Tool tote?

[HanShotFirst]

For my car work at home, I can pull my car pretty close to my roll away, but I still like to put a number of tools into a tote/tray and then take them to the car…especially if I’m working under the car. So what I have been using is pretty decent, but I can’t help but think there is something better out there.

Currently I used this kitchen utensil organizer. It’s about 12”x9” (estimate), and has 3 sections, so I can separate wrenches, sockets, and screwdrivers (or whatever). It works pretty well, but I can’t help but think how cool it would be if it were magnetic, both where you put the tools, and on the bottom, so it would resist slipping off a fender (or wherever I set it).

I think I paid $12 for this at my local Smith's grocery store.

Here's a slick idea for the aircraft industry...not sure I would like it for working on cars though. It is darned close to what I would want. Magnetic on both sides, but I wouldn't want mine to be all floppy & bendy (technical terms). I'd rather it was rigid like my kitchen utensil thingy (more technical talk).

So what do you guys use for tools at the car side (those of you who don't use a cart).

 

[signcrafter]

That's actually a neat idea and can't believe that I've never thought of something like that or that they don't make some kind of rolling tool tray for working under a car. At least I haven't seen one. Seems like taking a moving dolly and putting some kind of tray on it would be perfect. Kind of like the top part of a tool cart, just minus the drawers and low to the ground. Set your socket sets on rails in there, some wrenches, and whatever other tools you need for the job you working on.

 

[BMack37]

That's actually a neat idea and can't believe that I've never thought of something like that or that they don't make some kind of rolling tool tray for working under a car. At least I haven't seen one. Seems like taking a moving dolly and putting some kind of tray on it would be perfect. Kind of like the top part of a tool cart, just minus the drawers and low to the ground. Set your socket sets on rails in there, some wrenches, and whatever other tools you need for the job you working on.

I've seen people do it with a creeper and old cookie pan, take off the padding and screw the pan to the frame. I think there is someone selling them to but it's expensive.


I've seen that aviation tray posted before. My thought is just take a big magnet and glue it to the tray, then put a cloth over the magnet to protect pain.

 

[Al Borland]

Cookie tray and casters?

 

[Billy Jack]

I just made one yesterday, using a Torin Creeper seat.

I cut the vertical supports for the seat and inserted 27" of tubing to extend them to 38" high to allow the top to rise over the fenders or core support. I left the seat off, but re-mounted the bottom tool tray to the top level. Some phone pipe insulation over the uprights protects the paint. Pep Boys now has it on sale for less than $11 with their discount code. I cut up a existing product 'cause I couldn't build one as cheap.

Bill

 

[Mr_B]

I use large magnetic rectangle parts trays with magnets and rubber base.
Bulk of stuff is always on a cart though as way tidier practice .

 

[Richard Cranium]

I had never seen the air craft tray before, But I am sure it is expensive.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I use large magnetic rectangle parts trays with magnets and rubber base.
Bulk of stuff is always on a cart though as way tidier practice .

Same here, I was given one of the large trays for Christmas a few years ago

 

[KnurledNut]

Here's a slick idea for the aircraft industry...not sure I would like it for working on cars though. It is darned close to what I would want. Magnetic on both sides

That is the Grypmat by Grypshon.
They are not magnetic. Many parts of an airplane are aluminum.
The mats are super flexible and tacky.

I had never seen the air craft tray before, But I am sure it is expensive.

Compared to the cost of scratching a car, aircraft, etc, not really.

 

[toolman9w]

Am I missing something? How is a magnet on both sides sticking to an aluminum or composite air craft?

 

[jives]

BTW, check out your local Salvation Army or other thrift store for all sorts of cake pans, trays, racks, utensil trays, and so forth. Lots of good stuff that can be used for tool storage, and really cheap.

 

[cliftonbros89]

For working by something I just use a tool cart to move everything from my main box to what I’m working on. As far as under I’ve seen “tool creepers” for sale on Amazon and other places. I’ve also seen a lot of people just make their own tool creeper as well. I’ll also use magnetic trays for tools and bolts too.

 

[LXCam]

That is the Grypmat by Grypshon.
They are not magnetic. Many parts of an airplane are aluminum.
The mats are super flexible and tacky.

Am I missing something? How is a magnet on both sides sticking to an aluminum or composite air craft?

Knurled is right, they aren't magnetic. They had these displayed at SEMA this year and I checked them out. Pretty cool but there was some reason I passed on one but I'll be damned if I can remember why. It had to have been the price because the functionality was pretty cool.

 

[pstemari]

Knurled is right, they aren't magnetic. They had these displayed at SEMA this year and I checked them out. Pretty cool but there was some reason I passed on one but I'll be damned if I can remember why. It had to have been the price because the functionality was pretty cool.

Set of three is selling for $130, and they are soft floppy silicone.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[crewchief888]

i use a tote in my service truck.

its gray plastic with a handle, got it from menards for $5 or so.

they seem to hold up to grease, oil, diesel fuel and brake clean for several years before the plastic gets kinda "flexible" and wont hold it's shape with weight in it.

in the garage, i have a simple tool tray on wheels i bought from advance or pep boys probably a torin brand.

 

[cvairwerks]

We use a ton of these or similar brands out on our jets,
amazon.com/Akro-Mils-Plastic-14-Inch-18-Inch-9-Inch/dp/B00021LQ0U/ref=pd_bxgy_469_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XCEGWA4J43EB5N46TSCK

 

[gregpack]

Set of three is selling for $130, and they are soft floppy silicone.

