Because I’m a Handyman, I have one copy of every tool known to man. Because most of my jobs are small, I frequently need to change the inventory of tools that are residing in my truck. All of that loading and unloading takes a tool on power tools that don’t have a carrying case.
Many times, one of the local flea markets has something that will work, but not recently. So I now find myself needing two for trim nailers, and one for the sawzall.
Anyone know of a source for these?
Unless you’re the lead dog, the view just never changes.
Replies
I saw a Festool display at my tool supplier. All there tools come in stackable, lock togetherable HD plastic cases. They will even snap onto their rolling vac. I did hear the cases are available sans tool. Don't know the costs, interesting idea. Check their catalogue or website.
http://217.7.135.83/festool.us/cat_mediando/index.cfm?module=display_single_group.cfm&iTreeGroup=3144&iTemplateVersion=2001&sSubGroupTemplate=subgroup&sTopGroupTemplate=topgroup&bDisplay=y&title=Systainer%20without%20insert This is the plain box page. Navigate around this site for all sorts of combo's. Bring your mm tape.
Thought stanley had a moderately stackable larger storage box/tool box on wheels with a handle. Certainly more flashy and cheaper I bet.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Duluth Trading has a great line of soft style carriers that work great.
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/other/merriam/carrying_case.htm?L+coastest+lpvp9816ffbc66bc+1105862177
Sweet, I've been looking for some of those metal cases.
Ebay
Try cheap WalMart plastic tool boxes. Usually can find them for $5-6, lots of shpaes and sizes to choose from. They are good because you can fit in extra bits and accessories that the tool's original box doesn't always have spaces for.
Wally
Aside from cases that many manufacturers sell separately (e.g. Milwaukee, PC, Bosche) and the generic cases; Rubbermaid makes a range of tote boxes that nest for storage and, if you buy a standard size, will stack and store nicely. I also know a handyman who bought a couple of dozen fairly good gym bags at a sports store sale (they all have a National Sports logo on them) that she puts sets of tools in and store in a rack in her van. She told me that at C$5.00 each, they were considerably cheaper than buying cases.
SHe also gets tool rolls custom made for her at a tent/awning shop for sets of small tools
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
I had an idea recently and I've got to nurture it so it doesn't die of loneliness! Ever see a Tempurpedic type mattress or pillow? Wouldn't it be great if tool cases were lined with a similar type material? It would conform to whatever was in the case at the time to protect it, then would return to it's flat state when the tools were removed. Then you could make fantastic use of the whole size of the case. Or even use the cases for more than one tool depending on your needs that day.
Isn't that the biggest complaint we have with most factory tool cases? The blow-molded cases really stink for the most part. My hammer drill case doesn't hold long bits well. I like to carry a ton of accessories with the cordless drill or impact driver and there's just no room. The case for my Hilti powder accentuated driver doesn't even hold a box of Hilti pins. Sawzall cases are pretty good for the most part, but it seems that many of the others aren't very accomodating.
There's gotta be a better way.
Diesel, that's not a bad idea at all! I'm pretty sure you can get that Tempurpedic material in a "mattress topper" thickness, probably about right for lining tool boxes.
Hey diesel... I have a bit of a case fetish. One of my friends said once I'd buy cases for my cases. I was also for many years in the photo business and learned a little secret. I suspect the TempurPedic material won't let a tool sink in well enough to really cushion it but there are many good quality cases made for photo gear that have foam inserts. Some brands to look for are Fiberbilt, Pelican and (top of the line metal) Halliburton. Take the foam inserts and mist them lightly with water, then put them in the freezer. When they're hardened trace out the tool and cut with an electric carving knife. No frilling of the cut and they will fit like a glove. I've used this many times for expensive tools, electronics equip etc. And if you change tools, you can buy new foam inserts for a few bucks and change it over.
DP.. that 's what's inside the rifle case i bought to my EZ guides inMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Figures...... guess I better go to work tomorrow, huh?
Yea, I need one for my rotary hammer. As you said, the plastic cases suck for carrying bits. The one that was referenced above:
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/other/merriam/carrying_case.htm?L+coastest+lpvp9816ffbc66bc+1105862177
looks real nice but is not quite thick enough. Anyone else have a source for metal cases? I did some web searches and found some nice ones for $200 - no thanks... Matt
Well, I bought a bunch of the Festool ones in different sizes. Not cheap, thats for sure, but the nesting/clipping together trick is handy.
Then I went to a foam shop, and picked up some foam. Cut it with an electric slicer knife...can you say butter?
Result will hopefully last a long time. I did the $5 tool box thing too, but they fell apart quickly.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Welcome back, Jake, haven't seen you around in months. Hope everything's ok.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Thanks Nick-Just busy working! And car racing...and doing the Swim Across the Sound for charity, and so on!Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Hey Brian, what do you think of this:
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&offerings_id=11141&objectgroup_id=536&catid=69&filter=tool%20case
Hey those are cool! Too bad they don't make a larger on that could hold a router etc.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
"I like to carry a ton of accessories with the cordless drill...and there's just no room. "
That's one of my biggest complaints with tool cases in general. I wish the tool manufacturers would wise up.
I wonder why no after-market people have jumped on this? Seems like there would ba a market for cases with extra storage...
He's not stupid - Just "reality impaired"
I carry a lot of my tools in old ammo boxes.Cheap to buy,waterproof and indestructible and they stack up pretty nicely too.They come in a variety of sizes and shapes at your local surplus store.You can paint 'em if you like or just scratch the contents on the outside.
WTP, I really like the smaller ammo cans for gun nails rather than the cardboard boxes they come in. I'm a small remodeler, and the ammo cans keep the nails in great shape till I need them.
Shoeman,
Great idea!That had never occurred to me and I have been looking for something better than those darn cardboard boxes for months.The nail sticks are always getting broken up in them.My lackeys will be complaining now because they will have more ammo boxes to shoehorn into my already overstuffed truck at the end of the work day.Thanks a lot!
WTP
ammo boxes are great but man they are heavy! im a ninny with weight, give the blow moulded ones any day______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
Well they are built to be bullet proof. ;-)
Duluth Tradinghas these for nail guns. They also have a bag for saws , sawsalls, drills, etc.
View Image
http://www.duluthtrading.com/items/96048+BLK.asp
"I was glad that when everything finally hit the fan I was holed up in a little beer joint in Robstown, Texas called the El Gato Negro."
OK guys. I got over 13,000 hits with google. Not gona post them all but here is a good start. BTW you can order raw sheet foam from Rogers not just custom cut, if you want to make your own cases. Call them and tell them what you want the foam for and they can recomend the right type for your app.
http://www.pelicancase.com
http://www.casefoam.com
http://www.beaconww.com
http://www.bel-air-cases.com/shipping_cases
http://www.rogersfoamcorp.com