Tool Boxes recommendations for portable workshop
03-02-19 | 06:51 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Goodyear, AZ
Bikes: 1989 Cannondale SR400(?)
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.
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.
03-02-19 | 07:34 PM
#3
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
https://images.homedepot-static.com/...13-a0_1000.jpg
Last edited by merziac; 03-02-19 at 07:38 PM.
03-02-19 | 08:02 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 180
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From: Goodyear, AZ
Bikes: 1989 Cannondale SR400(?)
yeah, I've seen those. I like this one: Husky Tool Box
03-02-19 | 08:54 PM
#5
Senior Member
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From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
yeah, I've seen those. I like this one: Husky Tool Box
03-02-19 | 11:08 PM
#7
Not lost wanderer.
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Lancaster, Pa
Bikes: Cambodia bike,2012 Fuji Stratos...
Sears made some good tool bags a while ago.
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72 Geoffery Butler, 72 Gugificatizion Witcomb, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 74 Raleigh GrandPrix dingle speed, 74 Raleigh international, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 85 Gazelle Primeur, 29rBMX, Surley Steamroller 650b
72 Geoffery Butler, 72 Gugificatizion Witcomb, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 74 Raleigh GrandPrix dingle speed, 74 Raleigh international, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 85 Gazelle Primeur, 29rBMX, Surley Steamroller 650b
03-03-19 | 03:37 AM
#8
Bianchi Goddess
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
A Craftsman 3 drawer tool box but be careful they can get heavy quick. https://www.lowes.com/pd/craftsman-p...EaAmJFEALw_wcB
i want one of these for the shooting range
yeah, I've seen those. I like this one: Husky Tool Box
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
03-03-19 | 06:13 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Goodyear, AZ
Bikes: 1989 Cannondale SR400(?)
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.
03-03-19 | 06:28 AM
#10
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Bikes: Seriously downsizing.
What BG said.
A tool box large enough to hold a useful selection rapidly becomes too heavy to lift easily.
Top
A tool box large enough to hold a useful selection rapidly becomes too heavy to lift easily.
Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
03-03-19 | 06:49 AM
#12
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,531
Likes: 948
From: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Bikes: Seriously downsizing.
Love the GI folding table!
Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
03-03-19 | 07:10 AM
#14
Designer
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03-03-19 | 07:44 AM
#15
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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.
Last edited by blakcloud; 03-03-19 at 08:25 AM. Reason: Changed photo
03-03-19 | 09:22 AM
#16
Phyllo-buster
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,264
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From: Nova Scotia
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
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.
03-03-19 | 11:18 AM
#17
Randomhead
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 25,930
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From: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
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
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
03-03-19 | 01:30 PM
#20
Senior Member
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From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
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...
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...
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...
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
03-03-19 | 01:57 PM
#21
Francophile
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From: Seattle
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
03-03-19 | 06:23 PM
#22
Phyllo-buster
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,264
Likes: 2,690
From: Nova Scotia
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
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.
03-03-19 | 07:45 PM
#23
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 180
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From: Goodyear, AZ
Bikes: 1989 Cannondale SR400(?)
03-03-19 | 07:51 PM
#24
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From: NW Ohio
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-1977 Univega Grand Rally, S LTD, 1973 Sears Free Spirit 531, 197? FW Evans
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
Last edited by Pompiere; 03-04-19 at 08:03 AM. Reason: clarification
03-04-19 | 05:39 AM
#25
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From: Near Pottstown, PA: 30 miles NW of Philadelphia
Bikes: 2 Trek Mtn, Cannondale R600 road, 6 vintage road bikes
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.
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.