Portable tool box, small toolbox, mobile tool bags, cantilever toolbox for essential tools
- Thread starter CGarage
- Start date
Yea but then I wonder if the thing I didn’t have for that one job was really critical and how often it comes up again
a few months ago I had to remove a gas and brake pedal to access to stuff under the dash and man i spent like 30 minutes on each nut because I could only turn it a few degrees at a time with the tools i had
even with a universal socket it took forever the ratchet handle didn’t have enough space to swing
so I bought my first power ratchet a m12 insider because I figured if I had it then I could have saved 29 minutes per nut just zip off
but I’m taking a brake from car work until spring when the weather is nicer and doing more indoor handyman stuff tbh so idk how necessary I’m going to find the insider ratchet
I also picked up the Tekton swivel impacts because I think plus the insider could be real useful
richfinn
Well-known member
Yep, I'm a bit OCD myself, however you just have to use your OCD/organization skills in an even more focused way and be absolutely ruthless with yourself.
You will never be able to do absolutely everything out of a small portable tool kit, your goal is to build a kit where you can get to a point that you can do enough that "not being the man with every tool" doesn't bother you any more.
You also learn new ways of working smarter and find more uses for your existing tools than you ever thought possible.
Minimalism can be a cathartic exercise and help you achieve more with less if approached correctly!!!
Ohmthis
Well-known member
I work industrial maintenance. I’ve got a few “Kits” if you will. I carry a pouch with my most used hand tools (pliers, wrenches, Allen keys, and so on). I have a two drawer metal box that has my next most used tools. I think I’m going to look for a three drawer to get my electrical testing tools (I have some more in my big box in the shop) in their own place. I have a gray tote that has my battery drill, grinder, grinding accessories, and rigging equipment under my tool pouch. I load it up on a three wheeled expediter as I help cover 6.5 million sqft of equipment.
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Mecha
Well-known member
I feel like a portable kit is a little different. It's not a best tool for the job kind of thing, but having a tool to do the job kind of thing.
That should link to the Bull Tools 16 pocket tool roll. Very tough and sturdy fabric, it makes denim feel like tissue paper. Definitely recommended
Mecha
Well-known member
I feel like I have a good start if someone needs to begin someplace. It's about 26lbs, and it's the basics. I am a factory engineer and use this for improvement work, conveyors, and light assembly in industrial settings. It's also my pick n pull box, and go help a neighbor box. If I don't know what I'm getting into this can get me 90% of the way there in what I am doing. No combination wrenches and just bring adjustables, pipe wrenches, and various pliers. There is essentially a full set of screwdrivers though, the HF flat heads are used for scraping and what not. A lot of this is cheap stuff I bang on, and don't necessarily worry if it gets stolen (but so far in 20 years nothing has gotten stolen except a tape measure). That old Plumb fiberglass hammer has never let me down and we have used it to bang some **** out. Anyways, it's grown and shrunk a little bit as I go from job to job (like chisel knife, hex sockets, SAE impacts, and impact adapters). Taiwan Master Mechanic Socket Set (SAE and Metric) fits under the tray and above the tools on the bottom, and an old Craftsman drill bit set for when I need it. Wherever I go, I can seem to find impact guns and drills just no bits, or if I bring my own I just have to grab the drill & driver.
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Thank you, it's just what I was looking for.
slik560
Well-known member
Many, many great ideas and set ups here. But I think if there is one universal rule, it's that no matter how well prepared, you are always going to forget to bring at least one tool. 
Dave455
Well-known member
Slightly relevant to the discussion - I jumped in my car today and it wouldn’t start. To be precise, it fired once then nothing.
Thankfully, with a bit of experience I know that “firing once” is a clue - the electronic fuel injection gets locked into rich mixture and fouls the plugs.
Thankfully, being a GJ’er I had not only plenty of tools on hand, but also the best for the job.
