Tool cases: Whaddaya got?

Tool cases: Whaddaya got?

Author
Discussion

Watchman

Original Poster:

6,391 posts

244 months

Saturday 13th September 2014
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I have collected a load of bike-specific tools over the years. In fact, I've collected a load of car-specific tools, computer-specific tools, home-DIY-specific tools AND bike-specific tools.

I like to keep them apart from each other. Yes, I might have a touch of the "obsessive" about me.

My car tools are semi-permanently located in a heavy box in the garage where I work on the car (not often since the Cerbera and Caterhams went). The DIY stuff is in the shed (where I hope to never use them again - I hate DIY). The computer tools are in my work bag (little more than a Leatherman and some odd accessories these days).

My bike tool collection needs to be portable, so I can take it wherever we go cycling. I was thinking of one of those Stanley Tote boxes with a removable "small parts" tray on top, like this:



The small parts tray will hold the various BB and cassette sockets. The bottom will hold the larger stuff but I have the full selection of Park Tools cone spanners. I'd have liked a set of drawers for these yet keeping the other features and portability.

Portability means "in the car" by the way. I don't need to carry this stuff when I'm actually on my bike.

What do you have?

yellowjack

17,065 posts

165 months

Sunday 14th September 2014
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I've got a bunch of my bike tools stored in a big orange 'suitcase' which used to be a defibrillator case, but was getting slung into a skip at work. Car tools are in various metal toolboxes finished in a natty 'olive drab' colour because they were getting scrapped too. Then there's the big red, ex-US Air Force, wheeled tool chest for all the spares, and stuff like the torque wrenches and oils/grease.

I really ought to thin out all the crap in the garage. It'd fit into fewer toolboxes, but I'm really bad for hoarding... getmecoat

T1berious

2,243 posts

154 months

Sunday 14th September 2014
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I've got 3 tool boxes, just the homebase own brand jobies. One huge one for DIY stuff, one portable smallish one for all the bike tools not big enough to take a park chain whip and a slightly bigger one for rarely used bike tools, headset installation tool and headset removal thingy etc.

Drills etc have there own boxes so they don't count smile

47p2

1,502 posts

160 months

Sunday 14th September 2014
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I needed more storage space for my bike tools and bit so started the hunt once again for a bargain Snap On box and this came up for sale. Once home I attacked it with thinners to remove the rattle can paint and used a hairdryer to remove the decals (original Snap On paint is extremely hard and the thinners does not harm it if care is taken)





After a couple of hours work I now have a tidy old box







I was offered a daddy toolbox at a price I couldn't refuse, big enough to hold all my bike parts and tools biggrin






WinstonWolf

72,857 posts

238 months

Sunday 14th September 2014
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Look at the JCB one in B&Q, I use one for my cycling tools.

I also have a general engineering toolbox, a fitting toolbox, a mechanics toolbox, a builders bag of tools, a computer toolkit, the list goes on and on and on smile

Risotto

3,926 posts

211 months

Sunday 14th September 2014
quotequote all
For bikes, I have this kit, although the actual box doesn't seem particularly specific to the tools inside and there's no specific place for particular tools. It has a removable top tray with a larger space underneath.



Watchman

Original Poster:

6,391 posts

244 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
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All - thanks for the suggestions. I especially like the Snap-On kit.

I already have quite a large collection of car tools in a massive steel drawer unit in the garage. I was after something I can throw into the boot of the car when we go out somewhere for the day - as well as keeping the bike tools all together.

I found that Stanley one cheap from ScrewFix, so picked it up. It's larger than I imagined (even though I'd seen the measurements) which turns out to be perfect for containing all the tools, tubes, hydraulic fluid & syringes, multi-tools, spare lights & batteries, various screws, and uncatalogued "bike stuff" all neatly segregated so I can find what I want without having to rifle through the other tools.

The lower compartment comes with no dividers but it does come with a piece of card cut to the right shape, so that you can make your own if you fancy. I do fancy so I'll sort something out regarding that in the next few days.

Your suggestions have made me think though - I have a load of bike related spares like handlebars, pedals, and other stuff you just wouldn't need as a portable tool kit but which needs storage, so I'm now looking at something bigger for the garage.

