Toolbox - What to put in it? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Toolbox - What to put in it?

Jampy00

Jampy00

Well-known member
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Need to build a toolbox to have at the ready for task around the exterior home and property.

I have a good idea of what I need, but I always like to ask you guys for some good advice.

Couple of rules:

Need to be portable
No battery or electric tools
Brand of tool does not matter

I'm thinking.

Screwdriver set
Metric & Imperial combination wrench sets
Metric & Imperial allen key sets with ball ends
Plier set, wire cutters
Adjustable wrenches
Hammer
Small pry bar - Nail puller
Electrical tape
Wire connectors
Tape Measure
Folding saw with blades for different materials
3 in 1 oil in a good container/bottle
Utility knife
Level
Drill bits

What am I missing?
 
IMO if you try to cover too much it will be too heavy and it defeats the purpose. So I would reduce what you have there, not add.

Screw drivers (maybe just a single multibit one)
Multitool (Leatherman style)
Vise grips
Tongue and grove pliers
Hammer
Mid size prybar
Adjustable wrench
Knife
Tape measure
Ducktape
Allen keys IF you run into that around the homestead but likely just multitool set like for a motorcycle or bicycle.

You can always leave room to add specifics tools for specific jobs like electrical, wrenches, sockets, cordless, drilling etc. odds are you will have a good idea before you head out. Select the multitools well and things like wire strippers may already be covered. Folding handsaw, I wouldn't bother (cordless is the way to go, bring it IF you think you need it).
 
Vise grips
Rubber Mallet
Sledge hammer and cold chisel
wood chisel(s)
clamp(s)
pencil/marker
straight edge/ruler
.........

edit: agree with the above if you are going to be carrying it around. But, if its to avoid having to go back and forth between buildings to get what you need then my list stands as those are always things I have to keep going to the basement to get.
 
backmarkerducati said:
IMO if you try to cover too much it will be too heavy and it defeats the purpose. So I would reduce what you have there, not add.

Screw drivers (maybe just a single multibit one)
Multitool (Leatherman style)
Vise grips
Tongue and grove pliers
Hammer
Mid size prybar
Adjustable wrench
Knife
Tape measure
Ducktape
Allen keys IF you run into that around the homestead but likely just multitool set like for a motorcycle or bicycle.

You can always leave room to add specifics tools for specific jobs like electrical, wrenches, sockets, cordless, drilling etc. odds are you will have a good idea before you head out. Select the multitools well and things like wire strippers may already be covered. Folding handsaw, I wouldn't bother (cordless is the way to go, bring it IF you think you need it).
Click to expand...
I agree, But it will not be carried by hand. and maybe I can find a module system that can hold different tools. Have one large box with small boxes inside. I already have battery tools, but not in this tool box, they will always be dead when you need them.
hdsomeday said:
Vise grips
Rubber Mallet
Sledge hammer and cold chisel
wood chisel(s)
clamp(s)
pencil/marker
straight edge/ruler
.........

edit: agree with the above if you are going to be carrying it around. But, if its to avoid having to go back and forth between buildings to get what you need then my list stands as those are always things I have to keep going to the basement to get.
Click to expand...

Vise Grips!
Not sure about sledge hammer / chisels but still good ideaa's
 
Jampy00 said:
Need to build a toolbox to have at the ready for task around the exterior home and property.

I have a good idea of what I need, but I always like to ask you guys for some good advice.

Couple of rules:

Need to be portable
No battery or electric tools
Brand of tool does not matter

I'm thinking.

Screwdriver set
Metric & Imperial combination wrench sets
Metric & Imperial allen key sets with ball ends
Plier set, wire cutters
Adjustable wrenches
Hammer
Small pry bar - Nail puller
Electrical tape
Wire connectors
Tape Measure
Folding saw with blades for different materials
3 in 1 oil in a good container/bottle
Utility knife
Level
Drill bits

What am I missing?
Click to expand...
What is spinning the drill bits?
 
Fwiw, I'd do things differently. A blow mold socket set, hammer, knife and knipex plier wrench can get most things done. After that, separate containers/bags for the task (plumbing, electrical, etc).
 
