olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Added a couple of lockers over the last few weeks to the setup 
Let's see your toolbox.
- Thread starter wythors
- Start date
Bought this for $350. It was in the VT DOT garage during TS Irene. You could still smell the flood mud, even though it had been cleaned up. I disassembled it wind pressure washed it, sandblasted the worst rust in the bottom drawers, and tripped over the parts for the next year. I finally got my dirtbag nephew’s cell mate to paint it for me. I had to poke him into action a few times, as he has severe OCD. Without frequent encouragement, he probably would still be sanding in the bottom back corner somewhere.
Got it all new drawer slides from MAC. I called about them, they gave me new ones under lifetime warranty.
All told I have about $1200 in it. $350to buy, $200 in paint and supplies, and the rest to the guy who painted it. Only problem is it’s already full. So I bought this Snap-On. Not such a good deal, and it’s just getting a clean up and rattle can paint job.
Got it all new drawer slides from MAC. I called about them, they gave me new ones under lifetime warranty.
All told I have about $1200 in it. $350to buy, $200 in paint and supplies, and the rest to the guy who painted it. Only problem is it’s already full. So I bought this Snap-On. Not such a good deal, and it’s just getting a clean up and rattle can paint job.
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richfinn
Well-known member
Added a couple of lockers over the last few weeks to the setup
That's an outrageous set up
MWEric
Well-known member
So………..I had visions of freeing up space in the garage. I have a KRL722 in the garage that I figured I would take to work, and replace the current Masterforce that’s there. It mostly worked. The 722 moved in. The Masterforce was sold to a co-worker for a 40” kIQ 8 drawer and some cash.
Well the kIQ was a shade too small so I had to also use my 3 drawer cart that was also in the garage. Anyway I was able to clean things up a tad. This is the new set up at home. I’ll get pics from work later.
Well the kIQ was a shade too small so I had to also use my 3 drawer cart that was also in the garage. Anyway I was able to clean things up a tad. This is the new set up at home. I’ll get pics from work later.
MWEric
Well-known member
New work setup.
It's a flexible screwdriver. You rotate the handle and the bit turns.
My mobile box for aviation school. I've since added a few more tools so still a work in progress.
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Very nice kit. Well put together.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
The pliers are branded "Super Ego" which seems like an appropriate name for these giant pliers.
Foam would be good idea but not required for school and also it more depends on the policy of the employer. Some places have full tool control with foam, etched tools, inventory list, etc. I've since added/moved things around a bit so it's a good thing I haven't yet but at least want to do the ratchet drawer. I have also shoehorned more tools than necessary into this box and foam for every drawer would mess my system up.
WordMan
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What screwdriver and wrench racks are those?
Those look like Ernst. They sell for about $30 for 40 of them. I have been considering the hi-vis version of that. I have also been looking on Etsy at other copies of them in interesting colors.
Wrench Pro by Ernst: Space-Saving Wrench Organizer for Efficient Toolbox Storage | Made in USA
Wrench Pro by Ernst: Space-Saving Wrench Organizer for Efficient Toolbox Storage | Made in USA
www.google.com
richfinn
Well-known member
My mobile box for aviation school. I've since added a few more tools so still a work in progress.
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Awesome well done
Maybe a matching US General 6 drawer cart. Put your pry bars and most often used tools in the cart. It will, probably take well over half… maybe almost all… of what is in your 42” box.
You will have plenty of room to buy more tools.
The 6 drawer cart is on sale right now for $500.
Put magnets on the underside of the lid. Put your, absolute, most often used tools on those.
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So I've not yet decided on what I want my 2nd box to be. I'm leaning towards the HF 27" cabinet, or a Montezuma triangle box if I want something different and something that will go on top of my 42".
Second decision I have to make is if I want my 2nd box to hold those most used primary tools and the 42" will hold everything else like when I was still working in a shop, or the other way around.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I'm still planing on the Montezuma box for my most used tools on a hopefully 36" rolling chest so I cen bring thst to ths job.