A 1/2” drive socket to remove the scaffolding BMW use instead of a stiffer chassis. A 10mm nut grip to remove the recessed nuts holding the coil cover, and one of those superb KoKen plug sockets.
Equally thankfully, I’m one of those folks who keeps loads of spares on hand so was able to resolve the problem quickly by fitting new plugs.
But, here’s the critical thing. If I’d only had the tools I needed, rather than those I wanted, I could have managed perfectly well. The standard 3/8 drive socket set in my road box (shown in post #3) contains all I really needed. I’d have had to go with my “best guess” as to the problem (which was correct) and cooked the old plugs on a gas stove, but I’d have sorted it.
You can do a lot, with a little, but nothing with nothing!
Thankfully, with a bit of experience I know that “firing once” is a clue - the electronic fuel injection gets locked into rich mixture and fouls the plugs.
Thankfully, being a GJ’er I had not only plenty of tools on hand, but also the best for the job.
A 1/2” drive socket to remove the scaffolding BMW use instead of a stiffer chassis. A 10mm nut grip to remove the recessed nuts holding the coil cover, and one of those superb KoKen plug sockets.
Equally thankfully, I’m one of those folks who keeps loads of spares on hand so was able to resolve the problem quickly by fitting new plugs.
But, here’s the critical thing. If I’d only had the tools I needed, rather than those I wanted, I could have managed perfectly well. The standard 3/8 drive socket set in my road box (shown in post #3) contains all I really needed. I’d have had to go with my “best guess” as to the problem (which was correct) and cooked the old plugs on a gas stove, but I’d have sorted it.
You can do a lot, with a little, but nothing with nothing!
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Mecha
Well-known member
Exactly, I think of it having what I need to get most things taken care of. I literally curse myself if I don't bring my yellow box. If I have nothing, I'm searching for something, instead of doing anything.
Dave455
Well-known member
That looks like a really “honest” working box.
Probably a few things you wish you had from time to time, perhaps a few more that get used for things they shouldn’t, but you’ve got all the basic’s covered!
rust in the eye
Well-known member
If that is the one from me it is the waxed version, that's why it's so stiff. Makes a new Filson duck jacket look like cashmere.
Hey @Nobody-named-Olli really love your drilling kits, sorry I didn’t respond sooner the notification didn’t come through and I missed your amazing posts!
I really like this one part can you tell me about it? I like how the shafts are milled down so they can fit in tight recessed spots. I’m guessing it’s made by festool and part of the handle kit. Is it a propriterry handle or can the bits work in any hex bit driver?
I really like this one part can you tell me about it? I like how the shafts are milled down so they can fit in tight recessed spots. I’m guessing it’s made by festool and part of the handle kit. Is it a propriterry handle or can the bits work in any hex bit driver?
Nobody-named-Olli
Well-known member
Centrotec is proprietary to Festool. These will - to some extent - fit a regular 1/4” hex bit holder/ handle but probably not lock - depending on the bit holder - and definitely wobble quite a bit. So not recommended at all.
But you can get 70 or 100mm bits that don’t have a hex shaft all the way to the tip from many different manufacturers.
Here is one possible source: https://www.kctool.com/1-4-drive-power-bits-2-6/
But again, I’m sure you can find them from US brands as well. And even Amazon should have a variety of them.
Don’t get Festool/Centrotec unless you want to commit to the whole system including their drill/driver(s) - absolutely not worth it for the bits/handle alone.
Kind regards,
Olli
But you can get 70 or 100mm bits that don’t have a hex shaft all the way to the tip from many different manufacturers.
Here is one possible source: https://www.kctool.com/1-4-drive-power-bits-2-6/
But again, I’m sure you can find them from US brands as well. And even Amazon should have a variety of them.
Don’t get Festool/Centrotec unless you want to commit to the whole system including their drill/driver(s) - absolutely not worth it for the bits/handle alone.
Kind regards,
Olli
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So while looking for a inexpensive drawer solution to add for a cart/cabinet this popped up. I figured someone here with stupid deep pockets might be interested... 
