In keeping with my game plan to get most of my tools into briefcased-sized packages, I’m looking at putting together a set of “mechanic’s” tools (wrenches, mostly). There are a few fairly nice boxed sets available (slightly better jobs of the vacuum formed plastic cases), but most are kind of wasteful of space and not very flexible.
So I’m looking at putting my own kit into a Systainer.
Does anyone have a setup they like?
Old masonry may look tough, but the wrong mortar can destroy it—here's how to choose the right mix for lasting repairs.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Just a thought.
Roll up pouches with indvidual slots for each wrench in a series of sizes, you could write on the pouch what size range is in each pouch then store the pouches in the systainer.
http://tinyurl.com/3bjmxe
Could get a little spendy, but on the other hand probably better then digging through a tool box or mis-matched sizes only to find out the one you really need is the one you left on the work bench at home.
The roll-ups are great. I have a few.
Another thing I use for odd sized stuff that I don't want to mar other items is the cut-off pant legs from levis, pants, etc. that you have when you rip the knees up and throw them away. I just fold and sew the bottom over and fold the top over for a tuck-in type flap on the sides so you don't need a drawstring. Cheap,easy and just right for the weird shaped,sharp(?) items.
On the roll-ups that look the same I use luggage tags on the ties....The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Roll-ups are great but require removing, unwrap, sit down near work space and reverse to put away. If you are looking for a box with open the lid and reach in, it's hard to beat the wrench racks that about everyone carries. Most of them are a sawtooth sort of metal or plastic frame and the wrenches fit in graduated order and sorted by SAE or metric.Snap On, Grainger, Lowe's, Sears all carry tool organizer do-dads. Look around.
Most of the wrench racks are designed to hang, or are snap-in units intended to be carried individually. I've not found any that would work well in a drawer or briefcase-style case.Of course, all that's really needed is a piece of wood with slots, I suppose, but it would be nice to have something ready-made.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
It occurred to me that I could take a piece of plywood, drill holes in it, and glue dowels into the holes to make a holder for wrenches. I'm wondering what could be used for the dowel, though -- standard maple or spruce dowel would be OK but a little too easy to break in roughly 3/16" or 1/4" diameter. Anyone got an idea for a readily-available composite peg I could use? Or maybe a source of metal pegs that would be pre-cut about right (1 to 2" long, depending on the wrench).
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
I would like to 2nd (or maybe even 3rd) the idea of a cloth tool pouch. It's easy to carry, quiet, and keeps wrenches organized. My wife made this one for me. I have one each for SAE and metric.
View Image
View Image
McMaster-Carr has really cool Delrin rod in 1/4" Dia. Black for sure. I use it for position dots on light wood finger boards, comes in long lengths, can be cut with dykes easily.
Teflon too..white. for Dark boards.
Edit: ya want metal? Get the 1/4" hard steel locating dowel pins, they are 1'', 1'.5" and so on. And dead nuts on .250"
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
Edited 11/22/2007 4:44 pm ET by Sphere
I'd be curious if anyone has something like that for painting tools. I'm getting tired of having my painting tools scattered around in a bunch of old 5-gal. buckets, and I'm looking for a better way.
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I'm fond of canvas rigger's bags for odd stuff like that -- nice combo of pockets along the outside and a big compartment in the middle. Northern has them sometimes, and I last got some from Harbor Freight. Cheap, rugged, not too big, but they hold more in less space than the fancy "gate top" bags. I have one for DW tooks, one for electrical, etc.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Since you asked, here a some pictures of how I keep my painting tools and brushes organized.
After I clean the brushes, they go in this brush bucket still wet and hang there to dry. The bristles stay in good shape. What's missing in this picture are the binder clips that I use to keep the rod from sliding.
View Image
The paint tool bucket (like my most of organization techniques) evolved into its present form and contains just about everything that I need for a typical painting job. I usually carry it in even for very small jobs. A lot of customers notice how organized I am and I take pride in it. Of course, I take some ribbing for it too, but I figure some of that may actually be envy.
View Image
View Image
that's nice! I try to be organized, but since I paint infrequently, that seems to be one area I need to work on. View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I carry my painting tools in one of these.
Step 'N Stor¯ Step Stool
View Image
FEATURES:
Fully integrated leg design provides superior strength and stability.
Supports up to 325 lbs. (147.42 kg.).
Large, sure-grip foot pads help prevent slippage.
Extra deep bottom storage area.
Specially designed area for upright bottle storage.
Lockable, nickel-plated steel drawbolt.
View ImageDimensions:
Overall:
20"W x 14"D x 12-1/2"H51cm x 36cm x 32cm
Model # SS-20
Not real organized, but, it keeps everything in one spot, and I have a step stool to cut in around ceiling.
Have another one I use for drywall tools.
Thats a great idea. Do you fit roller handles in there too, or keep them separate?View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
The mini roller handles for corners go in there, the full size frames and the extension pole are in another bucket.
I have the same tool box and I use it for trim nails for the Paslode nailers, and the fuel cells, battery and charger, oil, etc. The step comes in handy when pin nailing the miters on top of doors and windows. I also use it to shorten the step to the bumper of the cube van, and it seems to be plenty sturdy. I might have to get another one for the framing nails,etc.
I have buckets with organizers set up for painting and caulk. Grab the bucket and you have most everything you needThe ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Yeah. The drawers in the sink cabinet and the wall cabs on the right in the attached pic keeps all of my painting tools. And I clean out my brushes in the sink.
I know it looks nasty with that floor. I haven't updated the photo since I've put a colored quartz 'poxy on the floor.
View Image
The open box on the wall is the timer for my Xmas lites curcuits.
I partnered, for one union job, with a carpenter who had recently moved up from NYC, back in the early 80's. He carried all his tools in small wood suitcase of his own design. It was really amazing how he fit each tool into that small case, not one cubic inch of space seemed vacant.
He said it was for communting on the subway. Having lived in Manhattan and used the subways during rush hour, that case made perfect sense.
DW sews roll-ups for a lot of my stuff. Started by making a roll-up for my chainsaw tools out of an old roofing nail apron. Now she buys canvas and makes whatever I need. Great for wrenches, files. etc. and she says they're easy. Sure doesn't take her long.
I must assume that you are already hooked into the systainer system, otherwise it seems a waste of money to buy an overpriced plastic box.
If you are not set on a systainer, I recommend a cheap aluminum case. I got mine for about $25 and filled it with more tools than I've seen in any Craftsman or Husky plastic cased set. I figure it's just the right size to be useful yet not too heavy (it weighs about 30 pounds). It takes a real beating for the price. Of course if you want to spend some money (i.e. the price of a systainer but better) I have seen alot of custom aluminum case manufacturers on the internet that provide similar cases divided up for hand tools. Those cost $60-$250. Too pricey for me.
look at pics of my case.
Not married to the Systainer (in fact, it's a hair small and not quite as heavily built as I'd like), but haven't found a source for anything better. No surplus store or such here for surplus stuff. And I do like the idea of having a modular setup, with identical units that'll interlock.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader