MWEric
Well-known member
Nothing special, just an adjustable 2” receiver and some square tube. 1/2” lags, pretty rigid because my box is fastened to the wall on a 2x4 sill and the top overhangs the back and is screwed into the sill. 
Let's see your toolbox.
- Thread starter wythors
- Start date
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Thx!
Brett in KS
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 40
Here's my 26" Montezuma box. I removed most of the socket pegs, I use Olsa socket rails to hold the sockets. I can remove the set I want and take it to where I'm working, and it's a lot quieter. Carpet is fastened on the sides, back, and behind the extensions, to keep the everything quiet.
CGarage
Well-known member
Nice setup, I like everything but the use of carpet 
Odd-job
Well-known member
I like the setup too. Carpet doesn't bother me as I can't stand rattling. But the tool engraving might be considered by some as a sinNice setup, I like everything but the use of carpet
This is a farm box?Brett in KS
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 40
Nice setup, I like everything but the use of carpet
Yep! I'm a farmer. The carpet is indoor/outdoor from Menards, If it gets dirty or oily, about 2 minutes with a pair of scissors gets me a new piece. Engraving does hurt at first, but its really nice to quickly and easily see whats what in low light conditions.I like the setup too. Carpet doesn't bother me as I can't stand rattling. But the tool engraving might be considered by some as a sin
Odd-job
Well-known member
do tools get commingled on the farm a lot?
Brett in KS
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 40
I was mainly referring to engraving the sizes on the sockets, but yes i like to end up with my own tools at the end of the day. I've got brothers & friends that farm, so we occasionally help each other with projects/repairs.
CGarage
Well-known member
I like the setup too. Carpet doesn't bother me as I can't stand rattling. But the tool engraving might be considered by some as a sin
Carpet retains moisture so a no-go for my tools
Here's my 26" Montezuma box. I removed most of the socket pegs, I use Olsa socket rails to hold the sockets. I can remove the set I want and take it to where I'm working, and it's a lot quieter. Carpet is fastened on the sides, back, and behind the extensions, to keep the everything quiet.
I like your setup. With everything in life changing, I've become more interested in mobile boxes/setups.
Brett in KS
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 40
This indoor/outdoor carpet does not. I’ve had this setup for over a year, up to 100% humidity and been in the back of the truck outside the whole time.
What sort of gadgets are you using for the organizing there? That looks amazing!Just picked these up recently, have a hutch, and cabinet on order. Also just finished purchasing new sockets and organizing the top drawer of the 56" cabinet.
toyotadriver
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,586
Anyone use anything from Toolbox Widget to organize their box? Recently saw it on a youtube video. Looked pretty neat.
https://toolboxwidget.com/
Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.
https://toolboxwidget.com/
Nothing in this post should be misunderstood, interpreted, misinterpreted, or construed to be of a political nature.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Since retiring from racing I'm not a big fan of top boxes generally, but I'm totally a fan of the Montezuma slant top box.
I'm looking for a 30" vintage bottom for the 30" model to live on, and that will become my "tool cart". I'll keep the huge MATCO double bank 18 drawer for the less commonly used tools, but whats not to like about all the tools in sight and at hand? no digging through 3-4 drawers to get setup.
I like what you did with the socket rails, but I'm a fan of socket trays as well (grab a ratchet and a tray and walk....)
I'm looking for a 30" vintage bottom for the 30" model to live on, and that will become my "tool cart". I'll keep the huge MATCO double bank 18 drawer for the less commonly used tools, but whats not to like about all the tools in sight and at hand? no digging through 3-4 drawers to get setup.
I like what you did with the socket rails, but I'm a fan of socket trays as well (grab a ratchet and a tray and walk....)
@toyotadriver
I bought these Tool Box Widget screwdriver holder from a friend that went with something different.
So far I like them.
I put several, most used, screwdrivers on the pegboard over my bench at the same time I organized these two drawers.
I bought these Tool Box Widget screwdriver holder from a friend that went with something different.
So far I like them.
I put several, most used, screwdrivers on the pegboard over my bench at the same time I organized these two drawers.
I'm really impressed with how much you managed to fit into a 26" Montezuma and everything is still very accessible. I like seeing all the little modifications you did to achieve that. It makes me wish Montezuma offered a more configurable model with socket rails. I don't mind the socket pegs on my 36" box since the room is there to have a good variety of sockets. However, I think the pegs hold back the smaller boxes when you need to carry both inch and metric sockets.Here's my 26" Montezuma box. I removed most of the socket pegs, I use Olsa socket rails to hold the sockets. I can remove the set I want and take it to where I'm working, and it's a lot quieter. Carpet is fastened on the sides, back, and behind the extensions, to keep the everything quiet.
