Task specific tool sets, waddya got???
I been thinking a lot lately about how to better organize my tools into “task sets”
You know, when you are doing ______ you grab the right Bucket/tool box/tray/whatever and you are good to go.
many tools overlap and are needed for many jobs (I could probably do with about a dozen 10-in-1 screwdrivers)
Most of us have probably had more than enuf experience with the 23rd corrallarry of Murphy’s law: No matter how much crap you load into you truck/trailer you will always need a tool you didn’t think to bring along.
First, would we be able to post a spreadsheet list that anyone could contribute to and repost???
I’ll start by listing the tasks I do often enuf to warrant a “set”…
Demolition
cleanup
framing
masonry
tile
plumbing
electric
Drywall hanging
taping and finishing DW
door hanging
vinyl siding and alum. trim
trim
cabinet installation
porches and decks
built-ins
suspended cieling
appliance installation
lemme know what you got…
Mr. T.
There’s a steering-wheel in me pants and it’s driving me nuts!!!
Replies
I've got sets of tools too, because I think you and I work the same way. For example, if I have plumbing work, I grab my plumbing tool box.
I'm curious how many of your sets could be grouped together though? Again for example, my trim kit is the same as my built-in kit. And this group of tools, for me, would work for doors, cabinets, and some demo.
For my DIY/Habitat/church project work I use canvas rigger's bags. I've got one with most of my "regular" tools, one for plumbing, one for electrical, and one for masonary/drywall. At least that's the theory.
Orvis, Winston, Sage amd Sig Saur............
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Glock, Uzi, Kalashnikov, Barret, Borfors, Plan B
Mr. T.
There's a steering-wheel in me pants and it's driving me nuts!!!
after use the SigMKIV you'll give away that Barrett..........Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I've tried it and it works well for a while until I start doing something else and the tools that overlap from one job to the next get stuck in a specific bin and are left behind and I #%*&#$ need them.
The only way I could imagine doing it would be without overlapping tools. A complete set of tools for each specific job.
Or maybe the tool bin approach:
All tools are returned to their place in the workshop every night.
Tools needed for the days work are loaded every morning.
Nah...Too cumbersome.
The way it usually works for me is I load the truck with tools and add more tools as the need arises. Eventually, there are so many tools in the freaking truck, I can't move and can't find anything. Then I clean out the truck, load it with the tools I need and the whole process starts over again.
Hope you have better luck than me, T.
Bigger Truck?
Gord
I install everything with a 3lb sledge, Ramset, and caulking gun. You can fit all 3 in a 24 pack of Budweiser, after you drink the first 6.
"I always say they should make killing people legal. Of course, if they did, I would probably be the first one killed."- Barry Bonds
LOL... yep, that'll do it.View Image
Funny you should ask, I'm in the process this very moment of organizin'. In the wooden toolboxes is (clockwise from the top left) my tile tools, my taping tools, my electrical tools, and some power tools. I'm waiting for the varnish to dry on a second power tools box and making one for my DeWalt 18V tools.
The second pic is my hand tools (bottom right), drills and bits (tool bag) and my hand carpentry tools (top). I'm making some more boxes for my demolition tools, plumbing tools, painting tools...--------------------------------------------------------
For a good time, visit MyToolbox.net See some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Darn Post button and Attach Files button should be different colors, LOL. Here's the pix...--------------------------------------------------------
For a good time, visit MyToolbox.net See some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
I like the boxes Ted!!
Jim Blodgett has some nail gun boxes like I would like to build...
I was thinking of a trim nailer box with my 18 and 15 ga. nailers but it would have 40 lbs of nails in it!!!!
Mr. T.
There's a steering-wheel in me pants and it's driving me nuts!!!
Thanks MrT, I'm planning on making and selling some much nicer versions of them, you can see where I'm at so far here: http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=70179.296
As for the finish nailers, or nails rather, is 40 lbs really that big a deal? I mean, it's not like you carry the box around with you as you work. I plan on making a box for my 18V DeWalt trim nailer and it will carry all the nails as well. --------------------------------------------------------
For a good time, visit MyToolbox.net See some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
you must be a finish carpenter!!!
cause after your done, its finished!!!
Mr. T.
There's a steering-wheel in me pants and it's driving me nuts!!!
