Ive seen a bunvh of guys with the blowmolds, foam, and plastic displays too. I put my extensions in a plastic kitchen organizer from target. 3 of them side by side fot nicely in my HF 15" side cab drawers. I did the math and my little 5 drawer and side cab is carrying more than some guys full bank carts because its so packed and organized.

I get how the blow molded cases could be a problem in a shop but I love them at the house. I can move tools and sockets etc out of my tool box onto a shelf without worry about them and save space in my tool box for misc things.

Why are the toolboxes bigger? Because there's a crap ton more tools needed and available today than there were in the 60s-70s-80s. Look at tool catalogs. From magazine to phone book thickness. Lots of specialty tools and many more diagnostic tools/equipment.

You should also point out that as technology has progressed, and manufacturers have wanted to increase their bottom lines... There are more "special tools" now than there were 15 years ago. Tools a tech may only need once or twice a year but you never know when that make/model is going to come in the door. Look at ford for example, how many different stud and spark plug removal kits are on the market? 6.4 power stroke injector removal kits. It used to be philips and slotted screws, now we have torx, triple squares, poly drive, tamper proof torx, those strange little triangle screws, etc. Gone are the days where a set of wrenches and a test light would get you through an average day. The tool truck certainly wants to sell you tools, but the car manufacturers are the ones that make you buy them. Great video as always!

I’ve trashed most of my cases and either went with aftermarket organizers or found a different way to keep my tools

I saw this problem or sales tactic years ago when I saw snap ons sockets laying all the sockets down in their trays instead of standing up. Takes up double the space so 1 you look full and 2 you can justify a larger box. Socket rails are a life saver for room in my box.

great vid,i have been showing the young tecs by taking them o harbor freight and by showing them that big icon box filled with tools in there trays and pointing out that by getting rid of those plastic trays they will gain 25 to 50 percent more tool storage. oh and that old man thing,your still a wet behind the ears young man i'v been a mechanic for over 35+ years😎

Good video Michael

my blowmolded cases get tucked into the attic at home or if it's not that important then it goes into the trash haha. I use plano 3700 boxes for my rivets, screws, and any other misc small parts to keep organized. Currently only have a 2 bank but there's a lot more room potential if I just cleaned it up a bit

Looking like my box with Mann and hengst filters on top. (540/6 and x338 supercharged jag lwb)

They got us baby the ⚽️ 🏀 ‘s 😅

I tried to live without the cases on my RBRT bits but they so pretty I dug em back out haha. I’ve got blow molded cases everywhere. I bought a GST cart but we haven’t yet hired a GST and my cases have completely filled the cart 🤣. I refuse to pay for an Epiq side locker.

This is why I am glad the tool truck guys here are a-holes that act like I am bad for stepping on their truck, even when I have a pocket full of cash. Last time I got on one, was when I need a 33MM socket. I was working out of town mobile, and saw a Matco truck down the street at a shop. I went down walked on and told the guy I am looking for a... He interrupted and asked if I worked here.. I said no. He said we normally only sell tools to professionals. I took a wad of 20's out of my pocket (over $1000 worth), and said oh I didn't know the professionals money was greener than mine. I found an Autozone and did a loan a tool on the socket. I gave up on tool trucks a long time ago. I can't imagine how much money it has cost them, and how much it has saved me.

Yep I run a service truck. Aint got time for plastic trays

I still have my "Metric" box and my "American" box (known in my shop by the decals they wear, CAT and MACK). They're identical MAC 37" 10-drawer chests with the matching roll cabs and side-boxes. Yeh, they're about forty years old, and I've replaced some drawer slides, but they still work perfectly. The only organizers in them are the socket-rails (which are "packed" in). It probably won't do for folks who are "box-proud", but it's worked for me (and it's probably saved me about $15,000).

