Toolchest of the Modgods: Xpirate Entry

Toolchest of the Modgods Contest

This is one contest I will really enjoy watching. I am into tools and tool boxes, so I decided to be more than just a spectator in this one. My father is a retired mechanic, which makes tools an important part of his life. I just purchased a house a year ago, so I am learning to do more things with tools. This is going to be a long post, but there are a few pictures.

To give credit where credit is due, I used items from these 3D warehouse artists:

Tool box by HiredGun#28
WD40 can by Angry Puppy
Dust-Off can also by Angry Puppy
Spray Bottle by Sraldleif
Spray Paint by MichaelBryan
Snap-on Classic 96 Tool box by pixelmonkey380
Vice by WorldLamp
Bench Grinder by ShagNasty
Air Compressor by Rova8888
Lincoln TIG Welder by Control

Here is an idea that I have for my own tool box. A picture describes the problem better:

My tool box is slightly different because the top box is smaller with only 4 drawers. My wife and her sisters purchased the set of tool boxes for their father who died before we ever started dating. My mother-in-law gave the tool boxes to me. I really felt sorry for her father after I brought his tools home because it had nothing but cheap tools in it. However I later learned that the other men in the family took all of his good tools and just left the junk.

The problems:

The tool box set has sentimental value to my wife and I can not just sell it and score a larger box. I have to do something with it. I am very tall and this tool box is quite short.
You can see from the picture that the ledge in front of the top box will accumulate junk like WD-40 cans, window soap, spray adhesive, and the list goes on. There's usually a lot more junk than what the picture is showing. When I need to get something out of the top box, especially from the lower drawers, the junk needs to be relocated. Then the junk usually goes back to the ledge when the job is finished because there is no other good place to put it.

The solution:

I am going to build a platform to put the top box on top of to solve these two problems. The platform will elevate the box about 16 inches and I will be able to put the spray bottles, motor oil, and other assorted junk under the top box. Another idea is to put peg board on the sides of the platform to hold additional stuff like power cords. The following picture illustrates how well this should work:

But, that is not an ultimate tool chest. It's just an idea that I thought I would share. I do intend to build the platform sometime in the future and I will post pictures of it in the Misc Projects forum.

Here is the real entry:
This would be an ultimate tool chest: One that doubles as a workbench. I have wanted one of these ever since the first time I saw one.

The box has a vice mounted on it as well as a bench grinder. An air compressor is needed for the pneumatic tools. I just want a TIG Welder and learn how to use one. A vice is always handy to hold things you need to work with. This Toolchest of the Modgods is not an over the top fantasy. Anyone could realistically have this one if they can afford the large box and have the space to store it.

First things you need:

Safety Glasses - you do not want to be known as the one eyed or no eyed modder. Rain-X anti-fog can keep them from fogging up if you have to work in a humid environment.
Welding Mask - for the TIG welder.
Gloves - a decent pair of leather work gloves will save your hands from splinters or metal shavings, also helps if using the TIG welder, blowtorch, or plasma cutter.
Disposable Rubber Gloves - for working with noxious stuff like Bondo.
Respiratory Mask - also good for working with noxious stuff that produces nasty fumes.

Basic cutting tools:

Jig Saw - just about anything can be cut with a jig saw, all you need is the correct saw blade.
Circular Saw - a circular saw is good for several jobs, of course a table saw is even better but it would not fit in a tool box.
Drill - everyone needs a drill, a drill press is even better in some projects but it would not fit in a tool box either.
Dremel - or equivalent rotary tool is good for cutting, polishing, or sanding.
Plasma Cutter - for really big metal cutting jobs, but it really won't fit in the box either.
Hack Saw - good to have for quick cutting tasks.
Miter Box Saw - helps you cut crown molding for your house.

Sanding:

Sanding Blocks - most people probably already have a few scrap 2X4 wood blocks.
Orbital Power Sander - power sander would be nicer than using one of those drill motor attachments.

Regular hand tools:

Ratchets and Sockets - should have as complete of a set as you can get with both metric and standard sockets.
Torque wrench - I have a deflecting beam type, but I would rather have a click type, wikipedia article illustrates what I am referring to.
Screwdrivers - as complete of a set as you can get. It's also nice to have a set of tamper proof security bits to open things that manufacturers don't want you to.
Pliers - it helps to have an array of different types of pliers.
Wrenches - sometimes you need a wrench when a socket and ratchet will not fit.
Hammers - everyone needs at least one. It is best to have an assortment of different sizes for different jobs.
Electric Screwdriver - I have Black & Decker one that is the most handy as well as the most used tool I have.

Electrical tools:

Wire strippers/crimpers/cutters - I have put in six ceiling fans, so I know how important these items are.
Soldering iron, holder, sponge, and exhaust fan - it's nice to have one of those spring coil holders and a fan that will blow the fumes away from you.
Multi-meter - should do volts, amps, and ohms at a minimum.
Power supply - to power up electronic projects.
Oscilloscope - always wanted one, but I'm not sure if I would really use it that much.
Breadboard - also called a prototyping board.
Jump Wire - a wire with alligator clips on both sides, it's handy to have several of these.
Heat Gun - is like a heavier duty hair dryer that is used to melt shrink wrap.

Measuring tools:

Tape measure - everyone needs at least one tape measure. I have about three because my wife looses them.
Level - to hang things straight like pictures and shelves.
Micrometer - for precise measurements.
Stud finder - some people can find a stud by tapping the wall with a hammer, I'm not one of those people.
Thermometer - I want one of those non-contact infrared laser aimed thermometers.

Pneumatic Impact Tools:

Air chuck - to air up your tires, basketballs, etc.
Air nozzle - to blow junk away from your work area.
Air Ratchet - for high speed ratcheting.
Impact wrench - it helps to have several different sizes of these.
Pneumatic Air Hammer - my dad calls these things jitter guns and I'm not sure where he heard the name. I've seen them called zip guns on-line with the help of Google. They are like little hand held jack hammers.
Die Grinder - like a Dremel, but air powered.

Other Useful Items:

Flashlights - work areas should be well lit, but occasionally you'll still need some extra light.
One of these - this little tool will help you get small things that fall into small places.
Laptop - to look up how-to articles on-line. You may be tempted to put a PC in your garage, but don't do it if the temperature gets above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). Some computer components can not tolerate that kind of ambient temperature. Don't ask me how I know.
Shotgun - to protect your investment (just kidding). However, anyone who would steal tools should be shot, especially if the person makes his living with the tools.
"Cheater" Pipe - don't laugh, I'm not kidding on this one. If you have a bolt that will not come loose, hose it down with WD-40 and put a fairly heavy pipe over your ratchet or wrench. This will give you more leverage to break the rusty seal that the fastener has developed over time. It is recommended to have several different sizes of "cheater" pipe.

This list of tools is really not a complete set. You really don't know what tools you need until you start doing projects that require a tool that you do not have. I didn't know that I needed a miter box saw until my wife wanted me to fix some wood molding. Thanks for reading my Toolchest of the Modgods entry.