I’m always looking for better, more efficient carriers for hauling tools to the job site.
I’m wondering what others have found to be the best means of getting tools, fasteners, etc. to the job site — minimizing trips back to the truck.
I recently came across a link for a tool carrier, called VETO PRO PAC. Their stuff looks terrific, but expensive — the largest is $150. Has anyone bought one of these things? Are they as good as they look?
http://www.vetopropac.com/home.html
Replies
I prefer to stay in the shop and avoid all onsite installations at all costs. But I see it addressed all the time in FHB, Breaktine...
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/ This a good free publication for the tradesperson
http://www.duluthtrading.com
nikki,
A friend of mine uses empty drywall compound buckets. He has different ones stocked with electrical, plumbing, sheetmetal, and carpentry tools.
I get a catalog from time to time from a company called (I think) Duluth Trading Post. They have a whole line of products dedicated to contractors' on site gear. In addition to tool bags and clothing, they have an assortment of what they call "bucket buddies" that fit into 5 gal buckets. Canvas or nylon liners, with pockets for tools etc. Also ones dedicated to storage/transport of fasteners. They even have a mini version that fits a coffee mug to keep pens and pencils organized on your desk/bench-real cute.
Regards,
Ray
Home Depot and Lowes carry a wide range of tool carrying stuff.........everything from the bucket buddy style that fit a 5 gal. bucket to "suitcases" designed to carry tools and equipment. They should also have a variety of wheeled units with drawers, etc.
Personally, I have two of the bucket style carriers for general use, two plastic tool boxes for plumbing and electrical stuff, and several of the plastic milk crates for other tools, etc.
Even with all these, I still use my hip pockets. - lol
I own a few of the Duluth bags and plan to purchase a few more. They are great quality and priced much better than Veto Pros Bags. My only complaint is the saw scabard, it's a little short for my Stanley Crosscut saw. I used to use buckets, but have replaced them and most of the molded boxes new power tools come in with Deluth bags.
Jim
Coventry Woodworking
I recently bought a bag from HD -- kind of a cross between a Bucket Boss and an old fashion tool box -- for $35.
It has a shoulder strap, but also has a hard handle, and a scabbard for a tool box saw. It has a multitude of pockets on the inside and outside, and a couple of Velcro straps for a 2' level.
Altogether, it is very intelligently designed, and the price is right.
Depending on the complexity of the job, I sometimes end up making 3 or even 4 trips to gather what I need from the truck -- hand tools, power tools, cordless drills, nailers, fasteners etc.
It occurred to me that someone most have a more efficient system of getting all this stuff to the job site and minimizing the number of back and forth trips. Maybe some kind of set- up with a 2 wheeler.........
I bought the same one, and I love it. I think it's got the Husky name on it....it's black and red. Fits all my hand tools and then some. I'm sticking with it.
I use a Plano tool box, has 2 top trays that are removable, can use it as a stool, and step stool.
Fasteners- use the Zag organizers with the individual inserts that I can pull out and take where I need - the black organizers with the yellow or red inserts.
use a bag for my drills and batteries.
I have a few tool bags lying around, abandonded them after a while - too messy.
Hey nikkiwood,
I've got a canvas and leather riggers bag, a Bucket organizer, and a CLC ToolWorks tool carrier all from Duluth Trading. The prices were reasonable between $19.00 and $37.00. Oh, almost forgot, I've also got a lunchbox from them also!
Those daring young men in their flying machines!
Edited 11/2/2004 8:19 pm ET by f4phanatic
I'm also considering the Veto Propac because I'm tired of digging through layers of stuff in my tool bags. Besides, the flexibility of soft-sided bags can make the inside pockets less than handy. A friend of mine has the original Veto Propac (they sold only one size for quite a while) and loves it. What's appealing to me is the vertical storage and the fact that the sides are stiff enough to remain upright, making access easier.
I like handcrafted wood toolboxes with dovetailed joinery, fitted drawers, and dedicated niches for dovetail saws, planes and the like. The problem is their weight. I've been sketching designs for a collection of stacking wood toolboxes that interlock and have integral wheels and a retractable handle (tendonitis of the elbow flares up whenever I hand carry heavy objects more than a few feet). When I get it built I'll let you know.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
I actually saw my first Veto Pro Pac the other day --it was the middle size Model XL (about $100). They also have a longer model (XXL) which I have not seen; from what I can see it has the same stand up tool storage, but has a open space in the middle (like a standard tool box). this one goes for about $150.
