portable tool organization

[Farmer888]

I use my tools on my part time farming operation mostly, then I use them at home between the shop and another shed then I also use them at work here and there.
For the last few years I pretty much just carry the blow molded socket set case and a smaller hand carry old sk tool box filled with wrenches and whatever pliers and hammer I can fit etc.
I have another cheap plastic box I put power tools in etc.
This all goes in the back rear cab of my pickup.

Was wondering if anyone that moves there tools around frequently uses a packout system like milwaukee or ridgid or something similar?

My current mastercraft maximum socket set case has actually held up real well with slider latches to lock vs the cheap latches that eventually break off.
I'd like to get some of the socket holders and go away from the blow molded case still.
Just looking to what others have done to keep things organized.

 

[Kurt4440]

I just kept buying more tools and had them spread out, however, I do have 9 of the Ridgid cases to move and organize tools that must be transported. I like the Ridgid system, they are durable and reasonably priced, especially when they are on sale.

 

[Tas biker]

I’ve changed things up a bit while at the motorcycle track. I started off using the metal 4-5 drawer craftsman handled boxes. Then they started to get quite heaven so I went with the craftsman wheeled versastack system. Piecing things together to make one big portable system.

The drawer system is ok but with any type of weight the plastic drawers rub some, doesn’t bother me that much.

I like how I can separate them according to how I have certain tools organized like wrenches in one drawer/box and 3/8 sockets and ratchets in another box and so on.

YMMV.

 

[jfryjfry]

The rolling plastic tool bins are pretty trick. Milwaukee makes a good one and it’s convenient for moving some or all of the tools around.

 

[KnurledNut]

Ive tried both.
In my experience:
Boxes tend to be bulky and rattlely and can trap moisture.
Bags conform to fit and stay relatively quiet and dry out quicker.

 

[Strouty]

Milwaukee makes a good one and it’s convenient for moving some or all of the tools around.

While they aren't the cheapest, I am investing heavily into the Milwaukee pack out setup. They are constantly developing more for the lineup and they are made really well. I have them everywhere.

 

[sk farmer]

forget the trendy plastic boxes for portable farm use.

get an old school montezuma. i have 3 of them in portable use. one rides on the rails of my farm truck and has lasted through 4 tricks and i could not say how many hundreds of miles. i pulled it from a scrap pile when i got it. the other 2 are smaller and move to whatever piece of machinery i am currently using. they were bought new and have each ridden over 10,000 hours and 10's of thousands of acres.

my smaller ones have a full range of 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 socketry with complementing wrench sizes. screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, punches, chisels, bars, adjustable wrenches and misc are also in there. everything has a place for sight inventory and the boxes can actually be tipped over when locked with almost no tool movement.

they will outlast me.

 

[sk farmer]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33597

like this.

 

[cheechi]

The things I need to bring portable, I use a combination of Veto Pro Pac & Dewalt Toughsystem. You could choose the Milwaukee setup instead and honestly it might be better than the Dewalt, but I would pick either of those two over the Ridgid.

Best thing I ever did for my 'take everywhere' tool kit was put it in a Veto though. The stuff that I don't need all the time I find a way to fit it either in secondary Veto or Dewalt boxes. Granted I am not carrying mechanics tools I do PC & electronics repair and wire pulling but if I needed a socket set (I carry a 1/4" with common metric sizes and I have a full 3/8 kit in the car anyway) to go everywhere with me I would consider this when it goes on sale again.

 

[Farmer888]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely look into the Montezuma boxes, They look very well thought out and look like they hold a lot for their size.

 

[mcj115]

I have a SK /Kipper tool military general mechanic tool (GMTK) kit and it fits the bill for mobile work where hand tools are needed. It come in a wheeled pelican style of case and has cut foam trays with both metric and standard sizes. The case should well outlive any of the cheap blowmolded cases that most sets come with.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I set my work van up this summer using the dewalt tough system boxes & some custom racks I made. So I love it & I am making racks for the garage for additional boxes so I can swap them out as needed. Plus the dewalt hand truck works out nice for carrying the boxes & other materials if needed.

