Junkyard Tool Bag Type Question

[transam701]

This is primarily a question about what tool bags are out there and what you guys recommend, but I'll also list my loadout for discussion as well.

When I make my junkyard trips, I usually take a heavy loadout and plan to work all day due to the distance I travel. Current loadout is a tool backpack and a hand bag to throw in the wheel barrow for larger or rarely used tools.


Current tool backpack is the Crescent brand (https://www.acmetools.com/crescent-tradesman-tool-bag-18-inch-zippered-backpack/S0000000108062.html)

Current hand bag is a run of the mill Husky 18 inch bag (https://tinyurl.com/Home-Depot-18-Inch-Bag)



The current bag cannot be closed when I have my spare sockets and the M18 Hackzall inside, to the point where it can be difficult to carry.

I've been looking at some more boxy alternatives to make the bag easier to manage, but the ones I can find locally are too big in my opinion. I like the idea of being able to zip everything up to help keep things out of sigh and out of mind.

I'll admit that some of this stems from using Ernst socket rails on the tray in the bottom of the bag, but I think I'd like the alternative to be having large enough pockets to accommodate the socket rails when I take them off the tray.



Option 1 - Would absolutely work, but feels massive compared to what I'm coming from. As if it would take up the whole wheelbarrow.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-CM-TradeStack-Multi-Access-Bag/5002861279

Option 2 - Technically the same as Option 1, but it has a smaller feel to it?

DEWALT TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 22 in. Tool Bag DWST08350 - The Home Depot

Give a professional upgrade to your tool set with the addition of this DEWALT 8-TOUGHSYSTEM Tool Bag. Features an ergonomic design.

www.homedepot.com

Option 3 - This is a smaller bag (around 18 inches total length), but I can't get my hands on one to actually see if it would work

Pardon Our Interruption...

Are there any other bags that look kind of like this? Or is there another perspective I'm missing here? I'll attach some pictures for reference.


My jack of all trades loadout includes:
Gearwrench impact socket set (deep and shallow, metric and standard)
Husky 1/4" socket set (deep and shallow, metric and standard)
Torx Bit set
Hex Bit Set for ratchet
3/8" flex head ratchet
Enough Extensions to make pulling a transmission possible
1/4" roto ratchet
Approx 14" square tube (1") for extra leverage if needed
Craftmsan overdrive wrenches (Standard and metric)
Stubby 3/8" impact
3/8" electric ratchet
M18 Hackzall
18" pry bar
3lb Engineer Hammer
4 Pc screwdriver set
Trim removal tools
Wire Cutters (way more valuable than you think!)

 

[OneEyedMan]

I use bags for cordless stuff and these open plastic totes for socket rails and wrenches.

• 

My system is modular in that I have my always used tools in one tote, 3/8 deep metric and standard sockets on an Eastwood double rail, metric combination wrenches, 12” pry bar, small ball peen hammer, punch assortment, ratchet.
There is a tote for just hydraulic wrenches, a tote for electrical, and a tote to throw in what I need specific to the job.

 

[Skellyii]

I have that same Husky tool bag and a similar backpack.
I must admit, just looking at how loaded that backpack is makes my back hurt.

Like yourself, I live a long way from the pull yards, so I usually make a long day of it.
Over the years, I have tried a wide variety of boxes, bags, backpacks, 5 gallon buckets with liners, packouts and carts.

As I have gotten older, I try to carry less stuff in, and I use my own cart(s) instead of the wheelbarrow. Like yourself, because I live a long drive from the yards, I have a list of specific things I'm looking for. I try to carry a set of tools that reflect what I'm planning to get that day, and will also cover the random stuff I see that I decide to pull as well. I've found that usually less is more.

But, I also keep a full set of tools in my truck in case I need something special, fortunately the yards I go to will let you come in and out without an additional fee.

Depending on what I'm looking for, I will take a two-wheeled cart with a 5 gallon bucket with tool liner, a backpack on the same cart or a garden cart like the one in the picture. I have two different garden carts depending on what I'm looking for. Big wheels are a must for the surfaces in most of the yards I go to.

