Recently, Woodsmith posted some videos on making a classic tool box.  Or maybe I just saw it.

Coincidentally, Woodcraft Magazine has an article on the same one.

 

Not that I need another tool box, but looks neat.

 

 

 

My only gripe with their design is the drawer pull handle. Load the toolbox with tools and that handle will hurt when you pick up the toolbox.

I made a toolbox to show my workshop one students the semester the pandemic hit the states. Shortly after the students started making their own version the classes were closed and switched to online only classes.  Sadly no student had a chance to finish their version.

 

Pseudo Dovetailed sides.  Carpe Diem!

4D

Yes.   Many of the small wooden boxes don't see to be able to hold my tuned work set with easy access to everything.   I've pretty much settled on my nylon bag with lots of pockets.  I also find the extra weight and sizes pushes them over the comfortable totable limit

 

 

1 hour ago, kmealy said:

 I also find the extra weight and sizes pushes them over the comfortable totable limit.

That explains the whole market of bags and totes.  My dad had a toolbox that held his entire set of tools.  It's handle was a steel rung off of some outdoor play equipment. Nailed together sides and ends.  The tools were a couple screwdrivers, some pliers, a little keyhole saw, and a hammer. All  he ever needed I suspect. 

4D 

I was trying to find the photo of my tool box's contents.  Briefly, from memory:

• 10 oz claw hammer
• dead blow hammer
• metric and SAE ratcheting box and open end socket set, about 5 of each, plus an adjustable wrench for when I need two wrenches
• Nail puller
• channellock type plier
• two flat pry bars
• microdriver set that has a variety of bits and a few 1/4" sockets that go with a ratchet
• multi tip screw driver that fits the microdriver ratchet
• one long shank slotted screwdriver
• small set of SAE allen L-wrenches
• utility knife
• screw lube and paraffin block
• 3-in-1 oil
• non-contact voltage detector
• outlet tester
• HF multimeter
• electrician's wire stripper
• tape measure
• small set of nail sets
• flashlight
• forehead flash light
• mechanic's gloves
• small block plane
• vise grips
• needlenose pliers
• couple of hemostats (tweezer like things to hold small parts)
• magnetic pick up
• small pick up
• 4-in-1 file/rasp
• magnetic parts dish
• a couple of chisels and one gouge
• 4" combo square
• 6" folding square
• pencil and sharpie
• staple puller
• awl
• misc pocket of toothpicks for shims, band aids, cable ties
• pull saw

A second, much smaller, bag has

 

• 12 v cordless drill
• extra battery
• Kreg small jig with bit and driver
• 1, 1.25, and 1.5" Kreg screws
• Small selection of flat-head screws 1"-2"
• twist drill bits
• small box of various drivers - square, Phillips, Torx, Vix bit, countersink bits
• stud finder
• torpedo level
• screw extractors
• spade bit set

Edited July 31, 20223 yr by kmealy

I've got most of the tools you listed, and a few you didn't. Scattered about. Some on a pegboard panel, many in drawers of tool chests.  A few left out on a bench or tool bed.  There has been a rare moment when I've gathered them all up and found a place for each, but that never lasted. Tool migration happens no matter the size of the shop. 

4D

Edited July 31, 20223 yr by 4DThinker

On 7/29/2022 at 8:09 PM, kmealy said:

Not that I need another tool box, but looks neat.

Oh, say it isn't true! 

 

10 oz claw hammer sounds like something I'd want!

 

I've tapered down my jobbing service work but in my time was compartmentalized to the hilt. These days it is Channelocks, 6-in-1 screwdriver, flashlight. If that cannot fix it, Red Wing boots for a good kick. Still busted, then the pay rate goes up.

Unless it's in our house, on site repair work is no longer in my repertoire. Those days are long gone. And, good riddance. Now, it's only 60' from the house to the shop. Besides, foresight is just one of many attributes I lack. Even if I had a loaded tool tote, something necessary would be missing. 

16 hours ago, 4DThinker said:

I've got most of the tools you listed, and a few you didn't. Scattered about. Some on a pegboard panel, many in drawers of tool chests.  A few left out on a bench or tool bed.  There has been a rare moment when I've gathered them all up and found a place for each, but that never lasted. Tool migration happens no matter the size of the shop. 

4D

Oh, that's just my onsite travel kit.

I got the small claw hammers when my girls were little, one for each.  I gave two of them to my twin grandsons who just graduated high school as part of their tool chest.

 

I made some simple totes with a HS science club a number of years ago.  It was for an evening project.

 

 

My first tool box was a "Pear Box" from the farm that I used to pack stuff when I moved off the grad school.   It first became a nightstand, then later, I added a handle and a cleat to hold screwdrivers and such.  Still have it, but don't use it much.

