Outfitting my Carpentry Business Trailer

[mjozefow]

Well, I have not been on here a lot recently. I got back to Lafayette a few months ago and business has really picked up. I got on Angieslist and got some good ratings and now my phone is ringing off the hook. I got the 2011 Super Service award in 2 categories, so recently has been even busier!

Anyway, about 6 weeks ago I custom ordered a 6x10 Haulmark Transport DLX w/ 7' interior height from the factory in Elkhart.

I finally have it "finished". That is until I see a way to improve it or add more tools.

I bought a Festool TS55 track saw and CT26 dust extractor just prior to starting the project. They make an incredible combination.

I started by insulating it (about 80% done in this photo) :

Then came the walls (3/8") ply with a semi-gloss white paint.

Here is how it came out:

With this setup I should be able to handle nearly any on-site fabrication.

I now have with me at all times (had to make a list for insurance anyway) This may give someone an idea of a good base of tools for a mobile shop:

-Bosch 10" Table Saw
-Bosch 12" Sliding dual bevel compound miter saw
-Bosch router table w/ Milwaukee 2 1/4hp router
-Bosch Jig Orbital Jigsaw
-Bostich Trimair Compressor
-Jawhorse (a bit hokey but handy as a router table stand)
-18ga, 16ga, 15ga, palm, and framing nailers
-Bosch Finecut
-Makita 4x24 belt sander
-Porter Cable Laminate Trimmer
-Milwaukee Cordless Drills (two 18v and one vintage 12v), 6.5" circular saw, hatchet, Sawzall, work light.
-Milwaukee 7 1/4" corded circular saw
-Milwaukee 3/8" corded drill 5.5 amp
-Milwaukee 5.5 amp 1/2" hammer drill
-Milwaukee Super Sawzall
-Milwaukee 1/2" Right Angle Drill
-Milwaukee 3/4 cap "Falcon" rotary hammer
-Milwaukee Magnum 4.5" angle grinder
-Kreg K3 Jig
-Festool Compact Cleaning set
-Festool TS55 Track saw
-Dremel Multimax (to be replaced w/ Fein soon)


I also have a complete socket set, wrenches, bits, and accessories to support all of the above tools.

 

[blue dog]

Looks great and congrats on the new trailer.
Think about stretching bungee chords across the openings, this will stop things from bouncing out of there pockets on pesky potholes and the occasional bumpy bump on the road.
Never leave the trailer at jobs over night { found this one out the hard way }
Invest a lock cover, makes it impossible to cut the lock on the door.
And lastly, i would recommend not putting what kind of business you have on the trailer, if so, thieves know exactly what is in your trailer.
Good luck.

 

[metal1313]

glad to see your doin well, ive thought about starting my own carpentry biz but nj provides a lot of competition....and a ton of cheap homeowners. plus the **** load of insurance necessary

 

[mjozefow]

Looks great and congrats on the new trailer.
Think about stretching bungee chords across the openings, this will stop things from bouncing out of there pockets on pesky potholes and the occasional bumpy bump on the road.
Never leave the trailer at jobs over night { found this one out the hard way }
Invest a lock cover, makes it impossible to cut the lock on the door.
And lastly, i would recommend not putting what kind of business you have on the trailer, if so, thieves know exactly what is in your trailer.
Good luck.

Thanks for the tips Blue. All of the openings have lips, ledges, cleats, or bungee cords. It is just hard to tell from the pics.

A_Pmech and I are brewing up lock ideas. Sorry to hear yours got stolen.

 

[machine_punk]

Looks great! You certainly like expensive tools. I'll bet that will be a pleasure to work out of.

M_P

 

[mjozefow]

Looks great! You certainly like expensive tools. I'll bet that will be a pleasure to work out of.

M_P

Thanks!

I like quality tools. Expensive tools are the ones that fail on the final operation of a piece you have dozens of man-hours into.

 

[MD11]

very nice, the fact that you have Festool alone tells me you're a true professional!

I've got a few of their wood working tools, they're 2nd to none.

edit: now all you need is a Chevy truck, and you're all set!

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

thats a very nice setup,do you use a generator or inverter or do you just hookup to customers power?

 

[archirelic]

Very nice set-up mjozefow!! I'm working towards being able to justify something similar down the road!

 

[JayL]

Very nice Professional setup.

 

[MrMark]

nicest setup I've ever seen for carpentry. Blows EVERYTHING around here out of the water. Most would be lucky to have an out of whack ryobi table saw and miter saw.

