Let's see your toolbox.
- Thread starter wythors
- Start date
07Forester
Well-known member
Mostly everything in the boxes are green, or have been converted to green in some way. I'm going as far as changing out torx driver sets to the green soft grip handles (new style)
Subyroo651
Well-known member
07 Forester, This is off-topic but what is your occupation more specifically?
I see you're in the Chicago Area too.
07Forester
Well-known member
Well, I own a business, however I choose to still work along side my guys.
I am in the home and car audio field. 95% of the clientele is exotic vehicles and multi-million dollar homes. We cater mostly to VIP clients. Currently in the shop we have close to 7 million dollars worth of vehicles.
illmatyk
Well-known member
I don't have an nice big expensive box as some of the others have here but if I did, I'll be doing the exact same thing they are doing! When I first got my Husky box 2 or 3 years ago I was always wiping it down when it got some grease or dirt on it and I still wipe it down up until today!I just have to laugh at all this kind of talk. Waxing, wiping, customizing (at sky high prices to boot), various colors and so on.
Guys, they are toolboxes and made for work. I have a couple of Snap On boxes that are older than most forum members and so is the dirt in some of the drawers. They are full of scuffs, nicks, chips, scratches, etc. They still look presentable, still function 100% and I could care less if they get another scratch or two.
Just picked up some used large Lista boxes and they will get a quick wipe down and be put back to work, nicks, chips and all.
Oh, and BTW - the tool boxes get wiped down once every 5 yrs or so, whether they need it or not.
I gotta agree with this!
Subyroo651
Well-known member
I definitely applaud you for working along side your guys, I can only dream of my manager doing that. It also sounds like I could never afford any of your services but I will keep you in mind for some of my more wealthy relatives. At the very least its nice to see another Chicago-Subaru & tool fan
07Forester
Well-known member
I definitely applaud you for working along side your guys, I can only dream of my manager doing that. It also sounds like I could never afford any of your services but I will keep you in mind for some of my more wealthy relatives. At the very least its nice to see another Chicago-Subaru & tool fan
Don't get me wrong, I welcome ANY car into the shop. I've established a great amount of trust with the local dealerships/owners that send me cars every day. The exotic stuff will be dwindling down due to the winter, but, remote start season is just around the corner.
Let me know if you need/want anything done do the subies, i'd be glad to help a member out. BTW, I've got an 07Forester XTI with over 600 to the wheels, a ej25 swapped legacy (03) and I just picked up a new STI limited. All of those are my winter/beater cars. I've got what some would say a "large" car collection.
07Forester
Well-known member
Also, I just wanted to say that I work beside my guys as a form of gratitude. I'm a young guy (27) and everyone in the shop is around my age. I'm not gonna be that "******* boss" that sits behind a closed door all day barking orders. The shop isn't really "mine" it's the "teams". Without them, their knowledge and their strive to be the best, we wouldn't be anything that we are today.
Subyroo651
Well-known member
You really seem like a stand up guy! I d love to stop by someday just to see the shop. I will be looking for a nice 2-way remote start pretty soon too. Lets be considerate though and move this to PM's.
Subyroo651
Well-known member
Oh great, this thread now has a Sterff infection.
We took it to PM. Didn't want to derail.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
Agree..
spoolgarage
Well-known member
Missing alot of stuff because I sent in a big box for warranty to snap on ,mac, and matco.
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yjWrangler
Well-known member
Upgraded to a HF box not too long ago
Would post more pics but drawers have loads of empty space
Would post more pics but drawers have loads of empty space
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Jacob_24
Well-known member
Just picked up a KRL722 last friday. It was on the truck, looking back I wish I ordered a white krl1022. Box is already almost full lol.
if you dont mind me asking you, how much did you end up paying for it?
$3500+ interest. Im 20, dont have bad credit just have NO credit, so i got the crappy 24% apr. Will be $4900 when all said and done if i do my minimum ($30/weekly) payment for 3 years. It will be paid off within a year though.
richfinn
Well-known member
Its a nice toolbox, white would be no good, shows the dirt too easy and will be out of fashion soon anyway, if Black was good enough for Johnny Cash its good enough for anyone
csargents1546
Well-known member
If I could chose the color of my rollcart again, I would go with black, red or blue. But the extreme green caught my attention. Shows every single fingerprint.
