Show us your portable toolbox!

[fitz11]

I just bought a 4 drawer portable toolbox from tractor supply and would like to see what everyone else uses and how it is organized. The only rule is it must be a box that you carry by yourself. I am waiting for some drawer foam before I organize mine. As soon as I do I will add pictures. Let's see what you've got...

 

[youngridge]

Id take a picture, but its outside. Mine is 4 year old John Deere quick lift lube 5 gallon pale, with a cover, for optimal seating, lol. Nothing high tech, but I do actually have a nice tote with wheels and a handle that I use, not sure if that counts, just throw whatever I need in their and go, but I usually miss a few things.

 

[stage20]

My tsc box came with foam liners

 

[fitz11]

My tsc box came with foam liners

Mine did too. I'm waiting on thick foam for shadowing/ organizing.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Rough an ready photo, but you get an idea.



It's a Hazet cantilever box. Currently working (mostly) out of that while my other tools are in storage. There isn't much of my work (Euro car mech) i can't do without the contents of that box. There's actually less in there now than is in that pic.

It's portable, but as it was in that pic it weighed 84lb!

 

[zkling]

For the past few months I've been using an old Kennedy 520 7 drawer. If fits perfectly in the trunk, can fully open it in the trunk and all the small drawers help to keep things organized.

Rough an ready photo, but you get an idea.

It's a Hazet cantilever box. Currently working (mostly) out of that while my other tools are in storage. There isn't much of my work (Euro car mech) i can't do without the contents of that box. There's actually less in there now than is in that pic.

It's portable, but as it was in that pic it weighed 84lb!

Those have a very clean look to them. What are the dimensions of the fold out trays?

 

[Hpozzuoli]

To me this is portable. I keep it in the back of my truck. I own laundromats so I am constantly needing to fix something. Prior I would run home and raid my tool box. That got old so I got this. I filled it with all harbor freight tools for under $300. Reason being I was worried about it in the bed of my truck. Although I have a nice hard flip back top someone could still rip it out. $300 in harbor freight is better then 3k in snap on or the equivilant.

 

[upndown]

Laundromats are like apartments, Always something to do.

 

[John in OH]

Rough an ready photo, but you get an idea.

An OT question regarding your toolbox .... in the center portion of the box (toward top of pic) there is a tool partially visible that looks kind of like a small ice tong (or a really demonic tooth extractor!) .... what is it?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Those have a very clean look to them. What are the dimensions of the fold out trays?

I'll get some measurements tomorrow.

An OT question regarding your toolbox .... in the center portion of the box (toward top of pic) there is a tool partially visible that looks kind of like a small ice tong (or a really demonic tooth extractor!) .... what is it?

Those are pliers for pulling grease/dust caps.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Laundromats are like apartments, Always something to do.

Haha...I have one of those as well. Had to throw a rebuild kit in the crapper today at my apt rental. Never ends.

 

[Farmall 1066]

An OT question regarding your toolbox .... in the center portion of the box (toward top of pic) there is a tool partially visible that looks kind of like a small ice tong (or a really demonic tooth extractor!) .... what is it?

Those are bearing cap pliers! Wrenching for over 20 years, and never saw them either. Bought some Snap On ones in a box at an auction, and came here to find out what they were.
Used to remove wheel bearing caps. Work slick, and don't damage the cap.

I use the Snap On UT-22 for my carry box.

 

[crewchief888]

one of these 3
CM cantilever
CM top
vintage 30's plvmb


sometimes i just toss a few things in a bag

depends on where i'm going and what i'm doing when i get there.

 

[stratman977]

Those are bearing cap pliers! Wrenching for over 20 years, and never saw them either. Bought some Snap On ones in a box at an auction, and came here to find out what they were.
Used to remove wheel bearing caps. Work slick, and don't damage the cap.

I use the Snap On UT-22 for my carry box.

Since he deals with european, I bet hes using them to snap those clic-r hose clamps closed.

 

[INYER face hole]

Does this count?

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Does this count?

That's the best kind of portable toolbox....of course it counts

 

[stratman977]

Here's my travel box. I have been looking for something a little better for the box. I like the small size of the proto box but it's hard to get everything back in there without taking everything out and repacking it. I had a cantilever box like moose's but I didn't like the height limit on the trays because sockets won't fit upright. Maybe something slightly bigger with 2 drawers.

 

[Attackcammel]

To me this is portable. I keep it in the back of my truck. I own laundromats so I am constantly needing to fix something. Prior I would run home and raid my tool box. That got old so I got this. I filled it with all harbor freight tools for under $300. Reason being I was worried about it in the bed of my truck. Although I have a nice hard flip back top someone could still rip it out. $300 in harbor freight is better then 3k in snap on or the equivilant.

How does that box hold up in the back of your truck? How long have you had it back there? I'm looking to do somthing like that in the back of my jeep for when I go wheeling

 

[chrenan]

This is mine, it fits perfectly behind the passenger seat in my 944 Turbo track car and fits all the essentials. I'll have to take another picture of it with contents.











I know what you're thinking, why on earth would you get a KTC SKC-M tool box for your German track car, why not the obvious choice of a Hazet 190L? I like the KTC version since it only has 2 cantilever fold outs which allows full access to the bottom of the box, on the Hazet version the bottom is never fully accessible. Plus the KTC version is cheaper and more unique, as much as I love my Hazet stuff, it is SO expensive.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

How does that box hold up in the back of your truck? How long have you had it back there? I'm looking to do somthing like that in the back of my jeep for when I go wheeling

It's so heavy because I stuffed it full of stuff it doesn't move. I have a couple of pieces of carpet in my truck because I move a lot of stuff I don't want getting scratched. I think the weight and the carpet keep it still. I love it back there. The original plan was to bolt it to the bed, but that would be a PIA if I needed to take it out.

I have all three drives of complete socket sets, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, breakers, hammers, and everything you could ever need. Most people keep some sort of kit in their vehicle. If you have the room I would suggest going my route. I open the tailgate and there it is. Plus the tailgate is my work bench.

I could post some pics of whats in it if there is interest.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Think I mentioned before everything in it is harbor freight just in case it ever gets stolen.

 

[Attackcammel]

It's so heavy because I stuffed it full of stuff it doesn't move. I have a couple of pieces of carpet in my truck because I move a lot of stuff I don't want getting scratched. I think the weight and the carpet keep it still. I love it back there. The original plan was to bolt it to the bed, but that would be a PIA if I needed to take it out.

I have all three drives of complete socket sets, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, breakers, hammers, and everything you could ever need. Most people keep some sort of kit in their vehicle. If you have the room I would suggest going my route. I open the tailgate and there it is. Plus the tailgate is my work bench.

I could post some pics of whats in it if there is interest.

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

 

[Hpozzuoli]

1st drawer

 

[Hpozzuoli]

2nd drawer

 

[Hpozzuoli]

3rd drawer

 

[Hpozzuoli]

4th drawer. Reason for the box is in this drawer. I own rental property and a few laundromats.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

5th drawer...and no I can't get more than one pic at a time before anyone asks. I try but it just doesn't happen.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I only have to fold back one pice of my bed cover and I can open the top to unlock the box and my tailgate is the workbench.

 

[3baygarage]

This was my portable box for some time. Its' a Kennedy. Drove around with this until I realized I was losing gas mileage. I used to haul it into school every day. Usually I had a two wheel assistant to move it around. I think it weighed 40 pounds empty give or take when I weighed it.
When I bought this box I loved the color. It looked very nice on the outside, but the felt lined inside was absolutely greasy and disgusting. It originally contained everything but machinist tools. It was found at an estate sale, and all of its contents were emptied out right there on the bench.
Now the outside shows quite some wear from the years and the inside is still way more clean than when I found it. It contains a little bit of everything American. Craftsman, Snap On, Mac, Proto, S-K, Blackhawk.

 

[zkling]

This was my portable box for some time. Its' a Kennedy. Drove around with this until I realized I was losing gas mileage. I used to haul it into school every day. Usually I had a two wheel assistant to move it around. I think it weighed 40 pounds empty give or take when I weighed it.
When I bought this box I loved the color. It looked very nice on the outside, but the felt lined inside was absolutely greasy and disgusting. It originally contained everything but machinist tools. It was found at an estate sale, and all of its contents were emptied out right there on the bench.
Now the outside shows quite some wear from the years and the inside is still way more clean than when I found it. It contains a little bit of everything American. Craftsman, Snap On, Mac, Proto, S-K, Blackhawk.

Wow, you sure fit alot into that small box. Looks like a 620, should be ~25lbs empty. How have the slides, drawers and general frame held up over the years? Any cracks or split seams?

 

[3baygarage]

Nah, it's held up quite well. I'd say the box is of very heavy duty construction. The drawers themselves don't feel overloaded. I'm just glad I never dropped it. I had a few less pieces in it before but still probably strained myself once or twice moving it.
I forgot to mention, the hammers, chisels ,punches, saw, specialty tools were all in a separate bag. All that in the trunk of a car is not recommended. Kinda like adding a lowering kit.

 

[jsaw]

This was my portable box for some time. Its' a Kennedy. Drove around with this until I realized I was losing gas mileage. I used to haul it into school every day. Usually I had a two wheel assistant to move it around. I think it weighed 40 pounds empty give or take when I weighed it.
When I bought this box I loved the color. It looked very nice on the outside, but the felt lined inside was absolutely greasy and disgusting. It originally contained everything but machinist tools. It was found at an estate sale, and all of its contents were emptied out right there on the bench.
Now the outside shows quite some wear from the years and the inside is still way more clean than when I found it. It contains a little bit of everything American. Craftsman, Snap On, Mac, Proto, S-K, Blackhawk.

That is an impressive set up, a nice mix of tools and well used

 

[bimmerZ5]

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.

 

[3baygarage]

That is an impressive set up, a nice mix of tools and well used

Thanks jsaw.

I'm not just a "tool starer atter" like some may have thought. I do collect and and I do work.

 

[Mrmanface3]

Here is what I use while working on a rally service crew. The box itself is a Pelican knock off from Bolton Tools that I've added couple of Pelican tool pallets to. The bottom pallet is attached to a piece of thin plastic that is on hinges. Under that are my hammers, impact, wrench roll with Stahlwille offset, Cornwell ratcheting and Craftsman wrenches. The only thing that doesn't fit in the box is my 1/2in impact. I use the same kind of box for my normal carry box but I don't have any pictures of that.

 

[Burgerkong]

UT-22 here as well!

 

[captain14]

I cannot believe post#35 can fit all that in ammo can

 

[malibulvr]

I just bring my Crescent 148 pc tool kit. Even though its chinese I have used it and everything is pretty stout. I had to do brakes on my car and actually used this kit, LOL. I won it at a end of the year party for work. I believe they are only $80 give or take. This has pretty much everything I need in a pinch. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

 

[crewchief888]

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

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.

 

[zkling]

I always enjoy that picture Crew, you ought to submit it to Craftsman I'm a bit surprised the middle supports for the small drawers haven't dropped.