Now tell me about how you go about getting good straight lumber with reasonable moisture content. I have to go through 10 plus to get one decent 2X and it is the same or worse at the lumber yard.

 

[Amitygravel]

Mitch
Nice setup ! Your trailer is more organized and better setup than the shop setup
the small company I work for has (I guess I should say dumping ground!)
Get a company logo on the side of that trailer too !

Craig

 

[LSU]

Beautiful trailer. I hate to think of the man hours you put into it.

I'd stronlgy suggest you look into some insurance. Fire, theft and accident. I'm not in the insurance business but a trailer of this quality would warrant a visit with your local insurance agent and let him/her view the trailer and get adequate coverage.

I agree that you should never leave it on a worksite and I'd be real careful who you "show it off to". As you can see from some of the posts many of the folks on this site have been the victims of theft.

I saw a work trailer where someone had used a 4" grinder to cut through the wall of the trailer and steal the contents. We all think the bad guys are going to "cut the lock" but sides of most of these things are very thin.

Very nice work. I wish I had your skills, insight and TOOLS!

 

[Roots]

Absolutely beautiful and functional trailer! Congrats on the business success as well! What sort of carpentry work are you specializing in? I take it cabinetry or finish?

I'd stronlgy suggest you look into some insurance. Fire, theft and accident. I'm not in the insurance business but a trailer of this quality would warrant a visit with your local insurance agent and let him/her view the trailer and get adequate coverage.

I agree that you should never leave it on a worksite and I'd be real careful who you "show it off to". As you can see from some of the posts many of the folks on this site have been the victims of theft.

Absolutely, I couldn't emphasize that enough. It'd also look incredibly impressive to have some vinyl signage or a wrap on it as well, but if you don't have an indoor barn or garage to store it in... might have to really reconsider that. It's going to be one heck of a theft target.

 

[jeffmoss26]

That is a very cool setup. Nice and professional!

 

[bl00]

These hinge things [inert real name here], do they allow the upper board to fold down?


Oh, and where's the bench vise?

 

[marslawn]

Very nice, I had a cargo trailer that I put my tools in, but I never had the skill to built something like this? Not much of a carpenter

 

[W_KY]

That is an awesome looking trailer and some very impressive tools. You set it up really nicely. How do you like that Bosch table saw? I've had my eye on one for awhile. I bet that track saw was some serious $.

One thing I might suggest adding is an impact driver. Maybe I just missed it on the list. I just picked up one and I find it to be way better than the standard "drill/driver".

I used to live up in West Lafayette (Close to Klondike school if you are familiar with that area). Congrats on your business.

 

[mjozefow]

That is an awesome looking trailer and some very impressive tools. You set it up really nicely. How do you like that Bosch table saw? I've had my eye on one for awhile. I bet that track saw was some serious $.

One thing I might suggest adding is an impact driver. Maybe I just missed it on the list. I just picked up one and I find it to be way better than the standard "drill/driver".

I used to live up in West Lafayette (Close to Klondike school if you are familiar with that area). Congrats on your business.

An impact driver is on the list, but I don't like them as much as some people seem to. A clutch is a very nice thing to have for driving screws. I usually use SPAX lags where a lag is required and all but the larger ones drive fine with a drill.

The Bosch table saw is a fantastic tool for a mobile saw. It is not, nor could it ever be in the same class as say a Powermatic. I can wheel this one into a small trailer though...

I am very familiar with the Klondike area.

 

[demographic]

Here's the list I put up on a forum (and used the list minus some comments for my insurance) a couple of years ago. Its roughly the same now as I feel I've reached a point where I don't need to buy much tools.
You will notice that I don't carry a router, that's because I don't fit many kitchens
Anyway here we are...


Power tools, In the van:

110 volt transformer (all my corded tools are 110 volt as I go onto building sites when 240 volts isn't allowed).
110 volt extension leads.
110 volt Hitachi SDS drill with selection of bits as well as a keyless chuck for HSS bits.
110 volt Bosch jigsaw with selection of blades.
110 volt Makita compound mitre saw.
110 volt De Walt power planer.
110 volt Hitachi ripsaw seven inch one’s always in the van and the 9 inch one sometimes goes to work also, depending on how deep a cut I need.
Makita 18 volt cordless drill/driver.
Hitachi 14.4 volt cordless impact screw gun.
Paslode cordless second fix brad/nailgun for doing skirting’s and so on and fires brads up to about 60mm in.
Hitachi cordless first fix nailgun for doing studwork and something like a roof (it fires up to 90mm nails into timber).

A few assorted clamps/spreaders.
6 foot level for doing door casings and so on.
Box of auger bits from 6mm to 25mm.
Stanley 5 1/2 jackplane is IMO a better general purpose plane than a smoother as its wider and longer, I have a Japanese Samurai Laminated blade/iron in it cos it lasts better between needing sharpening than the standard one, I did have a smoother but gave it away to the prentice as I never used it after I got my jackplane and he didn't have much gear.
A couple of hardpoint handsaws (One is the good one for clean timber and the other is the ex good one for **** timber that may have nails in it).
A four sided diamond hone I bought from B&Q for eight quid that has 200 grit, 300 grit, 400 grit and 600 grit sides.
Two joiners stools made from 4x2 with a 6x2 top


In my hand toolbox and please excuse me if I forget some things but there’s a bit in there so I am bound to miss out a fair bit.

Top tray..
Brad awl.
Pliers.
Snips.
Marking gauge I made myself at college.
Pennant girder style adjustable spanner that I bought secondhand and fits into my tool belt pouch..
Several screwdrivers.
Plumbers adjustable pliers.
Two plumbers pipe cutters cos you never know when you might need em.

Second tray and it gets a bit more expensive here...

A set of six Marples chisels plus a 2 inch one thats just great.
2 Axminster 42mm all steel chisels that I have out of the box almost every day.
Set of dividers that one of my brothers gave me for marking circles.
Veritas adjustable mouth low angle block plane. I had a stanley 9 1/2 adjustable mouth blockplane but again gave it to the prentice after I got the Veritas and he didn't have a block plane at all. I can't recommend the Veritas low angle block plane highly enough and personally I prefer it over the Lie-Nielsen version, its slightly wider which fits my hand better.
Veritas honing MK 2 guide thing that I managed to sharpen things to shaving sharp without for years but since I got it have still been blown away by it's consistency.
Stanley 92 shoulder/rebate plane.
DMT 600 grit diamond hone that I use with water as every site has some and is flatter and more durable than any dodgy oilstone I have had and dropped.
Set of nailpunches.
Pushpin.
Sliding bevel x2 (one for the plumb cut and the other for the seat cut on a roof for the times I need two of them).
Assorted countersinks the best of which are of the "snail" type with a hole in the side of the cutting face.


Bottom section of the box...

Estwing 20 ounce claw hammer
Estwing big long (can't remember how many ounces but it's a beast) framing hammer.
Tool belt/hammer loop thing.
Tape measure.
Stanley knife.
Pencil.
2 foot wrecking bar.
Short cats paw style nailbar that lives on my tool belt and its size belies its uses.
600mm Stabila girder level.
Stabila boat level.
Coping saw.
Facom hacksaw.
Stanley chalk line.
Mortise gauge.
Axe that hardly ever gets used.
Box of cordless and security bits.
Box of cobalt alloy steel bits from about 1mm to 13mm in half mm increments.
Bolster x2 cos ones a lot slimmer than the other.
String line x2.
Combination square.
Padsaw for cutting shapes out of plasterboard.
Little radio.


Now I'll admit that I would really like that Festool circular saw and guide rail system you have, I've seen them and even used one and its really very good.

Its interesting to see the amount of airline tools you have, they are very rare over here apart from in workshops and as I work on site pretty much all the time they are not so convenient and consequently I prefer my cordless, gas powered nailguns.
The times I make panels for timber framing I use the companies own airline tools but thats in a workshop.

 

[evildky]

wow!

 

[mjozefow]

Demographic that list is quite interesting. I see a very nice blend of hand and power tools. Any pics of the work you do?

 

[demographic]

Demographic that list is quite interesting. I see a very nice blend of hand and power tools. Any pics of the work you do?

I'll have a ratch through but I do lots, from shuttering (think you guys call it formwork) through timber framing to second fix (again I think you guys call it finishing) work and even fit pubs out.

Jack of all, master of none.
From what I hear about carpenters in the US I get the impression that you have more specialised workers doing either framing, or finishing and there seems to be less of a crossover between those disciplines.

Also, over here there's nothing like as much timber framing and far more bricklayers. That's changing now and bricklaying isn't anything like as much in demand as its been for years. To me that's a good sign and houses will be much better built and insulated because of it.

 

[5lima30]

Looks great! Just make sure you don't exceed the safe weight capacity for a variety of reasons. You may want to run it across the scales to check. If over 3000# in many states you are required to have trailer brakes which are a good idea IMHO.

 

[MattT]

It's a nice setup you got there

Didn't realize you worked construction. Always figured you did something mechanical since you're the resident Vise expert.

A_Pmech and I are brewing up lock ideas. Sorry to hear yours got stolen.

Think about preventing shitbags from hooking the trailer up and driving off with it too.

 

[mjozefow]

This trailer has brakes. I made sure to add them to the build sheet.

And a trip across the local dump's scales is soon to come. I agree with the weight issue for sure!

 

[mjozefow]

It's a nice setup you got there

Didn't realize you worked construction. Always figured you did something mechanical since you're the resident Vise expert.



Think about preventing shitbags from hooking the trailer up and driving off with it too.

They are not really so different in my mind...

I do have a small machine shop in m garage as well.

 

[mjozefow]

These hinge things [inert real name here], do they allow the upper board to fold down?


Oh, and where's the bench vise?

Yes, they allow the barrier to fold down to a height slightly below the other.

I may get a small camp-on vise for the bench. There are times where I feel it would be handy.

 

[Toolfool]

Nicely done. I opted for a 10' cube van (I won't hijack your thread with pics) instead of a trailer for my business. I've found that first impression of being well organized puts customers at ease right from the moment I arrive on the job. Had many customers look into my truck and say, "Looks like we got the right guy." I've also thrown away most of the plasic tool cases and built plywood boxes to house multiple tools (also impresses customers).

 

[Alchymist]

very nice, the fact that you have Festool alone tells me you're a true professional!

I've got a few of their wood working tools, they're 2nd to none.

edit: now all you need is a Chevy truck, and you're all set!

Why oh why would he want to do that? He already has a real truck!

 

[mjozefow]

Nicely done.

I've also thrown away most of the plasic tool cases and built plywood boxes to house multiple tools (also impresses customers).

Thanks! I've thought of doing the same for the plastic boxes but I love the metal cases. Got pics of the plywood boxes?

 

[Toolfool]

This is my basic handtool box. This covers most of what I need for installing cabinets, finish work. Then I have a box that holds all the corded and cordless drills, screwguns, right angle drivers and batteries. Another box holds finish nailer, brad nailer and pinner, with assorted fasteners. I've made a few boxes for customers after they've seen mine.

 

[blue dog]

Make sure the underside of the trailer is undercoated, most box trailers have exposed plywood and will fall apart due to water and such. I had my last trailer bottom done with linex, worked out great.

 

[mjozefow]

Blue Dog, the trailer is undercoated form the factory.

I like the boxes ToolFool!

 

[Toolfool]

Don't know how you've set up organizing fasteners and small parts, but I have a few 5 gal. buckets with these trays inside. One has all the fasteners used to install cabinets, one with plumbing and electrical parts, one with all size nails, etc. They work great.
http://www.acetoolonline.com/CLC-Bucket-Organizers-s/3876.htm

 

[mjozefow]

Look in the very front of the trailer. I also have a nice Durham set in the front.

 

[Toolfool]

Look in the very front of the trailer. I also have a nice Durham set in the front.

Alright, you have it covered. Just trying to assist. My truck "evolved" over the first two years and has been pretty much the same set-up for 12 years now, it works for me.

 

[-Brent-]

I'm assuming you do finish work? For my biz, I had to have a box truck and flat trailer. If you stay busy (which is likely if you do quality work - since it's a rarity these days) you're going to need more space as new tools are needed and your space looks nearly maxxed.

I will say, though, it does look good. I'll second not putting your company name on the truck/trailer. It makes for an easy target.

 

[ekuhn]

looks good man. nice touch with the microwave. can't forget about heating up those left overs for lunch.

 

[mjozefow]

I'm assuming you do finish work? For my biz, I had to have a box truck and flat trailer. If you stay busy (which is likely if you do quality work - since it's a rarity these days) you're going to need more space as new tools are needed and your space looks nearly maxxed.

I will say, though, it does look good. I'll second not putting your company name on the truck/trailer. It makes for an easy target.

Correct, finish carpentry and general remodeling.

The space is not maxed out yet. The area under the bench is sized to hold the tools I will be adding in the foreseeable future in order unless a deal pops up.

Festool OF 1010 (small router)
Festool 118" track (will go on ceiling in its own box)
Dewalt three knife planer
Grex 23ga pinner
Paslode 16ga cordless nailer
Kreg foreman (if I keep getting cabinet/built-in jobs)




After that I'll be set until I eventually (I hope) set up a home wood shop. Then I buy woodworking stuff that needs to be forklifted.


I have heard conflicting opinions on putting the company name on the trailer. The Dallas Police Dept says it increases the likelihood of a break-in but decreases the odds of all-out theft.