What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Tools - What to carry? What stays?

Chief Brody

Chief Brody

"Amity Island Welcomes You"
 Premium
GMOTM Winner
Joined
May 18, 2010
Posts
9,606
Reaction score
1,980
Location
Alabama
I've been working a bit on the blazer recently as you may have seen. I have run into something that is driving me crazy.

I can't find anything when I need it!

I keep a tool bag in my daily driver, which has grown out of control..can hardly lift it anymore....

Nothing in is my garage where I thought I left it.

How do I set this right? I know I need some organization but I also need more than a couple screwdrivers in the daily driver.

I need suggestions...tell me what you do.
 
One of the biggest issues is I can't find my sockets
I have mix-match of Snap-On, Cobalt, old vintage Craftsman, Blue-Point...
 
Two seperate sets..garage tools and truck tools and never the two shall meet. That's what works for me...the truck tools go in a small bag.. they are only the basic tools and Macgyver stuff to fix a breakage.
 
It sucks to buy even more tools but the sets from craftsman and others with the blow molded cases are excellent. Every socket in a case, easy to find the one you are looking for. There is usually room for a good set of wrenches too. Then you just need a small bag with the screwdrivers, pliers and special, vehicle specific tools.
 
Blazooki said:
Two seperate sets..garage tools and truck tools and never the two shall meet. That's what works for me...the truck tools go in a small bag.. they are only the basic tools and Macgyver stuff to fix a breakage.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Gets really fun when you wrench for a living. Home, work, and mobile sets.
 
eric67camino said:
Agreed. Gets really fun when you wrench for a living. Home, work, and mobile sets.
Click to expand...
yeah, this


@Chief Brody
Set all your tools out on the work -bench, garage floor, and separate them into sets. Replace what ever is missing to complete however many you need.
Don't underestimate garage sales, thrift stores, or the flea market.

Important thing to remember, If you use it on the truck, now the truck owns it. Find a home for it and leave it on there.
Best thing I ever did in terms of wrenching
 
https://store.snapon.com/General-Se...-General-Service-Set-Blue-Point--P874799.aspx
I have this set for travel, all the spots are full easy to keep track. I also have a harbor freight Hercules 18 pocket bag for screw drivers, pliers, hammers, pry bar, wire stripper, crimpers, assortment of connectors, test light duct tape, bailing wire, jumper wires, a few pieces of 14 ga wire, drift punch, cold chisel, flat file, Allen wrench sets, 3/8" deep chrome sockets, 1/2" ratchet long a few 1/2" deep impact sockets, 1/2" 6" extension. drive converters. bag kinda heavy but can haul from back to front. I normally only fill the bag for trips, and return most of the tools to my tools box after. Is also my Manx Buggy bag so has a few VW only tools included.
I keep two tubs, with hoses, clamps, an extra complete dist, a mechanical fuel pump, belts, coolant water, oil, atf, extra relays, fuses, nuts, and bolts, and few odd swap meet special tools.
 
That is a very nice Blue Point set...but a little too spendy for me at the current time.
 
I don’t keep expensive tools in the truck. I don’t want to loose a $150 Matco ratchet on the trail or have it get stolen.

I use my harbor freight ratchets & sockets on JIMMY. 3/8” & 1/2” sets. Also as mentioned before just about everything you need to repair whatever you are willing to fix.

I store them in those Klein tools electricians bags, canvas w/ zippers. Color coded too so I knew which back to grab.
For example:
yellow = 1/2” set
Blue= 3/8” set
Orange =ratchets & extensions
Brown= screwdrivers and pointy things
And so on & so forth.
tons of specific other stuff too.
Like a pic &Axle nut socket with other random tools to tear down axles & replace bearings.
Multi-meter & test light + small crimp connector set and spare relays & fuses.
*Hydro- assist caps
Air compressor
Lug wrench
Jack
Big & little hammer


I keep the tools in a pelican case & strap that on my spare tire in the bed.
I also bring fluids & keep them in a Rubbermaid bin that double as a drain pan for wet trail repairs.
Depending on what type of adventure i’m going on I may bring more or a lot less gear.
 
