Tool Crash Cart

[James Burke]

Last year's moment of clarity came when I got most of the tools out of the toolbox and on to the wall. It definitely made each job easier, but it still required numerous trips back and forth across the shop to get things....and then put everything away.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take 90 percent of what I use off the wall and put it on an 18" x 24" "crash" cart with swivel casters on all four corners.

I can literally get all the tools I need in the time it takes me to make one trip across the shop to grab just one thing off the peg board. And having the cart near by means that tools aren't strewn across the floor or work table after using them.

When I'm done, it goes back to its dedicated parking spot and I always know where everything is.

It's definitely not an original idea, and it's definitely not rocket science, but it's sure made things more efficient.

Oh yeah...and if you haven't tried them already, aluminum pipe wrenches are the bomb.


JB

 

[James Burke]

Oh, wow....it looks as though pegboard has made a stunning transformation, and I never noticed. Looks like I'm about due for a makeover.

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[Notarealsignguy]

In the shop I took a cart similar to that one and made an a-frame with pegboard on the top which covers up the top tray. You could do that with your cart, make it 4 sides pegboard and then you can wheel around what you started with. I've tried to eliminate any flat surfaces in the shop because they just collect junk. For supply shelves, I bought cabinets so the employees are less likely to put random crap on top of them.

 

[bob]

Why all of the pipe wrenches? One seldom needs more than two of them.

 

[James Burke]

Why all of the pipe wrenches? One seldom needs more than two of them.

Good question....

For me, pipe wrenches are like X-acto knives, rulers, tape measures, razor blades and sharpie markers...you can never have too many.

99% of what I do is sandblasting. I'm always replacing worn pipe fittings and doing pipe related maintenance. I got a good deal on the aluminum wrenches so I added them to the collection.

Sometimes, a pipe or a fitting needs a bit more "persuasion" and I need to use a cheater or a hammer to break it loose. I keep a separate collection of wrenches on hand for those cases.

JB

 

[James Burke]

I've tried to eliminate any flat surfaces in the shop because they just collect junk.

No truer words have ever been spoken. But this year, however, I've opened up a lot of extra room for flat work spaces. I just make sure every tool in that area has a home first.


JB

 

[rjssigns]

Good question....

For me, pipe wrenches are like X-acto knives, rulers, tape measures, razor blades and sharpie markers...you can never have too many.

99% of what I do is sandblasting. I'm always replacing worn pipe fittings and doing pipe related maintenance. I got a good deal on the aluminum wrenches so I added them to the collection.

Sometimes, a pipe or a fitting needs a bit more "persuasion" and I need to use a cheater or a hammer to break it loose. I keep a separate collection of wrenches on hand for those cases.

JB

For smaller pipe I use Knipex Cobra pliers. My set includes 6", a pair of 12" and a 16". Once they lock on you only need to apply pressure to the top handle.(great if you have arthritis like me)

The 12" are enough to egg shape 1" schedule 40. I find them much faster and easier to maneuver than conventional pipe wrenches. Way lighter too.

Day to day work in the shop or house they are more than enough. Not cheap but good tools never are.

 

[Gino]

I don't see any electrical outlets on the cart ?? Is everything cordless ??

 

[James Burke]

I don't see any electrical outlets on the cart ?? Is everything cordless ??

I installed wireless 220v in the shop. The static plays hell with my radio and my grandma's pacemaker, but we've learned to get used to it. The music doesn't make much sense, but gran sure does some cool dance moves.



But seriously...I mostly use a cordless drill. Everywhere I take the cart has outlets.


JB

 

[James Burke]

For smaller pipe I use Knipex Cobra pliers. My set includes 6", a pair of 12" and a 16". Once they lock on you only need to apply pressure to the top handle.(great if you have arthritis like me)

The 12" are enough to egg shape 1" schedule 40. I find them much faster and easier to maneuver than conventional pipe wrenches. Way lighter too.

Day to day work in the shop or house they are more than enough. Not cheap but good tools never are.

The plumber that installed my water heater this summer used those. I'll have to look into them.

For my sandblaster and shop air service, I've changed a lot of my schedule 40 & 80 npt fittings over to hydraulic compression fittings. In addition to a better air-tight seal, they're all equipped with hexes or flats that accommodate an open end or adjustable wrench, and the close nipples don't get barked up from a pipe wrench. The hydraulic elbows and couplers are far more compact and a lot friendlier for positioning and adjustment (or removal and reassembly since everything basically functions like a union). The best part is that you don't have to be a master plumber for it to function well or look good.

JB

.

 

[netsol]

My oldest friend (and as close to a partner as I have) always gives me a hard time when, rushing out on an emergency call, I throw a bunch of 'my stuff' in a milk crate or a home depot card board moving box. And head out the door. He says I should have a tool box, like he does.

I always tell him "you're standing in it"

There is a problem, though. I have never let the other businesses die a dignified death. I still play computer consultant for at least a dozen accounts. We still run network wire, wire for camera systems

Last year's moment of clarity came when I got most of the tools out of the toolbox and on to the wall. It definitely made each job easier, but it still required numerous trips back and forth across the shop to get things....and then put everything away.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take 90 percent of what I use off the wall and put it on an 18" x 24" "crash" cart with swivel casters on all four corners.

I can literally get all the tools I need in the time it takes me to make one trip across the shop to grab just one thing off the peg board. And having the cart near by means that tools aren't strewn across the floor or work table after using them.

When I'm done, it goes back to its dedicated parking spot and I always know where everything is.

It's definitely not an original idea, and it's definitely not rocket science, but it's sure made things more efficient.

Oh yeah...and if you haven't tried them already, aluminum pipe wrenches are the bomb.


JB
View attachment 157187

View attachment 157185

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I installed wireless 220v in the shop. The static plays hell with my radio and my grandma's pacemaker, but we've learned to get used to it. The music doesn't make much sense, but gran sure does some cool dance moves.



But seriously...I mostly use a cordless drill. Everywhere I take the cart has outlets.


JB

wireless 220?
You and nikola tesla

 

[ProSignTN]

You funny James Burke, and really nice set up on the blaster plumbing.

Seriously, I learn something new everyday and I recently learned you can sharpen a pipe wrench, or the teeth anyway. Now the next time I've got a couple of weeks to do nothing, I'll sit down with a file and go to work.

 

[netsol]

Prosigntn
Do you really use your pipi wrenches enough to sharpen thrm?
James burke might, i know i don't

 

[McDonald Signs]

This is a Heavy Duty 2ft x 4ft plastic cart I found online that we use in the shop to letter semi trucks and do vehicle wraps.
Easy to roll around and every thing you need is within reach. Even has a garbage can we clamped to it...