Should I add this to my tool chest?

KenSilver · 09-15-03, 07:16

I've got a Powerbuilt small tool chest, red with silver trays, nice design and manufacture, very similar to many that I see in garages here in this section.

And now I'm considering buying the larger matching bottom tool chest with trolley wheels.

But the problem is I'm not a mechanic. In fact, I only use about a handful of spanners, a few screwdrivers and a torque wrench at all... I'm mainly a detailer at heart.

So, I guess I'm answering my own question, but - will the bottom chest be a good investment for me, or is it mainly for serious workers? The lure of a serious matching tool chest is strong - I mean - it LOOKS useful and purposeful - but maybe for me would be more decoration.

I've managed to fill the small chest with the tools I have, a 50 pce socket set (of which I've only use 3 sockets!) and assorted other tools. Powerbuilt have a series of fitted cases complete with tools, but I can't really see me using anything there.

What does everyone else use theirs for? And am I being seduced by the concept and looks of a pro garage?

Ken Silver
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1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas), 1991 Miata MX5 ...Finish polishing them, then start all over again...

PAW · 09-15-03, 07:27

Well, it depends. If you've got the space and the $, go for it.

Else, buy more detailing supplies!

Now, if you're detailing supplies will fit in the cabinet?!?!

It's all really about figuring out your priorities. If how your garage looks is high on your priority list, buy the cabinet. Just keep it locked so you don't look like a poser. Me, I'd like an epoxy floor in the garage but it's not worth the $ or the potential headaches with peeling. To me it is a garage, after all. A place I park the cars, do a little detailing and some home projects. Good luck with your decision.

KenSilver · 09-15-03, 09:20

Paw,

Good points. With some objects of desire I have this inner turmoil of cost vs wants, and invariably I wish later I had gone and bought the item.

So maybe I will this time.

One of the factors I've pondered over since posting this question is the 'grow-into' stage. When you buy something that doesn't seem useful at the time because it's too sophisticated for your use, sometimes later you change your interest or skill set and find a use for it.

For example, I never thought I'd have the use of a 2 ton hydraulic jack. Bought one anyway a couple of years back because it was so darn cheap and a nice color red

Not the right reason, I know.

Then my detailing interest took off a few months back - mainly through Autopia - and I discovered I needed the jack to take the wheels off my 2 ton Merc to clean behind them.

Then I needed a torque wrench to tighten the wheel nuts to manufacturer's specs, and so it goes on.

So I'll probably find the use for 15 different screwdrivers that Powerbuilt supply in their nice organizer trays, but right now it's eye candy... I like the neat way they're all set out.

Ken Silver
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1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas), 1991 Miata MX5 ... Finish detailing them, then start all over again...

PAW · 09-15-03, 09:37

I understand the cost vs want or need vs want. I got my '03 Acura with the DVD navigation system. Yea, it added a $2000 to the price and I only use it 1 - 2 times a month but it's really neat. It make the interior look cool also. Hopefully, I'll be starting my own kitchen cabinet refinishing/refacing business within a year. A big part of the business will be going to potential customer's homes to do estimates. Then this will be the best thing since sliced bread. If the sample cases will fit in the trunk! When I brought the car, this business wasn't even a thought.

The Powerbuilt organizer tray sound great! I hate digging through the tool box.

KenSilver · 09-15-03, 10:33

Paw,

I'm with you on the GPS! I bought a Garmin eMap (for portability) a couple years back with CD's for USA and Britain, and it's the most useful thing I've ever used on my overseas trips.

Amazing how another country or city opens right up when you know where you're going - and more importantly when you know you can get back!

But I'm still struggling on the Powerbuilt trolley cabinet. It cost the equivalent of US$550 in our country (US$800 all up), and that's an awful lot for just tool storage space. I have one wall of my 2-car garage lined with specialized head-high plastic cabinets, and these are just fine for my detailing stuff and other odds, but tools are another matter.

Ah well, what the heck - I've lost that value in tools that I've neglected over the years because I didn't have a decent storage space for them, so guess I'll make the move tomorrow.

