ibedayank
Well-known member
then bolt it to the garage wall
Son knocked over my Tool Chest!!!!
- Thread starter James Aiello
- Start date
then bolt it to the garage wall
OP
James Aiello
Well-known member
Wow this tread took off quick... I will get pictures tonight or the next day.
The boy is 18 and will be going to UTI this fall so he better learn quick how to take care of his tools.... The wife called me on the train before I got home to warn me.. Good thing.
He was trying to fix his truck in the driveway so he rolled the box out next to it. Then jacked the truck up got under it... (I still need to ask if he used jack stands) then the box tipped over and scared the **** out of him...
He now is not allowed to work on his truck when no one is around.. sometimes I just don't know what they think... This repair would have left the truck on jack stands till the part was ordered in the driveway. Air tools would not have reached it, it was on a slight grade, on asphalt, uncovered. I told him that I had planned on bringing the truck into the garage to repair it.
Before I got home his mother told him he will be working till he paid off the repair to his truck and a new box for me. I don't think it will happen. So I will need to fix this one for sure.
I did not yell at him or make him clean the tools.. but that is a good idea!! or maybe not.
He did a oil change the other day and tossed the filter in the garbage can... the one without a bag in it.. so I had him clean the can. So he dumped out the oil in the yard!!!! GOD!! now I have a dead spot. You know he is a very smart kid I swear! I tell myself that every day.
The boy is 18 and will be going to UTI this fall so he better learn quick how to take care of his tools.... The wife called me on the train before I got home to warn me.. Good thing.
He was trying to fix his truck in the driveway so he rolled the box out next to it. Then jacked the truck up got under it... (I still need to ask if he used jack stands) then the box tipped over and scared the **** out of him...
He now is not allowed to work on his truck when no one is around.. sometimes I just don't know what they think... This repair would have left the truck on jack stands till the part was ordered in the driveway. Air tools would not have reached it, it was on a slight grade, on asphalt, uncovered. I told him that I had planned on bringing the truck into the garage to repair it.
Before I got home his mother told him he will be working till he paid off the repair to his truck and a new box for me. I don't think it will happen. So I will need to fix this one for sure.
I did not yell at him or make him clean the tools.. but that is a good idea!! or maybe not.
He did a oil change the other day and tossed the filter in the garbage can... the one without a bag in it.. so I had him clean the can. So he dumped out the oil in the yard!!!! GOD!! now I have a dead spot. You know he is a very smart kid I swear! I tell myself that every day.
mrshaun
Well-known member
i had a brand new kra4107d fall over once. landed flat on its back int he gravel. looked like a bumpy steam roller ran over the back. box was fine, but the back looked horrible. needless to say the word DISCOUNT came into play after that.
I've learned a neat habit from my dad and a man a lot like my dad whom I worked with repairing commercial laundry. Both these men thought ahead and too the tools they needed to the job. Sometimes in just a small canvas bag.
There's something to be said about planning ahead. You know, it's not easy. I wanted to do the same as my dad, but I always forgot some oddball tool I'd need, which sent me walking back to the truck, wasting time. However, carrying a heavy tool box/bag loaded with a bunch of unnecessary tools is just the same waste of energy, so I slowly learned how to prepare myself and bring the tools that I'd need or thought I'd need.
I think the same is true for tools out of your box. I don't have big fancy boxes, but they're old and I wouldn't want them damaged. My practice, if working on something away from the vicinity of the box, is to take what I need (or may need). It's a good habit to develop and it helps develop your brain, for sure.
There's something to be said about planning ahead. You know, it's not easy. I wanted to do the same as my dad, but I always forgot some oddball tool I'd need, which sent me walking back to the truck, wasting time. However, carrying a heavy tool box/bag loaded with a bunch of unnecessary tools is just the same waste of energy, so I slowly learned how to prepare myself and bring the tools that I'd need or thought I'd need.
