KnurledNut
Well-known member
@banditbigdog Loving that box!
@GeoBruin Did you shadow that freehand? Particularly liking the punch and hammer drawer.
@GeoBruin Did you shadow that freehand? Particularly liking the punch and hammer drawer.
Show us your portable toolbox!
- Thread starter fitz11
- Start date
Yep. Used the slim kaizen marker to trace and the slim knife to cut. Every. Single. One.
What hex sockets are in that 1st picture?
Craftsman V-Series X-Tract.
I initially posted this in the Vintage Toolbox thread but this thread seems to be a better fit. Pardon the re-post:
I bought this beautiful specimen of a cantilever toolbox recently from @rust in the eye and have been working on configuring my setup for it. He encouraged me to post the box, so here it is:
I do property maintenance for rental properties, mostly SFHs and some 2- and 3-flats, so it’s not a whole lot of mechanical stuff. Initially my plan was to keep it in my van and take whatever tools are needed but I’ve found it more useful to take the whole box with me. So I’ve been trying to keep the weight down by sticking to the essentials
I’m missing my noncontact electrical tester, an SAE set of Allen wrenches, my small adjustable wrench. Those need to be replaced. I like to have an inexpensive wood chisel, 1/2”-3/4” or so, plus fine grit sandpaper for quick honing, but looking here I must have forgotten it. Ive been keeping screws, anchors, and other small parts in a parachute bag. Not sure how I feel about it vs a small parts organizer.
Otherwise, from left to right, starting at the top:
Flat pry bar
Dollar tree medium drawer organizer (these are fantastic for $1.25, highly recommended)
Magnetic wristband
Mini screwdrivers for hvac & other control panels
Stubby ratcheting screw driver
Needle nose vise grips
Impact extension
Right angle adapter
Magnetic stud finder
Pens, pencils, markets
Rubber mallet
Painters tool
Trim square
Demo flathead
Klein 11-in-1
Klein nutdriver, 1/4”-9/16”
1/4”, 5/16” nutdriver
Milwaukee 7-in-1 electrical pliers (pretty sweet, you can do a lot with these)
Icon duckbill pliers
Milwaukee scissors
Klein dikes
Channellock linemans, 420s, 430s
Adjustable wrench
8oz hammer, yeah it looks like fisher price but it works for my needs LOL
2x airbag shims
Hex shank drill bits
Impact bits
Tape measure
Torpedo level
Bit ratchet set —locking flexhead, from harbor freight, this one is pretty slick
Utility jnife
Torx, metric Allen key
Moisture meter
Impact driver
1/4” metric & Sae sockets
Superglue
Thread locker
Zip ties
Shims
Flashlight
Circuit tester
After some time using this box, it is freaking SWEET! I lay down a towel, park the box down and open it up—BAM! A whole array at my fingertips. The weights not too bad, maybe 35-40lbs. I plan to add some D-handles on the side for easier transport and some plastic bumpers on the bottom to protect whatever I set it down.
I bought this beautiful specimen of a cantilever toolbox recently from @rust in the eye and have been working on configuring my setup for it. He encouraged me to post the box, so here it is:
I do property maintenance for rental properties, mostly SFHs and some 2- and 3-flats, so it’s not a whole lot of mechanical stuff. Initially my plan was to keep it in my van and take whatever tools are needed but I’ve found it more useful to take the whole box with me. So I’ve been trying to keep the weight down by sticking to the essentials
I’m missing my noncontact electrical tester, an SAE set of Allen wrenches, my small adjustable wrench. Those need to be replaced. I like to have an inexpensive wood chisel, 1/2”-3/4” or so, plus fine grit sandpaper for quick honing, but looking here I must have forgotten it. Ive been keeping screws, anchors, and other small parts in a parachute bag. Not sure how I feel about it vs a small parts organizer.
