Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Time to rethink tool storage?

From: Jeff Scarbrough via Shop-talk <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2019 07:46:18 -0400

On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 1:44 AM Mark J Bradakis via Shop-talk
<[email-masked]> wrote:
>
>   I'm thinking of going with a
> new bottom cabinet. Would a Craftsman 41 inch be sufficient, or should I
> go for a 52 inch unit.

You're funny...  "Should I get a big tool box, or a bigger tool box?"

When I did this professionally, a toolbox with a single layer of tools
allowed me to work much faster, and allowed me to see what tools were
missing at the end of every job.  I only one failed to remove all my
tools from a customer's car before I released it.  (If you've found a
Craftsman 22mm combination wrench on the road sometime in the last 40
years, it's mine).

The Garage Journal thinks highly of the Harbor Freight cabinets, and
they may be a price savings over Craftsman...but don't forget to check
your local Sears Outlet if you have one.  I got a 41" top box for
something like $120 once.

Jeff Scarbrough
Corrosion Acres, Ga.
_______________________________________________

[email-masked]
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive

---

From: Randall via Shop-talk <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2019 07:13:00 -0500

--===============5938188943958620982==
	boundary="_4E6FD8D9-9E5E-4E29-A367-AC44E4774BC8_"

--_4E6FD8D9-9E5E-4E29-A367-AC44E4774BC8_
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

+1 on the HF rollaway.  I bought a set a couple years ago (on sale natch) a=
nd I like it much better than my Craftsman set at home.  Drawer glides are =
much smoother, even with a big load of tools inside, and it just feels more=
 solid.  So far at least, none of the handles have fallen off, either.  (Th=
e Craftsman chest has aluminum handles on the drawers that tend to slip sid=
eways and have to be repositioned occasionally.)

-Randall

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

--_4E6FD8D9-9E5E-4E29-A367-AC44E4774BC8_
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<html xmlns:o=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w=3D"urn:sc=
hemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m=3D"http://schemas.microsoft.com/of=
fice/2004/12/omml" xmlns=3D"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta ht=
tp-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charset=3Dutf-8"><meta name=
=3DGenerator content=3D"Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
	{font-family:"Cambria Math";
	panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
	{font-family:Calibri;
	panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
	{margin:0in;
	margin-bottom:.0001pt;
	font-size:11.0pt;
	font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
	{mso-style-priority:99;
	color:blue;
	text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
	{mso-style-priority:99;
	color:#954F72;
	text-decoration:underline;}
.MsoChpDefault
	{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
	{size:8.5in 11.0in;
	margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
	{page:WordSection1;}
--></style></head><body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3D"#954F72"><div cla=
ss=3DWordSection1><p class=3DMsoNormal>+1 on the HF rollaway.=C2=A0 I bough=
t a set a couple years ago (on sale natch) and I like it much better than m=
y Craftsman set at home.=C2=A0 Drawer glides are much smoother, even with a=
 big load of tools inside, and it just feels more solid.=C2=A0 So far at le=
ast, none of the handles have fallen off, either.=C2=A0 (The Craftsman ches=
t has aluminum handles on the drawers that tend to slip sideways and have t=
o be repositioned occasionally.)</p><p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/p><p class=3DMsoNormal>-Randall</p><p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p><=
/p><p class=3DMsoNormal>Sent from <a href=3D"https://go.microsoft.com/fwlin=
k/?LinkId=3D550986">Mail</a> for Windows 10</p><p class=3DMsoNormal><o:p>&n=
bsp;</o:p></p></div></body></html>=

--_4E6FD8D9-9E5E-4E29-A367-AC44E4774BC8_--

--===============5938188943958620982==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

[email-masked]

--===============5938188943958620982==--

---

From: Paul Parkanzky via Shop-talk <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2019 09:09:10 -0400

I have the 46" Atlas set from Greg Smith Equipment. It was an impulse
purchase when I was there buying a lift ten or twelve years ago.

https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/21-Drawer-Tool-Cabinet-Black-Orange

I've been really happy with it and would buy another.

-Paul

On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 1:45 AM Mark J Bradakis via Shop-talk
<[email-masked]> wrote:
>
> So in May I attended a vintage race in California, got a bit of
> inspiration to get the Killer Spit back on track, as well as getting a
> streetable Triumph on the road.  The garage is a total mess, everything
> is in disarray.  Working on getting things cleaned up a bit and getting
> some working room.  One thing that will need attention is my tool box.
> Obviously not the best job of organizing.  I'm thinking of going with a
> go for a 52 inch unit.  Decisions, decisions.
>
> mjb.
>
>
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.96
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
>

[email-masked]

---

From: old dirtbeard via Shop-talk <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2019 06:18:26 -0700

--000000000000670773058d2b4823

--00000000000067076e058d2b4821

I still have a small rolling cabinet that I bought when I was a
kid--sentimental old toolbox.

