What would make up the ultimate ultra-compact tool kit?

[slipjointed]

I'm sure many here have seen the compact snap-on handbox that slides in half to reveal two levels at once. I've seen some of them impressively loaded with enough tools to handle just about any job imaginable (that does not require specialty tools, of course).

I'm Thinking about putting together a compact tool kit that can go with me places, live behind the seat of my truck or be brought around the house, and is small enough where it isn't a hassle to cart up a ladder, or down into a crawlspace.

I know that there are some pretty obvious needs, such as a way to drive hex bolts, and a way to drive different types of screws. Electrical tools are a must, as are a small supply of fasteners and connectors.

If anyone has pictures of their compact kit, I'd love to see them.


One manufacturer that has paid specific attention to this is Facom, they have some compact kits that are made for cyclists and such, that pack a good deal into a small space... but I know for a fact that I could do better if I were to design the box around the tools.

I have a 4x6' sheet of 16ga 5052 Aluminum at my lasercutter, and I don't have anything else to do with it. One of my wants for the kit is to be reasonably light, so I definitely want to do aluminum.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Got a pic or link to the Snap-On handbox?

 

[B17E1943]

Got a pic or link to the Snap-On handbox?

X2, I'd like to see this.

 

[meank20]

here

Just thought I'd resurrect & update this thread, with some pics of my KRA65 box which I finally got filled up with some tools.

As I've said up-thread, I'm well set up for electrical work away from my workshop, over time I often found the need to have some sockets and/or wrenches on site away from the workshop to carry out some more mechanically oriented repair or maintenance jobs. Which usually resulted in my grabbing a fist full of tools from my main tool cabinet & just throwing them in some tote tray or another. Not ideal by any measure & I've long thought of setting up a mechanical “grab 'n' go” tool box, which would cover the basics.

So after first reading this thread & seeing the OP's KRA65C box, I thought that's just what I need & so I set about getting one of those wee toolboxes along with getting a selection of tools to fill it with.

Getting the toolbox itself was quite a saga, as I narrowly missed one for sale my a fellow GJ member, as well as “losing” a couple on eBay. But in the end as I've described up thread, I've actually ended up with two of the darn boxes. One in pretty much brand new condition, the other in second hand condition. So I've put the second hand one to work, while packing up the “new one” & putting away in storage in my workshop. In tandem with the hunt for the box itself I started into a tool procurement program, mostly on eBay, but also with the assistance of a buddy, who has the SO van call at his place of work. Along with re-deploying some tools I already had.

While it hasn't taken me quite as long as I first thought it might to complete the project, it sure has cost me a hat of money to do so. I really don't want to add up the total cost, as I'd say it would be frightening, but I am pleased with the end result, so I guess that's what counts.

I only just filled the box this evening & I'm sure the contents & they way in which they are loaded, will evolve over time, but here's a couple of pics of the box the way it is tonight..........


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Tool List.........

SO Deep & Shallow 3/8 sockets 8mm–19mm
SO 3/8 Hex 4mm-10mm
BP 3/8 Torx 10,15,20,25,27,30,40,45
SO 3/8 ratchet
BP 3/8 Extensions

BP ¼ Deep Sockets 4mm -13mm
SO ¼ ratchet
SO ¼ extensions & U.J.

Tengtools Combination wrenches 9mm-19mm
Draper Double open ended wrenches 12mm-19mm

SO ratcheting screwdriver

Knipex Cobras
Kinipex Flat Nose Pliers
Knipex Cutters

I took a couple of pictures of my KRA65 box today because my Paulding hammer arrived. John custom sized one of these for me at 10.75" in length so I could fit it inside this box. I use the box when I take my car to the track for minor repairs/adjustments, but now it's about a complete enough set of tools you could actually do some useful work with it.