Otherwise, from left to right, starting at the top:
Flat pry bar
Dollar tree medium drawer organizer (these are fantastic for $1.25, highly recommended)
Magnetic wristband
Mini screwdrivers for hvac & other control panels
Stubby ratcheting screw driver
Needle nose vise grips
Impact extension
Right angle adapter
Magnetic stud finder
Pens, pencils, markets
Rubber mallet
Painters tool
Trim square
Demo flathead
Klein 11-in-1
Klein nutdriver, 1/4”-9/16”
1/4”, 5/16” nutdriver
Milwaukee 7-in-1 electrical pliers (pretty sweet, you can do a lot with these)
Icon duckbill pliers
Milwaukee scissors
Klein dikes
Channellock linemans, 420s, 430s
Adjustable wrench
8oz hammer, yeah it looks like fisher price but it works for my needs LOL
2x airbag shims
Hex shank drill bits
Impact bits
Tape measure
Torpedo level
Bit ratchet set —locking flexhead, from harbor freight, this one is pretty slick
Utility jnife
Torx, metric Allen key
Moisture meter
Impact driver
1/4” metric & Sae sockets
Superglue
Thread locker
Zip ties
Shims
Flashlight
Circuit tester
After some time using this box, it is freaking SWEET! I lay down a towel, park the box down and open it up—BAM! A whole array at my fingertips. The weights not too bad, maybe 35-40lbs. I plan to add some D-handles on the side for easier transport and some plastic bumpers on the bottom to protect whatever I set it down.
Attachments
craftsman creep
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2022
- Messages
- 299
Make this little to go box about a year ago. Haven’t used It Much since it sits in my mom’s car. I painted green this school year it was gray.
I'll have to go back through the thread (and others), but do any of you out there use Milwaukee PackOut?
What do you use for it (automotive, electrical, etc.?) and how do you have your setup?
I recently picked up 2 PackOut boxes as I've been wanting to try them for a long time now.
A full-sized toolbox or even a rolling cart doesn't really work my situation these days, and having my tools be easily portable is the ultimate goal. I'd also like to have a "modular setup" so that I can grab whatever box/boxes have the tools I need for the current job instead of having to haul around unneeded weight/bulk.
My only complaint is the price, but I'm buying one box at a time until I have what I need.
What do you use for it (automotive, electrical, etc.?) and how do you have your setup?
I recently picked up 2 PackOut boxes as I've been wanting to try them for a long time now.
A full-sized toolbox or even a rolling cart doesn't really work my situation these days, and having my tools be easily portable is the ultimate goal. I'd also like to have a "modular setup" so that I can grab whatever box/boxes have the tools I need for the current job instead of having to haul around unneeded weight/bulk.
My only complaint is the price, but I'm buying one box at a time until I have what I need.
Milwaukee PACKOUT 10 in. Compact Portable Tool Box with Adjustable Dividers and Interior Storage Tray 48-22-8422 - The Home Depot
Complement a contemporary and dainty addition to your workstation by choosing this extra ordinary Milwaukee PACKOUT Compact Tool Box. Easy to handle.
www.homedepot.com
Milwaukee PACKOUT 5-Compartment Low-Profile Compact Small Parts Organizer 48-22-8436 - The Home Depot
Get your professional storage job done with comfort and ease by choosing this MILWAUKEE PACKOUT modular jobsite storage organizer.
www.homedepot.com
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jeffmoss26
Well-known member
Yes, I have a few. Mostly for parts and consumables. One is holesaws, another for drill bits and taps, a couple larger ones for voice/data parts and cable TV stuff.
Mine are generally all separate - a couple at work, most are at home.
Mine are generally all separate - a couple at work, most are at home.
Here's something I have been working on this summer. Its purpose is to keep in the backseat of one of my pickups for the time of year when I cannot have a Montezuma in the bed. It's getting a bit heavy and I still haven't finalized the contents, but maybe it will give you some ideas.I'll have to go back through the thread (and others), but do any of you out there use Milwaukee PackOut?
What do you use for it (automotive, electrical, etc.?) and how do you have your setup?
I recently picked up 2 PackOut boxes as I've been wanting to try them for a long time now.
A full-sized toolbox or even a rolling cart doesn't really work my situation these days, and having my tools be easily portable is the ultimate goal. I'd also like to have a "modular setup" so that I can grab whatever box/boxes have the tools I need for the current job instead of having to haul around unneeded weight/bulk.
My only complaint is the price, but I'm buying one box at a time until I have what I need.
Milwaukee PACKOUT 10 in. Compact Portable Tool Box with Adjustable Dividers and Interior Storage Tray 48-22-8422 - The Home Depot
Complement a contemporary and dainty addition to your workstation by choosing this extra ordinary Milwaukee PACKOUT Compact Tool Box. Easy to handle.www.homedepot.com
Milwaukee PACKOUT 5-Compartment Low-Profile Compact Small Parts Organizer 48-22-8436 - The Home Depot
Get your professional storage job done with comfort and ease by choosing this MILWAUKEE PACKOUT modular jobsite storage organizer.www.homedepot.com
Attachments
Appreciate the feedback.
