Tools and toolboxes

[BaltimoreGS]

There was a recent thread that I found interesting about tools but it ended up in the tard farm:  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=57660.0

I was going to add some pictures to it I took at work today but opted to start this new thread instead (don't feel like posting on a tard post).  I shot some pictures of my current toolbox set up along with some of the other guys at the shops boxes. I got a great piece of advice when I was starting out which I pass along to anyone that will listen:  Buy the cheapest toolbox you can get away with, all it does is hold tools.  Use the money you save to fill the box with nice tools.  While great advice, 90% of the eager young guys I see pass through our shop ignore that advice and splurge on an expensive box.  Close to 100% of them regret that decision after making a few of the monthly payments   

-Jessie

This Craftsman box was my first toolbox when I was starting out.  I believe it is still available and is the cheapest box they sell (under $100).  I upgraded to a larger 2 level Harbor Freight box about a year into my mechanical saga.  That box served me well and I still have it at the toy garage.  Big toolboxes are nice until you have to move them.  Most mechanics end up hiring a flatbed tow truck to move their boxes when they switch companies.  After dealing with the hassle of moving my big box once I returned to my old Craftsman toolbox which easily fits in the bed of my truck.  This little box contains pretty much all the tools necessary to service a Toyota vehicle (or anything else metric for that mater including motorcycles).  The second cheapo box next to the Craftsman has my electrical tools, pry bars and some specialty wrenches and tools not used on a regular basis.





The drawers are pretty well filled (and some over filled) but it suits my daily needs   

Socket and ratchet drawer



Standard and ratcheting combo wrench drawer



Air tool drawer



Screwdrivers, scrapers, etc.



Various pliers and my trusty mini sledge



Here's some other guys set ups:

A nicer model Craftsman



This is the same Harbor Freight set up as I have minus the top box



An older Snap On



This box belongs to the guy that gave me the cheap toolbox advice.  He hates the fact he spent 5 grand on this Snap On box.  It doesn't help that it is a 90's teal green.  He put paint stripper on the front of it and is now letting it rust



This is an expensive Snap On set up



Another Snap On rig



Under all this clutter is my brother's Sequoia branded toolbox.  As someone in the other thread mentioned, lots of the major branded toolboxes are made by a company called Waterloo.  If you can live without the Snap On or Matco nameplate you can save a lot of money.  A lot of the Craftsman boxes are made by Whirlpool.  I guess there isn't much difference between stamping out a dishwasher and a toolbox   


o
This is one of the young guys that bought an expensive toolbox and now regrets it.  It is cool to look at but not much fun to pay for...

[cbrfxr67]

Great thread here!  One of my favorite things is checking out guy's setups and what they have/use.  Is that a Mag rechargeable?  What do you think of it versus the Streamlight Led?

And, went out and walked around the warehouse.  Nothing impressive about warehouse racks filled with brown boxes, but I tried to take a couple of interesting ones,..

Anybody need an old (new) SK box?  Only a grand,....haha

Ingersoll-Rand aisle,...

two aisles of Sk but this was the only part that looked halfway decent and not ransacked,.,.

everybody loves a brand new spiffy compressor!

Wish I had more but like I said, rows of brown boxes aren't too intriguing,...

[slipperymongoose]

I've got a jbs 9 drawer filled with jbs tools and sidchrome, at work I've built my own rolling toolbox.

[cbrfxr67]

"Built not bought!"  Rock on aussiegs

[slipperymongoose]

I better throw a pic up now 

[mister]

I better throw a pic up now 

Yup. Pics or it didn't happen 

Michael

[yamahonkawazuki]

I better throw a pic up now 

Yup. Pics or it didn't happen 

Michael

[slipperymongoose]

Oh it's gonna happen just you wait for Tuesday morning, I was bored one week second year of my apprenticeship and thought why not?? It fits my 9 drawer in it plus all my other shaZam!.

[cbrfxr67]

Ever heard of these guys aussie or mister?  We started carrying their products and they have good tools.  Brake pad spreaders are bad a**.

[slipperymongoose]

Sorry I havnt, but typical all the best stuff comes from the land down under lol.

[mister]

Ever heard of these guys aussie or mister?  We started carrying their products and they have good tools.  Brake pad spreaders are bad a**.

Yes'm. They are about 1 click from my old Work yard. Used to go for Smoko one block from them. 

Michael

[BaltimoreGS]

Great thread here!  One of my favorite things is checking out guy's setups and what they have/use.  Is that a Mag rechargeable?  What do you think of it versus the Streamlight Led?

