Bob Arlotta's Massive Snap On Box Wins All

[SpiderGearsMan]

 

[arms1970]

I just wonder that myself. Always got to pick someone apart. The guy is a successful business owner on top of it. Self made man. WTF

 

[67cumminsf100]

Snap on boxes are so cute.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

taxicab yellow

 

[spacedoutbob]

That is an impressive tool box setup. He was the 2008 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. I guess you would call it a box that matches a Technician's Skills.

Bob

 

[nicksnothereman]

This isn’t Bob Arlotta’s first entry in Big-Time Boxes. However, his massive Snap-on toolbox just keeps getting bigger.

“It is so big because with new cars there comes the need for new tools and when my box gets too full, I like to expand so things aren’t too cramped,” says Arlotta.

Yet the acquiring of tools (and ultimately somewhere to store them) had humble beginnings. Arlotta recounts how it all began: “When I was 15, I had a Snap-on dealer come to my house every Thursday and I started to buy tools so I could restore a GTO and some day become a mechanic. When I was 16, people in the neighborhood started to ask me to fix their cars at my house as they saw me restore this GTO. I was done with the GTO when I was 17 and it was my first car. This collection of all Snap-on tools took about 35 years to collect, and I cannot even begin to track its value. I am almost 50 now and still have the same passion for Snap-on tools and the industry that I had when I was 15.”

Arlotta now owns his own shop, Long Hill Auto Service, where he “works on basically any car that comes in and needs work.”

This is not some sort of shallow boasting, either. When questioned how serious he was about that, he started listing his factory scan tools: “We use all factory tools that are laptop-based, including Nissan, Honda, Land Rover, Jaguar, GM, BMW, Porsche, Toyota, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, etc.,” Arlotta notes. “For handheld tools we use the Tech II, the Snap-On Solus Ultra, Starmobile, Chrysler DRB III, the Honda tool and Hickok for Ford.”

Arlotta does not believe in compromising his repairs by not using the right tools, so he purchases whatever tool he needs to do a job right, quickly filling up his box. “Do I need all of the space? I would say yes, because as of right now it is full and every addition I make to the box seems to fill up pretty quickly,” he says.

This colossal box also features distinct modifications. “We put LEDs in the top section of the box and a magnetic strip to hold up some large ratchets, for quicker and neat access to them,” Arlotta boasts.


When asked why, he mentioned that the evolving nature of automobiles forces him to keep pace. The box keeps growing, including recent additions such as three top cabinets and additional tool drawers. Arlotta notes that his Snap-on box includes two side cabinets (No. KRL1012A), three top cabinets (No. KRL5445APBO), the bottom middle section (No. KRL1003B), top middle (No. KRL1203A), the right of the middle on the bottom section (No. KRL1011A), and on top of that, and on the left side of the center section are No. KRL1221 boxes.

It seems easy enough to misplace the tool numbers of the box, let alone the tools it carries. According to Arlotta, he has “a very organized box.” After all, with 35 years worth of tools is one place, organization — and size — are important.

I thought it was going to be the award for most unused tools in a toolbox. My mistake. I'll nominate this gentleman for that award when I see how many variations of phillips head screwdrivers he owns. Consequently, the nomination might be revoked regardless if he owns a mortorq socket in any size (not a bit, a socket). Then I know dude is serious about tool set completion.

 

[monomach]

I had the same reaction everyone else had: "Holy ****! That box needs more casters!"

Not too fond of those cabinets on top, myself.

...but yeah. That's a helluva box.

 

[Flash21]

from looking at the website for Bob Arlotta's shop, I would say he is a great mechanic, runs a pretty good business and gives back to the local community. Cool to see the local Girl Scouts earning their automotive badge.

On a side note, Bob may very well be a member here and reading this thread.

Cheers Bob, I like your box and really dig the pride you have in your business.

X2, Looks like a good guy that takes his tools seriously and keeps them in top condition and is very committed to his trade...I can respect that

Thumbs Up

 

[ZRX61]

It doesn't look very practical. My *** is about the same distance from the floor as Bobs & the upper 25% of that height would be a PITA to use. I might have near the same amount of storage overall as him, but mine is in multiple rollaways that I can actually access without stilts.
Only 2 of mine have top chests on them, but the tallest one (Hammerhead 41") is only... (slight pause while I run out to the garage to check.....) 61.5inches tall.

& yes, he needs a custom frame under that thing to straighten it out.

 

[Thumper]

Damn....and I thought my old lady had a big box........

 

[eborcim]

These should keep everybody busy for a while! http://www.vehicleservicepros.com/search?q=big+time

Thanks that's a cool site to look through.

 

[bobcatdan]

It doesn't look very practical. My *** is about the same distance from the floor as Bobs & the upper 25% of that height would be a PITA to use. I might have near the same amount of storage overall as him, but mine is in multiple rollaways that I can actually access without stilts.
Only 2 of mine have top chests on them, but the tallest one (Hammerhead 41") is only... (slight pause while I run out to the garage to check.....) 61.5inches tall.

& yes, he needs a custom frame under that thing to straighten it out.

The thing is, I bet stuff that gets used twice a year are placed up high. Yeah the guy has 10,000 or so tools, but I bet he only uses the same 200 most days.

 

[DRhodes]

I had the same reaction everyone else had: "Holy ****! That box needs more casters!"

Not too fond of those cabinets on top, myself.

...but yeah. That's a helluva box.

+1. I dont know how they are holding up.