Let's see your toolbox.

[Hondarider]

Sweet shop, love the BMW r1200gs. My dealer told me not to test drive one because ill have to have one after I do.

Yup...2009 GSA...great bike for covering huge mileage on all sorts of terrain...but not really as exciting to ride as you might imagine.

 

[Bjkearns]

Here is my box
Its a KR557 that I bought on Craigslist a couple year ago and have been filling up
Its of stuff containing mostly a mixture of Snap On and Craftsman but also has some SK,Cornwell,Matco,,Harbor Freight,Channel Lock and some other pieces
1

2

3

4

4

5

6

7

Custom prybar rack out of some diamond plate using the handle to hold it up

 

[Jamie.91]

My first post!

Im only 22 and technically still an apprentice (I'm a forklift truck engineer) so go easy on me, my stuff ain't so impressive just yet

Here's the box I started out with 12 months ago

I soon outgrew it and now I have my own van! Obviously I can only carry so much in a van so a mac tools top box is all I can fit really.

I'm hardly ever in the workshop so I can't really justify a huge awesome box like most of them on here but I do have this rather old snap on box that was given to me by a family member in shoddy condition and I restored it I'm not exactly sure what model it is so if anyone knows, let me know

Quick before and after pic

Thanks
Jamie

 

[crewchief888]

My first post!

Im only 22 and technically still an apprentice (I'm a forklift truck engineer) so go easy on me, my stuff ain't so impressive just yet

Here's the box I started out with 12 months ago

I soon outgrew it and now I have my own van! Obviously I can only carry so much in a van so a mac tools top box is all I can fit really.

welcome to GJ

just remember, every massive collection of tools & toolboxes you see, started out with just a few....

 

[kapster]

Yup...2009 GSA...great bike for covering huge mileage on all sorts of terrain...but not really as exciting to ride as you might imagine.

Would lack of annoyances be a better description? They have to have some serious torque dont they? I have a v strom and I'm happy with it, but still working on the wind buffeting issue they are all plagued with. Had a ninja 250 and 500 before. 250 was fun but got old traveling at speed, high revs. 500 wasn't very comfortable and every way I tried to improve it made 2 more issues.

 

[Jamie.91]

Thanks crewcheif888, I guess your right, I can't wait to own an impressive collection of my own.

 

[JeremyManning]

Jamie91 nice job on the resto what color of paint is that?

 

[crewchief888]

Thanks crewcheif888, I guess your right, I can't wait to own an impressive collection of my own.

all it takes is time and money...

at least now, with the web, there are place to get some better deals than there was "back in the day"
i started spending serious money on tools in '76....

today, not as much,
i'm pretty well set for working tools, i buy stuff to fill out my garage tools, and add more stuff to house tools, and most of that is for woodworking, DIY repairs and renovation around the house.

i'll probably have to buy 1 more toolbox before i retire,
when my new service truck comes in, i'm gonna replace the badly worn and damaged box thats in my exisiting truck

 

[Jamie.91]

Jamie91 nice job on the resto what color of paint is that?

Thanks, I asked the guy in the shop to match and mix the colour to match the original snap on teal blue.

Thanks
Jamie

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Nice tool kit Jamie

Who do you work for? I'm an ex lift truck tech myself.

Cheers Gareth

 

[zkling]

Thanks
Jamie

I really like that color on the old snap on boxes. Great job
Seems like a strange location for the lock on the bottom though?

Ever since I saw this one, I knew that one day I will have an old SO box painted that color

 

[MattPersman]

I wish that first picture wasn't so "cluttered". I was excited about getting it so I snapped a pic. We are super busy so stuff just got put where ever. Heck, the lockers aren't even bolted to the box yet and still have the small transport wheels. Going in early tomorrow to get them squared away. Here is a bit "cleaner" pic (though still a bit cluttered) I snapped with the led light installed. Sadly, I can't go higher because the motion detectors in the shop won't be able to see over top of it

Looks awesome Matt!

 

[alpinewhite]

Do you mind if I ask how much a setup like this will cost me? This is beautiful. Would I have to sell a child?

 

[cundifc]

I guess 19k! We should start a poll

 

[Wrenchette]

My first post!

Im only 22 and technically still an apprentice (I'm a forklift truck engineer) so go easy on me, my stuff ain't so impressive just yet

Here's the box I started out with 12 months ago

Love your socket collection, as eclectic as ours.

And the roll cab is BEAUTIFUL!

 

[dfreeman616]

before trade or discounts, i'm going to guess around 30k

 

[GTA Matt]

Do you mind if I ask how much a setup like this will cost me? This is beautiful. Would I have to sell a child?

Too much lol! I don't have any children yet, but when I do, my dealer is getting first dibs on it

List price for everything is around 28k I believe. I paid 6 plus a trade for the box a few years ago. I hid the receipt for the latest purchase from myself, but I believe 10.5. When my dealer stops banging my card every friday I will know it is payed off

 

[Jamie.91]

Thanks for the kind words everyone, it looks slightly less attractive now it's actually getting used, I might restore it again as I'm not 100% happy with it, I rushed it slightly and settled for less than I was happy with. I would have liked to replace the friction style draw sliders for ones with bearings in but I don't know where to buy them from


I take it you worked for hyster Gareth, I work for a small independent company based in widnes, I wouldn't mind working for a larger company at some point though!

Why thank you wrenchette, my sockets are a mismatch of all kinds, I'm improving slightly but rather than buy a set seen as I'm limited on space I usually just buy the size I need

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Hello Jamie,

Yes I worked for Hyster and we also held the CAT lift truck and Bobcat franchise when I was on the spanners.