Nobody needs a side locker. You can get a 6’ tall, 2’ deep, 4’ wide cabinet at Office Depot and put a padlock on it. Mine is FULL of blow-mold cases.

when I first started I spent $1200 on the snapon truck....never again. when i didnt have many tools i kept my tools in there cases, the more tools i got instead of getting a bigger box i started tossing out the packaging and just laid the tool in the box saving a ton of space which i think is what any logical person would do.

I know this doesnt apply directly to you in the automotive industry but the foam and some of the cases are ideal in the aviation industry. almost all aviation companies require all tools to be shadowed, etched, and to have a certain space in a certain drawer. So to have the foam, while it does take up a lot of unnecessary space, is really helpful for that. otherwise most of us have to buy a separate sheet of foam, which isnt cheap, and cut out everything ourselves anyways.

FRM is right, tool boxes that could accomodate blow molded cases was a major change in box design from 1970s to today. It was a big deal when you bought a box and there was one drawer you could put and use your 100pc Craftmans companion set. 50 years ago 2" draws were more than half the draws in a box. And an add-on locker was light-machining. As mechanics worked from the case within the box because sockets didn't roll around, manufactures when to vertical rails; buy '90s there starts to be more 3 and 4 inch draws; preferred to better accomodate blow molded cases and vertical rails. Instead of more 4" draws Manufactures choose to produce boxes with 3" draws and organization-friendly accessories, blow molded cases kinda became smaller or gave way to custom foam. The thing is just having tools placed loose in two inch draws still works. Simple foam pads keep most tools from sliding around, and grouping tools keeps them from rolling around.

I see exactly what you’re saying and it makes a lot of sense and I’m one of the victims but I kinda like the cases because it helps with the organization but the trays go in to the trash even before I get off the tool truck

You could alway ditch the hutches, replace them with some 56 inch top chests lol.

I take everything out of the trays and boxes unless I need to actually move a entire set of tools.

I started with a craftsman 26 top and bottom, ran out of room so I bought a craftsman 40 inch and bolted them together. Then added another 26 inch bottom. Everything got stolen and now I'm in a hf 72 inch general and a tall 26 inch top and I'm trying to figure out how to add more room. I do not and never have used the trays and the only thing still in the blow mold case is a tap and die set and my powerprobe hook. Up to 1 inch I have 2 or 3 of each. A piece of wood and a bunch of screws to separate and stand them on their side. Basically the same thing for wrenches up to 2 inch and a wire rack out of a refrigerator to hold my pliers on their side. I don't care what the inside of the box looks like but can I find it and how little space does it take up. I'm still looking for a better way for sockets.

It’s a catch 22, organizers take up extra space, but being more organized makes you more money because everything’s where it should be when you need it.

Tool trucks plans* Tech buys HF tool boxes for more space* Tool trucks get sad*

I personally like the trays. Keeps stuff organized. But I can see how they can take up space. In fact, if I have a set of drivers without a tray, i will make one out of kaizen foam. I agree that some of the organizers are way oversized, especially that snap on extension swivel socket set you showed.

All of my plastic trays from Snap-on were all thrown out. The blow molded cases are a space vampire and you got to keep the big cases.

The first thing I do is get rid of any blow molded cases that I can cause its such a waste. I wish we could have the option of not get them and save a couple of bucks!

Interesting topic. On one hand I like the organization foam provides but yes, they do take up lots of room.

I debating on getting over head cabinet on top of my hutch to free up my side cabinet of blow molded cases

I started in 2003 at a Jiffy Lube, worked at Wal-Mart(Auto Service) briefly and have been at a Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram Dealership since 2007 (13 years). I have NEVER EVER purchased one of those Super Expensive Tool Boxes. I currently have two large Craftsman Boxes side by side and a Homak Tool Cart that I bought at Northern Tools. And it's all paid for. . . I'm not criticizing guys who spend that much on a Tool box, I'm just saying that I could never bring myself to spend that much on a tool box.

