What sort of tool box do you carry on your truck?

[Desk Jockey]

Every couple of years we go though tool boxes, lately we've been using the heavy duty plastic ones. I have a few that look like they were used as step stools.

I need to get a few, what do you guys use. It needs to have enough room for a knee kicker.

This was from two years ago and its time to get a few again. This time I think a good solid metal might be best. The guys rarely pull them off the truck.

What are you using?

 

[handdi]

plastic

 

[Desk Jockey]

which brand do you have?

 

[Shane T]

Are you talking mechanical tools? I only carry a few of the basics, they fit in a small plastic box behind the seat. I work mostly close to home so if something goes real bad I take it back to the shop where the good tools are kept.

 

[Shane T]

I have some nice plastic boxes that I carry my carpet repair tools in. They are bigger and are made by Duracraft. I think I got them at Farm & Fleet.

 

[Russ T.]

The knee kicker deal does kinda mess with it. It needs to be pretty BIG to fit one in there....but I really don't use a lot of tools. Just some random QD s and Teflon tape, screwdriver to pry my glide off, a couple wrenches, Cleanco has a special plastic "wrench" to replace the belts...which I have yet to do.

Heck, I don't hardly use the stretcher but hire a local install guy to do our repairs. He's WAY better and faster at any major stretching and repair work than me.

No real answers for you Chavez but will watch the thread for a better solution for me.

I might go to a nice and small one and TRY to find a decent place for that awkward stretcher that I almost never use. Maybe under the seat?

 

[Jimmy L]

Plasdick

 

[GeneMiller]

I carry a complete set of craftsman sockets. All three sizes. They came in the plastic bin. I also carry a complete set of wrenches, socket driver set, plus a couple of oversized sockets and wrenches and obdII tester . If it breaks I want to be able to fit it. NOW.

Gene

 

[steve_64]

You could always have a local handyman build some out of treated plywood if you have special needs.

 

[Shorty]

I'm on the road, I'll post a reply & pics later.

I carry several on the van + I have others that only go on when I need them, such as rolling tool boxes, etc;

Most are plastic, but I look after my gear, unlike monkeys.

 

[Goomer]

I agree the kicker limits options.

All my small hand tools and small misc stuffs go in canvas military mechanics tool bags.

Things are indestructable.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

I have tool boxes and bags for everything.

Metal box for heavy tools.
Several smaller Husky bags for specialty tools.

Box for carpet repair(kicker irons glue gun, stapler seam tape, tractors etc).

Box exclusively for plumbing too much to list.

Box for everything electrical and meters.

Bags for jumper cables and tow straps.

One big and two small spotting bags, one color and "owie" repair bag.

Two upholstery tool bags.

Backpack with spare clothes.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

 

[Clean Response]

Cheap harbor freight ones and tools... Does not hurt as much when it get stolen or "lost"

 

[Desk Jockey]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KW8FMC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

I bought one of these off Amazon, if I can get everything they need in it I'll order 5 more.

Plasdik makes the most sense but they break the lid and the latches. They don't actually leave the truck so I'm less concerned about the weight.

I'll try it for a while and see if it works out.

 

[Willy P]

You could always have a local handyman build some out of treated plywood if you have special needs.

Richard is indeed SPECIAL ( Olympics)

 

[Desk Jockey]

My mommy always said I was special.

 

[HydroDude]

I pull my tool box...

 

[Desk Jockey]

yea i pull on mine ..ohhh oops never mind!

McKinley when you worked for the large company how did they handle tool boxes?

 

[HydroDude]

On large projects they bring in a 53ft trailer, crews check out / return equipment each shift...each piece is billable on T&M contract .

 

[HydroDude]

On this project, they brought in several 53 ft trailers, set up supply tents and had every tool you could think of...
at one point 400 labors , 40 supervisors , 10 pm... environmental specialist, machinist , electronic specialist , on-site medical / safety specialist...cooks , mess tents, portable bath /showers

 

[Desk Jockey]

wow that's insane!

 

[Willy P]

My mommy always said I was special.

Special education. It doesn't count.

 

[Desk Jockey]

it does too! especially if ya go twice.

 

[HydroDude]

Here's a 53ft trailer Midwest Rentals has set up for large loss rentals...

 

[ruff]

That's my favorite box Richard.
And from everything we've gathered so far, no matter how vehement your denials are, that's your favorite too.

Dan told us.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Actually I'm much more into "Hello Kitty".

 

[Jimmy L]

You only need a left handed screw driver and 2 vise grips.

 

[GeneMiller]

wow that's insane!

I don't think my brain could function on a job that large. I like 3-6 hrs in one spot the best. Rarely more than a couple of days. How do you even track billable items

Gene.

 

[Desk Jockey]

If they are tracking tools & equipment, billable time would be easy.
We are very small in comparison to McKinley's old company.

For us it takes a billing manager who checks all paperwork and logs in deposits, tech time and equipment movement. She then enters it into Xactimate and updates as the job progresses.

We use a magnet white board with the color coded job magnets by service (fire, water, sewage, mold) and moves them along as the guys process them. Its really easy but still a nightmare when we get busy.

We have 24-water losses from the weekend and two more today plus 25-other on the board I'm awaiting payment on. Throw in the fire & mold work and that board can get messy real easy.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Now for an OCD cleaning lady to wash that board and neatly sort your cleaned magnets in color-coordinated little rows.