Portable tool box

Ok, we all know how many tools it takes to do some of the work on our trucks...or at least how many you end up accumulating, even if you've used some of them once in 10 years. And if you have a garage, and all the work is done in there, then a roll around/semi-stationary tool box/cart/cabinet is great.

This question is for those of you that are more mobile. Maybe you're working in your gravel driveway, no bueno for a roll around anything. Maybe you're sometimes working on other peoples rides at their house. Or a hundred other reasons you may need to move bulk tools around.

If you fit into this ^ category, how do you move tools around? I mean if you know EXACTLY what all you'll need, then the list would probably be short for most jobs.

But to prepare for those things that "might come up", it can get to be cumbersome to say the least. For instance, if I'm going very far from home at all, I don't take A socket...I take all or most of my sockets. Same for other categories of tools, plus all the other shit you just "like to have in case you need it". What I've been doing is just dump (loose and unorganized) what I think I need into one of the many empty tool boxes/bags I have sitting around, and go. Not ideal.

I also can't jusitfy buying a complete "set" of shit to keep mobile, although that would be more organized than what I do now, for sure.

I'm thinking about getting rid of the roll around all together, which BTW, is not in a garage and isn't even very handily located to where I usually do the work, even when it's at home. Anyhow, thinking about getting rid of that and putting everything into a (bare with me)...a roll around toolbox. NOT that kind ...a toolbox that rolls on 2 wheels, more like a dolly/hand cart/whatever you wanna call it type toolbox.

Could be something I build onto a 2 wheeler or something available from the retail gods, either way.

Anyhow, just looking to bounce around ideas on what other folks are doing for these "travel mechanic" times.

 

Yeah man i have a 41” roll cabinet in my house and a 26” top and bottom craftsman stack next to that. Don’t have a garage and life in an apartment. My setup is in my kitchen/dining area. Just have some empty space there and keep my setup. When i have to work on my truck I use one of my oversized dewalt bags that comes with power tools

 

That's pretty much it for me too. Not an apartment, but my stuff does stay in my laundry room and is, like I said, not exactly handy to my driveway. I use something similar...big cordless tool bag that comes with a set that the tools NEVER fit back into the way they were...so the bag gets tossed in the corner until I need to carry something else...like truck tools. Still not ideal.

 

Maybe something like this? The smaller ones also fit perfectly on the floor behind the front seats.

 

Harbor Freight tool bag cuz its cheap and decently sturdy. Holds all the hand tools youd need for a trail troubleshoot/repair, plus shop towels and orange goop. Impact gun rides in an HF Apache case that the tool bag sits on. Both sit between the F/R passenger seats under my dog's hammock thing. Comfier for him, less risk of theft for me since it's outta sight.

 

Yea, I've looked at similar systems, and even have some of the dewalt tough boxes, although not the "bottom piece" that rolls around. In my mind, I'm picturing something similar to that, yes. It may be something I end up building onto one of those folding 2 wheelers with the telescoping handle...which I already have..............I think lol.

That's kind of what I use now. Usually bigger, but similar. But everything goes in the bag, including impacts, etc. I don't have socket rails because in the top of a roll around, you don't need that firm hold on things...so the socket trays I have are definitely not good for bag travel. I know rails are cheap, but...I dunno...just thinking at the moment

 

Atlas 46 Yorktown Tool Roll.

https://www.atlas46.com/products.html#!/Yorktown-Tool-Roll™/p/88260008/category=34912316

One of the best investments I ever made. It holds ever tool that I feel like I need to carry around all the time (with some room for junk I don't need all the time like a tie rod splitter). The main attraction for me was how well I can keep things organized with it.

 

That's a good idea. At the very least it could organize wrenches, ratchets, pliers, etc. Sockets would still be out in the cold, but that's a good start....if one product (or maybe a couple or 3 of the same product) can get everything except sockets sorted out and not thrown loose in a bag, then...that's definitely something to consider.

 

I've been using one of these for my old tools.

 

I can keep all of my pliers (needlenose, channel locks, vise grips, etc), all of my screwdrivers, crescent wrenches, a bunch of my open end/box end wrenches (the sizes that make sense), electrical/automotive specialty tools (strippers, transfer punch, tie rod splitter, etc), a utility knife, some carpenter pencils, and a pair of gloves in mine. Mine has enough room for a set of sockets (again, the sizes that make sense) and a couple of socket wrenches. I don't do that though, because I've got a set of Kobalt sockets/socket wrench in my Tuffy bed lock box. That lock box is another thing you might think about. I've just got one on the driver's side, but I'm looking to install one on the other side too.

 

Yea I've thought about a truck toolbox, but they've always ended up as the abyss when I've had them before lol. But that sets my mind also thinking about a box, probably just a stack of drawers, INSIDE the truck. My back seat is rarely used for people anyway. Fold the short side up and.....hmmmmm........yea, maybe...

@RyanDCLB , that's pretty much what I do now but with a bigger bag. I'm trying to get away from the "toss" method. Although a smaller bag would at least be easier to find shit in lol.

 

That's pretty cool!

 

Amazon has them pretty inexpensive...

TUXI Roll Up Tool Bag, Small Tool Bag, Wrench Roll, Tool Bag Organizer with 5 Zipper Pockets, Multipurpose Canvas Tool Bag, Socket Organizer, Tool Roll Up Bag, Car Seat Back Organizer (Armygreen)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081DKSBQ9/ref=twister_B081DKVZZ5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

These are trick!

https://overlandgearguy.com/products/overland-vehicle-tool-organizer-kit-set

 

I second the tool roll. I have one, it’s amazing how much shit will fit in there and it’s semi organized.

 

I bought a Kirkland brand tool set (I think Costco carries Dewalt now) and I took them out of the plastic container and put them into ziplock bags and put them where the jack and tire iron goes. I also augmented it with a few tools our trucks need that it didn't come with. It's not my primary tool set and it was only $79 so it's not the end of the world if it gets stolen but I have an essentially complete tool set in my truck at all times for emergencies. Definitely has come in handy.

 

For dragging around the yard, I would go with one of the stacker type boxes like OrangeCrash pictured. Plenty of options out there for expensive or cheap.

If you want to customize some thing, you can look at Pelican boxes such as the 1740s. I have a couple of them that I use whenever I move. Good two wheel boxes with a bunch of customizable options.

a pricey option:

Armstrong SGMTK1 General Mechanics Tool Kit

https://www.amazon.com/Armstrong-SGMTK1-General-Mechanics-Tool/dp/B005Z8TDS2

On that vein, look through surplus options. You'll be surprised at what you may find.

I have a garage, so all my stuff is in that. I do keep some basic tools and emergency type junk in a smaller spare Pelican box behind the passenger seat. It's an Access Cab, so nobody really rides back there anyways.

 

I use a pelican 1510 for work. Rolls nice over most things not so much with snow but it’s gear holds everything I need. Got rid of the shadowed shelf’s after buying more tools so I used bags for somethings. Plenty of space I prob have double what’s in these photos in it now and still have room.

I beat the absolute shit out of this box. I throw it into trucks up onto lifts back of gators or have it fall out of gators lol. Haven’t had a single issue with it. Since it was for work I got the pelican since they’ll work with you on replacing parts.
Harbor freight has these kinds of boxes not sure if they have roll around a or not but worth looking into. I’ll prob get a smaller one for my truck at some point