Tool Clips

About Tool Clips

Tool clips are simple yet indispensable storage solutions designed to keep workshops, garages, sheds, and job sites organised and efficient. These versatile fixings provide a secure mounting system for hand tools, garden implements, cleaning equipment, and various cylindrical items such as pipes, rods, and tubing. By holding items firmly against walls, pegboards, or other vertical surfaces, tool clips maximise floor space whilst keeping frequently used equipment readily accessible.

Most tool clips feature a spring-loaded or flexible design that allows items to be quickly inserted and removed with one hand, making them ideal for busy working environments where speed and efficiency matter. The clips are typically manufactured from durable metal with protective finishes such as bright zinc plating, which provides excellent corrosion resistance for use in damp conditions including garages, greenhouses, and outdoor storage areas. Tooled-Up.com stocks tool clips suitable for a wide range of applications, from lightweight garden tools to heavier workshop equipment.

Installation is straightforward, with most tool clips requiring just a single screw or two to mount securely to walls, wooden panels, or purpose-built storage systems. The spring tension can accommodate items of varying diameters within the clip's specified range, making them a flexible storage solution that adapts to different tools and equipment. Whether you're organising a professional workshop, tidying a garden shed, or creating efficient storage on a job site, tool clips offer an affordable and practical solution that keeps valuable equipment protected and easy to locate.

Jargon Buster

• Zinc Plating: A protective coating applied to metal clips that prevents rust and corrosion. Bright zinc plating offers good protection for indoor and sheltered outdoor use.
• Spring-Loaded Design: A mechanism that uses spring tension to grip items securely whilst allowing easy insertion and removal with a simple push or pull action.
• Diameter Range: The minimum and maximum thickness of cylindrical items that a particular clip can accommodate securely. Always check this specification before purchasing.
• Mounting Centres: The distance between fixing holes on clips that require multiple screws. This measurement is important when planning storage layouts on pegboards or panels.
• Load Capacity: The maximum weight a tool clip can safely support when properly installed. This depends on both the clip strength and the quality of the mounting surface.
• Galvanised Finish: A zinc coating process that provides enhanced corrosion protection, particularly suitable for damp environments such as sheds and outdoor storage areas.

Who Uses Tool Clips?

• Builders and general tradespeople who need organised tool storage on site and in workshops
• Plumbers for storing pipes, rods, and long-handled tools in vans and work areas
• Electricians for keeping cable reels, conduit, and tools organised and accessible
• Gardeners and landscapers for storing rakes, hoes, spades, and other long-handled implements
• Maintenance engineers who require systematic tool organisation in facilities and plant rooms
• Carpenters and joiners for workshop organisation of chisels, files, and various hand tools
• DIY enthusiasts looking to maximise storage space in home workshops and garages
• Agricultural workers for storing farm tools and equipment in barns and outbuildings
• Facilities managers organising maintenance equipment in commercial and industrial premises
• Cleaning professionals for storing mops, brooms, and brushes in service areas

How to Choose the Right Tool Clips

When selecting tool clips, first measure the diameter of the items you intend to store. Clips are designed to accommodate specific diameter ranges, so choosing the correct size ensures secure retention without damaging handles or shafts. For mixed collections of tools, consider purchasing several different sizes to accommodate everything from slim screwdriver handles to thick shovel or rake shafts.

Consider the environment where the clips will be installed. For damp locations such as garden sheds, greenhouses, or external storage areas, zinc-plated or galvanised finishes provide essential corrosion protection. Indoor workshop applications may have less demanding requirements, though treated finishes always extend product lifespan.

Evaluate your mounting surface carefully. Tool clips rely on secure fixing to support the weight of stored items safely. Solid timber, plywood panels, and masonry walls provide excellent anchorage when appropriate fixings are used. For heavier tools, ensure you use suitable wall plugs and screws rated for the combined weight of multiple items. The range available at Tooled-Up includes clips from trusted manufacturers like Forgefix, known for reliable construction and durable finishes.

Think about accessibility and workflow when planning clip placement. Items used frequently should be positioned at comfortable working height, whilst seasonal or occasional equipment can be stored higher up. Space clips appropriately to prevent tool handles from interfering with adjacent items, and consider dedicating specific clips to particular tools to maintain organised storage habits.

Popular Accessories

• Wall plugs and screws appropriate for your mounting surface (masonry, timber, or plasterboard fixings)
• Pegboard panels for creating comprehensive wall-mounted tool storage systems
• French cleats for creating adjustable mounting systems that allow clip repositioning
• Tool shadow boards for professional workshop organisation with designated tool positions
• Magnetic tool holders as complementary storage for metal hand tools
• Storage hooks and brackets for items that don't suit clip-style retention
• Spirit levels for ensuring clips are mounted straight and level
• Cordless drills for quick and efficient installation of multiple clips

Frequently Asked Questions

What diameter tools will standard tool clips hold?

Tool clip capacity varies by model, but typical clips accommodate handle diameters between 15mm and 35mm. Always check the manufacturer's specifications for the exact diameter range. For items outside this range, specialist clips or alternative storage solutions may be required.

Can tool clips be used outdoors?

Zinc-plated tool clips offer good corrosion resistance for sheltered outdoor locations such as sheds and covered storage areas. For fully exposed outdoor use, consider galvanised or stainless steel options that provide superior weather protection. Regular inspection and maintenance will extend the life of any outdoor fixings.

How much weight can a tool clip support?

Weight capacity depends on both the clip construction and the quality of installation. A properly installed clip in solid timber or masonry can typically support 2-5kg safely. For heavier items, use clips with multiple fixing points and ensure screws penetrate adequately into solid material or use appropriate wall anchors.

What's the best way to arrange tool clips on a wall?

Position frequently used tools at comfortable working height (roughly between waist and shoulder level). Group similar items together and allow sufficient spacing between clips to prevent handles from interfering with each other. Using a spirit level to install clips in straight horizontal or vertical lines creates a professional, organised appearance.

Can tool clips damage wooden tool handles?

Quality tool clips with smooth internal surfaces and appropriate spring tension should not damage wooden handles during normal use. Avoid forcing oversized handles into clips designed for smaller diameters, as this may cause splitting or surface compression on the wood.