New here

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

Hi Guys,

My names Evan. I can see that most of you guys are mechanics of some sort, this is gonna make me the odd ball, because im not. I'm by definition in online retail (if there is such a thing, with ebay) of car audio, and 12 volt electronics. I also install and fabricate, and will recently be opening a retail store front. Being an installer I love tools, and having the right ones for the job.

I have an overloaded 26 inch stainless steel kobalt roller chest. With a recent call to Cornwell I was directed to a distributor, hes a really nice guy. He's been helping me on my search for a new tool box to fit my needs. Since I dont have to have alot of specialy mechanics tools, I dont really have enough tools to justify a giant roller cab, or the cash to afford one.

So I settled for a large "utility cart" the cornwell CTBMM747, quite a utility cart, 8 drawers (im in search of sq inches not cubic). Fell in love with this cart, but not the price at almost 2000$ after it was all said and done. I cant justify that cost at the moment, because its a luxury item not a necessity. I have to invest in the wood working tool area/power tools, as well as mechanics tools, not alot of spare money for luxury items. So I think I've settled on the CTBMM700 series cart, It's about half the price. Little smaller but still fits my needs. Deep well top for sockets, and impact stuff, and lots of drawers for wrenches, bits, plyers screw drivers, nut drivers etc....

Just wanted to get everyones 2 cents on the choice. I have also looked at the 36 inch craftsman professional line (cost more then the cornwell). I have looked at some other large utility carts as well, snapon's giant (4 drawers was its downfall), macsimiser cart (same problem as the snap on). The Cornwell lacks a deep well drawer that wont allow me to store some of my most used power tools, drills/sawzall etc.. but i guess i'll have to deal.

This is my current problem, wrenches on top of wrenches, not very efficent.

 

[wrenchr]

Tools on top of tools will only worsen with being here!!!

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

Already addicted have been for a while, you guess put me to shame with the top end snap-on and matco etc... I just cant afford them normally because I have to invest in saws/routers/drills. I'm probably the only guy on here with a table saw, scroll saw, radial arm saw, routers etc... I'll take some pics of some of my wood working stuff if anyone cares, seems like you guy's are more mechanically inclined though.

To each his own, i use my tools to tear apart interiors and reassemble them, and my wood tools to turn sheets of ply wood into things like this

and this

pretty good at my upholstery work as well

 

[fourfeathers]

Check your local Sears for deals. Mine was closing out the floor model Pro box for less than half. That woulda been a steal for the right guy.

 

[Elroy]

I'm probably the only guy on here with a table saw, scroll saw, radial arm saw, routers etc...

Elroy would suggest that you shouldn't make such assumptions.

I'll take some pics of some of my wood working stuff if anyone cares, seems like you guy's are more mechanically inclined though.

Feel free to post up. Just be careful making assumption this board is just and wrenches.

 

[kwhitelaw]

cool, another audio guy.

here was my old workplace before we shut it down.

and for the box, you should try and hit up the other tool truck accounts local to you. my SO driver gives smokin' deals on used boxes.

kevin

 

[kwhitelaw]

Elroy would suggest that you shouldn't make such assumptions.



Fell free to post up. Just be careful making assumption this board is just and wrenches.

not that big a deal.

from the outside looking in, the majority of what is posted in here IS mechanical related. Of course hanging out on a woodworking forum would yield better results for the OP but does it really matter.? pull out your routers and post them up..

kevin

 

[zuspiel]

Welcome! And some nice work you did.

I'm not a pro, so I'm not really qualified to answer your question, though. If you work a lot on installs, you will be (almost) a full time wrencher, so getting a high dollar box would make sense b/c of durability. I wouldn't want to slam by Kobalts open and closed dozends of times every day...

Given the state of the economy, I'd also check Craigslist in your area, though. We're starting to see a lot of boxes...

 

[kwhitelaw]

I'm not a pro, so I'm not really qualified to answer your question, though. If you work a lot on installs, you will be (almost) a full time wrencher, so getting a high dollar box would make sense b/c of durability. I wouldn't want to slam by Kobalts open and closed dozends of times every day...

yep. A decade ago, I started with the $300 3 piece craftsman set and looking back now, it would have never survived with the weight of tools I quickly added.. That and theres no space to lock up routers and sanders etc (which fit quite well in my locker).

and I agree about craigslist. me and a friend picked up 2 SO lockers for $750 iirc a couple months back. woulda cost like $2200 or something from SO. mechanic was hard up for money so we got my truck and hightailed it across the county to ****** them before he changed his mind.


kevin

 

[Red Green]

I'm probably the only guy on here with a table saw, scroll saw, radial arm saw, routers etc...

I have some of that stuff also. Just not too much in the skills department. I feel lucky that I still have all my finger tips when I get done working.

Also welcome to the board.

 

[mkdive]

welcome to the madness.

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

I didn't mean to make assumptions and get on anyone's bad side. It's nice to see some other audio guys. I didn't see to many posts about anything but wrenching, my fault for assuming. I will take some pics of my wood working junk. The other thing i failed to mention is that im only 18, and pretty much independent, with the exception of a business partner that was there to help with paper work until i turned 18 and my signature was vaild. Money's always been tight, gotta eat etc... and its slim pickins on the online/phone order world with sales, very low profit margins between having to meet other online retailers(mainly distributors who get better pricing than I do) and my point of sale ripping me on credit card fee's.

 

[kwhitelaw]

I have some of that stuff also. Just not too much in the skills department. I feel lucky that I still have all my finger tips when I get done working.

Also welcome to the board.

couple years back I was flush trimming a template with my table mounted router and it slipped, causing my ring finger to replace the template against the bit. took the skin off to the knuckle, leaving it hanging like shredded cheese.

good times.

 

[kwhitelaw]

I didn't mean to make assumptions and get on anyone's bad side. It's nice to see some other audio guys. I didn't see to many posts about anything but wrenching, my fault for assuming. I will take some pics of my wood working junk. The other thing i failed to mention is that im only 18, and pretty much independent, with the exception of a business partner that was there to help with paper work until i turned 18 and my signature was vaild. Money's always been tight, gotta eat etc... and its slim pickins on the online/phone order world with sales, very low profit margins between having to meet other online retailers(mainly distributors who get better pricing than I do) and my point of sale ripping me on credit card fee's.

where you based out of?

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

Nice unisaw btw, hopefully ill have space to do a full cabinet saw in this new shop.

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

South Carolina. Probably set up shop on clemets ferry road in Charleston, and struggle till i can afford a better location. Not a high traffic area, but that city is growing every day.

 

[kwhitelaw]

Nice unisaw btw, hopefully ill have space to do a full cabinet saw in this new shop.

yah ended up selling it off for $400 when we shut the shop down. I didnt have room for it so off it went...

 

[billymade]

I cannot overstate the affordability of used toolboxes or finding a separate storage solution for the bigger power tools that are wood oriented. Maybe you can strike a balance between a affordable workstation style toolbox for most stuff, a service cart with a couple of drawers for the most commonly used tools (wire strippers, crimpers, primary drill etc.) and maybe a locker of some sort for the big saws with cases etc. I don't know for sure but the power tools seem to take up allot of space is tool boxes that are geared toward mechanics tools; maybe a separate cheaper box with large drawers could house the power tools.... oh, well... I thought I was on to something! Now, I think I am just causing more confusion! LOL!
I worked in a semi truck trailer shop; we rebuilt the trailers (we worked with wood and aluminum) , we had hand tools and air tools in our tool boxes; the shop electrical power tools for wood working were housed in a locker/cabinet; seemed to work ok.

 

[davestlouis]

And don't assume we're all mechanics by trade...I am a cemetery and funeral plan counselor(sales guy)...

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

And don't assume we're all mechanics by trade...I am a cemetery and funeral plan counselor(sales guy)...

That's a new one, once again didnt mean to offend, sorry guys.

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

The problem with the used box thing, is all we have here is the matco man, and he doesnt come by this place, and id feel bad asking him too, because I would rarely buy much. Waste of gas, and his time, for me to go browse over his truck.

 

[davestlouis]

Shoot, you didn't offend me at all, just hazing you a little as a welcome...you'll have a lot of fun on this forum, I know I do.

 

[kwhitelaw]

The problem with the used box thing, is all we have here is the matco man, and he doesnt come by this place, and id feel bad asking him too, because I would rarely buy much. Waste of gas, and his time, for me to go browse over his truck.

so go to him... my SO dealer has a warehouse up the street he keeps stuff in.

and I wouldnt feel bad. if you buy a box its worth his time imo.

 

[davestlouis]

My old SO guy kept overstock in his garage at home, I could call him and drop by on Saturdays...his wife would bring out iced tea, it was all very genial.

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

Id really like to have a truck guy so I could atleast have some credit threw him, I can afford 200$ a month alot easier then 1000-1500 in a lump sum.

What would be really nice, is if the kobalt 41 inch box didnt have the flimsy drawers and lack of slides. Or if the 53 inch kobalt box didnt have a fidge in it (genius, pure genius....) and flimsy drawers, u cant use the same guage steel in a 26 inch drawer as you do in a 53 inch, wish people cared...

 

[Red Green]

The problem with the used box thing, is all we have here is the matco man, and he doesnt come by this place, and id feel bad asking him too, because I would rarely buy much. Waste of gas, and his time, for me to go browse over his truck.

