https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-2...Box/1000392003

I bought one of these for my dad for Christmas. If I were looking for what you're after, it'd be this. The big bin on the bottom holds oddly shaped and sized things. The cubbies in the middle are awesome for dropping parts into until you're ready to use them. The top is a pretty normal tool box. Obviously, either lower section can be used to hold tools as well.

If you have to carry it, then you are better off with a tool bag than any metal tool box or rolling tool bag. I have Craftsman, Bucket Boss, and Husky brands. When I travel with bike tools, the added benefit is no rattling sounds.

I use a 5 gallon bucket with the pockety thing you add to the bucket to hold things. use plastic boxs (tupper ware and specific small parts box) to things like freewheel removes, etc

if you're going to go plastic, invest in one of the t-stak/stacking systems of the big brands. they're well made, and the bases have wheels on them (very important when it gets rainy/humid). My most frequently used tools are in a metal toolbox much like a Kennedy box, except it's from 70 or 80 years ago. The bulky/rarely used tools go into two milk crates, and all liquid consumables go into another milk crate.

I've tried various "solutions", including fancy-pants trolleys with wheels and drawers, but keep coming back to the $20 steel box I bought decades ago. It contains everything I need to build a bike from the frame up, except for my VAR headset cup press and the work stand. It always comes with me on cycling vacations (in the car, that is) where the bike rack doubles as my work stand if needed.

It also enables me to move my work space around the house or garden, depending on weather, mood or heating requirements. :)

Open:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d1e709da33.jpg

Closed:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...314b445047.jpg

....I don't know what other people use them for, but I mostly find I use them for punching the skirts on leather saddles I want to lace, and for punching holes in the ends of toe straps so I can rivet them, rather than trying to find yet another set of strap buttons that have become increasingly expensive and hard to find.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d66939793b.jpg

I have the same Kennedy on my bench, which was trash picked from my former Cub Scout Pack leader's house when his widow was housecleaning. Even has his name on the box.

I didn't think about the bucket type tool box bags. That would be a good idea. I like the tupperware too. I have this weird habit of keeping small metal consumer cans (Altoids, hair gel, etc...) I could use those for cable ends, and ferrules.

When I saw the picture, I thought it looked just like the the Stanley box I had linked. Then I remembered Stanley bought Craftsman out of Sears bankruptcy sale, so they probably are the same, except for the color and price.

Kennedy tool boxes will last several lifetimes. Used them in a mechanics job a long time ago. Used the drawers as a ladder to get up in high to reach spots (These were the big, big boy tool chests). Really top level quality.

My wife was throwing out a hard case small luggage piece. I grabbed it with the idea of making a portable, rolling tool kit from it. Still thinking about it, but realizing that I don't travel much with a large volume of tools, however for the OP it could work out really well if care were taken in the design.

I saw those tool boxes online at Home depot. I like the Husky one the best, but I need to stop and look at it after work one of these days.

BTW. Those cans are wood refinisher and refinisher afterwash. it was for another project I'm working on.

I have the older Stanley Fatmax version of that (no doubt Stanley makes this one to). I don't use it for my bike stuff but they are decent boxes and useful to work out of because of the way it opens and provides easy access. Even heavy loaded it still holds up and is very stable when opened up. It has tipped over a few times on me when closed on uneven ground because I usually have a lot more weight up high.

Very similar to an S&K box I had from the mid-50's. Crinkle-coat finish, smooth drawers, could probably use it for an engine stand. Weighed more empty than my loaded bike tool box.

I had it in the back of my company car for years, then put it in my son's truck, with a few small tools. He wrecked it on a mountain road (hit a bear) and needed a tow. The tow truck operator took the box in exchange for the tow bill.

I use a similar one in addition to my regular tool boxes for my portable charity shop. A friend was given it as a promotional item and I saw it in his garage. The Harbor Freight one is almost identical.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a61ef7a6f4.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a854191190.jpg
I have a very unique tool box for my bike tools. It is a old TV service man's box from the 1950's. Given to me a very long time ago I have used it for bike tools for 15 years. Every thing needed to tear down a bike is in this box.Most of the larger tools are in the center and can not be seen.I have taken it with me on long cross country trips when taking a bike. When I was a bike flipper I took it with me when looking at bikes.

Outfit a suitcase with dividers and pockets, one with wheels and a pull up handle perhaps ?

Or,...Tool rolls , canvas, sew pockets for the tools..






.....

i love the color. i wonder what they put in the big space on the right side; maybe they carried a spare crt?

Stackable drawer type tool boxes on a Fridge dolly , with Pneumatic tires to get it over the patio door threshold..?

anticipating it getting heavy ..

I worked as a TV technician for a little while in the 80s. A CRT would be too big, and we had another caddy for smaller vacuum tubes. The spot does look like the right size for a Simpson 260 volt/ohm meter.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2ac3d11b05.jpg

Simson 260 VOM (picture borrowed from the internet)

Craftsman is great for new DIYers and it's big enough to grow with you as you add more tools. Is solidly built and has a great look.