Do you hate working out of someone else's toolbox?

[Lucid Moments]

I have a friend that has a general automotive service shop. He is currently having a little trouble finding help and was shorthanded today. I make no claim top being a mechanic, but I can do basic stuff and he knows I am between jobs so he called and asked if I could help him out.

I ended up swapping out the motor mounts on a mid 90's straight six F-150. Straight forward job, but I swear that it took me at least 3 times as long as it would have it I had been at home in my own shop. He has a fully equipped toolbox, but it is organized so differently from how I would do it that I couldn't find **** beyond the basic stuff. Also didn't help that I was working in a recently acquired building that doesn't have air yet.

Okay end of rant. I just found it to be a very frustrating experience.

 

[LXCam]

Yup it never works for me on either side of the coin. When I’ve got guys at my shop on a group project I spend more time getting them lined out on tools and materials then I do working.

 

[CJM8515]

everyone has their own preferences and tastes to organizing a box. me, i like to do it by drive size and i have enough drawers that i have a metric and a sae wrench drawer on my HF box. some people put al the sockets and ratchets in the large top drawer, others keep them in small drawers, etc, etc.

there was a guy who i worked with whom organized his box the same was as i do and i had no issue.

 

[quickfarms]

Eventually you will get used to his tool box as long as it is organized

when I worked in my friends shop I would leave all the drawers that I was using open about an inch so I could put the tools back without it being a treasure hunt

ac in a shop? That is not even common around here in Southern California

I have worked outside all my life and this year I finally put ac on the first floor of the house

 

[lowrollin70gmc]

Yes.

I have my personal tool boxes at home and my toolbox at work organized how I like them. The shop I rent up the road from my parent’s house (~50 miles from my place) has my Dad’s toolbox in it. When I wrench on my cars down there I hate finding stuff in his box. The major stuff I’m good, it’s where he keeps the less common tools that annoys me as they aren’t anywhere that makes sense to me. There’s also a lesser selection of random bolts and nuts compared to my collection at home.

I also have AC in my home garage, but not at work or the shop by my parent’s.

 

[nadogail]

We are creatures of habit, I know what I have in my box and where it is supposed to be. I don't like not being in control.

 

[rustyzman]

Thinking he meant compressed air.
Yes it is challenging to work out of another's toolbox and it surely slows stuff down. Simple jobs out of a small box are not much of a problem, but a complex job out of a huge toolbox(s) could be difficult...
Only works well if you have a very organized friend!

 

[MarineScott]

Aggravating

 

[Badgerstate]

I have a friend that has a general automotive service shop. He is currently having a little trouble finding help and was shorthanded today. I make no claim top being a mechanic, but I can do basic stuff and he knows I am between jobs so he called and asked if I could help him out.

I ended up swapping out the motor mounts on a mid 90's straight six F-150. Straight forward job, but I swear that it took me at least 3 times as long as it would have it I had been at home in my own shop. He has a fully equipped toolbox, but it is organized so differently from how I would do it that I couldn't find **** beyond the basic stuff. Also didn't help that I was working in a recently acquired building that doesn't have air yet.

Okay end of rant. I just found it to be a very frustrating experience.

Yup. Its always annoying working out of someone else's toolsbox and not knowing how to find the tools you need. Its even worse when the toolbox is unorganized and tools are just thrown in drawers in a seemling random way.

 

[Neggy]

when I was in the frame shop with my friend, we knew each others toolboxes to the point we could find stuff blindfolded.. we were together 18 years, just the 2 of us, I had things he didn't and visa versa

The friend I have been working with for the last few years... there is no organization to his tool storage that I can figure out and I don't have my tool box there to go to so I am screwed

 

[Mikeske]

When I was in the Air Force every tool was shadowed in its own place. It was habit that I never forgot over the past 45 years. My boxes now that I am retired are all organized in the same manner I want and I do not have to search all over as it is in its place where I can remember where it is suppose to be at. When I work a project yes I toss the tools on top of my 72" box and keep working. When I finish I clean the tools and put em away.

