Upgrading and Downsizing my tool storage

[liliysdad]

I currently have a 42" Series 2 US General roll cab and top box with a side locker. Its a pretty decent box, but it's not set up wonderfully, with only one full width drawer. I find that I have several drawers that are simply full of "stuff." For a while, I have been wanting to trim down, organize, and streamline my toolbox, get rid of the "stuff." Simultaneously, we are looking at moving in a couple of years, and that will likely result in a much smaller garage/shop and reducing my tool footprint while increasing organization and box quality is very attractive.

I typed all that to say this; I have located a good deal on a Snap On KRSC46 roll cart in perfect shape for a very good (legit) price and I think this is the perfect setup for my needs. The full width, deep drawers seem to offer the ability to stack my stuff deep while keeping everything organized. The fact that it is just a better box and will free up some floorspace is simply icing on the cake.

Thoughts?

 

[rust in the eye]

Agreed the full width drawers are more useful plus you will pick up the space your HF box wastes in between banks.
The Snappy box will gain you less than 1 sq. ft. of floor space but a more suitable drawer arrangement could be justification enough.

 

[richfinn]

I currently have a 42" Series 2 US General roll cab and top box with a side locker. Its a pretty decent box, but it's not set up wonderfully, with only one full width drawer. I find that I have several drawers that are simply full of "stuff." For a while, I have been wanting to trim down, organize, and streamline my toolbox, get rid of the "stuff." Simultaneously, we are looking at moving in a couple of years, and that will likely result in a much smaller garage/shop and reducing my tool footprint while increasing organization and box quality is very attractive.

I typed all that to say this; I have located a good deal on a Snap On KRSC46 roll cart in perfect shape for a very good (legit) price and I think this is the perfect setup for my needs. The full width, deep drawers seem to offer the ability to stack my stuff deep while keeping everything organized. The fact that it is just a better box and will free up some floorspace is simply icing on the cake.

Thoughts?

It's a cathartic exercise downsizing your toolkit.

I went from a regular Snap-On rollcab and topbox of the 90s to working out of a van around 20 years ago, a lot of stuff is basically a luxury and not strictly required to get the job done (although it can help). For example "do I really need all of these fifteen hammers"?

Some other things I've learnt are.

If you don't need your SAE or Metric tools move them to storage and don't waste that space in your new set up

Don't carry obsolete tools or parts "just in case" (storage or sell it)

Standardizing your blow moulded cases into one or or maybe two sizes (as small as possible) makes storing bulky items much easier. (A label maker will be required).

Vertical storage organisers are awesome to pack a lot of stuff into a small footprint (you can grab tools without moving other stuff). In your case magnetic ones that attach to the outside of a roll cart might be a good idea if security isn't too much of an issue).

You can fit a lot of stuff in Veto Pro Pacs (or whatever brand you prefer) and then hang them onto your cart and just grab that dedicated kit to take to a project instead of the whole cart

When I retire (and don't have to worry about pilfering colleagues) I'm going to build myself an open cart without drawers and all vertical storage for my hand tools and vetos and a rack for my labeled cases.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

You can likely find a cubic inch measurement for both, snap-on did not include the flip top area in that figure when I was cart shopping which threw my math off until I realized. Layout is king and is what allows you to actually use the space.

 

[liliysdad]

Agreed the full width drawers are more useful plus you will pick up the space your HF box wastes in between banks.
The Snappy box will gain you less than 1 sq. ft. of floor space but a more suitable drawer arrangement could be justification enough.

I should gain a little more due to the side cabinet on my current stack, not to mention the wall space behind.

 

[humber2]

Title is a contradiction.

The only downsizing will be your bank balance.

YMMV

 

[liliysdad]

Title is a contradiction.

The only downsizing will be your bank balance.

YMMV

I don't see it that way at all.... but I also have no desire to be the guy with six toolbox stacks in my garage because I won't sell unneeded tools or throw anything away. Upgrade can mean a lot of things other than "more...bigger."

 

[sightbike]

Go for it! Sounds like a good trade off and aligns with your needs.

 

[bluedog225]

What’s an unneeded tool?

 

[liliysdad]

What’s an unneeded tool?

That exact statement and the accompanying sentiment is what I’m trying to beat and avoid. I’m tired of so much “stuff.”

 

[bluedog225]

I’m with you. Once I finish up a few big projects, if that ever happens, I’ll be downsizing as well. Though it’s hard to give up capacity to achieve a task that needs doing.

There will come a day when I guess I say “I‘ll never work with concrete again.” Then I’ll give up the trowels. etc.

 

[liliysdad]

I don’t know that I’m ready to give up any capability, just streamline what I have. I don’t need an entire drawer full of hacksaws, blades, and other cutting tools. It makes no sense to have an entire drawer full of duplicate pipe and adjustable wrenches, etc.

Not less ability…just less quantity and higher quality.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I don’t know that I’m ready to give up any capability, just streamline what I have. I don’t need an entire drawer full of hacksaws, blades, and other cutting tools. It makes no sense to have an entire drawer full of duplicate pipe and adjustable wrenches, etc.

Not less ability…just less quantity and higher quality.

I would try that method, don't swap the boxes immediately. Get an idea what you really can get away without, and what you're using regularly and thus how you want to set another box up. You may desire a different layout than you think.

 

[mikey03]

You can fit a lot of stuff in Veto Pro Pacs (or whatever brand you prefer) and then hang them onto your cart and just grab that dedicated kit to take to a project instead of the whole cart

When I retire (and don't have to worry about pilfering colleagues) I'm going to build myself an open cart without drawers and all vertical storage for my hand tools and vetos and a rack for my labeled cases.

which veto pro pacs do you think would work for this? They got there annual spring sale so honestly been looking at there site long and hard lately.

if you could draw a picture of what you think that future open car with vertical storage would look like I would appreciate it because I can’t imagine what that looks like. What kind of cart and brand and model?

 

[richfinn]

which veto pro pacs do you think would work for this? They got there annual spring sale so honestly been looking at there site long and hard lately.

if you could draw a picture of what you think that future open car with vertical storage would look like I would appreciate it because I can’t imagine what that looks like. What kind of cart and brand and model?

I have a few now, I like the OT-MC open tote and the TP3/TP3B pouch the best, I also have an OC-140 hard shell case and a DP3 drill/driver pouch, and a small MPX pouch to keep on my belt

I have more or less switched to all magnetic socket rails

I have quite a lot of diagnostic equipment in small peli style cases

I don't really know what it would look like until I get to build it, but it will be as open plan as possible without any drawers or doors, and you won't have to move stuff to grab a tool, I have a Pinterest account and if I see a good storage or organization idea I pin it to my list, I also follow DiagCart Nation on Facebook.

I like looking at all the cool toolboxes and carts on GJ but I don't really need anything that fancy anymore now I'm out of the Workshop