I need to have the ability to do everything too. I have a smaller Safari, and my garage is full of tools. I just cannot carry everything.
I have tools specific to the table saw by the saw, so I load them at the same time.
My drywall finishing tools are in a large recycling blue box, and I have some duplicates in my paint kit.
Plumbing in its' own kit.
My hand carpentry tools are almost always in the van along with "miscellaneous".
All the finish nail guns and nails are in their own recycling box. Etc.
Not perfect, and I sometimes mess up, but it has the ability to work.....
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
Mister T gave a list....
I should preface my response by saying I'm on the finish/repair/modification end of things...
His list-my comments
Demolition-Stock framing hammer , recip saw, pry bar, skill saw in the truck...That's generally all I need...
cleanup- collapsable rake, garbage bags, broom and dustpan in the truck..A plastic box of cleaning agents, paper towels in the shop
framing--for my limited endeavours, basic truck tools
masonry-stay away from this I do, but there is a box of trowels, floats, texture rollers, edging trowels around here somewhere. It ain't in the truck, mostly cause it's too heavy and infrequently used.
tile Two boxes- one flat top with a pull out tray for all the small stuff, diamond bits, hole saws, spacers, china markers scoring tools, scribers, 6-32 bolts, set of screwdrivers etc, that I can also set a small tile saw on top of....my work generally involves countertop backsplashes, the odd tub surround,
The other box is labelled grouting stuff, and it's really a catch all for grout floats, mixers, scouring pads, etc
Neither leaves the shop until work is in progress.
plumbing- two boxes which stay in the truck. One labelled plumbing tools, the other contains miscellaneous parts- shut-offs, toilet bolts, assortment of cu pex fittings, stem packing. Doesn't sound like much, but it's always a bugger to close it.
The one that doesn't stay in the truck is the one with ABS fittings. It gets thrown in anytime theres any ABS involvement. There is always supposed to be ABS glue in the truck though.
electric- Always a box of assorted marr/marrette connectors in the truck, Elec tape along with all kinds of other tape always in the truck, but there's one little red tool box for installing fixtures, and another Big BOX with hanks of wire in it, and another BIG box of metal boxes, cable clamps etc. The electrician generally provides all this stuff, but even then, if elec. rough in is involved, these things go on site.
Drywall hanging
Another generally shop-bound box, cause there's always a mud pan and basic trowels in the truck. This has got the panel lifter, the circle cutters, surform rasp, edge perforator, mud mixer and all them little
gizmos that you need when you start hanging a lot of drywall.
taping and finishing DW
Bazookas, handled sanders, flat box handles, nail boxes. etc, all stored in a "snow board" tote bag, except the bazooka heads and the flat boxes, they is stored in separate tool boxes to protect them from damage. Again, generally shop bound, but sometimes they get dragged out if I'm forced into using them.
door hanging
One cantilevered tool box with an old B&D router, hinge jigs, butt markers, punch templates, door sized hole saws and screws. It sits there until there's door work to do, and then it goes in the truck along with another cantilevered tool box full of parts. If there's lock/key work involved, another cantilevered box with key cutter and lock pins goes too. More than three doors and I'll throw in the hinge template box too. 2,4,6' levels and squares are always in the truck.
vinyl siding and alum. trimThis ain't generally in my balliwick, but over the years theres been need to do it, and some spare parts have accumulated, so they are in a tupperware bin. Just so I know where they are.
trim
If you mean baseboard, door casings, crown moulding etc, there's always a small compressor in the truck, and if it's a longer term job, another compressor gets left on site. The guns in the truck are generally 18 gauge, and there's a tool box full of staples in the truck, and a shelf full in the shop. I can augment the truck with 23 ga or 15 ga if required, The chop saw that goes out depends on the job. There are always two coping saws in the truck,
cabinet installation
That's a whole tool box on it's own, and it only goes into the truck when needed. Blum eco drill, hinge marking templates, pull boring templates, whole spectrum of screws, bolts, finishing washers, door bumpers etc etc associated with cabinet install It's got it's own set of squares, screwdrivers, drill bits, in it,
porches and decks
can't comment on that....I leave that to my buddies
built-ins
there is a mikey mouse table saw in the truck, just in case, but for the most part, shop cut stuff is installed.The cabinet install tool box comes out for the door install
suspended cieling
not in my sphere of operations.
appliance installation
again, not in my sphere of operations, but a DW install would mean tossing the ABS box in the truck, and a box of 3/8 compression fittings.