Working for an independant can be beneficial in you get to work on all types of lift trucks.

Good luck you are working in a great field! Just a quick mention union is better than league

 

[Jamie.91]

Hello Jamie,

Yes I worked for Hyster and we also held the CAT lift truck and Bobcat franchise when I was on the spanners.

Working for an independant can be beneficial in you get to work on all types of lift trucks.

Good luck you are working in a great field! Just a quick mention union is better than league

I love my job to be fair and I do like working on different machines all the time, variety is the spice of life! I suppose the down sides are things like smaller budgets which equal small stores and lack of equipment sometimes.

And as for rugby I'm not to fussed about any sport that involves running haha, Motorsport is more my thing, or anything that can go faster than running with less physical effort

 

[nahuebsch82]

I really like that color on the old snap on boxes. Great job
Seems like a strange location for the lock on the bottom though?

Ever since I saw this one, I knew that one day I will have an old SO box painted that color

LOVE that retro blue

 

[nuklbstr83]

that SO resto box is bad ***!! very sweet

 

[alpinewhite]

Buy used good tools. I'd rather have a used Milwaukee drill over a brand new Black & Decker from WalMart.

Buy a used toolbox and refurbish it. Lots of good examples here at GJ.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

Be gentile, for I am 20 years old thus not able to aford the best... yet.

is it just me or are your pics broken?

 

[durallymax]

No new box, but some updated drawer pics of some of my recent purchases. Knipex and Wiha.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

No new box, but some updated drawer pics of some of my recent purchases. Knipex and Wiha.

wouldn't mind hangin out in that knipex drawer...wowzers!

 

[durallymax]

wouldn't mind hangin out in that knipex drawer...wowzers!

I actually like opening that one more than any of my other ones. Even the wrench drawer which got its new liner the other day. Pig Grippy mats. They stick and don't slide like the snap on ones. Plus they are absorbent for people who put tools away dirty. i don't but the color makes them stand out better.

 

[mspecperformance]

Knipex drawer is awesome

 

[kool_BOY8323]

I actually like opening that one more than any of my other ones. Even the wrench drawer which got its new liner the other day. Pig Grippy mats. They stick and don't slide like the snap on ones. Plus they are absorbent for people who put tools away dirty. i don't but the color makes them stand out better.

kinda reminds me of my wrench drawer, but bigger:

 

[Skin]

kinda reminds me of my wrench drawer, but bigger:

where did you get the lower wrench racks that hold the wrenches vertical?

 

[kool_BOY8323]

where did you get the lower wrench racks that hold the wrenches vertical?

those actually came with my husky set from home depot. i zip-tied them together like that so they would stop flying around in the drawer.

 

[alpinewhite]

List price for everything is around 28k I believe.

Based on another thread where the going rate for techs is $15/hr, that is almost a year's salary. I don't mean to be blunt but that sounds like a lot of money.

 

[MattPersman]

I will be blunt. 15 an hour? Maybe as a starter in a low skilled position. You might not even want to get into this business for that kind of money. The buy in on tools and boxes (as you can see) is way too high.

I could see 15 and hour non flat rate, shop supplying all tools.

I doubt the techs like GTAMatt are changing oil all day only more like experienced highly skilled and trained tech.

 

[txusa03]

Hi, my first tool box. Nothing fancy. It belongs to my Dad he bought it from another fella in his shop. My Dad retired long ago and he is moving so I asked if I could have it. Either that or my mom was going to put it up for garage sales.

It is a little beatup. I don't know who makes this box. Googled bell jet ranger III did not show any useful results. I think someone just slapped on the tag for fun. I tried to remove the drawer but I have no clue what i am doing and I did not want to destroy the box before I get to use it (LOL).

Anyone have any info on this box. I can get dimension if you guys need it.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

I will be blunt. 15 an hour? Maybe as a starter in a low skilled position. You might not even want to get into this business for that kind of money. The buy in on tools and boxes (as you can see) is way too high.

I could see 15 and hour non flat rate, shop supplying all tools.

I doubt the techs like GTAMatt are changing oil all day only more like experienced highly skilled and trained tech.

ive been in the industry 10 years, the last 2 at the same job, i make 9.50 an hour. my head tech only makes around 17 when he gets his flag time. the other flat rate tech only makes about 15 when he gets his flag time. they have to flag a minimum of 30 hours to get their flag time, other wise they make just about the same as i do.

the tools the shop supplies are brake lathes, and flush machines, an a/c machine, bench grinder, wash tank, and some tables. everything else must be supplied by the techs.

$15 an hour sounds kinda nice at this point.

oh, and what does all this have to do with tool boxes?

 

[Jawn]

I don't know who makes this box. Googled bell jet ranger III did not show any useful results. I think someone just slapped on the tag for fun.

Nice box with some character and history! I'm guessing a helicopter mechanic owned it, since a Bell Jet Ranger III is a heli... and I see another sticker that may be aviation related.

 

[devoncoolman]

$15 an hour is a joke havent made that in years. $20 hr is going starting rate for a descent mechanic in these parts.

 

[GTA Matt]

Based on another thread where the going rate for techs is $15/hr, that is almost a year's salary. I don't mean to be blunt but that sounds like a lot of money.

Half of the mechanics you will meet make over the average pay. Some make well over double that average pay

That is all I will say on that subject. Now, more toolboxes!!!!!!

 

[alpinewhite]

Half of the mechanics you will meet make over the average pay. Some make well over double that average pay

Only if the distribution were Gaussian. Otherwise, half of them would make more than the median pay.

 

[xj31]

Idk about that $15 an hour. That must include lube-monkeys and alley mechanics. I think our porters make more than that