Need advice on a tool bag and wrench/screwdriver storage ideas

audiobliss

Sorry for such a long post. As will shortly be evident, though I've been around tools all my life, building and organizing a collection is completely new to me. Please have mercy and spare whatever advice you can. And feel free to skip to the bottom for the tl;dr.

I'm looking for a tool bag to store and organize my tools in, as well as use them from. I see a lot of bags have shape and structure to them, can be large/firm (with a metal frame around the opening), and would be great while working with them. However, I'm college age, moving around, and don't have a lot of space available to me, so I need a bag that focuses on storage and space efficiency that also has some organization (ie, pockets on the outside are great for access, but if I'm storing my tool bag, throwing it in the car, etc, I need most if not all my tools inside the bag where they're secure, both from being either taken/advertising their presence, as well as from falling out).

I'm adding to my tool collection, but it is not large nor will it be for quite some time. I have 10 wrenches, 4 ratchets, about 50 sockets, this 23 piece screwdriver set, a hammer, a few pliers, etc. I'm planning on eventually purchasing this set of pry bars, the longest of which is 25", so I figure I should get a bag that's 24" wide to accommodate them (diagonally, at least).

I've looked around at some bags, but am having a hard time deciding what would best suit my needs. This DeWalt bag from Lowe's is about the best thing I've found so far. I'm tempted to think that bag is still too tall and 'structured' for my wants, and that I'd rather have more of a duffle bag type bag. However, I may also be wrong and need something more like the above.

I ordered a few socket rails to organize my sockets, and I've looked into solutions for storing wrenches and screwdrivers. I'm figuring a roll-up pouch like this would be ideal for wrenches, as it would maximize storage and space efficiency while maintaining organization. However, I have no idea about the quality and longevity of that item, as I've read some of their similar pouches don't hold up very well. For screwdriver storage I've looked at this, but really don't see it being a good solution, but at the same time I don't want all my screwdrivers just strewn about the bottom of my bag.

tl;dr I need a tool bag to store/carry my small tool collection in, 24" wide to accommodate a 25" pry bar, emphasis on inside pockets to minimize tools falling out and low height for flexible storage (house, back of car, under car seat, etc), as well as a smart solution for storing wrenches (a good, durable roll up pouch?) and some method of storing screwdrivers so they're not just randomly strewn about the bottom of my tool bag.

I am anticipating spending $25-50 on a reasonably durable tool bag.

thsmith

Klien for one, also checj Harbor Freight.

shawn474

I have a ton of these; currently use a husky hard sided on a wheeled cart. Serves my needs.
However i can tell you with a great deal of homeowner / remodeling experience, the best thing is the bucket buddies. Get 2 or 3 if you have to ad a few buckets. Well under 30 bucks probably. One thing to keep on mind with all the canvas bags, the more tools you can stuff in them the heavier they get (and they get heavy quick). I will send you a nice sized canvas one that i dont use anymore so you dont have to spend money.
I really do think the bucket buddies are awesome though.

shawn474

I have a ton of these; currently use a husky hard sided on a wheeled cart. Serves my needs.
However i can tell you with a great deal of homeowner / remodeling experience, the best thing is the bucket buddies. Get 2 or 3 if you have to ad a few buckets. Well under 30 bucks probably. One thing to keep on mind with all the canvas bags, the more tools you can stuff in them the heavier they get (and they get heavy quick). And they get hard to organize with a lot of tools. I will send you a nice sized canvas one that i dont use anymore so you dont have to spend money.
I really do think the bucket buddies are awesome though. Easy to organize and easy to carry even when heavy.

decal

23 screwdrivers?

obieone

As a professional tradesman, CLC is top shelf. They make a 24" bag, called the 'Mega-mouth' LOL. The msrp is a little higher than your budget, but I'm sure you can find it cheaper.

http://www.goclc.com/products/Work-Gear-Softside-Tool-Carriers-Bags-Backpacks-/1164

audiobliss

shawn474 wrote: »

I have a ton of these; currently use a husky hard sided on a wheeled cart. Serves my needs.
However i can tell you with a great deal of homeowner / remodeling experience, the best thing is the bucket buddies. Get 2 or 3 if you have to ad a few buckets. Well under 30 bucks probably. One thing to keep on mind with all the canvas bags, the more tools you can stuff in them the heavier they get (and they get heavy quick). And they get hard to organize with a lot of tools. I will send you a nice sized canvas one that i dont use anymore so you dont have to spend money.
I really do think the bucket buddies are awesome though. Easy to organize and easy to carry even when heavy.

