NoahG
Well-known member
Pry bar, speed square, measuring tape.
One thing my car bag always has is a decent size drift pin. Also a cup full of random screws and hardware, not to mention my center console **** that’s saved me many times.
Tool "To Go" Bag
- Thread starter cgrutt
- Start date
One thing my car bag always has is a decent size drift pin. Also a cup full of random screws and hardware, not to mention my center console **** that’s saved me many times.
Yeah i have duplicates of everything that's in the bag the idea is just to have "something" with me in case I need it. Going to leave this in my truck hopefully will get in habit of bringing it if we take wife's car lol.
Covered in earlier post I usually have my carpentry belt with me that has hammer, square, tape measure, prybar, razor and a pencil on it.
It appears your go-bag is leaning more towards home repairs than automotive/mechanical repairs. I keep a par of these in my tool belt, while not the best tool, they do cut down on what I carry in the belt.
I might suggest a roll of 3M Scotch Super 33+ electrical tape, leave it in the plastic case but you can add a couple of wire nuts/Wagos inside with the tape.
I might suggest a roll of 3M Scotch Super 33+ electrical tape, leave it in the plastic case but you can add a couple of wire nuts/Wagos inside with the tape.
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Like this.
e015475
Well-known member
A few years ago I was working in someone else's shop. Out of frustration, I put together this tool box of mostly spare tools to take with me. I keep it in the back of my Toyota, mostly so I have tools to help someone else or for going to the junkyard. I recently freshened it up-
It is stored in a HF plastic case with inside dimensions of about 9x12"
The the tools that I'm likely to use first/most often display when you open the box. It seems like the Leatherman solves a lot of problems and this is a good place to keep it where I can find it. All my flashlights use 18650 batteries now and I keep a couple of spares if I need them. There's a couple dollars of quarters for the coke machine at the junkyard and maybe enough for the admission fee to the yard at the PinNPull (A few of these tools I've actually found at junkyards over the years)
There's a couple of storage cavities in the lid - one for zipties and the other for stainless safety wire
The foam is the stuff they sell at Harbor Freight and it supported by an aluminum sheet metal tray. Here's the tool pallets unloaded from the box. When I've used this at the junkyard, I typically lay it all out on a hood or a trunk to work.
The bottom of the box contains a 3/8 drive socket set - all the sockets are cats and dogs and I need to come up with some marking for sizes.
I don't troll junkyards as much as I used to, the Toyota never causes any issues and it seems like the most use it gets is when I'm visiting my kids and they're asking Dad for help fixing something.
It is stored in a HF plastic case with inside dimensions of about 9x12"
The the tools that I'm likely to use first/most often display when you open the box. It seems like the Leatherman solves a lot of problems and this is a good place to keep it where I can find it. All my flashlights use 18650 batteries now and I keep a couple of spares if I need them. There's a couple dollars of quarters for the coke machine at the junkyard and maybe enough for the admission fee to the yard at the PinNPull (A few of these tools I've actually found at junkyards over the years)
There's a couple of storage cavities in the lid - one for zipties and the other for stainless safety wire
The foam is the stuff they sell at Harbor Freight and it supported by an aluminum sheet metal tray. Here's the tool pallets unloaded from the box. When I've used this at the junkyard, I typically lay it all out on a hood or a trunk to work.
The bottom of the box contains a 3/8 drive socket set - all the sockets are cats and dogs and I need to come up with some marking for sizes.
I don't troll junkyards as much as I used to, the Toyota never causes any issues and it seems like the most use it gets is when I'm visiting my kids and they're asking Dad for help fixing something.
e015475
Well-known member
Thank you.
The first iteration of this box I cut with an Xacto knife.
This time I used the print shop up the street to cut them with a CO2 laser. As a winter project, I took pictures of the tools, imported them to Inkscape, traced them and provided files/materials to the print shop
Yeah I thought they were custom made but cuts look factory. Nicely done!
I have two of those HF cases, 2800's, I believe. One in my truck and I put a case together for the wife's Jeep.A few years ago I was working in someone else's shop. Out of frustration, I put together this tool box of mostly spare tools to take with me. I keep it in the back of my Toyota, mostly so I have tools to help someone else or for going to the junkyard. I recently freshened it up-
It is stored in a HF plastic case with inside dimensions of about 9x12"
The the tools that I'm likely to use first/most often display when you open the box. It seems like the Leatherman solves a lot of problems and this is a good place to keep it where I can find it. All my flashlights use 18650 batteries now and I keep a couple of spares if I need them. There's a couple dollars of quarters for the coke machine at the junkyard and maybe enough for the admission fee to the yard at the PinNPull (A few of these tools I've actually found at junkyards over the years)
There's a couple of storage cavities in the lid - one for zipties and the other for stainless safety wire
The foam is the stuff they sell at Harbor Freight and it supported by an aluminum sheet metal tray. Here's the tool pallets unloaded from the box. When I've used this at the junkyard, I typically lay it all out on a hood or a trunk to work.