It was very well made, and I was surprised to find that it was quite heavy -- even without any tools. I did not especially like the zip-up flaps on either side; they seem to be there mainly for job site security, but I thought (for my purposes) they were just in the way.
I would be very interested to have your ideas for a set of stacking boxes; I made a set of five nesting boxes (each about 5" H x 18" L x 12" W), which I am using now as a kind of prototype set-up. At the moment, I use a collapsible 2 wheeler to haul them around, but haven't used them enough to know if they will be all that great long-term.
I use a fairly large canvas log carrier, closed on the ends so things don't fall out. Pack it with what I need and huff it to the house for the days fun.
Enjoy, Roy
All my portable power tools and accessories are in Contico plastic boxes. These boxes are weather proof and will hold more than you want to carry. I have a box dedicated to each tool group; drills, router, sawzall, sanders, etc. I have tried clones of Contico but they leaked or the hardware rusted.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Re: Contico boxes
I did a Google search and found that Contico has a gazzilion types. Could you point me to a link to the box you have found most useful?
Do you just carry the boxes you need from the truck to the job site, or have you tried some sort of two-wheeler arrangement -- maybe one of those collapsable types that Lee Valley is selling?
Also, do you use a conventional tool box for your hand tools?
I use the structural foam boxes with no little gizmo compartments on the top. I have an open pickup. My 26" drill box holds a screwgun, electric drill, right angle drill, battery drill and a big assortment of bits. Sometimes I just grab the battery and a small box of the most used bits and drivers. Other times I bring in the whole box. I have a dozen of these boxes in different sizes and colors, although they don't still make some of the models. I grab what ever box or boxes are needed for the job. I find them in unlikely places as well as HD, Wall Mart? they say "Tuff Box". Just for extra leak insurance, I put a dab of silicone on the handle rivets.
I have an aluminum side box on the truck that I use for chains, jacks, crow bars and things that a little rust won't hurt. My hand tools are in a bucket boss. I've had all kinds of hand tool boxes but I like having a single pocket for each tool. Keep it light and they are easy to carry with you. I have to keep it out of the weather or cover it with a bag. Not a good place for nice chisels or planes. I've tried to eliminate a bunch of useless junk in all my tool carriers but I have to clean them out regularly.
I also use the manufacturers boxes for some power tools, nail guns, jig saw, but they can't be left in the weather either. I have a bucket stacker system for a wide variety of fasteners, just make sure it doesn't go rolling.
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Lawn_and_Garden-Storage_and_Sheds-All-Contico_26_in_Tool_Box_59235
http://www.contico.com/hard-toolb-pro-sf.htm
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks for the links. For some reason, the Epinions link would not work. But the Contico came up, and I think I get the idea.
Thanks again.
bump ...
Earlier this month I raised the issue of tool carriers, and specifically the one made by Veto Pro Pac.
I decided to spring for a Veto -- the model XL, for a $120.
I cleaned everything from a Husky bag (the $35 one from HD), and still had room to spare, even though it is way more compact than the Husky.
For that kind of money, you'd expect the thing to be well made -- and it is. Head and shoulders above anything else I've seen -- CLC, Bucket Boss stuff, the HD Husky bags, etc. Only time will tell how it holds up, but it looks like something you would end up handing down to your kid.
But what impressed me most was the careful thought that went into its design. There is a nice combination of smaller pockets for specific tools -- torpedo, screwdrivers, channelock, etc -- and wider pockets that will hold two or three pliers, for instance. Each side is identically configured with pockets. There's a 2-3" kind of tray at the bottom of the bag on each side, which is just long enough to comfortably fit a hammer, Wonder bar.
At first, I didn't see the logic of the zippered cover on each side, and thought it would just get in the way. The bag has a slightly triangular shape (when looking at it from the end), and when the flaps are zippered up, it is really easy to carry -- no tools hitting the side of your leg, doorways. The handle is big and substantial, and they also provide a heavy duty shoulder strap.
For years I made my own carriers in different configurations; they worked very well, but were always too heavy.I also tried the bucket bags, but found them too haphazard for my tastes. I justified the rather steep expense of the Veto because I simply can't make a carrier that will take this quantity of tools, and hold them in well designed, compact bag. Now every tool has its own place, and I can tell at a glance if anything is missing.
Seeing a picture of this bag doesn't do it justice; you really have to load this thing up with your tools to appreciate it.
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