In the top tray, I have:
1/4" sockets 5-14mm
4mm punch (for the pins in the brake calipers)
tire gauge
magnetic pickup tool
regular and philips screwdriver
interchangable bit screwdriver
Paulding hammer with a steel and plastic face
small adjustable wrench
leathermean skeletool - good knife, pliers could be better
the key to the box, which I don't really use

In the bottom of the box I have:
10-17mm wrenches
needle nose plier
nippers
adjustable plier,
3/8" ratchet - flf80
3/8" extensions - 8", 3", 1"
1/4" extensions -8", 2", 1"
1/4" ratchet - tf72
1/2" to 3/8" adapter
3/8" to 1/4" adapter
1/4" to 3/8" adapter
3/8" universal and 3/8" swivel
3/8" sockets 8-19mm
1/2" sockets 21 and 22mm for wheel lugs (I have a breaker bar and torque wrench packed separately.)
1/4" sockets 5-14mm deep, held up by half a shop rag

I'm still looking for something to keep the wrenches in a neat stack so I could put them in the top tray. Any ideas from the small toolbox crowd would be helpful - I usually need one of them before anything else.

easy to skip out on a job with that setup

Sorry if there is a thread like this, I didn't see one with search...


Anyone have a really small tool box?





My 'little' box...

What's in it? Well... (Old photo)

At that time it had: (I ain't quoting part numbers)
-SO medium sized side cutters
-SO duck bills
-SO ratchet screwdriver
-SO 1/4 12-point deep set
-SO 1/4 12-point shallow set
-SO small 1/4 ratchet
-SO long handle 1/4 ratchet
-SO 5/16 Tq adapter
-SO 3/8 Tq adapter
-SO offset open-ends 5/16 - 3/4
-SO 1/4 and 5/16 ratcheting box end
-SO 3/8 and 7/16 ratcheting box end
-SO #4 phillips impact bit
-Knipex medium sized pliers
-Craftsman flex-head 3/8 ratchet
-Craftsman 3/8 drive 12-point set (IIRC, 3/8 - 3/4?)
-Craftsman 3/8 drive #4 phillips
-Craftsman 1/4" extensions (3)
-Craftsman drive adapters (1/4 to 3/8, 3/8 to 1/4, 1/2 to 3/8)
-Mastercraft 13/16 and 7/8 stubbies
-Mastercraft POS inspection mirror
-Vise-grip needlenose
-Fuller slot and phillips stubbies
-PA really small #2 phillips stubby
-PA magnifying glass
-2 hemostats
-2 brass punches, 3 steel pin punches
-2 picks
-Franz brand 'Sounding hammer' (way back in the top)

I since ditched most of the 3/8 drive stuff since I normally use the long 1/4 drive ratchet for everything up to 9/16. It all now lives in my clamshell box with my other less used stuff. Instead I added some 1/4 drive flex sockets, a pair of flush cutters, and a couple offset box ends (craftsman). It also now has a proper tool control list somewhere, and better uses the available space...

If the SO dealer would ever come back, I will be adding a 7/8 and 1" offset open end to the list.

Also, I removed the lock since it hampered me getting more stuff in there... But I will need to change the latch on it now since it is a 'hair trigger' without the lock.

I do, i inherited this one from Dad who passed away recently. He was an aircraft mechanic and pilot all his life and acquired this in the 70's I think. Even though he had many, many nice tools and boxes all these years THIS box was always his go to box. he said "You can work on anything from that setup". It's full of snap-on. I learned from him that good SO's in 1/4" handle better than other sizes and will get most jobs done, even heavy ones! It's also sitting on top of my favorite toolbox he gave me. A blackhawk rollaround from the early 50's. I'll post pics of it later. Also full of SO and Blue-point and some plomb.

 

[Danglerb]

Very cool little box, mine looks very much like a Homer Bucket from Home Depot, or a HF toolbag depending on what and where I need to do something.

 

[earlthegoat2]

So is this box out of production?

 

[meank20]

HELL YEAH IT IS. The last one I saw on eBay was in mint condition and went for $315 bucks. These are far a few between.

 

[B17E1943]

Neat. Reminds me of the little Snappy box I got a few weeks ago.

 

[earlthegoat2]

So I see making one as the OP suggests, is in fact a very reasonable option.