Tool bags vs Small Tool Boxes

[Andy Griffith]

I have some rural undeveloped property that I will be working on this year - continue clearing, build some small structures, fencing, gates, layouts for utilities, etc. This property is several hours away from my primary residence, and I will be leaving my RV down there to stay in. It has electric to the site, though it's only a 15amp circuit that is on a pretty long run from the source.

This means I go from working out of a nice roomy, relatively organized detached shop building to working out of the back of my pickup. Pickup has a 6.5' bed with topper that has side opening windows. The topper is relatively water tight so things will stay dry in there for the most part. Some tools are already carried in the truck like wrench and socket sets, but many of the tools I will need on the property are more construction and electrical oriented.

Thought about maybe adding a permanently mounted tool box to the truck bed but after researching them I don't know that they would be accessible enough even with the side opening windows. The other consideration is given the price of gas I may have to resort to using my wife's compact suv for the commute and hauling the tools in that.

So I went off to Amazon with the intent of buying some of those small fatmax tool boxes (23" & 28") with the rubber seal thinking they would work good for putting the various tools in. While on Amazon I came across some different tool bags which seem to have come a long way from the tool bags of old, and now I'm wondering if I would be better served using tool bags instead of the plastic tool boxes?

This is the tool bag I've been using for years around our primary residence and while it has worked ok there are some limitations. All the pockets are one depth and width which means shorter items get lost in the bottom. The other thing is when it's raining hard I have to keep a plastic garbage bag over it when transporting it outside or from the shop to the house.

Some of the new tool bags look to be better organized and the layout looks to be more handy. What say you, tool bag or small tool boxes, what's your preference? What type of tool bag do you use?

 

[sometoyotaguy]

Use what works best for you. I have tool boxes, but I'll usually use a bucket to put tools in for a project outside. I'd be worried about some of that stuff falling out.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I used a bag like that but got tired of things falling out. I purchased this bag and love it...nothing falls out AND it fits inside a milk crate so it won't tip over in my trunk.

 

[mlittle29]

Husky has some new REALLY GOOD travel tool bags out right now. Not all the Home Depots carry them just yet so search online to see if yours does. If not you can always order from them online. I just got one a few days ago...it it awesome!!!

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm not keen on tool bags in an outdoors environment. Ss was mentioned, easy to lose a tool, but more than anything else, the bag is going to get muddy/dirty and its a pain to clean up. A bucket boss (or two, better carry balance) has the advantage of a plastic bottom.

Cantilever boxes have more organization, and less chance of something going missing.

A stacked plastic box is lighter than a metal cantilever, and some come on wheels...

If the terrain is too rough for the (usually) small wheels on a rolling stack, you could also get a pneumatic tire hand truck and strap a stack to that.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I will say that I've seen pictures of the Veto Pro toolbags...they look nice but they can be so easily overloaded with tools that I would not want to carry one!

 

[Monte]

i´d like to try this one out:

 

[Outlawmws]

i´d like to try this one out:

Um, the bag or the model?

 

[Monte]

Um, the bag or the model?

both of course

 

[blue dog]

Klein bags, klein bucket bag, estex bucket bag, they all work well and last a long time with hard construction use.

 

[metal1313]

for indoor use i like bags, i have found them easier to keep organized and i dont mess up people's floors, for out side i like plastic tool boxes, or plastic tool centers like the stanley ones; basically small chests on larger wheels with a retractable handle.

 

[JASTECH]

Maybe something like the Stanley double stack on wheels like a dolly? That way you can still seperate tools and easy to clean outside. Another thought is the tool bag that bigger and zips shut, comes with handle & wheels like luggage.

 

[bobcatdan]

This really a personal choice. Bags with a **** ton pockets can make organizing easier then a big hand carry tool box. Cantilever and boxes with drawers are nice, but can limiting on what tou can fit in them. My suggestion is if you are working out of the back of a truck box is a smaller 26" wide chest. I have a six drawer craftsman chest in my truck, 26" by 12" deep. I somehow smartly stocked it and can do almost anything that arises, even head gaskets on a chevy 3.1 once. The box is just light enough that I can move it, but I wouldn't carry it far. I got my box for $100 at Sears in the Scratch and dent area and it had zero wrong with. Its been in that back of the truck for five years and is in good shape.

 

[cderalow]

I've got the same husky as the op as my house bag. Holds a good 40lbs of tools when fully loaded.

 

[Roots]

I will say that I've seen pictures of the Veto Pro toolbags...they look nice but they can be so easily overloaded with tools that I would not want to carry one!

It's true, they're so nice and provide so many organizational options, it is easy to get carried away with... but without a doubt, I've never found a better tool bag! I used to go through a Husky/CLC/etc. bag every 4-6 months it seems... I've had a Veto XL for over a year, without a single sign of distress in the bag, and it carries stuff more organized than anything else.

 

[y20dth]

both of course

You can have the bag, monte.

 

[shoturtle]

If need to walk around, you might want a backpack tool bag, the CLC ones are nice. That is what I run around with. But the veto shoulder carry with their strap. They are nice just did not work for me, as I needed a backpack over a shoulder style bag.

 

[ncfh]

I used to have a bunch of hard plastic and metal tool boxes and a Kennedy cantilever for a main box. I got tired of lugging them around banging my hips and thigh, an they were just plain noisy with everything rattling around on the road.

