Traveling tools!?!?!

[Jersey Drew]

So I have spent the last several months getting my toolbox to a point where I like using it for my home garage. I have the Wesseling machine racks and I have OEM tools wrench rails I have everything super organized. And I find myself needing to take a lot of my tools with me for one project at a buddy’s house. I really don’t know how to pack everything I might need and not have a box full of loose tools. Any thoughts or recommendations on how to organize my tools to take with me?

 

[930dreamer]

I just put them in a bucket and don't let them get wet.

 

[Roschili]

Buy more tools and keep separate tool boxes for different travel work.

When in doubt, just buy more tools. It's always the right answer

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I got one of these filled with miscellaneous yard sale and extra tools I collected for taking to the junk yard and when im at someone’s house and something needs fixing. Its got a rubber seal so i just leave it in my truck
37 in. Rolling Tool Box Utility Cart Black

https://www.homedepot.com/p/203668066

 

[Renegade1LI]

This has been working well, still fine tuning but very easy to access & van can be emptied in 5 minutes if need be. The cart/hand truck has proven to be very useful.

 

[macgee]

This has been working well, still fine tuning but very easy to access & van can be emptied in 5 minutes if need be. The cart/hand truck has proven to be very useful.

Renegade: That's all you got? What kind of friend are you if you're only bringing those couple of tool boxes to help him?


To the OP, like already mentioned above, having a tool bucket organizer to start off with or spare to go tool box is a good start and just keep adding spare tools to it, may take a while but you'll be surprised how quickly it fills up with what you need. Remember, your to-go tool box will usually always be close by when home in case you need something out of it.

My to-go kit was orig. suppose to be cheap freebie, no loner needed spare redundant tools; now its full of Knipex, Felo, Starrett, PB Swiss, Snap-On, Plumb, Bahco, Erem, Bosch...etc; I guess my original plan didn't go so well but I'm ready.

 

[icthruu74]

I’ve got 2 basic go kits. One geared towards auto/mechanic repair, and one more construction/household geared.

Both started out with duplicate or cheap tools (HF, CM, Tekton) that I thought would be needed and both have been added to several times. I used to use the bucket method but got tired of having to dig for loose tools and then sorting them all out to put away.

My construction stuff is in Dewalt toughsystem boxes and I used a paint pen to write what’s in them so I can just grab the ones I need.

The auto/mechanic is in this https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-29-in-Black-Plastic-Wheeled-Lockable-Tool-Box/1000578357 that I added plywood dividers and a plywood under the lid with clips to hold extensions etc (that doesn’t work as well as I’d hoped)

 

[richfinn]

Whats the project?

How big is the tool box?

 

[lardy1]

I use an old SK hip roof tool box someone from Garage Journal gifted me. My biggest issue is weight. Just putting it on the tailgate of my pickup to take it anywhere is a job in itself for this old retiree.

I do like that I can grab and go though. I used to think it through and try to remember everything I thought I might need.

 

[bushmechanic]

Tool rolls and socket rails in a Pelican case or one of the common bags.

I'd suggest Bucketboss and whichever rails you prefer.

Problem solved.

 

[claymont]

Husky tool bags from Home Depot, I've got at least six in various sizes. A couple are dedicated to tasks, plumbing, M12 drill and driver, other mechanical tools and electrical. They've got enough small inside and outside pockets that the smaller tools are easy to access. Socket sets are in dedicated cases; some of which will fit in a bag. I was a mechanic/millwright in a refinery for a lot of years and found getting tools to the job was easier in bags than toolboxes.

 

[subroc]

I am not doing much of that stuff these days. I worked at a shipyard for many years. If you had to fix a valve, you had to carry the stuff you needed to do it. Everything was remote. I use tool bags for hand tools and battery powered or corded tool. I must have a double handfull of the things. I just "tool up" for a remote job. These days, whenever possible I work out of the back if my truck with the tailgate as a work surface.

What are you bringing? hand tools like wrenches, sockets, ratchets screwdrivers and torque wrenches? Carpentry or woodworking stuff like hammers and wrecking bars and tape measures with a belt? Or something else? Are you packing up at the end of the day? Are you leaving it there? Is it in a locked safe place with no one other than your "buddy" having access? Or is it a jobsite with other less known workers?