You're welcome. I guess I should have mentioned the purpose of this is just a general hand tool set for typical repairs on farm equipment or just stuff around the place. Hence the larger focus on 1/2 drive tools and the inclusion of SAE. In the past I used a smaller, but similar set that went in a Pelican case that had tools held down to plastic plates with bungee cords I could stack inside the case. I could pack a lot into a small area, but it was a pain to pull things out and put them back. With the packout I'm not as space efficient, but access to tools is much better while still being somewhat organized.
Dave455
Well-known member
I’ve got mixed feelings about the Milwaukee Packout for tool storage.I'll have to go back through the thread (and others), but do any of you out there use Milwaukee PackOut?
What do you use for it (automotive, electrical, etc.?) and how do you have your setup?
I recently picked up 2 PackOut boxes as I've been wanting to try them for a long time now.
A full-sized toolbox or even a rolling cart doesn't really work my situation these days, and having my tools be easily portable is the ultimate goal. I'd also like to have a "modular setup" so that I can grab whatever box/boxes have the tools I need for the current job instead of having to haul around unneeded weight/bulk.
My only complaint is the price, but I'm buying one box at a time until I have what I need.
Milwaukee PACKOUT 10 in. Compact Portable Tool Box with Adjustable Dividers and Interior Storage Tray 48-22-8422 - The Home Depot
Complement a contemporary and dainty addition to your workstation by choosing this extra ordinary Milwaukee PACKOUT Compact Tool Box. Easy to handle.www.homedepot.com
Milwaukee PACKOUT 5-Compartment Low-Profile Compact Small Parts Organizer 48-22-8436 - The Home Depot
Get your professional storage job done with comfort and ease by choosing this MILWAUKEE PACKOUT modular jobsite storage organizer.www.homedepot.com
On the one hand, I like the overall durability of the things. It seems to me they put a lot of thought into the designs, and get things right that some others don’t, like catches!
On the other hand, they always seem optimised towards storage of small consumables, rather than tools. Most of the compartments are too small or the wrong shape.
The Packouts are made by Keter, and they offer their own “technicians case” which I think makes a better tool case. You can configure it with just 3 long compartments, perfect for tools, or divide further.
Cost of these in the U.K. is about the same as a Packout organiser case, but these are a lot more case!
Jim greengo
Well-known member
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Switching from a VW Vanagon to a Toyota Corolla sedan takes tool organization to a new level. With the Van, I just carried every tool I owned (not good for gas mileage and tire wear), so I could deal with anything I ran into on the road. Now I've honed it down to just what I need for roadside repairs on the Toy--you do your rig, I'll do mine.
My little blue Union box:
Unpacking it is kinda' like one of those clown cars:
It's still a work-in-progress. Today, I added the little Sunex driver set and removed the feeler gauge set--nothing I own has points anymore--and the two ratcheting RA screwdrivers--redundant with the Sunex set. I have some other redundancies in there, mostly pliers, and need a couple of small adjustable wrenches for yard sales (I want the vise, not the bench), etc.
I'm also getting tired of listening to the tools rattle and bang in the box every time I hit a bump--I hit a lot of bumps--so I'm starting to think tool roll is the way to go. Any suggestions welcome!
My little blue Union box:
Unpacking it is kinda' like one of those clown cars:
It's still a work-in-progress. Today, I added the little Sunex driver set and removed the feeler gauge set--nothing I own has points anymore--and the two ratcheting RA screwdrivers--redundant with the Sunex set. I have some other redundancies in there, mostly pliers, and need a couple of small adjustable wrenches for yard sales (I want the vise, not the bench), etc.
I'm also getting tired of listening to the tools rattle and bang in the box every time I hit a bump--I hit a lot of bumps--so I'm starting to think tool roll is the way to go. Any suggestions welcome!
Noting special, but I finally got around to taking some pictures of my "to-go" box (aka portable toolbox).
For now, I'm just packing the basics, most commonly used tools. As such, this is by no means everything. I will be adding additional Milwaukee PackOut boxes for other tools in the future.
Sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers, picks, hooks, pry bars, and a few odds & ends.
For now, I'm just packing the basics, most commonly used tools. As such, this is by no means everything. I will be adding additional Milwaukee PackOut boxes for other tools in the future.
Sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers, picks, hooks, pry bars, and a few odds & ends.
Attachments
Nice set up! You got that all to fit in the one box?
