New tech needs some advice

[dplank43]

Hey, new to the forum here. Been under a hood since i could walk pretty decent at what I do. been in a dealership tech position since my 18th birthday. Turn 20 in August. I am still an apprentice tech, and i need a little advice on my tools. I have a 44 inch US general box that i paid 100 bucks for from a friend who didnt need it anymore. it is filled to the brim with quality tools. Mostly snap on, channel lock, otc, atd and so on. I have all the basics covered i am in no debt to the tool truck. I have bought the majority of my hand tools from yard sales and ebay or pawn shops to build a decent set of quality tools on a budget. I have zero room in my box now, and there is no wasted space. but in the next couple of months i will be going flat rate and there are still tools that i am borrowing. I have not been able to purchase the tools not due to finances but lack of space in my box. i really do not want to drop 6k into a new box, but i also need more space. should i just **** it up and buy one or try and find an el cheapo box thats just extra space for now. thanks in advance.

 

[Local]

buy used, hit up craigslist and pay cash. Cash talks

 

[Ruger_556]

If you don't care where it's made strictlytoolboxes.com has some nice affordable boxes also. I wouldn't just buy another small box if it were me... I hated having things spread out through 3 or 4 drawers. Craigslist usually yields some good deals.

If you're looking for new I like Proto... Was $2,800 ~

 

[dadler]

You could get another US General box.

 

[premierplayer]

You've got the 44 roller? Add the top box, that should keep you going for a while. Side cars are another option.

 

[K-Dog]

High end boxes are really really really really really really expensive.
I will not debate the worth it / not worth it aspect, but I will offer this piece of advise. If you do go for a high end box make sure you get it big enough.
I have a Matco three bay with a locker. I got it maybe fifteen years ago ( ? ) and I have out grown it this past year I have stuff piled on top of stuff. Tools on the out side of my box. At this point its not as simple as adding another locker. I need a new box. Let me tell you I am about sick to my stomach thinking about it. My Matco guy is cool and he is giving me a lot for my trade, but still. Sheesh.
My advice. If you are going to do it. Do it once and do it right. but that doesnt have to be right NOW either mind you.

 

[sberry]

I stripped a lot of stuff I really wasn't using, box seemed to grow.

 

[dplank43]

Thanks for the quick replies. But where are the protos sold at? And i really dislike the US General box for my use, but I wanted to have good tools before a more expensive box. But about the US general box i really just don't care for it. The slides are dragging bad with the weight and they've been lubed to hell and back.
For what I paid for it I can't complain to much, I just want to get something that will either relieve it some and allow me some more space for now or just buy a box that I won't have to replace.
But about paying cash I would love to. But I have been building my tool collection since I was 13 and just now do I look and think damn I've come a long way. and that was scraping every penny I could. But I am not in a financial position to pay cash for a used box right now and this is something that I won't be able to wait for once I'm on flat rate. Right now my mentor gets flagged for all my hours which I average about 50 a week but once I go flat rate i dont wanna be asking for tools.
Oh and how is the quality on that Proto? It's a damn good looking box btw.

 

[dplank43]

And unfortunately a top box is a no go, my box doubles as a work bench unfortunately.

 

[sberry]

What tools do you need yet?

 

[Askme42]

High end boxes are really really really really really really expensive.
I will not debate the worth it / not worth it aspect, but I will offer this piece of advise. If you do go for a high end box make sure you get it big enough.
I have a Matco three bay with a locker. I got it maybe fifteen years ago ( ? ) and I have out grown it this past year I have stuff piled on top of stuff. Tools on the out side of my box. At this point its not as simple as adding another locker. I need a new box. Let me tell you I am about sick to my stomach thinking about it. My Matco guy is cool and he is giving me a lot for my trade, but still. Sheesh.
My advice. If you are going to do it. Do it once and do it right. but that doesnt have to be right NOW either mind you.

What's bigger than a 3 bay?

 

[ADSR]

Why not buy the HF 72 inch box on sale for 999? Or if you're in a pinch, buy another HF 44 and bolt them together.

