• angle buffer (customer that sold high gloss stuff closed)

• lathe

For me, I'd have to put the lathe in Tier 1 and that would eliminate Tier 5 for me (don't have the other tools).

Band saw would also move to Tier 1. Drill press to Tier 2.

I do have a right angle sanding drill that I would put in Tier 1.

Everything else is pretty much the same as yours.

Too long to start a list but would sound a l.it like Lew. But When you need a tool you need a tool

Almost all of group 5 would be up at least one notch, maybe 2 for me. Maybe move the router table up one notch as well, but otherwise not too different.

Agree with Lew except I own most of tier 5 and they get used as needed .

Actually, after thinking about this, my most used tool is the DC...which is running when any of the stationary tools (that have dust collection) are running. The only 2 excluded in that statement would be the lathe and the DP.

10 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Actually, after thinking about this, my most used tool is the DC...which is running when any of the stationary tools (that have dust collection) are running. The only 2 excluded in that statement would be the lathe and the DP.

Yes, forgot the dust collector, it runs whenever the table saw or planer are running, so Tier 1. Also a shop vac when a sander of any type is running. Forgot the miter saw, typically used for rough length cutting of long pieces.

Most times tier 1 is mostly all hand tools

Bench planes

Chisels

Mallets

Hand saws

Brace, sometimes a power drill

Various specialty planes and scrapers

Sanding blocks

Tier 2

Power mitre saw

Table saw

DA sander

Tier 3

Router

Router table

If I’m building larger outdoor structures deck, fence, shed, etc. the power tools all go to tier 1.

Tool Tiers

Tier one: used all the time

Scroll Saw

Mini Drill press

rotary multitool

Dust collector

Tier two: used often

Drill press

Disk/belt sander table top

Drill

Shop vac

Tier three: used when needed

Table Saw

Band saw

Planer

Random Orbit Sander

Jig saw

Miter saw

Tier four: don’t use it much, but when it’s needed it’s a lifesaver

Router table

Router

Oscillating multi tool

Angle grinder

Lathe

Metal cutting miter saw

skill saw

sawzall

Tier five: can’t remember the last time I used:

hand tools,

I have never thought about organizing my tools in tiers like these.

I have organized my tools the way I want to use them. About the time I started building an inventory of tools, especially hand tools, I built my shop so that the hand tools were in easy reach and most of my power tools were further away.

I still have a little of that now but with my small shops, and with a shop in the basement and another out in the barn, I have split them.

The basement shop is my Winter Shop, lamp repair shop and for small piece builds.

The barn is where I mill my lumber, lumber storage and do production work.

So I have to split the tools between them based on need to support the larger machines I have. I also had to buy duplicate tools to cut down on the travel time between the shops and with my memory, cut down on the multiple trips to get a tool

Tool storage has always been one of my favorite things about tools

I use the table saw a lot less than bandsaw and chop saw. Mostly rip to width on the table saw. I probably use the jointer more than the table saw.

I use the drill press a lot, I use stationary sanders quite a lot.

So much of this is a function of the kind of work we do though. What applies for me probably won't overlap much with anyone else.

I've also never really considered tools/machines as tiered. I guess that's the wealth of availability, both used machines and space to store them. More than half my machinery is older than I am.

I use two principles in tool organization

Kitchen Triangle
I group sets of tools usually in 3 that are used most often together. General principles:

• No leg of the triangle should be less than 1.2 m (4 ft) or more than 2.7 m (9 ft).

• The sum of all three sides of the triangle should be between 4–8 m (13–26 ft).

• Cabinets or other obstacles should not intersect any leg of the triangle by more than 30 cm (12 in).

• If possible, there should be no major traffic flow through the triangle.

• A full-height obstacle, such as a tall cabinet, should not come between any two points of the triangle.

First Order Retrievability for hand and hand-held power tools, on a shelf, in a drawer, or in a tool box

• Every tool is visible

• You can reach (and see) every tool without moving another

I like drawers and cabinets for storage. To me it is storage by general usage, Screw drivers(most), files, punches, Long tape measures, open end wrenches, socket wrenches, crescents and some specialty tools in rolling cabinet. Lathe tools within 3 feet of lathe. Planes and bench tools in the WW Bench . If I did a kitchen style triangle it would be 20 feet across . I tool all corded tools and put them in lockers toward back of shop as they are purpose driven.