what are the options for loaded tool boxes for automotive work

[t100]

Depends upon how big of a company you are. When I worked for Westinghouse at the R&D Center in my native Pittsburgh all of the hand tools were Snap-On and they got whatever I wanted from Snap-On and at rock bottom prices. Of course when you spend $1M a year on tools, which I'm sure Westinghouse did worldwide, you deal directly with Snap-On Corporate and not some dude on a tool truck. I would imagine that companies such as Boeing would have a similar blanket sales agreement with Snap-On.

Most of our equipment come from Germany, Switzerland and Italy, so are the tools. We rarely see Snap On tools around the plants and many Proto, old S-K, and whatever McMaster Carr sells. Recently a lot of Gearwrench.

We don't buy from Amazon. Mechanics request tools based on the work they are assigned to, the MRO stores go out buy from whoever their contracted vendors.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Talked to someone at procurement today, I was told to find something I like from Fastenal.

WTF? I hate that place with a passion. But I think there's some sort of agreement between the two companies, which makes us to prioritize Fastenal for certain types supplies, including tools, safety equipment, etc.

I may pitch them to get a large tool set and I go buy a tool box later. There's a meeting with the shop/warehouse design team later this week, I'll find out how much floor space I'll have.

I personally prefer Lista and Vidmar, I've got 5 different ones in my garage.

I can always add individual tool items as needed.

My initial thought was a loaded box with shadowed drawers would be easier to track what's missing, I don't wrench every day, or week.

Now I want a big box first then the tools.

The issue with the shadowed drawers is it's inherently a massive waste of space. If you have the room, it's whatever. If FOD on inventory issues are a priority, it's an accepted trade off. It also has increased cost, due to both shadowing cost and reduced space efficiency.

I mean, one shouldn't need shadowing to prevent missing things. On the flip side, I really enjoy the clean look. Would be a massive PITA to reorganize or add tools to though.

 

[mogandave]

Only a fool would pay that price from Grainger.............................

Companies often have (or at least had) discount multipliers at Grainger.

 

[mogandave]

Talked to someone at procurement today, I was told to find something I like from Fastenal.

WTF? I hate that place with a passion. But I think there's some sort of agreement between the two companies, which makes us to prioritize Fastenal for certain types supplies, including tools, safety equipment, etc.

I may pitch them to get a large tool set and I go buy a tool box later. There's a meeting with the shop/warehouse design team later this week, I'll find out how much floor space I'll have.

I personally prefer Lista and Vidmar, I've got 5 different ones in my garage.

I can always add individual tool items as needed.

My initial thought was a loaded box with shadowed drawers would be easier to track what's missing, I don't wrench every day, or week.

Now I want a big box first then the tools.

Figure out what you want and call your Fastenal rep and ask them to get it for you.

 

[t100]

Had a meeting with the project manager today going over the rough floor plans.

A bit of good news is the toolbox, work bench, cabinet will come of the construction budget. Tools and supplies will come out of the departmental expense, which I can pick out later on. The are sending out bid requests to design and construction firms soon. The earliest we can expect to move in is the end of Q2, 2022.

 

[t100]

The issue with the shadowed drawers is it's inherently a massive waste of space. If you have the room, it's whatever. If FOD on inventory issues are a priority, it's an accepted trade off. It also has increased cost, due to both shadowing cost and reduced space efficiency.

I mean, one shouldn't need shadowing to prevent missing things. On the flip side, I really enjoy the clean look. Would be a massive PITA to reorganize or add tools to though.

I will have plenty of room, 1200sqf of office and storage space, plus caged in pallet racking.

 

[AirMech#406]

The issue with the shadowed drawers is it's inherently a massive waste of space. If you have the room, it's whatever. If FOD on inventory issues are a priority, it's an accepted trade off. It also has increased cost, due to both shadowing cost and reduced space efficiency.

I mean, one shouldn't need shadowing to prevent missing things. On the flip side, I really enjoy the clean look. Would be a massive PITA to reorganize or add tools to though.

Yup. It is a huge pain. A more space efficient way to do it would be a system like Tool Grid. If only it wasnt so darn expensive. If a fellow had access to a CNC router and a 3D printer you could pretty much make the whole system yourself... but who has that kind of time lol.

 

[t100]

Tool boxes showed up, 3 each of Toolvault 72"Wx30"D and Exteme Toolbox 41" carts.

These seem to be well built, my only complaint is the drawer liners they come with are not worth ****, I need better materials which won't roll and slide inside the drawers.

I'm told we have an open PO with Amazon Business, I need suggestions.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Depends upon how big of a company you are. When I worked for Westinghouse at the R&D Center in my native Pittsburgh all of the hand tools were Snap-On and they got whatever I wanted from Snap-On and at rock bottom prices. Of course when you spend $1M a year on tools, which I'm sure Westinghouse did worldwide, you deal directly with Snap-On Corporate and not some dude on a tool truck. I would imagine that companies such as Boeing would have a similar blanket sales agreement with Snap-On.

It’s quite common for industrial customers to be serviced by an industrial dealer for Snap On. The prices will be better and they have access to stuff the typical automotive level dealer does not sell.

When I was a student our program was serviced by such a dealer. He serviced all the area factories and .gov entities and did not drive a truck but facilitated ordering. We got the SEP pricing of course but could also order more from him that was not in the SEP program. The one flaw was he did not offer any kind of financing or credit it was purely cash and shipped to your home address.

 

[Wrench97]

It’s quite common for industrial customers to be serviced by an industrial dealer for Snap On. The prices will be better and they have access to stuff the typical automotive level dealer does not sell.

When I was a student our program was serviced by such a dealer. He serviced all the area factories and .gov entities and did not drive a truck but facilitated ordering. We got the SEP pricing of course but could also order more from him that was not in the SEP program. The one flaw was he did not offer any kind of financing or credit it was purely cash and shipped to your home address.

The warranty is also different on Snap On Industrial sales, I have a set of 3/4 drive 6 point deep sockets that are not now and never were in the tool truck/automotive catalog the dealer can't warranty. I think the industrial site said 10 year warranty.