Soop Dogg

411 posts

234 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
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I bought one of these. Weatherproof, light without being flimsy and gives me flexible, portable storage for my bike tools.


Watchman

Original Poster:

6,391 posts

244 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
Looks like it might be a shade small for my purposes however I do like the cantilever shelving. What make is it? I might find a use for one. smile

Woody

2,187 posts

283 months

Friday 19th September 2014
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Slight hijack - but what do you guys use to carry tools when you're out and about on a long ride?

I was looking at something like this:



Only really needs to carry a multi-tool, chain link tool, spare cable, brake pads, quick link, tyre levers and puncture kit.

Dammit

3,790 posts

207 months

Friday 19th September 2014
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Arundel Tubi bag, fits neatly under the saddle, tube, pump, multitool etc:


Woody

2,187 posts

283 months

Friday 19th September 2014
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Dammit said:
Arundel Tubi bag, fits neatly under the saddle, tube, pump, multitool etc:

Not a bad shout - saves carrying it in my back pack! Hadn't thought of an under seat bag.

Soop Dogg

411 posts

234 months

Friday 19th September 2014
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Watchman said:
Looks like it might be a shade small for my purposes however I do like the cantilever shelving. What make is it? I might find a use for one. smile
It's amde by Stanley. It's wide enough to take Park pedal and BB spanners so not too small.

You can get it from Screwfix.

It's also strong enough that I have used it as a step without it even flinching. smile

Watchman

Original Poster:

6,391 posts

244 months

Friday 19th September 2014
quotequote all
I've just had a look - it *is* a decent box.

There's also one like mine but with a slightly different removable top-box which I also covet. My wife thinks I have a problem. She might be right.

Mine's 24" and slightly too short to attach my stirrup pump to it without it hanging over the ends and interfering with the handle. I might see if I can install a couple of terry clips to the back of it without compromising its integrity. Should be OK.

AyBee

10,522 posts

201 months

Friday 19th September 2014
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Timely revival of this since I was looking at tool boxes this morning for all my kit. What size are these boxes that people are looking at? I currently just have a plastic bag with my tools in but I'd prefer to be more organised smile

Watchman

Original Poster:

6,391 posts

244 months

Friday 19th September 2014
quotequote all
That was my problem. I had it all in a holdall which contained it but meant I had to remove everything to get to the one item I wanted.

Mine's a 24"er, M'Lady. wink

Inside it I've got:
  1. ~10 tubes of different sizes (I look after a lot of bikes)
  2. 1 litre Shimano hydraulic brake fluid, small drinks bottle for when I'm bleeding brakes, tube of red grease, small container of GT85
  3. Couple of spare front lights (superceded by the Ebay CREE lights but I keep them in case anyone else needs them)
  4. Couple of multitools
  5. Tyre levers
  6. Chain splitter
  7. Brake bleed syringes, fittings/couplings, hoses
  8. Full set of cone spanners
  9. Air fork pump
  10. Large adjustable spanner - big enough for old-style headset bolts
  11. Chain whip
  12. Selection of cassette and BB removal tools
  13. A few choice-sized spanners (7mm for brake nipples, 13mm for some seatposts and bike trailer bolts, 15mm for pedals)
  14. Full set of ball-ended allen keys
  15. Pliers and brake cable cutters
  16. Spoke keys
  17. A few odds and sods like tyre valve caps, washers, gromets
  18. Can of carb cleaner - cleans everything but beware of painted surfaces.
Truth is, I probably need to sort out what I'm likely to need to be portable vs what I would never even attempt unless I'm at home.

AyBee

10,522 posts

201 months

Friday 19th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks smile

Not sure I'm after something I'll carry with me, just something to keep all my tools in the same place and not have to go through drawers to find my tools when I need them hehe I wouldn't keep spare tubes in there but I think I probably have most of the other things you have so sounds like something in the region of 18-20" could be sensible.

Watchman

Original Poster:

6,391 posts

244 months

Friday 19th September 2014
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I take this lot camping and when a group of us (families) go away for the day. It gets left in the car but has been called into action in some way every single time.