Hannahranga
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2023
- Messages
- 211
That's pretty damn cool. Not the cheapest but considering what a good tool cabinet costs also not ridiculous
Well I think this one gives snap on a run for its money at $12.43 a square inch of storage space
Nobody-named-Olli
Well-known member
Just leaving an additional link to the manufacturer: https://mobile-shop.com/ht-engineering-cart/
I was intrigued, so I ‘investigated’. Seems to be a legit solution for large hotels, resorts, schools, campuses, office buildings … And those seem to be that company’s core/key customers if the testimonials and affiliations are true.
Interesting for sure, hadn’t seen this before. Thank you for posting/ bringing it to my attention!
Our office maintenance guy had built his cart himself using a shopping cart as base.
Kind regards,
Olli
I was intrigued, so I ‘investigated’. Seems to be a legit solution for large hotels, resorts, schools, campuses, office buildings … And those seem to be that company’s core/key customers if the testimonials and affiliations are true.
Interesting for sure, hadn’t seen this before. Thank you for posting/ bringing it to my attention!
Our office maintenance guy had built his cart himself using a shopping cart as base.
Kind regards,
Olli
Houdini5150
Well-known member
I just have some cheap Harbor Franks bag I keep some tools in the car
If I need to take other tools to in laws I just toss them in a box or carry them in a plastic bag haha.
If I need to take other tools to in laws I just toss them in a box or carry them in a plastic bag haha.
My portable toolbox gets less portable every year. I started out with an old Ammo Can, then a 14" box, then a 20" box, up to a 24"box now. I'm getting older and the boxes are getting heavier. But the good thing is I could build a B-52 with the tools I carry.
Looks like I shouldn't be poking fun at it. That's a damn cool / legit set-up.
Dave455
Well-known member
That’s the way this seems to work.My portable toolbox gets less portable every year. I started out with an old Ammo Can, then a 14" box, then a 20" box, up to a 24"box now. I'm getting older and the boxes are getting heavier. But the good thing is I could build a B-52 with the tools I carry.
Then you get to the point that the big “portable” box just isn't any more, so you take a few essential tools out, pack them in an old ammo box, and the process starts all over again!
No I think you were right … $5000 for that is Snapon level markup. It’s a cool design but I don’t see enough to justify that price tag
It could be worse, I guess. Back in the 80s with most US cars you needed to carry SAE & Metric. A friend at work had a SAAB and I think it had Metric, SAE, and British Standard.
tez929rr
Well-known member
For most jobs I pick out what I need and use a tool bag. But I carry this small Montezuma box in the back of my UTV. I bought it for my truck but could never figure out a good way to secure it. Most of this was a Craftsman set I bought around 25 years ago and those screwdriver handles still stink up the box.
Let’s bring this thread back to the top.
For the last ten years when I go to my son’s house or other locations I take a tool bag.
I just can’t get used to working out of a bag. It seems like I end up with everything out of the bag about as soon as I start a job. I started looking for something more organized.
I used to use a two drawer, red and gray, Craftsman carry box as my road trip box while working.
Had that box for years until somebody stole it while shipping it back to our main shop
!
I looked for a used one for the past year but didn’t want a project nor did I want to spend a ton on another box. Also without a similar box in front of me I wasn’t even sure it would work.
I picked up this Rigid box before Xmas for $30 and decided to experiment with it.
First thing I did was pick up a drop of 20 gage sheet metal,
The box had two removable dividers so I installed a “metal floor” in the left compartment to hold two Olsa magnetic 1/4” socket holders and an additional 1/4” hex bit holder.
I then bent up a tray to suspend above the socket holders.
This tray might get a Version2 as of now it’s a work in progress.
In the right hand compartment I used a cut down Ernst plier holder to hold 6 or 7 pair of pliers and a couple of adjustable wrenches. The zippered bag helps keep the tools from moving fore and aft.
I cut the dividers out of the supplied orange bin to hold Allen wrench sets, punches, and other misc. stuff.
