Carrying and Storing Tools

Lugging around your tools

There are a seemingly endless number of ways to bring your tools to and from your jobsite or work area. Pros and cons of each type exist. There is no real right or wrong way so long as you get the job done. I've bought and tried more kinds of tool carriers than I care to admit. If you're just starting out it can seem daunting with all the options. Here's my overview on the what, when and where these various carriers have come in handy.

Pouch

By far my go to. It holds just enough to get most any job done, or at least be able to swiftly get across the facility to the problem area and assess if other tools are needed without wasting time lugging around a whole bunch of extras. Some can fit in your pants pocket. Others loop through your belt or hook to your pants. I always bring a pouch to any job no matter how big or small. You'd be surprised how many tools you can stuff in a 4-pocket pouch without it being overwhelmingly heavy. Some also have a loop or t hook for you to carry around electrical and teflon tape.

Pros: Lightweight, highly maneuverable with it on, cheap.

Cons: It will never have everything; at times you'll have to run back to the shop.

Open Top Bag

These are a step up. You could probably fit most hand tools outside of a full wrench set and still have room for drills, wire nuts, multimeters and any spare parts you think you need. They tend to have a large open space in the center under the handle with several smaller pockets throughout the side. You won't be hooking this onto your clothes. Bigger than a pouch but still in the size range of being able to carry it under normal conditions. Additionally, the handle can be tied with a rope for lifting it up onto a roof with less hassle than some of the other options.

Pros: A larger capacity while still being able to carry around.

Cons: It is considerably bulky. Your stamina will get used up quickly carrying this around all day.

Tool Backpacks

These tend to be more of a specialty carrier. Yes, they are very useful for carrying around a large number of tools in a very comfortable manner. I would hate to walk with dozens of pounds of tools on my back all day. These are great for going onto a roof. Climbing with these on aren't a big deal. If you would rather hoist it up, a rope can be secured around the straps of handle, with some brands even having a hook built in for this exact purpose. Most have a spot for a laptop or tablet, as they were designed to let a tech or mechanic carry everything they need for the job. No need to go back downstairs to complete your work orders. The base of many will be rubberized to make them water resistant, since you'll likely be outside if you're using this bag.

Pros: Very large capacity for something you carry, great for roofs, has a spot for laptop.

Cons: Not for all day use. Very heavy.

Tool Boxes

Large boxes

The toolbox has the widest range of shapes and sizes of any other type of tool carrier. Some are big enough to fit an entire garage worth of tools. These sized one, while being on casters for being able to move more easily, are a hassle to attempt to bring around the workplace. These large ones belong in the shop, keeping the majority of your tools stored and being handy for the inevitable shop work you'll have to be doing. These are great for long term storage and security.

Pros: Largest capacity of any option, can fit a whole crews' tools, locks.

Cons: Too large for practical mobility. Costs tend to start in the thousands.

Medium Boxes

Stepping slightly down in size, the mid-sized toolboxes tend to have 4 or 5 drawers and a flip up top. They will also have a large shelf just above the casters. Unless you have a large number of power tools or oversized tools, this will fit everything you need for any job with extra room for parts on the shelf. Additionally, the top can act as a mobile work surface. This size box is pretty much the sweet spot it you're required to have all your tools on you at all times. Being lite enough to push long distance without too much effort and large enough to keep damn near everything.

Pros: Maneuverable, locks, large capacity, easy to move parts and materials with the shelf and top.

Cons: It is pretty bulky, can't get into tight spaces, can't go up and down ladders.

Small Boxes

Now onto the smallest size toolboxes. These you can easily carry by hand. They may be a little heavy if you have one made of thick steel. They also come in plastic, cutting down on weight and making it more waterproof. The capacity of these tends to be near the range of open top bags. Usually smaller since you will have trouble carrying this if it's not closed properly, limiting the size of what can go inside. Despite the lack of capacity, it makes up for with security. These boxes will either have a built-in lock, or a place for you to secure your own.

Pros: Small enough to move around with, locks, can be waterproof.

Cons: Space inside is limited, needs to be closed to safely carry.

Other Options

Buckets

The humble bucket. You find them everywhere. They are cheap or even free in many cases. They hold a great amount of weight, are waterproof and pretty robust. You can fight a large number of tools inside with or without the lid. If you decide to modify it to make it fit your load out and mess up, it's easy and cheap enough to get another. Some companies even make bags specifically that hang off the side or take up the interior with pockets on the side. It is a great budget friendly option. You can easily rope it onto a roof.

Pros: Cheap, waterproof, large capacity.

Cons: Handles aren't great for prolonged carrying, not the most organized.

Milk Crates

Another cheap or often free option. Like the bucket it can fit a large amount of tools. Unlike the bucket though, you may need to add a liner to it so your smaller tools don't fall through the holes. Using an old bag, cardboard, sheet metal or wood can easily fill these gaps. The crates stack easily. If you combine crafts with a dolly, you have a very lightweight and mobile set up. It also doubles as a seat, when need be, if you don't mind dumping your tools for the moment. The handles allow a rope to be pulled onto a rooftop.

Pros: Cheap, large capacity.

Cons: Holes for materials to fall through, needs to be combined with dolly to be effective.

Whatever is Lying Around

This is for those with too much time on their hands, excess creativity, a desire to make it better or some special need that can't be solved with what's commercially available. You may use a combination of the other options or use something entirely differently. 

Load up a hand truck with bucket at the bottom. Fill the bucket with plastic cups filled with the different kinds of fasteners and consumables you'll need. On top of the bucket a milk crate is stuffed with a motor, bearing or whatever large part you need. On top of the milk crate is a small size toolbox. All of these are secured with bungee cords for easy loading and unloading. You now have a mobile shop.

I've seen this principle taken to brilliant extremes. One mechanic who didn't want to go to the shop often used two old mail carrier totes on a hand truck. Each was filled to the brim with all the most commonly used parts and fasteners for the jobs he was assigned. He built some brackets and welded them to the frame to hold a pouch that would be too heavy to carry all day. He built dividers into his pouch to further compartmentalize this operation to the point anyone could walk up and know where every tool went without thinking. All this allowed him to quickly move around the property, it was thin enough to go through doorways and had large air-filled wheels.

Another mechanic, who was the one staff electrician made a mini electric shop from an old maid's cart. He installed several outlets to the middle shelf. All his power tools could be charged at the jobsite. The bottom shelf held drills, saws and lights. On the top he built a box to hold all the screws, fittings, bits, taps and other common electrical consumables. On the front of the cart, a milk crate filled with large parts that wouldn't fit elsewhere. Above it, was several rolls of 12-gauge wire, fish tape and conduit benders. The back was kept mostly clear so he could push without banging his knees. The side had some loops of chain that allowed for bundles of conduit to be held. There were more features over time, this thing was a monster. It was heavy. It got the job done though.

Pros: It's free

Cons: Free stuff always isn't in the best condition

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many options available to you. Some cheap or free. Others too expensive or bulky to be useful for starting out. These aren't even all the options, but I won't speak for things I have not experienced myself. What works for me may not work for you. Try things out. Check out garage sales for almost anything on this list. Ask other mechanics if they have extras that didn't work out for them. Ask you friends and family. It's always great to try before you buy. I know, I've given away dozens of bags and boxes that I didn't like using.