Recommendation on portable toolbox/chest

[TwiztidPixel]

I am, by the very definition, a parking lot mechanic. I live in a second floor apartment, all of my work on my vehicles is done in the parking lot.

This means carrying my jack stands and jack up and down the stairs each time, as well as my torque wrenches, cordless tools etc.

As far as hand tools, I try as best I can to gather what I'll need for the task. It never fails, I'll end up going up and down the stairs a few times to get something that slipped my mind or wasn't expected.

This is annoying when I'm in the thick of it.

Here is my current tool encapsulating device:


It's fine, the top is portable which is awesome. Except it's heavy as shit.

Within this top half 98% of my tools.

What I seek is a wheeled, portable toolbox that I can get up and down stairs a bit easier. Something that is compartmentalized so that I don't have to sift through a pile of metal when I need something.

Suggestions?

 

[inmypassatlife]

Ridgid has a nice one, its their pro series the total set is like $140 but the base can be bought for $60 with wheels and handle and you can build up from there. The husky one for $75 isn't a bad choice either

 

[swathdiver]

http://www.sears.com/excel-20-inch-...lerId=Sears&prdNo=37&blockNo=37&blockType=G37

This served me well until it was stolen. Put the stuff you need for that days work in this thing and save your back. Or you could get a jib and block and tackle and lower that big ole box off the balcony each time and hoist it back up when you're done!

 

[Cattivo]

I'm in a similar situation where I have to basically kill myself to cary heavy tools around when working on the truck from my building to the parking lot...I use a box similar to what @swathdiver mentioned along with this Safco SAF4049 Stow-Away Hand Truck when I need to carry lots of tools...it makes my life a lot easier

I also use it to carry my big heavy tool box around Manhattan when I go to a new job...just don't run over anyones feet with it...they tend to get mad

 

[TwiztidPixel]

Thanks ya'll. I just sat down and got looking at what @inmypassatlife mentioned and came across this. This is pretty close to what I was visualizing in my head! https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley...Tool-Box-Mobile-Work-Center-020800R/202262088

I'll have to see if I can find it in stock somewhere, it's possibly discontinued(?). Or try to find something similar. This thing would be perfect!

 

[Doubeleive]

this is what I use for my portable mess, its about 60lbs with pretty much everything needed but it has a shoulder strap and good handles, seems to be holding up pretty well so far.

 

[ScottyBoy]

This is what I had as my first tool chest. http://m.sears.com/craftsman-4-drawer-portable-tool-chest/p-00935424000P
I used to live in an apartment, so I lugged this thing in and out when I needed it. It's a GREAT tool chest and I love that it has 4 actual drawers just like a stationary tool chest. The bad thing is that when this thing is FULL of tools, it gets really heavy. But being that you have an SUV, why can't you just leave it in the back of your truck and toss a blanket over it or something?

 

[TwiztidPixel]

This is what I had as my first tool chest. http://m.sears.com/craftsman-4-drawer-portable-tool-chest/p-00935424000P
I used to live in an apartment, so I lugged this thing in and out when I needed it. It's a GREAT tool chest and I love that it has 4 actual drawers just like a stationary tool chest. The bad thing is that when this thing is FULL of tools, it gets really heavy. But being that you have an SUV, why can't you just leave it in the back of your truck and toss a blanket over it or something?

My current box has handles on the sides, it is technically portable. For a little while I did keep it in my trunk (I do have the privacy cover or whatever it's called that hides the contents of the trunk) but it just made me nervous. I live in a great neighborhood but you just never know. While working on my truck my hatch would be open and the toolbox would be in plain sight. Also all the rattling gets old after a while.

My current situation isn't the end of the world or anything, I was just curious and looking into a way to improve it.

 

[TwiztidPixel]

Little update, I saw this at Lowe's today on sale for $58 and picked it up. We'll see how it works out, but this is pretty much exactly what I wanted.

Sent from my ZTE Axon 7 using Tapatalk

 

[ScottyBoy]

That looks pretty sweet. Update us in a month or two and let us know how it's holding up after you fill it with about a hundred pounds of tools.

 

[TwiztidPixel]

It came in quite handy today, I might try to rig up some actual pneumatic tires on it though. The stairs outside are open faced so the little plastic ones worked meh.

 

[alexalex]

I also need a reliable portable tool box that I can get in and out of the truck and into and out of buildings with ease. I found some useful reviews here . It has helped me to I figure out what exactly I want, of the quality that I want

 

[Squirrelsmith]

this has served many a parking lot mechanic i'm sure
https://www.harborfreight.com/301-pc-mechanics-tool-set-63457.html

 

[xjsc16x]

I have this box and I love it. Got it for Christmas two years ago and use it almost daily. I always leave it in the back of my daily just in case I need to work on something.

It's a bit heavy for say something to bring to the junkyard with you, but a wheelbarrow will make that easier. My junkyard has a ton up front.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/...s-tool-set-with-75tooth-ratchet?taxon_id=1878

-Justin

 

[ScottyBoy]

I have this box and I love it. Got it for Christmas two years ago and use it almost daily. I always leave it in the back of my daily just in case I need to work on something.

It's a bit heavy for say something to bring to the junkyard with you, but a wheelbarrow will make that easier. My junkyard has a ton up front.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/...s-tool-set-with-75tooth-ratchet?taxon_id=1878

-Justin

My very first tool set was similar to that. I got it back in 1998ish back when all Craftsman hand tools were still actually made in the USA. I still have a good bit of the sockets, but the plastic case is LONG gone. I still have the ratchets, or else I have Craftsman ratchets that are about 20 years old. I can't say for sure if they are the original ones that were in that set or not. Lol
I ended up giving them to my 18 year old son and I an trying to get him to start building a tool collection.

 

[alexalex]

I'm on the same hunt here as you... I've finally gotten to the point where I have enough tools to require a box to organize them in. Thank you all for the recommendations, they are all pretty helpful as well as these reviews https://mentoolbox.com/good-tool-chests/ . I'm looking for something light with tons of pockets, splays out when you unzip it, and durable.

 

[sumo]

Whatever you can fit in your ride

 

[Tonyrodz]

Whatever you can fit in your ride

View attachment 204914

Ahh, the portable Snap On edition.

 

[sumo]

Toolboxes have wheels for a reason