 

[dplank43]

this is the stuff i have borrowed 2 or more times in the past few weeks
valve spring compressor
3/8 and 1/2 torque wrenches
flare nut wrenches
torx and hex bit sockets
bearing driver
slide hammer
pulley pullers
air hammer
caliper compressor
compression tester
coolant pressure tester
transmission clutch pack compressor
impact driver for rotor bolts
and a lot of the larger wrenches and sockets 24mm and up
tap and die kit/rethreader kit
and i know theres more thats the majority of it though

 

[hickfied]

HF 72" box. Add a 44" top box, two side cabinets and two storage cabinets off the ends when you need even more space. $2059.94 before tax, and that can be split up into multiple purchases to help the budget. Granted the box will be 12ft long once you have all of them.

 

[beatcad]

all that stuff you borrowed recently you probably need to buy for yourself if you plan to stay in a mechanics shop and not be a apprentice forever.

i don't want to sound like a ****, but i know your young and on a budget.
i was gonna suggest a side box or 2(1 for each side) or a top box.
you said you use yer box as a work bench/table.
how big is the shop? can you get a top box and than a small(2x4) workbench? something you can get drity and bolt a vise to?

i dunno i'm just tossing out ideas for ya 'cause i don't want ya to go into debt.
but if you live w/ yer folks and have no "real" bills except maybe yer car/ins. and food and clothes than go ahead and get the bigger name brand box while you can swing it 'cause in a few years when your girlfriend starts talking about marriage or buying a house you can bet that fancy new box will be outta the question

 

[woodstockva]

Why not buy the HF 72 inch box on sale for 999? Or if you're in a pinch, buy another HF 44 and bolt them together.

My thoughts exactly....you beat me to it!

Its nice to hear you arent working for your tools, and you have your tools work you!

Nice big new shiny boxes are nice to look at.....but they are not worth missing meals over.

Buy used....save big. (or just get another HF box)

 

[Wamsutta]

Oh and how is the quality on that Proto?

The quality is excellent. It's the same box as a MAC Macsimizer but with different drawer handles. It's made at the same factory as the MAC.

 

[92integra]

how about adding a cart to the line up instead of another box..... most used tools go in the car and all the specialty or big tools go in the box, they also make some pretty monster carts krsc46 probably has more room in it then your HF 44. the hf five drawer carts are great as well, or you could buy 2 HF 4 drawer carts and bolt them together like some other members have done! GOOD Luck, as a young tech myself i really dont want to buy a big honking truck tool box till i feel Ive earned in, kinda like a 10 years in the business kinda thing

 

[ihateminimumwage]

None of those tools are ridiculously over sized (I was expecting a sledgehammer and 5ft prybar, or something in a box the size of a suitcase). If I needed to buy that list of tools you've been borrowing, I wouldn't be dropping any big bucks on a new box, and especially wouldn't be getting into debt with one of the tool trucks until you have a better idea how your paychecks could go with the switch to flat rate.

As others have said, dig through and make some space eliminating some of the excess tools (we all have them) and check out some of the threads on here on tool box organization. Some folks on here might argue, but you don't NEED a dozen ratchets in the same drawer .

I'd also agree with putting a side cabinet and/or locker on that HF44. For how cheap you bought the box for, you would at least break even if you sold it with the side cab/locker combo in the future. It would also give you more counter space.

Also, have you considered a service cart? If you don't already have one, consider throwing all of your daily use tools in one and freeing up a ton of space for the specialty tools. I worked at a truck dealership and was able to load all of my daily use tools into a 4 drawer HF cart with a locking pry bar holder. Rarely had to run back to my box unless I needed specialty tools, my 3/4" drive stuff or a wrench over 1-1/2". That's after 10 years of tool collecting/hoarding.

 

[MRunabout]

Do you have just the 44" or do you have a roll cart as well? I'd spring for the HF 72" or try to score a used big brand 56+ box.

How do you have your tools organized? Blow molded cases take up a bunch of usable space if you're still using the original packaging.

 

[Benjamin1967]

Sent from my LG-VM701 using Tapatalk 2

 

[beatcad]

the PROTO is a nice box(i'd like one). you gotta google search for a supplier in yer area or check their website.

and when you say you have to use yer box as a work bench do you mean rebuilding carbs or rear ends?
carbs are fine, but big **** will mess up yer box.

wait a minute! does anyone rebuild carbs anymore??except me
or does anyone even work on cars that use carbs anymore?

 

[dplank43]

all that stuff you borrowed recently you probably need to buy for yourself if you plan to stay in a mechanics shop and not be a apprentice forever.

i don't want to sound like a ****, but i know your young and on a budget.
i was gonna suggest a side box or 2(1 for each side) or a top box.
you said you use yer box as a work bench/table.
how big is the shop? can you get a top box and than a small(2x4) workbench? something you can get drity and bolt a vise to?

i dunno i'm just tossing out ideas for ya 'cause i don't want ya to go into debt.
but if you live w/ yer folks and have no "real" bills except maybe yer car/ins. and food and clothes than go ahead and get the bigger name brand box while you can swing it 'cause in a few years when your girlfriend starts talking about marriage or buying a house you can bet that fancy new box will be outta the question

Hell i wish i didnt have the bills but i moved out the day after i graduated high school dad was a druggie mom was never home i left and worked at mcdonalds and did side work til i turned 18 on my birthday got a job at a dealer
but i really appreciate the input and i do not want to go into debt at all i just wanted some opinions from people who have been here before i dont really have parents to turn to so i thought this would be a good start.
but i have 2 lifts at work but in front of one is my box and my little cart i got from parts to roll around and in front of the other is the shop tools rack because they didnt have anyone in those bays for over 3 years they were spares more than anything
but im thinking about getting one of the older style taller boxes to set next to it or do you think that another 44 hf would provide the most storage space while having decent quality to it

 

[dplank43]

i do more trannies than anything but i have a hole cut in my cart with a piece of ply wood over when i dont have a ****** in it i try to keep the heavy stuff off the box it usually ends up with valve bodies and clutch packs on it but the last carb i did was on an 85 f150 with a 4.9 about 2 years ago lol then i put a rod thru the block in a mud hole

 

[IFMJohn]

i do more trannies than anything

Sounds like a good time.

 

[sberry]

I just went thru this with a welder the other day. He come with a couple ideas and I had the sit down and splained I know this for sure as I done it the wrong way more than once,,, hahaha.
For 25$ or what it was I would score the tap and die set from ebay, replace pieces from the jobber as needed,,, if and when. I would be thrifty and refine what I needed and get creative with boxes and benches. Personally actually use a box I bought used for 75 20 yrs ago. Its now worn out but,,,, doesn't matter so much anymore.

 

[crewchief888]

get a cart for your daily use tools,

if you have a lot of blow molded boxes, get a locker

or add a side box with drawers.

 

[ClineWrench]

Dplank - you are speaking my language here. Former Auto Trans Specialist for a Ford dealer who had thier own Ford Motorsport SVO/SVT Division.

Here's my 2 cents. I managed to find a way to deal with a Craftsman 2 bay bottom with an 18 inch deep top box. I also used a Mac Tool cart (go check the tool cart form if you want to see some great cart ideas - mines posted there too).

I kep all my daily tools in the cart (has 2 drawers), and my "sometimes used" tools in the box. This keeps me rolling between vehciles and when it comes time to tear down or rebuild a ******, I simply dropped the ****** on a bench that sat next to my box, and rebuilt them there. The bench was as super simple 4 leg steel bench that our shop supplied. If your shop wont supply one, try talking to a local welders shop and see if they can build yoou one cheap.

As far as boxes go, yes I wish I had a bigger box, and yes I'm buying one this year. For all the ****** tools you'll need, I cant see you needing anything bigger than that HF 72" roll cab. But I'd strongly consider going to strictlytoolboxes.com and looking at thier 72" roll cabs (I like the 15 drawer for the money).

PM me if yiou'd like any other advice along the way. and Good luck my man. You are definetly doing this the right way. Let the box pay you, not the other way around.

 

[ClineWrench]

Sounds like a good time.

I was going to say the same thing, but thought I'd go easy. We had a few Richards in the shop, so one of the guys I worked with became ****** Rich...which on the service tickets was always spelled Richard the ******. He was a good sport about it though...always good for a laugh.

 

[sberry]

MechanicJohn had a good scheme, get everything you need cheap top start with.
I remember a guy from this forum, was laid off 2 years and starting to sweat a job, has a huge box of tools but cant pass a deal for 150 on 5 specialty wrenches as a "good deal'" that he somehow made it this far without.
There are a few pieces for ****** R&R would make sense but you don't need every swivelmacallit in a full set they ever invented. In fact the farther I go the less of that stuff I use. Its often faster and easier to take an extra turn or 2 with a common combo than to wade thru lots of stuff to find the perfect thing.