In my opinion, they're overpriced. But there is just something about them that intrigues me. I really want to buy one.
Triangles
Triangle® Toolboxes and Shopboxes provide a solid organization solution with the trademarked lid design. When closed, the lid locks tools in place, creating protection, security and organization, even when the box is moved.
www.montezumastorage.com
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Having all those tools available at your fingertips without having to open and close drawers is what attracts me to the concept. i'm surprised more pro mechanics aren't on board. Time is money.
cody1325
Well-known member
In my opinion, they're overpriced. But there is just something about them that intrigues me. I really want to buy one.
Triangles
Triangle® Toolboxes and Shopboxes provide a solid organization solution with the trademarked lid design. When closed, the lid locks tools in place, creating protection, security and organization, even when the box is moved.
Been thinking about the small one for the UTV and when I take my portable box up to my buddy's to work on his stuff. I've been looking at the same one at Tractor Supply for a year. Currently, I'm using a 24-inch Popular Mechanics box, and it's hard to find what I need quickly.
Honestly, the metal quality didn't really impress me at $100. Plus, I don't think the larger tools (i.e my 24-inch breaker bar) will fit in the Montezuma. I think having older boxes makes me tend to judge most newer stuff a little harsh.\
Wonder if we'll ever see a US General clone?
Are you using the 42” in a daily shop environment?
If so, use it awhile and see how it works for you and what you need to change.
If you’re not working out of it everyday, trying for maximum output (aka flat rate) wait until you see how the current box works in the shop.
You may find you like the top of the box for a work surface.
25 years ago I bought a 56”, three bay, bottom box and found I loved the top for work surface.
I took my top box home and the only thing I ever had on the top of the roller after that was a machinist chest which was used when I did certain jobs.
I was looking at the same box at a local TSC. Although I like it, it's just too small for what I'd use it for and $100 is way more than it's worth to me as well. Cool design/concept however.
No. I don't work in a shop these days. It's in a home garage and I'm not using it everyday either.
As for the work surface comment, that's definitely a concern that will likely keep me from buying a top box, or at least anything larger than something like a typical 3-drawer portable box. All I currently have on my top of my box is an M12 inflator and some flashlights. I really like having that available work surface as I don't have a workbench (at least currently).
@AJHD Have you (or anyone else) seen or handled this box on display?
I‘ve tried for years to get used to using a tool bag while working at my son’s. Can’t seem to get it to be second nature.
For years at work I used an old, red and gray, craftsman 2 drawer for my carry box on road trips.
It disappeared when a buddy used it on a trip to China.
Yes, that’s a thing. We usually would lose some piece of electronic equipment or tools during customs inspection leaving that f@#king country but I digress.
Ive been thinking about going back to a top carry box like you show or maybe even using flea bay to locate a replacement for my missing box.
I have a feeling that if I saw the above linked box in person I’d be disappointed in its construction and was just curious what others thoughts were on this newer box.
Not sure I've ever handled that Craftsman box. It's sold in stores in a cardboard box. I'm sure they would let you open the box and handle it, or worst case check it out in the parking lot and return it if you're not happy.
I had an older 4-drawer Craftsman box, which was built well. Not sure if the construction is the same or not.
I've also had a 3-drawer Husky box, which doesn't seem to be made or sold anymore. It was what you would expect for the price. But it's probably the best comparison physically to the Craftsman.
The reality is metal toolboxes like these are just about a thing of the past. It's all plastic now. There are not many options available to handle in person, at least locally.
I had an older 4-drawer Craftsman box, which was built well. Not sure if the construction is the same or not.
I've also had a 3-drawer Husky box, which doesn't seem to be made or sold anymore. It was what you would expect for the price. But it's probably the best comparison physically to the Craftsman.
The reality is metal toolboxes like these are just about a thing of the past. It's all plastic now. There are not many options available to handle in person, at least locally.
Man, I must be working at the wrong shop. I'm only an apprentice, but I'm so busy my tool box is a mess! It's atleast (relatively) organised, but I'm quite envious of the pristine, not a spec of dirt or slag (my box is near the bench vise people weld and grind on) in or on the box/drawers you guys have! Where do you guys find the time?
The box is new and a lot of the tools are new. I sold my boxes and more than 50% of my tools in 2023 (I had to more or less start over).
Anyway, I don't work in a shop either. This is in my home garage.
Although I never had a problem keeping my tools and box clean when I did work in a shop. It takes 5 minutes to clean up and organization helps. I would clean up between jobs and before I went home.
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Thought I would share some updated pictures.
I've been moving a lot of things around, taking stuff out of the box and buying more new tools.
There are always more tools I want to buy (of course), and I'm chronically tweaking the organization.
I've been moving a lot of things around, taking stuff out of the box and buying more new tools.
There are always more tools I want to buy (of course), and I'm chronically tweaking the organization.
You have some nice looking tools there
I buy the best quality tool I can at the time based on some mental ratio of need, intended use, cost and availability. I upgrade some of it later. But I also have a mix of many different brands; Snap On, Proto, Knipex, PB Swiss, Wera, Tekton, Icon, Milwaukee, Channellock, Astro, Craftsman, Carlyle, etc.
Junkdrawer Dog
Well-known member
I have seen and handled the current C'man three drawer at Lowes. It's pretty lightly constructed for the asking price. I would probably look for an older one on Ebay or Craigslist.
When I was a tech, I put everything away when I was done with it. Generally, that meant at the end of a car, but for some specialty stuff, that meant when I knew I didn't need it again. I worked off a cart that had the tools that would get most cars done without needing to go get something else, The top of the cart had the tools I was actually using, the rest were where they belonged in one of the drawers. Putting stuff away makes it easier to find what's missing (and keep it from leaving with the car....), faster to find the tools you have out, etc, and generally makes everything easier. The time saved more than makes up for the couple minutes it takes to put stuff back in its place. Also, because the way my peculiar brain works, I can look at the pile of tools at the end of the job, and remember it. If the same job comes back (and they often do, because the same stuff breaks or wears out on many cars), remembering that I used some unusual tool lets me fetch it at the start, and may remind me how it got used.
Neat arrangement! Everything looks so organized！
If you are using one for stationary storage inside a building, then I would agree they are pretty expensive for not a lot of storage. If used for their original role, a weather resistant toolbox mounted on a vehicle, then the price isn't too bad since there isn't much else out there at that price point. I have a couple of the 36" boxes I use during haying in the summer and they work well for that. They probably wouldn't be too bad for shop use, but I am not sure if it would be all that advantageous compared to a regular box with drawers. The holes and pegs for sockets, wrenches, and drive tools are fine provided the tools you have will fit on them. Things like comfort grip ratchets probably will not fit in the holes, bit sockets still need their own rail. Things like that.In my opinion, they're overpriced. But there is just something about them that intrigues me. I really want to buy one.
Triangles
Triangle® Toolboxes and Shopboxes provide a solid organization solution with the trademarked lid design. When closed, the lid locks tools in place, creating protection, security and organization, even when the box is moved.
Were you looking at this box? 15 x 10.5 in. Steel Shopbox
I have looked at them myself and while I like the concept of a smaller Montezuma style box, I agree that it did not impress me either. I think part of the problem is as you make the box of that style smaller, it starts to amplify one of the negatives of the triangle tool box which is they are not the most space efficient. By the time you get to that small shop box, it just cannot hold all that much. I also agree that the metal thickness and build quality was nothing special. The bigger boxes are made from thicker metal, but that comes at the cost of them being fairly heavy even empty. Maybe the concept would have worked better if it had been made out of aluminum so it could be a bit bigger without being heavy and if it had retained the weather seal so it could still be used outside.