A dryer install would mean tossing in the "sheet metal box" missing from yer list. It includes folding gudes, nibblers, sheet metal screws, step bits, 4" hole saw, aluminium tape, pipe strap, tin snips of various types, crimpers, and everything I have related to tin-bashing.
Some of the other wierder stuff that you didn't mention is a box for test insturments. This box has in it 110V circuit tracers, a VOM, an metal detecting stud finder in addition to a normal stud finder (extra) , an infrared thermometer, a moisture meter, and a box for spare batteries. If life gets complicated, theres also a "telco" tool box at home with cat 5 testing tools, signal generators and warblers.
But you didn't mention the most common tool box a fella needs....a painting box- Mine is stocked with "whizzer" rollers and frames, a few good paint brushes, some old pantyhose, a coupla tubes of latex caulk, a box of plaster of paris and a few rags, stir sticks, a few misc. tinting colour tubes,etc. in short, everything I need to do smaller painting jobs. It does not include any of them 8-10" frames or rollers.
In my truck, there's a few silicone guns hung up on a hook, but there's also a little grey file-folder type tool box (Salvation army issue!) to hold loose tubes of silicone, clear, white, coloured. They fit real good and ain't exposed to the heat of the sun.
Also in the truck is a bucket boss type arrangement that holds the common tools....screwdrivers, pliers, smaller pipe wrenches, drywall saw, hammer, etc. (and I do mean etc.)
And due to my tool addiction, there is also a box of hand-planes in the truck. A 3,4,4.5, 78 and a coupla block planes are in there, as is siC paper to keep em sharp if required on site.
The duplication of tools required is not really a waste of time or money. A quick trip to the local "used tool store" would provide you with a half dozen good condition "phillips" screw drivers for example for a half dozen bucks. One goes in the tile box, another in the door box, another in the cabinet install box, another in the drywall box, etc.
Taking the tools out of the truck, hanging them up, and selecting them the next morning would cost me more money in a week than the freakin tools were worth, simply in time spent, without even getting into the lost income opportunity.
OK, sometimes stuff doesn't get back where it belongs, and you do have to spend some time straightening up, but even if the phillips screwdrive ain't in the drywall box, there another in the bucket boss, and yer still productive.
Even in the shop, there's boxes. If I'm edgebanding, I pull out the box of edgebanding tools, and set it on the bench. It's all there and I'm functional a tad quicker than if I had to rummage through several drawers to locate the trimmers, files, etc. Kinda like the "workstation" concept of a productivity oriented environment (God knows I need all the help I can get there).
I pick up a lot of good (even sometimes unused!)tool boxes out of garage sales. Tools too. Perhaps if I was paying new prices for everything, I would not be so quick to set aside task specific tool boxes, but then I've been at this for a number of years too. If a fella wanted to start with this all at once, the cost might be sufficiently high to make it more of a set back than a help.
But it is a workable solution. I like it.
Eric
thanx Eric!!!
just what I was looking for...
I'm with you on the duplication of tools...
any excuse to buy more!!!
I have a full size pickup a 6x12 trailer, a12x30 shopand an 8x12 shed....
plus a couple o shelves in the basement...
they are all pretty full of crap I need...
I'm just looking for help organizing it all.
Mr. T.
There's a steering-wheel in me pants and it's driving me nuts!!!
I stopped reading where the message truncated, LOL.
You mentioned in Drywall tools your "edge perforator". what is this edge perforator and why would you perforate the edge?--------------------------------------------------------
For a good time, visit MyToolbox.net See some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
ted was wondering what an edge perforator was, and maybe I used an incorrect name for it, but it's two opposing wheels set up to perforate both sides of the drywall when you gotta trim off say, a 3/4" strip--for whatever cause....It is adjustable and I think goes up to 3".Eric
After posting I realized what you meant by edge perforator, but left the post becuse I could possible be wrong a second time in my life, but I wasn't. Actually, I did imagine it might be a device to make tiny pin-holes, like those in perfaTape.--------------------------------------------------------
For a good time, visit MyToolbox.net See some of my work at TedsCarpentry.com
I keep one main bag of overlapping tools. Then I seperate everything else that doesn't overlap into seperate bags.
Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!
TASK TOOL SETS...
"I take upon me my aspect and raise up my attributes."
Krishna to Arjuna
Contanerization is the way I do it. I work for a GC that does remodels, restorations, HOA maintenance contracts, etc., etc. so the work varies. Tomorrow a roof-ectomy ahead (we hope) of the rains. Then take offs for a bid on an apartment building that burned out. Then some doors, then some fence replacements, perhaps a few bridges, beam change outs, etc.
I want to be able to grab the right container and have all or most of the tools needed for that task right there, not scattered around. This means some duplication <g>, but since I have a tool habit, this is not a problem, just expensive and fun.
I can't carry all of it in the van and since it got emptied, I don't. I load up each morning for that day. I don't want to chase down tools so I contanerize. I also set up bags for the most common jobs. Have them for framing, trim, electrical. Put on the right bags and you have most of the common tools there. Then get the right container.
I use 5g buckets with organizers (like the Husky ones), 18g RubberMaid Roughneck Totes and 20, 32g Rubbermaid Brute trash cans and Stanley tool chests. The 20g cans work well. The 32 gets a bit heavy. There is often a 5g bucket in the trash can plus other tools. Load the whole thing in the van. At the job, I used one of several hand trucks. The cans are strapped on and off I go.
Drywall bags, knives, hawk, trowels, etc. are in an 18g tote.
Painting has a tote and a bucket.
Framing has a bucket, a Stanley chest, a 20g can for the bags and hammers and such.
Trim has a chest and a bucket.
Electrical has a bucket, two chests and a tote.
The buckets are the first responders. They can go most anywhere. The chests are often a bitch to get to the upper floors. They can stay in the van until needed.
Left in the van: Paslode framing gun, Bosch impact driver, Husky mechanicals tote (wrenches, pliers, saws, drivers, etc., etc.), extension cords, saw, level, broom, dust pan, saw horses, hand truck, demo bars, hard hats, etc.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I have a plumbing kit that a map torch and bottle. Small pipe wrench, PVC glue and primer, couple of chanel lock pliers. Tubbing cutter, copper reamer and cleaning brushes. Flux solder. And a couple of others. And misc small parts as I pick them up.
For electrical I have clamp on ampmeter/VOM. Tone tracer. collection of wire nuts and stapes. A mess of screws for outlets and coverplates. Some spacers for receptacles. A a stepped multi-tap. Tape tie wraps. And the usuall collection of pliers and screw drivers (Mainly use an 8in1 that has the square drive and also hex). And a several feet of #14 and #12 romex.
For both I have a handy sears box with two trays. But the electrical I also have electrican carry with the many fo the hand tools.
http://tinyurl.com/m7573
It is real handy with the two trays to keep all of the small stuff straight, but it is not large enough to also carry the supplies that I would like.
I've compartmentalized alot of my tools. Works well for me. I have a tile, drywall, and paint buckets. As far as boxes I have two hand tool boxes, one fastener box, one electric box, and one plumbing box.
Saves alot of time when I can grab what I need for the job i'm on.
Once I get a trailer it might change, but for now the buckt method works well.
I've mentioned it before, but thought it fits in here. For fasteners I've got a bucket with four 6-compartment parachute bags containing nails and screws. Primarily galv nails and deck screws, vs doubling up with both coated and uncoated fasteners.Saves a lot of time searching around for the right fastener.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
My fastener box is a four drawer craftsman rally box. The drawers work well for one pound boxes and the top is kinda like a junk drawer, all the loose stuff you accumulate from misc jobs.
This has been my problem too, since I do a wide variety, and it varies almost daily.
I dreamed about making task-specific boxes. Never did.
Too much overlap in the tools required.
Bought just about every tool bag out there. Not satisfied until I bout the Veto Pro Pac for the tools I take on every job. That, and the cordless drills with drivers & bits go on every job.
I have 3 plumbing boxes (and could use more). Plus buckets full of stuff. One box is just for sweating copper. That works out well. One is for plumbing tools, wrenches, special items. One is for misc stuff for toilets, faucets, drains.
