Tool cases: Whaddaya got?
Discussion
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Inside it I've got:
Mine's a 24"er, M'Lady.
Inside it I've got:
- ~10 tubes of different sizes (I look after a lot of bikes)
- 1 litre Shimano hydraulic brake fluid, small drinks bottle for when I'm bleeding brakes, tube of red grease, small container of GT85
- Couple of spare front lights (superceded by the Ebay CREE lights but I keep them in case anyone else needs them)
- Couple of multitools
- Tyre levers
- Chain splitter
- Brake bleed syringes, fittings/couplings, hoses
- Full set of cone spanners
- Air fork pump
- Large adjustable spanner - big enough for old-style headset bolts
- Chain whip
- Selection of cassette and BB removal tools
- A few choice-sized spanners (7mm for brake nipples, 13mm for some seatposts and bike trailer bolts, 15mm for pedals)
- Full set of ball-ended allen keys
- Pliers and brake cable cutters
- Spoke keys
- A few odds and sods like tyre valve caps, washers, gromets
- Can of carb cleaner - cleans everything but beware of painted surfaces.
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