Traveling tool box

[byhammerandhand]

Here's an interesting box http://lumberjocks.com/projects/154370   Obviously meant for some minor woodworking stuff.

Got me thinking: What's in your on-site box.

I have a large open top tool tote (Husky brand) with pockets inside and outside.   Here's what I carry in it for all sorts of on-site repair, and yes, it all fits in an 18" tool box:
- 10 oz claw hammer
- 4-in-1 rasp
- Painter's pry bar
- Nail puller / pry bar
- Magnetic and spring loaded pick up tools
- Water pump pliers (Channellock)
- Pliers-type nail/stapler puller (Extractor)
- Small pliers
- Needle nose pliers
- Couple of types of stapler pullers
- 35 piece Gearwrench Microdriver (metric & SAE sockets, Torx, Allen & Screwdriver bits)
- Pic-quik multi-tip screwdriver
- Long shank slotted screwdriver
- Flashlight, tripod
- Headset flashlight
- Tape measure
- Sets of open-end, ratcheting box wrenches in metric and imperial
- Adjustable wrench when I need second of same size
- 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1" wood chisels and gouge
- Shims, toothpicks, small dowels
- 3-in-1 Oil
- Screw lube / drawer lube
- Heavy duty shears
- Fabric scissors
- Awl
- Try Square, combo square, pencils, Sharpie
- Utility knife
- Nail sets and center punch
- Spring puller
- Vise Grips
- Forceps, straight & hooked
- Small bottle of glue
- Bottle of hand cleaner
- Sandpaper
- Cable ties
- Pull saw, carpenter's
- Hacksaw
- Several F-clamps and Quick-Clamps
- Mechanic's gloves
- Hearing protectors
- Paint can opener
- Electric adapter, 3 prong to 2 prong for the older parts of town
- 2 Boxes of misc hardware (screws, threaded connectors, drawer glides, bolts, nuts, washers, nail on feet, Thread lock, graphite lock lube, cold chisel)
- T-50 stapler when I don't want to pull out the compressor

In the van are a couple drawers/boxes of pneumatic fastening tools, and specialized hardware and furniture parts for beds, drawers, doors, recliners, webbing, springs, frame, electrical, and assortments of fasteners.

I have a "drill kit" that includes:
- 3/8" cordless drill with backup battery
- Assortment of twist bits
- Assortment of countersink bits
- Assortment of Phillips and Robertson driver bits
- Hinge bit ("Vix bit")
- Kreg pocket hold jig, 1 & 2 hole versions, driver
- Assortment of #8 screws
- 1.25" and 1.5" pocket hole screws
- Nut driver bits

and a fabric kit:
- Scissors
- Iron-on patches
- Button thread and button needles
- Needles, curved,  for fabric & leather seams, pins
- Spring repair clips
- Fabric Glue
- Decorative nail assortment
- Assortment of spools of thread for hand sewing
'- Assortment of colors of fabric repair fibers and glue
- Awl

I won't get into my wood touch up kit nor upholstery cleaning supplies.

[sofadoc]

Got me thinking: What's in your on-site box?

I keep my on-site tool tote to a minimum. I decided a long time ago that if a job needed more stuff than I could carry in a small tote, I'd rather just haul the piece to the shop. I only take stuff for quick repairs.

Staple lifter & tack hammer
hand stapler
scissors
tufting needle and clips, button twine
curve needle/thread
hot glue gun/sticks
assorted bits for my cordless screwdriver (which I carry separately on an "as needed" basis)
assorted screwdrivers and pliers

If I need more than that, then I really don't want to work on it on-site anyway.

[kodydog]

Wow! that's quite a list, Hammer.

I have two tool boxes. A soft sided one filled with mechanics tools. This one stays in the van. Every tool I might need for an emergency roadside repair.

The other box sits on my work bench and has all my everyday upholstery tools in it so I can grab it and go. When I need to go to a remote repair I walk through the steps in my imagination and grab the tools I'll need to get the job done.

And this reminds me, last winter I replaced the outside back on a brand new sectional. The customer had the fabric and when I pulled it out of the bag it had a big crease down the middle. It could not be pulled out. This repair was over an hours drive and I did not want to have to make a second trip. Fortunately the customer had a little hand held steamer that took the crease right out. Add that to your list.

[byhammerandhand]

I do have a steam iron in one of the drawers.  I use it most often for applying heat to accelerate stain removal, occasionally for iron-on patching.   I do have an upholstery steamer that I pack when I have the need to do that.  About once a year.  I also have a spray bottle of wrinkle remover.

And this reminds me, last winter I replaced the outside back on a brand new sectional. The customer had the fabric and when I pulled it out of the bag it had a big crease down the middle. It could not be pulled out. This repair was over an hours drive and I did not want to have to make a second trip. Fortunately the customer had a little hand held steamer that took the crease right out. Add that to your list.