An Idea is call the Matco Guy and ask him if you could meet him somewhere. I meet with the local Snap-on guy at the Napa store in town. It wouldn't be worth his time to stop at my shop.

Also if you have some skills with wood working you could do some of the "country" stuff that they sell. Wooden coat trees and shelves that they put over windows. To suplment your income.

 

[duke5572]

Hey Havoc! Welcome from another (relative) noob.

I worked in 12v for a few years a while back. Part-time in the summer, full-time for a bit after high school.

Step 1) Ditch those cheesy crimpers and get some real Klein dykes (Klein p/n 1005SEN). If you're using **** connectors it's the only way to go! I always preferred to have strippers & crimpers as seperate tools. I could never get used to the stamped steel "combo crimp/stripper"---they ****!

I agree with the rest of these guys...USED USED USED! Concentrate on getting name-brand stuff, even if it's fairly well-worn. Most of the tools necessary for car audio woodworking are pretty basic, and it sounds like you have the essentials. I'm not sure I could justify a full-on cabinet saw for cutting (primarily) 3/4" MDF; get yourself a nice heavy table saw and a quality fence and you'll be fine. At my old shop, we built a fold-out extension for ripping 4x8 sheets. We also integrated a retractable router jig into the table, which made radiusing boxes much easier.

Out of curiousity, have you worked much with fiberglass? Your wood boxes look clean, but knowing how to form 'glass for boxes, kick panels, dash bezels, etc., can set you apart from the average installer. Plus, it's pretty cheap to experiment with...get yourself a good d/a sander!

My go-to tools were a 12v Makita variable speed cordless drill, a Skewdriver (get one if you don't have it!), 7 & 10mm sockets, and a wide selection of "dental" picks. Most of my box is Craftsman, but those tools were all premium (SO or other) brands.

Good luck with your biz. Hope to see you around here some. I know there are some other audio guys on here too, I'm sure they'll check in.

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

Thanks for the tips man, but there are klien die crimpers in there, as well as irwin automatic strippers. As far as the drills, I'm a Milwaukee fan. Pretty set on those as well. Have 5 cordless drills.

My most common used drills

Common used klien screw drivers

Answer to ur skewdriver

Answer to ur fiberglass question
http://s75.photobucket.com/albums/i303/Team_Havoc/?action=view&current=PICT0206.jpg

will get some more pics of fiberglass work, rarely photo customers work unless someone asks to see it, those panels have been redone, with components since.

As for the table saw i use a bosch 4100-09 because im limited on space, its the "caddilac of portable table saws".

 

[duke5572]

I can dig the flex-head Kobalt screwdriver set, but I still think a Skewdriver is better! Personal preference, you know. http://www.spectools.com/spec.htm

Makes life a lot easier when you want to pop those front screws for the dash 4x6s in the Chevy pickup from your pic! (Nice work by the way....show me some painted 'glass!)

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

I'll get u some painted glass pics from robert's magnum. The skewdriver i can get from the install bay. but never had a need , the flex attachment on the kobalt does fine, my offset ratcheting combo wrenches work as well, and so does a thumb wheel ratchet. I've been installing about 3 years, and run into about every problem you can run into, and normally have the tool/experience to solve it. I dunno if ur an installer but the main problems you run into are electrical, odd placed screws are the least of my concerns, wait till you fight with a newer caddy, or hummer......My worst nightmare was a 99 caddy sedan deville. To get a new deck to funtion perfectly, you have to t tap the aftermarket harness and run 3 lines (pos, ground, and remote) to the back, and have the factory deck hidden behind the seats, otherwise the security system goes bonkers. Metra's fix is taping into an ignition wire on a relay located behind the rear seat, but even this doesn't solve all the problems.

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

Anyway thanks for the box advise so far, ill see if i can get in contact with the matco man ask what he has on the truck.

 

[stroked93]

i would suggest spend a hundred or two on new wrench racks and organization aids. You have a nice toolbox, but most 26 inch boxes don't allow for anything laying flat. spend the money on more tools!

 

[kwhitelaw]

couldnt really tell, but if you dont have a small dedicated set of strippers you will absolutely need them if you plan on doing any alarm/remote start work... The combo strippers/crimpers wont work and the automatic strippers wont work either...

and I second the skewdriver. first time you replace some rear deck spkrs and need to redrill your screwholes you'll be glad. or to remove the 8mm from behind the radio of a '94-01 integra...

also, grommet pokers.. cant tell if you have any but they are a lifesaver..

kevin

 

[Havoc Audio - Evan]

Far left in that picture, are the klien die crimpers buried, i love the auto strippers but i have a set of dedicated klien stripers/cutters as well.

For right angles i have a 1/4 inch drive skil power wrench (actually pretty decent tool for low torque apps.) The flex attachment on the kobalt normally works.

Thanks again for the suggestions though.