I reorganized my handtool kit today. I tried to see if I could leave anything back at the shop, but no…I have used almost every tool in this collection in just the past week (did not use the nut drivers, a few odd screwdrivers, and a few kinds of tape).
The tool tote weighs in at 36 #’s loaded.
The FHB Podcast crew takes a closer look at an interesting roof.
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Replies
say, whats up with the orange thingy, and no allen wrenches? I carry a pair of the folding sets, in metric and sae. bailed me out a few times. also a real big fan of Klein linesman pliers too...
Jeff,The orange thingy is a belt hook that I use for nailguns mostly.I keep most of my hex wrenches on the tools that need them or in that tools' toolbox.My big hex set is part of a socket wrench kit that stays in the van most of the time.The Linesmans' pliers are missing...what a bummer! Maybe I should see if I have a spare pair in my electrical stuff.
Irwin should mail you a check---for the free advertising! LOL.
I am guessing the playing cards are for hinge shims??????
stephen
Edit---- I couldn't put my finger on something--went back and looked----no compass/dividers/scribe?????
Edited 4/6/2007 7:51 am ET by Hazlett
I thought about mentioning it in the tool nickname thread, but I do simply call that tool kit "Irwin", like, "Hey, go get Irwin."I have another I call "Stanley."The cards are for shims as you mention, and for stacking different numbers of cards to draw scribe lines along on counters along walls, etc.
--"I couldn't put my finger on something--went back and looked----no compass/dividers/scribe?????"Haz,I just noticed your edit. I have a whole toolbox just for specialized measuring and marking tools. If you look at the "trim cart" photo I posted, the measuring tools ride next to the Irwin bag on the cart.
I get maid fun of by the anal plumbers on my job for how messed up my bucket gets.
I usually get PO'd & dump it on the concrete to find what tool I need.
That's because I loan out so many tools to my crew. I generally work out of a small double door gang box that has a flat top that I use for my prints which currently is about 75% of my work day.
Or as my main plumber buddy's favorite story, when I stole him from another company I asked him what he wanted to do---- He said he wanted to walk around drink coffee, smoke cigarettes, & tell people what to do---- my response was "that job is already taken" ;-)
“When politicians and journalists declare that the science of global warming is settled, they show a regrettable ignorance about how science works.†Nigel Calder, editor of New Scientist
 --"I get maid fun of by the anal plumbers on my job for how messed up my bucket gets.I usually get PO'd & dump it on the concrete to find what tool I need."Truth be told...my bucket is now organized 'cause I set it on about the third stair above a landing where I was working a couple of days ago, and the dern thing tumbled down to the landing with a a crash, clank, & jingle...tools all over the place.Sounds like you have a good job description. :o)
LOL yeah the "job description" is a long standing joke between us.
About 6 yrs ago when I met him we were on a 12 story cancer research building, I was walking around the job getting to know the place & I was wearing a pretty nice Harley Davidson leather jacket, more of a dress jacket than a riding jacket.
He saw me & said " I never seen anybody work in a puurdeeee leather jacket before"
I replied with---- You see me workin????? When I decide to start working I'll take it off.“When politicians and journalists declare that the science of global warming is settled, they show a regrettable ignorance about how science works.†Nigel Calder, editor of New Scientist
I have three totes that I keep in the truck; General, Electrical, plumbing. That has helped lighten my load.
Same here. My "general" box is one of those Stanley wheeled boxes, but the other two are small. I also carry some of those Stanley briefcase-sized organizers. One has screws, one framing nails, another finishing nails, etc.. I still need to work out something for my wallboard finishing tools. That mortarboard is awkward.George Patterson, Patterson Handyman Service
I use 5 gal buckets for my painting, dry wall, etc I also have three of those stanley organizers for screws etc; Mine are sheet metal, wood, and anchors respectively.
The only thing you left out is the ibuprofen for your shoulder and arm muscles from carrying around all that stuff.
I don't carry that tote or my other tools at most of my jobs. I load my tools out of my van and onto my "tool crib on wheels" (a mini scaffold). This rig has drastically reduced the number of trips I have to take to setup and take down my work station. I do have to carry stuff to the second story or basement on some jobs though.
do you really need three shark bars? two pull saws? how about a combination bit screwdriver. how do you like the tote? I'm forever looking for a tote that helps me keep things organized. I always end up just tossing stuff in and mayhem ensues.
"it aint the work I mind,
It's the feeling of falling further behind."
Bozini Latini
--"do you really need three shark bars? "I could use the medium-sized shark bar for most things and leave the other two in the van (that would lighten the load by a pound or so).--"two pull saws?"Actually, there are 3 pulls saws in that collection. Two Irwins (large--used mostly as a jamb saw and a medium-sized "backsaw" that is my favorite) and a small Stanley for tight spots.The pull saws are light and often used so they will stay.--"how about a combination bit screwdriver?"I have tried a few combo screwdrivers, but never really liked using them...so I'll put up with the weight of my traditional screwdrivers. I might leave the largest screwdrivers and the least used nutdrivers in another tool kit (along with the extra shark bars).--"how do you like the tote?"I really like the design, size, layout of the Irwin tote. The biggest problem is that the material used to construct the extra tool compartment below the "main floor" of the tote is not rugged enough, so the bottom crunches in and the tote lists to one side. I plan to build a bottom drawer out of birch ply to insert into the bottom compartment to make better use of the space and add stability. This is a fix that is not needed with more rugged totes like the Vetos, but the Irwin is better suited to my mix of tools (just wish it were stronger).