 

[alinc100]

I've spent a few bucks on the Craftsman versastack system. I have not implemented/rolled it out yet for the most part,due to the umpcoming finish of one project location and them a transfer to another long term. This is when I hope to customize,move in etc. The versastack shares fittings/parts with DeWalt Tstak which is what both my lasers,their chargers,and accessories come in. I have reorganized my PEX/plumbing stuffs to the CV so it is ready to be mobile on side projects as well. Sorry really not an answer to the OP. But I learn something in many threads and the creativity of GJ continues.

 

[cheechi]

I set my work van up this summer using the dewalt tough system boxes & some custom racks I made. So I love it & I am making racks for the garage for additional boxes so I can swap them out as needed. Plus the dewalt hand truck works out nice for carrying the boxes & other materials if needed.

any thoughts you have on the toughsystem 1 vs 2 boxes, apples to apples if you would please? I only have the original generation and 1 small box that's a '1.5' newer material/cast and seems less sturdy than the older ones of the same size/shape.

 

[tarbellb]

IMO the Ridgid is great for cost and storage space.

The Packout system is extensive and higher quality, but costly and inefficient space usage.

Duffle bags and rolls are excellent for smaller loads, but no wheels if covering lots of ground.

 

[Rarified27]

I'll second the usefulness and value of the Ridgid boxes, but will say Ridgid, Milwaukee, DeWalt and the like all struggle on rougher surfaces and if your farm has mud, they'll quickly become immobilized with their compact wheels. I'd still recommend the cases, but skip the wheeled bottom boxes and toss them on a cart with more farm-friendly wheels.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I'll second the usefulness and value of the Ridgid boxes, but will say Ridgid, Milwaukee, DeWalt and the like all struggle on rougher surfaces and if your farm has mud, they'll quickly become immobilized with their compact wheels. I'd still recommend the cases, but skip the wheeled bottom boxes and toss them on a cart with more farm-friendly wheels.

The Dewalt tough system has a hand truck style cart that holds the boxes or could be used as a hand truck, traverses rough terrain pretty good. The big benefit is boxes can beer removed independently of each other, that's a big advantage to me and the brackets fold flat when nitty in use.

 

[Lucid Moments]

So I don't do much outside of the shop myself, but a friend of mine is a mechanic and as part of his business he has contracts with a couple of businesses that have fleets and that involves roadside work. He keeps a US General top box in the bed of his pickup with a tonneau cover on the truck to keep it all dry. He keeps enough in there to do a fair amount of work without it having to take up his whole truck.

 

[Al Borland]

I do a lot of field work out of my truck. Demo/construction type work.
Generally set up separate "kits" in smaller boxes/buckets for different tasks.
Boxes and buckets fit in the under the rail toolbox in the bed of my truck.
Also have a bunch of tool bags, but they are harder to work out of/find things in.

 

[Renegade1LI]

any thoughts you have on the toughsystem 1 vs 2 boxes, apples to apples if you would please? I only have the original generation and 1 small box that's a '1.5' newer material/cast and seems less sturdy than the older ones of the same size/shape.

I like that dewalt is offering accessories for the 2.0, just picked up the stackable trays that fit inside, its a nice touch. So far they are holding up well,I think because there is some give in the material & brackets it keeps them from breaking. All the boxes are compatible which is nice plus the only system where the boxes are individually hung & stored you don't have to unstack them.

 

[alinc100]

Reviving this thread just a bit. I moved worksites and was able to get my tooling swapped over to the Dewalt Tstak system in between. I now own the fold up trolley , 3 of the deep drawer units, 5 or 6 of the double drawer units, the Craftsman 17 wheeled stack with a 17 mid box and organizer,3 of small lidded Craftsman toolboxes. I find these are great for a hammer drill and bits, an impact driver and batteries/charger,etc. I have a series of the organizers and boxes at home for plumbing/PEX work and interchangeable with the work stuff. It is still a work in progress , some customizations coming soon, along with another trolley or two , with boxes (on sale/in stock at HD on line) so I sold off the unused Dewalt ToughSystem 2.0 stack I had purchased and then found out the two systems were incompatible. I'll get some pictures soon of the stacks .trolleys and a few of the contents to show weigh capacity/examples.

 

[alinc100]

The picture as promised:

 

[subroc]

For a limited amount of stuff, I like a tool bag.