A small assortment of gear (radiator hose) clamps is handy. Heaven forbid you should think they only work on hoses.
 
timtune said:
A small assortment of gear (radiator hose) clamps is handy. Heaven forbid you should think they only work on hoses.
Click to expand...
Good idea, I think I'd need a "parts" sections for these zipties etc.
 
GreyGhost said:
Fwiw, I'd do things differently. A blow mold socket set, hammer, knife and knipex plier wrench can get most things done. After that, separate containers/bags for the task (plumbing, electrical, etc).
Click to expand...
This is for exterior work, I have tools for interior work. Already have a contained socket set as well.
Thinking of something like this for the toolbox. and make something to connect it to the tractor 3-point.
1720052252153.png
 
Buy duplicates of the cheap, heavy, brute force stuff and leave a set in each vehicle/outbuilding: (hammer, big & small prybars, visegrips). Roll them up in an old dishtowel and ziptie it to keep them from clanking around. Add zipties, baling wire, pliers, duct tape, hose clamps. Also leave a set of PPE in each location (dust masks, safety glasses, gloves, earplugs).

I go with dedicated task toolbags (electrical, plumbing, wood construction, automotive, etc) rather than a single general/everything bag. I prefer a bit driver and screwdriver bits over regular screwdrivers, especially if you want to tote them around. If you're going for a multi-tool, I'd look for one that takes regular 1/4" bits, not special $20 proprietary bits or fixed drivers (that fixed Philips driver is going to get mangled fast).

FYI, a Knipex pliers wrench is light years better than any adjustable wrench and is worth the money. I'd even consider ditching the regular crescent wrenches except they can fit in some places that the Knipex can't.
 
I’m trying to focus my tool box/bag like @Ash mentioned.

One for electrical, mechanical, plumbing etc. I also have simple items (switches, outlets, etc in dedicated and labeled clear containers (electrical, plumbing, trailer, etc) as I find it’s easier.

I’ve got a ton of those ammo boxes but no clue how to properly organize them so they sit empty.
 
Add cable ties while your at it and a small can of wd40
 
Marettes, thread seal tape, graphite.
 
mimico_polak said:
I’m trying to focus my tool box/bag like @Ash mentioned.

One for electrical, mechanical, plumbing etc. I also have simple items (switches, outlets, etc in dedicated and labeled clear containers (electrical, plumbing, trailer, etc) as I find it’s easier.

I’ve got a ton of those ammo boxes but no clue how to properly organize them so they sit empty.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure they'll all become a mess in time, it's just how we are... Lol
I've got the ammo box as well making a small kit to mount on the tractor.
 
Tool kits evolve depending on the circumstances, property, skills and finances of the owner.

There is a perfect tool for every problem except for its price and storage requirements.

The greatest tool is patience. Second is rational thought. Do I carry 100 pounds of kit all the time or 40 pounds of kit and occasionally walk back to the shop for the unexpected.
 
nobbie48 said:
Tool kits evolve depending on the circumstances, property, skills and finances of the owner.

There is a perfect tool for every problem except for its price and storage requirements.

The greatest tool is patience. Second is rational thought. Do I carry 100 pounds of kit all the time or 40 pounds of kit and occasionally walk back to the shop for the unexpected.
Click to expand...
If I forget a tool it's a long walk back to the garage.
Is there a perfect tool box? no way, never said there was.
But what this post is about is what actual tools we'd put in a tool box to try to solve a number of potential issues.
 
Jampy00 said:
If I forget a tool it's a long walk back to the garage.
Is there a perfect tool box? no way, never said there was.
But what this post is about is what actual tools we'd put in a tool box to try to solve a number of potential issues.
Click to expand...
As you narrow down what you need, given the use case for this, having a specific location for every tool is valuable. It's easy to leave a tool in the weeds on a job and then it isn't there when you want to use it. Throwing all the tools in a box is easy but makes it very hard to realize something didn't make it back in. You could include a scale in the box and weigh it to make sure you didn't lose something big but that won't find a screwdriver bit in your pocket. Something like you posted with compartments or cut foam or similar lets you visually ensure that all tools are present before you drive away.
 
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