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Tool Boxes recommendations for portable workshop
Hi all,
I don't have enough space for a permanent bike shop. Mine has to be portable, so I can put it away when I'm not using it. What do you all use for tool boxes? My toolbox has gotten too small. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...44e35d735.jpeg |
I use plastic shoe boxes, from Costco, for some of my tools, and all of my spare parts.
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Originally Posted by letenn
(Post 20819566)
Hi all,
I don't have enough space for a permanent bike shop. Mine has to be portable, so I can put it away when I'm not using it. What do you all use for tool boxes? My toolbox has gotten too small. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...44e35d735.jpeg https://images.homedepot-static.com/...13-a0_1000.jpg |
yeah, I've seen those. I like this one: Husky Tool Box
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Maybe a small roll-away.
Jon |
Sears made some good tool bags a while ago.
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A Craftsman 3 drawer tool box but be careful they can get heavy quick. https://www.lowes.com/pd/craftsman-p...EaAmJFEALw_wcB |
I thought about the 3 drawer metal tool box like that craftsman. But then I saw those stackable totes with wheels, and thought I could put my parts in the bottom. The blue bin in the picture is my parts bin.
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What BG said.
A tool box large enough to hold a useful selection rapidly becomes too heavy to lift easily. Top |
I have one of these, from Harbor Freight, and it works pretty well.
But like others have said, you run out of space soon enough ..... https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c906ab1036.jpg |
Originally Posted by letenn
(Post 20819566)
Hi all,
I don't have enough space for a permanent bike shop. Mine has to be portable, so I can put it away when I'm not using it. What do you all use for tool boxes? My toolbox has gotten too small. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...44e35d735.jpeg Love the GI folding table! Top |
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9654484a93.jpg
^^^ Makes for easy cleanup as you jusst throw everything on the cart and roll it away. |
Or get one of these and leave it outside:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...94091037f5.jpg https://www.homedepot.com/s/jobsite%2520box?NCNI-5 |
I posted this yesterday in another thread. I am a fan of the the Park Tool Chests Currently I use a the BX-2 but with the amount of tools I am accumulating, I might need to move up to the BX-3. Yes, they are very expensive but they are designed for the bicycle enthusiast in mind.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4570/...2ca5c0fe_c.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7919/...6d33d2df_c.jpg |
This style of box was made by many, currently by Kennedy. You can fit most all of your bike tools in it and it's heavy but movable and strong. It's a shame they're hundreds of bucks but your Grandkids will inherit it.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...096e2ecd5b.png |
Using a Kennedy machinists tool chest is not a bad idea. I have one that is under-utilized. Also a similar craftsman box that is also just collecting junk. I do 99% of my wrenching in the basement nowadays, so a portable is less than fully useful.
If you really want to go down a rabbit hole of portable toolboxes, the toolboxwars hashtag on instagram is good to waste a lot of time. It also got me to waste $14 so far. They usually modify Pelican cases, which is expensive, but not as expensive as the Park or other pre-made boxes. https://www.instagram.com/explore/ta...ars/top/?hl=ur |
Random question, but in response to Toolboxwars, can someone explain what the rotating punch pliers in so many of the pros' toolboxes are used for?
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I use a small blue Kuboti, open top and two drawers.
Everything I need besides a pump. I don't use a stand. |
Believe it or not, at one time, I gave serious consideration to using this Falcon Tricycle as a portable bench and tool holder. Sadly. someone bought the bike and the trike kit, ending my unique bike/tool box idea...
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cc40d1b5ca.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4ae3a2071f.jpg Also, when starting out, one might want to know what are good tools to start with, then what to add when maintenance or restoration projects become more intricate and/or demanding. With that in mind, I put together this tool suggestion page for all levels of bicycle maintenance or full restoration. Have a look, if you wish and I do hope it proves helpful... |
Originally Posted by lasauge
(Post 20820428)
Random question, but in response to Toolboxwars, can someone explain what the rotating punch pliers in so many of the pros' toolboxes are used for?
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Maybe 40-50 lbs with the essentials plus some extra crap. Transistor radio not included. The beauty is you don't need the foam stuff, the drawers organize everything. Build quality exceptional. Looks scattered, I know.
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Originally Posted by top506
(Post 20819968)
Love the GI folding table!
Top |
Originally Posted by clubman
(Post 20820137)
This style of box was made by many, currently by Kennedy. You can fit most all of your bike tools in it and it's heavy but movable and strong. It's a shame they're hundreds of bucks but your Grandkids will inherit it.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...096e2ecd5b.png Kennedy tool boxes are not inexpensive, or very portable. Here's one from Stanley that has wheels and opens up nicely: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-...800R/202262088 |
OP, think about what "portable" means to you. Ex: move it across the room, from one end of the house to the other, inside to outside, up or down stairs, down the driveway to the car, etc. Then look a that route. Smooth floor. Thin carpet, thick carpet, door sills, curbs, step down, etc. This will tell you a lot about what you need. Those small caster things are neat but cannot do stairs. The Stanley or Husky hand truck type things will handle irregular floors and journeys much better. Ex: up the stairs and out onto the back porch. The larger the wheels the better. You could even figure out how to lash that table to the thing. Maybe choose a design that will hold your current tools and many of the others you'll get. And, maybe some consumables ( grease and lubricants and solvents and paper towels, etc) but not all your parts. Or, maybe just the parts for the current build. Seriously manage the weight n potential weight. Figure out what you want and HOW you're going to use it. Then buy just a bit more than you'll need. You'll grow into it. I have an old three compartment Craftsman box I bought from our hay guy for $5.00. Cleaned it up and it holds all the bike tools I regularly use. Several others are seldom used (DO alignment tool, heavy duty chain whip, frame alignment tool) so are stashed elsewhere. Not readily to hand. |
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