Show us your Tool Tote:

[jeremy v]

WOW! You do not mess around!
Nice how you marked all your screwdriver sizes on the tops. Are the ones in the 4th picture all multi-bit drivers with a specific driver in each?

Yes, I prefer buying good quality bits to buying good quality screwdrivers, but I also don't like constantly having to change out bit tips on jobs that require multiple bit types at the same time. I use the bit drivers 95% of the time and use the regular screwdrivers only when working on hot electrical, when screws are inset into their housings making bit screwdrivers too fat, or when I specifically want a screwdriver without a magnetic tip (rare). That keeps all my regular screwdriver tips nice a lot longer. I also have a ratcheting screwdriver or two with one or two of each size bit in them just for tossing in my tool pouch for working in attics etc to save on overall tool bulk.

Each of the labeled bit drivers also have handle bit storage, so I fill each handle with about 10-12 of the same replacement bits in addition to a small piece of soft foam so that the handle does not make any clanking noise at all until I have used about half of the replacement bits. Then the noise reminds me to refill the handle so I never run out of fresh bit tips even for larger jobs. this setup also allows me to use the screwdriver handles as a replacement bit source for my 3/8" drill when doing sheetrock, decking, etc.

The tops were just sanded quickly for the paint to stick better and then sprayed with extra white paint I had laying around. The labels were done in the most permanent type sharpie. The paint lasts a really long time, but it is actually dirtier in real life than the pictures imply. The sharpie I have to quickly re-draw after every few hours of screwdriver use as it rubs off slowly against my palm. It does help that the black screwdriver heads spin freely, it keeps the rubbing in my palm to a minimum and it helps the sharpie stay on a lot longer than it would on a regular screwdriver. That is why my regular screwdrivers have their size etched into the handle end, not just drawn in sharpie. For the etched screwdrivers the size of the etched symbol denotes the tip size of that driver in relation to the others.

 

[jeremy v]

Here are some more pics of the tools in my buckets that show things that you might all be interested in that are hard to tell by just looking at the ends of tool handles in the main bucket pics. Some show custom tool mods and others just show what some of the most commonly used tools actually are.

1- In the dark colored Bosch drill bit case I drilled more holes in the index and added a complete second set of drill bits for backup if the mains are broken as well as added 2 uni-bits. I have a lot more uni-bits in my drill cases so these uni-bits haven't been used yet.

2- It is hard to tell from the pics but for any tool that is heavy and might be used up on a ladder or above a surface like a granite counter top, hardwood floor,etc. I have rounded all the edges of the tool with a grinder so if I drop it there is a lower chance of a sharp tool edge chipping or dinging anything. It also helps to minimize wear to my tool pouch and bucket pockets from the tools being slipped in and out over time.

3- For the Channellock crimpers I drilled a hole and added a handle pin by hammering in a nail, cutting the top off, and grinding it all smooth. Without the pin, when using the crimps the bottom handle dropped much farther than my fingers could reach to grab it, and that became annoying when trying to work in tight areas one-handed.

4- The PVC pipes with the notches in them are for tightening wire nuts. One fits tan, one fits red, and one fits blue wire nuts. It allows me to tighten the main 3 wire nut sizes all day with no fatigue and without over-tightening them as can be easily done when using a drill driver and a drill.

5- My 2 pound hammer has one of the heads completely reshaped from flat face to a curved face so I get double duty out of that single hammer depending on which side I use.

6- The picture of my main Channellocks shows you how they are labeled for quick identification from above. S = small = 420 series, M = medium = 430 series, and L = large = 440 series. The second letter designates the tooth style, nothing = regular teeth, A = angled teeth for round stock. The pair with the second letter being B = bare handles. That is the one I use for electrical connectors and running pipe as the bare handles slipped into the end of 1/2", 3/4", or 1" EMT conduit makes a great reamer.

Yes some of the tools are pretty new still, but they all get used at least several times a year or else they get changed out of my buckets for something else. The new looking ones are mostly replacements for older worn out hand tools or tools that have been recently upgraded. The older ones are now in retirement and they get re-purposed and made into custom specialty hand tools as needed for specific jobs.

A few of the most commonly used tools have duplicates in the bucket (diagonal pliers, large needle nose, wire strippers, screwdrivers etc) for times when I might be working with someone that doesn't have a pair themselves or for times when I might be working in a pre-fab setup at ground level and an installation setup on a ladder etc. Then I don't have to keep bringing the same tools up and down the ladder all the time, I just use both.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Very nice! What kind of work do you do?

 

[jeremy v]

Very nice! What kind of work do you do?

I used to be a commercial inside wireman, but I left that trade 6 years ago for various reasons. Now I no longer swing hand tools for a living, but I still use them a lot. I am always working on something in my free time whether it belongs to me, a friend, or one of my many family members. Home appliance repair and installation, personal remodeling, plumbing and electrical upgrading, automotive maintenance, and home related general maintenance (painting, roofing, gutter work, framing, concrete, ductwork, insulating, electrical, plumbing, etc) is now the bulk of my hand tool related work.

The main key for my tool buckets working well for me is that every single tool has a defined place. It is where it is for a reason, and it always goes back in the exact same spot. I also orient the tool buckets in the same way (same side facing me) in my workspace every time. After a short time of using it that way I can pick up almost any tool very fast with one hand just by feel (many times just by looking with my peripheral vision and using muscle memory) and a quick 30 second scan over and around both the tool buckets identifies a missing tool immediately so I never lose any tools.

