What goes in a tote or carry-around toolbox?
 

It seems that all of the tools in my roll-around cabinet tend to migrate to the tote tray of my road trip toolbox. Between the weight problem nearly ripping the arms from the sockets after a while and the frustration at having to nearly dump out the tray to to find the tool I need at a perticular moment, I decided to pose the question to the gang here:

Part A: What kind of carry around toolbox, toolbag or tote tray do you use or recommend?

Part 2: What essential tools do you require?

Part III: Are you organized or do you just throw it in there and dig for what you need later?

Hopefully we can cover the spectrum from the recommendation of having a pen, a spoon and the phone number for the hangar, to having the first hundred pages of the current Snap-On catalog.

Q1, Snap On, Middle size Plastic tool box. The plastic box is tough, wont damage anything and doesn't conduct.

Q2, Snap On Ratchet Screwdriver, Large common screwdriver, Set of Instrument Screwdrivers. Full 1/4 Drive 12 point socket set, shallow and deep with extensions and wobble bits. 1/4 to 7/8 open end offset. Scribe. Torch. Tape. Lockwire. Rag. Lockwire pliers, Sidecutters, Strippers, Flush cutters. Spare Pen.
Q3, I dont have that much in my tote box as when I am doing line work so I dont organise it, I like to dig!

Leatherman,Mini Maglite and pen. All fits neatly in your pocket.

tried the hammer and condom toolkit - if the hammer doesn't work f### it, but there's always something you need that's back in the line in your big box.
I always carry a snap on ratchet screwdriver, mini maglite and leatherman and a barn box in the van that has most of the stuff you could ever need to fix a 146 (& that's a lot - even avionics)
I've tried many times to lighten the load of the box, but then one job comes along and the tools are in the line so I leave them in the box for a while, then another one comes along and before you know it the box is overflowing again.
At least the box has loads of compartments for sorting stuff, leaving the bottom for most of the A+C type stuff.

It sounds like Cat1234 has the closest to my distilled minimum setup. I add a few six point sockets for those “fun” fasteners, stop at ¾’s with my combinations and angle wrenches, add a Craftsman Ignition wrench set (wonderful little kit, relatively cheap too), lacing cord (cold and hot, err, I mean Type 1 waxed and Type 4), permanent marker pen for panels and cargo pit liner etc, metric adjustable, speed handle, 032 and 025 stainless lockwire (yeah, we are one of the Neanderthal organizations that uses SS on electrical connector safeties), a small spool of break-away wire, wire strippers (since I mainly handle avionics now), needle nose vise grips, and curved jaw Channel Lock pliers for electrical connectors. With the appropriate additional tools for a special job, this tray full of tools can take care of tire, actuators, engine changes, etc.

Maybe you can understand why my arms keep getting longer. Isn’t the Snap-On ratcheting bit driver the cat’s pajamas?

Of course, I am always wondering if I am overlooking something, or if anyone has a suggestion on what to leave out. Keep the comments coming. Who knows what we may learn.

I operate similar to CAT1234 and also have some "Engineers White" (Tippex) to mark locations. Also you can put it on wires then write on it - great on older A/C.

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The Stamp is mightier than the Toolbox!!

barn box. and cram as much stuff as you can carry in it. because you will need it for that one job that you have that is five miles away from the line shack.

Hey Dave, you were right, 2 Cross pens, a Leatherman and and plenty of B.....it ! Better exercised on the ' specials ' available only from the front office courtesy of the " Penguin "

All of the above plus Mars Bars and Red Bull. They don't feed us at our place!

Does anyone work with a hotshot ace mechanic that carries two Leathermans?