Get Tool Box Before or After Moving?

[page2171]

H all! I'm going to be moving across the country in about a month. The movers will be here in about three weeks to pack everything up. My problem is that my tools are a disorganized mess, spread out between a three drawer Craftsman box, a cheap plastic box, a tool bag, some sitting on the bench, some in boxes and some on shelves. I have been thinking about getting a box like the one below at HF and am wondering if I should get one now or wait until I have moved. The main pro of getting it now is that I could put all of the tools that aren't going with me in my car in it and lock it up. The main con is that it is more weight against the max weight that the military moves free for me. Any suggestions?

 

[jake00]

my bro has a very similar box to that and it *****. I'd get something decent after you move

 

[rodnok1]

Get when you get there...I don't move anything more than absolutely ness. A large tool box is a nice target for thiefs also...

 

[pgreen]

for the move, you could easily pack tools in cardboard boxes, labeled of course! Then get the bigger (better quality) HF box that everyone has been raving about.

 

[tatra]

pack them in non descript boxes and buy a new box when there..............if you are going to be moving in the future, maybe a motezuma road box?.........

http://www.montezumamfg.com/30-19-steel.php

as for shipping your tools in your box, not a good idea as if it winds up tipping, big mess trying to open the doors..........

 

[Mickey O]

I'd wait until you move, get a small toolbox to keep the stuff you'll need to disassemble furniture, remove doors, etc. for the move and then check the local craig's list where you move and find yourself a nice quality USA or Canadian made too box.

 

[DIC]

I'd wait until you move, get a small toolbox to keep the stuff you'll need to disassemble furniture, remove doors, etc. for the move and then check the local craig's list where you move and find yourself a nice quality USA or Canadian made too box.

Ditto....I would wait...........

 

[Wingnut65]

+2 for the cardboard box. You would hate to have a new toolbox shift in transit and come out racked or bent.

 

[Mattlt]

pack them in non descript boxes and buy a new box when there................

Good advice. Mark the boxes as "Aunt Edna's personal effects." or something similar. No need to raise attention that the boxes contain tools.

 

[pgreen]

... find yourself a nice quality USA or Canadian made too box.

Canadian tool box? Isn't that just one that secretly wishes it was American?

 

[rsanter]

if you find a deal on a great used box now, then get it now bwfore you move.
if you are going to buy new, then wait

bob

 

[page2171]

Thanks for the replies! It sounds like the consensus is to wait. That is why I asked the question. If there hadn't been the thought in the back of my head that it might be a bad idea I would have just gone out and bought it.

Unfortunately, I can't pack the cardboard boxes myself. Part of the deal with the government contracted movers is that they won't pay for any lost or damaged items that they don't pack themselves. I'll just have to get a good inventory and hope for the best. I don't have many tools that I wouldn't mind replacing if I had to.

 

[JSBriggs]

Can you secure your tools in a locking tote then have them box up the tote? I would have a hard time trusting unknown people with my tools. What ever you do in addition to a list, take alot of pics.

-Jeff

 

[dan76]

Having survived a few military moves..... here's my suggestion:

Inventory the tools/valuables you intend to ship by laying them out on a table and video/photo.

Ensure the packers clearly label every box with contents. If you are missing items (CDs/DVDs/tools are popular theft items) the government will not make payment if the items aren't listed on the packer's inventory sheet and if it's not listed on the box, the inventory sheet will not have a description.

I've had electronics, silverware, tools magically disappear when the packers arrive. They come like a cloud of locusts packing everything in sight and if not vigilant, you'll have missing items aplenty with no means of claiming loss since the missing items somehow did not make onto the inventory sheet.

I had a 1/4 drive Matco set disappear into a packer's pocket, but a friend saw him pocket the set and demanded he return it. I then called the transportation management office and had the packers stop until an inspector arrived to supervise the packers.
They hated that since they had another move scheduled later in the day and they're paid by weight not by time.

Organize your stuff prior to the packers arrival. You don't want them throwing wrenches into a box of fine china.

If you have a couple of trusted friends, have them assist you in watching the packers.

Good luck!

 

[NUTTSGT]

2171 ? Electro-Optical Ordnance Repairer/Technician, go to C&E school at 29 Palms ?

 

[page2171]

2171 ? Electro-Optical Ordnance Repairer/Technician, go to C&E school at 29 Palms ?

You got my MOS right, but I didn't go through C&E school at 29 Palms. My whole school was at MCLB Albany. Shortly after I went through the school it moved to Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, now it is moving to Fort Lee, VA.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Actually I googled the MOS, I was thinking comm, but that's 2500 field. After I saw what it was, I was guessing at 29 Palms, 934 sq miles of . . . . well, impact area I guess.

 

[crewchief888]

I'd wait until you move, get a small toolbox to keep the stuff you'll need to disassemble furniture, remove doors, etc. for the move and then check the local craig's list where you move and find yourself a nice quality USA or Canadian made too box.

+1

 

[Wingnut65]

page2171, I just saw that same 11-Drawer 'Store House' brand Tool at HF. I was not impressed with the feel of theunit or the way the drawers slide. It is very much like the tool box I got rid of last year because of the low quality. I'm not sure that exact one full of tools would survive a cross country move for you.

I am looking for more storage and will probably going to wait for the right price on the 13-drawer bottom chest that others have purchased: http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html

I don't mean to **** in with your decision, but I just wasn't impressed with that box.

jeff

 

[t100]

always, always ship your tool box EMPTY.

#1, nobody is gonna baby it, lighter is better on your box.
#2, tools inside the drawers will ding/nick your box.
#3, if these no tools in the box, less chance someone would jack your box, empty box doesn't make noise.
#4, if someone jacks your box, you only lose the box.

I moved 2 years ago, that's the advice I got from the pro's. always wrap it with black shrink wrap, so nobody knows it's a tool box.

 

[page2171]

page2171, I just saw that same 11-Drawer 'Store House' brand Tool at HF. I was not impressed with the feel of theunit or the way the drawers slide. It is very much like the tool box I got rid of last year because of the low quality. I'm not sure that exact one full of tools would survive a cross country move for you.

I am looking for more storage and will probably going to wait for the right price on the 13-drawer bottom chest that others have purchased: http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html

I don't mean to **** in with your decision, but I just wasn't impressed with that box.

jeff

Jeff, I just checked out the tool chests at HF today and agree 100% with what you said. Have to say that I was impressed with how good the 13 drawer bottom chest looked and felt. Maybe I will start saving to get one after I move.