 

[afirover]

my junk
sorry for the bad pic this might clear it up

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=736910&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[jeffmoss26]

ooh an upside down orange box of some kind!

 

[Holt]

You dont tease Jeff with orange things

 

[Case IH]

I might be stretching the definition of a tool tote a little bit, because I use two 5 gallon buckets with organizers that weigh around 60 pounds each, but it is what I use on a regular basis.

They sit on a salvaged rolling cart for any project in the garage. I love them for their dense tool packing and because I can get almost any tool quickly and with one hand without having to open any drawers first etc. which I love.

They can be transferred to a vehicle easily, and for smaller or task specific jobs I have a couple different tool belt/tool bag setups that I stock from these buckets before putting them on and going to work. To supplement these two buckets I keep all the power tools in cases with all their accessories and all the lesser used or more specialty hand tools are in salvaged file cabinets. I have a 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" socket sets in portable cases and a small tote bag of combination wrenches that I can take with me anywhere for jobs away from home without having to take anything from my main wrench and socket chest at home.

WOW....that's some serious toolage

 

[decaf]

I think this tread needs to be updated...

This is my updated tool "tote" or case:

 

[Robinson1]

Tagged for ideas.

I'm a general contractor but still do quite a bit of service type work for many of my clients. I've got an enclosed trailer thats basically a rolling tool box. It gets parked on the big jobs. Because of this I've been trying more and more to reduce what I actually have on my truck. At one point I had crossover and bedside boxes that were packed and short of having table and miter saws and an air compressor my truck was stocked almost as well as my trailer.

Took several years but finally came to the realisation I don't need that much redundancy. Ended up dumping the boxes and bought a camper shell. It's great from material runs and keeping things dry. Tools have been reduced to just the basics in some hand boxes.

My goal is to reduce to a single tool bag/tote and a drill case. It's a work in progress. Last year I made a list of every tool I had on the truck and tried to review it every few weeks. Any tool I hadn't used in a while got pulled out. Ive managed to eliminate probably 100 pounds of stuff. Last week I bought a 12v Makita drill and put my box full of 18v Bosch cordless in the shop. Went from having about 15 assorted screwdrivers in my truck down to about 6. Could get by with nothing but a 4 in 1 if I had too. Reduced the number of mechanics type tools i had on the truck to a basic socket set.

What one found is. If I know I'll need a bunch of tools I tend to take the trailer anyway. If I know I'm only going to be changing light fixtures, locks, doing an inspection or estimate or trouble shooting something I can usually get by with bare basics.

 

[Monte]

I think this tread needs to be updated...
This is my updated tool "tote" or case:

Awesome ! 100% quality

 

[decaf]

Tagged for ideas.

I'm a general contractor but still do quite a bit of service type work for many of my clients. I've got an enclosed trailer thats basically a rolling tool box. It gets parked on the big jobs. Because of this I've been trying more and more to reduce what I actually have on my truck. At one point I had crossover and bedside boxes that were packed and short of having table and miter saws and an air compressor my truck was stocked almost as well as my trailer.

Took several years but finally came to the realisation I don't need that much redundancy. Ended up dumping the boxes and bought a camper shell. It's great from material runs and keeping things dry. Tools have been reduced to just the basics in some hand boxes.

My goal is to reduce to a single tool bag/tote and a drill case. It's a work in progress. Last year I made a list of every tool I had on the truck and tried to review it every few weeks. Any tool I hadn't used in a while got pulled out. Ive managed to eliminate probably 100 pounds of stuff. Last week I bought a 12v Makita drill and put my box full of 18v Bosch cordless in the shop. Went from having about 15 assorted screwdrivers in my truck down to about 6. Could get by with nothing but a 4 in 1 if I had too. Reduced the number of mechanics type tools i had on the truck to a basic socket set.

What one found is. If I know I'll need a bunch of tools I tend to take the trailer anyway. If I know I'm only going to be changing light fixtures, locks, doing an inspection or estimate or trouble shooting something I can usually get by with bare basics.

Thats a funny thing with tools, many times when I am about to do a job at a customer, i know exactly which tools that are required to do the job in a right way.
So i only take the tools that i need.
At the customer, 5 min from my worktruck, i often realize that i need more tools then i brought with me, due to circumstances that I can not help.

So now i always bring my toolcase with me, even if i don´t need all the tools, because it´s agreat feeling when unpredictable situations occur, that i´m ready for anything

 

[SuperXero]

I think this tread needs to be updated...

This is my updated tool "tote" or case:

Is that a knipex tool case with a wera badge?

 

[nick2510]

I think this tread needs to be updated...

This is my updated tool "tote" or case:

Beautiful. What adjustables are those?

 

[SuperXero]

Beautiful. What adjustables are those?

Looks like gedore adjustables.

 

[decaf]

Jupp they are Bahco´s made in Sweden and not in France or maybe Spain?
The case is from Parat in Germany.

 

[Waterh20]

Jupp they are Bahco´s made in Sweden and not in France or maybe Spain?
The case is from Parat in Germany.

Nice. Those look like the Snap-On ones as well which are made in Spain as you may know

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[decaf]

Nice. Those look like the Snap-On ones as well which are made in Spain as you may know

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Yes, i guess that Irega makes them nowadays.

Snap-On bought Bahco many years ago, so thats why they look the same.