I have had it!! never again! You? Update June,16th,2015

As we mature (age - really), our attention span tends to decrease, and our focus tends to wander, like that of a youngster (child).  I like to think it's because of the vast areas of expertise each of us has acquired, although, I think there may be something else acting upon our ability to focus for long periods of time.  

A good start for most, would be a tote tray, for tools use the majority of the time.  This also has cans of screws and fasteners used a lot.

 EDIT: Can't find this box at Harbor....

Orange eaten, coffee drunk....after the repair is half a** completed...BEER or Black Label is in check

I've seen that box at HF, but I think it was a special purchase, as the last couple of times there I didn't see it on display.  They were trying to steal a page from Gerstner's wooden toolboxes, it actually looked pretty nice. 

Looks like they still have it on-line.

8 Drawer Wood Tool Chest

WOW..Thx John, I went to their site and did not find it but you did...

I am going to a local HF to see if they have one, @$80 I don't know where they find the wood to build it? is it solid wood or veneered wood? Amazing those Asian companies (I assume it is made in China)

I'm not sure what the wood is, I just saw it in passing at a local store some time back.  I noted the similarity to the one I have, as well as the low price of this one.  They are nice looking boxes, certainly a deal for $79.

Yes, one can easily see that they tried to copy the originals...I prefer real solid wood.

Forced to clean out the truck.  

Primary tools/tool pouch. Probably gets 90 to 95% of the work done.

Tools in the tool pouch.

Tools in the tote tray. Not a lot invested in this tool box.

Two nail aprons, with screws/ fasteners in one, and wire nuts crimp connectors the other.

Tote tray tools.

98% of the time I can make the day with the tools pictured.

Additional tools and supplies.  Long after the shine has worn off these tool cases. Light red tool box is a 1/2"  heavy duty drill, middle box, Sawzall, (reciprocating saw), and third box, not visible, is a masonary hammer drill with different size and lengths of bits. I did use this tool on the Mercer Junction Train Shop layout, located in the middle of the floor.  Power feed for the layout was supplied from below through a 6" concrete floor.

Parts boxes and slide rack, pictured above, are Klein Tool.  There are different partition configuration. Klein Tool also supplies a larger rack and trays.  Trays can easily be removed from the rack, note the very good locking clip and handle, front of tray. 

Two black boxes, Dewalt Hammer drill driver and Dewalt impact driver. Note the 6 ft wood step ladder below the tool box deck.  Lower right of the wood tool box deck is a frame square, usually where the 4 ft level is stored, and a framing hand saw, used mostly to cut PVC conduit.

Wood storage, built long ago, general electrical parts storage.

On occasion I add a set of saw horses to the truck, there is a 6 ft step ladder below the tool boxes, and extension ladder on the roof for those tall model railroad layouts.

Though it takes some cash to get there. This shop has done work in Boston, and Vermont, both the greatest distance from home.

Get's it done.

 Mike CT

My main work bench in the basement is here I do heavy repairs and at right angle to it is my old reloading bench, both deep in parts, bits and pieces plus debris so as to be almost non-functional. Upstairs in my LR part of the house next to my layout I have a pile of hand tools for train repair and along a wall is a stash of small containers full of miscellaneous "stuff" used for the trains and layout where I can get to it. My place is one big man cave, the way God meant it to be.

I'm in the same boat my work area is a mess but mostly because I have very little spare room. I need to regroup none the less to at least be organized.

You know you're in trouble when the workbench is larger than the layout!

I bought one of the HF boxes about a month ago. It was on sale and I had a 20% off coupon. Ended up paying $63 tax included.

This is Why I built this!!!! and sometimes it still looks like your before picture.  I sometimes call a time out and start over again!!!!

Wow...can't beat that with a stick!!!!

 

Originally Posted by zwbob:

I bought one of the HF boxes about a month ago. It was on sale and I had a 20% off coupon. Ended up paying $63 tax included.

 

 

"you can't beat that with a stick", have not heard that in years.  Only to be accompanied with "whuped with an ugly stick" since we're talking about flogging with sticks.  

I use the archaeology method of organizing my tools.  If I can remember how long ago that I used the tool, I know how deep to dig for it.  

Three photos of my workbench in my home office which is located along the wall behind my desk.  Used for train projects and other jobs that are not dirty, dusty or smelly..  Those are taken out to my workbench in the garage.

I have no repair space, spare table space, any space whatsoever. So I use a shoe caddy on the back of the door. Necessity is a mother, and all that.

Well, I did another upgrade....Got this one last week. This seems to be a lot better quality than the one sold by HF. So far it holds all my Train tools and then some. But the Soldering station is too high even in the top....

Some times having less tools is better.  I use a small table and I have the basic tools I need and that is it.

Any crafting is done in a different location where I can brainstorm with tools and materials.  BUT the basic disassembly and repair is done with a small set of tools, and a solder station.   G

Went to Costco yesterday. They didn't have it. Don

I ordered the Costco toolbox on-line, just got it today.  Shipping was free, so I just paid the $39.97 and the $2.40 tax.  Note that it showed out of stock, so I just said back-order, and it was shipped a couple of days later.

Very nice toolbox and a bargain at the price!  It's nicer than the HF one at little more than half the price!

It must have been a closeout, it used to be $99.99!  http://costcocouple.com/trinity-wood-tool-chest/

Warehouse system has that item (922281) on a delete status.  So it's likely on closeout (ending in a $0.87 or $0.97 price) and if it's not in stock at the warehouse store will not be replenished unless it is a seasonally stocked.  I think I saw these in store last Christmas season.

Well, it was a dynamite deal for $40, I can tell you that!

I want one of those Harbor Freight wood boxes bad.  If you have more money and room check these out.

Grizzly wood tool chest

They have a lot of great tools as well.

That's right John, great quality for the price. My local Costco now even has them for less than $40, I do not know why? but I could not resist to pick up another one and I'll go back for a price adjustment for the first one....

No Cosco's in my area, but Harbor Freight has theirs on sale. If you can use their 20 percent off coupon, it would bring the price down to around $64. Wood tool chest.

If I had a place for it, I'd probably purchase one. My shop is out of space.