For my larger wrenches they are great, smaller one are a waste of space.
YMMV.
DonovanSpeed
Well-known member
My main stack(s). Various branded old Waterloos and my father’s old Kennedy in the middle.
Brett in KS
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 40
Thanks! I agree, theres so much potential with these boxes that Montezuma is missing out on.
I fabbed a holder for the shop towels, they're not just wedged in there sitting on the bottom, and the scissors and T bevel are in "shelf" fastened on the back of the screwdriver holder, with quite a bit of room left for more like sized tools if I need it. There is 1" thick plastic stock under the screwdrivers, so I could drill holes just big enough for the drivers, they're not all flopsy like most boxes are.
Its hard to see, but theres actually a full set of 3/8 SAE and metric deep sockets behind the deep impacts. I dont use them much, thats why there not out front, but there if I need them. Also rails of SAE hex & star bit sockets in the tray below the allen keys
What I really like about this box is the middle compartments, Theres 3 5.0 batteries, a grinder, hammer drill/driver and a 1/4" impact driver and drill bit set in there.
The smaller boxes sure take up less room in a pickup bed, but are really only designed for either SAE or metric. Not both. But a lot of wasted space.
I used to have a 30" montezuma, but no great place for the battery tools. They just had to lay on top of the crescent wrenches, channellocks, prybars, ect in the bottom of the box.
CGarage
Well-known member
You really put that box to maximum use….I do like that style box as well.
DonovanSpeed
Well-known member
A couple more. Excuse the mess.
Whitworth in the Union box up top. Electrical tools in the two Kennedy risers.
Stock, parts, specialty tools, and overflow in the Lista. Misc overflow in the Kennedy.
Files, picks, deburring, and threading tools in these.
Machinist tools, metrology, cutting tools, etc. in this stack.
Whitworth in the Union box up top. Electrical tools in the two Kennedy risers.
Stock, parts, specialty tools, and overflow in the Lista. Misc overflow in the Kennedy.
Files, picks, deburring, and threading tools in these.
Machinist tools, metrology, cutting tools, etc. in this stack.
CGarage
Well-known member
A couple more. Excuse the mess.
Whitworth in the Union box up top. Electrical tools in the two Kennedy risers.
Stock, parts, specialty tools, and overflow in the Lista. Misc overflow in the Kennedy.
Files, picks, deburring, and threading tools in these.
Machinist tools, metrology, cutting tools, etc. in this stack.
I like your setup and idea of dedicating each stack / box to a particular task.
I have decided to begin doing the same thing. I have a hodgepodge of various tool boxes, and dedicating each to a specific task makes a lot of sense. I found this a better solution, and more “expeditionary”, than having one giant box holding everything that is impossible to move.
DonovanSpeed
Well-known member
Yeah it’s helpful. One of my bottom boxes is all sockets and ratchets; one of the five drawer bottoms is all pliers and clamps separated by type. It makes it easy.
Kaervak
Well-known member
I picked up one of those mini Kobalt toolboxes from Lowes today. I thought it was going to be gimmicky, but it’s actually quite a nice little useful box. $20 too, not a bad price.
I loaded it up with a bunch of tools I had in a desk drawer. Everything is a tight fit, but everything (with the exception of my DVM) fits in the box. I quite like it
I loaded it up with a bunch of tools I had in a desk drawer. Everything is a tight fit, but everything (with the exception of my DVM) fits in the box. I quite like it
AC-WC
Well-known member
I just ordered one tonight. How do you like it so far?Here it is initially mounted to my KRL722. I have the same unit hanging from my KRL1023 also. I’m not one to get hung up on color, so my setup is a mishmash of colors.
MWEric
Well-known member
I actually have 3 of them. They are very good. I like the lift latch better than the slide lock on the USG. I’ve put plenty of weight in them and they have held up really well. Currently two of mine are at my house and one is at work. The one at work gets frequent use. No complaints other than colors, but I can get past that.
51dueller
Well-known member
With all this Montezuma talk, here's my new toolbox.
Nice to have the 24" depth. Still need to transfer everything from my old setup.
Nice to have the 24" depth. Still need to transfer everything from my old setup.
AC-WC
Well-known member
The USG slide lock is why I went with the Mastercraft. After trying it a few times I didn't think I was going to be happy with it.
Shop-hound
Well-known member
Got a new bottom box for under my bench. It’s made by Rousseau (Canada), same OEM Tekton uses. The 250 lb per drawer capacity is no joke. I tested it . 48” wide x 27” deep. Finally arranged the socket drawer so I can grab ratchet, socket and extension without opening 3 different drawers!
