Let's see your toolbox.
- Thread starter wythors
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cwstevens92
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- Apr 21, 2009
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They hold up great, much better than i thought they would. Have had 0problems, I open most every drawer at least 50 times a day and all i can say is this is one tuff box. A sheet of 1/8 stainless got dropped the other day and hit the box, it bearly even scratched it. Great box and a super price. I have a Snap-On 72" KRL box at home and this US General box is everybit as good. The only bad thing i can say is that i have not changed all the locks so that i can use just one key, so right now i have 5 keys to keep up with, which is kinda a pain but hell for under 2K for what i got sittin there i'll deal with all the keys.
I don't use mine professionally, but I have the same issue with the locks. I went to 2 different locksmith to get new cylinders, or something that would work with the "engagement mechanisms". No dice. I took all of my cylinders apart, measured the little keys inside the locks and tried finding a common pattern to be "keyed alike". No go. Couldn't find any online that had the right size square, etc.
I know I know -- too much information --- if you find replacement locks that work, I'll buy you a beer if you tell me the source.
WVU Tuba Dale
Well-known member
Here is an update, plenty of new additions since last upload. Sorry about the cleanliness of my tools, but I need to make a living with them, and the conditions I am in do not provide cleanliness in the least. I work on coal trucks currently that see 75% of their time off-road. The shop is also located off-road. 
KingConstruction
Well-known member
Here are my boxes, everything is just kinda pushed in to the barn at the moment till I can find my own place and get out of my parents house so I cant really get to anything easily and just havent taken the time to organize the drawers since I cant use the stuff as much as I want
I also have the top box to this stack too, but im letting a friend borrow it since he needed one and i dont really have the room for it at the moment
I also have the top box to this stack too, but im letting a friend borrow it since he needed one and i dont really have the room for it at the moment
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
having the cheap box at work is an idea i am warming up to
CAT_serviceman927
Well-known member
Here is an update, plenty of new additions since last upload. Sorry about the cleanliness of my tools, but I need to make a living with them, and the conditions I am in do not provide cleanliness in the least. I work on coal trucks currently that see 75% of their time off-road. The shop is also located off-road.
What kind of combo wrenches are those (the industrial finish ones) and what's with the elbow on your 3/4" guns air line? Any special reason or did you not have a straight coupler?
cwstevens92
Well-known member
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- Apr 21, 2009
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Will do and if you find it before me I'll do the same.
cwstevens92
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2009
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Its nice to have to worry about the damn thing getting scratched or dirty or even dented. Thats why my snap on box is at home and I got the US General set up for work!
WVU Tuba Dale
Well-known member
Those are Wright wrenches I got off of Richard (TR TOOL SUPPLY). Sadly they are metric and I hardly ever use them. I have a space cleared in my SAE drawer for a new set. The elbow in the 3/4 is for 2 reasons. The 1/2" couplers take some force to connect, and I can get a good "grip" on the line with greasy hands (I'm not the biggest diesel mechanic at 5'9"/165lb), and I didn't have a straight coupler. So it worked out well for me.
CAT_serviceman927
Well-known member
Those are Wright wrenches I got off of Richard (TR TOOL SUPPLY). Sadly they are metric and I hardly ever use them. I have a space cleared in my SAE drawer for a new set. The elbow in the 3/4 is for 2 reasons. The 1/2" couplers take some force to connect, and I can get a good "grip" on the line with greasy hands (I'm not the biggest diesel mechanic at 5'9"/165lb), and I didn't have a straight coupler. So it worked out well for me.
That's a good idea. I am 5'10"/175-180, so I know what you mean. I get a lot of guff from some of the others about my strength limitations. I usually don't mind but sometimes it's embarrassing when it takes 2 or 3 times to get the damn air line on when a customer is standing there.
caper
Well-known member
That's a good idea. I am 5'10"/175-180, so I know what you mean. I get a lot of guff from some of the others about my strength limitations. I usually don't mind but sometimes it's embarrassing when it takes 2 or 3 times to get the damn air line on when a customer is standing there.
Those big couplers can be a pain.Perhaps bleed the air out of the line?Our company has it as part of our standard work practice for safety.Shut off the line and open the water bleed at the bottom of the feed or just unplug the hose from the wall,plug the tool in and plug the line back in.
