Tools of the trade

I've been working on more and more bikes the last 7 years or so. As a result, I've collected quite an assortment of tools, spare parts, and takeoffs from various projects. My old toolbox, which was fine when I was just tinkering with a couple bikes, was getting cramped for space from the riffraff I'd collected. I was getting tired of digging around the whole mess everytime I wanted to find something. Yep, it was time to upgrade.


I found this rolling toolbox while browsing through a hardware store. It seemed more than big enough to hold all my stuff with room to spare. Plus, it's about tall enough that I won't have to stoop down to reach tools on the top tray of the toolbox when I need another size hex wrench.
I don't have the luxury of having a large garage or workshop where I can setup a nice workbench and hang all my tools on a pegboard. I'm pretty much stuck with one workstand and a toolbox and whatever empty space in the garage I can find, even if that means having to move the car out. This mobile toolbox seems perfect!

The toolbox on top separates from the large storage bin on the bottom as you can see by the latches on the side.


I mounted an expandable folder on the front to hold odds and ends like documentation, receipts, zip ties, and various lengths of cables and housing.


The clear bins on the top of the toolbox hold items that I need easy access to when I'm not necessarily working on a project. Things like tube repair items, tape measure, and ...hmmm.. electrical tape?

The lower storage bin holds all my cleaning, waxing, and polishing essentials. The tube of Simichrome is on the rear right... don't leave home without it!

Here's the top tray of the box. Small parts and frequently used items go here.

The lower section of the toolbox is cavernous and really more room than I need. All kinds of wrenches live here.

I keep this organizer for various small spare parts. I doubt I'll even touch this stuff even on an infrequent basis. A testament to my hoarding instincts.

Here's a cool things about the mobile storage box - the flip-out circular parts tray.

I keep some smaller tools like FW and BB tools here as well as more frequently used bike-building small parts here such as cable ends, ferrules, bearings, and hex screws.

And there you have it - living, breathing evidence of my hoarding and OCD.