Big tool boxes.

[Watertender]

I have several of these Kennedy K32 toolboxes and also some Kennedy 10-17 toolboxes. I have them set up for different types of jobs so I know what one to take. I know that I have redundancy in tools but it makes the job simpler when you have to look in one box instead of several.

 

[blume357]

Speaking of tool boxes and such... I need a cheap plastic box ... 36-42" long by about 10-12" and 3-4" deep. basically a cheap rifle case. It will not hold a rifle but some photographic lighting equipment. I need pretty much the same box that is like my emergency highway equipment box. I've looked on Amazon and the cheapest I can find is like $60.

 

[Fire Chief]

Like this?

Amazon.com

 

[GasGuzzler]

Brought some pics home from work to show what shallow drawers are good for and what more deep ones are good for.

This is the wide and deep top drawer. It houses 1/2" and 3/8" sockets and ratchets, torque wrenches, specialty sockets, several specialty sets, and both a 42" pry bar and a 42" 3/4" breaker bar. The only items in this drawer that would fit in a traditional height drawer are the 3/8" sockets, some of the 1/2" sockets, the ratchets, and a couple of the sets. The rest is too tall.

Sure, wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers fit in a short drawer (barely).

What about cases? Here we have a spring compressor set, a set of GIANT Allen wrenches, a set of hole saws, the box and accessories for an expensive Fluke meter, and a Blue Point vacuum gauge/pump set up. Also there's a can of air tool oil I have had since 2000 and a sprayer for brake cleaner plus another kit I cannot recall what it is. None of this would fit in a tool box drawer before 1995.

Power tools? Yep, need a deep drawer.

1/4" drive stuff fits in a short drawer if everything is laid down. Can't get nearly as much in there but it's fine. Short drawers are okay for small item assortments too.

Not going to get these sets ... compression tester, noid lights, and GearWrench belt tool in a short drawer. Won't fit the pressure tester or heat gun either.

 

[larry8]

You guys have way too many tools. That means you have to use them and work at it. YUK = I detest doing any work since I retired in 2009. Just keeping the house up is way too much work for me. I rather sit on my porch and watch the grass grow.

 

[Dan in MI]

I'll just show my sockets....

Yes, that's dust, they don't see the work they once did and the chop saw is right next to them.

 

[jav]

What do guys think about the big tool boxes being sold these days. My dad was an aircraft mechanic and so was I early on before changing careers. Our boxes were tiny compared to nowadays. My bro in law offered me a big industrial Lista which I turned down as I don't even want to haul it. But snap on and competitors now have 3 wide boxes so tall you need a stool and cabinets on top for electronics and TV screens as well as side bolt on uniform lockers etc. At a certain point you wonder why they have wheels because they're way too big to roll around. I'm definitely a tool junky but no so much into the crazy big tool boxes.

I am a tool box junky also but small one too

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Wow, serious tool envy here.

As far as tool boxes,cabinets/etc go, IMHO if you like it and need it and want it and have room for it and can afford it . . . GO FOR IT!

 

[JackBull]

In the same boat , sk , proto , new britain etc.

New Britain brings back memories. Used to drive by their factory quite often. The workers went on strike, I think like for 2 years, got what they were asking for and then the factory closed up. What a shame.

 

[powder smoke]

More tools the better On the road or the Garage! I like tools I'm an addict

 

[Dan in MI]

More tools the better On the road or the Garage! I like tools I'm an addict

I'm in that club too. Pick a hobby, add the tools.

My travel tool bag that lives in my truck is probably better prepared than many home tools sets.

 

[GasGuzzler]

I just got back into building model cars after a 30+ year break and I had to buy an organizer bin for all the supplies and tools I bought so I know the feeling. I don't buy mechanics tools much any more since I have everything I need unless a manufacturer comes up with some new-fangled design.

 

[Mobuck]

After seeing all those neatly organized tool boxes, It's obvious you've not encountered my Grandson. Within minutes, he'll reduce those neat drawers into a total shambles and it'll take days to find the tools from where ever they're scattered. You probably won't find all of them either. Apparently, he conjures up some sort of time warp that sucks tools away to another dimension.

 

[JackBull]

I like big boxes and I cannot lie
Tool brothers can not deny
When that box rolls by with those big wheels
With Snap-on in your face, I drool!
Wanna pull up because the drawers are stuffed
What tools are you hidn'
Im hooked and cant stop starin'
Oh baby I wanna get with it, and take your picture

 

[eveled]

I have far too many tools to lay them all out like that.

When I first wanted a roll away tool box I was a young and dumb teenager. I decided to build mine myself out of wood. My goal was to make as many shallow drawers as I could.

Given the crap ton of tools it holds I guess I did ok.

Even that tool box has been outgrown.

One thing to consider about tool boxes. I dislike any box that has a top that opens. I prefer a solid top and drawers.

Even if you need a relatively small box. Look for an intermediate box. They are designed to go between a base unit and a top unit. Intermediate boxes are ideal for mounting into shelves.

 

[buzzm]

 

[roylt]

To answer the original question. I think big tool boxes are a waste. I have been able to do everything with my one Homak triple box. If I go to help someone else do something I just take a super old hand toolbox. 1/4 drive socket set, screw drivers, and a few other odds and ends typically do it.

Last project was 6 gas leaks at my girlfriends house. couple pipe wrenches and some fresh dope.

Those big boxes are just to show off and hold way too much stuff you don't really need. Even my Homak has extra crap in there.

 

[Jeepnik]

When I was working I carried two medium sized tool bags on my truck. One was for electrical the other mechanical.

This meant I did have duplicates of something's like pliers and screwdrivers. But the bags had pretty much everything thing I needed. Larger stuff, including large combo wrenches, pipe wrenches and power tools were in my bed box.

Those same two bags do most stuff today. The larger and specialty tools hang on peg boards in my garage wall.

On a shelf I keep boxed sets of things like sockets, torx, Allen, etc,

Even with this organization I frequently need something "special". Most of these are home made/modified tools. These live in a large metal toolbox that I need a dolly to move. No organization here. Just tossed in. And yes, the one I want is always on the bottom.

 

[Randyzzz]

To answer the original question. I think big tool boxes are a waste. I have been able to do everything with my one Homak triple box. If I go to help someone else do something I just take a super old hand toolbox. 1/4 drive socket set, screw drivers, and a few other odds and ends typically do it.

Last project was 6 gas leaks at my girlfriends house. couple pipe wrenches and some fresh dope.

Those big boxes are just to show off and hold way too much stuff you don't really need. Even my Homak has extra crap in there.

All depends on what you are doing. I used to build hot rods for a living- I have a huge roll-away, a smaller rolling chest, and a bunch of other stuff in misc drawers. Plus my gunsmith tools, a welder, several bench sanders, 3 drill presses, a 20 ton press, etc. I need a tool room!

 

[Dan in MI]

To answer the original question. I think big tool boxes are a waste. I have been able to do everything with my one Homak triple box. If I go to help someone else do something I just take a super old hand toolbox. 1/4 drive socket set, screw drivers, and a few other odds and ends typically do it.

Last project was 6 gas leaks at my girlfriends house. couple pipe wrenches and some fresh dope.

Those big boxes are just to show off and hold way too much stuff you don't really need. Even my Homak has extra crap in there.

Obviously you didn't make a living with tools. The last place I worked had two joined shops. If your jobs that day, or week, had work in building one and two you weren't about to run back and forth chasing tools. You hauled your box back and forth.