Atlascycle
Well-known member
Look into Oetiker swing couplers, the bleed off the pressure as you disconnect them and you don't have to fight the pressure to get them to uncouple.
http://www.oetiker.com/content.asp?l=4&idNavig=42
Jason
http://www.oetiker.com/content.asp?l=4&idNavig=42
Jason
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
I'm 6'5" 320# and I still bleed the air lines when using the big couplers like how caper described.
cwstevens92
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- Apr 21, 2009
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CAT_serviceman927
Well-known member
I do this when hooking the hose itself up or disconnecting it from the line on the wall. Most of the time I can get the air line on the tool ok. I actually have a harder time with all my "regular" sized tools. We use the Milton T-style (maybe P?) couplers with 1/2" air hoses on the reals around the shop. It can make it hard to switch tools with all that air behind it. Most guys in the shop have a 3/8", 6' whip hose which makes it easier to change. I just haven't gotten around to getting one yet.
Merkava_4
Banned
speed bump
Well-known member
Those are Wright wrenches I got off of Richard (TR TOOL SUPPLY). Sadly they are metric and I hardly ever use them. I have a space cleared in my SAE drawer for a new set. The elbow in the 3/4 is for 2 reasons. The 1/2" couplers take some force to connect, and I can get a good "grip" on the line with greasy hands (I'm not the biggest diesel mechanic at 5'9"/165lb), and I didn't have a straight coupler. So it worked out well for me.
That's a good idea. I am 5'10"/175-180, so I know what you mean. I get a lot of guff from some of the others about my strength limitations. I usually don't mind but sometimes it's embarrassing when it takes 2 or 3 times to get the damn air line on when a customer is standing there.
You think those are bad try the 1/4 locking connectors. I worked with guys who are 6' 4" 300lbs and had been mining for 25+years who couldn't always break them loose. When the mine finally went with 1/2" quick connectors I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
JaroslawLis2099
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- Apr 8, 2009
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Currently out of work apprentice checking in. I used to work for a rather small town Ford dealership about a 87km commute (one way) from my place. Due to a lot of infighting and dislike from the owner and a couple of the higher ups, myself and 2 other apprentice got laid off as well as the foreman and service manager.
Not the best box around but I got it for really cheap brand new. I need to find a way to secure the 1/2" drive torque wrench to it somehow.
Impact!.... and a 3/8" drive torque wrench
Wrenches!
I know a lot of you guys would frown on mixing 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets but space is a premium for me. The imperial stuff is on rails because it hardly ever gets used.
My craftsmen screwdrivers seem to have gone missing, I suspect my father has something to do with it.
Brake related drawer.
Lubes, greases and magic fairy dust. Random bolts, caliper slides and a couple of drain plugs for different models of F-150.
Miscellaneous junk, originally it was packed full of the most common Motorcraft oil filters.
Not pictured are my prybars, chisels/punches, deadblow and trouble light; which have all been lent out a fellow apprentice while I'm out of work.
Not the best box around but I got it for really cheap brand new. I need to find a way to secure the 1/2" drive torque wrench to it somehow.
Impact!.... and a 3/8" drive torque wrench
Wrenches!
I know a lot of you guys would frown on mixing 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets but space is a premium for me. The imperial stuff is on rails because it hardly ever gets used.
My craftsmen screwdrivers seem to have gone missing, I suspect my father has something to do with it.
Brake related drawer.
Lubes, greases and magic fairy dust. Random bolts, caliper slides and a couple of drain plugs for different models of F-150.
Miscellaneous junk, originally it was packed full of the most common Motorcraft oil filters.
Not pictured are my prybars, chisels/punches, deadblow and trouble light; which have all been lent out a fellow apprentice while I'm out of work.
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SpiderGearsMan
Banned
welcome to the insane automotive business , take my advice and go back to school
JaroslawLis2099
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- Apr 8, 2009
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Already done, I'm 18 months into a 24 month program called Ford ASSET. I'm supposed to be doing 4 months of classroom work and then 4 months of paid co-op, back and forth for the 2 years but finding work for the co-op terms is nigh impossible for everyone.
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
I always found that people that look at it was a career more then a job get farther ahead.
arkangel06
Banned
05firecatf7black
Well-known member
caper
Well-known member
Don't worry about that.As long as it works for you and your happy with it that's what matters.Some of these guys have boxes worth more than my house.What size is that center section?I've been trying to find one of those for my KR557 box.Oh,Welcome aboard!