Dust
Well-known member
It was dead slow in the shop today, so I took the opportunity to clean up my cart and snap some current photographs.
This is my box layout. The wooden computer enclosure and bench I made myself. I was getting tired of the metal cabinet that used to be there, since it didn't have a good mouse platform and didn't let enough light through. Made my work space feel closed off.
My little Harbor Freight roll cart. I wish it came with four swivel casters, but for what it is, it works great. The wire basket is a kitchen rack product from Ikea. Fits perfectly over the lip of the cart, but the hanger is a bit too long. I've been meaning to modify it.
My Matco box. Provided to me by the shop when I started my apprenticeship back in 2008, along with some tools, most of which I don't use. It's a really nice box, and despite its size I can pack a bunch of stuff in it. However, it is starting to get cramped.
Drawer 1. This is my main every day drawer. During the week the hammer, filter wrenches, and a 13mm wrench hang off my lightly modified oil drain bucket, which I forgot to take pictures of. I used to mainly be a lube tech who also did electrical before I went flat rate, now it's the other way 'round. Still, I do a lot of LOFs and inspections, so I keep this drawer stocked with tools for those types of services. I have a habit of recording rotor specs every time I pull the wheels, just so I don't have to do that later if the customer decides to do a brake job, and it helps give the customer an idea of how their brakes are, so I keep my micrometers and calipers in easy reach. The bent screwdriver is my copy of a Miller special tool for PT and minivan airbags, but it also doubles as a handy wheel cap remover. The orange dealies are belt gauges.
Drawer 2. The wrench drawer.
Drawer 3. The knick-knack/interior trim drawer. I want to repurpose this drawer at some point, but really can't figure out where else to put this junk. Besides, I'm saving up for a bigger box, so it'd be a waste of time.
Drawer 4: The impact drawer. I use virtually the same sockets every day, so I just keep them at handy reach on a magnetic Lock-A-Socket. The pan I also got from Ikea. I got tired of having tool oil leak all over the liner. The red pouch is a special socket set from LTI that has half-sized sockets for rounded over lug nuts. It has saved my **** and my coworkers' butts numerous times. My only gripe is that it doesn't have a 7/8 socket, which is what the Dodge trucks use. The red box is my Snap-On lug nut extractor set, for said 7/8 lug nuts.
Drawer 5. The air tool/metal-working/soldering drawer. A bit cluttered, but I don't use this drawer too often, so it doesn't bother me that much.
Drawer 6. Bulk storage. This is EXTREMELY cramped, and it bugs me. I have to dig around to get at my rear brake caliper tool (Blue box), my cooling system tester (Black box), and my dial indicator (Under black box). I also have my large drill index in here, under the box at far left, which is my vacuum gauge. My Mityvac is in there somewhere as well. This is the main reason I want a bigger toolbox, just so I can put these things with their respective tool sets.
My Harbor Freight four drawer cart. I preferred this one over the five drawer because it's forty inches tall compared to the forty-six or so of the five drawer, and the drawers don't have that stupid latch. Just a good solid detent. I keep all my chrome sockets and accessories in the flip top, as well as my ratchets, screwdrivers, and bits. Also the pictures of my girlfriend. The "Get Out of Trouble Free" card I got in a work survival kit from my girlfriend for my birthday last year.
Close-up of the flip top. I use neodymium magnets from K&J Magnetics to hold all my commonly used bits. I also use them to increase the strength of the Lowes socket holders. You can see the flat magnets behind the sockets on the holders. These are extremely strong and hold the whole assembly to the lid very tightly. It takes serious effort to adjust or remove the holder from the lid. I use magnetic paper as a backer on the individual magnets to prevent scratching the lid, and to be able to easily remove the magnets. Once these clamp on to some metal, they are not coming off unless slid off the edge.
Close-up of my magnet usage.
A better view of my socket organization. I use a mish-mash of Harbor Freight organizers, Ernst rails (Which I really like), and my favorite, magnetic Lock-A-Sockets. The sockets in the gray holder are Home Depot deeps, which in the smaller sizes actually turn out to be semi-deeps when compared to all the other tool brands. The large, short socket is for GM Ecotech oil filters. Even though I work at a Dodge dealer, we have a contract with the local Enterprise Rentacars to service their fleet. The little pouch in the back is an on-the-go bit set for my power screwdriver. It is worth the ten bucks at Harbor Freight just for the pouch. If you do a lot of interior work, that thing is great to just grab-n-go.
