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Your 'Go' tool bag/box?

Andy Griffith

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Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
1,367
Location
Western WA
I use this tool bag for taking with me to the various jobs around the place. Just finished repairing a washer in the laundry room, last week it was a broken toilet in the bathroom, week before installing an antenna on the house roof, etc.

I try to keep a set of general tools in the bag - screw drivers, pliers, hammer, pry bar, nut drivers and the like, and then add in specific tools for the particular job out of the tool chests in the shop. This works ok I guess, but I still end up making multiple trips to the shop to get stuff on many of the jobs. I'd like a bigger bag but when it is loaded down it's about all I care to carry.

I started out stocking the bag with lesser quality tools than what I have in the tool chests in the shop, but that is a false economy as I use the tool bag tools quite frequently and should have higher quality tools in there as well.

What type of set-up do you have for tools used on various jobs around your place that can't be brought to your shop for completion?

1225434496_bGaAz-M.jpg
 
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mp23

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Apr 13, 2010
Messages
315
I use the exact same set up. I have some smaller ones for more specific jobs.
 

Torque1st

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Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
5,668
Location
KC Metro, Kansas
I have several. One for plumbing, another for 2-wire electrical, and one for automotive diagnosis and electrical. I use a tool bucket for any real project. I also have bags or boxes for specific tools and accessories, like pop rivets where there are several riveters and many boxes of rivets. I have found the blow molded cases that come with tools are pretty but largely useless.
 

Call me the Breeze

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Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Messages
1,385
Location
Sebring Fl
I have a craftsman plastic tool box that I carry around in the hotrod with most of the essential tools in it. Working on something in the house, I tend to make multiple trips to the shop to get the tools I need.
 

TheShrine

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
1,168
Location
Texas Hill Country
I've found that no matter what I pack, I will not have something I need!

I have a 5 gal bucket that I pack for each job, as needed....I still regularly have to go back to the shop for something though.

Now, I do keep a separate "traveling" tool bag for the road. It usually stays in my truck but is switched to whichever vehicle we take a road trip in. Its packed w/ the basics and more.
 

eldirector

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
608
5-gal bucket here as well. I'll take a bucket of tools, and a second bucket for "junk". Though, I do have a small Craftsman canvas bag for little jobs.

My "traveling" tools are in small Craftsman plastic cases. I can fit all but the large case in a bucket, or 2 canvas bags. The large case has its own carry handle. The tools, plus all the other stuff (fluids, impact, and yes - bailing wire) all live in my Jeep's toolbox unless I need them. The tools are actually an "open box special" Craftsman mechanics set I got a steal on.

View media item 3397
 

GarageEnvy

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Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
1,282
Location
Fresno
My bag is similar to yours, except no exterior pockets so everything is just a jumbled mess. Right now I am working on a foreclosure property I own that is 45 minutes from my house and in a small town. It's got electrical test and repair tools, lengths of romex, plumbing tools, wood chisels and all the basics. One thing that is not in there is a socket set. I haven't really found a need for it on house stuff. Now the boat bag, that's a different story.
 

jam0o0

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Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
244
Location
Katy, TX
for around the house jobs i have a $5 plastic box with pliers, screw drivers, a hammer and adjustable wrenches in it. if i need more than that i have to make a trip to the garage tool box.

for in on the road stuff i have a few waterloo boxes.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HAX2F8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
since i have to bring a lot of tools in one. air compressor and spare fluids in another. recovery, spill kit and first aid in the third one. i keep more fluids, tie downs and jumper cables in another small tool box.

i love these boxes' durability but they just don't efficiently use space in the back of my truck so i'm investigating surplus ammo cans. so far they use space better but are more time consuming to find tools in.
 

Adrien

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Joined
Mar 17, 2011
Messages
317
Location
Taft, CA
If something comes up, usually my pouch will suffice.

kao6e8.jpg


If things happen to get in-depth then I have the rest of my **** in this one.