Steve Newman posted a few photos of this box a while back. 

 

Edited July 31, 20223 yr by kmealy

The thing(s) now seem to be Systainers for the green kool-aid drinkers and Milwaukee Packout for the red kool-aid drinkers.  Both have some spinoffs of other brands --  Bosch L-Boxxes, and Dewalt ToughSystem cases and Tstak.  And of course, HF Bauer modular tool system boxes.

Gene Howe will remember the Tool Box I made a few years ago...filled with tools, and was given as a Door Prize...down at William's Get together down by Vicksburg, MS.    Tool Box was then hauled up into Canada, by Sandra.   Based on the old Stanley No. 888 Tool chests...

20 hours ago, kmealy said:

I was trying to find the photo of my tool box's contents.  Briefly, from memory:

• 10 oz claw hammer
• dead blow hammer
• metric and SAE ratcheting box and open end socket set, about 5 of each, plus an adjustable wrench for when I need two wrenches
• Nail puller
• channellock type plier
• two flat pry bars
• microdriver set that has a variety of bits and a few 1/4" sockets that go with a ratchet
• multi tip screw driver that fits the microdriver ratchet
• one long shank slotted screwdriver
• small set of SAE allen L-wrenches
• utility knife
• screw lube and paraffin block
• 3-in-1 oil
• non-contact voltage detector
• outlet tester
• HF multimeter
• electrician's wire stripper
• tape measure
• small set of nail sets
• flashlight
• forehead flash light
• mechanic's gloves
• small block plane
• vise grips
• needlenose pliers
• couple of hemostats (tweezer like things to hold small parts)
• magnetic pick up
• small pick up
• 4-in-1 file/rasp
• magnetic parts dish
• a couple of chisels and one gouge
• 4" combo square
• 6" folding square
• pencil and sharpie
• staple puller
• awl
• misc pocket of toothpicks for shims, band aids, cable ties
• pull saw

A second, much smaller, bag has

 

• 12 v cordless drill
• extra battery
• Kreg small jig with bit and driver
• 1, 1.25, and 1.5" Kreg screws
• Small selection of flat-head screws 1"-2"
• twist drill bits
• small box of various drivers - square, Phillips, Torx, Vix bit, countersink bits
• stud finder
• torpedo level
• screw extractors
• spade bit set

You forgot the duct tape.

9 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Even if I had a loaded tool tote, something necessary would be missing. 

Ain't THAT the truth! I help one brother-in-law out quite a bit. He lives about 40 minutes from here. There have been times when I bought a tool near his place because it was cheaper/more convenient than driving home to get the one I already owned.

2 hours ago, kmealy said:

The thing(s) now seem to be Systainers for the green kool-aid drinkers and Milwaukee Packout for the red kool-aid drinkers.  Both have some spinoffs of other brands --  Bosch L-Boxxes, and Dewalt ToughSystem cases and Tstak.  And of course, HF Bauer modular tool system boxes.

I'd have to sell my tools to PAY for those "systems"!

16 hours ago, steven newman said:

Gene Howe will remember the Tool Box I made a few years ago...filled with tools, and was given as a Door Prize...down at William's Get together down by Vicksburg, MS.    Tool Box was then hauled up into Canada, by Sandra.   Based on the old Stanley No. 888 Tool chests...

Yep. I do remember. She was proud of it, too.

On 7/31/2022 at 3:11 PM, kmealy said:

The thing(s) now seem to be Systainers for the green kool-aid drinkers and Milwaukee Packout for the red kool-aid drinkers.  Both have some spinoffs of other brands --  Bosch L-Boxxes, and Dewalt ToughSystem cases and Tstak.  And of course, HF Bauer modular tool system boxes.

Saw this ad for a new "packout" tool tote.  It looked very interesting, until I saw the price.  And that I could only get 30 per order.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-PACKOUT-15-in-Structured-Tool-Bag-48-22-8316/326854848?cm_mmc=PSOC-FB-6378645101950-6378645098750-6378645104750&fbclid=IwAR2Cyl6Ll1KxalH3c9yz55KFF7-EhEXMFIqbDld-mmfnvi26oXT5GB-Ez50

 

 

I think I'll stick with my First Order Retrievability tool tote.  

 

Edited October 20, 20232 yr by kmealy

Home Depot sells their 5g buckets for under $5...just saying.

BTDT...still have a couple.....masonry one, and a Carpenter's one.

 

usually the Mason Bucket has drain holes in the bottom of the bucket.

3 hours ago, kmealy said:

Saw this ad for a new "packout" tool tote.  It looked very interesting, until I saw the price.  And that I could only get 30 per order.

Consider yourself LUCKY!!! We can't even get them up here!