Chief Brody said:
That is a very nice Blue Point set...but a little too spendy for me at the current time.
Click to expand...

yeah the bluepoint is spendy now ( I have had for 15ish years, was intro price when I purchased) but.... craftmans, kobalt, exc.
 
Harbor freight in the truck...for the tweekers

and I spray paint all my truck tools the same color (orange)..makes pick up easier after those Hells Revenge engine swap parties.
 
I too work out in the field and have to work all over grocery stores...sales floor,motor room, roof top, on top of walk-in coolers, computer rooms, electrical rooms etc.
So I also have two complete different sets of tools for work and in the garage.

One of the best things I ever did was to go to Northern tools and buy two Rubbermaid 4 wheel carts. They are double deck carts that I throw my tools on when working on the truck and I keep one in the back of my work truck to roll all of my tools and parts into the stores on service calls. ( store managers get all pissy when you use their shopping carts to haul stuff into the store )

At home, the cart keeps everything within reach, and helps keep things organized such as bolts etc. I stash my nice shiny parts on the bottom shelf along with sprays, oils, rags etc. Plus at the end of the day, I can leave everything on the cart if I don't want to clean it up right then. I loose a lot less bolts and sockets, that's for sure.

Another thing I got from Lowe's is a back pack made by Klein (?) It zippers open like a clamshell and holds a lot of stuff... It makes my daily treck into stores a lot less painful as I climb up and down off of coolers, roofs, etc. it's only downfall is it can carry so much that I have to constantly clean it out to keep down the clutter.. :D
 
I have four sets of tools. Two complete sets of craftsman tools. One in the carrying case for the truck that keeps everything locked in, and a loose set in a full-size box in the garage. The third is a mix of special tools that also goes in my truck but is accessible if needed. I also have a fourth with random mix of extra tools that are mostly Chinese and just random tools that I’ve had that don’t go to a set. Keeping your garage and truck tools separate is a must if you want to make sure you always have what you need in both places.
 
wasted wages said:
Another thing I got from Lowe's is a back pack made by Klein (?) It zippers open like a clamshell and holds a lot of stuff... It makes my daily treck into stores a lot less painful as I climb up and down off of coolers, roofs, etc. it's only downfall is it can carry so much that I have to constantly clean it out to keep down the clutter.. :D
Click to expand...
I have the tool backpack from CLC for my HVAC service bag. Its outstanding. Slots for a full set of screwdrivers, set of wrenches and tons of pockets for meters and tools. Climbing up onto rooftops it can't be beat. It really cuts down on trips up the ladder.
 
HankScorpio said:
I have the tool backpack from CLC for my HVAC service bag. Its outstanding. Slots for a full set of screwdrivers, set of wrenches and tons of pockets for meters and tools. Climbing up onto rooftops it can't be beat. It really cuts down on trips up the ladder.
Click to expand...

Just looked on their website, they make some nice looking stuff! I may get one of their bucket organizers, occasionally I have to haul a bunch of small relays and parts with me to the roof that I currently keep in small plastic boxes in a bucket. It's a lot of excess weight that I'd rather not haul up and down the ladders..
 
I keep work tools, garage tools, and vehicle tools separate. Although sometimes I need a specific tool out of one of the trucks, etc. The bucket boss line and the CLC line are great products for bags and orgainzation...
 
atlas 45 roll up tool organizer. Slick as hell. Bright orange so it can't be missed. I can fit a lot of stuff in there except the 1/2" drive stuff.
I take mine to the junkyard as it's just the right size.

When I know I'm going wheeling I've got a bigger bag that hauls the 1/2" drive stuff, hub nut socket, hammer, larger pliers, meter, test light and wiring crimp era and strippers plus an assortment of terminals and rolls of wire and tape.

I also have soft gear bags that carry spare fluids, cleaner, bailing wire, zip ties spare belt and other assorted goodies.

I tend to over pack for the trail, but other than the weight it's not hurt. When I or others needed the tools they are quick and easy to access. I fall under the rather have and not need than need and not have line of thinking.
 
I have the Atlas 45 tool roll organizer, mine is blue and black. Id recommend it, but its pricy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom