Got a new tool box!

[Tredeh]

Hey everyone. I bought a new tool chest this afternoon and figured I would share it with everyone. It's a Prosteel from Lowes. My plan was to just get a bottom chest and sit my three drawer on top, but this was on sale for $199

I know it's not the greatest set up, but I'm 17 and just starting. It's definitely an upgrade from the three drawer Kobalt (you can look in my previous threads to see that nightmare). So now I've got plenty of room to grow.
Right now I'm just looking to build up tools overall. Most of my Stanley wrenches are going to go into my junk yard bag and will be replaced with Kobalt wrenches eventually. I'm also going to invest in in more pliers, deadblow hammer etc. Also going to get some "duplicate tools" since you never know when something will break. That's something my dad has always driven into me. Also going to be getting a drill soon. Any recommended brands that wont break the bank for a 17 year old making 7.40 an hour? lol

The current set up...

The top drawer. Universally accepted as the "I have no idea where to put this" drawer?

First drawer, metric wrenches

Second drawer, imperial. Also has some kobalt ratchet wrenches.

Third drawer, sockets and ratchets.

Fourth drawer, screwdrivers

Behind the doors... The stanley set is going to be part of the junk yard set I'm working on. Also have an CB, and some tackle boxes.

Both bottom drawers are empty, but pretty good size. Would appreciate any feedback! I'm sticking mostly to Kobalt since they're good quality and in my price range. I've been told to avoid craftsman as the quality has dropped over the years.

 

[heytrid]

looks wayyyy better haha

Just budget a certain amount to spend on tools a week, if you see something on sale pick it up or just let it build up until you buy something more expensive (drill), maybe find some smaller side jobs and spend that money on tools (garbage removal, lawn mowing, fence painting, etc)

Once brand I suggest is Channel Lock for pliers/cuters, made in the USA, can be had for decent deals and they really last a long time if cared for, I have a few different things that I have used professionally now for 8 years and they still look new.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Go with Harbor Freight for now. Their tools are of good quality for the price. As you go along in time you can buy name brands. Remember one thing any tool used for the right job as designed you should be good. And get a Ziploc bag keep all your receipts in it and keep it in your toolbox. Just in case of a warranty you will have it. Good luck young man.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the ToolMan wont give me no credit

 

[PJNJ]

As a start I would look at getting either of these and add-on or replace with better from there.
This set comes with a plastic blowmolded case that has Zerust built in to retard rust -
http://www.lowes.com/pd_573344-2232...=1&currentURL=?Ntt=kobalt+tool+set&facetInfo=

This set doesn't come with a box but has more pieces -
http://www.lowes.com/pd_220886-2542...=1&currentURL=?Ntt=kobalt+tool+set&facetInfo=

The prices for both are excellent and I think you will find it nearly impossible finding better quality for less.

Upgrade your ratchets first if you get either of those sets. Your going to hear a lot of different opinions about ratchets, etc. Me, I would recommend Gearwrench (make sure they are Taiwan made), Wright ( I have some and they are high quality), SK and Armstrong Maxx. I don't own but of course Snap On, Proto (have a breaker bar though), Mac are all high end ratchets.

Whatever you do try to identify the tools you use most (including particular sockets and wrenches) and replace them with the highest quality you can afford. If you are going to deal with brake lines a lot, I recommend you build up a set of Snap On flare nut wrenches by buying NOS and good condition used on Ebay, pawnshops, Craigslist.

Congratulations on the new box and good luck.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Check out Cripe Distributing for some really good deals on misc tools and sets to help fill out any missing tools. Lots of old stock USA Kobalt, Armstrong, Williams, etc. as well as Gearwrench and KD. Request actual shipping and they'll usually be able to cram everything into a flat rate box.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/

Looks like you're off to a damn good start with the storage and tools you have (way ahead of me at 17).

 

[PJNJ]

Check out Cripe Distributing for some really good deals on misc tools and sets to help fill out any missing tools. Lots of old stock USA Kobalt, Armstrong, Williams, etc. as well as Gearwrench and KD. Request actual shipping and they'll usually be able to cram everything into a flat rate box.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/

Looks like you're off to a damn good start with the storage and tools you have (way ahead of me at 17).

Good point, I forgot all about Cripe. I have bought a lot of the above wrenches from them along with Gearwrench products and just recently Kobalt (USA) 3/8" drive impact sockets. Great prices and like "ihateminimumwage" said above, they'll combine shipping for an even better deal.

 

[woodstockva]

Congrats on the tools so far & the box purchase! Thats a better setup than most "regular guys" have in their 40's! (members of this site excluded of course...)

My suggestions would be....

