Show us your portable toolbox!

[Aztecaloco707]

This is the mobile setup I keep in my truck; I do quite a bit of work on the side and this has worked well for me. It's a bluepoint krw184b, took it out of the truck this weekend to organize it and take pics to post on here. I use the magna cart to move it around when I take it out of the truck.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

For some reason it won't upload all the pics at once so I guess Ill do each drawer in a post. Top part of the box is where I keep my ratchets, extensions, and sockets.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

1st drawer is my wrenches SAE and MM.

 

[56FordGuy]

I'd definitely like to see the layout my plans are to have a full set in there also but I might add a pice of steel in the front to keep **** out of the drawers it is going in a jeep. I was just worried about the slides getting all messed up from the tools bouncing around in the drawers

I had the same box in my truck for about 6 years, the slides held up okay but the locking bars that hold the drawers closed would bend and not latch anymore. The drawers would slide open, and the top would rattle because the latch bars hung up just enough that it couldn't completely close.

Certainly can't complain, I got my money's worth out of it.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

2nd drawer is screwdrivers and pliers.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

3rd drawer is kinda empty at the moment, I cleaned out what I didn't use, trying to figure out what to put in it.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

4th drawer is mostly habor freight stuff; punch chisel set, 2.5 drilling hammer, pry bar set, allen adjustable wrench I got from cripe, etc.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

And this is my bag I carry for my simple diagnostic stuff. A launch code reader, mac test light, innova multi meter.

 

[Aztecaloco707]

All closed up, the cart folds up too. I like it has been working pretty good for me so far.

 

[Attackcammel]

the slides will be fine,
it's the frame of the box that will crack.

sitting in the back of a street driven truck is a lot different than bouncing in the back of a jeep.

this box is approx 15 years old. spent some time in the back of my pickup, then made it's way into my 1st service truck in '04, 2nd truck in '08.

most of it will be cut apart and scrapped when my new truck shows up.


if you want to carry a few emergency tools in your offroad rig, i'd suggest a tool bag or tool roll.

next suggestion would be a kennedy or CM cantilever box. i have 2 cantilever boxes, both from flea mkts, $9 for the kennedy, $11 for the CM.

I have all my tools in a plastic toolbox right now but there's no organization that's what my problem is. I usually have to take take everything out to find that one socket rail on the bottom because nothing stays in the same place. And I can't really use bags because they tend to get soaked with rain/mud/water and I don't want to promote rusting on my tools. I'll have to keep looking for somthing different. Do you think I can beef up the standard toolbox to work?

 

[sberry]

I have some other stuff in the truck but don't need everything they ever invented. I can take it but it rides there 99.9 and can grab pieces as needed without opening anything. When I was a kid with a big car and trunk had a chest and cantilever box with full sets but over the years was able to get past trying to carry everything.

I am contemplating another service truck build now and going to make it all lighter.

 

[MISTERgadget]

I have one of these in the back of my truck:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NDZXKU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Inside are the contents of a 300-ish piece craftsman mechanics set, some additional HF fill-ins, tire patch kit, multimeter, spare fuses, breaker bar, big pry bar, and some wire, duct tape, and channellock plier set in a tool roll. So far it's coped with everything i've encountered. It's really heavy when loaded though.

 

[refried]

I picked up this this the other day and I think it's going to work out pretty good
Stanley 28" Structural Foam Tool Box

It came with one small tray that I used for wrenches

I used my old one from an old Tuff Box for 3/8 ratchets and sockets.

The bottom still has plenty of room for screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, and other tools

It has a nice handle that wont break, decent metal latches, and it's strong enough to stand on, I usually don't like boxes this big because they can get too heavy, but if I don't overfill this one it should be ok (I keep Metric tools in a separate small box).

 

[fitz11]

I finally got my box finished that inspired me to start this thread. This will be used exclusively for my motorcycle racing so it is catered to that. I still have to add some T handles and a good tire gauge.
It is a 4 drawer "rally" type box from tractor supply.



First I added side handles to make it easier to carry and replaced the loose rivets holding the top handle with bolts and large washers.



Then it was time to organize. I used Kaizen foam and these tools for everything.



Bottom Drawer. 3/8" ratchet and breaker bar, 8-19 deep sockets, 22 and 32 shallow sockets, extensions, 1/4" ratchet, 5-15 shallow sockets, thumbwheel ratchet, feeler gauges, safety glasses, and super glue.



