The Bowtie and Blue Oval fans out there will dig these logo-shaped toolboxes I found on the web. Made by GoBoxes, these not only look good but they’re functional, with just over 1,400 cubic inches of storage for tools or auto accessories — and they’d make a great conversation piece.
A blade organizer like this one might be a little overkill if your tools never leave the shop, but if you’re constantly on the move, having all your blades in one secure location could be worth the $40+ price tag.
Usually when I work under the hood, I keep the tools that I’ll need in the next hour or two on the body seams or on the coolant and windshield washer tank — and these tools often fall off or just end up missing. This new portable automotive service tray from Craftsman reminds me of a TV tray for mechanics, but it’ll keep tools and small parts at your fingertips, not down in the engine.
If you’ve read the blog for awhile, the fit and finish of longtime reader Txinkman’s work will come as no surprise to you. If this is the first of his toolbox transformations you’ve caught a glimpse of, let me save you asking the question — yes, his hands are indeed infused with black magic.
I seriously need to learn how to work veneer. Txinkman’s mastery of it is obvious, as the final products are virtually works of art. He’s entirely humble about it, but make no mistake, this isn’t something you’d be able to throw together in a weekend between ballgames — it takes time and skill.
Once again we take our hats off to Mr. Txinkman and thank him for posting his beautiful work in the photo pool.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
A ladder can help you get from one place to another, like from the ground to the roof, but you probably use it more commonly as a platform for working where you couldn’t otherwise reach. Getting the right tools up the ladder and keeping them there can be a shuffle even with a tool belt, but this ladder caddy from H.F. Staples looks like a neat way to carry and hold all the tools you’ll need while you’re off the ground.
The rotating trays of Vestil’s mobile parts bin store your hardware so you can easily access it. The mobile organizer also lets you bring your hardware with you rather than having to travel back and forth to go get it. When you’re done with it you can easily squirrel the organizer away into any 20″ wide space.
Where I used to work, orders from the machine shop or stockroom would come in tubs similar to these ones from Quantum Storage Systems. The problem was that they were always out of tubs because everyone would hoard them for storing their own stuff — there were even periodic raids to try to recover enough tubs to keep the company functioning.
These tubs nest when empty for easy storage, but they also stack alternating 90° to one another when filled. Grooves in the bottom of the tubs match with the edges to keep them locked into position.
What are you going to do with all those promotional coffee cups you have lying around? You could actually drink coffee out of ‘em, but what could be cooler than wrapping a Bucket Boss Mug Boss around one and turning it into a workspace organizer?
It would’ve been even cooler if Bucket Boss had designed the Mug Boss so you could still use that 10oz mug to hold your morning joe, but the Mug Boss sports four interior pockets in addition to the eight exterior pockets — and you most likely won’t want Bucket Boss-flavored coffee. Like most of their products, Bucket Boss makes the Mug Boss from their trademark high-denier nylon.
To get the Mug Boss you’ll spend between $3 and $6. Of course the mug isn’t included, but who doesn’t have a spare coffee cup lying around collecting dust?
Mug Boss [Bucket Boss]
Street Pricing [Google]
Via Amazon [What’s This?]
The pink belt is in style — hopefully just with the women, but you never know. When I showed my wife a set that includes a small tool kit, tool belt, and hard hat, all in pink, she wanted them instantly. The prices are reasonable enough, so if you share tools with a group it might be worth it to stick one of your buddies with the pink belt; that’ll teach ‘em to run into the worksite late.
When I was sixteen and got my drivers license, my uncle gave me a gift that’s followed me for the last 25 years: heavy-duty jumper cables, 20′ long and made of about zero-gauge copper wire. When my kids started driving I knew they wouldn’t appreciate such quality, so all the other “fleet” vehicles ended up with Wal-Mart specials that come in a plastic zipper bag and run less than $10. I’ve noticed that those bags keep their cables neat and tidy, whereas mine are always getting caught around something in the trunk or the bottom of my bed box. Bucket Boss’s Jumper and Extension Cord Bag has my name on it.