An even better view.
Ratchet collection. I don't use ratchets a lot, so I don't see the point in having a large collection. Hell, I use the Craftsman round head more than the Snap On because it's smaller and has a better feel. Then again, I don't do a lot of engine work, mostly electrical, HVAC, light line, and brakes.
The electrical drawer. The most cramped drawer of the cart. My meter and connector box just barely fit, and not flat. The little tray I picked up at Fry's Electronics. It slides open wider, and is great for holding lead accessories. Under the tray is my collection of home-made jumper wires, tape, expanding lead set, and other brickabrack.
The miscellaneous drawer. Surplus extensions, 1/2" drive extensions, picks, and key sets. The sockets are 1/2" drive standards that don't fit anywhere else. The ratchet is a Husky brand twist handle that comes in handy on a few jobs, but is otherwise unused.
The pliers and battery service drawer. I butchered up a dishrack from Goodwill to make the plier rack.
The prybar/SAE/scraper/specialty socket drawer. All my half-inch drive SAE stuff goes in here, as well as my Gearwrench pass-through socket set. The gray box is a set of long screwdriver bits.
Continued below...
This is my box layout. The wooden computer enclosure and bench I made myself. I was getting tired of the metal cabinet that used to be there, since it didn't have a good mouse platform and didn't let enough light through. Made my work space feel closed off.
My little Harbor Freight roll cart. I wish it came with four swivel casters, but for what it is, it works great. The wire basket is a kitchen rack product from Ikea. Fits perfectly over the lip of the cart, but the hanger is a bit too long. I've been meaning to modify it.
My Matco box. Provided to me by the shop when I started my apprenticeship back in 2008, along with some tools, most of which I don't use. It's a really nice box, and despite its size I can pack a bunch of stuff in it. However, it is starting to get cramped.
Drawer 1. This is my main every day drawer. During the week the hammer, filter wrenches, and a 13mm wrench hang off my lightly modified oil drain bucket, which I forgot to take pictures of. I used to mainly be a lube tech who also did electrical before I went flat rate, now it's the other way 'round. Still, I do a lot of LOFs and inspections, so I keep this drawer stocked with tools for those types of services. I have a habit of recording rotor specs every time I pull the wheels, just so I don't have to do that later if the customer decides to do a brake job, and it helps give the customer an idea of how their brakes are, so I keep my micrometers and calipers in easy reach. The bent screwdriver is my copy of a Miller special tool for PT and minivan airbags, but it also doubles as a handy wheel cap remover. The orange dealies are belt gauges.
Drawer 2. The wrench drawer.
Drawer 3. The knick-knack/interior trim drawer. I want to repurpose this drawer at some point, but really can't figure out where else to put this junk. Besides, I'm saving up for a bigger box, so it'd be a waste of time.
Drawer 4: The impact drawer. I use virtually the same sockets every day, so I just keep them at handy reach on a magnetic Lock-A-Socket. The pan I also got from Ikea. I got tired of having tool oil leak all over the liner. The red pouch is a special socket set from LTI that has half-sized sockets for rounded over lug nuts. It has saved my **** and my coworkers' butts numerous times. My only gripe is that it doesn't have a 7/8 socket, which is what the Dodge trucks use. The red box is my Snap-On lug nut extractor set, for said 7/8 lug nuts.
Drawer 5. The air tool/metal-working/soldering drawer. A bit cluttered, but I don't use this drawer too often, so it doesn't bother me that much.
Drawer 6. Bulk storage. This is EXTREMELY cramped, and it bugs me. I have to dig around to get at my rear brake caliper tool (Blue box), my cooling system tester (Black box), and my dial indicator (Under black box). I also have my large drill index in here, under the box at far left, which is my vacuum gauge. My Mityvac is in there somewhere as well. This is the main reason I want a bigger toolbox, just so I can put these things with their respective tool sets.
My Harbor Freight four drawer cart. I preferred this one over the five drawer because it's forty inches tall compared to the forty-six or so of the five drawer, and the drawers don't have that stupid latch. Just a good solid detent. I keep all my chrome sockets and accessories in the flip top, as well as my ratchets, screwdrivers, and bits. Also the pictures of my girlfriend. The "Get Out of Trouble Free" card I got in a work survival kit from my girlfriend for my birthday last year.