Just a rant. I hate slide top blow molded cases. Followed by blow molded cases with plastic lock tabs with no hinges. Followed by blow molded cases that can't keep the bits in place. Nothing like hunting for a tap when you are already pissed off cause you need a tap.

Even though i love how the cases and trays lay out the tools, you are right, they take up a ton of space. I have tossed most of the cases/trays and organized my tools on my own.

I think a lot of the tool "organizers" came out of the Air Force where everything in a toolbox had to be organized in foam to be able to tell at a glance if a tool was missing. I came out of the Air Force and went into the civilian world in 1984. I got a 27" Waterloo roller and top toolbox with the basic hand tools and went to work. I was able to double stack in foam all my tools in about half the my box which left room for the rest of the tools. I worked in aviation for the next 33 years with this setup, yes it was a crowded but organized toolbox. Folks were amazed that I was able to get everything into the boxes I had but the thing was I was cheap aviation mechanic. If the drawer was deep enough I could in one drawer a triple stack of foam with the tools all fitting. I noticed that the tool trucks have it where the foam is almost a couple inches deep. I got my foam with fiberglass bottom from Grainger and it was right around 3/4" for the thicker tools and 1/2" for the some of the thinner tools. It worked for me but your mileage will vary if it works for someone else

We are down to 1 tool guy.....

I have kits I bought 20 years ago that came in plastic boxes that tightly fit the tools. Recently I bought the exact same kit for a second and the cases are literally twice the size.

Secretly of course, we all want to be "Mr. Big"

So those foam trays are made by a snap on dealer or someone who was associated with snap on, so it's a lot more economical for them to have them foam cases made being its a item they can market in the sale as having a dollar value. I do look up a lot of stuff on the snap on website and I often find it cheaper to buy the items individually than to buy them as a set items like terminal tools, picks, screwdrivers etc..

*MATCO Revel Boxes are AWESOME!!!*

Yes sir, tricks maybe, but organization is very important. Be careful what u sacrifice for space lol

Why I'm constantly looking at better organization, ie tool box widgets. Now some things u just like in the case, screw drivers bry bars ext... The new snap on socket tray are better then when I started out. My first snap on purchase was set of 1/2 impact socket set. The case was really nice and cool. Man did it take up space in my little craftsman tool box.

Usually I throw away the trays, give the bags away etc. The reason is box real estate. With a little thought a drawer can be organized easily with out breaking the bank or loosing drawer space. The blow molded boxes it depends what's in it. Tap and die sets, special electronic diagnostics that needs to be protected I keep them in a cabinet with tags so I can quickly get what I need. Every thing else in the box without the trays. My tool boxes are from the 80's and they work well for me.

I only use the ones that come with them while I am waiting on getting my preferred organizers for them or if I just happen to have the extra room but once things get tight I take them out and put them on rails etc so I can fit more stuff

I dumped most my plastic trays 6 months ago, between those and the snap on zip up bags that scanners come in my boxes were full.

Everyone loves cool stuff, even it makes no sense to buy it, it’s cool! I did the math on my junk drawer in my Epiq box, per square inch. we figured that drawer alone cost me $1800 to store misc junk. Damn i’m stupid. But it is cool. I did buy a locking metal cabinet at Sams Club on sale, $159.00 for most of my blow molded cases....most.

My blow mould case storage consists of a tall locker style cupboard that I picked up from a garage sale,

But it's all so purdy! 🔧 🛠 Good things that most don't think about until it's too late. Love your videos brother, stay safe.

Yeah yall hear that back in the day you only needed a bag of wrenches. Then the engineers came.

I was able to go from an 18 drawer triple bank to a jamestown cart with a half height locker for specialty tools. I’ve probably about doubled how many tools I have since switching but have easy access to everything by storing things more efficiently and taking home stuff I don’t use like most of my sae.

