Cordless Drill/Driver Dock Tote, Ditch your tool bag

[gahrajmahal]

First the photos, then the explanation (so you can avoid my boring dribble).

The inspiration from the internet:




What I made:

 

[mike93lx]

How is it to use? Looks bulky and a little awkward to carry

 

[gahrajmahal]

So, why did I find the need to make something that has many ready made solutions? Well, for years I just kept the drill and driver in the bag they came with. While at home, they were mostly just laying around where I last used them. Images from GJ members and their shop storage solutions were never enticing because I would still have to throw the tools and charger in the bag whenever I went somewhere else to work with them. I saw that tool tote image from the internet and it wasn't just right either. Two jobs this year cemented what I wished a tool tote would contain. First was a set of fence panels the wifie wanted to hide the log pile, compost pile and chipper.


When I built these three panels I had my saw horses setup and using a newly purchased battery Metabo circular saw, I cut the boards and drove a million stainless deck screws to hold it all together. I carried the cordless drill and driver, screws and my Milwaukee Bits set and Milwaukee Twist drill set along with tape measure, pencils etc. in the tool bag. Once I started working, the tools come out of the bag and just lay wherever I was working. Usually I have multiple bits out and multiple drills going too. Clearance holes and starter holes. Sometimes I would loose a driver tip or twist drill in the landscaping.

Tired after post hole digging, sawing and assembly, I'd throw all the tools and screws back into the bag and take them back to the garage where I would inconveniently drop them onto the floor until my next day of working on the panels. (took a week or two).

Next job was "on-the-road". We have friends we get together with once a month for dinner usually. Well, one of the friends had a slip in the tub, fell and bruised his ribs. Nothing serious, but I asked if they had grab bars in the shower? Well, only one of the group had bars, so I told them I was coming to install grab bars for everyone. Three bathrooms worth.

Out came the tool bag. Drill, driver, toggle bolts, measuring tape, sharpies etc. While working in the finished bathrooms the tools stood up on the vanities or tile floors. I had a moving blanket in the tubs while working, but the array of driver bits, drills and other stuff could possibly scratch or damage the finished surfaces. Revelation! No work surface!

 

[gahrajmahal]

How is it to use? Looks bulky and a little awkward to carry

Getting there mike931x! So to answer your question? Yes, it is bulky and HEAVIER THAN EXPECTED. Ha, ha on me. Here are some more construction photos. It's made out of scrap wood and stuff from the gahraj.

French cleat, so it can be hung up in the garage like the many GJ examples:


Screw storage, Use Stanley screw sorter boxes. 3 for $10 during the holidays. Slot between tools for charger to sit.



I notched the sides for the French Cleat. It is important to have a support resting on the wall surface, otherwise the hanging thing will not wedge securely. (see the clamps brackets I have mounted elsewhere in the garage)





I made purpose built pockets for the Milwaukee Bits and Milwaukee Drill holders. Dewalt and others are similar size and will work too.



The top is flat and attached with Threaded Dowels for strength. This is my work surface where I can open the drill case and bits case.



The bottom is made of Lifelock Waterproof flooring specifically so I can take advantage of the non-slip rubberized underlayment layer. At this point I realized how heavy the darned thing was, plus there were many corners where wood chips could get trapped, so I endeavored on a hole saw lightning and chip exit strategy.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I wanted to distract from the many different materials it was made from so I found a full can of red spray paint, so red it is. I have been using it now for a few weeks and have added some other features. I added a magnetic bar. You know those free ones from Harbor Freight, cut down and useful for sticking bits, drills, screws etc. On the other side I adapted an electrical box cover into a tape measure and sharpie clip place. I have found it is a great height for sitting and to hold something down while drilling or cutting. It is even sturdy enough to stand on infrequently. It does what I expected, as it is convenient to place the drill back in place or the driver instead of setting it down on the floor etc. The top surface is perfect for opening and leaving the drills/bits out. I am sad at how heavy it turned out, but I shouldn't be surprised. There are two (2) five pound boxes of screws in the Stanley sorter. The Milwaukee bins weigh a pound or two, and the drill/driver probably weigh 6-8 lb. each. I added two long slots to the leading edge as a grip place when pulling it off and on the shelf. Sadly the wall space I had identified for it to land was too narrow to "french cleat" mount it, so I just made space for it on my tool boxes shelf. I added a strip outlet above so I could easily plug in the charger.

Hope you found this interesting!

 

[Monza Harry]

Gahrajmahal that is a worthy fix to your life's repair situations for sure! If this proves worthy there could always be a Version 2.0 as well made with lighter materials or (...?) A height matching second one as a "saw horse" possibly with a stop for holding/pushing material against for cutting or (...?) also this leaves one as a work bench and the other as the stool [standing, or sitting on] I think that is going to prove very handy! Harry​

 

[tarbellb]

Fun idea, bulky, but useful.