Close-up of the flip top. I use neodymium magnets from K&J Magnetics to hold all my commonly used bits. I also use them to increase the strength of the Lowes socket holders. You can see the flat magnets behind the sockets on the holders. These are extremely strong and hold the whole assembly to the lid very tightly. It takes serious effort to adjust or remove the holder from the lid. I use magnetic paper as a backer on the individual magnets to prevent scratching the lid, and to be able to easily remove the magnets. Once these clamp on to some metal, they are not coming off unless slid off the edge.
Close-up of my magnet usage.
A better view of my socket organization. I use a mish-mash of Harbor Freight organizers, Ernst rails (Which I really like), and my favorite, magnetic Lock-A-Sockets. The sockets in the gray holder are Home Depot deeps, which in the smaller sizes actually turn out to be semi-deeps when compared to all the other tool brands. The large, short socket is for GM Ecotech oil filters. Even though I work at a Dodge dealer, we have a contract with the local Enterprise Rentacars to service their fleet. The little pouch in the back is an on-the-go bit set for my power screwdriver. It is worth the ten bucks at Harbor Freight just for the pouch. If you do a lot of interior work, that thing is great to just grab-n-go.
An even better view.
Ratchet collection. I don't use ratchets a lot, so I don't see the point in having a large collection. Hell, I use the Craftsman round head more than the Snap On because it's smaller and has a better feel. Then again, I don't do a lot of engine work, mostly electrical, HVAC, light line, and brakes.
The electrical drawer. The most cramped drawer of the cart. My meter and connector box just barely fit, and not flat. The little tray I picked up at Fry's Electronics. It slides open wider, and is great for holding lead accessories. Under the tray is my collection of home-made jumper wires, tape, expanding lead set, and other brickabrack.
The miscellaneous drawer. Surplus extensions, 1/2" drive extensions, picks, and key sets. The sockets are 1/2" drive standards that don't fit anywhere else. The ratchet is a Husky brand twist handle that comes in handy on a few jobs, but is otherwise unused.
The pliers and battery service drawer. I butchered up a dishrack from Goodwill to make the plier rack.
The prybar/SAE/scraper/specialty socket drawer. All my half-inch drive SAE stuff goes in here, as well as my Gearwrench pass-through socket set. The gray box is a set of long screwdriver bits.
Continued below...
Dust
Well-known member
My main cabinet. Personal items, consumables, and The Pharmacy. The two binders are my copies of tool receipts and shop memoes/policies, and the Daily RO and Labor Log. I made up a little template for recording each RO, the car model, each job line, the time each job pays, and total time just so I don't have to rely on the computer's record. Plus, I can go back whenever a writer, dispatch, or the boss asks me if I worked on a car, and I'll know exactly what I did and when. If anyone wants a copy you can get it here: http://www.dustyengineering.com/misc/laborlog.xls You'll need Excel 2003 or newer to see it, though I think Firefox and Internet Explorer can render it natively. The "DP" column is to check-off if I tightened the drain plug or not. I can never remember with 100% certainty that I tightened the oil drain plug, so I just put a place to check it off when I do. Even with it, I sometimes have to crawl under the car with a wrench just to be sure.
The Tiki is the "God of Money," who is supposed to bring wealth and good fortune. Lately he's been slacking on the job.
As you can see, you can really make do with a tight amount of space. If I really needed to I could probably fit another 30% of tools in my boxes and still have enough room to be efficient, but at this point I'm starting to feel the overhead. I didn't even show a couple other places I have tools, but those are more of an occasional use deal. Jumper box, wireless scan tool, basic supplies, and the like.
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Jacob_24
Well-known member
archirelic
Well-known member
Great write-up and pictures Dust. I love it when members take the time to post such a thorough look at their boxes! Which brings into mind, at some point, I need to do the same!
Dust,
I am liking the "little tray" from Fry's Electronics. I have been looking for that style of tray for a while. Can you please tell me how wide the drawer is that it is in? I am interested in having it sit on the sides of the drawer like you have it. A sliding tray of sorts. The drawer I want to use it in is 11 3/4" wide. Thanks in advance for your response, Bren
<img src="http://www.dustyengineering.com/images/toolbox/2011-10-22/thumbs/image004.jpg" border="0" alt=""/>
I am liking the "little tray" from Fry's Electronics. I have been looking for that style of tray for a while. Can you please tell me how wide the drawer is that it is in? I am interested in having it sit on the sides of the drawer like you have it. A sliding tray of sorts. The drawer I want to use it in is 11 3/4" wide. Thanks in advance for your response, Bren
<img src="http://www.dustyengineering.com/images/toolbox/2011-10-22/thumbs/image004.jpg" border="0" alt=""/>
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Dust
Well-known member
I'd like to say the drawer width is ten inches or so, but I can't be 100% positive. I'll measure tomorrow and get back to you.
