Thread: In search of the perfect tool box

You me and everyone else I think has the same problem will there ever be the perfect tool box?

I have always like what my dad had as seen here

He took it anywhere end everywhere top was used to sit on and cut on.

Me well being I was more into mechanics panel work steel tool boxes through from time I started till now have grown from single cantilever through to roller cabinets ( I confess I am a tool jumkie)

My son has a roll out draw the length of his ute and has a removable 2nd layer also roller draw. On site he uses tote bags he inherited my love for tools.

Me too!
I get asked to fix things and throw various tools in the van. As most of my tools live in one large wheeled tool box, there's always one that I need but forget.
If it's possible, I put the item needing repair/modification/improvement in the van and bring it home.

That reminds me, I have a friends kitchen table in the van that I need to do some work on. As it snowed here today, that job can wait.

I work as a Handyman and find that it is easier to take three or four boxes and put them on a trolley. My main boxes are tool box with basic tools (pliers, tape and rulers, screwdrivers, hex keys, hammers, WD-40, punches and drill bits) Cordless drill kit with bits, and a wooden tote full of screws and fasteners. On the trolley I also hang an impact driver and often carry a rubbish bin with brush and pan. Other essentials like levels, square, hole saws, hack saw, plumbing gear for tap washers, caulking gun and cartridges, 4 step ladder live in the car.
If I need extras like vacuum cleaner, plane, router, circular saw, hammer drill, air tools I put them in as required.

It will not matter what the job the chances are there will be a tool you could use at home (or you need to buy).

Maybe something like this and box in the bottom.

TT

The ultimate solution is to put ALL your tools in a trailer (or if you already have a big van ...)

Thanks for your suggestions. Handyman Jack what sort of car do you drive and do you have a photo of your setup particularly the trolley?

Tried lots of things - buckets, bags, open totes and keep coming back to 2 of those red 5 tray cantilever toolboxes...not ideal but a lot of hand tools can fit inside.

I generally throw everything in a bag then pack a "work mate" as well.

I know it's not a tool box but it works for me.

Not being a tradie, but having done bits and pieces out of the shed I found out very quickly when I made up a carry tote and put in whatever I thought I might need that it usually ended up requiring 2 men, 3 boys and a hernia to lift it.

I ended up using 4 of those large green plastic carry totes - not sure if they are still available but they certainly did the job.

Originally Posted by Tiger

Thanks for your suggestions. Handyman Jack what sort of car do you drive and do you have a photo of your setup particularly the trolley?

I just drive a small station wagon about the size of an Hyundai i30. The trolley I bought from Bunnings, works except where there is gravel, stairs or any other rough surface. Similar to this but I think it is smaller. http://www.bunnings.com.au/saxon-300...olley_p2970493
Tote boxes - easy to make yourself. Can then be made to size. I just use pine, 190 wide for base and ends, 140 wide for the sides and a piece of dowel for the handle. I have the top square so I can stack them if required.

Sorry no images available.

Originally Posted by Handyjack

I just drive a small station wagon about the size of an Hyundai i30. The trolley I bought from Bunnings, works except where there is gravel, stairs or any other rough surface. Similar to this but I think it is smaller. http://www.bunnings.com.au/saxon-300...olley_p2970493
Tote boxes - easy to make yourself. Can then be made to size. I just use pine, 190 wide for base and ends, 140 wide for the sides and a piece of dowel for the handle. I have the top square so I can stack them if required.

Sorry no images available.

Thanks Handy, I asked about the car because I doubt I could get any sort of ladder in there, maybe a couple of steps. The trolley is a good idea, I saw a combo platform/trolley/creeper but they don't post to Australia. Do you make all your tote boxes the same size?

You can make the tote boxes any length you desire.
If they are the same, they are easier to put on top of each other, or swap about in the car. (You could perhaps stand on them or make a top that fits with dowels as a lid so that you can stand on it. This is said with no recommendation as I have no control over construction, materials or how it is used.)
The ladder fits across the back seat, longer ladders go on roof bars.

Had another thought, since you can't create the perfect toolbox or would require a number of toolboxes what about the other side of the equation ie only bring the most versatile tools. So here's my basic list:hammer, 2 chisels, small level, long nose pliers, Allen keys, vise grip pliers, monkey wrench, pipe wrench, cordless drill, circular saw. Those are the ones the ones that come to mind. What other tools have you found to be either indispensable or versatile and should be added to this list?

The tools you need will depend on the job.
There are times when you cannot do without a drill/driver, but there will be days when you do not use them.
I do not carry a circular saw in the car unless I think I will need it, eg adjusting a door or fitting a shelf - it just takes up too much space by the time you include the dust extractor and the guide rails.
There is stuff I carry in the car that would rarely get used but for that one job it is worth carrying. A mate would carry a couple of window winders (worth $25 -$40 each) as he was frequently changing them, I would prefer to buy as required.
On the weekend I needed to repair a blind and found that it required a part. Being Saturday afternoon I was unable to just run to the store and buy it, however I had a part at home that I could use even though it was a different color. Customer was happy. Part does not take up space but is not used enough to carry all the time, same with light globes and tubes. If required put in car, otherwise leave at home. If they get broken they are worthless.

Experience is the best teacher as to what to carry.

Attached is an image of my trolley with basic stuff, there is a impact driver on the back which you can not see.
The red tool box probably has too many tools in it, but if I take something out I am sure to need it in the next week. The wooden tote box only has screws and fasteners in it - not necessarily the ones I need for the job though. The drill box has the drill, two batteries and charger as well as a good selection of drill bits 1/16-9/16 and drivers.