Tool Cases...do you keep them or throw them out?

[ukiltmybrutha]

Hi,

I usually pitch my tool cases and have regrets from time to time. One example is the case for my cheap harbor freight A/C gauges.

Now I own my first nice drill and impact....a Milwaukee. To me, cases have usually been a time hinderance and eventually I forget how to put the tool(s) back in their cases.

How do you decide whether or not to keep cases?

Thanks!

 

[sberry]

Stuff getting put away up on shelves as sets get the cases, most power tools not, they are used so often its a hassle. I use the drill every day, most several times, not opening it for that.

 

[grissom]

I always put my tools back clean in their cases

 

[jonshonda]

I store infrequently used things in cases in an enclosed shelving unit. I use the old craftsman metal tool boxes for some tools as well. Such as angle grinders with discs, wire cups, sanders with paper and accessories, etc. That way when I pull the tool out it comes with the majority of what I need right in the case.

 

[bczygan]

Sets stay in cases.

Power tools at the ready.

Bill

 

[ssdave]

....

 

[RTM]

I try to keep things in their cases. They stack easier, cords don’t go everywhere. I also live real close to the Pacific Rust generator, so an extra line of protection.

Most drills and drivers aren’t in cases, and the circ saws and ports band have not found cases for them yet.

But I am a weekend hobby DIY home repair, not a hands on tool guy all week.

 

[username2]

I have plenty of storage so I keep the cases in case I give away or sell stuff. The power tools themselves get stuffed in a drawer. Trying to get the density up and the actual tool count down, I don't need as much stuff as I thought.

Same with hand tools that happened to come in a roll or a case. One weird thing I ended up with is several of those Snap-on briefcase wrench holder deals when I bought some sets on the cheap on eBay a long time ago. They don't make any sense to use, but they are kind of cool.

The tricky one is what to do with socket set cases. They appeal to my magpie instincts but don't really add much to usability.

 

[lardy1]

Power tools I keep in cases and if they didn't come with a case I try to repurpose an old one. This excludes drills, circular saws and most of my pneumatic stuff. Sockets sets, wrenches, etc. end up in a bigger box near one of the work benches. I keep the blow mold cases but I really don't know why. I'm an old school collector of other things and packaging and cases makes collectables worth more. I don't put my tools in the same category but that influences whether I throw things away.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have found that the cases take up too much space. On my work truck, I did keep the cases for the M12 and M18 SDS rotary hammers. Only because I don't use them very often, it keeps me from having to dig for the bits since they are in the cases. When I buy a new power tool for work, the old is still usually good, it will get put in a drawer in the garage.

 

[Gummi Bear]

Power tools, yes. I will buy a case if it doesn’t come with one. Specialty tools also (ball joint press, slide hammer, etc)

Sockets and wrenches, no. They go in my tool chest, neatly put away



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[steaks&anvils]

mostly a home owner projects kind of use, so I keep them in the cases (drill, saw, jigsaw). They stay neater and are easier to store. Tools with a home tend to get put away and are easier to find later.

I use a lateral file for storing them in their cases. Back when there was a kid in the house, it let me lock them up. Kept them from ending up in the yard or missing pieces. Electric tools with no case get put in there too. When I had a detached garage and kept tools out there, it helped keep the vermin mice out of them

 

[oldwino]

Most of the blo-mold cases get tossed. There is rarely anywhere to store accessories with the tool and they take a lot of room. I do kinda like the cloth bags Milwaukee uses with the battery stuff. Enough room to store blades, bits, etc keeping all together

 

[crewchief888]

for tools that get used more often, mainly drills, drivers, impact, the blow molded cases get stacked up, or tossed up in the rafters of the garage.

less frequent use stuff stays in the blow molded case, and stacked on a shelf.

ive repurposed several old "dumpster dive" cases for tools that didnt have them.

 

[bobemmerich]

Depending on the tool and how frequently I'll use it. Example-My driil/drivers. I use them too much to hassle with the case. My inspection camera, router, hole saw set, torque wrenches, stuff like that go back in the cases. Issue is cases take up a lot of space.

 

[wafrederick]

My torque wrenches stay in the case when not in use including my compression,back pressure and coolant system leak testers.The Snap On and Blue Point cases,lifetime warranty on them

 

[16again]

My torque wrenches are in the toolbox, but I keep the cases. Small boxed items get kept in the box. All my Milwaukee tool boxes get tossed.

 

[richfinn]

Try not to use them, if it's test equipment with lots of fiddly pieces I will keep it, power tools never, I wanna be able to grab and go, it robs the tool of convenience if I have to unpack it and repack it everytime I use it

 

[steel 35]

long ago this was asked, someone was purposing, reshaping, refitting them!
I like the soft ones and this is all I needed to toss several molded ones.

 

[mikeinri]

I like cases and boxes. I despise bags and bare tools. My simple logic is that squares / rectangles can be stacked and packed much more compactly than random shapes (and stacking bare power tools together just invites things to be broken).

Mike

 

[MushCreek]

My M18 tools came in a bag- that ought to tell you something. I keep the old-school metal boxes. They're compact and they work. My corded Milwaukee circular saw has the worst plastic case ever. First, the saw has to be adjusted just right or it won't fit. Second, the case is about four times bigger than the actual saw. The case for my DeWalt grinder barely fits. You have to bend the cord really sharp to jam it in there. If it was an inch longer, it would work much better. I'm sure the cord will fail right where you have to bend it so sharply.

Some I just live with. My Bosch router has so many accessories and attachments the case (the size of a suitcase) is pretty much a necessity unless I had a dedicated router cabinet.

 

[mikeinri]

MushCreek brings up a good point: The cases are only as good as the manufacturers make them. While I still prefer to use cases (or boxes) than bags or nothing, it's very aggravating to have to break tools down, or bend the cord, to make them fit.

My other pet peeve with the plastic cases is when they stop holding small tools properly. Then you wind up with loose tools (think sockets and drill bits here) getting in the way when you need to close the case!

Mike

 

[demarpaint]

I keep them.

 

[Den69rs96]

Power tools, yes. I will buy a case if it doesn’t come with one. Specialty tools also (ball joint press, slide hammer, etc)

Sockets and wrenches, no. They go in my tool chest, neatly put away



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

This is what I do as well.

 

[MushCreek]

The router bit holders in my Bosch case don't hold them if you stand the case upright. Nothing worse than router bits rattling around loose in the case. I made a holder, and keep them in a drawer.

 

[seber]

I cut out all the form fitting **** inside and use it for tool and whatever tooling goes with it. If still too small, then it gets used for a different tool. I pick up the old school steel boxes whenever I see them. Unfortunately, most people have either disposed of them or won't let go of the ones they have.