Got a new tool cart: Help me fill it up

[ConstantChange]

My birthday is coming up and we celebrated it today. My family/friends joined together and bought me this Craftsman tool cart...

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/3600/009596240001.jpg
Craftsman 40'' Wide 14-Drawer Ball-Bearing GRIPLATCH® Tool Cart - Black (http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40inch-wide-14-drawer-ball-bearing-griplatch-reg/p-00959624000P?prdNo=3)

So tonight I decided to buy the matching upper tool box which I'll pick up tomorrow...

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1760/009596230003.jpg
Craftsman 40'' Wide 8-Drawer Ball-Bearing GRIPLATCH® Top Chest - Black (http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40inch-wide-8-drawer-ball-bearing-griplatch-reg/p-00959623000P?prdNo=2)

Now I need to know what tools, organizers, etc... I "need" to get. This is my first full size tool box. I have a full set of sockets and about 10 wrenches in a portable ~130+ piece set, but I'd like to leave that set in the portable case so I can take it with me if need be.

I have a nice set of Kobalt screwdrivers and pliers that I got for Christmas that are still in the plastic because I didn't have anywhere to put them. I'm guessing I'll start with a good set of sockets and wrenches.

You guys recommend Craftsman, Kobalt, or something else? I've always been a Craftsman guy, but I like the Kobalt stuff I've used and Lowes is a lot closer to me than Sears. Snap-On is too expensive for me.

I mostly do home improvement type projects, so I got a full line of DeWalt stuff, but I do attempt to do most automotive repairs, so I'd like tools for both.

Help me spend my money! :dance:

[Burro (He/Haw)]

OK a list of tools:


Rabbit Pearl
Rotorhead
Lube
Batteries
Anal Beads
Cawk Ring
Video Camera


That should be plenty of tools to get you started.

[mike100]

A shop toolbox does not need all the injection molded tool cases unless it is very fragile equipment. That takes up soooo much space- you should s-can most of them.

my road bag consists of various harbor freight stuff with a little bit of my 1st string name brand stuff thrown together as needed. I don't really have a complete mobile kit- that stuff was stolen years ago, so now I no longer have a dedicated separate kit.

as far as the mobile kit- same advice-get rid of the space sucking injection molded cases and get socket rails or smaller bags for each size range of sockets. I have even used copper wire strung through the square drive on the end of the sockets to keep them together. plastic cases are the bane of my existence.


Mostly I use socket rails for sockets (or even nothing, just stacked together), but my main high usage 3/8 sets use these: Amazon.com: Lisle 40200 Red 3/8" Magnetic Socket Holder: Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21o-qKi-TvL.@@AMEPARAM@@21o-qKi-TvL

I use simple wrench organizer rails that stand the wrenches 90 degrees from flat since that takes less space.

[ConstantChange]

What brand of sockets and wrenches do you guys like?

Based on some reading at a tool forum, it seems like both Craftsman and Kobalt are made in China now. The tool gurus on that forum bitch and moan about both. I've never had a problem with my 10+ year old Craftsman set, but they rarely get used.

My mechanic buddy uses those magnetic socket holders. They seem pretty nice. I like having stuff organized and being able to find what I want quickly.

[mrvette]

Magnetic socket holders are necessary for all the 1/4 drive stuff...double depth so for shallow and deep well....

I paint the English set orange so to easy id which holder they go in....

the Metric 3/8 is painted black for same reason....

on my 1/2 drive, it's mostly all deep well, huge set from 7/16 all the way to 1 3/8 and so individual stockets are painted various colors for easy ID....like the 3/4 is orange, RED for the one on the lug nutz....which are same size on all the fleet except the motor home which socket is painted white.....GOD, I"m lazy....they all came in a big metal box, must be pushing 30 years old now...

:dance:

and yes, the combo wrenches are much easier if in a holder/rack but in reality, mine are a mess, metric to the right, English to the left....I can pick through them pretty quickly....

I just have a old Snap top box, plain slides, not roller, and the top is loaded with more shit, I swear I can fix any car for anything with the misc part dumped in that open top tray.....:rofl: it sets on a old steel cart meant for TV/electronic gear use in a school....classroom shit...solid as a rock, not that I ever move it much.....I have a whole bunch of old metal kitchen cabinets from a kitchen tearout in a DC highrise, including one solid stainless bottom cabinet....

a 50 year collection of junk and nutz/boltz......:leaving:

[63C2splitter]

You will be amazed at how your tool box will fill up over the coming years. Every project I have ever done usually requires a tool I don't have, and have to buy. 40 years later....I have two chests full of tools, and several small kits full of common tools.

Good luck, and start filling that thing up. :seasix:

[Jeff '79]

pneumatic air gun - Google Search

[Fasglas]

What's this? No INTERMEDITE box? (Goes between rollaway and top chest)
You'll want one sooner than later.

Allen wrenches
Torx drivers
Telescoping magnet (Yes, you WILL need it)
Nut drivers, metric & sae
Wire brush assortment
Quality files, various sizes & file card
Vise grips (needlenose VERY handy)

[ConstantChange]

I got the top chest today. That thing is heavy. I thought I'd be able to put it on the bottom piece by myself. RONG!!!!!!

[ConstantChange]

What's this? No INTERMEDITE box? (Goes between rollaway and top chest)
You'll want one sooner than later.

I didn't see an intermediate box for this style. This setup is about 5 ft tall. Any higher and I wouldn't be able to see the stuff in the top shelf.

If I get to the point I need more space, I'll just have to buy a second tool box. :D

[Kerrmudgeon]

One of the best things I did with my tool box was to get a label maker or dymo gun and label the drawers with what's in them. It saves a lot of time opening and closing for a look, and if you have a bud who's helping you, they can find stuff easier too when you're under the car etc. :seasix:

[Fasglas]

BEFORE you put anything in the drawers, be sure to get liners for them. Sears has 'em.

[Kerrmudgeon]

BEFORE you put anything in the drawers, be sure to get liners for them. Sears has 'em.

OR, just go to a hardware store and buy some ribbed rubber floor runner from a roll, by the foot, and make your own. Use a pair of tin snips. heavier duty and cheaper. :seasix:

[Torqaholic]

If you had a 24 year old kid taking over your garage like I do it would fill up without you having to buy a single tool :issues: :rofl:

[kingpin]

OK a list of tools:


Rabbit Pearl
Rotorhead
Lube
Batteries
Anal Beads
Cawk Ring
Video Camera


That should be plenty of tools to get you started.


:rofl:


I love tools made by Channel Lock. They make channel locks(slip joint pliers) of course, side cutters, pliers and such. I don't know if their quality is the same as 15 years ago when I got all my stuff from the family Hardware Store but I have no reason to believe otherwise.