What tools do you keep on your truck?
buildingbill
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Yet again I get to a job and seem to be the only one who carries any tools. This is a small commercial finish job. [Everyone is a sub on this particular job as well.] These guys all make decent $ but nobody carried anything other than a belt and one had a cordless drill.
I drive a Ford F150 with just a cross over box but I always take with me a circular saw {extra blades}, Sawzall,1/2″ drill lots of bits 1/2″ cordless drill drywall screw gun and various hand tools hammers cats paws and assortment of drywall screws ,nails caulk. I even take my own nail guns too jobs.
Larger tools like compressor, chopsaw, table saw get brought ad needed. Little giant and ladders are also brought as needed.
What do you usually carry on a daily basis?
Replies
When you said "extra blades" for the circ saw ya lost me..it either cuts or it don't...neither is extra.
My bad, it was a long month......
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
You think that's funny? Watch THIS!...I can only do it once tho'
I remodel often and dumpsters are expensive so I will cut my demo when needed to pack it better. This can kill a blade fast. Also if I am running a crew I hate to see someone leave just to buy a new blade,drill bit or some other minor thing and take 2hrs getting it.Like yesterday, a 4hr job took 10 in the end.
Most of them. Not pictured about 15 assorted power tools, in cases on a shelf.
View Image
F150. Behind the seat: a long Kennedy box with about 20 various lightweight bar clamps and a few quick-grip clamps, a crowbar. Fire extinguisher, cop flashlight, a few spare t-shirts and a couple of hats.
Driver's side hi-box: two Kennedy boxes and one tote tray of hand tools ranging from pipe wrenches to block planes to electrical testers to tin snips and CM4 calculator, approx. 150 items total. Socket set, laser level, two cordless drills, one impact driver, 4 spare batteries, 1.5 horse router, kneepads, respirator, apron, one large parts box with router bits and accessories, small parts box with driver tips, jigsaw blades, vix bits, utility blades, Sawzall in box, 2 large, short Jorgenson bar clamps, 32", 48", and 78" levels.
Passenger side hi-box: two 50 foot extension cords, one splitter box, one 25 foot hose, skilsaw, spare blades, jigsaw, 2 Souix close quarters drills, small hammer drill, electric stapler, framing nailer, finish nailer, palm nailer, brad nailer, medium crown stapler, gun oil, right angle drill, belt sander, 5" and 6" RO sanders, electric hand plane, small angle grinder w/diamond blade, tool box full of augers, spade bits, hammer drill bits.
Compressor, table saw, chop saw, more hose and cord, ladders, Knaack boxes... get moved to the job and left there.
david, you have room for an iron and a hair dryer/heat gun? In my van pretty much all you listed including the above. Also, 4-10x12 drops and 4 runners and pocket whole kit.
jeez, I'm sitting here thinking about all that's in there and am half amazed I can still fit the horses. Amazing amount of investment there. Think of the time and money saved not having to go somewhere for something. There are tools in there I don't use but twice a year. Still, wouldn't be without it.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
It's at least 10 grand worth of stuff. Fortunately I live in an area where the likelihood of someone stealing the truck or breaking the boxes is very low. There are days when I use an amazing number of the tools I carry... keep going back to the truck to get one more thing.
I do remodeling and repairs, so I have a LOT of tools on my van- a '98 GMC 3500 savana. I'll see how many I remember...
circ. saw(with extra blades, of course), sawzall, jigsaw, Fein Multimaster,Paslode Impulse framer, trimmer, and brad guns, 4 pc. 18v. cordless kit, 5-beam laser, 3x21 belt sander, 14.4 v. impact driver, trim router, elec. plane, plunge router, dig. camera
plus a lot of hand tools, chisels, saws, planes, hammers, extension cords, etc.
as needed- chop saw, table saw, compressor and guns, ladders, scaffolding, etc.
I try to keep a decent supply of fasteners-various nails and screws, glue, caulks, to minimize my running around, altho I seem to usually be missing the ONE thing I need to finish the job.
sometimes I've wondered how the HO would like having me pull up in a tractor-trailer with a 40' trailer- it might be the only way to actually have everything I need
I have so many tools in my truck that I can't remember them all if I tried. I just know that they're there when I need them. For the bigger things like table saws etc, everything is a breakdown. Folding this,folding that all tucked away for room for more "stuff".
Bill, I primarily frame, and I normally carry around an enclosed trailer with the "major" stuff in it. Basic stuff stays with me in the toolbox: Tool belt, one framing gun, framing square, saw & sawzall, cordless drill, and a bunch of mechanics tools. Also, jug of coolant, 3 qts. oil, 2 qts. tranny fluid, 2 cans fix-a-flat, extra belt, and a couple of extension cords. I tend to refer to the stuff in my truck as "the boss's stuff"; everything in the trailer is the "crew's stuff."Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
Where do you frame houses? How does the enclosed trailer work for you? Is it easy to move around?