2qvff3m.jpg


Adrien
 

NJHandyGuy

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Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
3,997
Location
Brick Nj baby
i have found i am not a fan of tool totes iu use my rally box for damn near everything but i have my electrical bag just in case
 

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digdug18

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Joined
Feb 14, 2010
Messages
311
Location
Danville, PA
I'm still looking for a excellent quality tool bag. I find a 5 gallon bucket doesn't suffice, the handle digs into your hand when you try to carry heavy items. I've previously bought tool bags from various manufactures, but they all are what I would consider sub par. The bottoms/corners rip out on all the models i've bought. Lately I've been stocking up on the newer HF bags, just because they are cheap.
 

Adrien

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Joined
Mar 17, 2011
Messages
317
Location
Taft, CA
I'm still looking for a excellent quality tool bag. I find a 5 gallon bucket doesn't suffice, the handle digs into your hand when you try to carry heavy items. I've previously bought tool bags from various manufactures, but they all are what I would consider sub par. The bottoms/corners rip out on all the models i've bought. Lately I've been stocking up on the newer HF bags, just because they are cheap.

Have you considered a Klein?

Adrien
 

Mike in Ohio

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Joined
Sep 27, 2008
Messages
2,404
Location
Canton,Ohio
I have a carpentry tool belt and an electrical tool belt with the basic hand tools appropriate to each. I use several cheap tool boxes or bags with more complete kits for elec or plumbing etc. Most of my power tools are kept in their original cases so they can be grabbed and loaded quickly. I also have an old 8" craftsman table saw on a folding base for taking to a job.

I am not a professional just the handy guy in a large family.

:beer:
 

xcgates

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Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
678
Location
TX
Heh, I really should start something like that. I can't tell you how many little things I've put off because I might have exactly ONE screwdriver inside the house, and that's buried in with my computer stuff. (Most all computer stuff can be done with a phillips head)

*And I mean that I dealt with a loosening pot handle on my fav pot, had to have been for months before I went out barefoot after washing it one day out of sheer frustration.:wtf: Or the thing that kept my dryer from working quite right, that took about 3 weeks if I remember, and I'm sure I could go on.:lol_hitti
 
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digdug18

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Joined
Feb 14, 2010
Messages
311
Location
Danville, PA
I looked at both CLC and Klein tool bags, they look nice, I'm emailing the companies to see how their warranties are. I mean, I don't mind spending top dollar on something if they'll repair it, though I'd rather have something that will just last.

Both of the companies, at least with a couple of their products look very close to HF bags. Also look like the same design flaws.
 
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MoToys

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Feb 12, 2011
Messages
1,534
Location
Long Island, NY
Those veto bags are nice but if I remember correctly they have a price tag that follows.
For my purposes I like an open top bag and it must have a shoulder strap. I've had a few over the years and I like the 'electrician' type tote over the longer bags like the husky's some other guys posted.
I took two shots of my clc tool bag I mentioned in an earlier post.
(I'm a locksmith and this is the bag I grab to go into most jobs.)
tool bag1.jpg

tool bag2.jpg
*I flipped it before I saved, don't know why it reverted back to that. Sorry
 
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xJoey Dubsx

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Joined
May 3, 2010
Messages
894
Location
Cleveland, Oh
I started putting together a Craftsman tool box for my truck for 4wheeling, and bmx'ing, or just in the case I need it for anything, I'll get pics later.
 

PDACPA

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
45
Location
Florida
Here are my "buckets." I tend to constantly be dragging these things to my office or wife's business to do repairs. They weigh a ton and no matter how many times I clean them out, they fill back up. Heck I used to only have 1!

After tax day plans are to redo the garage and create "garage only" tools in my tool boxes and hopefully the mis-matched miscellaneous basic stuff will be what resides in the buckets.

The buckets just tend to collect tools and they do not get put back.
 

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BigAl62

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Joined
Apr 18, 2011
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2,286
Location
suburbs of Chicago
Hey ZRX61, what brand is that tool box? I've been looking for one like that for a whille. All I seem to find are cheap and small copies of that type.
 

vibblueser

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Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
405
I just got this bag recently and have been very impressed with it so far. I have posted pictures of it full and with all the tools laid out for viewing purposes. Feedback is appreciated.
 

