College Toolbox Setup

[Jonah31001]

Hi everyone, this summer/fall I’m hopefully going to be going to college and of course I’m wanting to take some of my tools with me. Right now I have quite a few tools for a diyer with only some of them being used semi-professionally. The college i’m wanting to go to is literally on the opposite coast about 3k miles away, so the whole thing of doing an oil change or maintenance on spring or summer break at home is off the table for me. I’m also wanting to possibly do some basic maintenance (oil changes, plugs, coolant flushes, bulbs, valve cover gaskets, etc) for others for some extra money. I know I cant take even close to everything or either toolbox unfortunately. This summer before I go im going to do a full re-seal on my 3.4 Toyota (Head Gaskets, Pan Gasket, etc), a new clutch kit, suspension, complete Amsoil fluid change, Tundra brake kit, paint some of the frame, and do a complete undercoating. So hopefully I wont have to do a whole lot to my truck when I get there but I want to have tools in case. Does anyone have any pictures of dorm room toolbox setups or what they brought for a similar case to mine? Im thinking probably a smaller Craftsman 3 drawer style box and then everything else can go into a bin just in case I need them until I can get a place with more room then maybe get like a US General 27” box or something similar. I’ll drop some pictures of my current boxes now.

 

[Jonah31001]

Hi everyone, this summer/fall I’m hopefully going to be going to college and of course I’m wanting to take some of my tools with me. Right now I have quite a few tools for a diyer with only some of them being used semi-professionally. The college i’m wanting to go to is literally on the opposite coast about 3k miles away, so the whole thing of doing an oil change or maintenance on spring or summer break at home is off the table for me. I’m also wanting to possibly do some basic maintenance (oil changes, plugs, coolant flushes, bulbs, valve cover gaskets, etc) for others for some extra money. I know I cant take even close to everything or either toolbox unfortunately. This summer before I go im going to do a full re-seal on my 3.4 Toyota (Head Gaskets, Pan Gasket, etc), a new clutch kit, suspension, complete Amsoil fluid change, Tundra brake kit, paint some of the frame, and do a complete undercoating. So hopefully I wont have to do a whole lot to my truck when I get there but I want to have tools in case. Does anyone have any pictures of dorm room toolbox setups or what they brought for a similar case to mine? Im thinking probably a smaller Craftsman 3 drawer style box and then everything else can go into a bin just in case I need them until I can get a place with more room then maybe get like a US General 27” box or something similar. I’ll drop some pictures of my current boxes now.

 

[JSGAuto]

That's nice and organized! I'd say you are ready for a lot!

I didn't bring much with me. When I needed something I borrowed it from the SAE Baja team.

Where & what are you going to school for?

 

[Hannahranga]

You'll not fit everything thing in one but I'd absolutely suggest having a look at some of the bigger tool backpacks, well packed you can get a surprising amount in them (limiting factor on mine is picking it up not pocket space)

 

[MINIz guy]

My school tool kit was no different than my track tool kit. Kept everything portable and any job that couldn't be done in a parking lot meant I would pack it up. No pictures but this is how I packed:

Storage bin:

• Jack
• jackstands
• Wheel chocks
• torque wrench

Full 3/8" metric set of deep/shallow sockets, extensions, ratchet. I have a SATA kit that I love. It has no excess pieces such as SAE, bits, allen keys.

Tool bag:

• Tool roll with wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers
• Milwaukee 3/8 impact with 1/2 adapters
• Hex, torx and e-torx sockets
• Misc 1/2 sockets
• Bit ratchet and bits/socket set (this covered my 1/4 needs)
• Hammer and pry bar

I knocked out brakes, suspension work, and fluid changes without a problem. I bought a drain pan and a funnel once I was out at school. Everything could fit in the car (BMW E36) if I wasn't trailering or my truck when doing track days. I was lucky that I could keep my truck, trailer and car at school.

 

[Jonah31001]

That's nice and organized! I'd say you are ready for a lot!

I didn't bring much with me. When I needed something I borrowed it from the SAE Baja team.

Where & what are you going to school for?

Thanks, I try to keep everything organized, I hate it when one thing is in the wrong spot. I'm hopefully going to Liberty in Virginia, I live in Washington right now so it's literally the exact opposite of where I am right now haha. I'm wanting to do something Law Enforcement related so I'm going to do either Criminal Justice or a Homeland Security degree. I've been thinking about maybe trying to minor in something like engineering or something similar as after I have the money for it, I'd like to build a Late Model asphalt car.

 

[fourjeepin]

I built a tool box under my bed. i might have a picture i could scan but think 2x4 frame skinned with plywood. Plywood top was hinged and would tilt over to access the tools. Not effortless to get into, but it kept them secure and out of the way.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Thanks, I try to keep everything organized, I hate it when one thing is in the wrong spot. I'm hopefully going to Liberty in Virginia, I live in Washington right now so it's literally the exact opposite of where I am right now haha. I'm wanting to do something Law Enforcement related so I'm going to do either Criminal Justice or a Homeland Security degree. I've been thinking about maybe trying to minor in something like engineering or something similar as after I have the money for it, I'd like to build a Late Model asphalt car.

Get the degree in engineering and minor in criminal justice etc. I’m a cop and I can assure you anyone can be a cop, but damned few can be an engineer.

 

[Jonah31001]

Get the degree in engineering and minor in criminal justice etc. I’m a cop and I can assure you anyone can be a cop, but damned few can be an engineer.