Sorry to take so long for the reply...I frame houses in residential neighborhoods in coastal Alabama. As for the trailer, I love it! I carry the assortment of tools and supplies in it, safe and dry. It also acts as a shelter for the crew when it starts pouring rain on wall or rafter day.
it's not too hard to back up/ move around, just heavy for its size (6x10). I just bought an F-250 diesel to pull it with, and that makes a big difference in the "towability" of the thing.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
I have a 5x10 WellsCargo trailer with a ramp door and a side door.Pull it with my Ram with a couple of side tool boxes.In trailer:Bosch Tablesaw on Ridgid stand
24Vlt Bosch miter saw
Dewalt miter stand
Fein vaccum
Fein multimaster
Bosch 18 volt kit
makita 14.4 impact kit
portercable laminate router kit
electricians bag with milwaukee screwdriver
Paint supplies box
Drywall supplies bag
4x8 sheetgoods rack with assorted plwood and other misc
Husky X bench
folding sawhorses
Ridgid flipstand
4' folding ladder
28' extension ladder
7' step/13' exstension werner ladder
loaded Vito bag
caulk kit
plumbing supplies
clamps
measuring wheel
dewalt laser
etc., etc....
In toolboxes: wrenches, ratchets, 20 ton jack, rags, paint poles, etc.
These days it's a black helmet bag with shorts, a tee shirt, socks and running shoes.
In better days it was: as an employee, F 150 with a deep across the bed box.
Four cords, four hoses, three framing squares, one set of square stops, 2',4' and 6' levels, T-square and speed square, Two saws, one sawszall, one drill, sledge, glue gun, nail gun and all the assorted small tools like cats paws and pry bars and tin snips oh my.
Now that was for framing. If we trimmed I had a job box that joined that with:
COmpressor, Mitre saw, saw bench, Finish nailer, brad nailer, planer, palm sander, right angle random orbit, biscut joiner and jig saw.
The table saw got added if needed.
On my own: all that stuff plus a genrator, four ladders, more hoses and cords, two more saws and one complete extra nail punch just in case.
My last work truck was a Chevy longbed with a commercial cap on it. My wife used to tell me it looked like gyps wagon.
When it comes to things like staples and nails and saw blades I used to be anal about having extras. more so when my jobs where small. Adding two hours to a six hour job is suicide.
I do reno and handyman stuff.
Van holds pretty well everything I need to keep a job - most any job - going. Saves loads of time and frustration on my one-man-band jobs.
When I team up with others on bigger jobs, I always seem to be the one who's got the 5' bar, the 6' level, the extra hose, the 'lectric hand planer, the sharp chisels, the extra nailer, extra screws and nails. You get the picture.
It's nice to play magician and keep a job moving every now and then, but sometimes I get fed up. Time to charge more I guess.
I'm a remodeler/handyman. I work alone now, but when I worked on a crew, I was always the go-to guy, and it got tired after awhile. Got an extra pencil, mine broke? Can I use some of your chalk, I'm out? Ooh, hit a nail, dude, got an extra blade? Can I borrow your blade wrench too? Man, this sawzall blade is shot - got any extras? Don't worry, I'll buy you lunch next week.
Man, I should have charged, and run a business on the side! In fact, I used to wonder if a guy got organized and filled his truck to the brim with all that "run-out of" stuff, if he could make any money driving around to jobsites, selling with a little markup.
I drive a small pickup with a camper shell, but I'm pretty much always loaded for bear. Sawzall, Skilsaw, jigsaw, extra blades for all the above, drills (corded, cordless, and hammer-drill), edge guides, sawhorses, levels of all sizes, misc. hand tools, misc. screws and nails, studfinder, blow dryer, cords, a couple hammers, variety of handsaws, drillbits, driver bits, 4" grinder.
The drywall blades, compressors, finish guns, routers, etc. are on an as-needed basis.
a lot and then some.
Everything!!!
Murphy was a remodeler
whatever you don't bring you will need before the end of the day!!
"I think natural selection must have greatly rewarded the ability to reassure oneself in a crisis with complete bull$hit."
I'm Swiss!
Primarily for cabinet and countertop installation and trim carpentry.
2002 VW Eurovan 3/4 ton:
Hitachi 10" slider w/ stand
Bosch Table Saw & Stand
Ridgid outfeed support
PC Compressor w/ Bostich Framer, Paslode 16ga., PC 18 ga., PC 23ga., Bostich Stapler.
PC sidewinder
Bosch 14.4v cordless set
Makita RA grinder
Freud Jigsaw
Bosch PortaPlaner
PC Belt & RO Sanders
Milwakee RA HD Drill
PC Laminate Trimmer & Bosch fixed/plunge router kit
Extension Cords
Saw horses
2 folding work benches
bins for caulk & adhesives, fasteners, shims, etc.
tool boxes for cabinet work (kreg jig, etc.) & countertop work
tool belt (just for sentimental reasons)
Irwin tool organizer tote w/ hand tools
First Aid Kit
Beater Radio
I'll have to post some pictures sometime of the van loaded and my set up at a job site. It usually impresses people how much stuff fits in my heavy duty minivan.
