Going from a triple bank to multiple small boxes or carts???

[twertsy]

I guess my original point of the smaller boxes or carts was to be able to bring them with me. Right now the mothership is off to one side and I would like to have it in the middle, but there really isn't enough room to keep it there. I could move it back and forth, but it is like parallel parking a boat.

The middle you say............why not a Taco?

 

[Strouty]

The middle you say............why not a Taco?

I would love one. I plan on making a welding table that is loosely based on that style.

 

[ez-duzit]

I am separating my automotive into a shed and leaving metalworking in the garage.

Woodworking will go in another shed...

When you separate functions, you have to split up support tools and materials... It gets complicated...

Mine is a fabrication shop, with woodworking and metalworking combined. So I understand why you would want to separate them; my whole shop is a dust hole. Even if the two shops were relocated side by side, I think you would still want to duplicate some support tools.

At each machine, I keep a few tools that specifically relate to using/adjusting that machine, while having a complete set 10 steps away. And even though most of my drills, hole saws, etc are stored near the drill presses, I keep portable drills and extra drill index, plus a kit of specialty drill bits, driver tips, etc at my main fabrication bench. Other partial sets are stored in/on boats, truck and motorcycle.

For some tools you can't get around duplication.

 

[brandini109]

I'm in aviation and always had a single big box like everyone else. One day I realized that I do 90% of my work using just 10% of my tools so I invested in a snap on krsc33 cart. Best purchase ever!!!! My vote is for keeping the mothership and getting two carts loaded with the heavily used items. It's amazing how many tools you can fit in a cart when you are well organized!

 

[Strouty]

I am working on the organized part! Thanks for the input guys.

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

Have you had any issue with the tops not opening with stuff stack on it? That is why I like this style, because the flip up lid ones are always covered with stuff.

Nope. I put my daughter on one side, and my co-workers son on the other, both 4 years old, and about 40-50 pounds, and opened both sides... no problems at all. Also do alot of heavy front and rear end work, and set third members, and big hub/rotor assemblies on there all the time.

 

[Strouty]

Thanks for the input NorCal. I talked with my driver today, he thinks the mothership is the best approach, then add a cart. He told me there are a few techs on his route that work out of a couple carts and they hate life.

 

[wilham320]

I have a krl1003 triple bay with all big and less used stuff, and a big snap on cart with all my every day stuff. I do have multiples of wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, ect, in the main box so if my cart is across the shop I still have basic tools. Works out good in that my vise is right next to the big box so if I have a part I need to drill or grind or what ever in the vise, I have tools right there. I had a smaller cart and found myself having to walk to the big box too often, so I bought the big snap on cart. I say I only go to the big box maybe 5-10 times a day. This is in a 6 stall performance shop with only two techs. So we are back and fourth between stall depending on what stall came open for us to use.

 

[Strouty]

I have been pawing over the specs and I think I have figured out what I am going to do, at least if the offer is good. I think the 7023 will work, especially since I can configure the drawers the way I want. The list price difference between a 7023 and a 1023 is enough to get me the cart. I don't like the 1023 being so high anyways, so this will lower the box a few inches. Losing that space will be more than made up by the cart.

 

[twertsy]

I have been pawing over the specs and I think I have figured out what I am going to do, at least if the offer is good. I think the 7023 will work, especially since I can configure the drawers the way I want. The list price difference between a 7023 and a 1023 is enough to get me the cart. I don't like the 1023 being so high anyways, so this will lower the box a few inches. Losing that space will be more than made up by the cart.

Probably a good choice.

BTW, what's up with the bigfoot up a pole avatar?

 

[Strouty]

That is actually my shadow while I was on a tower. People seem to like it, but your reaction has always been the same as mine.

 

[twertsy]

I knew what it was.........

 

[Strouty]

Is this one any better?

 

[twertsy]

Yeah but you can't see my face?

 

[Adam.C]

This is in my own private shop, no employees. I have two designated areas, one is more for metalworking the other is for automotive and general things.

I'm in kind of the same boat. Here's my solution:

Double bay "depth" box for complex auto repairs. This box is kitted out with automotive specialty items and is 99% metric.

Roll cart- 80% soution for cars on the apron, diagnostics, light bulb changes. Can do an oil change with this box, maybe an engine accessory. Its a true service cart.

Kennedy roll cab- this is the box in my metal shop. It contains SAE tools, and more pliers and screwdrivers than the other boxes combined. Only metric stuff are allen keys/sockets.

Efficiency experts all tell us to make use of carts and move our tools close to the job. One step away is best. They also say to try to elimiinate twisting. So, having your box on the back wall of the garage and having to turn 180 degrees to access it is not preferred. Better to have it to one side while doing engine work (or work from a cart).

As we get older, I think this stuff becomes more important.

Don't know if you see it, but one of my favorite TV shows in the British car restoration show "Wheeler Dealers". The mechanic on the show (Edd China) has like 4 narrow stacks all around his lift. I'm not sure I understand why. Could it be that one is metric one is SAE? Or is one welding stuff, one electrical?

I get where you are coming from. Might make sense to split your tools up.

 

[Strouty]

Yeah but you can't see my face?

Can you breathe? What if one of them farts?

 

[Strouty]

I'm in kind of the same boat. Here's my solution:

Double bay "depth" box for complex auto repairs. This box is kitted out with automotive specialty items and is 99% metric.

Roll cart- 80% soution for cars on the apron, diagnostics, light bulb changes. Can do an oil change with this box, maybe an engine accessory. Its a true service cart.

Kennedy roll cab- this is the box in my metal shop. It contains SAE tools, and more pliers and screwdrivers than the other boxes combined. Only metric stuff are allen keys/sockets.

Efficiency experts all tell us to make use of carts and move our tools close to the job. One step away is best. They also say to try to elimiinate twisting. So, having your box on the back wall of the garage and having to turn 180 degrees to access it is not preferred. Better to have it to one side while doing engine work (or work from a cart).

As we get older, I think this stuff becomes more important.

Don't know if you see it, but one of my favorite TV shows in the British car restoration show "Wheeler Dealers". The mechanic on the show (Edd China) has like 4 narrow stacks all around his lift. I'm not sure I understand why. Could it be that one is metric one is SAE? Or is one welding stuff, one electrical?

I get where you are coming from. Might make sense to split your tools up.

I think in some ways I have all ready done this. My shop is not big enough to have two full sets of tools. I have my secondary tools that were designated for the utility truck, but I really don't have a utility truck anymore.