An electrical belt for the tools and a toolbox for misc. screws, wirenuts, etc. That doesn't count the buckets & milkcrates full of j-boxes, fittings, etc.
on and on. Trim carpentry, rough, drywall, painting, blahblahblah. I have spent more time on trying to organize than I care to admit.
But, I may be on to a new system. I'm getting better at putting things away on the shelves I bought for my stuff. Keeping things in the same location (a home for everything...) This helps immensely!
But instead of duplicating tools and making kits for each type of job (expensive, but fun buying lots of tools!) I am thinking of making checklists for each specific job. That way, when I load up in the morning, I didn't forget that key item that the job depends on.
Paper is cheaper than tools, and takes up less storage space (zero storage if I keep it electronic.) Make a database, type in "Door Installation" and it zips up a checklist of everything needed to rip out and hang a door, trim it out, caulk, prep, paint (optional).
Maybe even add prep items (floor protection, if needed) and cleanup (shop vac, rags, garbage can). For some reason, when replacing a faucet or valve or cleaning out a trap, I bring everything but rags. I walk right past them getting into the truck.. Doh!
I think the check list would work. Could be a good application for a Palm.
Pete Duffy, Handyman
One problem I have is that with volunteer work I often don't have the foggiest idea what work I'll be doing when I leave in the morning (or leave for the week).
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
I get that a lot too. Customer calls to fix a light switch and patch some drywall. I load up those tools, get there, and do the work. Then, "While you're at it, could you check this dripping faucet?"
Sure, but it will be another trip (and another charge, of course.) Didn't bring the plumbing kits today.Pete Duffy, Handyman
We deal with different stuff all the time.
Here is an Excell spreadsheet that has worked well. The trick is to highlight the basics required for the day and think through the specifics. Then print it out and check off your loading out.
On a hill by the harbour
Thanks Novy!!!!
I too have tried to compartmentalize my tools, for specific jobs. I have found that for storage purposes the rubbermaid containers work well, they keep out dust and moisture. I have them for paint equip.; dropcloths; safety equipment like masks, safety glasses, and knee pads; Tile tools, nail guns and routers , tools that don't fit in any other storage device .
I have dedicated tool boxes for electrical, plumbing, and a general carpenters chest for all the average miscellaneous tools like hammers, nailsets, chisels, prybars-small, tapes, chalklines, squares, plumb bobs, etc.
For power tools I generally don't keep the cases unless it is a tool that needs a lot of acessories. And if it needs a lot of acessories, it ususally gets a tool box on its own.
For example I have a dedicated tool box for my small sds rotary hammer because of the number of bits, blowout bulb, three jaw chuck and adapter.
The same for 4.5" grinders because of the vareity of brushes and wheels.
The most used box is a plano box with two trays that lift out. in this box I have milwaukee 1/2" and 3/8" holeshooters in the bottom. As well as hole saws and drill bit case. On the second tray up I have bell hangers bits, spade bits and step drills. And on the top tray I have assorted drills and driver bits countersinks and vix bits etc.
I do tend to keep the factory cases with cordless drills because of the way the charger and drill fit in well.
I too have found that finding boxes just the right size to be a challenge. For example I have a box for electrical tools and a big klein pouch, the pouch wont fit in the box. The pouch holds my small hand tools but not the ampmeter or multi testers. Also what about the small pliers and mini screwdrivers, they need a place....?
One thing I have found that I like which they may be hard to find now but a couple years ago Rubbbermaid put out some nice big blue hand totes. I bought about five of them and I kind of load them up for specific jobs each day. I also have a set of regular leather occy's -nuthin fancy and tend to place in them the tools needed the closest at hand. I try not to load them up with a bunch of junk, they are heavy enough empty and I sort of wish now I had bought the occy lights.
Oh, and for fasteners I have a bucket with the plastic stack trays.
Webby
Edited 4/10/2006 10:36 am ET by webby
Edited 4/10/2006 10:38 am ET by webby
T.
I have approached this topic so many times on my own...it makes my head hurt.
What I have found to work best (for the most part) is to buy duplicates, and in some cases, triplicates of certain tools. Gets expensive, but less so than when you begin to calculate time wasted running back to the shop for that one tool you forgot.
