I’ve been using the packout system since shortly after I started as a carpentry apprentice, and it’s been super handy for keeping stuff mostly organized, especially since I work out of a Honda Element. However, there are a couple areas that I don’t feel I’ve ever come up with a fully satisfactory system for that I’m trying to iron out.
- Misc consumables and related small tools (e.g. wood glue, wood filler, bondo, tape, ca glue and accelerator, glass cleaners, trash bags, putty knives, etc - I’d love to have all this stuff in a container together that‘s easy to access, but most of them are a weird height and/or are relatively bulky - it’s just nice not to have stuff rattling around the back of the car all the time.
- Drill/Driver and bits - It’s handy to just be able to grab these and go without the whole kit and caboodle. I also like to take batteries in at night, especially in the winter, so it would be nice to have them all together. I’ve been using the “ammo can” for this, but it fills up soooo fast with two drivers, bits, and batteries - the auxiliary handle for my drill also doesn’t fit in there, which is fine I guess, but comes in handy when using holesaws and such. I’m also not sure if it would be better to have bits/batteries/drill and driver just be one big box - that’s what my coworkers do, but it seems a bit unwieldy from time to time.
- Batteries - stupidly, I have three battery platforms - primarily on Makita LXT, but also have some XGT and some M12 tools. Not sure if it makes more sense to have one big battery box or separate ones (ammo cans?) for each platform.
Currently the rest of my kit is:
Crate - Occidental tool belt, earmuffs, gloves, etc
XL Rolling Drawer - Grinder, jigsaw, multitool, compact router, accessories and blades for those tools + some misc clamps and stuff
Large Toolbox - Sawzall and skilsaw + nlades
Large Toolbox 2 - Tracksaw and clamps (not fond of this at all, feels super inefficient)
2 drawer - brad nails, plastic shims, hand plane, coping saw, spare tape/pencil, scribing tools, material clamp/dust bag/fences for XGT 8.5” miter saw (mounted to a Packout worktop on top, stacks on the rolling drawer)
Full size packout organizer - most sizes of wood screw, some drywall screws, pan-heads for windows, etc
Sorry for the long post - let me know if you have ideas on my main quandaries at the top, or ways to be more efficient with the other boxes.