 

[richfinn]

Veto Pro-Pac are the best tool bags I have used, they are a little bit pricey, but you get what you pay for ultimately.

The weatherproof designs might be good for junkyards, and you won't find stronger pockets for organizing stuff.

I guess if you can stop yourself losing stuff with a well organized loadout it would pay for itself eventually.

Tool Bags, Tool Backpacks and Tool Storage That Works - VetoProPac

VetoProPac tool bags are designed to keep your tools vertically organized for tool storage, offer easy access, & easy carrying of tool bags, tool pouch, tool backpacks, etc.

vetopropac.com

 

[transam701]

I have that same Husky tool bag and a similar backpack.
I must admit, just looking at how loaded that backpack is makes my back hurt.

You're not wrong! My back doesn't hurt when I'm done for the day, but I recognize that it's taxing to carry that much stuff.

I've done the same thing you're talking about as well previously (keep extra tools in the truck for later if needed). The yard I go to is so big, I sometimes question whether it's worth the trip to the truck and back sometimes

I've also had the unpleasant experience of leaving some parts to go get a tool and coming back to someone else snatching them in the meantime.

 

[transam701]

Veto Pro-Pac are the best tool bags I have used, they are a little bit pricey, but you get what you pay for ultimately.

The weatherproof designs might be good for junkyards, and you won't find stronger pockets for organizing stuff.

I guess if you can stop yourself losing stuff with a well organized loadout it would pay for itself eventually.

Tool Bags, Tool Backpacks and Tool Storage That Works - VetoProPac

VetoProPac tool bags are designed to keep your tools vertically organized for tool storage, offer easy access, & easy carrying of tool bags, tool pouch, tool backpacks, etc.

vetopropac.com

I've heard lots of great stuff about Veto Pro-Pac tool bags, but I didn't see one on the website that would accommodate my hackzall the way I'd like it to (feel free to suggest one if you think I'm missing it).

I'm assuming you own one of these already. Do you think a used one would be a good proof of concept?

 

[richfinn]

I've heard lots of great stuff about Veto Pro-Pac tool bags, but I didn't see one on the website that would accommodate my hackzall the way I'd like it to (feel free to suggest one if you think I'm missing it).

I'm assuming you own one of these already. Do you think a used one would be a good proof of concept?

I use mine as a tote for carrying tools from the van out to cars (mostly set up for diagnostic work), the great thing with this system is you can add pouches and customize your kit however you like it.

 

[shoggoth80]

I recently got a Hercules 20" tool tote for a coworker. He uses it for tag runs/road calls. Budget and local availability played a part in that one. He's set it up with his common use items. He likes it quite a bit. That said, he'd like the set up regardless of brand I think. I've thought about getting similar for pick n pull runs.

 

[transam701]

I use mine as a tote for carrying tools from the van out to cars (mostly set up for diagnostic work), the great thing with this system is you can add pouches and customize your kit however you like it.

I've looked at some used Veto bags locally, and I've only heard good reviews about them!

I'm primarily looking for a bag that can be closed when not being actively rifled through to help keep prying eyes from scoping out my tools while I'm working under a car.

 

[transam701]

Update for anyone that finds this later.
I ended up buying a gently used Craftsman tradestack bag off marketplace for less than $50.


I used it in my first yard trip about a week ago, and here are my thoughts:
The bag still feels a little too big (it takes up a majority of the wheelbarrow), but the space the bag provides is excellent.

I was able to fit my sawzall and all the ancilliary tools I don't keep in my backpack easily in this bag. The large amount of pockets helped me keep all the items separate from one another, and helped prevent digging through a pile of tools for the most part.
I still need to do some more tweaking to dial in this new iteration, but it's better than what I had previously.

In my perfect world where I could have any bag I wanted, I'd have a bag that's 18" total length with the same zipper open for them main compartment as this one. This theoretical bag would also include a false bottom so I could store all of my socket rails in one section, then all of the larger tools in pouches in the rest of the main compartment.