That’s a really good observation. I hadn’t even thought of that. It hadn’t occurred to me but it makes sense that I’ve been able to keep my relatively small tool box by throwing all that sh*t away and having all my tools loose and packed tight with the exception of sockets.

the glory days of the tool truck are gone. in my area Snap On the King of tools has a constant revolving door,Mac is no longer seen ,Cornwell also revolving door for me Matco is constant and dependable in my area that might be different in other areas. with habor fright offering credit & amazon doing the same tool purchases are lot easier to deal with

I had this exact conversation with my Snap-on dealer a week ago. It does look good but space is more important at this point. Great video

I have a double bank and it's filling quickly. I'll have to dispense with the foam cutouts and standard issue organizers soon. Great point Mike. A double bank is all one should realistically need for a really long time if not an entire career

Yes in our yellow iron field (Cat) heavy equipment, organization is top priority (but safety is still on top) for some in the shop, I very seldom use the cases or plastic/foam trays.. the tools are stored to where we can look threw our box at the end of the shift and see something missing, if for some reason we left a tool out we have a lost and found shelf you can find your missing tools... it happens 😀😀.. great video, look forward to seeing more

I take them out blow molded cases if sockets put them on him nag rail that saves room

As an Electrician, I don't have the luxury of working in the same place day after day, week after week. For someone like me who works out of a Service Work Van, those Blow mold cases are perfect

I got the 4s double bay and when ever I only kept like 3 tools in the original cases, if you do it right you can fit way more stuff in your box than you think

Great video! Exactly what I been explaining to new guys at the shop for a decade. They're designed to fill your drawer and empty your wallet.

I've got a little bench I stack all my blow molded cases on, it doesn't look fantastic but they're out of the way and easily accessible if i need a kit

Some Cases I Have on a Shelf. A lot of My Cases are in the Trash. But I Have My own Shop so Securty Isn't Such a Big Deal. I'm Still Rocking a 90's Double bank Matco Box

It’s not the tool trucks only it’s the consumer driving the market. We used to live those trays cuz it was solid organization and placement. Does it force larger tool box sales?? Yeah I’m sure it does but that what the consumers want. We can pack all kinds of shit in our drawers but it will be un organized. Separating the tools leads to more organization which leads to less stress and more productivity. Been doing it for 27 years there are ways to use foam cut outs to save space and be organized. Wrench racks save space instead of “laying wrenches” flat. Want to see organization watch my vids....

I was actually telling a coworker yesterday that I’m thinking of doing a aviation style foam inlay for my snap-on pushcart. I’m very well organized but I’m still wasting space with wrench organizers etc. etc. my 3 bay and hutch will stay the way they are for the time being.

Diag. Cases and a few other case are the reason I got a locker.. created way more drawer space

I like the blow molded cases because they keep things tidy. I particularly appreciate that my coolant pressure tester and vacuum filler cases keep the spills of coolant contained within instead dripping in my overpriced toolbox! But I have no problem throwing blow molded cases or other packaging containers straight in the trash if they don't work with my "master plan".

Well I guess that means you start stacking up now to make more room. Retire the wall of Revel and bring in the TOWER OF REVEL😀

Those plastic trays will last about a year. I made my own foam holders, black over lime green, for my extensions and ratchets. My home made foam holders are great for organization, Friday afternoon inventory and take up significantly less space then tool truck versions. My sockets are kept in aftermarket socket holders. Keep your truthful videos coming.

Not sure if it's this way now, but there used to be shame put upon those newer techs using cheap tools, say when I was in the biz about 30 years ago. Shop owner let me use his 30k worth of Snap-Ontools and dumped the craftsman I had gotten as a kid in the trash dumpster and that was that. Back then it was basically just SEARS, Balkamp (Napa), Truck tools and KMART/WARDS type stuff. You didn't show in a professional environment with POWER-R-CRAFT tools.