I noticed this 94″ tool chest in Craftsman’s “hot off the presses” 2009-2010 tool catalog. Craftsman seems to be trying to keep up with the tool trucks with this monster, which is part of the Craftsman Pro Line of tools. I know the Craftsman boxes don’t always shine so bright in performance tests, but they sure look sweet to me.
“Where’s the @#$% miter gauge!” If you’ve ever exclaimed this in your shop, maybe you need to take a look at this $6 magnetic miter gauge holder from Harbor Freight.
I almost jumped for joy when I saw this: Pelican is making a toolbox now, the 0450! Since the late ’70s they’ve been making some awesome waterproof, drop-proof, hardcore cases that can go where other boxes can’t, so this should be the Holy Grail if you’re looking to build a custom “go-to” toolbox.
You can carry almost any tool under the sun in this case, and did I mention it’s mobile? With some of the solutions they demo on their site, this could be a great way to keep your tools organized and safe.
When it comes to tool storage, there are basically two types of Toolmonger: the organized people and the “just throw them in one of those drawers” people. Though you might not always be able to tell from looking at my shop, I come from the organized folk — I hate spending time hunting down a tool when it should be in a certain place. Craftsman makes their Wrench Holder for people like me.
My old Dee Zee bed box is getting worn out and I can’t find any parts for it, so I’ve been shopping around for a replacement box. The Montezuma LA400 looks like a good option for the organized Toolmonger who needs to carry tools in or on his vehicle to perform his job.
Keep your cables, hoses, and cords out of your way and out of harm’s way on the job site with Lidwig’s Claw lead holder. Plus, when the day’s done, you can coil up your “lead,” lock the claw around it, and hang it up.
SK is rolling into 2009 with a limited-edition toolbox. If you’re wondering how different this box is from their regular Commando-Pro line of toolboxes, the answer is –- not very.
www.flickr.com
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Tool Talk #58: Flashlights & The Stanley/B&D Merger
Tool Talk #57: Tactical Knives & Adjusting Your Garage Door
Tool Talk #55: Returning Tools
Tool Talk #54: Shop Cabinet & Sean's New/Old Shopsmith
Tool Talk #53: Old Hardware Stores & Pocket Knives
Tool Talk #52: Listener Calls & Reader Projects
Tool Talk #51: DIY Wedding Rings & Heirloom Shopsmiths
One Beer Projects: Repairing Wood Surfaces
One Beer Projects: Fixing Simple Problems With Your Dryer
One Beer Projects: Winterizing/Storing Your Bike
One Beer Projects: De-Badging Your Truck
One Beer Projects: Staining Your Fence
One Beer Projects: Doing Your Own Brakes
One Beer Projects: Balancing Your A/C For The Summer
One Beer Projects: Installing A Dimmer Switch
Hands-On: Resurfacing A Tiny Anvil
Hands-On: Stanley Fat Max Lighted Level
Hands-On: Stanley Fat Max 16oz Hammer
Hands-On: Milwaukee M12 Power Port
Hands-On: Caterpillars Fix Wiggly Outlets For Good
Head 2 Head Hands-On: Bosch SPS10 vs LI3000 SmartDriver
Hands-On: Striker Magnetic LED Light
Hands-On: Dremel Duo Kit -- Dremel Driver
Budget Shop Truck Build, Part 5: Engine Teardown
Budget Shop Truck Build, Part 4: A New Transmission
Budget Shop Truck Build, Part 3: Building An Engine Stand
Budget Shop Truck Build, Part 2: Pulling The Engine
Budget Shop Truck Build, Part 1: The Truck
How-To: Cut Angles With A Circular Saw
Project Garage: Yukon Engine Swap (Part 5) -- Complete!
Project Garage: Yukon Engine Swap (Part 4) -- Installation!
Project Garage: Yukon Engine Swap (Part 3) -- Fabricating Engine Brackets
Project Garage: Yukon Engine Swap (Part 2) -- GM Performance Parts
How-To: Remove Stripped Screw Sans Extractor
How-To: DIY Airplane (Pietenpol Air Camper)
How-To: Make Perfect Saddle Cuts
How-To: Build A Wooden Combination Lock
How-To Question: Repair Drywall
How-To Question: Best Way To Hang Lights?
How-To: Build A Crib -- Part 1
How-To: Repair A Broken Ethernet Plug