The bottom of the box contains a 3/8 drive socket set - all the sockets are cats and dogs and I need to come up with some marking for sizes.
I don't troll junkyards as much as I used to, the Toyota never causes any issues and it seems like the most use it gets is when I'm visiting my kids and they're asking Dad for help fixing something.
Well I decided to change it up a bit lol.
Bought another, smaller bag, and geared it more towards cabling projects. Freed up a some space in the backpack and got more of my cabling tools in the small bag... coax tools, my toner, magnetic wire pull tool (its at bottom of bag), some additional stripper and crimpers etc. Need to pick up a punch down tool and thinking about buying an electronic "screw driver" such as the 4V milwaukee or Dewalt gyroscopic, etc.
Have a good size project coming up next week rewiring a dentist's office so should put this to good use. We're redoing the entire network new rack and server, pulling all new cabling throughout office for network, VOIP phone system, security cameras, some specialized medical equipment on its own network, TVs in offices and waiting room, etc. Should be a fun project and put new tool bags to test.
Bought another, smaller bag, and geared it more towards cabling projects. Freed up a some space in the backpack and got more of my cabling tools in the small bag... coax tools, my toner, magnetic wire pull tool (its at bottom of bag), some additional stripper and crimpers etc. Need to pick up a punch down tool and thinking about buying an electronic "screw driver" such as the 4V milwaukee or Dewalt gyroscopic, etc.
Have a good size project coming up next week rewiring a dentist's office so should put this to good use. We're redoing the entire network new rack and server, pulling all new cabling throughout office for network, VOIP phone system, security cameras, some specialized medical equipment on its own network, TVs in offices and waiting room, etc. Should be a fun project and put new tool bags to test.
Hannahranga
Well-known member
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- Mar 8, 2023
- Messages
- 213
As someone that's tried and failed at needing a forklift for a tool bag that was what I liked about OP's initial bag, it's small enough you've got to work at it to overload yourself. The hard shell glasses bit is also very handy for keeping some safety glasses and and ear plugs in.
craftsman creep
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2022
- Messages
- 299
What about some drill bits like these 
Yeah I thought about drill bits but think I'll keep them separate. I need to bring my Hilti for the project next week as it's an old building in NYC and we will need to come through brick walls and concrete floors. My masonry bits are in the drill case.What about some drill bits like these
They're all hammers.
I have the same problem. I want to bring everything I have with me just in case. My current bag is still way too heavy, probably 40lbs +/- if I had to guess. Even small tools add weight and that weight adds up quickly.
There is a saying in the military, "ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain".
I think the solution is using smaller bags. There is only so much you can fit and realistically can't go above a certain weight. I also think having dedicated bags for different purposes might help. You only have the tools you need for the job you're doing, or at that's the idea.
Work in progress for me.
It would be interesting to know how often the people who carry these bags actually use them, and how often they're perfectly adequate without fetching something from the nearest store.
I carry stuff in my truck to cover recurring problems, and it's almost always on the trailers not my truck. Like a drill to put new holes in a torn mudflap and wrenches to rehang it. A come along to pull a welded mud flap hanger straight so it isn't pushing into the tires. A socket and wrench to remove the crank handle bolt to replace the handle, etc.
Real issues that were common before we got new/refurbished trailers.
Can't say I've ever successfully put together a "cover everything" kit that didn't need a service truck to haul it.
I carry stuff in my truck to cover recurring problems, and it's almost always on the trailers not my truck. Like a drill to put new holes in a torn mudflap and wrenches to rehang it. A come along to pull a welded mud flap hanger straight so it isn't pushing into the tires. A socket and wrench to remove the crank handle bolt to replace the handle, etc.
Real issues that were common before we got new/refurbished trailers.
Can't say I've ever successfully put together a "cover everything" kit that didn't need a service truck to haul it.
