Shadowboards for tools - the AI solution.
Shadowboards for tools - the AI solution.
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Original Poster:

1,337 posts

7 months

Wednesday 17th September 2025
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This is something I have thought about and tried with bits of foam but it was more hassle than it was worth, so while perusing the web I found https://www.tooltrace.ai/

This basically lets you upload a picture of your tools on an A4 sheet of paper, converts it into outlines and then lets you design a basic layout as need. To me the valuable bit is not having to measure your tools.

The bit that interested me was the export options e.g. step, dxf and stl which can be 3D printed. You can take them up on supplying a custom foam insert based on your design if you want.

Nigel_O

3,513 posts

240 months

Wednesday 17th September 2025
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Great idea, but what happens if your tool cabinet drawers are bigger than A4?

JoshSm

2,648 posts

58 months

Wednesday 17th September 2025
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Sound like something you could do with any outlining tool that will export to vector in an editor, then potentially export to any cutting plotter that can handle the foam.

Maybe aided in the case of the AI by adding a bit of auto rotate and possibly recognising things against a library to get better generic fits vs trying to generate a new outline every time.

MDT

640 posts

193 months

Wednesday 17th September 2025
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I did look at this, as ever watched a few youtube vids.

This is in theory a nice neat solution, but in reality.

It's not a very efficient use of the space.
Looks good and smart on day 1 but after you have put down and picked up tools with oily dirty hands it will start to look quite grubby
if you set your draws out like this and then buy a new tool. you are back into re-doing this.

the only real time this would work for me would be if I was to have a big tool box in the back of a van say day in day out to cut down on the rattles.

I actually have these foam cut out sheets big ones for a load of tools but they are not used and up in the loft.

Dave.

7,774 posts

274 months

Wednesday 17th September 2025
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Nigel_O said:
Great idea, but what happens if your tool cabinet drawers are bigger than A4?
I’m assuming it’s using the A4 sheet as a scale to gauge the actual size of the tools.

Might get an A0 drawing out and see what it does hehe

Nigel_O

3,513 posts

240 months

Sunday 21st September 2025
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Just do it manually - I found it quite therapeutic…


Sycamore

2,086 posts

139 months

Monday 22nd September 2025
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Nigel_O said:
Just do it manually - I found it quite therapeutic

I'm about 30 miles from Staffordshire. There's a screw on my cars' door handle that has worked itself loose. Do me a favour and tighten it from where you are would ya biggrin

Inbox

Original Poster:

1,337 posts

7 months

Monday 22nd September 2025
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Nigel_O said:
Just do it manually - I found it quite therapeutic

I think they are the longest screwdrivers I have ever seen...

Nigel_O

3,513 posts

240 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2025
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LOL - they are probably my least-used screwdrivers. However, on the rare occasion that a looooong screwdriver is needed, they are priceless!

Simpo Two

90,597 posts

286 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2025
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Nigel_O said:
LOL - they are probably my least-used screwdrivers. However, on the rare occasion that a looooong screwdriver is needed, they are priceless!
It may be an illusion but I think that the longer the screwdriver, the more torque you can apply. I think the shaft acts as a torsion bar.


And yes, nobody needs AI to arrange tools in a drawer!

vetrof

2,796 posts

194 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2025
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Simpo Two said:
It may be an illusion but I think that the longer the screwdriver, the more torque you can apply. I think the shaft acts as a torsion bar.


And yes, nobody needs AI to arrange tools in a drawer!
Isn't it that you are more likely to keep it straight on the head the longer the shaft?

miniman

29,006 posts

283 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2025
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vetrof said:
Isn't it that you are more likely to keep it straight on the head the longer the shaft?
Correct.

Oh and