In the center compartment I mounted a slightly raised piece of peg board and custom mounted some Olsa screwdriver holders. Again this is subject to change
Above the pegboard I suspended another removable tray that I bent up out of the 20 gage.
I‘m still waiting on an Etsy order to continue this section.
An old SK tool box is mounted with magnets and holds more “stuff” that I seemed to lose in the tool bag pockets.
I've trimmed some of the webbing in the lid to hold a hammer, a 12” tri square blade and a flashlight.
Maybe more to come.
This has been an experiment that has worked pretty well the two times I’ve used it while “under construction”. As of now it weighs just a bit more than 30lbs.
It fits behind the seat of my truck and is clipped to the child seat anchor for safety
For the last ten years when I go to my son’s house or other locations I take a tool bag.
I just can’t get used to working out of a bag. It seems like I end up with everything out of the bag about as soon as I start a job. I started looking for something more organized.
I used to use a two drawer, red and gray, Craftsman carry box as my road trip box while working.
Had that box for years until somebody stole it while shipping it back to our main shop
!I looked for a used one for the past year but didn’t want a project nor did I want to spend a ton on another box. Also without a similar box in front of me I wasn’t even sure it would work.
I picked up this Rigid box before Xmas for $30 and decided to experiment with it.
First thing I did was pick up a drop of 20 gage sheet metal,
The box had two removable dividers so I installed a “metal floor” in the left compartment to hold two Olsa magnetic 1/4” socket holders and an additional 1/4” hex bit holder.
I then bent up a tray to suspend above the socket holders.
This tray might get a Version2 as of now it’s a work in progress.
In the right hand compartment I used a cut down Ernst plier holder to hold 6 or 7 pair of pliers and a couple of adjustable wrenches. The zippered bag helps keep the tools from moving fore and aft.
I cut the dividers out of the supplied orange bin to hold Allen wrench sets, punches, and other misc. stuff.
In the center compartment I mounted a slightly raised piece of peg board and custom mounted some Olsa screwdriver holders. Again this is subject to change
Above the pegboard I suspended another removable tray that I bent up out of the 20 gage.
I‘m still waiting on an Etsy order to continue this section.
An old SK tool box is mounted with magnets and holds more “stuff” that I seemed to lose in the tool bag pockets.
I've trimmed some of the webbing in the lid to hold a hammer, a 12” tri square blade and a flashlight.
Maybe more to come.
This has been an experiment that has worked pretty well the two times I’ve used it while “under construction”. As of now it weighs just a bit more than 30lbs.
It fits behind the seat of my truck and is clipped to the child seat anchor for safety
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captain14
Well-known member
Jgaz,
You have definitely put some thought into your design. I like it. I’ve thought about using one of those Ridgid boxes as an everyday carry box.
You can certainly see what missing with the tools laid out.
You have definitely put some thought into your design. I like it. I’ve thought about using one of those Ridgid boxes as an everyday carry box.
You can certainly see what missing with the tools laid out.
Dave455
Well-known member
That’s nice work.Let’s bring this thread back to the top.
For the last ten years when I go to my son’s house or other locations I take a tool bag.
I just can’t get used to working out of a bag. It seems like I end up with everything out of the bag about as soon as I start a job. I started looking for something more organized.
I used to use a two drawer, red and gray, Craftsman carry box as my road trip box while working.
Had that box for years until somebody stole it while shipping it back to our main shop
I looked for a used one for the past year but didn’t want a project nor did I want to spend a ton on another box. Also without a similar box in front of me I wasn’t even sure it would work.
I picked up this Rigid box before Xmas for $30 and decided to experiment with it.
First thing I did was pick up a drop of 20 gage sheet metal,
The box had two removable dividers so I installed a “metal floor” in the left compartment to hold two Olsa magnetic 1/4” socket holders and an additional 1/4” hex bit holder.
I then bent up a tray to suspend above the socket holders.