I had the same problem with the Irwin, with the bottom compartment crushing. I contacted Irwin, and they said they'd replace it, or did I want the version without the bottom compartment? I opted for the latter, they sent it to me no charge, and let me keep the original (worthless to me now, since it's crushed and falls over-I think I sold it in a garage sale). The new one is a smaller footprint, and works ok for some things.
Then I bought the Veto. LOVE IT!
In addition to what you have, I carry some 5-minute epoxy, super glue, WD 40, silicone lube, Quick clamp, socket sets (SAE and metric) combo wrench sets (SAE & metric), cold chisels, punches. My file has the golf ball on the tang. A multimeter is in one of the exterior pockets, but I keep an additional one with the electrical bag. The Veto keeps it all organized and very reachable, and more importantly, it's easy to put stuff back where it belongs.
A small flashlight (mini Mag) might be a good addition to your collection.
This is my main fix-it all (or most things) bag, and goes on every job. Then I have a bag with 2 cordless drills & accessories (usually accompanies the Veto on most jobs,) a dedicated tool pouch with electrical tools, then a slew of buckets, toolboxes, etc for other trades.
I can't decide if the Veto or the van was the best purchase I've made, but I know life is better with them.Pete Duffy, Handyman
"riggers bag from bucket boss- its canvas and weighs almost nothing empty. About the original question & photos- there are too many tools in that kit. Just the very basic tools used everyday should be in your main bag.
--"there are too many tools in that kit. Just the very basic tools used everyday should be in your main bag."The "basic tools" depends on what you do. Last week I installed laminate countertops, capped 3 half-walls, hung 18 doors, built a pair of bookcases and a frig. enclosure, trimmed 8 doors and two windows and installed 240' of base.I often use half of the tools in that tote in a single day and virtually all of them in the course of a week.It is a worthwhile exercise to see if an a few items can be bumped to the van or shop, but I think having 30-35#'s of hand tools in the main tool kit is worth it if you waste less trips running back out to the van or truck, or worse back to the shop or hardware store.A search of "Veto Pro Pak XL or XXL" will turn up pictures of tool kits larger and heavier than mine (35 to 65#'s), though some of those Veto XXL's may stay "grounded" in the truck.Edit to add: Did you see the "trim cart" pic, I try to both travel light and use wheels on heavier tools. It might look like I drag too much stuff to work--my work station on a jobsite can easily take up a two car garage or large room. I know it pays off in productivity though and suprisingly my shop also fits neatly into a minivan (most trim subs I know seem to think they need a truck and a trailer).
Edited 4/9/2007 8:24 am ET by basswood
My set up is pretty similar to yours, minus the playing cards! You must work union! I don't like to lug anything extra. The stuff laid out is what I actually need, anything else is extra weight and can stay in the truck until I need it. Having a certain place for each tool saves a ton of time looking.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
--"My set up is pretty similar to yours, minus the playing cards! You must work union!"<G> I don't have a full deck...those cards are sure handy though. This week I came up with a new use for cards--if you need to start a shim, but the gap is too tight for a cedar shim, slide two playing cards in (behind a molding, for instance)...then insert the cedar shim between the two cards--shoehorns the shim right in there.After looking at your tool kit and thinking it over, I pulled out two shark bars, my two largest screwdrivers, the largest nut driver...down to 33 lbs. now.Having a rectangular tool tote does help with finding things. I keep like items together, of course, but also keep largest of each kind to the ends of the tote and smallest toward the middle. So the chisel by the end of the tote is the 1" and the chisel toward the middle is the 1/4".You may have noticed the "x's" on the end of the Phillips handles and the "-" on the slotted screwdrivers too.What is the funky angled spatula left of your awl?
Looks like a palette knife to me, wonder what it's useful for in a construction setting?_______________________________________________________________
I been wanting to procrastinate, but I keep putting it off
That is a palate knife. It's shape is fantastic for daubing a little filler exactly where you want it. I've replaced that one since the picture. The brass blade marked white paint. They come in handy for all kinds of other things, including slipping in a tight spot, like your cards, cutting caulk, and painted in edges.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Palate knife...hmmm. I never heard of such a thing (I must not be an artist). Sounds handy though.Thanks.
I'm not sure why, but it's always fascinating to see what tools others carry around.
I use a Veto, but but my collection is very similar to yours.
But it did occur to me to ask if you know about Silky folding saws? Sphere was touting them around here a few years back, and they really are terrific, and I ended up buying two that I carry with me.
http://www.silkysaws.com/foldingsaws.htm
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I love my Silkies. I have 3 - the little Gomboy pruning saw, the Woodboy dozuki, and the folding saw without the spine, I forget what it's called.
Super sharp, very accurate, and the blade folds into the handle to protect the teeth.
Those Silky saws look nice.The pull saws I have are part of my tool kit simply because they are carried by the local hardware stores. I do damage those fine teeth, so the protection afforded by the blade folding into the handle would be a benefit, even if the saws have blades of the same quality.I'd guess you use the Dozuki and the Kataba.Thanks to you and Sphere for the tip.
That's what I like about them. If you're careful when you use them, once folded up they are completely protected -- almost bullet-proof. I would have to look to see what I have; one is a Gomboy, which is a pretty substantial sized saw, and then I have a second, smaller saw, with finer teeth -- for more delicate stuff.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-