I think the same is true for tools out of your box. I don't have big fancy boxes, but they're old and I wouldn't want them damaged. My practice, if working on something away from the vicinity of the box, is to take what I need (or may need). It's a good habit to develop and it helps develop your brain, for sure.
diesel research
Well-known member
That works by time you are beyond maybe 25, but how many times has an 18yr old removed the same component on the same vehicle?
You are likely going to need to do something atleast 3x before you start developing such short cuts and time savers.
You are likely going to need to do something atleast 3x before you start developing such short cuts and time savers.
I agree, sort of. There's no need, though, to roll out a box to do a brake job or any other job that someone would use a Chilton or Haynes for. I have my younger brother (19 years younger) read ahead with me if we're working on something that's got a manual or directions.
Even going into a project blind, you can assess what you'll need by inspecting whatever you're working on. I mean, c'mon, if the lawn tractor dies while out mowing you're not going to need to a drawer of impact sockets or a micrometer or the like.
All I'm saying is that no matter what, you can take a moment to assess your problem and grab some tools. You may have to make a return trip (I know I do) but it's better than your box rolling into the street or tipping when you're trying to force it back into the garage.
Even going into a project blind, you can assess what you'll need by inspecting whatever you're working on. I mean, c'mon, if the lawn tractor dies while out mowing you're not going to need to a drawer of impact sockets or a micrometer or the like.
All I'm saying is that no matter what, you can take a moment to assess your problem and grab some tools. You may have to make a return trip (I know I do) but it's better than your box rolling into the street or tipping when you're trying to force it back into the garage.
Alchymist
Well-known member
Drywall buckets are your friends. Throw some tools in one, do the job, carry them back and clean and put away.
Makes me glad my tool box is a part of the garage "furniture." It never leaves it's place next to the work bench. And never has, even when I got it when I was 17. Always took the tools out to the project.
I HAVE recently learned to always keep the drawers closed though! Never thought about it until reading a bunch of recent threads on this site about boxes tipping over.
-Brad
I HAVE recently learned to always keep the drawers closed though! Never thought about it until reading a bunch of recent threads on this site about boxes tipping over.
-Brad
Wrenches of Death
Well-known member
I used a metal tool tray like everybody else until it got run over a few years back by a porter. It fit in the top of the top box. Every top box that I've owned had a place for one. I haven't bought a new box in a while so maybe they discontinued the spot for the tray.
Snap-on still makes them, I saw a kid using one a while back. The outside bottom was coated with bed lining compound. Really nice. But, not cheap.
WoD
Wrenches of Death
Well-known member
It wasn't anywhere near being as common a problem until some lunatic decided to start putting ball bearings in the drawer glides.
WoD
I would not be too hard on him...accidents do happen, and kids need to learn somehow. Be glad he's motivated to do things himself. But somehow, he neeeds to learn the correct way. UTI ought to teach that, but you should try to get involved as well.
I never went to any trade school, and am just an amateur mechanic; but somehow I learned to do things the right way. I think it's a combination of factors, but for a kid today, other than tech school, and learning directly from someone more experienced, there are still a few very good ways that he can learn:
1- Use a manual, even for simple things. A combination of Haynes/Chiltons/Bently (pick your flavor!) AND Factory Service manuals should give you good a perspective about a job before starting. Online guides are great too if you have the subscription. These manuals, as an example, will tell you how to safely jack a particular vehicle, and properly support it.
2- The Internet is your friend. This site is a great place to learn, as well as vehicle brand specific sites.
3- The best mechanics to watch are race mechanics, and usually, they can't kick you out of their shop as long as you have a pit pass. Go to the races with your son, and spend a LOT of time in the pits. It will rub off.
diesel research
Well-known member
Automotive trade schools are not to teach process and procedures like "how to remove a tie rod end" or "how to change a head gasket".
Sure there may be a few things like rebuilding various power train components, but it is largely an introduction to troubleshooting and diagnostics (and how things work!). Using scan tools, pressure gauges, wiring diagrams, noise, TSBs, ect ect.
A lot of people bash graduates of trade programs because they expect a higher level of mechanical inclination. Sure they might assemble 1 engine on a stand or use a few hand tools for various other simple tasks, but it is largely going to be day in, day out, understanding waveforms, voltage drop, fuel pressure test, DTCs, clutch/geartrain noise, principles of operation (how gears work or how magnets produce electricity) and learning to write a repair order.
Sure there may be a few things like rebuilding various power train components, but it is largely an introduction to troubleshooting and diagnostics (and how things work!). Using scan tools, pressure gauges, wiring diagrams, noise, TSBs, ect ect.
A lot of people bash graduates of trade programs because they expect a higher level of mechanical inclination. Sure they might assemble 1 engine on a stand or use a few hand tools for various other simple tasks, but it is largely going to be day in, day out, understanding waveforms, voltage drop, fuel pressure test, DTCs, clutch/geartrain noise, principles of operation (how gears work or how magnets produce electricity) and learning to write a repair order.
Man on man is your son lucky. If it would have been me, the tool box would have fallen over, into the truck, knocking it off the jack stands and falling on me.
When I was refurbing my garage, I moved my tool box from my garage to the house garage. We have a stone drive way, I kept shuffling 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood. I was dreading a tip over, luckily I made the trip out and back without an accident.
When I was refurbing my garage, I moved my tool box from my garage to the house garage. We have a stone drive way, I kept shuffling 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood. I was dreading a tip over, luckily I made the trip out and back without an accident.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
I once opened too many drawers at once in a friend's box, it damn near tipped and landed on me!
I had never heard of this happening until I reported on my upset a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101361&showall=1
Evidently, judging from the responses, it is more common than I had thought. In my case I had only the bottom drawer open on a garage floor that was only slightly sloped. It is amazingly easy to do! My tool chest is now strapped to the wall. If I ever move it even a short ways, the drawers will be strapped shut during the move.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101361&showall=1
Evidently, judging from the responses, it is more common than I had thought. In my case I had only the bottom drawer open on a garage floor that was only slightly sloped. It is amazingly easy to do! My tool chest is now strapped to the wall. If I ever move it even a short ways, the drawers will be strapped shut during the move.
csargents1546
Well-known member
Along this line, do you guys bolt the top and bottom box togther?
Lookin4'67Galaxieconv
Well-known member
The middle and top of a couple of Snap On boxes I bought together were bolted when I went to pick them up. We undid them, and I've never bolted them back.
Yes.
And when I was a highschool kid, I was paranoid about my box getting stolen so I put an eye-bolt through the bottom, a lag bolt in the floor and chained the box to the floor.
-Brad
I'm just curious... why won't simply closing the lid lock the drawers shut?
At least that's the way it works on my cheap Craftsman box. And my dad's from the '60s. (which has ball bearing slides...).
-Brad
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
On mine the whole thing is bolted together, top, bottom, side box and locker.
I recently purchased a demo KRL722 from the truck. I immediately removed the Lock & Roll things from the drawers, I did not care for them. Now I am seeing the potential hazard and have a question for you guys. SO has a bunch of different detent kits available, perhaps a heavier duty detent would be a suitable option, or should I simply replace those plastic things on the drawer handles and make them lock again? I must say they bugged me, but I never "got used to them" and didn't give it much time before they got yanked out.
I also should say that this is a stationary box.
I also should say that this is a stationary box.
MrSnicks
Well-known member
I have a 3 year old daughter who LOVES to help Daddy and "wrencher things" with his tools. She doesn't get to open the drawers and get tools but if I have some out she's all into them. Anticipating problems later I have the Griplatch tool boxes from craftsman so the drawers won't open by themselves and I also put heavy duty industrial velcro strips between each box to hold them together.
May not help things for squat but I feel a little better. When she gets older and starts trying to get into the boxes I'll just have to start locking them up.
Patrick
May not help things for squat but I feel a little better. When she gets older and starts trying to get into the boxes I'll just have to start locking them up.
Patrick
I mean, how disappointed can you be in that. That takes some props. I'd almost let them take as long as I could watch and see how they did it. Maybe a roll back or something?