A few small 6 point things for damaged or rusty stuff and a couple of 6 and 10R vise grips to get right to the point for rusty brake line work.

At 20 you should run not walk and do what it takes to get just a little formal course education, a couple classes in welding give a big edge. I have 1 expensive puller set and a hundred we made, some copies and some special, this is often way faster and cheaper than waiting around for sheet you got to decide if you want to make a payment on and in many cases its impressive but that's why you see all those sets for sale in the bottom of chests, guy used it twice, some of it is short lived, used a couple model years. Borrow a water pump wrench for a Northstar unless you work at a dealer and be willing to trade others use of these tools.

I saw a guy try to start biz a while back, he worked for a paycheck insane hrs most of his life and had 75K in boxes,,, not tools but boxes,,, full of snap tools and the truck still stops weekly where he pays 200 while he advertises oil change and shock replacement in a 1 car garage out in the boonies.

 

[e30bradley]

get another 44" if the space is available in the shop.

 

[jethro29]

what about a 5 or six drawyer cart.you can get a lot of tools in a decent sized cart and you can get them for a few hundred bucks.

 

[KEH]

Good choices so far. I've always bought used tools when possible for my personal use. Sounds like your parents had a good son, under the circumstances.

You realize the tools make money, the box is just storage. That said, the box protects the tools. The box is used every time the tools are used and it will wear. You say you need more tools, which may or may not be aviliable used, but anyway you need more space. I like the idea expressed above of getting a small workbench if you have space. Can you weld? A good project would be to make a bench. Scrounge angle iron for the legs, or pipe, and angle iron for the top supports. Have a metal shop cut you a top from 1/8 inch thick steel, weld to frame, have room under the bench for another tools chest. That's assuming your boss will allow it. BTW, I've never heard of a shop with no workbenches provided.

If you can't weld, it's time you learned. You will always need that skill.

KEH

 

[4x4gearhead]

Buy another 44 and put it on top of yours! And get a ladder.

 

[monomach]

Hey, new to the forum here. Been under a hood since i could walk pretty decent at what I do. been in a dealership tech position since my 18th birthday. Turn 20 in August. I am still an apprentice tech, and i need a little advice on my tools. I have a 44 inch US general box that i paid 100 bucks for from a friend who didnt need it anymore. it is filled to the brim with quality tools. Mostly snap on, channel lock, otc, atd and so on. I have all the basics covered i am in no debt to the tool truck. I have bought the majority of my hand tools from yard sales and ebay or pawn shops to build a decent set of quality tools on a budget. I have zero room in my box now, and there is no wasted space. but in the next couple of months i will be going flat rate and there are still tools that i am borrowing. I have not been able to purchase the tools not due to finances but lack of space in my box. i really do not want to drop 6k into a new box, but i also need more space. should i just **** it up and buy one or try and find an el cheapo box thats just extra space for now. thanks in advance.

Just go buy another HF 44". Or if you're a guy who likes to have a top box, get the one that fits your bottom. If you don't have a service cart, get the HF red 5 drawer one for the stuff you use all the time.

Any of those are cheap, match the box you already have, and have plenty of room.

 

[dplank43]

Bought a cart off cl for 30 bucks its a blue point but the bottom drawers missing the slides snappy dealer says hes gonna get me a set cleared out a ton of drawer space any suggestions for organizin it or addons to it

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I really like that proto box that was linked. Look around used first though. Youll find you have to pay quite a bit more when you buy stuff on impulse instead of being able to shop around. A roll cart may be all you need right now in addittion as well. I got a matco one used thats roughly size of that proto for like $400 bucks. And I got a matco roll cart for like 250 used. I would say see what you can get used for get another HF one for right now. Youll have plenty of time to upgrade later when you have more money coming in.

 

[Audiocrazy28]

Why not add 1 or 2 HF side boxes to your current box.

 

[yogitech]

Where in Florida are you located?

 

[antid2]

I'm in the same boat you are, box is packed full need a bigger one, and not paying 6000$ for a toolbox, my snapon guy was really cool, he had a used box for 2000, talked him down to 1500, a classic 78 kra2411 in black, i just now texted him and told him i wanted it, and he was nice enough to just put it on my truck account. no financing just 50$ a week is all he asks, i always give him more because i don't like having debt

i guess moral of the story is, maybe ask your truck guy if he has any used ones, or scratch and dent?