. 48” wide x 27” deep. Finally arranged the socket drawer so I can grab ratchet, socket and extension without opening 3 different drawers!Attachments
LWB
Well-known member
^Very nice!
CGarage
Well-known member
Got a new bottom box for under my bench. It’s made by Rousseau (Canada), same OEM Tekton uses. The 250 lb per drawer capacity is no joke. I tested it
Do you have 1/2” drive ratchets in the top drawer? I only saw 1/4 and 3/8”. Just curious as to your layout ideas.
Shop-hound
Well-known member
Just one, my S80A and shorter extensions.
Rest of my 1/2” ratchets I hang on the wall with my prybars
Attachments
65’Comet5.0
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2023
- Messages
- 42
USG Full bank service cart
USG 5 drawer cart
USG Single drawer cart
Shop-hound
Well-known member
It’s a home shop so I don’t have to worry about locking everything up and this flow seems to work the best so far. I also tried to maximize space by having stacking bins for my less used 3/8” and 1/4” extensions / ratchets. I picked up each of the bins here to show what’s underneath
Attachments
I know this is OT, but I see you have a SO comfort grip on a Matco 88 ergo ratchet. What was involved with that swap?
I bought a few Matco 88s in the last year and saw that they don't sell spare grips for them. I'm a home user so it's unlikely I'll ever need to swap grips, but....
Shop-hound
Well-known member
Haha good eye! I changed my handle color system after I had bought my Matco ratchets so I needed to swap em. As you have likely found Matco does not sell new handles so you’re SOL with them.
They remove just like the Snappys (boiling water submerge one minute then pry off using a wrench against the handle.
1/4” is a direct swap, easy. The 1/2” is a pain as you have to cut the Matco a touch shorter once handle is off (just 1/8” of an inch). Then you need to drill out the snap on handle to 1/2”, then I used a soldering iron to make new channels for the ratchet webs as they are 90 degrees out to what Snap on uses (of course). Only had to break one Snap on handle to learn this method haha.
3/8” not sure that’s the one I didn’t have to change
Haha good eye! I changed my handle color system after I had bought my Matco ratchets so I needed to swap em. As you have likely found Matco does not sell new handles so you’re SOL with them.
They remove just like the Snappys (boiling water submerge one minute then pry off using a wrench against the handle.
1/4” is a direct swap, easy. The 1/2” is a pain as you have to cut the Matco a touch shorter once handle is off (just 1/8” of an inch). Then you need to drill out the snap on handle to 1/2”, then I used a soldering iron to make new channels for the ratchet webs as they are 90 degrees out to what Snap on uses (of course). Only had to break one Snap on handle to learn this method haha.
3/8” not sure that’s the one I didn’t have to change
Thanks! Great info!
Yes, out of curiosity I looked on Matco's site and no replacement grips were shown; then I searched here and saw that they didn't sell the grips separately, which makes no sense to me. I guess they cast them on the handle? Either way, as a tool truck item, how can you not sell new grips to someone that is going to use them every day???
IIRC, I have 3 Matco 88 comfort grips in 1/4, one 3/8, and none in 1/2 drive. I only bought the longer Matco sizes, so I won't use them much. As a home user, it's not a big deal for me to change gloves if I'm filthy - I frequently do this to keep my grips clean, so I don't expect to ever need to change them.
Saying that, I do prefer the SO grip in 1/4" size as it's longer; I can only get three fingers on the Matco, but can get all 4 on the SO; so maybe I'll change the 1/4 grips at some point ....
Shop-hound
Well-known member
The grips come off both the Matco and the Snap ons about the same (boiling water and pry off, and they come off, go back on intact). Just that Matco doesn’t make them available separately (even to dealers). When the grip gets pooched you can warrantee it (and at that point ask for a different Color if you wanted)Thanks! Great info!
Yes, out of curiosity I looked on Matco's site and no replacement grips were shown; then I searched here and saw that they didn't sell the grips separately, which makes no sense to me. I guess they cast them on the handle? Either way, as a tool truck item, how can you not sell new grips to someone that is going to use them every day???
IIRC, I have 3 Matco 88 comfort grips in 1/4, one 3/8, and none in 1/2 drive. I only bought the longer Matco sizes, so I won't use them much. As a home user, it's not a big deal for me to change gloves if I'm filthy - I frequently do this to keep my grips clean, so I don't expect to ever need to change them.
Saying that, I do prefer the SO grip in 1/4" size as it's longer; I can only get three fingers on the Matco, but can get all 4 on the SO; so maybe I'll change the 1/4 grips at some point ....