Thank you for the advice, and that is an incredible offer!! I'll PM you so we can work out some details!

decal wrote: »

23 screwdrivers?

Yeah, it might be a bit excessive, but coming from having just 3 crappy screwdrivers, I'll be happy to have a decent screwdriver to fit my application. There's 9 flat heads, 7 phillips, and 6 torx.

Lasareath wrote: »

I wouldn't be able to carry all my tools in one bag. I need at least 8 bags. My tools are stored in my garage and basement and depending on the job I am going to I'll put together a bag or 2 with the tools I need.

Good luck trying to find one bag for $25 to $50. I don't think you can do it. I've spent 100's of dollars on bags and cases and racks in my garage to store and sort all my tools.

I have tool bags of all different sizes depending on how many tools I need to carry and how I am getting there. Some bags have wheels, some just handles, some are so big that I wish they had wheels.

Las, I've seen the wallets and knives you buy. I don't think I'm even shopping at the same places you are! :razz:

obieone wrote: »

As a professional tradesman, CLC is top shelf. They make a 24" bag, called the 'Mega-mouth' LOL. The msrp is a little higher than your budget, but I'm sure you can find it cheaper.

http://www.goclc.com/products/Work-Gear-Softside-Tool-Carriers-Bags-Backpacks-/1164

Thanks for the information!

ErasmusBDragon

1 bag would be way too heavy.

gdb

Why a bag necessarily? Craftsman makes a very nice (large) tool box with 3 drawers and a top tray that is specifically designed to organize sockets. You may find that both a bag and a box will best suit your requirements. I much preferred boxes over bags for the most part except for bulky items like cordless tools, hammers, flat bars, etc. bags are great for those things but not so much for the "smalls", they get hard to find in the dark depths of a bag. I use an LL Bean "Boat & Tote" for my masonry tools, works great for that purpose.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-20-1-2inch-3-drawer-portable-tool-chest-red/p-00961902000P

amulford

If you want, look at ONE OF THESE.

I have a few, they are pretty good for moblilty and can store quite a bit. They would probably suit you for now. Probably a little higher than what you want to spend, but your pretty low w/ your budget for what you want, IMHO.

audiobliss

gdb wrote: »

Why a bag necessarily? Craftsman makes a very nice (large) tool box with 3 drawers and a top tray that is specifically designed to organize sockets. You may find that both a bag and a box will best suit your requirements. I much preferred boxes over bags for the most part except for bulky items like cordless tools, hammers, flat bars, etc. bags are great for those things but not so much for the "smalls", they get hard to find in the dark depths of a bag. I use an LL Bean "Boat & Tote" for my masonry tools, works great for that purpose.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-20-1-2inch-3-drawer-portable-tool-chest-red/p-00961902000P

Thanks for the input. Really not interested in a tool 'box' right now, though. It would definitely offer superior protection and organization and access, but at the lack of flexibility. With a bag I can throw it in smaller, tighter spaces. Take something out and get it in an even smaller space, etc.

amulford wrote: »

If you want, look at ONE OF THESE.

I have a few, they are pretty good for moblilty and can store quite a bit. They would probably suit you for now. Probably a little higher than what you want to spend, but your pretty low w/ your budget for what you want, IMHO.

Like I said above, not what I'm looking for right now, but that really is a very intriguing design! I really like it, and could foresee using that or something similar in the future when I have more tools and more space, and could use that for more stationary storage to maintain organization and easy access while still having a small foot print. Fyi, I found it at Home Depot for $80.00. Seems to be the lowest price.


Thanks for the input!

gdb

I'll predict that you're gonna' get awful weary of playin' hide and seek with your tools while going exclusively with a bag . Wait....did that have a derogatory and sexual innuendo tone ??? :eek:

Systems

gdb wrote: »

I'll predict that you're gonna' get awful weary of playin' hide and seek with your tools while going exclusively with a bag . Wait....did that have a derogatory and sexual innuendo tone ??? :eek:

I'll be honest, I think you might be the PERFECT person to comment on a "Tool Bag".
Care to enlighten us?:cool:

Drenis

In my trade, you carry what you only need and use and then some. This is my primary tool bag and it holds everything I need and then some.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/11-in-electrical-maintenance-carrier/980430