I think the tray extends from nine or ten inches out to eighteen or twenty. It's slightly extended in that drawer, but only about a half inch or so. I forget the brand, but if you have a Fry's in your area it's less than ten bucks.
I think the tray extends from nine or ten inches out to eighteen or twenty. It's slightly extended in that drawer, but only about a half inch or so. I forget the brand, but if you have a Fry's in your area it's less than ten bucks.
csargents1546
Well-known member
Found the trays on frys website, could not access it from Danco link.http://http://www.frys.com/category/Outpost/B2B/Desk+Accessories/Letter+Trays+&+Organizers/
Wish frys would give a little more specs on it.
Wish frys would give a little more specs on it.
Dust
Well-known member
The tray expands from 11 1/4 to 16 1/2 inches, and the drawer is 12 1/2 inches wide. The tray is about an inch deep or so, and about ten inches in length.
That is perfect! Thank you for measuring it. I used to live 20 minutes from the Fry's in San Diego but will now need to order it online. I may order a couple. Thanks, Dust
Thought id throw up my box, im only 16 so dont expect all snap on and just a at home wrencher. Its mostly c-man, some snap on and misc other items. Sorry for crappy pics all from my phone.
Ryobi 1/2in impact drill with stand and metric impact sockets on very top
Drills both c-man
pliers and such drawer
sockets all c-man (unorganized as of now)
blue point angle die grinder with all diffrent pads
top misc drawer
clamps c- clamps etc
bottom drawer pry bars,welding clamps,drill bits, drills etc etc
screwdrivers
newest purchase
Ryobi 1/2in impact drill with stand and metric impact sockets on very top
Drills both c-man
pliers and such drawer
sockets all c-man (unorganized as of now)
blue point angle die grinder with all diffrent pads
top misc drawer
clamps c- clamps etc
bottom drawer pry bars,welding clamps,drill bits, drills etc etc
screwdrivers
newest purchase
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NJHandyGuy
Well-known member
Thought id throw up my box, im only 16 so dont expect all snap on and just a at home wrencher. Its mostly c-man, some snap on and misc other items. Sorry for crappy pics all from my phone.
Ryobi 1/2in impact drill with stand and metric impact sockets on very top
Drills both c-man
pliers and such drawer
sockets all c-man (unorganized as of now)
blue point angle die grinder with all diffrent pads
top misc drawer
clamps c- clamps etc
bottom drawer pry bars,welding clamps,drill bits, drills etc etc
screwdrivers
newest purchase
DAMN for 16 you have a serious set up already suprised yuo'ld know the value of a pick set let alone imho the best pick set $$$ can buy
Thanks! I have 3 maybe 4 snap on tools and the diffrence is noticeable in some tools. Off topic wise i forgot to post a pic of the box itself and my cart guess ill post those tonight
So as said heres the box itself
And then my cart as well. Sorry no pics of inside yet as it is fairly empty
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JeremyManning
Well-known member
K9driver
Member
This is my first post! There's my box at home.
Luke G
Active member
Lots of great boxes here!
Here is mine, it's a Craftsman 9 drawer machinist's roll away repourposed as my home box after I upgraded my work box. Its not quite full of tools yet (although it was pretty loaded up at work!) but I'm working on it...
Here is mine, it's a Craftsman 9 drawer machinist's roll away repourposed as my home box after I upgraded my work box. Its not quite full of tools yet (although it was pretty loaded up at work!) but I'm working on it...Attachments
That is neat! I have never seen a Craftsman box like that.
Luke G
Active member
Thanks! I really like the box and it has served me well for many years, (working in a machine shop gives you a thing for wrinkle brown
). My only gripe with it now is most of the drawers are so thin as it was designed for precision hand tools.jeffmoss26
Well-known member
I'll go with that. After 3 months doing IT at a manufacturing company, I want a Kennedy box. For what, I don't know. LOL