I've got two of the Duluth "bucket buddies" (or whatever name they're going by nowadays.) One contains what I consider finish tools, the other framing tools. Often, I'll just make sure I have both of them with me.....especially at the start of a job.
I've always got my eye out for those Home Depot sales on tool boxes. Quite often I'll grab one or two just to have them...whether there's an immediate need or not. I grabbed a big plastic Irwin (I think) tool box a few weeks back. Before I got it home, I had a use for it. I had been lugging my tiling tools around in a couple of empty compound buckets for years. This one was so nice and big....lightweight....everything fit perfectly. Even two outboard "pockets" for wet sponges to dry out in.
Task specific tool boxes and more than one of alot of tools is my "trick". Most important though, is making sure that whatever tool I'm working with gets put back where it belongs.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Hey Mr. T, I've tried doing exactly what you plan and don't quite have it right yet, but it's a good idea.
How I work is I have one large toolbox on wheels for the tools needed on hand for just about everything, and then 5 gal. buckets for specific tasks. If I find a need a tool not on hand, either I buy another or move it from a job specific bucket to the rolling tool box. Rolling tool box also has a good supply of various hardware.
I try to keep only the tools on site that I actually need ('cause they tend to get stolen, plus they get in the way and psycologically, there's nothing better than putting away a set of tools when that phase of the job is done).
Like I said, I haven't perfected this yet, but it's working much better than just continuously bringing more tools on site that end up all over the place and then become impossible to find when I need them (if I had a nickel for every time I knew I had the right tool on site, but had to search every bucket to find it under the old way, well, I'd have a lot of nickels).
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Has anyone looke at the "punchlist" carpenter's toolbox from The Toolbox Book by Jim Tolpin? That thing looks like it would work if you had a ramp to get it in and out of the truck/van. IT has bicylce tires if I remember correctly...I tried the Stanley rolling toolbox but it really just did not work for me.
john
Ok all...
as I read all the responses....
it occurs to me maybe i asked the wrong question...
actually i just need to axe another Q...
Soooo.......
What are the multi task/always gonna need tools, you don't leave home without???
Mr. T.
There's a steering-wheel in me pants and it's driving me nuts!!!
Credit card.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
I never leave home without the wangster. If I take it, then I can work for nookie.
Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!
The Veto Pro Pac, and here's what's in it:
Screwdrivers, S, M, L, both phillips & slotted
Set of pliers (slip joint, needle nose, channel locks, diagonals)
Utility knife
pencil
tape measure
set of wood chisels
assorted cold chisels & punches
set of standard & metric combo wrenches
socket set
tin snips
Gorrila glue
Duct tape
Wonder bar
speed square
quick clamp or 2
snap ring pliers
masking tape
extra blades for utility knife (I HATE dull blades)
Torx screwdrivers
metric & standard hex wrenches
vise grip set
5 minute epoxy
tiny eyeglass-tyoe screwdriver set
safety glasses
a file or 2 (with golf ball handles)
old toothbrush
sharpie marker
pipe wrench
small flashlight
Then there's the cordless dill bag, with
2 drills & batteries (charger in the tuck)
set of bits
set of spade bits
a couple of driver sets
set of screw extractors
a stud finder
extra bits
torpedo level
utlity knife
pencil
These 2 bags go on every job. I love the Veto, and the drill bag works pretty well. One for driving, one for drilling on those jobs where you go back and forth. Better than any quick change chuck. I also like just pulling them out without having to open something or lift a lid. I think it is a CLC type square bag.
Hope the pics turn out. My first pic post.
OK, it's 2 MB. More pics to follow when I reduce their sizes.Pete Duffy, Handyman
JC.... that file was so large I could see your fingerprints on the handle of your screwdriver. I swear I saw atoms moving around. ;)
Get some Irfanview brother. Free and easy to use. Size ain't everything, ya know! (that's what I keep telling myself any way)View Image
Just got the irfanview. Here are smaller pics. I told ya I was gonna work on it! :)
Pete Duffy, Handyman
Nicely done Pete!View Image
Thanks, DP. Just got the new digital (had one before that died) and still getting used to it. (Shoulda got the digital SLR, but the DW nixed the $800 price tag. Dang.) She thought I'd get it all gunked up on jobs, or drop it in an attic full of insulation, or sand drywall with it hanging around my neck, or whatever.