Now I've got all soft sided bags, and I'm much happier. A Facom bag for general use stuff, wrenches, pliers, sockets, drivers, bits, hammers, etc. It's great lots of organizational possibilities, plastic bottom and a flip over top cover to keep everything contained and protected. I do have a good 70+ pounds of steel in there thou, the shoulder strap is very comfy thou.

I've also got an older soft sided Snap On bag with 1/2" cordless impact, breaker, a couple large adjustables, spud wrench, and a bunch of sockets. All impact/industrial finish. My "black bag."

Two Milwalkee soft sided bags loaded with various cordless/corded tools and accessories.

A smaller black canvas bag from HF holds my welding PPE, tips, lenses, couple files, scribes, picks, mirror, and some other neccessary random welding odds and ends. Welding jacket and helmet held by carabiner between carry straps.

A smaller electrical bag like the one posted above for dedicated electrical testers, go to strippers, crimpers, wire ties, test equipment, and theres enough room left in the large central section to load up with needed tools while I'm up in a bucket, on a ladder, etc.

A Stanley "junk bag" with infrequently used stuff, large drill index, bigger wrenches, and a lot of just junk I find uses for. lol

And finally two five gallon pails with stacked cincher pouches for bolts, screws, lags, etc. And the other bucket is the same but with electrical fittings, seal tite, brackets, and a couple random bits. Got the cushiony tops for sittin.

I suppose I should also mention the random hard case tools, portaband, mag drill, SDS hammers, saws, etc.

Alot of **** but I need pretty much everything.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Thanks for the replies. I started getting some of the tools together today. Could have used either the molded cases for the cordless tools or the tool bag ($16 on amazon). Tool bag takes up less footprint and keeps everything together but it doesn't protect the tools as well as the cases.

 

[shampoop]

I prefer bags.

You can fit larger objects
They don't slide around in your vehicle
And they take up very little space when they're empty and folded up.

 

[ecidious]

I was at Home Depot today and saw some of the newer husky bags that mlittle29 posted about. I didn't pick up the one he posted pictures of, but the other's were just too heavy for a bag because of the internal metal frames.

Dewalt used to sell a 20" bag with a flat top that opened like a soft sided cooler (D6100). Pockets inside and out along the edges with open space for cordless tools in the middle, but it's been discontinued in favor of the duffle bags and metal framed open top totes like the OP posted now.

 

[geologist]

I keep my grinder in a bag, and my hand tools in boxes. I've also got an old Dewalt box that I'm kludging into a box for my B&D circular saw.

 

[Monte]

You can have the bag, monte.

ok, thanks ! i´ll send you my adress

 

[Mazdaratti3]

Love my Veto Pro Pac XXL-F. It's waterproof and has a nice hard rubber bottom for outdoor use. Only downfall is it can get pretty heavy and its price.

 

[metaldad]

I will say that I've seen pictures of the Veto Pro toolbags...they look nice but they can be so easily overloaded with tools that I would not want to carry one!

I acquired a Vito LC. Quality item, too damn heavy, and big (it's one of the smaller ones). I acn see me easily stuffing too much **** into it (jah, i'm a pack rat).
I'm an industrial HVAC fitter, been using for years a tool pouch tossed into a bucket (which doubles as a seat and growing tool) with a pneumatic tired 2 wheeler. Pouch weighs about 50#
Cantilever boxes are nice, but you need a lot of room to open them properly.

 

[Outlander]

The ATV tools are in a small soft tool bag. Easier to cram into the limited amount of storage, and I can pull it out on the trail and hand it to the guys running broken down brands while I sit and have a drink. (just kidding, I blew a water pump one day and was that guy)

I like the bucket idea, maybe should pick up on of those 'bucket buddies' ? I do have some small tool boxes I use around the house too.

 

[jeffmoss26]

This is everything I carry in that toolbag:

25 lbs when weighed on the shipping scale at work!

 

[KnurledNut]

id consider a construction tool belt for task-specific hand tools. you can wear it, and still have two hands free.

also, bring a bucket or two. they can be used for a million things, including carrying your tools, cleanup, water for concrete, ice and beer, etc...and they cost nothing.

i personally prefer and use a widemouth clc bag with minimal pockets for misc items. throw em in and go.

i also find that cases for power tools are often bulky and useless in the field. leave em home.

simplify and eliminate tools you really dont need.

 

[5lima30]

I prefer the tool bags. I have several of the Craftsman ones, they are very durable and when on sale 50% off very inexpensive. BTW, I also use one of them for a "range bag" when shooting.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

i use both on a daily basis op personally i find in field work off site i'll put my rally box on the bed /taiolgate of my truck and get as sloe to the project as possible for more mobiliy i take the bag unless i'm near ground/mub ourdoor elments then i box or bucket boss it i work like that 6 days a week though

 

[shampoop]

I prefer the tool bags. I have several of the Craftsman ones, they are very durable and when on sale 50% off very inexpensive. BTW, I also use one of them for a "range bag" when shooting.

I wouldn't call them durable. Maybe average. I have some that I use and have already poked a hole or two in them after less than a year of infrequent use. Maybe a few times a month at most.