This tray might get a Version2 as of now it’s a work in progress.
In the right hand compartment I used a cut down Ernst plier holder to hold 6 or 7 pair of pliers and a couple of adjustable wrenches. The zippered bag helps keep the tools from moving fore and aft.
I cut the dividers out of the supplied orange bin to hold Allen wrench sets, punches, and other misc. stuff.
In the center compartment I mounted a slightly raised piece of peg board and custom mounted some Olsa screwdriver holders. Again this is subject to change
Above the pegboard I suspended another removable tray that I bent up out of the 20 gage.
I‘m still waiting on an Etsy order to continue this section.
An old SK tool box is mounted with magnets and holds more “stuff” that I seemed to lose in the tool bag pockets.
I've trimmed some of the webbing in the lid to hold a hammer, a 12” tri square blade and a flashlight.
Maybe more to come.
This has been an experiment that has worked pretty well the two times I’ve used it while “under construction”. As of now it weighs just a bit more than 30lbs.
It fits behind the seat of my truck and is clipped to the child seat anchor for safety
I like the idea of a piece of sheet steel in the bottom to use magnetic socket holders. I might steal that idea at some point.
But I do have to say, that selecting tools for “general purpose” is about the toughest “ask” out there. If you’re selecting tools for basic automotive repair tasks it’s a straightforward task, ditto basic woodworking, or electrical, or whatever.
Property maintenance etc gets a bit harder, but when I hear “…oh, can you bring some general tools with you…” my heart sinks…!
When I see a guy with a trim clip tool and a combination square in the same box, I know you’ve “been there”…!
Amen. When I was using that two drawer Craftsman for work trips, it was all automotive work.
Also I usually worked on or built the proto type trip vehicle so I had an even better idea of what was required.
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I too used to be a 'metal tool box' guy for my to-go tools... I used a Beta cantilever box for years, now it sits... I did recently do a video on my soft-bag buildout. Kind of an in-between size, much more than a lightweight EDC tool setup, but of course less than I have in the shop...
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Just to note this link is indeed a Bull Tools roll up but NOT the waxed version which is the tough as nails version Hakeem has. Think of a new Filson duck coat and you get the idea. I'm unable to find them now, perhaps discontinued.
This is a pretty great thread.
When the job that I am currently on is finished (October?), I will take pictures of my electrical box and the tools in it.
I work out of a Crowntop Craftsman hand box. On jobs with a tiny tool list, I work out a 1940’s Union hand box. The tray to that box does not have a handle.
I tried a Klein backpack for a while, but it was an ergonomic disaster.
At some point, I want to try the Veto Pro Pac backpack.
We lock up our tools in a gang box at night, and use Rubbermaid style carts during work. A regular hand box works very well for me.
When the job that I am currently on is finished (October?), I will take pictures of my electrical box and the tools in it.
I work out of a Crowntop Craftsman hand box. On jobs with a tiny tool list, I work out a 1940’s Union hand box. The tray to that box does not have a handle.
I tried a Klein backpack for a while, but it was an ergonomic disaster.
At some point, I want to try the Veto Pro Pac backpack.
We lock up our tools in a gang box at night, and use Rubbermaid style carts during work. A regular hand box works very well for me.
dr_clyde
Well-known member
While 5k isn't exactly pocket change, it appears that that price includes a LOT of tools. It's not just an empty cart.
zimman
Well-known member
I'm a damn fan. LOLHere's my "grab and go" bag.
Zim
zimman
Well-known member
So here's my start cause multiple. LOL
I'll do a breakdown later.
Zim
Truck drawer system has two when I'm traveling which we do a lot.
And a tool roll with some more.
I'll do a breakdown later.
Zim
Truck drawer system has two when I'm traveling which we do a lot.
And a tool roll with some more.
Hannahranga
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2023
- Messages
- 211
The veto backpacks are quite nice, heavy too but that's kinda to be expected. Backpacks do make it too easy to end up with a bag that needs a forklift but that might be me