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I know my silpat baking mat is very "grippy". I never thought of using it like that. Silicone baking pans, cupcake holders etc. may work nearly as well at those grypmat tool holders for a fraction of the price.

 

[DGersic]

Every time I’m in the ER, I see a table like this that seems like it would be useful.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LT66FE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Haven’t bought one yet, though.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[454ragtop]

I have a tool creeper, made by ATD or somebody, probably at least 15 years old. Think I've only used it once or twice, don't know why, just don't seem to think of it till I'm dragging the tools out from under the vehicle.

 

[jumpdrive]

https://www.zoro.com/luxor-mechanics-three-shelf-cart-mc-3/i/G4563977/


$75 from Zoro

 

[LXCam]

Set of three is selling for $130, and they are soft floppy silicone.

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Ya that price rings a bell and would have been exactly why I would have passed.

 

[tarbellb]

Thats a ridiculous price- you can buy a silicone drying mat for $10.

Hope those guys have a good patent lawyer...

 

[bonneyman]

I just made one yesterday, using a Torin Creeper seat.

I cut the vertical supports for the seat and inserted 27" of tubing to extend them to 38" high to allow the top to rise over the fenders or core support. I left the seat off, but re-mounted the bottom tool tray to the top level. Some phone pipe insulation over the uprights protects the paint. Pep Boys now has it on sale for less than $11 with their discount code. I cut up a existing product 'cause I couldn't build one as cheap.

Bill

Freakin a that is nice!

 

[Fedwrench]

I learned many years ago not to lay tools in or on a car to prevent loss.

For under dash work, i use an old round hubcap from a van to contain parts & tools. For underhood work, i like one of these rolling tables that you adjust the height on.

https://mobiledistributorsupply.com/24616-29-inch-work-tray-green-oem.html

 

[Ray-CA]

I have a couple of these: https://www.lowes.com/pd/MacCourt-D...MIloec2-7V1wIVA4ezCh2hYAGGEAQYASABEgJBpvD_BwE

I put a rope pull on one of them so I can drag it along with me when I have to work under the house. The other one gets all kinds of use: tools under the car/truck, mixing garden soil and even used it to wash the dog after he got skunked.

Ray

 

[Wamsutta]

I use those cardboard trays that Costco keeps their jars of Skippy peanut butter in. I cannot allow any of my tools touch the garage floor. Concrete is too abrasive for my tools.

 

[ephotrod]

Al. baking trays work great for under the car (sams is great 3 for 10 dollars), to keep fasteners in i use antifreeze or oil jugs with the square cut out of the side so i can see everything and keep all fasteners together (caps left on). To go to a service call or salvage yard i use totes or mil spec 11" tool bags or usually both. The best thing though are the oil and antifreeze jugs they are being reused, keep things organize and are free. I have even seen people use them in the pull a part to keep there tools in and move from car to car to pull parts (a small quantity or job specific amount of tools).

 

[LXCam]

. I cannot allow any of my tools touch the garage floor.

Are you saying the five second rule doesn't apply to tools??

 

[Wamsutta]

Are you saying the five second rule doesn't apply to tools??

Five second rule?

 

[CJM8515]

I use whatever organizers I have laying around, magnetic trays.

 

[Wrapitinbacon]

Are you saying the five second rule doesn't apply to tools??

Wipe the dust and dirt off...still good to eat

 

[PJNJ]

Cookie tray and casters?

Close. I used this pan -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032JRV7Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Got it cheaper from B, B and Beyond but I'm not sure if they still carry it.

Put 4 cheap casters from HD on it and it's my under car tool tote. I've used it for a while now and it has made it a lot easier to work on my back.

For underhood, I use a cheap two shelf red Cman cart I got used a couple of years ago.

 

[dolfans]

I never thought of this. This would work well when i am changing oil in the car and keeping the socket,ratchet and the oil filter tool together,plug and maybe filter together

 

[crewchief888]

For underhood work, i like one of these rolling tables that you adjust the height on.

https://mobiledistributorsupply.com/24616-29-inch-work-tray-green-oem.html

i have a black one like this, i think mine is a torin brand...

 

[Ray-CA]

Five second rule?

This may help explain....

 

[Coach James]

For working on the ground or under the car, I use an "repurposed" pizza box.

For under the hood, I put the pizza box on top of the roll out trash can. I have to work in our stone driveway to small casters don't do too well. I'm hoping the new house we're moving to will allow me to work in the garage.

Coach

 

[SILVERPLATE]

I learned many years ago not to lay tools in or on a car to prevent loss.

For under dash work, i use an old round hubcap from a van to contain parts & tools. For underhood work, i like one of these rolling tables that you adjust the height on.

https://mobiledistributorsupply.com/24616-29-inch-work-tray-green-oem.html

I have this one also. Very high quality, neat color. First time buyer saves a few more bucks. Way worth it to have around.

 

[texasprd]

I put most of my tools on a 3-shelf HF cart. Tools on top, parts and supplies on lower levels. For undercar work, I have a small tool creeper and I also use the spaces on the edges of my low-profile HF creeper.

 

[tym]

Every time I’m in the ER, I see a table like this that seems like it would be useful.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LT66FE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Haven’t bought one yet, though.



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I think there are some computer stands out there that are designed like a Mayo stand. Maybe repurpose one of those?

 

[RAS61]

Every time I’m in the ER, I see a table like this that seems like it would be useful.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LT66FE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Haven’t bought one yet, though.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

"Everytime"? How often are you in the ER, maybe you have bigger issues than keeping track of your lug nuts?