I went with pegboard on the walls and have most of the air and hand tools
hanging. I just finished off the last half of the garage and have not yet
started hanging stuff. I actually have more space than tools now.

Pros:

   1. You know exactly where the tool is (or should be) when you want it
   visually from anywhere in the garage
   2. You do not need to dig through layers of tools in drawers
   3. I mostly keep just the small and delicate tools in the tool cabinet
   and can roll it to the location

Cons:

   1. You have to walk over to the tool instead of rolling the cabinet to
   where you are working
      1. you can mitigate this by keeping the tools in the racks/holders
      and put them on a rolling table for the job you are doing
      2. If you do different work in different areas of the shop, you can
      hang the tools in the closest location
   2. You need wall space to hang them.

Summary:
It works, but is not perfect.  I probably do more walking back and forth
than I would if I had loaded everything into a monster tool cabinet. I also
went with vinyl flooring on the garage a month or so ago, and like it a lot
(softer on the knees, much quieter, brighter (can find stuff that I drop
and it does not break), oils and chemicals wipe up without staining, etc.

best,

doug

On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 5:13 AM Randall via Shop-talk <
[email-masked]> wrote:

> +1 on the HF rollaway.  I bought a set a couple years ago (on sale natch)
> and I like it much better than my Craftsman set at home.  Drawer glides are
> much smoother, even with a big load of tools inside, and it just feels more
> solid.  So far at least, none of the handles have fallen off, either.  (The
> Craftsman chest has aluminum handles on the drawers that tend to slip
> sideways and have to be repositioned occasionally.)
>
>
>
> -Randall
>
>
>
> Sent from Mail <https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows 10
>
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
>
>

--00000000000067076e058d2b4821
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr">I still have a small rolling cabinet that I bought when I =
was a kid--sentimental old toolbox.=C2=A0=C2=A0<div><br></div><div>I went w=
ith pegboard on the walls and have most of the air and hand tools hanging. =
I just finished off the last half of the garage and have not yet started ha=
nging stuff. I actually have more space than tools now.</div><div><br></div=
><div>Pros:</div><div><ol><li>You know exactly where the tool is (or should=
 be) when you want it visually from anywhere in the garage</li><li>You do n=
ot need to dig through layers of tools in drawers</li><li>I mostly keep jus=
t the small and delicate tools in the tool cabinet and can roll it to the l=
ocation</li></ol><div>Cons:</div></div><div><ol><li>You have to walk over t=
o the tool instead of rolling the cabinet to where you are working</li><ol>=
<li>you can mitigate this by keeping the tools in the racks/holders and put=
 them on a rolling table for the job you are doing</li><li>If you do differ=
ent work in different areas of the shop, you can hang the tools in the clos=
est location</li></ol><li>You need wall space to hang them.</li></ol><div>S=
ummary:</div></div><div>It works, but is not perfect.=C2=A0 I probably do m=
ore walking back and forth than I would if I had loaded everything into a m=
onster tool cabinet. I also went with vinyl flooring on the garage a month =
or so ago, and like it a lot (softer on the knees, much quieter, brighter (=
can find stuff that I drop and it does not break), oils and chemicals wipe =
up without staining, etc.</div><div><br></div><div>best,</div><div><br></di=
v><div>doug</div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" clas=
s=3D"gmail_attr">On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 5:13 AM Randall via Shop-talk &lt;<=
a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt;=
 wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px =
0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div lan=
g=3D"EN-US"><div class=3D"gmail-m_1134572824945328592WordSection1"><p class=
=3D"MsoNormal">+1 on the HF rollaway.=C2=A0 I bought a set a couple years a=
go (on sale natch) and I like it much better than my Craftsman set at home.=
=C2=A0 Drawer glides are much smoother, even with a big load of tools insid=
e, and it just feels more solid.=C2=A0 So far at least, none of the handles=
 have fallen off, either.=C2=A0 (The Craftsman chest has aluminum handles o=
n the drawers that tend to slip sideways and have to be repositioned occasi=
onally.)</p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoN=
ormal">-Randall</p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><p class=
=3D"MsoNormal">Sent from <a href=3D"https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=
=3D550986" target=3D"_blank">Mail</a> for Windows 10</p><p class=3D"MsoNorm=
al"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p></div></div>___________________________________=
____________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk" rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=
=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
alk/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.t=
eam.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>

--00000000000067076e058d2b4821--

--000000000000670773058d2b4823
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="shopm.jpg"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Content-ID: <f_jxueju630>

--000000000000670773058d2b4823
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="shop2m.jpg"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64
Content-ID: <f_jxueueb31>

--000000000000670773058d2b4823
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

[email-masked]

--000000000000670773058d2b4823--

---

From: Mark Andy via Shop-talk <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2019 10:20:56 -0400

--===============5558495410617501932==

--000000000000c1187c058d2c2755

Howdy,

Another recommendation for the 44" HF tool chest.  I've had one for years,
its still working just like when I bought it.  Given that everyone
recommends them, I don't think I was lucky, its just that good.  The 56"
one seems just as well made when I've played with them in the store:

https://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-x-22-in-double-bank-red-roller-cabinet-64133.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/56-in-Double-Bank-Red-Roller-Cabinet-64165.html

They both have matching top chests.  Note that the 20% off coupons don't
work on these.  However, they sometimes appear in coupons of their own.