FTWingRiders
Well-known member
I’ve thought long and hard about building a bug out tool bag… I’ve given up. I carry a blow mold tool kit, (blasphemy.. I know), under the seat of my truck that has the basic socket set and hand tools, so I have a couple empty bags of various sizes on a shelf in my shop. I pull out what I need for the job and then grab the bag that’s going to hold it. It’s usually a carpentry job so a few cordless tools are always needed.. so I’d rather 2 smaller bags. I also have a bunch of the HF plastic ammo cans with various hardware stacked up and ready so I’ll grab whichever has what I need.
Hannahranga
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- Joined
- Mar 8, 2023
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- 213
I think that's the only sane way to do it plus it's a good excuse to buy more tools. Tho I will add tool backpacks make dealing with the weight more manageable
So brought the two bags with me today and put them to pretty good test. Used VOM, several screwdrivers, two of the wrenches, flashlight, impact driver, two of the channel locks, the mini security bit set and tape measure. Going back tomorrow will need some of the LAN tools crimper, toner etc. Job was in NYC so couldn't bring (and didn't want to) a lot of extra tools with me. Very manageable in the two bags. Also brought my Hilti in a separate case and will be using that tomorrow. Really happy with this set up so far.
Put together a 42U rack and started getting things mounted. Should make alot more progress on rack tomorrow. Probably only going to get a few CAT cables wired in tomorrow but will get alot of the network transferred through some existing switches but plan is to pull everything down from main office and having it wired directly into rack. Unfortunately it's an active office and we will need to wait until next weekend when the office is closed to do the major cleanup / rewiring.
Put together a 42U rack and started getting things mounted. Should make alot more progress on rack tomorrow. Probably only going to get a few CAT cables wired in tomorrow but will get alot of the network transferred through some existing switches but plan is to pull everything down from main office and having it wired directly into rack. Unfortunately it's an active office and we will need to wait until next weekend when the office is closed to do the major cleanup / rewiring.
Most of my traveling tools are for helping friends mechanic on stuff they can’t do themselves. Generally everything lives in the main box and I pull what I need into an old dewalt tool bag that came with an old power tool but it’s fallin apart lol. So I’m building a small box that is easy to load and take as needed in the jeep or truck. And/ or work out of at home for general use. Nice thing is it will open up some space in my main box too.
nadogail
Well-known member
Actually I have a few "Fly Away" kits in my service van, a Plumbing Tool box, a Painter's Box, and a set of sockets and combination wrenches that are in a box tucked between the Driver's seat and the partition.
The "Welding Box" sits on my Arc Welder, the "Electrical" box is in the process of being filled.
The "Welding Box" sits on my Arc Welder, the "Electrical" box is in the process of being filled.
skulldrinker
Well-known member
I did a quick sort out of my tool bag. I've since added the missing items. I then used it and added in a mess of other stuff I was too lazy to put elsewhere. The front and side pockets have a multimeter, clamp meter, test light, automotive wire and ignition parts for my car.
PhantomEB
Well-known member
My old Kuny closed top bag lives in my diesel truck nowadays as I rarely take the car out of town anymore. When bronco is trail ready that bag and socket set will go back and forth between the two trucks.
Came back today to finish up the dentist office it was alot of work but came out good. The bag is working out great have used it on a bunch of projects so far want to add a keystone punch down tool but not much else. The dentist office was a real mess but we got it tied together nicely. Just about everything was pulled downstairs, computers in reception, all the exam rooms some cool xray machines and mills, the pbx system, security cameras, we mounted four new flat screen TVs and added four wireless access points and the sound system. Funny thing is nearly everything that was run over several different wireless systems has now been hardwired. We pulled out a ton of old wiring and outdated equipment. Cleaned up all the wiring down in basement. It was previously run all over the place now comes up through two main access holes. The girls at reception are super happy we pulled a ton of equipment out from under their desk they have a lot of extra room now. Fun project.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
Mind sharing what's in your data com kit? I'm doing something similar to your structure of splitting apart tool sets by class of work. My datacom/telecom only has four tools:
1) RJ11 / RJ 45 crimper Ideal brand
2) Coaxial cable stripper/crimper combo tool
3) fox/hound set
4) linesman headset
And there's overlap between fox/hound with the electrical kit, because I can use it to trace electrical lines if I have no power.
Because I only have so few telecom tools, I am planning on combining it into a single kit with electrical work. The linesman headset would likely not be part of this combo kit full-time but has a clip that can go on the outside if I need it.
Another idea is to use something like the Veto MP1X for these four tools (clipping the linesman to the side), and then clip the MP1X to the outside of whatever bag I wind up using for electrical work to still keep them a bit separate, but easy to keep together. I have multiple types of useful pliers in my electrical kit that also apply to datacom, so if I'm doing datacom I will take both to avoid needing to buy and have two sets of $300 knipex electrician pliers.