Yes. I should have put the pictures in a different order. But everything you see fits in the box.
I would like to explore using tool rolls or at least a wrench roll, to make things more organized. The dividers in this PackOut box work well though. I did put all the smaller tools in that hard shell Klein zip up case in the 2nd picture.
As I add more PackOut boxes, I don't anticipate the same setup. But for now, it works.
I live in an apartment and don't have a garage, so I have to store my tools inside and carry whatever I need out to my car.
Mecha
Well-known member
Needs more boxes.
zimman
Well-known member
I use a tool roll. I know, it's blasphemy. LOL It takes up a little less room than a box but it's just cool.
We were traveling a lot and this works well for "along the side of the road" fixes. I have socket rails loose for those needs too.
Zim
We were traveling a lot and this works well for "along the side of the road" fixes. I have socket rails loose for those needs too.
Zim
Japanese tools (box too) theme?
Do you use the hacksaw and files enough to include them in the kit?
What's in the smaller red box, drill bits?
richfinn
Well-known member
Latest version of my Veto Pro-Pac OT-MC (Roadside Assistance)
Yep. All Japanese made tools.
I've been a big hacksaw fan my whole life. Before I had any power tools, I cut everything with a hacksaw and I've never been without one since.
Files, I didnt plan to have a whole set. In fact, I had only ordered a couple originally, but I later found the little set that comas in the plastic case and it didn't take up space so in it went.
Everything in the little red box is laid out in the photo, but I have added quite a bit since then. It's all the small stuff including bits, including a few small drill bits, a small flashlight, a 6 inch ruler, the bit driver handle, scraper, deburing tool, stuff like that. I would take an update photo but I'm across the country and don't have the kit with me.
richfinn
Well-known member
It's a home made battery negative breakout cable, used for parasitic drain testing and relative compression testing when access is poor, hook it between the negative terminal and the battery post and it makes it very easy to hook clamp meters or current probes for the scope up for more accurate testing.
I'm using it here as part of a Midtronics battery test
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zimman
Well-known member
Epic parasitic draw post.It's a home made battery negative breakout cable, used for parasitic drain testing and relative compression testing when access is poor, hook it between the negative terminal and the battery post and it makes it very easy to hook clamp meters or current probes for the scope up for more accurate testing.
I'm using it here as part of a Midtronics battery test
Zim
Indexmill
Well-known member
Sorry.
It's a home made battery negative breakout cable, used for parasitic drain testing and relative compression testing when access is poor, hook it between the negative terminal and the battery post and it makes it very easy to hook clamp meters or current probes for the scope up for more accurate testing.
I'm using it here as part of a Midtronics battery test
Interesting idea.
Mecha
Well-known member
Who manufactures the file set, or where did you get them? Looks handy!
They're made by Tsubosan, makers of the popular hardness tester files. They're available in a number of sizes from some Japanese sellers but Amazon has a few sets.
TSUBOSAN https://share.google/WwVeWrgyRPaHJGYVH
Amazon.com: Tsubosan Hand tool Workmanship file set of 5 ST-06 from Japan : Industrial & Scientific
Buy Tsubosan Hand tool Workmanship file set of 5 ST-06 from Japan: Hand Files - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
a.co
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Talking to myself right now, “Don’t need it. Do not buy it.”
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Dave455
Well-known member
They’re very good. I have a set too.
Generally, I prefer Swiss files, but the Tsubosan come in coarser grades that remove material much faster.
Perhaps better for general fitting, though of course the correct GJ solution is to have both..!
I know we're out there. But I don't see many FSE toolcases posted, so here's mine. I can take more detailed photos, but the contents change every week. The stuff on the board, are what stay in all the time. I could remove and replace single tools as needed to save weight, or change it out depending on what service call it is. I work on 3D printers.
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Dave455
Well-known member
Nice!I know we're out there. But I don't see many FSE toolcases posted, so here's mine. I can take more detailed photos, but the contents change every week. The stuff on the board, are what stay in all the time. I could remove and replace single tools as needed to save weight, or change it out depending on what service call it is. I work on 3D printers.
I like the way you have used tool rolls / soft cases inside the main box.
I’m coming round to the idea that this is the only way to keep a portable box really compact, protect the tools and prevent rattling, yet retain a degree of flexibility in layout.
Thank you sir. I did the cutout foam thing many years ago, but when you change or buy new tools, it didn't make sense. The DIY foam dividers have held up for 2 years now.