I am just old enough to be from the old school I went from a single stack craftsman to a Snap-on 54” krl1022 double bank roll cab in 2011 within 6 months starting regretting not going with at least a 72” triple bank master or 84”epic My current tool storage status is: overflowing

Molded case for field mechanic or driveway, shop mechanics don't need them not a big deal sell give away or throw out, not a big deal

The foam doesn't bother me that much as I have not run into one that I couldn't fit in a normal sized drawer but fucking hell I have one blow molded set that just fits in a normal drawer but it scrapes the top every time I open it so fucking irritating.

The plastic trays take a ton of space and the foam cutouts are just as bad as the plastic trays there even worse then plastic trays

Where do I find the most efficient tool oragnisers

I throw away all the packaging and lay them im the box. It saves time trying to put it back in the packaging

I wish I had a devious tool truck come to my shop. We lost the last guy during the COVID scare. Now my toolbox space is taken up by broken tools.

Are those the etorx swivels? How do you like those? Been considering for removing BMW gearboxes.

I leave the blow molded cases on the truck, I'm pretty sure tool man hates it.

I’m hearing you I have a Snap-on box a Snap-on set of draws and my home made box now looking at a locker just to get rid of my home made box to reduce space but I think I’ll be like you soon just a shame boxes are dearer here or I would be in a massive box set by now

I don’t buy a fuckin thing off those tool trucks internet is the best

The sad part is that people are selling these foam trays/cases online for alot of money. I saw a guy selling a cornwell 1/4 socket case for $80. Really?

Do you have any experience with the matco grid setup?

I'm in this exact position. I'm mostly out of space due to stupid blow molded cases. I literally have one drawer occupied by a giant coolant pressure tester.

So I don’t use those foam inserts in my toolbox at home, but I have been a diesel mechanic in the Navy for 15 years and being on a ship in the ocean, those foam inserts are amazing to keep tools in place, but total waste of space, but we have so many tool boxes on the ship it’s ridiculous

If i had those foam things. I would get one of those styrofoam cutters and slice that thing in half.

My biggest pet peeve in the tool industry. FWIW, it's not just the tool trucks. Every company does it now. GearWrench, Tekton, HF. It's just part of tool culture. I was ecstatic when the Snap-On semi-deep sockets I ordered, a la carte, showed up in a plastic bag. No organizer to throw in the giant pile that I don't use, yet it feels wasteful jut to toss them. Are they recyclable?

I could really use a bigger box. No way I will spend the money on a "$napit Off" or "Matco$t" box. I hope to be retired in less than 5 years so I can't justify the cost. Been looking at the US General boxes at Harbor Freight. They seem like good quality and decently priced but I'll probably just reorganize what I have now and put my seldom used stuff in a cabinet instead.

Love my lockers for blow molded cases.

Then there's a point where some of you tools have become obsolete and simply need to be retired from your working tool box.:(

Tool trucks are truly the Devil incarnate preying upon the hapless mechanic!

It's the new world order plan for mechanic lol

Just stuff everything in one drawer , keep busy .

What do you think of the toolbox mantis? As far a space saving

It's like a vicious cycle. Need more room, get another box, this box needs more tools, get more tools, and so on until your wife sells em on eBay when your gone

Those foam inserts are requirement for tool control in government shops, military and a tremendous amount of aerospace corporations. They sell it all world wide as the gold standard. They don’t care about the cost of Mr Big aa they will take as many as needed. Those of us in the real world are the victim of unfortunate benefit for the tool trucks. But as least a we can reorganize to be efficient

@flateratemaster I've been meaning to ask about that 4pc etorx swivel impact extension set you have if you get the time could you shoot me a part N for them

One of the best conspiracy theories I’ve ever heard. And I agree. How to store all the tools?

predatory tool dealers hahaha

Snap on bs

I see you have the Ford trans widget in the pliers and scrapers drawer...lol why??

Are those the long triple square rbrt

How about the conspiracy that you have two hutches. You effectively have one big box.