So... what telecom/datacom tools do you have? Help me build out my tool wishlist
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swsman
Well-known member
5 gal bucket was my go to.
Got into commercial maintenance for a bit, and bought four of 22" Ridgid stackable baskets with handles.
These were awesome as I could set up each one individually with certain tools/parts.
Lastly I added HF tool bag into the mix, it was a fight keeping that one light.
Got into commercial maintenance for a bit, and bought four of 22" Ridgid stackable baskets with handles.
These were awesome as I could set up each one individually with certain tools/parts.
Lastly I added HF tool bag into the mix, it was a fight keeping that one light.
Attachments
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Shameless plug. This one is too big for me:https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/clc-1539-18-50-pocket-tool-bag.525557/
Attachments
Here's the post where I made the case initially:Mind sharing what's in your data com kit? I'm doing something similar to your structure of splitting apart tool sets by class of work. My datacom/telecom only has four tools:
1) RJ11 / RJ 45 crimper Ideal brand
2) Coaxial cable stripper/crimper combo tool
3) fox/hound set
4) linesman headset
And there's overlap between fox/hound with the electrical kit, because I can use it to trace electrical lines if I have no power.
Because I only have so few telecom tools, I am planning on combining it into a single kit with electrical work. The linesman headset would likely not be part of this combo kit full-time but has a clip that can go on the outside if I need it.
Another idea is to use something like the Veto MP1X for these four tools (clipping the linesman to the side), and then clip the MP1X to the outside of whatever bag I wind up using for electrical work to still keep them a bit separate, but easy to keep together. I have multiple types of useful pliers in my electrical kit that also apply to datacom, so if I'm doing datacom I will take both to avoid needing to buy and have two sets of $300 knipex electrician pliers.
So... what telecom/datacom tools do you have? Help me build out my tool wishlist
What did you do "IN" your garage today?
A week ago: The Indestro 1/4" 2875 ratchet I picked up a week ago came apart with no drama (it was freewheeling) as it was dry and had rust dust in it. A couple shots of Tri-flow, and some working/cleaning, and everything freed up! A little light lube was all it needed. Getting the snap ring...
www.garagejournal.com
It's about the same today, except I have cut a couple more spots in the foam; one for a coax run tracer and one for a decibel meter for audio installs, and I added a flashlight to the top pallet. I get into just about anything; A/V, CCTV, networking, IT, phone systems, pro audio, paging systems, you name it, lol.
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Looks like those small Klein wire cutters have earned their keep.
Tools that get used oh, the horror! Lol
Just thinking about this bag and an update of sorts. So fat I'm pretty happy with it and have used it far more than I expected. Some of the projects it's helped me with, sometimes along with some other project specific tools.
* demoed a bathroom (along with some other tools)
* installed several valves
* insulated bathroom (with stapler)
* sheetrocked bathroom (with my tool belt and 4' level)
* installed subfloor
* replaced about a dozen switches, dimmers and outlets
* installed a new outlet with breaker at panel
* installed bathroom vent (along with pvc saw)
* extensive low voltage wiring project
* mounted several flat screen tvs/monitors (with hammer dril)
* mounted cellular antenna on side of brick building (with hammer drill)
* launched boat
* installed hot water heater
* installed dishwasher
* installed dryer vent
* installed running boards (with socket set)
* installed rear spoiler on Audi
* repaired battery terminal on golf cart
That's what comes to mind probably others. So far it's doing what I wanted. I do like the klein backpack. A little heavier than I'd prefer but doable.
* demoed a bathroom (along with some other tools)
* installed several valves
* insulated bathroom (with stapler)
* sheetrocked bathroom (with my tool belt and 4' level)
* installed subfloor
* replaced about a dozen switches, dimmers and outlets
* installed a new outlet with breaker at panel
* installed bathroom vent (along with pvc saw)
* extensive low voltage wiring project
* mounted several flat screen tvs/monitors (with hammer dril)
* mounted cellular antenna on side of brick building (with hammer drill)
* launched boat
* installed hot water heater
* installed dishwasher
* installed dryer vent
* installed running boards (with socket set)
* installed rear spoiler on Audi
* repaired battery terminal on golf cart
That's what comes to mind probably others. So far it's doing what I wanted. I do like the klein backpack. A little heavier than I'd prefer but doable.
turnthewrench 2.0
Well-known member
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