Looking for tool organizational system suggestions (AKA Mil. packout-type kits) for a beginning Handyman who will eventually branch out on his own.

[Dig Doug]

I’m a Commercial Contractor I service a wide range of clients
so I keep a little bit of everything in my truck tool wise

hardware I keep in Husky tupperware - small parts / screw boxes

I use a rubber made 3 shelf 4 wheel cart to haul in tools and gear - This is harder w/ a residual type work as houses aren’t cart friendly

pack out style storage pro/ cons
I tried to like the pack out gear - Great Ideas for storage
although
the problem is when traveling do you just leave it in the bed of the truck run a chain thru $1,000’s in tools
or running into Depot - Prime Target for Theft or placing inside the cab = more moving them around

what about rain or bad weather …
then
lifting everything in and out of the truck bed all day - ***** !

my advice

buy a commercial truck or Van and set it up use only as a WORK truck/van don’t drive it every day unless working = Money Maker
alarm it
battery kill & vibration / tampering
tint windows
get Good locks ETC for security

set em up for what ever type of work you plan to do !
I bought a hunk of new commercial grade carpet and lined the bottom of all my truck boxes



my truck is a 2005 Chevy 2500 HD extra cab w/ 8ft contractor body 268,000 miles 3 transmissions & 1 motor later it’s still making money - looks Clean and drives Great

small parts screw boxes



Example of truck or van look professional and once set up they are work horses
The truck is similar to mine

 

[Dig Doug]

Electrical & plumbing fittings I have SMALL old school plastic Pack out style boxes, I’ve had these for over 15 years !

plumbing fittings
labeled 1/2, 3/4 & 1 inch + misc = straps

electrical MC cable and EMT conduit fittings
‘all have their own boxes and sizes

I don’t carry these every day

some of the biotech companies require specialize hardware
I have to use a lot of SS hardware so I have a box or 2 for those and I buy extras for inventory

you will find out real Quick what works for you -

The key is to stay organized and clean up & Out the truck van a few times a Month !
Dont Build up return items - return items weekly !

 

[johnh91]

Hi All:

I'm a former elementary school principal who retired in January. All my life I've been handy and done all sorts of projects from automotive to home. Recently, I started working for a local Handyman outfit and plan to branch out on my own shortly.

I have gone down rabbit holes like this in the past and my advise is to start off with a list of what discrete things you will do, you might do, and you definitely won't do.

There's a "scope of practice" of handyman trades where you're not allowed to exceed certain things without being a licensed plumber, electrician, etc. Put those in the "definitely won't do" category.

For the "might do" category, think of things you haven't been asked to do, or haven't yet felt comfortable doing, but they are within your scope of practice and current or future skill sets.

Then list out the things you definitely will do.

For each list, put all the tools needed. Do a gap analysis to see what tools you might need to buy, but since you're starting out on your own, maybe avoid buying expensive tools in the "might do" category.

If you have all of the tools you will need, even better, lay them out. Get a sense of how much space you need. Then break things down into the less commonly used tools. I would have a three tier system.

Tier 1 is stuff you'll take with you on every job. It sounds like you're already working for someone else, so you know this already. Some small pouch on the belt or small bag. I'd just keep using whatever you're using now unless you don't like it.

Tier 2 is stuff you'll probably use most times during the day and you'll want that easily accessible in your vehicle and make sure it's neatly organized, first level retrieval type stuff. So you don't have to dig around.

Tier 3 stuff you will use almost never but when you need it, you'll be glad you got it. This could be either be some contingency tool like an induction heater to remove a rusty bolt, or it could be a standard tool but for a job you don't do often like maybe nail guns if you don't hang doors often.

For the Tier 1 stuff I'd have some soft bags or pouches.

Tier 2 I'd run a mix of a soft open top Veto Pro Pac bag (here in AZ it doesn't rain but ymmv and you may want closed top), and also packout drawers or packout toolboxes that are job specific. One packout toolbox for drywall tools, one for door hanging, etc.