It is doubtful you will have the same level of organization you have at home working at a remote site.

 

[bonneyman]

I started thinking good old fashioned milk crates would work well for handyman work, but never got the chance to implement it before my health tanked.
Figured I could load up crates with different specialties (plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc.) and then load those crates for the type of job(s) I was planning on that day. They sort of interlock and can easily be bungeed to the inside of the van. And one can empty the truck fairly quick at the end of the day. And no one crate would be to heavy for one man to move.
Keep a set of sockets and wrenches in a metal toolbox, and my Bucket Boss with standard pliers and drivers up front.
Plus this company sells milk crates ....so you don't have to steal from the grocery store!

https://www.milkcratesdirect.com/

 

[claymont]

This has been working well, still fine tuning but very easy to access & van can be emptied in 5 minutes if need be. The cart/hand truck has proven to be very useful.

Did you buy as a system or individual? I don't see any labels; how do you know what's in them?

 

[Jersey Drew]

Whats the project?

How big is the tool box?

Head removal on old bmw e36. And snap on krl 7022 (54 inch x 30 inch box)

 

[Renegade1LI]

Did you buy as a system or individual? I don't see any labels; how do you know what's in them?

I bought the boxes & made up the racking system, I didn't take many pics. The uprights are 1 x 1 tube welded to a 3 x 3 angle, I used rivit nuts to fasten to sheet metal & bolted through floor or wheel well on bottom. Temp labels right now till I finish organizing, now I'm making some racks for the shop so I can switch out boxes as needed. In 6 months of use with daily driving into nyc & upstate I've had no issues & they are very quiet between being plastic with foam bottoms & hung they really make no noise.

 

[Iowafox]

Renegade:

My to-go kit was orig. suppose to be cheap freebie, no loner needed spare redundant tools; now its full of Knipex, Felo, Starrett, PB Swiss, Snap-On, Plumb, Bahco, Erem, Bosch...etc; I guess my original plan didn't go so well but I'm ready.

Much like you my original kit for this stuff was a Stanley black chrome all 12pt 170 piece mechanics tool set. From I think Walmart for $80.
Well it didn't take me long to throw out all the 1/2, 3/8 and the 1/4 stanley 12pt and switch them with Husky sockets. I got a deal on the 200 piece sockets for $50.
The Husky sockets lasted in the tool kit for a little over a year and now they are at home as my back ups as a few of them started flaking the chrome all from hand use only.
Now the 3/8 dr sockets in the kit are my MAC USA sockets in SAE and Metric.
The 1/4 huskys remain as well as the 8 12pt 1/2 husky that honestly never get used. As I carry the Pittsburgh Pro 1/2 impact shallows with me in both SAE and Metric.
I also have a tool tote from MAC that carries my Deep SAE and Metric Mac sockets as well as my extra ratchets and special sockets and extensions.
I work out of these almost 90% of the time since I hardly do any repairs at home where my toolboxes are.

I wasn't going to comment but had to share since I related to your post!!

 

[icthruu74]

I bought the boxes & made up the racking system, I didn't take many pics. The uprights are 1 x 1 tube welded to a 3 x 3 angle, I used rivit nuts to fasten to sheet metal & bolted through floor or wheel well on bottom. Temp labels right now till I finish organizing, now I'm making some racks for the shop so I can switch out boxes as needed. In 6 months of use with daily driving into nyc & upstate I've had no issues & they are very quiet between being plastic with foam bottoms & hung they really make no noise.

That’s great to see. I was wondering how hard it would be to build a racking system to fit a particular spot instead of buying theirs and trying to fit it in. Looks like I have a new project.

 

[Radio Flyer]

I use a cantilever style box for quick "load and go" endeavors.

I have a "travel" socket set that stays stowed in its blow molded case, and really does not come out for usual garage work because its a pain to find a place to open it up. I throw what I think i need in the cantilever box, and take off. Putting it away doesn't take too much time since its somewhat organized.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

When I travel I keep all my sockets in their trays and just set them down in the car or box or whatever and they stay put I have the trays from Rural King. The rest of my tools like pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, ratchets I put in my Napa tool caddy that my parents got me for Christmas it works great for on the go and has slots for screwdrivers and stuff so they aren’t loose and rolling around.


