Fill my (tool)box

YJJPWrangler

YJJPWrangler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Location
Charlotte
Picked up a larger toolbox from a buddy who was consolidating his stuff. Went from a small 3 drawer top/4drawer bottom box to a large Kobalt with 5 top/5 bottom. My stuff is finally organized but there's a lot of space left. I have a good selection of screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, ratchets/sockets etc. I know I need to pick up some deep well sockets. Any suggestions or must have tools?
 
Start expanding your specialty plier collection. If you work on vehicles start investing in test equipment like; compression tester, cylinder leak down, vacuum, fuel pressure, etc and other things like large axle nut sockets, slide hammer, various pullers and bearing and seal installers and the list goes on lol
 
Voltmeter, wiring connections, heat shrink, heat gun. I hit that drawer almost every mod I do.
 
Flex sockets. Not ujoint but ball and socket flex type. I buy harbor freight. They have made some difficult things so much easier.

Buy internal and external torx set, metric and standard Allen socket set. Just for specialty stuff.
 
Ratchet wrenches, good quality punches, and a cordless impact. Also a cheap set of really big sockets and wrenches for oddball stuff like transfer case output and pinion nuts.
 
All great suggestions. I have a good bit of everything already listed but need to add some variety. I have a buddy that already has most of the specialty tools so I might be ok there. I need to get my air compressor back up and running. It can handle moderate use of air tools so I need to start building a good supply of tools.
 
Specialty tools are the killer.
I have a couple of friends who are AV mechanics.
Their hammer drawers are epic!
1 of them has a 9ft wide tool box ..... with 1 drawer just for hammers!

Matt
 
sgtbriangreen said:
For all of my 1/2 drive stuff, I just get impact sockets. No need to duplicate regular sockets and impact.
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I have often had to use a regular 1/2 socket, instead of a impact socket, due to side clearance. I just make sure to buy the ones with a warranty!
 
I have never bought tools, just to fill up space, but, I bought tools needed to do a specific job. I may have only used them once, for that job, and never again, but, it was still cheaper than paying someone to do it for me, or borrowing a tool from a friend. I don't like to borrow, but I have, I don't like to lend, but I have, but only to a trusted few. Most tools(had tools) from the big box stores offer lifetime warranties, so get those. Having multiple sets or most used tools, is a bonus. Break one, but your not dead waiting to get it replaced. I'd used one of the drawers just to throw warrantied sockets, screw drivers, ratchets and so on in, and then, when the opportunity arises, go get them all replaced.
 
upnover said:
I have never bought tools, just to fill up space, but, I bought tools needed to do a specific job. I may have only used them once, for that job, and never again, but, it was still cheaper than paying someone to do it for me
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This is how I look at it also.
 
My goal isn't to fill the space just for the sake of filling it. I want to add stuff that I can and will use. One of my biggest pet peeves is having to stop a job halfway through to run to advance or lowes to pick up a $15 tool. I am also putting together a set of trail tools for whenever the Willys is up and running
 
Parrot bill vise grips,they clamp on the flats harder to strip off like the normal. Again a small 4" an medium size pipe wrench. Great for strip bolts ,studs.
 
If the compressor is barely up to the job save some cash and go electric impact for the big stuff. Not cordless either unless you will use it often. Batteries on any cordless stuff seem to go bad just as quickly from lack of use. 110 volt and it's always ready.

Right invertor on a rig and it's now portable.
 
YJJPWrangler said:
My goal isn't to fill the space just for the sake of filling it. I want to add stuff that I can and will use. One of my biggest pet peeves is having to stop a job halfway through to run to advance or lowes to pick up a $15 tool. I am also putting together a set of trail tools for whenever the Willys is up and running
Click to expand...

Sad part is, even when you think you have all you need, times will still pop up when you need that one tool you don't have!
Sometimes, you will go buy it, sometimes, you will re-arrange some molecules, and make something that will work!
I still have a galvanized pipe, that I cut out to create notches, for changing out some ball joints. And for the life of me, can't remember what vehicle. But, I kept it! Also have a piece of PVC pipe, a coupler, that was strictly for tapping in seals in a Ford 9"
 
Stuntman Autoworks said:
Start expanding your specialty plier collection. If you work on vehicles start investing in test equipment like; compression tester, cylinder leak down, vacuum, fuel pressure, etc and other things like large axle nut sockets, slide hammer, various pullers and bearing and seal installers and the list goes on lol
Click to expand...
Sounds pretty stuff to collect.
 
rockcity said:
1 drawer dedicated to 9/16" wrenches and sockets of every variety you can find. And another for just 1/2".

Use the rest of the space for nudie pics! :lol:
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I swear the amount of 9/16" and 1/2" wrenches and sockets seem to multiply every year:lol:

WARRIORWELDING said:
If the compressor is barely up to the job save some cash and go electric impact for the big stuff. Not cordless either unless you will use it often. Batteries on any cordless stuff seem to go bad just as quickly from lack of use. 110 volt and it's always ready.

Right invertor on a rig and it's now portable.
Click to expand...

The compressor has a leak from the small line that runs to the regulator from the tank. I need to replace the line. The compressor is a 21gal with a 2.6hp motor. It can run air tools but I would love to upgrade to a bigger compressor in the future. I have a dewalt battery impact that does pretty well but my batteries need to be replaced in the near future.
 
YJJPWrangler said:
I swear the amount of 9/16" and 1/2" wrenches and sockets seem to multiply every year:lol:



The compressor has a leak from the small line that runs to the regulator from the tank. I need to replace the line. The compressor is a 21gal with a 2.6hp motor. It can run air tools but I would love to upgrade to a bigger compressor in the future. I have a dewalt battery impact that does pretty well but my batteries need to be replaced in the near future.
Click to expand...

Talk to @Paul , he just had some batteries rebuilt at a place in Charlotte. At a greatly reduced price over new ones.
 
Haven't read all of these, but what's the old saying...If it moves, and shouldn't, you need duct tape. If it doesn't move, and should, you need a BFH. Should be about all you need. Beyond that, my bottom box, I'm cordless swapping the world right now, on everything I can. Still have some select air tools. Lots of hammers. Wrenches 1"+. Middle 3 drawer top drawer 1/4" ratchet/sockets, middle- 3/8, bottom 1/2". Top box are screw drivers, tap & dies, <1" wrenches, allens, torx, bulbs, nuts/bolts, fuses. Side hanger are automotive specific tools and custom/home made tools.
 
Aside from the typical wrench, screwdriver, socket and ratchet sets;
It's been said, but pliers (snap ring, needle nose, channel locks, pipe wrenches small, large.. all the pliers), pullers (pickle fork, two arm, three arm, big, small... all the pullers), clamps (C clamps, vise grips, big, small) race install tool has been super nice to have, also finally bought a bearing packer after years of doing it by hand which has also been super nice to have, a good set of chisels and drifts, a brass drift has been nice to have on hand.
Ratcheting crimpers and auto strippers for wiring, small torch for heat shrink.
I'm on the fence on click style torque wrench (have a 1/2 and 3/8), kinda wish I had bought digital with a torque to yield function.
Digital caliper.
A good pick set.
Air hammer with an assortment of attachments is nice to have on hand.
I use my dremmel more than I probably should.
I use my small cordless 1/4" impact A LOT.

Abrasives (sandpaper, emery cloth, scotch brite) and solvents.
 
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