Tool Tray for Automotive Work?

[M635_Guy]

That's not at all what I had in mind. That job would have a rolling cart nearby.
My use is for the small 15 minute jobs that need a couple tools and a couple supplies.
All the same, losing stuff in that engine compartment is going to generate some colorful language.

That is my rolling cart, and is often used for 15 minute jobs with a few items.

(I mean, I do have a rolling tool cart, but I don't use it that way)

 

[39 LaSalle]

That is my rolling cart, and is often used for 15 minute jobs with a few items.

(I mean, I do have a rolling tool cart, but I don't use it that way)

I picked up a Gearwrench brand rolling tray more or less like yours a couple of months ago and absolutely love it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/GEARWRENCH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jarhead0408]

Thanks! i forgot about the grypmats! I just ordered it right now

You’re most welcome.

 

[619DioFan]

I kinda agree. But I'm with the rest who don't like the tools-under-the-hood thing #thingsIsayongaragejournal

I really like my Grizzly tray:

I have a larger version of this made by Torin. I love the fact that it is height adjustable to go over the fender. use it all the time. keeps me from setting tools under the hood .

 

[M635_Guy]

I have a larger version of this made by Torin. I love the fact that it is height adjustable to go over the fender. use it all the time. keeps me from setting tools under the hood .

I'm painfully aware that I'm the guy who will get bit by my own absent-mindedness if I get in the habit of putting tools/etc. down under the hood. Bad habit to develop.

 

[65ranchero]

As a retired auto tech I can tell you that I used a rolling tool cart and a whole bunch of round magnetic saucers.
I'm lost without them.

 

[CGarage]

I can’t believe folks advocate working with multiple tools under the hood. Not close to best practices. At all. Not professional.

How much money in FOD losses occur annually?

How damaging is it to mechanics who are not following best practices?
Lost tools, repairs to customer vehicles that are damaged (closed the hood on a work light), and loss of professional reputation / bad reviews when incidents happen?

 

[Jarhead0408]

I can’t believe folks advocate working with multiple tools under the hood. Not close to best practices. At all. Not professional.

How much money in FOD losses occur annually?

How damaging is it to mechanics who are not following best practices?
Lost tools, repairs to customer vehicles that are damaged (closed the hood on a work light), and loss of professional reputation / bad reviews when incidents happen?

DIY’er here. I‘ll run the risk, but I do understand what you’re saying.

If I worked in a shop…I don’t think I’d have anything under the hood at all. As it is now I usually use a tear down cart and sometimes add the GrypMats on top. Evvvvvery so often I’ll use one under the hood itself, but it’s rare.

I like the GrypMats for other tasks, plumbing, small appliance repair, small engine repair etc.

 

[isb cornbinder]

A little something I tossed together at coffee break.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

DIY’er here. I‘ll run the risk, but I do understand what you’re saying.

If I worked in a shop…I don’t think I’d have anything under the hood at all. As it is now I usually use a tear down cart and sometimes add the GrypMats on top. Evvvvvery so often I’ll use one under the hood itself, but it’s rare.

I like the GrypMats for other tasks, plumbing, small appliance repair, small engine repair etc.

I have two silicone mats, both are neon yellow specifically for visibility. While I agree that there are inherent dangers to keeping fasteners in trays under hood or on a cowl, there are realistic limits to how much floor space I can eat up with trays, even how much cart space.

It's a balance.

 

[KnurledNut]

Only on GJ will you be told to go buy an Assistent to replace your 3157 bulb...

 

[Jarhead0408]

I have two silicone mats, both are neon yellow specifically for visibility. While I agree that there are inherent dangers to keeping fasteners in trays under hood or on a cowl, there are realistic limits to how much floor space I can eat up with trays, even how much cart space.

It's a balance.

I agree.
Who makes the yellow ones?

 

[Coloshaver]

Rural king sells a version of the grypmat from Crimson (house brand) for like $20. Has all 3 pieces included instead of the buy it by the piece harbor freight ones. I do like the HF blue color better though. If you have one local, check the store mine has them marked down after Xmas.

Crimson trays

Great deal, but apparently Rural King doesn't do mail order

 

[ste6168]

(I don't do engine work, I work on boats) but I bought the one from HF for $20, seems nice so far that I have been using it. I mainly use it for fasteners when up on a bridge or hardtop doing some type of install, or small parts at the helm, etc.

That said, after I got it, I wondered if it would have been better to just get a set of silicone baking pans from Amazon... Seems they'd be the same material, and much cheaper. Anyone try that?

Amazon.com

 

[Jarhead0408]

(I don't do engine work, I work on boats) but I bought the one from HF for $20, seems nice so far that I have been using it. I mainly use it for fasteners when up on a bridge or hardtop doing some type of install, or small parts at the helm, etc.

That said, after I got it, I wondered if it would have been better to just get a set of silicone baking pans from Amazon... Seems they'd be the same material, and much cheaper. Anyone try that?

Amazon.com

A few people have mentioned it. I can’t see a reason not to.

 

[ForrestT]

(I don't do engine work, I work on boats) but I bought the one from HF for $20, seems nice so far that I have been using it. I mainly use it for fasteners when up on a bridge or hardtop doing some type of install, or small parts at the helm, etc.

That said, after I got it, I wondered if it would have been better to just get a set of silicone baking pans from Amazon... Seems they'd be the same material, and much cheaper. Anyone try that?

Amazon.com

Those would seem to work fine!

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I agree.
Who makes the yellow ones?

"Gripty" was the brand on amazon. I specifically bought from them to get yellow, but the item I bought is listed as currently unavailable. I like yellow, but the red/orange/green/purple I see listed are bright enough you should have zero issue forgetting them.

Now, there are many brands for "silicone tool tray", and "silicone tray" offers even cheaper options for dishes which look usable. They all looked similar to me, and I wanted yellow. I've been pretty happy with them, they live on my rubbermaid cart mostly for light organization when working off of the cart, and to hold my main two brake greases.

 

[dnschmidt]

3 piece set from Rural King https://www.ruralking.com/catalog/product/view/id/173327#

What about us city slickers that don't live in a rural area? We have six million people in the Valley of the Sun but I've never seen a cow out here. What about opening up Urbanking

 

[Jarhead0408]

"Gripty" was the brand on amazon. I specifically bought from them to get yellow, but the item I bought is listed as currently unavailable. I like yellow, but the red/orange/green/purple I see listed are bright enough you should have zero issue forgetting them.

Now, there are many brands for "silicone tool tray", and "silicone tray" offers even cheaper options for dishes which look usable. They all looked similar to me, and I wanted yellow. I've been pretty happy with them, they live on my rubbermaid cart mostly for light organization when working off of the cart, and to hold my main two brake greases.

Thanks for the response. I’ll keep my eye out for some yellow ones as well. That’s one of my preferred colors.

 

[JeepYJ]

What about us city slickers that don't live in a rural area? We have six million people in the Valley of the Sun but I've never seen a cow out here. What about opening up Urbanking

Urban King- so many jokes could be made here
RK has locations all throughout the eastern US, they’re a privately held company HQd in central IL.