Garage Shop: Tools

Start here and read for a little bit, we discussed it last month. I have tekton organizers and I'm a big fan.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/garage-shop-tools.589784/page-178#post-25163023

 

Fantastic! Thanks for the link.

 

I'm a fan of the standup style. Less dirt. The laydown's in my environment will collect dust, dirt, grinding flakes, dead flys etc...LOL.
I think they are easier to read too.
Zim

 

Enjoy seeing other bench vises. Probably the most used tool in my shop. Here is a Wilton/Snappy 1755 that I picked up a few years ago. It didn't have any of the badging or branding on it so I was able to score it for a good price. According to my research it is from the early 80s. It also has the "MADE IN USA 5 1/2" marked on the opposite side. A little paint and grease, replacement jaws from Wilton plus a phone call to SO for a replacement badge and she was put back in service. Wish it still looked this clean but she has taken a lot of abuse.

Let's see some more vises!

 

I've used these, only issue is hard to get them in metric.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Magnetic-Socket-Organizer/1000093357

 

Red one is the big work vise. "Morgan Chicago"

Blue one is the Westward home vise that I paid $100 from a guy who wrenched out of his home garage and owned more Snap-on than anyone I've ever seen. If he didnt have 100k in Snap-On boxes it was 200k worth. I've held off buying any more hand tools the last few years as I'm about to inheret my old mans boxes who's hanging it up after 40+ as an A&P Mechanic for Ups. I've never seen his work boxes and I'm excited to go through and see what alterations hes made to get by.

 

Wow! That is really cool. Please share on the thread when you can. My wife's grandfather passed away about 10 years ago (before I started dating her) and her grandmother gave away all of his old tools to a neighbor that was sniffing around. He was a steam fitter in Pennsylvania for many years and would I would have loved to have seen what all he had acquired. The garage was picked completely clean. There was barely more than a couple of screwdrivers left. That still makes me angry but she was planning on selling the house so I guess she thought it would save her some work...

 

3.5" Monster

 

Sorry if it's been a topic before - What is the general consensus on boxes? I've read some people saying that the HF ones, US General and Icon, are close enough to something more premium that it's worth it. What do ya'll think? Is it worth it for a weekend warrior to pony up the extra cash for a 'premium' brand?

 

It a matter of personal preference really if it’s not making you money than you have to look at it from another angle , having all your tool in one spot save you time and if your a weekend warrior as you say then time is possibly is short supply , maybe only weekends of if your Lucky . It nice going right to your tool box and having everything organized. It can be expensive but it pays for itself over time if you can get more done . Like myself I have a great setup at work but at home I have stuff it 2 different tool boxes and on some shelves and cabinets and it’s annoying. I just haven’t wanted to pony up the money for another tool box when I have already spent a great deal on my tool box at work .

 

Weekend warrior as well. I bought the HF 72" on sale for $999 and I'm really pleased with it.

 

I have a smaller US General from HF and it is great for the regular guy. I should have bought the larger one but I am still happy with it.

 

I bought one of these a few months ago, I wish I used it more often, it’s bright and works well, being it hangs in my service van a lot it doesn’t hold a charge for more than a week or so to be useful on big jobs. Fresh off the charger it’s awesome and last a couple hours.

 

I also have this as a recent purchase, and I really like this for under hood and in dark places
More of a flood than a projected beam, it’s pretty bright.

$45 Liteband ACTIV 520 Lumens LED Headlamp, Rechargeable Battery Powered, Bright Head Lamp Flashlight Hard Hat, Mechanic Lamps, Tactical Camping, Running, Best Rated Lights For Adults Forehead, Night

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KHT1GPX/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_K6ZG95QWYYN5D6VQ1043?_encoding=UTF8

 

Missed the recent socket discussion... Here’s my set up- I like to be able to be able to bring a set to where I am working.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/garage-shop-tools.589784/page-64#post-22091877

 

I’m happy with my HF box setup for what I have spent on it and the amount of space it brings.

No box from any manufacturer is perfect or exactly how you want it to be per se but I think the difference comes down to usage. DIY guy isn’t going to open the drawers 200x a day for a career and isn’t going to have the volume and weight in them that the pro mechanic or technician will.. if my HF box breaks in 10 years I’d be shocked. Snap On maybe lasts my lifetime, but for the average weekender, so will the HF boxes.

 

Check out Craigslist. You might be able to pick up a used premium box at a substantial discount from someone who is upgrading to a larger box. I got a used Snap-On box filled with Snap-On tools from a guy that was giving up wrenching to become a truck driver. He needed the money to pay for truck driving school.

 

I have had great Luck with The Snap On 26"bottom boxes .

I have them scattered all over the shop different tools in different boxes .Saved hours and lots of walking over the years.

Saved me lots of time a few were bought new most were used they all more then paid for themselves many times over .

It works for me and that is the important thing.

 

That is pretty slick. And a good use of otherwise unused space. I need everything inside the box though. My garage does multiple duties and one is a wood shop. Saw dust manages to get nearly everywhere that isn't closed up.