Help build/populate my mobile handtool toolbox

[ByronBlack]

Hey chaps,

I'm re-evaluting my tooling in readiness for a summers busy activity of woodworking. I'm not looking for machines as I want to be as mobile as possible. I plan on building a toolbox/trunk on wheels that is easy for me to move. Ideally I will have only two boxes to take with me if/when we move - one for hand-tools, and one for power-tools. I'm avoiding all machinery if I can (maybe not a bandsaw, but we'll see).

So, tell me, if you had to pack out a minimal mobile tool-kit that will allow you to do almost any operation (within a hand-tools remit), what would be the most crucial items to you? And which examples of said item do you recommend? (Bar Clifton/LN/Any expensive premium product: I'm shopping exclusively in the middle tier only).

I'm currently happy with the following and will not be replacing:
- AI Chisels
- Chinese Rasps
- 300mm + 1000mm straight edges
- Mallets/Hammers
- Marking Knife
- Socket set and ratchet screwdriver

So, everything else needs adding (saws, planes etc..)

Cheers,

 

[speed]

a genral tool kit?

whia screwdrivers,
can get new record no4 planes on ebay for around £20
block plane
5m stanley fatmax tape
a 12" steel rule
decent combination square
marking gauge? make one

 

[OLD]

6'' quick-grip clamp
japanese hammer
japanese saw with pistol grip
japanese flush cut saw
two adjustable spanners
fatmax bit adapter
screwdriver bit set
extra diamond coated bits as required
pliers
pincers
twist drills
spade drills
combination square
mortice gauge (pencil)
countersink bit
junior hacksaw
nail punches
putty nife straight
set of straight screw drivers
mat knife
pencils (box off)
masonary drills
18v combination drill + extra battery and charger.

 

[Mr Ed]

This is my mobile toolbox and contents;

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/post ... tml#421008

Ed

 

[ByronBlack]

Thanks for the feedback chaps - Mr Ed, I'll take a look at your toolbox after I type this - thanks for the link,

I definitely need to get a decent combination square. I have a decent small engineers square, but nothing for 45 degree angles - what can anyone recommend as a decent but not extortionate option? I'd like something small like a 4 or 6" tops.

I'm sorted for screwdrivers and drilling (Just took advantage of screwfix' recent offer on the makita 18v combi-drill).

Quick clamps is something I need - I have loads of cheap screwfix f-clamps which are great value for money, but not particularly quick to use. Again, I don't want to go the Bessey route - but a good alternative would be great.

For saws - I'l be buying the pair of dozuki's from workshop heaven. I have a ryoba and a western hardpoint for more rough work.

What would be better - Forstners or Spade bits? - I have loads of each, but want to downsize to the most useful.

Cheers

 

[SBJ]

What sort of work will you be doing? It is for general maintenance or "fine" work?

 

[ByronBlack]

SBJ - The plan is to have one set of good tools to do anything carpentry related. That includes fine joinery, cabinet-making and around the house kind of jobs. I will however have a few duplicates to keep a small kit in the house for when I need to do tiny tasks, but the general idea is to have one single set of tools in a mobile trunk that is easy for me to move with.

 

[OLD]

clamp one hand use is the 'quick-grip' usually yellow.
spade drills ok for odd jobs
combination square good for depth and repeat measures.
tilgear should have the quality required.
My previous list is based on a mobile kit used for odd jobs i have done for various people, keeping the weight low and fits in a home made tray with central handle. I also have a electrical kit a large set of screws mostly 8s red plugs etc and take power tools as required.
Also please note my chisels are plastic handle and the putty knife protects the wood when removing nails with pincers

 

[wizer]

I know you said you wasn't going top end. But you will simply be amazed at the quality of the Faamag and Colt forstner type bits. They're bloody good.

 

[ByronBlack]

Tom, I rarely find the need for forstners/spades, but as and when my current ones die I'll definitely upgrade, but it may be sometime as I've barely used them over the last few years.

Old, thanks for the further details, the clamps you mention, are those the irwin ones?

 

[wizer]

I definitely need to get a decent combination square. I have a decent small engineers square, but nothing for 45 degree angles - what can anyone recommend as a decent but not extortionate option? I'd like something small like a 4 or 6" tops.

I don't own one, but thiscombi gets good reviews on Axi's site. Compare it with the reviews on their expensive Stanley offering. It's on my wish list for a free delivery 'pushover'

 

[ByronBlack]

Tom - good spot re: combi square. I was originally looking at the Starrett which is V.expensive compared, but I get paranoid about whether these cheaper tools are up to scratch when comparing against premium brands, they are probably are fine, but I think the tool-snob in me says that because its cheap, then it's going to be pants.

Thinking about it, if I already have a engineers square, wouldn't it be cheaper to add a mitre-square and forego the combination? Or is a combination square a tool that can replace many others?

 

[OLD]

Yes the irwin but not the uprated one just the yellow one.
Combination squares can wear in the slide mec. so avoid alloy bodys if it will see some good use, very useful for taking measurements from the wood as recommended by the woodwisperer.
A good quality tape measure is also needed for odd jobs and good work.

 

[ByronBlack]

Cheers old, I'll look into getting some irwin clamps. Re the combination square, I'll see if I can find the wood whisperer video as I need some more info on whether I'll actually use one regularly over a regular square.

 

[lurker]

Hi Byron

This is off at a slight tangent, but do I remember you & a few others building some very flashy tool totes?

Any idea of a link ?
I pretty hopeless at searching this forum

 

[ByronBlack]

Hi Lurker - it wasn't me bulding a fancy tote, but I do remember there being someone who made a nice one - try searching with google and adding the following

site:www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forum

that should contain your search to just the forum - google seems to be much better than the crappy site search function.