I always hated to work out someone else's toolbox as every person is individual and will organize differently. when I worked at Boeing for thirty years they organized the sho tool boxes all different from one area to the next and I hated that as I would lose productivity until I could remember how the particular shop organized stuff.

 

[jsaw]

In the shop where I work, there are only 2 of us. We each have some tools that the other does not have . we are constantly in and out of each others box on a constant basis. We both have large boxes. Mine has 26 drawers.I know where everything is in his box as well as I do Mine he sometimes has to ask which drawer a certain tool is in My box. Our boxes and tools are kept side by side inside a tool cage/ fence. We roll a cart out to where we work on vehicles.
We both have tool carts, but it is just easier for both of us to work out of mine.

If I am working someplace else, I am usually more frustrated about not having all of the tools that I am used to being able to lay My hands on

 

[blazemaster83]

I don't mind working out of another persons toolbox as long as they have decent stuff and its relatively organized. What I do hate is when I am away from my shop and have to use someone else's tools, and they are ****. I have gotten to the point where I bring my own tools even when someone says they have everything that's needed. The jobs always take 3 times as long with the **** tools and all I can think about the whole time is I wish I had mine.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I found it depressing to attempt to work out of a box littered with broken sockets, stripped ratchets, missing sizes, and used electrical junk. When looking thru a drawer full of "screwdrivers" at one shop; I failed to find one suitable to use. A complete set of impact sockets was non-existent, so chrome sockets were substituted. Good luck finding a file, and a working trouble light would be a Godsend. One often has to guess how many people were grabbing tools out of, and tossing them back at those boxes. That is - when they WERE returned.. No thanks; I generally favor furnishing My own tools and equipment while working at hosted location jobs.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I hate working with anyone elses tools. Especially on those occasions that require aggresive techniques. I'll help my neighbor (who is a professional). He laughs because I'm reluctant to pry with his screwdrivers or use a hammer to tap a socket on a rusty nut.

 

[Radio Flyer]

Over the last 4 years I have spent many Saturdays helping some retirees restore an old fire truck. I would have to guess what to bring with. I put everything in totes and carry tool boxes. It was a total pain have a bunch of guys rifling through boxes on the floor. At times I think I spent as much time packing/unpacking, as I did working.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I know where most of the stuff is in my buddies box, a larger Snap-on box. If not the correct drawer, I'll be off a drawer above/below.

My boxes, I know where my stuff is and can tell anybody what drawer to open.

The 26" Cman at the fire station, top/bottom/intermediate, drives me f'ing crazy. It's quite apparent between the several guys that use stuff out of it, only a couple have a tool box at home. **** is just put back where ever and when ever. . . . alot of times, left on the bench. work desk or edge of bottom box. It's part of the reason I have my own box/tools at the station. It also makes an awesome TV stand.

 

[Lucid Moments]

So I was definitely talking about compressed air, not air conditioning. I wouldn't know what to do in an air conditioned shop, but I still really like some good air tools.

Another part of the problem is that I know exactly what I have in my toolbox, and while my buddy has a full assortment of tools not all of them were in the box I was working out of. I was in his big box, but he also has a roll cart with a changing assortment of tools in it.

 

[Wrench97]

My son seems to have no problem working out of mine, only problem is when he's done he puts things back where ever he feels like so to me it just feels like I'm working out of someone else's box.............................

 

[infinite97]

