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AJHD

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2020
Messages
3,005
Location
AZ
It's nothing special, but I wanted share my current setup...
I'm using this box as a "service cart" (although stationary), like I had when I was still working in a shop.
I've got my better quality/most commonly used tools in this box. I've got another box with my overflow, specialty, less used tools, etc. and a smaller box on top of that with my automotive specific tools, along with the blow molded cases under the bench, etc..
 
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AJHD

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2020
Messages
3,005
Location
AZ
Great setup, you can tackle a lot of stuff with the tools in that box.

That's the idea. I'd say realistically, other than adding a basic hex/torx socket set, I've got just about everything I need to handle most jobs. I'd like to make some adjustments to free up a drawer for some automotive specific tools, but those also have their own box already.

I only have to open my secondary box (or "automotive box"), or reach under the bench for the blow molded cases for specific jobs.

I'm not concerned much with speed or efficiency these days working in my garage, but I do my best to use the space I have as efficiently as possible and keep things grouped together or otherwise organized.

Contrary to the GJ philosophy of doing things, I also don't just buy tools to have them. I don't consider myself a collector or hoarder. I try to buy the best tool I can afford at the time and I try to buy tools that serve a purpose and with the intention of using them, even if it's a use once a year/lifetime kind of thing.
 
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Al Borland

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
1,598
It's nothing special, but I wanted share my current setup as things are always changing...
I'm using this box as a stationary service cart, like I had when I was still working in a shop.
I've got my most commonly used tools in this box. I've got another stationary box with my overflow, specialty, less used tools, etc.


Top;

1/4" shallow and deep
3/8" shallow, mid-length, deep and shallow swivels
1/2" sockets shallow and deep

Everything is Snap On impacts, except the 1/2" which are Pittsburgh CR-MO impacts with a few Kobalt in odd sizes, and a few Snap On for common lug nuts off to the right side (17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm)
I've also got my Snap On 3/8" 14v impact and 3/8" 14v long neck ratchet, and my 12v fuel Milwaukee 1/4" driver


1st "row";

Left - 1/4" ratchets (Snap On & Matco USA), assorted extensions, drivers (SK & Snap On), impact adapters
Middle - 3/8" ratchets (Snap On & Matco USA), assorted extensions
Right - 3/8" Snap On digital torque wrench, two 1/2" ratchets (Wera/Astro) and a 3/8" ratchet (Astro)


2nd;

Snap On 1/2" torque wrench, Snap On 1/2" long ratchet (24")
Pocket screwdrivers, small screwdrivers, small hooks/picks, 14mm spark plug sockets, trim tools, 1/2" extensions, assorted socket adapters/reducers, mirrors and magnets... Most of it is Snap On


3rd;

Snap On screwdrivers, hooks/picks
Vessel Japan screwdrivers, trim tools
Mayhew USA straight tip pry bars, hooks/picks, scraper
Mini Sunex bit/driver set in the middle


4th;

Snap On wrench set, Allen/KD/Kobalt USA wrench set, Williams Taiwan reversible ratcheting wrench set


5th;

Bahco/Snap On PWZ pliers, Bahco adjustable wrenches, Williams Taiwan stubby wrench set, Mountain double box end ratcheting wrench set, Snap On snap ring pliers set (w/ push button), Snap On butane torch (Torch400)


6th;

Snap On pliers, Knipex Germany pliers, Snap On hammers, Snap On pry bars, Mayhew USA brass punches

What box is that?
 

CHI_Tool&Die

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 20, 2021
Messages
1,378
Location
Chicago, IL
It's not much but at least she's honest. I have been pleasantly surprised with how well my Craftsman stack has held up so far considering how many people have had negative experiences/reviews about it. I'm going to upgrade to a beefier box soon because I need more storage space at home and this stack would work perfectly there. Plus the soft-close drawers, while a nice feature, are starting to drive me nuts. I'm in and out of the box so much while in the shop and that initial pull to open the drawer is just too strong. It causes the whole box to wobble.
 

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RichieP_MechE

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2021
Messages
178
Location
Near Pittsburgh
Here is my work box which I guess I'm calling the Heavy Robotics Toolbox. We started a new project automating a piece of heavy equipment for a customer with deep pockets, so I made sure the project had a hefty tool budget.

DSC03587.jpg
The box is a 72" Masters Series. I prefer Lista, but our rep was desperate to sell us a box so we got a really good deal. The research facility I work for is part of a university, so we also get a substantial "educational" discount.

DSC03569.jpg
Top drawer. Full sets of just about every shallow/deep socket from 1/4 to 1/2. And a very large set of 3/4" impacts as you can see. The Mantis Tool Grid is awesome, allows for some pretty good density.

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The wrench drawer. I could probably adjust this a little bit to be more space efficient. One thing I neglected to get was angle wrenches, I've found that they'd be useful to have on this project.

DSC03572.jpg
Fully custom screwdriver drawer. Made sketch blocks of all the drivers in Solidworks to make it easy to lay this out. Laser cut the foam, then laser cut a mdf template to use a pattern bit in the router to cut the finger grab spaces which are not full depth. Adhered to the bottom is a sheet of anodized aluminum which has the driver sizes engraved in it. Pro tip: put your chisel drivers at the front of the drawer, that way people take those first when they inevitably grab one to use as a prybar. The good flat blades in the back of the drawer stay in pristine shape. Hex keys on the right as we do a ton of socket head screws.

DSC03573.jpg
My favorite drawer. Pliers wrench is probably our most-used tool so I got a lot of them. Someday I'll make a foam organizer for the right hand drawer.

DSC03574.jpg
Not enough clamps.