Drawer 2. 6-19 wrenches, 8" adjustable, spoke wrench, spare 8, 10, and 12 wrenches, allen wrenches, knives, scissors, and spare blades.



Drawer 3. Diagonal cutter, needle nose, tweezers, line clamp, safety wire pliers with wire, small bolt cutter, and 8" tongue and groove pliers.



Drawer 4. Steel and nylon punches, 8oz ball peen, 16oz dead blow, 90 degree screwdriver, and 3 slotted and 2 Phillips screwdrivers.



Top compartment. Brake cleaner, chain lube, zip ties, gasket sealer, epoxy, anti seize, electrical tape, duck tape, hand cleaner, gloves, towels, multi-meter, Loctite, lighter, tape measure, headlamp, maglight, pens, sharpies, and ear plugs.



I am very happy with how it turned out!

 

[afmrick]

So pretty! I love it.
The only thing I might add is a small/foot pump for fine tuning tire pressure.

 

[John in OH]

I’ve got numerous tractors and implements located in multiple barns and sheds so it’s pretty common to haul a box of general hand tools around for minor repairs etc. rather than trying to get each tractor/implement/junk to the shop. I’ve been using this simple box for some time now, but have become frustrated with its weight and having to paw through the tray and box looking for the needed tool. Stuff gets spilled on the ground, misplaced, and lost.



And, then in addition to the tools, the rags, oil can, never-seize, parts, etc. must also be carried in some bucket.

So, the new and, hopefully, improved plan is to use this seven-drawer box that I bought for $20 at a yard sale. I beat most of the dents out, sanded all the rust off, made a few minor repairs, stiffened the lid and gave it a rattle-can paint job. The box is 24” long, 11” deep and 13” high.



The downside is going to be the weight. The box itself is somewhat heavy and with the tools added it will weigh more than the original portable box which was already becoming hard to lug around. The new plan is to somehow mount the box on a modified Harbor Freight two-wheeled cart and make it easily portable.

I gave some thought to trying to use a HF five-drawer service cart, but it won’t roll over sod and rough ground and would probably be too awkward. The two-wheeled cart may prove better suited for farmyard “off roading”! We’ll see how this portable cart project develops as I give it more thought. All suggestions welcome!

 

[pfbz]

I have a Beta box as one of my grab-and-go setups....

 

[fitz11]

So pretty! I love it.
The only thing I might add is a small/foot pump for fine tuning tire pressure.

Thanks! I have a second box that has spare parts and a small compressor.

 

[fireguy229]

here's mine

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Does this count. It's in the back of my truck.

 

[BFHtime]

^ what kind of box is that? Model number or name too, please.

After seeing all these boxes, I think I will have to learn how to post pictures.

 

[Techie1961]

I am on the road most of the time so I have my Sprinter set up as my shop. I gave up on tool "boxes" a while ago and use a bag instead. It is a bit overstuffed but when I am working on a machine, it is all right where I need it and I know where to find everything. It might be time to cull the heard a bit though as there are some things in there that haven't been used for a while or very little at least.

 

[JimDon]

John,
Tie that tool box to a hand truck with some ratchet straps. Bigger tires of the hand truck will take it over just about any terrain. Remove straps when you reach destination and go to work. Works great every time. Even moved 'portable' table saw this way.
Cheers,
Jim

 

[Hantke]

This is a box I just put together... sort of my first portable. Fully loaded it's about 50lbs... so it is portable, but i wouldn't want to carry it too far.

How deep is the top compartment (not the cantilever part), i was looking at these online, and would love to have one as a trunk-box / school tool kit box, but i don't want to use rails, i would if i had to, but if i can use those hanses-style socket trays (3" tall) i would be thrilled.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

^ what kind of box is that? Model number or name too, please.

After seeing all these boxes, I think I will have to learn how to post pictures.

It's a craftsman ball bearing top box with gas struts. The box is a cheap *************. The metal is ultra thin, the drawers are all cockeyed, and all the tack welds bleed thru the facia? Supposedly it's around $400 new. I got it from a friend after he bought it and realized he wanted red instead of black. I didnt know he had it and actually found it on CL and recognized the phone number. I gave him $75 for it since he couldn't return it. He had it over a year before he took it out of the box. It's a nice looking box for the most part, but the quality just isn't there anymore with craftsman. It's the perfect truck box.

 

[bonneyman]

Lots of nice options here. That green KTC box is phenomenal, and I love the ammo can setup.

Here's my 5-gallon paint bucket with Bucket Boss organizer.

