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-   -   Tool Boxes recommendations for portable workshop (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1167523-tool-boxes-recommendations-portable-workshop.html)

letenn 03-02-19 06:51 PM

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

seedsbelize 03-02-19 07:23 PM

I use plastic shoe boxes, from Costco, for some of my tools, and all of my spare parts.

merziac 03-02-19 07:34 PM


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

Home Depot has rolling expandable Stanley portable tool boxes that should be perfect for this. They have a retractable handle for wheeling it around. I have had one for years in my trailer that I wheel out in the pits at the dragstrip to work on the motorcycle when needed, works great even when overloaded. :thumb:

https://images.homedepot-static.com/...13-a0_1000.jpg

letenn 03-02-19 08:02 PM

yeah, I've seen those. I like this one: Husky Tool Box

merziac 03-02-19 08:54 PM


Originally Posted by letenn (Post 20819655)
yeah, I've seen those. I like this one: Husky Tool Box

Those are cool, the Stanley is priced better imho and may hold up/work better. I've been a mechaic/technician all my life, got about 15-20 boxes from totes to a work station that takes up over half a car space. Many boxes for many jobs.

Jon T 03-02-19 09:29 PM

Maybe a small roll-away.
Jon

bwilli88 03-02-19 11:08 PM

Sears made some good tool bags a while ago.

Bianchigirll 03-03-19 03:37 AM

A Craftsman 3 drawer tool box but be careful they can get heavy quick. https://www.lowes.com/pd/craftsman-p...EaAmJFEALw_wcB




Originally Posted by letenn (Post 20819655)
yeah, I've seen those. I like this one: Husky Tool Box

i want one of these for the shooting range

letenn 03-03-19 06:13 AM

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.

top506 03-03-19 06:28 AM

What BG said.
A tool box large enough to hold a useful selection rapidly becomes too heavy to lift easily.

Top

mixteup 03-03-19 06:40 AM

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

top506 03-03-19 06:49 AM


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

steppinthefunk 03-03-19 07:02 AM

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9654484a93.jpg

^^^ Makes for easy cleanup as you jusst throw everything on the cart and roll it away.

steppinthefunk 03-03-19 07:10 AM

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

blakcloud 03-03-19 07:44 AM

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

clubman 03-03-19 09:22 AM

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

unterhausen 03-03-19 11:18 AM

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

lasauge 03-03-19 11:53 AM

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?

RobbieTunes 03-03-19 12:33 PM

I use a small blue Kuboti, open top and two drawers.
Everything I need besides a pump. I don't use a stand.

randyjawa 03-03-19 01:30 PM

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...

Aubergine 03-03-19 01:57 PM


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?

Do you mean the sort of pliers that are used for leather work?

clubman 03-03-19 06:23 PM

1 Attachment(s)
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.

letenn 03-03-19 07:45 PM


Originally Posted by top506 (Post 20819968)
Love the GI folding table!

Top

Yeah, that table is awesome. I use it for everything. I put a new top on it, but it's messed up again, so it needs another top.

Pompiere 03-03-19 07:51 PM


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

:thumb: I have a Kennedy model 520 like that one, courtesy of my grandmother who retired from there in 1985. I have also found some good deals at their outlet store, like a $300 mechanic chest for $40.

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

Prowler 03-04-19 05:39 AM

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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