- Dont buy tools you are not going to use (i.e. - 3/4" drive socket sets just because its a "deal")
- If you are focusing on one or two types of vehicles...most likely your own at this point (?) which I assume is the Ford Ranger --- you can really limit your tool purchases since you dont need 50 sizes of sockets for that vehicle. For Hondas, you need 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, & 19mm (for 99% of the bolts).
- Get a Harbor Freight breaker bar, so you dont ruin your ratchets.
- Get TEKTON impact socket sets when that day comes (master sets...not missing sizes).
- Buy used tools at Flea Markets & Yard Sales.....MAKE A LIST....dont buy 5 of the same size "just because its a deal". I get a ton of rusty chisels & punches this way (older made in usa) for $0.50 - $1/each & clean them back to brand new with a wire wheel & a bench grinder.
- Do not buy specialty tools until you have a job for them....a Mityvac brake bleeder is nice, but if you wait a year to use it & it has an issue, you will already have a year gone on the warranty! (and cash out of your pocket for a year).

What is your goal with these tools? To make money? Or to just work on your own stuff?

Also....drill-wise, for the money go with Ryobi. They are cheap, they all use the same batteries in the ONE+ lineup, and they have a lot of useful tools to expand into & have 3 year warranties. One other thing, you can find older Ryobi 18v tools (blue) at yard sales for $1-$2 with no batteries or dead batteries & pop your new battery in it and it will work fine.

 

[BK13]

Personally, I would put the screwdrivers and sockets/ratchets in the top drawer... I use a ratchet probably 20 times for every time I touch a wrench.

 

[Short Round]

Nice tool box. I started out the same way as you but didn't have a big box, just a milk crate in my closet as a teenager. I bought a few tools at Wheels as a kid, mostly Stanley and a chinese socket set. I don't have most of those tools anymore due to breakage or family "borrowing" when I was off to college. You cringe when you see your good paintbrush in a jar with water with paint stuck on it with the bristles all splayed out and abandoned for weeks. Having your own box kind of sets a boundary in regards to that. Younger brothers and sisters are kind of ignorant of tool courtesy though.

+1 on the garage sales.

If you have the time or just driving buy, stop and look, often times you can buy tools for 25-50% of new. Often older tools were made better too. Also be aware of bargains too, a beat up rusted or broken craftsman tool for $.50, if you need it buy it and swap it for new. A lot of garage sale cruisers do just that.

I was just talking to my neighbor, he picked up a SK 1/2in ratchet for $5 and wanted to give the lady more. She declined the offer of more and went back inside and got him a whole Sk 1/4" ratchet set for another few dollars.

I think you would do well with any of the basic drills for price. Right now you will find a lot of them on clearance after the Christmas gift stockups. A Ryobi set has been on sale at HD for a while now, so has Black and Decker.

Edit- duplicates aren't a bad thing especially as you kingdom grows. Sometimes having 2 wrenches the same size is necessary when working on something where you can't fit a ratchet and need to grab the bolt head and nut in confines. Also as you age when you have a car/truck, a house, and a separate garage and maybe even your own workplace. It's nice to have tools available at all locations. I can tell you a lot of times I was glad to have "kitchen drawer tools" when it was pouring cats and dogs. Also as you already indicated a junk yard box is damned handy to be kept in the truck. Unless you live in the desert, keep them inside the cab or in a car trunk. A rain soaked box in the bed of the truck kills tools faster than most anything else. Our workplace mechanics have a beater box for roadside calls, their snapon stuff stays in the shop. My work car I have an old milsurp tool bag. In it goes extras and stuff I find on the side of the road. Add some tape and mechanics wire, and a handful of hose clamps and you can muddle through a lot of roadside minor issues.

 

[e30bradley]

I bought a bostich drill of amazon for a hair under $100 shipped... Normal price was $290. It is the best drill I've ever used.. Wrist breaking torque.

 

[Tredeh]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Looks like I'll be hitting up the garage sales soon! I replied to everyone below in case you have any more tips.

looks wayyyy better haha

Just budget a certain amount to spend on tools a week, if you see something on sale pick it up or just let it build up until you buy something more expensive (drill), maybe find some smaller side jobs and spend that money on tools (garbage removal, lawn mowing, fence painting, etc)

Once brand I suggest is Channel Lock for pliers/cuters, made in the USA, can be had for decent deals and they really last a long time if cared for, I have a few different things that I have used professionally now for 8 years and they still look new.

Thanks. I have some Irwin pliers that seem to work pretty well, but I'll definitely look into Channel lock!

Go with Harbor Freight for now. Their tools are of good quality for the price. As you go along in time you can buy name brands. Remember one thing any tool used for the right job as designed you should be good. And get a Ziploc bag keep all your receipts in it and keep it in your toolbox. Just in case of a warranty you will have it. Good luck young man.

Thank you. Unfortunately we don't have a harbor freight where I live. I may have to make some trips to Huntsville.

As a start I would look at getting either of these and add-on or replace with better from there.
This set comes with a plastic blowmolded case that has Zerust built in to retard rust -
http://www.lowes.com/pd_573344-2232...=1&currentURL=?Ntt=kobalt+tool+set&facetInfo=

This set doesn't come with a box but has more pieces -
http://www.lowes.com/pd_220886-2542...=1&currentURL=?Ntt=kobalt+tool+set&facetInfo=

The prices for both are excellent and I think you will find it nearly impossible finding better quality for less.

Upgrade your ratchets first if you get either of those sets. Your going to hear a lot of different opinions about ratchets, etc. Me, I would recommend Gearwrench (make sure they are Taiwan made), Wright ( I have some and they are high quality), SK and Armstrong Maxx. I don't own but of course Snap On, Proto (have a breaker bar though), Mac are all high end ratchets.

Whatever you do try to identify the tools you use most (including particular sockets and wrenches) and replace them with the highest quality you can afford. If you are going to deal with brake lines a lot, I recommend you build up a set of Snap On flare nut wrenches by buying NOS and good condition used on Ebay, pawnshops, Craigslist.

Congratulations on the new box and good luck.

Thank you! I've looked at both of those sets. I think I would go with the 300 piece since I don't really have much use for the box.
Right now the kobalt ratchets seem to be holding up pretty well (compared to the Stanley ones lol), but I'll definitely look into some nicer stuff. I may have to save up and buy a snap on just to have one lol.

Check out Cripe Distributing for some really good deals on misc tools and sets to help fill out any missing tools. Lots of old stock USA Kobalt, Armstrong, Williams, etc. as well as Gearwrench and KD. Request actual shipping and they'll usually be able to cram everything into a flat rate box.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/

Looks like you're off to a damn good start with the storage and tools you have (way ahead of me at 17).

Thaks for the link! I'll check that out for sure. And I'm loving my set up!

Congrats on the tools so far & the box purchase! Thats a better setup than most "regular guys" have in their 40's! (members of this site excluded of course...)

My suggestions would be....

- Dont buy tools you are not going to use (i.e. - 3/4" drive socket sets just because its a "deal")
- If you are focusing on one or two types of vehicles...most likely your own at this point (?) which I assume is the Ford Ranger --- you can really limit your tool purchases since you dont need 50 sizes of sockets for that vehicle. For Hondas, you need 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, & 19mm (for 99% of the bolts).
- Get a Harbor Freight breaker bar, so you dont ruin your ratchets.
- Get TEKTON impact socket sets when that day comes (master sets...not missing sizes).
- Buy used tools at Flea Markets & Yard Sales.....MAKE A LIST....dont buy 5 of the same size "just because its a deal". I get a ton of rusty chisels & punches this way (older made in usa) for $0.50 - $1/each & clean them back to brand new with a wire wheel & a bench grinder.
- Do not buy specialty tools until you have a job for them....a Mityvac brake bleeder is nice, but if you wait a year to use it & it has an issue, you will already have a year gone on the warranty! (and cash out of your pocket for a year).

What is your goal with these tools? To make money? Or to just work on your own stuff?

Also....drill-wise, for the money go with Ryobi. They are cheap, they all use the same batteries in the ONE+ lineup, and they have a lot of useful tools to expand into & have 3 year warranties. One other thing, you can find older Ryobi 18v tools (blue) at yard sales for $1-$2 with no batteries or dead batteries & pop your new battery in it and it will work fine.

Thanks for the advice! Yeah most of the tools use will be on the ranger. Anything from basic repairs to axle swaps. I have a craftsman breaker bar I keep in my pickup (mostly for protection). I wish we had a harbor freight in my town... I'll just have to pick another craftsman up.
I remember when I first started and put wrenches over my ratchets to break nuts loose

Personally, I would put the screwdrivers and sockets/ratchets in the top drawer... I use a ratchet probably 20 times for every time I touch a wrench.

Thanks. I've thought about switching some stuff around. The first drawer is actually awkwardly high. I may put my metric wrenches in the bottom and the screwdrivers in the top.

Nice tool box. I started out the same way as you but didn't have a big box, just a milk crate in my closet as a teenager. I bought a few tools at Wheels as a kid, mostly Stanley and a chinese socket set. I don't have most of those tools anymore due to breakage or family "borrowing" when I was off to college. You cringe when you see your good paintbrush in a jar with water with paint stuck on it with the bristles all splayed out and abandoned for weeks. Having your own box kind of sets a boundary in regards to that. Younger brothers and sisters are kind of ignorant of tool courtesy though.

+1 on the garage sales.

If you have the time or just driving buy, stop and look, often times you can buy tools for 25-50% of new. Often older tools were made better too. Also be aware of bargains too, a beat up rusted or broken craftsman tool for $.50, if you need it buy it and swap it for new. A lot of garage sale cruisers do just that.

I was just talking to my neighbor, he picked up a SK 1/2in ratchet for $5 and wanted to give the lady more. She declined the offer of more and went back inside and got him a whole Sk 1/4" ratchet set for another few dollars.

I think you would do well with any of the basic drills for price. Right now you will find a lot of them on clearance after the Christmas gift stockups. A Ryobi set has been on sale at HD for a while now, so has Black and Decker.

Edit- duplicates aren't a bad thing especially as you kingdom grows. Sometimes having 2 wrenches the same size is necessary when working on something where you can't fit a ratchet and need to grab the bolt head and nut in confines. Also as you age when you have a car/truck, a house, and a separate garage and maybe even your own workplace. It's nice to have tools available at all locations. I can tell you a lot of times I was glad to have "kitchen drawer tools" when it was pouring cats and dogs. Also as you already indicated a junk yard box is damned handy to be kept in the truck. Unless you live in the desert, keep them inside the cab or in a car trunk. A rain soaked box in the bed of the truck kills tools faster than most anything else. Our workplace mechanics have a beater box for roadside calls, their snapon stuff stays in the shop. My work car I have an old milsurp tool bag. In it goes extras and stuff I find on the side of the road. Add some tape and mechanics wire, and a handful of hose clamps and you can muddle through a lot of roadside minor issues.

Thanks! I had never thought of buying old craftsman wrenches for cheap and turning them in for new ones!
And I know how you feel about tools getting raided. My toolbox stays locked, sister and mom raided dads toolbox so much half of his sockets are "missing".
I have a little tool set I keep in my truck. Just a stanley cheapo, but I have all the basics I could need in an emergency. After losing tools/forgetting to pack tools I need I decided to make a junk yard bag I can just grab on the fly. It's going to be nice to have once it's done lol.

I bought a bostich drill of amazon for a hair under $100 shipped... Normal price was $290. It is the best drill I've ever used.. Wrist breaking torque.

Really? Thanks! I've thought about Bostich drills.

 

[bcradio]

Congrats on the tools so far & the box purchase! Thats a better setup than most "regular guys" have in their 40's! (members of this site excluded of course...)

My suggestions would be....

- Dont buy tools you are not going to use (i.e. - 3/4" drive socket sets just because its a "deal")
- If you are focusing on one or two types of vehicles...most likely your own at this point (?) which I assume is the Ford Ranger --- you can really limit your tool purchases since you dont need 50 sizes of sockets for that vehicle. For Hondas, you need 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm, & 19mm (for 99% of the bolts).
- Get a Harbor Freight breaker bar, so you dont ruin your ratchets.
- Get TEKTON impact socket sets when that day comes (master sets...not missing sizes).
- Buy used tools at Flea Markets & Yard Sales.....MAKE A LIST....dont buy 5 of the same size "just because its a deal". I get a ton of rusty chisels & punches this way (older made in usa) for $0.50 - $1/each & clean them back to brand new with a wire wheel & a bench grinder.
- Do not buy specialty tools until you have a job for them....a Mityvac brake bleeder is nice, but if you wait a year to use it & it has an issue, you will already have a year gone on the warranty! (and cash out of your pocket for a year).

What is your goal with these tools? To make money? Or to just work on your own stuff?

Also....drill-wise, for the money go with Ryobi. They are cheap, they all use the same batteries in the ONE+ lineup, and they have a lot of useful tools to expand into & have 3 year warranties. One other thing, you can find older Ryobi 18v tools (blue) at yard sales for $1-$2 with no batteries or dead batteries & pop your new battery in it and it will work fine.

Very good advice here. It seems many people buying tools seem to think they need every specialty tool (myself included) to complete their collection in case they need it for a repair. The reality is you do not need it until you have a use for it. Even then many local auto parts stores have tool rentals you can use (a lot of them for free even with a deposit). It is not worth storing and paying for a ton of specialty tools that never get used for most home wrenchers.

Stick with what you will use first and I wouldn't worry too much about duplicates just yet.

 

[Tredeh]

Very good advice here. It seems many people buying tools seem to think they need every specialty tool (myself included) to complete their collection in case they need it for a repair. The reality is you do not need it until you have a use for it. Even then many local auto parts stores have tool rentals you can use (a lot of them for free even with a deposit). It is not worth storing and paying for a ton of specialty tools that never get used for most home wrenchers.

Stick with what you will use first and I wouldn't worry too much about duplicates just yet.

Thanks. It's hard not to pick up special tools when you find a good price, but you're totally right about renting them from automotive stores.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I have that exact same stack. I gave the bottom to my dad and I use the top in my shed. I put it on my workbench. I bought it just for the bottom originally, but changed plans. I love the idea of the large doors and a couple of drawers. It's gives you lots of options. I got mine as a task force brand from lowes.