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Drill bits and poundy stuff. Deablows are Proto. Measurement drawer on the right.

DSC03578.jpg
Prybars, gear pullers, etc. 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 Tech Angle torque wrenches in the slim black boxes. Torque multiplier and snap ring pliers in the boxes on the right.

Will continue with the locker in my next post.
 
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RichieP_MechE

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2021
Messages
178
Location
Near Pittsburgh
Continued:
DSC03583.jpg

In the locker are the power tools and accessories. We've been a Makita shop for 18V since I started working here. Not a lot of 12V stuff in the building, so I went Milwaukee which seems to have the largest variety of tools.

DSC03579.jpg
Really been digging the die grinders and the cordless soldering iron

DSC03580.jpg
Air tools. Honestly haven't used the die grinders very much, my first instinct is to grab the cordless.

DSC03581.jpg
I'll admit the Hazet was an impulse buy. The Makita gets the most use by a long shot.

DSC03582.jpg
Sunex is a 1/2 hex bit impact kit with Proto 3/4 drives on the right. Ran out of room for them in the top drawer. In the back is tools for damaged fastener removal. The full roll of vampliers is pretty nice.

DSC03590.jpg
The 10 pound deadblow. It currently lives on the top of the toolbox.
 
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RichieP_MechE

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2021
Messages
178
Location
Near Pittsburgh
10lb deadblow is seen as pointless by many, until they see the amazing uses it has! Looks like you could use another locker too. Very interesting color, I like it.
I use it to keep software engineers in line :D

I think the color was Storm Gray with Titanium trim, I'll have to dig up the order to confirm that though. Could definitely use another locker, or maybe a side cabinet. There's not much room left for expansion in there!
 

will335i

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 18, 2020
Messages
497
Location
IL
Continued:
DSC03583.jpg

In the locker are the power tools and accessories. We've been a Makita shop for 18V since I started working here. Not a lot of 12V stuff in the building, so I went Milwaukee which seems to have the largest variety of tools.

DSC03579.jpg
Really been digging the die grinders and the cordless soldering iron

DSC03580.jpg
Air tools. Honestly haven't used the die grinders very much, my first instinct is the grab the cordless.

DSC03581.jpg
I'll admit the Hazet was an impulse buy. The Makita get the most use by a long shot.

DSC03582.jpg
Sunex is a 1/2 hex bit impact kit with Proto 3/4 drives on the right. Ran out of room for them in the top drawer. In the back is tools for damaged fastener removal. The full roll of vampliers is pretty nice.

DSC03590.jpg
The 10 pound deadblow. It currently lives on the top of the toolbox.
Awesome setup and I love the box color. I have been toying with wrapping my Icon and Nardo Grey is high on the list.

Although not a lot of engineers that I would trust with even a flat tip screwdriver let alone half the tools you have in that box. - Also a Mechanical Engineer.
 

4 FN 27

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 19, 2015
Messages
4,635
Location
Minnesnowta
The OCD in this Thread makes me happy!!! Nice looking Boxes lately!!!

I just took this pic tonight after I added a set of Wrenches in the mix...in memory of my buddy who passed away last Friday. I gave him 2 sets of Wrenches with custom made stainless steel wrench racks in 2002 for his Dyno Room and asked if I could have them. I grabbed them when I left TN yesterday after his funeral.


IMG_1461.JPG
 

zmotorsports

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
21,310
Location
Northern Utah
The OCD in this Thread makes me happy!!! Nice looking Boxes lately!!!

I just took this pic tonight after I added a set of Wrenches in the mix...in memory of my buddy who passed away last Friday. I gave him 2 sets of Wrenches with custom made stainless steel wrench racks in 2002 for his Dyno Room and asked if I could have them. I grabbed them when I left TN yesterday after his funeral.


IMG_1461.JPG

Pat, I'm sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. Glad that you were able to get to spend some time with him over the past several weeks though. I'm sure he appreciated it and cherished that time together, regardless of the circumstances.
 

CS454

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 10, 2014
Messages
668
Current working setup...ditched my 5 drawer cart and put most of what I had in it into this 1950's Snappy box I rattle canned, true lipstick on pig operation with that one. Sits atop my employer supplied industrial cart.
 

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Shelbylex

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
3,093
Location
MA
Even though the modern boxes are much better for storing things, I love the old boxes much more. Great job, CX454 !
:beer:
 

CS454

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 10, 2014
Messages
668
Even though the modern boxes are much better for storing things, I love the old boxes much more. Great job, CX454 !
:beer:
Appreciated! I didn't originally want to paint it, but there was just too much rust to avoid. It's a favourite around the shop.
 

409425hp

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2020
Messages
173
Location
Nh
Thanks I do love it.There were 249 ram air 3 4 speed convertibles produced in 69.I haven’t seen another in this color.It’s a blast to drive.
 

Shelbylex

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Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
3,093
Location
MA
Got to love it!

I wish we still had people designing cars like they used to instead of copying the image of the soap box from different angles and then slightly modifying it to look different than the next brand. May be I am old, but there are very few new cars which I like
 

409425hp

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2020
Messages
173
Location
Nh
It’s a whole different world.Back then cars changed every year,and the unveiling was a big deal.Now they are 3-4 year runs without any significant changes.
 

CS454

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 10, 2014
Messages
668
Got to love it!

I wish we still had people designing cars like they used to instead of copying the image of the soap box from different angles and then slightly modifying it to look different than the next brand. May be I am old, but there are very few new cars which I like
ZWF14380G_1_LargeProductImage.jpg

;)

Comparatively that GTO is a true beauty. Turns out some things /are/ too pretty to make into drag cars. :D
 
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