05firecatf7black
Well-known member
center section is 36" its a little small but got it for $75 and needed the extra storage. Wanna get a 40" top box and a side cabinet so I can get rid of the middle and top boxes.
arkangel06
Banned
Welcome to the forum!
Dont worry about the size of the box or the amount of tools
Its the person that knows how to use them that counts most!
05firecatf7black
Well-known member
don't get me wrong I have my share of tools. I'm guessing easily 15-20grand worth. Just wish I had the matching top and bottom. Guys on this site have some pretty awesome setups
. But this is my home box after all.caper
Well-known member
That's the size I've been trying to find I think.30 odd inches.It's elusive up here where I am.I worked out of that size top and bottom for a lot of years.Of course I also had side cabinets everywhere,3 of them.Two on one side and one on the other.
WVU Tuba Dale
Well-known member
It's the mind inside your head that counts, not the tools inside your box. That being said, looks like you have a nice selection of goodies in there.
cwstevens92
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2009
- Messages
- 318
The main thing is does it hold all your tools and lock!
MoparLover
New member
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- Oct 3, 2009
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This site is the best. Last time I was this excited I needed to have a smoke when I was done. And I don't even smoke! Some great tools and boxes here.
SpiderGearsMan
Banned
25years , did a year in management , been an A tech ever since
other than management - A tech is about as far as you can go without shelling out the millions for your own shop
Deafautotech
Well-known member
i am agree with you! my dad was thinking about open shop as he is owner while i am tech to do work.... But i told him to do not try open a shop... i cant afford to pay a lot of money on equipments and tools and etc... i told my dad that i am happy to work for dealership... so i want stay that way. i am not think about open my shop... only work full time for dealership and side jobs at home...
RLRRLRLL
Well-known member
heres my box and some of my clutterd garage.
Heres my Sockets and ratchets. Mostly Duralast stuff.
Allen wrenches/punches/etc.
Screwdrivers
1/4" socket set, other stuff.
My "nice" wrench set, all craftsman
No name wrenches my dad left
Screwdrivers, pliers, cheap extra wrenches
ya....clutter
jack stands
side view
Front of the box, its older then me..a waterloo industries. My dad left it here as well.
I need to clean
ya...
still need to clean
Heres my Sockets and ratchets. Mostly Duralast stuff.
Allen wrenches/punches/etc.
Screwdrivers
1/4" socket set, other stuff.
My "nice" wrench set, all craftsman
No name wrenches my dad left
Screwdrivers, pliers, cheap extra wrenches
ya....clutter
jack stands
side view
Front of the box, its older then me..a waterloo industries. My dad left it here as well.
I need to clean
ya...
still need to clean
tooltrader
Active member
I find it kinda funny that you already stuck a craftsman badge on the front. Nice looking box for the cash for sure. How deep are the actual drawers? Got any pics of that big top drawer open? I'm curious if its double or single slides.
Mr.Nutcase
Well-known member
heres my box and some of my clutterd garage.
Heres my Sockets and ratchets. Mostly Duralast stuff.
Duralast *****.. I had one of the Dulalast that loooked like Snap On F936...
Maybe after using a few times the cover fell off... gear come off, so I had pull my old trusty SK.....
Getting that thing warrentied was a *****, had my reciept, only took the bad one(part of set). They tell me, come with whole set.. and they would replace, I told the ***** at the Autozone... If the only that one was bad, why replace all of them. so the then the manger stepped in and pulled one of shelf, that why I hate the brand!!,
Try Craftsman pro/ or KD ones from Oreilly's(flex) ... or the ratchet from Advance Auto parts get the Gearwrench 60th tooth ratchets, they are nice, look like matco...
I would recommend the ratchets with a red dot;
The Craftsman, it is online/ only,
The KD can be found at Oreilly's Autoparts.... for around 31 bucks
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tooltrader
Active member
I stated in another thread that I grew up on Craftsman tools (my dad had them and passed them down to me) now I have a huge collection of them. I just had to get the "US General" emblem off and put a Craftsman one on. Here's a pic of the top drawer with all the Craftsman tools in it. It does have only one ball bearing slide but the slide twice the size of the slides on the other drawers and rated to 264 lbs.