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[richfinn]

Head removal on old bmw e36. And snap on krl 7022 (54 inch x 30 inch box)

Open tool cart and a few magnetic trays should cover that BMW

I do like the look of the Hazet/Beta collapsible tool carts for this sort of "mobile work"

A bit pricey I know but it might help you find a solution

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beta-C27S-...47-d997-40bf-be95-20e016307ac5&epid=585171625

 

[70staged]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url...ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCMjS5_OHoe4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

I’ve got 1 of these in my truck to take to the job site. Used them for the past 12 years

 

[nadogail]

I have found that having dedicated tool boxes for Electrical, Plumbing, Painting, Welding, and general have made it easier to have the tool you want when and where you want it.

Yes, there will be some duplication because almost every job requires a knife, hammer and tape measure; those go into the General Box.

 

[tez929rr]

Sounds like an excuse to buy another set. I have three sets in three different buildings on my property just because it’s so annoying to move tools. I usually use a bag as many people have stated.

For years I’ve wanted an excuse to buy one of these Montezuma boxes but can’t really justify it.View media item 109703

 

[Jersey Drew]

If someone made some sort of “master set” for metric tools i would buy. Every time i look those “mechanics” set come with lots of bloat And for some reason they skip sizes. I would buy right now a 3/8 inch 8 to 19 ratchet set that also came with 8 to 19 combo wrenches, t10 to t55 torx, e torx, and metric allen socket bits in one blow mold case. But that is just too logical and no one makes it

 

[richfinn]

If someone made some sort of “master set” for metric tools i would buy. Every time i look those “mechanics” set come with lots of bloat And for some reason they skip sizes. I would buy right now a 3/8 inch 8 to 19 ratchet set that also came with 8 to 19 combo wrenches, t10 to t55 torx, e torx, and metric allen socket bits in one blow mold case. But that is just too logical and no one makes it

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand...ced-175-pc-socket-and-spanner-set-735831.html

 

[Jersey Drew]

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand...ced-175-pc-socket-and-spanner-set-735831.html

Now i need to find a retailer in the US

 

[cweidert03]

I put together a “kit” for my truck. I have it in a dewalt tough box tool box that has a rubber seal to help with weather.
I have a great wrench 3/8 set with sae/metric, tool roll with metric wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, electrical stuff, hammer, zip ties, tape.

Mostly built for Atv trips and when I’m at the camper.. I keep adding every time I need a tool I don’t have in the box


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[richfinn]

Now i need to find a retailer in the US

Is that the kind of thing your looking for??

I would put Halfords on a par with Gearwrench quality wise, the warranty is the best in the UK just walk in a store and they swap it, I have a trade account for semi disposable tools and car parts

Try Amazon uk maybe

Bahco do some all in one metric kits too

 

[RTM]

I agree with the multiple box theory. When I am working at my daughters, I throw a few electrical related tools in one box or bag, and grab the electrical parts box. Plumbing tools in a separate bag, and woodworking in a third. My tools are old, so no confusing them with SIL’s new HD tools at clean up time.

Car jobs are different, the Craftsman cheap blow molded box, and pliers screwdrivers etc. and my phone to call the real mechanic when I am stuck. Same kit that goes in my car for an extended road trip.

If I was doing a major repair like in my younger days, a few tools would get added each trip when we got stuck. I used to carry a GMTK jammed with about 30# of sockets, wrenches, pliers & screwdrivers , cuz that’s all I had in the 70s

 

[Uofime]

I’m a big fan of tool bags for travel, but it’s gonna depend on what you need to bring. If you need large or long tools that becomes impractical.
I’m general you want a bag with plenty of pockets inside and out. You need socket rails and be it a roll or just good packaging for wrenches( I bought a cheaper sent in no small part because it had great packaging to keep them in) other than that just keep it to the bare essentials other than the essential gotta haves specialty stuff. The specialty stuff still takes up the majority of my bag.