Buy the Right Took Box for Your Van

For the jobbing tradesman it can be quite the challenge to find a suitable van tool box.  There are a few factors that you should consider before making your purchase and with a little help from the following pointers it should be a straightforward task.

Before you even think about hitting the shops you need to start by measuring the bed of your van or truck so that you can determine an appropriate size of tool box.You should find that most tool box manufacturers will have a detailed list of the make and model of trucks that their tool boxes are compatible with.While these lists are useful, it certainly wont help to double check with your measurements.

Next you should ask yourself how important ease of access to the tools is going to be for you.Does your job dictate that you frequently return to your truck for tools?  Or perhaps you’re the type of person that isn’t too happy about having to dive into the back of your van whenever you want a screwdriver.If you find that convenience is going to be a key factor then you may want to consider purchasing a wheel well van tool box instead.  Alternatively, you may find it beneficial to buy a larger toolbox that can be easily opened from the side.

It may be quite difficult to buy these kinds of tool boxes from a high street retailer so it can be a good idea to compare prices online, especially since there are specialist websites that deal exclusively in van tool boxes.Tools are a tradesman's most valuable property so you should make sure that the tool kit you buy is safe, secure and preferably made from steel.  By shopping online it will also enable you to quickly compare prices on similar models so you will know whether you are getting the best deal or not.

Tool box Essentials - Top 10 Tools

No matter whether you’re a seasoned on site contractor or a DIY novice, it always pays to have well stocked tool or site boxes lying around.Whether you have just invested in a new tool box or you are looking to organise your current one, it is always useful to have a checklist of the basic tools that you should always have to hand.

1) You should start with the basics and ensure that your tool kit contains safety glasses or goggles.

2)  Next you need to check that you have a good quality claw hammer.Weight is usually a good indicator of quality of the hammer and 16oz is more than reasonable.

3) A quality utility knife will always be versatile useful.Remember that you should have a stock of additional blades to hand.

4)  You aren't a workman unless you have a tape measure.Yours should be at least 12 feet long, however if you can afford to get a longer one then this would definitely be preferable.

5) We all know that anything can be fixed with duct tape.  Always have a roll to hand and don't forget to include electrical and plumbing tape for the more specific jobs.

6) If you are taking on electrical jobs then you will need a set of pliers (needle nose) as well as some vice grips for when you need an extra hand.

7) A bright searchlight will prove to be very useful in illuminating jobs in dark spots and awkward locations.

8)  To ensure accuracy of measurements include a spirit level and a 12 inch set square.

9) There are a variety of saws that you can buy so consider the type of work you are likely to undertake before you make a purchase.

10) Screwdrivers are essential so make sure you have both kinds - standard and Phillips.

11) No tool kit is complete without an electric drill.Whatever you do, don't forget to buy the additional and replacement drill bits.

For the tradesman on the move, the importance of owning a well stocked secure toolbox that is easy to carry around cannot be over emphasised.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a keen amateur doing odd jobs, or whether you’re a more experienced labourer it’s still work explaining how best to stock your tools in a van safe tool box that will meet your needs.

You should start by measuring the size of your van or truck bed in order to determine the most appropriate size of toolbox for you to buy.It is common for site box manufacturers to have a list of all the makes and models of vans and trucks that their toolbox is compatible with.Do not rely on this though as it won't hurt for you to double check all the measurements before you go shopping round for decent secure toolbox.

Next you should then determine how important it is for you to get easy access to all of your tools.Perhaps you're the sort of worker that doesn't like climbing into the van every time you need to pick up a screwdriver.If you find that you are the sort of tradesman that is frequently returning to their van for tools then it could be more convenient for you to purchase a van safe tool box that will open easily from the side.  It may also be worth considering a wheel well tool box for even more convenience.

It is perhaps an obvious point but it is always worth using online resources to compare the price of various cheap toolboxes.  Amazon is always a good place to start, however for the more serious tradesman who needs a toolbox that is secure as well as easily accessible then it would be much more sensible to approach a specialist supplier of van safe tool boxes.

Organising Your Toolbox

Whether your house is large or small, it is always very important that you have a box of tools lying around for the inevitable odd DIY jobs that need doing.Acquiring all your tools is only the first step.It is important that you must also know how to use them properly, take care of them and just as importantly - store them.If you know which tools you need and require regular access to then this will make the process of organising your toolbox a lot easier.  For those who are on the move, it may also be worth considering purchasing a van safe metal tool box.

It is vital that you buy the basic tools.  At the very minimum your tool kit should contain a sturdy hammer (with nail claw), crescent wrench, lineman’s pliers, needlenose pliers, large and small phillips screwdrivers, cordless drill and bit set, tape measure, utility knife, gloves, torch and of course safety glasses or goggles.

All smaller hand tools should always be stored in a toolbox.It makes the most sense to store the tools that you use the most at the top of your tool box.Larger additional tools should ideally be hung up on a peg board mounted inside a garage or shed.

It is advisable to purchase a large secure tool box that comes with a smaller one inside.Your basic small tools should be kept inside this small toolbox which should then in turn be kept inside your house.The rest of the tools should be kept inside the larger box so that you don't have to keep going back to the garage whenever a quick small job needs doing.

Make sure that you keep all your tools clean and dry as dirt and water are natural enemies of used tools.A handy technique is to rub machine oil into rusty metal tools, then polish them with fine steel wool before wiping them clean.