For smaller sets of tools or if you're a "roll my tools to my car" kinda
guy, their mechanic's carts are also good.

I also second the "single layer is easier to see to grab and when stuff is
missing" thing.

I really like the triangular single layer wrench holders.  The ones I have
are like this:
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200371127_200371127

Don't get ones that "grip" your wrenches.  you want to be able to easily
pickup the wrench.

For sockets, I love the Hansen peg setups:
https://www.amazon.com/Hansen-Global-Metric-Socket-Storage/dp/B001C6NL52

By far the most dense yet still easily "grab-able" system I've used.
Obviously you need a deeper drawer for that to work (the top drawer on that
HF box is great).

YMMV.  I'm not a "grab an entire set of wrenches / sockets and go to the
car" type of person... I get the individual wrench / socket I need from my
box.

Mark

On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 1:37 AM Mark J Bradakis via Shop-talk <
[email-masked]> wrote:

> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
>
>

--000000000000c1187c058d2c2755
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr">Howdy,<div><br></div><div>Another recommendation for the 4=
4&quot; HF tool chest.=C2=A0 I&#39;ve had one for years, its still working =
just like when I bought it.=C2=A0 Given that everyone recommends them, I do=
n&#39;t think I was lucky, its just that good.=C2=A0 The 56&quot; one seems=
 just as well made when I&#39;ve played with them in the store:<br><br><a h=
ref=3D"https://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-x-22-in-double-bank-red-roller-c=
abinet-64133.html">https://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-x-22-in-double-bank-=
red-roller-cabinet-64133.html</a>=C2=A0</div><div><a href=3D"https://www.ha=
rborfreight.com/56-in-Double-Bank-Red-Roller-Cabinet-64165.html">https://ww=
w.harborfreight.com/56-in-Double-Bank-Red-Roller-Cabinet-64165.html</a>=C2=
=A0</div><div><br></div><div>They both have matching top chests.=C2=A0 Note=
 that the 20% off coupons don&#39;t work on these.=C2=A0 However, they some=
times appear in coupons of their own.=C2=A0<br><br>For smaller sets of tool=
s or if you&#39;re a &quot;roll my tools to my car&quot; kinda guy, their m=
echanic&#39;s carts are also good.<br><br>I also second the &quot;single la=
yer is easier to see to grab and when stuff is missing&quot; thing.<br><br>=
I really like the triangular single layer wrench holders.=C2=A0 The ones I =
have are like this:<br><a href=3D"https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/p=
roduct_200371127_200371127">https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product=
_200371127_200371127</a></div><div><br></div><div>Don&#39;t get ones that &=
quot;grip&quot; your wrenches.=C2=A0 you want to be able to easily pickup t=
he wrench.<br><br>For sockets, I love the Hansen peg setups:<br><a href=3D"=
https://www.amazon.com/Hansen-Global-Metric-Socket-Storage/dp/B001C6NL52">h=
ttps://www.amazon.com/Hansen-Global-Metric-Socket-Storage/dp/B001C6NL52</a>=
=C2=A0</div><div><br></div><div>By far the most dense yet still easily &quo=
t;grab-able&quot; system I&#39;ve used.=C2=A0 Obviously you need a deeper d=
rawer for that to work (the top drawer on that HF box is great).<br><br>YMM=
V.=C2=A0 I&#39;m not a &quot;grab an entire set of wrenches / sockets and g=
o to the car&quot; type of person... I get the individual wrench / socket I=
 need from my box.</div><div><br></div><div>Mark<br>=C2=A0<br>=C2=A0<br><br=
><br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"g=
mail_attr">On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 1:37 AM Mark J Bradakis via Shop-talk &lt=
;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&g=
t; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0p=
x 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">So in =
May I attended a vintage race in California, got a bit of <br>
inspiration to get the Killer Spit back on track, as well as getting a <br>
streetable Triumph on the road.=C2=A0 The garage is a total mess, everythin=
g <br>
is in disarray.=C2=A0 Working on getting things cleaned up a bit and gettin=
g <br>
some working room.=C2=A0 One thing that will need attention is my tool box.=
=C2=A0 <br>
Obviously not the best job of organizing.=C2=A0 I&#39;m thinking of going w=
ith a <br>
new bottom cabinet. Would a Craftsman 41 inch be sufficient, or should I <b=
r>
go for a 52 inch unit.=C2=A0 Decisions, decisions.<br>
<br>
mjb.<br>
<br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk" rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=
=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
alk/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.t=
eam.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>

--000000000000c1187c058d2c2755--

--===============5558495410617501932==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline

[email-masked]

--===============5558495410617501932==--