 

[Jason280]

I'll have to post a few of mine when I get a chance. Right now I am using a 4-drawer Craftsman with top bin, which happens to be just tall enough to fit a set of socket trays with deep well sockets.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

All my boxes are in storage until I get back to work (finishing more school by May, hoping to be done with it all by then). In the meantime, working out of this little guy, a bag of M12 tools, and a CM socket set.

 

[BFHtime]

It's a craftsman ball bearing top box with gas struts. The box is a cheap *************. The metal is ultra thin, the drawers are all cockeyed, and all the tack welds bleed thru the facia? Supposedly it's around $400 new. I got it from a friend after he bought it and realized he wanted red instead of black. I didnt know he had it and actually found it on CL and recognized the phone number. I gave him $75 for it since he couldn't return it. He had it over a year before he took it out of the box. It's a nice looking box for the most part, but the quality just isn't there anymore with craftsman. It's the perfect truck box.

Thanks for posting. I use a 4 drawer. Craftsman rally box and noticed a fifth drawer, and was thinking I would like to have one more drawer. I have to say that my box is doing ok considering what I put it through. I am not sure what the box is rated for, but I am sure mine is over loaded.

 

[bushmechanic]

I don't have a picture, but my portable tool box is a Pelican 1510, as it's meant to be vehicle specific and non-rattling.

I use Bucketboss rolls for wrenches and other stuff, and sockets are mounted on those twist-lock bars from Ernst.

You won't ever hear a peep out of that box. Between the rolls and dividers, everything is secure and silent.

 

[Garage5.9]

https://scontent-a-lax.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1551585_10152091452237459_141044969_n.jpg

Majority of what i have is in here and its portable and theres a box on it haha

 

[Hantke]

All my boxes are in storage until I get back to work (finishing more school by May, hoping to be done with it all by then). In the meantime, working out of this little guy, a bag of M12 tools, and a CM socket set.

Can you tell me if that top area is 3" or more deep? not by the tray, but in front of it. That would be awesome if you could!!! Can't get the local HomeDepot to get one for me to check out unless i buy it, kind of a waste.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Can you tell me if that top area is 3" or more deep? not by the tray, but in front of it. That would be awesome if you could!!! Can't get the local HomeDepot to get one for me to check out unless i buy it, kind of a waste.

I just measured. The top area is 2-3/4" deep. The lid closed adds 1-1/4" of total height in the top area (that includes the overlap of the lip). So it's 4" total with the box closed.

 

[Hantke]

I just measured. The top area is 2-3/4" deep. The lid closed adds 1-1/4" of total height in the top area (that includes the overlap of the lip). So it's 4" total with the box closed.

AWESOME! That means i can keep the socket holders if i get this box, i was thinking it would make a good top chest at my house when i have to move my cart back to the shop. Now i know it'll work!
Does the tray drop into the box, or just kind of move across? i never figured that out, i'm not too worried about it, but kind of curious. Thank you again!

 

[ihateminimumwage]

AWESOME! That means i can keep the socket holders if i get this box, i was thinking it would make a good top chest at my house when i have to move my cart back to the shop. Now i know it'll work!
Does the tray drop into the box, or just kind of move across? i never figured that out, i'm not too worried about it, but kind of curious. Thank you again!

It drops down and doesn't move too far forward. I don't know how low exactly it drops, but I've been able to store my M12 ratchet, and standard length sockets under it, so maybe 2" of storage right under...

Glad I could help. It's been a surprisingly nice box, and can't beat the price.

 

[KaHuNaZ]

It drops and moves forward. There is about 2-5/8" between the tray and lip of the box when closed.

 

[Hantke]

It drops down and doesn't move too far forward. I don't know how low exactly it drops, but I've been able to store my M12 ratchet, and standard length sockets under it, so maybe 2" of storage right under...

Glad I could help. It's been a surprisingly nice box, and can't beat the price.

Alright, bummer about the lost storage, but i have some random small **** i can shove under it (ruler, similar random **** etc.)

It drops and moves forward. There is about 2-5/8" between the tray and lip of the box when closed.

That's very specific! same thing though, i can fit something

 

[jeffmoss26]

This is my main bag for voice and data work:

 

[Hantke]

So, i'm missing a lot of my favorite stuff due to a lack of socket rails, but this is my portable school box! (i'll upload again when i have all the tools and have the rest of sockets, etc.

20" excell Cantilever toolbox, $22.49 or $20.49, something like that. Great buy!

 

[Blöckw@rt]