I just hate when someone uses a tool of mine and either: puts it back dirty, or puts it back in the wrong spot. Both infuriate me.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I hate that too. Especially if it’s an unorganized box. Went to my buddies house a few months ago to help install some lights and a light bar on their Jeep. Opened the box and stuff was everywhere sockets and screwdrivers and wrenches all piled in drawers and tons of nuts and bolts and just a typical homeowner hodgepodge toolbox I guess. Took me nearly two hours to find a 3/8 ratchet, extension and 13mm socket. Had to dig through all the drawers and they were the cheap no name stuff that only has the size stamped on it. Next time I’ll bring my own stuff. The only thing I know where they have it is their air impact they bought to remove the doors with. I’ve been in that situation more than once at others house too. I’ve been to peoples house where they want me to fix something say they have everything I need then don’t have any tools at all except maybe a screwdriver. Their response is usually well I’ve never seen a fastener like that before why can’t you just use a screwdriver on it? So yes I hate using other peoples stuff. Plus mine I have about 5 boxes total and I know where everything is at and the exact location and I’m going to know if it’s been moved or used. I also hate when I go and someone only has one of those little handheld boxes and I have to dig through it to find something. Drives me insane. So yes I hate using others toolboxes.

At work I don’t mind if my coworkers use something since they have helped me out before too. I usually just tell them where it’s at then they set it back on the top of my box since I’m very particular on where it goes. My dealership has air conditioning and the doors stay closed it is so nice. We are probably one of the few with air conditioning.

 

[jmiller_2308]

I actually started bringing common tools with me when I work with people that I know either have limited or crappy tools or who simply don't understand how frustrating it is to dig through boxes of unorganized stuff to try to get a job done. It is worse when they have lots of tools but it is impossible to find anything.

The thing that drives me nuts the most is that I help out in a shop a couple of times a week. I almost know where stuff is but I still end up spending a LOT of extra time trying to find things either because I can't make sense of where tools are, the tools aren't organized (think trays full of unorganized sockets, all kinds of wrenches tossed together, etc.), or that there are tools I use all the time and they don't have them.

All right.... the absolute worst thing is when I try to help out by simply putting things like sockets onto organizers that are already there I come back to find stuff strewn about a week later. Even though I hear from others how great it was to be able to find "XYZ" it just seems impossible for unorganized folks to keep stuff organized. JUST PUT IT BACK WHERE YOU FOUND IT!

Sorry about drifting into rant mode.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Loose sockets in a box drive me crazy. I'm not OCD but I'm organized. Why spend more time looking for a tool to do the job than it takes to do the job ?

I've told a few people over the years, Cman sells socket rails 2/$5 at Christmas time. It's always on deaf ears.

 

[Radio Flyer]

The 26" Cman at the fire station, top/bottom/intermediate, drives me f'ing crazy. It's quite apparent between the several guys that use stuff out of it, only a couple have a tool box at home. **** is just put back where ever and when ever. . . . alot of times, left on the bench. work desk or edge of bottom box. It's part of the reason I have my own box/tools at the station. It also makes an awesome TV stand.

I have called the station tool boxes "The box of disappointment". Guys ask why I do, And I respond, "every time I go to the tool box, I'm disappointed"

Sometimes I'll ask a FF to get a 1/2" anything from the box of disappointment, and they come back empty handed.

 

[Bent Wrench]

It really gives me a headache and not for the reasons mentioned so far.

I’m left handed and my box is arranged to accommodate this fact. So all my my power tools and the handles on my hand tools face the direction that make grabbing them with the left hand easier. When a “righty” puts thing back in my box I know immediately (My wife)!

That means I’m usually starting off on the wrong foot so to speak before encountering the the stuff already mentioned.

 

[captmoto]

I've been volunteering at the LA County Fire Museum and have to use their tools. It's a little frustrating but I am getting used to it now. I think of taking the tool box I have in my truck, throwing it on the table next to ambulance I have been working on. I'm pretty sure I could be a little faster that way since I'm basically sharing tools. I also work about 30 feet from the impact tools and sockets, grinders, wire wheels and presses.

 

[fsae0607]

I can't stand that. I think I'm the only one out of my friends that is a bit OCD on organization.

Communal tool boxes at the workplace are always a disaster. People never put stuff back. Spending more time finding tools than the job itself takes is ridiculous.

I went through this at my last job. It got to the point where I brought my own toolbox.