Main reason I want to do a CJ or HS degree major is because if I ever wanted to do anything federal, certain jobs require or prefer those degrees. If I was just planning on doing something like local LE and nothing else I would probably not go to college at all but by doing that I can keep those options open.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I had my 26" Craftsman 9 drawer roll cab in my dorm. Made a lot of friends that way. I couldn't take everything but neither the university nor any local apartment complexes allowed repairs on the premises, so there wasn't any engine swapping going on. Brakes, flat tires, radiators, alternators, tune ups (this was 25 years ago) and whatever else we could do semi covertly, but that was about it.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Main reason I want to do a CJ or HS degree major is because if I ever wanted to do anything federal, certain jobs require or prefer those degrees. If I was just planning on doing something like local LE and nothing else I would probably not go to college at all but by doing that I can keep those options open.

If you truly want to go federal, join the military in some capacity. You will have a nearly impossible time getting in on just a college degree alone. See if they have an ROTC program available and ask questions about it.

 

[redragoon]

You have a lot more than I did in college. I made do with a Husky kit and some air tools.

Hardest part is where to keep them. Dorm rooms are very limited and you don't want a tempting object in your car.
Low profile boxes under the bed could work. Or get post risers to fit larger items.
I would recommend getting durable plastic storage with wheels if you're keeping in the dorm room.
It will be much easier to take them out to work if you aren't moving a heavy box.

For most jobs you should have a small box or bag and take down just what you expect to need for it.
Oil change should be a ratchet, couple sockets, rags/towels, and maybe filter wrench with the oil catch pan.

 

[Old tool guy]

Have you visited Lynchburg? Nice small town. Small. Nice campus. Are you going to rent a mini-storage unit? Doubt you will have room in the dorm to store the tool boxes.

 

[XJSuperman]

I started with a few wrenches, screwdriver, and a hammer in the dorm, but later had a full 26" Craftsman stack in my apartment bedroom closet. Actually worked pretty well. I got good at removing and handling the drawers as it moved a few times. I made friends and borrowed the larger items like jackstands/jacks/etc when I needed them.
Dorm Room Mechanic is on social media if you haven't seen his stuff. I think he built an engine in a dorm room before getting busted.

 

[HalfTonTom]

My college toolbox consisted of a church key. For you youngsters, a church key was a device used to punch a triangle-shaped drinking hole in the tops of beer cans prior to the invention of pull tabs and pop tops.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Thanks, I try to keep everything organized, I hate it when one thing is in the wrong spot. I'm hopefully going to Liberty in Virginia, I live in Washington right now so it's literally the exact opposite of where I am right now haha. I'm wanting to do something Law Enforcement related so I'm going to do either Criminal Justice or a Homeland Security degree. I've been thinking about maybe trying to minor in something like engineering or something similar as after I have the money for it, I'd like to build a Late Model asphalt car.

I used to go to Lynchburg regularly on business a decade or so ago. There's an awesome u-pull-it yard there...Pick N Save. I still call them occasionally and order oddball stuff I cant find anywhere else from them and they pack it up and ship it to me at unbelievably reasonable prices.

 

[f121]

College toolkit for me was a decent blowmould set (easy to carry, obvious when something is missing because you dropped it while working in the parking lot), a roll of cheap wrenches, a 18” pry bar, some
snips and a handful of screwdrivers.

I later upgraded to a craftsman 3 drawer box, but it was just damn heavy to carry up and down the stairs to my dorm, so I went to a plastic box and started only carrying the stuff I needed.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Once you get to where you are going, pickup a Harbor freight 301 piece mechanic tool kit. I have one I use at work and I have one I drag around in my truck. Most tool kits I found had 12 point sockets and this one has mostly 6 point. I wrench on a lot of military trucks and they use fine thread fasteners, what a PITA with any rust. When on sale, you can get it for $183 with tax out the door(here in Ohio).

The set is great for sockets, not great on wrenches.

Mechanics Tool Set, 301-Piece

Amazing deals on this 301Pc Mechanics Tool Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Jonah31001]

If you truly want to go federal, join the military in some capacity. You will have a nearly impossible time getting in on just a college degree alone. See if they have an ROTC program available and ask questions about it.

I was planning on most likely doing Military after. I tried to go Marine Corps straight out of High School but ended up having a injury so I was only at MCRD SD for like a month and a half. If I did go military probably gonna go Army.

 

[Jonah31001]

Have you visited Lynchburg? Nice small town. Small. Nice campus. Are you going to rent a mini-storage unit? Doubt you will have room in the dorm to store the tool boxes.

I haven’t, but it seems like a nice place and the campus looks awesome. I wasnt planning on getting a storage unit. Im probably just gonna take the tools I want and put them in a bin then when I get there and assess the space I have buy a small box that would fit. I’d like to get the US General 27” box or something close to it. Only reason I haven't bought a US General Box yet is because they are Chinese made.

 

[LopezBart]

A DVM and basic electrical stuff can be really useful, too.

 

[Jonah31001]

Once you get to where you are going, pickup a Harbor freight 301 piece mechanic tool kit. I have one I use at work and I have one I drag around in my truck. Most tool kits I found had 12 point sockets and this one has mostly 6 point. I wrench on a lot of military trucks and they use fine thread fasteners, what a PITA with any rust. When on sale, you can get it for $183 with tax out the door(here in Ohio).

The set is great for sockets, not great on wrenches.

Mechanics Tool Set, 301-Piece

Amazing deals on this 301Pc Mechanics Tool Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

To be honest the only way I would buy a Pittsburgh set is for the sockets. I really dont like the wrenches and especially the pliers. I dont like the ratchets, allens, or screwdrivers. Only way Id buy one if those would be for a loaner kit.