Hey - good luck with your pending kitchen business. There's nothing like being your own boss!

Ken Silver
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1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas), 1991 Miata MX5 ... Finish detailing them, then start all over again...

KenSilver · 09-16-03, 12:24

ejant,

Funnily enough it is full, all except for 2 of the 3 smaller top drawers and the area on top that holds the pull out tool box. So I don't think it will take too long to fill that.

As well, I have discovered more tools that I'm keeping in the garage storage areas - amazing what you find when you do a 'tool audit!'

I think I'll take the risk and buy the bottom section, even though it has more space than I need at the moment. It will fill up - and after all, it's a quality unit that should last for many years.

And as an obsessive neatnik, there's nothing like having everything to hand when you need it, easily accessible.

Ken Silver
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1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas), 1991 Miata MX5 ... Finish detailing them, then start all over again...

KenSilver · 09-16-03, 10:51

OK - made the decision and bought it - arrives after the weekend.
I have bought the 5 drawer trolley unit that I can put my smaller 6 drawer tool chest on, and it has the advantage of having 2 deep drawers. That will be very useful for larger items that are too heavy for my storage cupboards.

Next step is lighting. The journey never ends!

Ken Silver
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1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas), 1991 Miata MX5 ... Finish detailing them, then start all over again...

Spilchy · 09-17-03, 07:34

Is that a rhetorical question?

If you have to ask if you need to add something to your tool chest, then the answer is obviously yes, regardless of what it is.

Nothing beats that red 2 ton jack you bought that you don't use, huh? Are you not the envy of all the guys on the block. You can put your foot up on it, beer in hand, and proudly call that baby yours!

KenSilver · 09-17-03, 12:36

Spilchy,

I guess I was looking for encouragement for my decision, yes, but writing my problem down and getting feedback of any sort is way better than paying for a shrink

However, as I've gone down along the decision-making road with this tool chest over the past few days, it's been a interesting journey.

For starters, in the past I've always compromised on my buying decisions by never buying full sets of equipment, but just the stuff to do the job at hand. So I have an eclectic selection of tools which are really a mishmash of quality and purpose.

What I see I need now is not only a good tool set that will last me many years, but also storage that is durable and lasting.

In the past this has been a collection of plastic holdalls and a small steel tool box without compartments. It reflects my life and its penny pinching attitude.

So the Powerbuilt is going to change my long term thinking - but I had to get to the first step.

The other part of the decision was figuring out what I needed when I wasn't going to do any mechanical work... as a non-mechanic I don't even do oil changes on my cars - they're way too expensive to mess around with.

But that decision has been made for me as I sorted through my collection and remembered what I had bought each bit for. I AM going to need a reasonable set of tools, and so too the chest to fit them. Problem solved.

It's coming Monday and I have its parking space reserved!

But no-one here has said what they keep in their tool box - maybe that's another thread?

Ken Silver
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1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas), 1991 Miata MX5 ... Finish detailing them, then start all over again...

KenSilver · 09-19-03, 03:44

My trolley chest arrived this morning. No regrets!

I bought a Bosche cordless drill today, and it fits nicely in the bottom drawer. This is more fun than I thought.

Ken Silver
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1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas), 1991 Miata MX5 ... Finish detailing them, then start all over again...

banzaitoyota · 09-19-03, 04:48

It has only just begun!!!

Accumulator · 09-19-03, 09:00

KenSilver- *I* think you're gonna find that it was a good investment. I have my buddy's old (well, 1970's) roll-away from back when we souped up our own cars (he graduated to something MUCH bigger). When I got it from him I thought I'd NEVER fill it, especially since these days most of my cars get serviced by others (it has only auto-centric stuff in it). Well, now I'm faced with what ejant warned about- it's overflowing and I might need to get something bigger!

What's in it (bottom section/big drawers) now? Off the top of my head: hammers/mallets (including my trusty dead-blow and the hand sledge), greasegun, electronic tools (nothing fancy- circuit testers, ohm meter, etc.), fluid extractor, pry bars, a few airtools and their accessories, thread-restoring tools.