 

[unslow1]

I've worked at two shops that were no tools in and no tools out. It took a little bit to figure out the layouts but I got used to it pretty quickly. Working in my Grandfather's auto restoration shop was quite a bit harder. He really didn't have a lot as far as tools and supplies on hand. After working in other shops I really realized how much easier a job is with a good supply of tools and other supplies. After those experiences I stocked my place much better and went a bit overboard.

 

[Ilikeike]

I have a buddy with some nice old SnapOn boxes, bad part is .
every drawer looks like THE junk drawer.
I bring my own little cart and basic hand tools to his house now when doing hot rods or race car stuff.

My box is easy for my car buddy's to work out of, and the drawers are labeled to help.

 

[unslow1]

After working in one of the shops that I did I reorganized a lot of mine. He was also a Snapon dealer and everything was on Hansen rails. Even the wrenches were all on rails. After that I spent a lot more money and bought more boxes Hansen organizers. It saves a lot of time to at least have a basic idea where to find something. I ended up bringing a tool cart to my grandfather's shop.

 

[Lucid Moments]

So another day working out of my buddies box and I am starting to get used to his organization. And it is organized just differently than I would. One last issue I am running across is that he uses different tools to reach the same ends. As an example he doesn't have a single universal joint or socket adapter (1/4" to 3/8" etc). I can still get the job done I just have to think about it differently, or find the tools he does have that will do it.

Also any engineer that has ever worked on a team that has designed a product using both imperial and metric fasteners in the same product should be drawn and quartered. Or possibly death by slow impalement.

 

[qdvuu]

I help out friends and neighbors at their places and have come to the conclusion that most people think that scattered random piles is a great way to store tools, and that spending more time digging for a tool than actually working on the project is the ideal way to work. So, I've changed how I help and my schedule always has a hard stop. I like to be helpful to them, but I don't like wasting time and energy when the tool could have just been put away in an easy-to-find place.

 

[unslow1]

I help out friends and neighbors at their places and have come to the conclusion that most people think that scattered random piles is a great way to store tools, and that spending more time digging for a tool than actually working on the project is the ideal way to work. So, I've changed how I help and my schedule always has a hard stop. I like to be helpful to them, but I don't like wasting time and energy when the tool could have just been put away in an easy-to-find place.

I think that's how a lot of us have ended up with multiples of the same tool. Also why a lot of us are reluctant to get rid of old, damaged or cheap stuff. That is definitely how I ended up with several plug gappers.

 

[gfd_703]

Over the last 4 years I have spent many Saturdays helping some retirees restore an old fire truck. I would have to guess what to bring with. I put everything in totes and carry tool boxes. It was a total pain have a bunch of guys rifling through boxes on the floor. At times I think I spent as much time packing/unpacking, as I did working.

Love the old fire engine. What is it?

 

[aka Larry]

Loose sockets in a box drive me crazy. I'm not OCD but I'm organized. Why spend more time looking for a tool to do the job than it takes to do the job ?

I've got a buddy who is a heavy diesel tech. He has all the expensive Snap-On tools and box, but tosses all his wrenches (SAE, and Metric) in one drawer, and all the sockets (SAE and Metric, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive) ) in another drawer. Drives me nuts when we work on the race car out of his home shop!

 

[p00p]

yes.

 

[Wrench97]

I've got a buddy who is a heavy diesel tech. He has all the expensive Snap-On tools and box, but tosses all his wrenches (SAE, and Metric) in one drawer, and all the sockets (SAE and Metric, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive) ) in another drawer. Drives me nuts when we work on the race car out of his home shop!

Bet he can open the drawer glance in and grab the one he wants.

 

[fsae0607]

Also any engineer that has ever worked on a team that has designed a product using both imperial and metric fasteners in the same product should be drawn and quartered. Or possibly death by slow impalement.

Seriously. My first project car was a '79 Cutlass Supreme. Emptied my tool box working on it

 

[Radio Flyer]

Love the old fire engine. What is it?

1926 Seagrave Suburbanite. Powered by a Continental 6B.

 

[smackey05]

I don't mind it as long as I can find where the tools are and they have the correct tools for the job.