Thanks for adding your pics!  I think that Snap On box is the same one as a guy at our work 

The light on my box is an old Streamlight Ultra Stinger.  I got tire of dropping it and breaking bulbs so I upgraded to an LED retrofit and it is still going strong after a few mishaps 

-Jessie

[socialDK]

Thanks for making this post BaltimoreGS.  I'm attending a motorcycle trade school that has a great deal with Snap on (almost 50% off).  A fellow student is planning on going all Snap on with Snap On credit and I am trying to convince him to not spend all that money while he is still a student.  Hopefully this thread will convince him at least to go with a cheaper cabinet and get more tools. 

Also liking this thread for just looking at tools and tool related crap.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Thanks for making this post BaltimoreGS.  I'm attending a motorcycle trade school that has a great deal with Snap on (almost 50% off).  A fellow student is planning on going all Snap on with Snap On credit and I am trying to convince him to not spend all that money while he is still a student.  Hopefully this thread will convince him at least to go with a cheaper cabinet and get more tools. 

Also liking this thread for just looking at tools and tool related crap.

is it mmi?, i did this. got the snapon stuff. tbh better off grabbign some craftsman stuff. BUT the snapon guy will on occasion have some used stuff CHEAP. i grabbed 4 spinners. 15 each. sold 2 of them to a pawn shop for 25 each, and one to a roomate for 25 as well but grab used CM tools if possible. not worth it going into debt over those things. if at all possible

[BaltimoreGS]

Thanks for making this post BaltimoreGS.  I'm attending a motorcycle trade school that has a great deal with Snap on (almost 50% off).  A fellow student is planning on going all Snap on with Snap On credit and I am trying to convince him to not spend all that money while he is still a student.  Hopefully this thread will convince him at least to go with a cheaper cabinet and get more tools. 

Also liking this thread for just looking at tools and tool related crap.

Snap On tools are great, you should take advantage of that deal too if you can afford them.  Just don't go over board and rack up a bunch of debt!!  You have the right idea though, even at 50% the toolboxes are still not a great investment.  If I was in the position you guys are (starting out and a discount available) I would get a nice Snap On combination wrench set to start.  Probably the extra long series.  Then I'd look at sockets but probably just by popular sizes, not a full set.  Most Japanese stuff is 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19 and 22mm.  There is usually little difference between the price of a set of Snap On tools and buying individual pieces (not true with Sears Craftsman).  If you get a discount with Matco tools also, I prefer their fine tooth 88 series ratchets.  Whichever way you go, spend the extra money and get locking flex head ratchets.  Since the heads lock it can function the same as a fixed head ratchet but gives you the access of a flex head when you need it.  Snap On screw drivers are nicer if you have the money but I get along ok with Craftsman at work.  And things like prybars and hammers, save a lot of money and just get Harbor Freight.  Good luck with your schooling   

-Jessie

[cbrfxr67]

Don't forget these bad boys,..Got GearWrench?
Not sure if anybody knows this but, Danaher owns KD, Gearwrench, Craftsman, and Matco (among many other companies).  So your Matco guy can warranty Gearwrench all day long.

[slipperymongoose]

For all your doubters, lol. Here is my creation. Tall enough so you can have your 9 or 10 draw on top or below, work on stuff on the top as well and plenty of storage for whatnot as you can see its a bit messy but I know where it all is. 

[BaltimoreGS]

Found this snippet while trying to find a current Snap On price guide online, good info if you are not familiar with buying professional grade tools:

Snap on tool pricing is different from most other sets such as Craftsman.

With Craftsman tools there is a discount for purchasing an entire set rather than each individual tool.

Usually the cost of a set of wrenches, sockets, etc.  is less than half the cost of the items purchased individually.

With Snap On, Mac, Matco and Cornwell if you purchase a set of  sockets you pay the full price for each of the sockets with no discount.

You also pay for the socket rail and each individual clip.

There is no advantage to buying a full set of, for example, swivel sockets.  If you are only going to need a few swivel sockets, then only purchase those instead of purchasing a set.

In the event you need one of those sockets at a later time it is no more expensive to buy them one at a time.

[Electrojake]

Deleted in its entirety.
My apologies.

[BaltimoreGS]

I snapped a shot of some wrenches so you can get an idea of the differences in length and finish.  The bottom one is your standard Sears Craftsman.  The sides of the open end were shaved down for a specific job.  The middle wrench is a Snap On from the 80's.  The top wrench is a current model Snap On.  Notice the extra length for leverage and a superior over all finish.

-Jessie