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Tool bag/box recommendations

C

Coloshaver

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Joined
Apr 4, 2011
Messages
911
Location
Northern Colorado
Once again tapping the GJ wisdom base.

I carry a basic tool set for building maintenance. Screwdrivers, pliers, combo wrenches (1/4" - 1"), adjustable wrench, small and large "ChanneLok" pliers, hammer, hack saw, hex wrenches, file, utility knife, flashlight, headlamp, tape measure, etc.

My tools have to travel in a car and go to a couple different buildings with stair access so a tool/service cart won't work.

The basic set stays the same, but I add and subtract tools from my shop depending on the latest crisis. So, a fancy setup with organizing cutouts isn't quite flexible enough.

I have been using a basic tool bag like the picture and it has worked pretty well, but moving around and using it, everything seems to settle in the bottom. My main frustration is no matter what tool I need it is buried at the very bottom. :sad:

I've been eyeing the Rigid or Milwaukee or DeWalt stacking rolling boxes, but the bigger ones won't fit in my trunk and, since they are just boxes, everything will just bang around in the bottom. At least the "tote" sort of keeps everything contained.

Any recommendations for a better system?

Thanks,
 

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tarbellb

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Apr 17, 2011
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5,733
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Oregon
A different solution could be a tool roll, this one from Atlas46 is nice-
www.atlas46.com

Atlas 46 Products - Tool Vests, Bags, Belts, and More

Made in the USA tool belts, vests, and bags for heavy industrial use.
www.atlas46.com www.atlas46.com

Pricey but the quality is high, USA made, and well thought out.

Al Borland has a good point, its also what I have implemented, bags and boxes to organize the smaller stuff. I like these for organizing bits, much better then those stupid bit holders from all the tool brands.

And watch out with those tool box totes, lots of wasted space if not org well and the boxes themselves get heavy and cumbersome.
 
M

MarvinBerry

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Oct 21, 2018
Messages
817
Location
Enchantment under the sea - NJ
Why not go with a couple 3 separate bags for various tasks? Have your basic stuff in the open tote... screwdrivers pliers etc and if you need more fire power go back for another bag?

Like how often do you really need the hacksaw or full set of combo wrenches?

I have an open tote I keep in the garage (main shop is basement) loaded with basics so when I need to fix something around the house or somewhere else I grab that first...

Also have an empty bag, maybe 18 or 20" zipper style I keep in the shop. When I need more it goes in there... loaded & unloaded for whatever the task is. Power tools, spray cans, wrenches, boxes of screws? All goes in the empty bag

Keeps the main tote light & makes sure nothing gets lost or overloaded. Those packout cases are nice but stairs? They can get real heavy real quick.
 
L

LOW1

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Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Messages
2,635
Location
ontario
I came to have the same problem. I bought a Klein tool bag. It is taller and has enough slots and pouches to keep most tools upright. On the bottom there is room for a hammer and a plastic box for misc. nails and fasteners and a cordless drill which I usually carry around. A bit pricey but worth it.
 
J

joshmodelskidoo

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mid western michigan
S

ste6168

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Apr 23, 2015
Messages
217
Location
Morehead City, NC
I just ordered a Veto tech XXL. I have an MC also, and while I like it, its a little small... Veto makes nice bags, worth looking at to see if they have one that would fit your needs.
 
T

TJMtl

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2018
Messages
247
Location
Montreal
tarbellb said:
A different solution could be a tool roll, this one from Atlas46 is nice-
www.atlas46.com

Atlas 46 Products - Tool Vests, Bags, Belts, and More

Made in the USA tool belts, vests, and bags for heavy industrial use.
www.atlas46.com www.atlas46.com

Pricey but the quality is high, USA made, and well thought out.

Al Borland has a good point, its also what I have implemented, bags and boxes to organize the smaller stuff. I like these for organizing bits, much better then those stupid bit holders from all the tool brands.

And watch out with those tool box totes, lots of wasted space if not org well and the boxes themselves get heavy and cumbersome.
Click to expand...
I went with the Yorktown, and a couple of socket panel holders. I like that I can have 1/2", 3/8 and 1/4", bit holders, in separate compartments. Then wrenches in order on the back side.IMG_3788.JPGIMG_3789.JPG
 
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F

FMB4

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Jan 19, 2017
Messages
2,926
You're on the right track imo. Was maint guy for a 50 unit apartment complex in the early-mid '90s. Kept a fairly large assortment of tools common for said work in a mid sized truck box. Carried what tools were needed for various jobs in either a small or medium sized tool bag as the needs arose (which was non-stop). Used a paint bucket for larger jobs. The 'funny' thing was that several tenants asked the manager about why I carried a 'purse' around from job to job. And no, I'm not kidding.
 
K

kngelv

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May 25, 2011
Messages
2,215
Location
Detroit, MI
I have two of the Veto LC's. They are nice sturdy bags but they have kind of narrow and shallow pockets. I'm an electrician and as much as I've tried I just can't get them to work well for me. They also have way too many pockets for pencil sized items. I looked at some of their other bags but now they are all made in Myanmar and that is one evil regime. You would think they could make them her for the prices they charge.

James
 
J

jptbay

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2006
Messages
608
Coloshaver said:
That's it. I have really liked some of the suggestions, but this one seems to check a lot of the boxes at a reasonable price point. Thank you all.
Click to expand...
It's a great bag. Had one as my go bag for quite a few years now. Puts a regular tool box to shame.
 
M

mrjaw14

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Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
1,958
Location
Nashville, TN
I have one of those CLC bags as well. Have had it for many years and it's held up great. I possibly have too much in it, it's quite heavy when I really load it up, but I can carry a LOT of stuff in there
 
R

Reese

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Joined
Nov 8, 2013
Messages
149
I will join the fan club for the CLC bag. I’m a landlord and do most of my own repair. I have that CLC bag for general repair and specific bags for plumbing and electrical. Only downside with the CLC is that it can be stupid heavy if you really load it up.
 
1

134k

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Joined
Oct 1, 2017
Messages
100
I have that CLC 1539. The only con, it's easy to overload. And voila, you'll have 45-50lbs of tools in there if you're not careful. I use a small dolly to wheel it around when I'm at customer sites.
 
M

mwalsh9152

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Joined
May 14, 2016
Messages
349
I have the same issue with a similar Husky tool bag and everything I need settling to the bottom. I'm a service manager, so I dont use them often, but when I need them, I need them. My bag stays in the truck, and the tools in that bag never changes, I will just add more bags with different tools as needed for larger jobs Im helping my guys on. I recently bought an Eastwing tool backpack for an upcoming business trip, and I believe that when I come back, it will be my new truck go bag. I can toss my laptop in it if we are working on a site all day, and it will be much better organized with all the storage slots (well any amount of organization would be an improvement)
 
OP
C

Coloshaver

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Joined
Apr 4, 2011
Messages
911
Location
Northern Colorado
I received the CLC bag yesterday. All the pockets on the two sides (but under the zippered flaps) are perfect to sort a lot of the smaller stuff that fell out of the side pockets on my old bag and ended up in the mess in the bottom. It is very deep so I could see it getting really heavy, but I'm just transferring the stuff from my old bag so no change in weight.

I'm going to love it and, so far, would highly recommend it.

I also ordered the CLC tool roll. Unfortunately, they apparently used different vendors for the male & female side-lock buckles. They don't close. :sad: I guess I'll get a chance to see how good their customer service is.1638637953972.png
 
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