Took 5 minutes to download the irfanview software and convert the pics. Piece of cake. Took longer to do the BT search on picture posting and find the software than to use it.Pete Duffy, Handyman
Cool beans.
Posting pictures is fun. It's also great if you've got mush mouth like me and can't explain what it you're trying to get some help with. ;)View Image
(that's what I keep telling myself any way)
Stop wasteing your time telling yourself.
Its the DW ya gotta convince
; )
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I'm a big fan of the Veto. It pretty much covers it all.
Wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!
Hey Pete, that's a pretty complete list.
Only other thing I can think of I bring every time is hardware. A few boxes of different sized wood screws and nails can be a lifesaver. One other thing are some red head plastic shields and screws. Almost always seem to have a use for them at some point in a job (last job I did as I was leaving I noticed I never mounted the fire extinguisher -- would have been SOL and come back again if I didn't keep some hardware with me all the time).
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
I have four organizer boxes, I usually take a couple with me. One has assorted screws & anchors. One has about 15 different types of nails in small quantities. One has machine screws, nuts, bolts. One has small plumbing fittings.
I like these organizers, got them at HD for about 10 bucks each. Easy to carry around and stack.Pete Duffy, Handyman
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What are the multi task/always gonna need tools, you don't leave home without???
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Don't leave home without it... OR ... Stays in the van overnight, out of sight.
Bosch impact driver and all sorts of bits and drills for it.
Husky tool tote with mechanical tools - pliers, wrenches, files, saws - wood and metal, etc, etc.
Corn broom, dust pan, dust brush, trash bags.
Crow bar
12v cordless drill kit
Bosch framing saw, 50', 100' cords for and 50' of 10g cord.
Hard hat
Hand truck
@@@ Things I usually throw in mornings, just in case...
20g trash can containing my Stronghold adjustable framer bagss, hammers, suspenders, etc.
20g trash can for actual trash
Then the tools for the day.
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I have a few toolkits that I don't think have been mentioned. So here they are:
Contertop Kit: miter bolts & wrench, desk grommets, overhead & Sharpie markers (lt. & dk.), laminate shears & roller, laminate trimming bit, bisquits, foam brushes, heat gun, seamfil & goof off, etc. Usually in the van.
"Hot Tools" (a strange mix of tools for heating stuff up): Iron for edgebanding, Old iron for waxing skis, heat gun, paint stripping (toaster on a stick), hot glue gun, (in bottom of cart--not pictured--wallpaper steamer and a space heater). Usually in the shop.
"Special Tools": Pocket hole jig, bevel guage, protractor, combo sq., vix bits, stair guages, compass, forsner bits, center point bits. Always in the van.
You wax skis @ work???
Mr. T.
There's a steering-wheel in me pants and it's driving me nuts!!!
Yuh so--you gotta problem wit dat. 8 o {
jealous?????Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
well...YUH!!!!
Mr. T.
There's a steering-wheel in me pants and it's driving me nuts!!!
Hey....them tool boxes look suspiciously like mine.... at least same kinda tools. Klenk shears et al. (remind me to tell ya what happens to them over time, save ya a few bucks when ya figure you gotta replace em)Except for the plastic. I stay away from plastic tool boxes like the plague, not that I still don't have a few. But when it's -30, they got a tendency to break/shatter, etc. when I was doing maintenace work, I had stacks of plano boxes which had parts and stuff in them. I still have them, although some of them are depleted/deleted, or just MIA. I made carriers out of baltic birch so that I could --aw, I'll just take a picture tomorrow. Eric in Cowtown
i keep all of my basic hand tools and things i use everyday (drill, pouch, basic handtools etc) in the tool box on the back of my pickup. for more specific things, i have five boxes: carpentry (mostly finish carpentry stuff), plumbing, electrical, and masonry, and drywall.
I've got another dedicated tool box that I didn't see mentioned; Plano I think, for just installing door knobs and locks and strikers. Duplicate drill bits, router bit, templates and homemade jigs and leftover parts all end up in it. Everything I need.
Hmmm, come to think of it, I don't think I've got a hole saw in there for metal doors any more. But it has probably been over 20 years since I've needed to drill a deadlock hole in a metal door.
Still not organized though...
Dusty and Lefty