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venturesomerite

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Joined
Nov 3, 2011
Messages
1,135
Location
Connecticut - not sure why though...
I have a ton of "go" bags, essentially my whole truck. Two 8' bed boxes, a job box in the bed, and my entire back seat are filled, and I still need more room, which is why I am currently fixing a utility body to put on my truck. Most of my work is on call, emergency stuff, and it's not very often that I get a chance to sit down and think "hmm, what do I need.." So I have to cover as many bases as I can.
 

crewchief888

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Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
13,741
Location
NW indiana
i have a kennedy cantilever that holds spare parts and supplies for my trail truck.
mac toolbag i keep in my service truck, holds enough tools that it gets heavy enough that i dont want to carry it.
also have a larger bag that i can carry grinders ect in



:beer:
 

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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,106
Location
SE MI
Many, MANY years ago, when I was a kid and driving some "questionable" vehicles, I figures I should have a few tools in case I ever got stuck. IIRC, my "kit" had


  • 1/2x9/16 box end
  • 1/2x9/16 open end
  • adjustable wrench
  • pliers
  • flat blade screwdriver
  • philips screwdriver

All wrapped in some shop rags and secured by some heavy wire.

I actually used it once to change a heater hose in the parking lot a Sears at 9:30 PM. I couldn't afford to pay them the $10-$15 for labor ! :D
 

cheechi

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Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
4,384
Location
Triad, NC
I wish I could get down to just one bag, but nearly all I do with my tools is handyman & renovation type jobs at friends & family houses. So most of the time I pack about a truckload worth of stuff whenever I head out.

I have one bag that I keep empty, so when I come across tools that usually stay in the garage, I have something empty to put it in. Currently I use this Stanley. I have a set of 20" & 28" Stanleys that I keep full most of the time, ever since all my buckets got rained on the last time I keep only a few tools in 1 bucket and found storage jobs for the rest.

I have a few of the Bosch Sortimo boxes and I love those, especially with those shoebox sized plastic boxes, I can keep bigger things organized inside the big boxes. I have a tackle box full of Dremel stuff, and use these watertight boxes for 'misc' power tools and things that don't belong with any of the other boxes, as well as my car tool kit.

As I have been using the attachments much more on my Dremel and the oscillator tool much more recently, I have been thinking of making a custom box similar to the tackle box, and using the same plastic boxes inside it, but so I can make taller compartments and store the attachemts and their own bits together so they don't get mixed up or I have to keep the books for each one to see part numbers and waste time to match it all up.

If anyone has a really good suggestion of a bag/storage for the bigger framing nailers, I'd like to be able to put all them either in something (I have a 21* now, will probably get another one also) and would like to carry 2 boxes of nails for each in there. I was thinking one of those Husky bags with the wheels.
 

LumpyMusic

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Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
492
Location
Phoenix Arizona USA
I just got this bag recently and have been very impressed with it so far. I have posted pictures of it full and with all the tools laid out for viewing purposes. Feedback is appreciated.

I think I'd want to find a little more protected way to store those sharp pointed pick things. I'd be stabbing myself all the time.

But I like the style of bag like that, with all the tools exposed, vs a "purse" style bag that you have to dig through.

Good handles on those Husky bags.


Lumpy

Did you entertain the troops?
Yes. Well, I'm pretty sure they were entertained.
www.LumpyMusic.com
 

Relex

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2011
Messages
12
This is the stuff I keep in my truck for break downs/helping my friends work on their stuff. Everything in my box is extras that I threw in there from my main tool box.
 

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RVDan

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Oct 9, 2011
Messages
2,213
Location
North America
I carry one of these, cause I only paid six dollars for it at a charity auction, but it's great, holds a lot of stuff, doesn't fall over, and had a plastic organizer tray in the bottom compartment
2001613_M.jpg
 
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