You might be surprised how strong you can build a similar tote out of 1/4" ply and some triangulation/gusseting.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Thanks for the replies. I just used the materials I had on hand. Some 3/4 underlayment, 1/4 plywood, the aforementioned waterproof flooring, and some PVC moulding. I figured if I didn’t like it, just toss it out. So far, it’s pretty great. I’m definitely more organized while working.

I have height adjustable saw horses and a Shopmate along with an 8’ plastic folding table I use for work surfaces. Sometimes when I go somewhere to work it takes me a half hour just to load everything I like to use. The Gahraj is a two car attached and always has two Cars in it so all my stuff is on wheels or in some kind of case. I usually keep everything a tool uses in the case, so I guess most of my tool boxes are on the heavy side.

Next up, sand and refinish the house front door and clean and refinish the wood front porch before the snow flies.

 

[tyyost]

I like the concept, I use a Ridgid mid size toolbox for my drill, driver, and bits. It gets to be a bit cumbersome and has some weight to it for sure. I also use the larger screw sorters from Milwaukee so I think something like your inspiration may fit the bill for me. A tote to take the drill and impact driver and one bit set would sure be handy, and would be better than the current belt hook setup I use now when moving around on a job.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Now to stop Guessing. FYI...

 

[bonneyman]

Neat idea and interesting layout!

Could "skeletizing" it help reduce weight? Remove material in key areas to reduce overall poundage but not weaken it much. Judicious hole drilling could make or break it. Just my .02.

I've used a Bucket Boss and 5-gallon paint pail for years, and have gotten used to the nearly 30 pounds. Multi-tools and experience help me minimize what I carried up every roof.

 

[gahrajmahal]

What’s a few pounds between friends? I’ll get used to the extra weight based on the increased usefulness of the thing. I’ll probably carry the screw tote separately to lose the weight. I am curious to see if the thread inspires someone else to make their version of it. Afterall I was inspired by someones version (first photo).

 

[Sumboodie]

I'll just use a 5 gal pail. Bonus points if I find a semi clean one to use.

 

[bonneyman]

I used to be able to get 5 gallon paint buckets for free form the local paint distributor. They just gave 'em away, and all I had to do was peel the layer of dried latex paint out of them (easy). But they stopped doing that, and I'm forced to buy from the home center now.
The Bucket Boss liner pictured is only the second one I've owned in 25+ years of use. The buckets crack and the handles snap but the liner keeps going and going!

 

[Bessy]

I like your thinking! version one definitely always allows you to identify the bugs and gems! This is in fact highly reminiscent of my thread from some years back when I attempted to incorporate Adam Savage's first-order-retrievability concept into a tool bag. The problem was that a plywood insert with lots of other components and whatnot screwed to it soon became too heavy to make truly user friendly. Given that I was often working outside and carrying tools from place to place it didn't really work for me for long, so I gave in and bought one of those square electrical tool bags, which can still get to be pretty damn heavy when you factor power tools into the mix.

I agree with Bonneyman, that skeletizing or thinner materials with proper gussetting would solve two of your woes, namely some of the weight issues and your sawdust problem. Another I thought of was to use one of those utility carts with the collapsible handle, especially if you're already moving around saw horses and the like.

Bottom line is that now I want to go and play in the shop and work on tool infrastructure, rather than play bocce with the fam!

 

[nikerret]

Madness or brilliance…

 

[bugnut]

Missed this the first time I think it's quite clever!

 

[ChevyEFI]

Nicely done.

 

[dscheidt]

@gahrajmahal what was the long term results of this tote?

 

[yhprum]

Missed this one earlier, but I like it!

 

[gahrajmahal]

@gahrajmahal what was the long term results of this tote?

Dschiedt, it continues to be one of the best and most useful things I have made. When using it in the garage I just grab the drill and plastic hex drill bit set, or the driver and plastic bit assortment and use them. After I’m done it’s easy to just hang them back in their slot.
Recently I took my show on the road and went to a friend’s house to install grab bars in their shower for an upcoming hip replacement. Along with the drill/driver dock I had my tool bag, screw drivers, wrenches, pliers etc. Also a big bag with painting stuff, drywall stuff, level, square etc. The drill was used with carbide tile drills. The driver was used with toggle bolts, drywall screws and the screws of new bath hardware. During use I could switch between drills and bits by putting them on the magnetic rail. The soft bottom kept me from damaging their hardwood floors. Once the drywall was opened up and a backing stud was installed, the drywall was repaired, I used the tote to stand on while cutting in the ceiling with primer and paint.

Build one yourself and post your results here with any improvements you make!