Tier 3 it would still be nice to have packout but it gets expensive so could even store them in rubbermaids or crates in the truck, by definition you don't need it often.

Nice thing about packout, like Adam showed in his pics, it's modular, you can stack stuff together from the truck and take in the modules you need for the job.

Last note, wait for Home Depot buy more save more (BMSM) sales on packouts, you can get them for 40% off and they run those maybe twice a year for a few weeks or a month at a time.

 

[alinc100]

Another thing to point out ,some of these systems are very heavy ,even when empty. Just another thing to be aware of.

 

[rust in the eye]

Having done a fair bit of "handyman" work I was a fan of a bucket and "BucketBoss" organizer for the core tools. Task/trade specific items in soft bags, good plastic hand carry boxes, "Sit,Stand,Tote" *boxes or those plastic totes with a two-piece lid often used by stores for stock shipments. I forget the proper name for these. A folding hand truck when needing to do a lot of schlepping.
The cost and weight of Packout type systems have always been a hard no for me. I'll give you they offer nice storage for fasteners and such but this can be accomplished at a much lower price.
The Packout stuff I see being used by others often winds up a disorganized mess anyway.
If you are fastidious and disciplined about returning things to their place I can see a benefit. I don't mind digging a little into a tool bag to fetch what I need.
You'll soon enough figure your needs, so I'd be reluctant to make an investment in something perhaps destined for a rummage sale. The stuff I mention is all inexpensive and could get you started just fine.
* Waterloo made these, sold under various brands, their own, Craftsman, even Snap On. Now discontinued but readily available second hand. They are strong, like bull.

 

[rust in the eye]

Electrical & plumbing fittings I have SMALL old school plastic Pack out style boxes, I’ve had these for over 15 years !

plumbing fittings
labeled 1/2, 3/4 & 1 inch + misc = straps

electrical MC cable and EMT conduit fittings
‘all have their own boxes and sizes

I don’t carry these every day

some of the biotech companies require specialize hardware
I have to use a lot of SS hardware so I have a box or 2 for those and I buy extras for inventory

you will find out real Quick what works for you -

The key is to stay organized and clean up & Out the truck van a few times a Month !
Dont Build up return items - return items weekly !

This

 

[danski0224]

the problem is when traveling do you just leave it in the bed of the truck run a chain thru $1,000’s in tools
or running into Depot - Prime Target for Theft or

That's why: van, not open bed pickup truck.

placing inside the cab = more moving them around

The loose stuff can also kill you in an accident.

 

[Banjorear]

Thank you, all. Lots of great advice.

Funny story, I just assumed all homes are kept neat and clean like mine. Went to do a re-caulking of a tub yesterday and the place was disgusting. Scum and hair all in the tub, mold everywhere. I had to clean the tub just to start.

It took me an hour longer because someone put clear silicone everywhere, I didn't see all of it and the new caulk wouldn't stick. Plus the apartment was as hot a sauna. Came out dripping wet. LOL.

That was a bit of an eye opener.

 

[Banjorear]

Having done a fair bit of "handyman" work I was a fan of a bucket and "BucketBoss" organizer for the core tools. Task/trade specific items in soft bags, good plastic hand carry boxes, "Sit,Stand,Tote" *boxes or those plastic totes with a two-piece lid often used by stores for stock shipments. I forget the proper name for these. A folding hand truck when needing to do a lot of schlepping.
The cost and weight of Packout type systems have always been a hard no for me. I'll give you they offer nice storage for fasteners and such but this can be accomplished at a much lower price.
The Packout stuff I see being used by others often winds up a disorganized mess anyway.
If you are fastidious and disciplined about returning things to their place I can see a benefit. I don't mind digging a little into a tool bag to fetch what I need.
You'll soon enough figure your needs, so I'd be reluctant to make an investment in something perhaps destined for a rummage sale. The stuff I mention is all inexpensive and could get you started just fine.
* Waterloo made these, sold under various brands, their own, Craftsman, even Snap On. Now discontinued but readily available second hand. They are strong, like bull.

Curious what Waterloo system you are referring to? I like their products and agree they are generally well made.