Edit to add: I forgot to mention a few things:
Levels: 2', 4', and 6'
Clamps of all kinds and sizes.
Edited 8/13/2005 11:33 pm ET by basswood
I used to carry as much as I could fit, but it became impractical. I do remodels and try to carry what i need for the project at hand.
I always carry: Bosch 18V kit (circ,sawz,jigsaw,blades) with the drill in separate bag with bits, screws and other accessories. Wormdrive. 50' cord, 20' cord, 3-way. 4' level. Carpentry bag #1 with hammers, squares, chisels, nail pullers, etc. Carpentry bag #2 with knee pads, glue, 3# hammer, 12" speed, hand nails, clamps and other random stuff.
It just doesn't make sense for me to bring everything, everywhere.
DCS Inc.
"He who xxxxs nuns will later join the church." -The Clash
I know what you mean about no one else carrying any tools. If i'm on a big job I have everything with me and I guess everyone thinks its easier to use mine than bring their own.
Usually it just depends on the job, however my hand tools and my DW 4 kit never leave the truck.
This is from an electrical perspective but my truck is my every day vehicle, don't want to weigh it down too much, and it is a mid-sized with only a cross-bed toolbox for storage. An electrician can do without a lot of power tools. Only one I carry is a Bosch hammerdrill. The case is equipped with a wide array of bits. Everything else I can do with hand tools. Six foot ladder rides on the back.
Being service oriented I don't even carry much in the way of materials. A little, sometimes only a couple of feet of wire in some gauges or only a single breaker or device of any but the most commonly needed, of everything.
I'm pretty proud of my fittings and fastener collection. Four plastic flats, about a foot square, designed for fishing gear. The many slots carry a little of everything. All organized and segregated.
I'm the same guy when somebody needs something, "ask Mike"
14.4 dewalt drill,impact,palm sander milwaukee circ saw, sawsall, 1/2 dril and 1" hammerdrill
paslode framer and trimmer, makita 4"grinder,planer
jig saw ,orbital sander,belt sander
mtre and table saw
biscuit joiner
ryobi 18 drill/saw combo
socket set,screwdrivers,all the hand tools u can think of really inc. clamps
2,6 and 8 foot steps
20 and 28 ext ladders
8-13 expading plank
ladder jacks
10/6 aluminum brake
Funny thread. When we first started out, I bought (I handle the business end and teach him, he runs the carpentry end and teaches me) a used Ford f-250 with a utility bed. My older partner, the curmudgeon that he is grumbled, "I don't use those damn things, those are for mechanics." he swore I'd be driving it to the jobsites myself. On the other hand, I had the image in my mind of effiiciency and since I am only 5'4" I wasn't too excited about trying to reach into a truck tool box...Three years now and he loves the truck although she's about rusted all around her good running drivetrain. We're going to take it off the road to repair it and we're already trying to figure out where to carry all the tools.We always have on the truck:An assortment of extension cords, different lengths, a surge box and some tri-extensions.
Rope for tying on materials, bungies and tie-downs.
The Dewalt drill/6" saw kit
Two Dewalt cordless drills
The Hiti hammer drill/sometimes the Hilti jackhammer
One Bosch jigsaw and an old crappy backup skil jigsaw
Two 7 1/4" saws -- whatever we're using at time
At least one pneumatic framer
Pneumatic palm nailer
Milwaukee Magnum drill
Old skil drill
Ancient black and decker saw my partner is attached to
Extra blades
Handsaws and other sundry hand tools
Maps
Safety lanyard and harness
First aid kit
A bucket of handtools
a 5 lb., 3 lb. and an 8 lb. sledge
On another side we have a variety of organized fasteners, screws, nails, anchors, etc. there are knives, staplers, more hand tools.I dunno, there's more but I can't think of it. Sounds kind of ridiculous, but there's no running back and forth, no "Oh no, I wish I brought..."Also, the inside bed is wide enough for a peice of plywood to fit, has a rack on top to carry ladders and supplies. We've had that old truck loaded right down with a generator, compressor, ladders, materials, you name it. I love that truck.We also have a gangbox and we'll have to probably buy another if we start running two jobs at at time soon before the old girl comes back from her restoration.And as for the lending of tools...since we do mostly residential work now, we have had homeowner ask to use our tools-- can you believe it? I dont' like it and will diplomatically try to get around it, but my partner has a hard time saying no. He still talks of his commercial carpentry days, "I remember when I had a ______, but then it walked off the job with the electrician...." or something to that effect.When I worked as a small engine mechanic in a small shop with about five other guys when I was a teenager i learned early on that asking to borrow tools was verboten. The thought was, if you didn't have what you needed to do the job, then you shouldn't be calling yourself a mechanic. It got to where to me asking to borrow a tradesman's tools is like asking to borrow a bite of someone's hamburger...