Looking for best bag/case/box solution for storing cables, HDs, tools

frodooftheshire

Hi guys,

Currently I have an old Lenovo laptop bag that's stuffed to the brim with screw drivers, portable HDs, flash drives, tone generator, patch cables, etc. and I have to spend considerable time digging through my bag to find what I'm looking for. Each day I look at my schedule and try to bring all the tools nessecary for the day.

I want to come up with a solution that will allow me to keep my patch cable inventory, tools (screw drivers, drill , drill bits, zip ties, network toner, etc) , equipment in my car at all times. I would still have a laptop bag, but it wouldn't be storing anything more than a laptop, charger, & maybe a 20' ft patch cable.

I was thinking of something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EGDWFQ8/ref=psdc_3345931_t3_B017VCBHZG

The problem is, I probably couldn't store everything in one...might need a second one, and they are somewhat pricey, and I'm not sure two would fit in the back of my car (2016 Mazda 3 wagon).

I also thought of these:

https://www.uline.com/BL_8821/Divider-Boxes

Would be great for network cables, but it doesn't have wheels, making it harder to transport around a job site.

What do you guys use for storing your equipment/tools in your cars/vans?

Obsolesce

A consultant I work with has a nice, well not sure what to call it, backpack/computer bag on wheels.

I did a quick Amazon search to see if I could find it, and didn't, I guess because I'm not searching correctly. But I did find something similar, just not as roomy as he has.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Mobile-Office-Travel-49354-1041/dp/B00D3DACBI

https://www.amazon.com/Targus-Roller-Laptop-16-Inch-TBR003US/dp/B000UE8JWM

Something like those would work excellent, if you could find one closer to what the guy I know has. I'll ask him. You'd be able to fit the below in it, plus cables, and some tools. If you need to carry around a lot, then get two of them or a suit case lol.

For your screws and such, stick something like this in it:

https://www.amazon.com/OULII-Organizer-Container-Adjustable-Dividers/dp/B00UKXOFBC

Francesco Provino

@frodooftheshire I use this http://www.dewalt.com/en-us/products/gear-and-equipment/tool-storage/toughsystem-ds150-small-case/dwst08201 , very high-quality and rugged stuff.

gjacobse

@Francesco-Provino said in Looking for best bag/case/box solution for storing cables, HDs, tools:

@frodooftheshire I use this http://www.dewalt.com/en-us/products/gear-and-equipment/tool-storage/toughsystem-ds150-small-case/dwst08201 , very high-quality and rugged stuff.

I have a project that would go nicely in that... Thanks for pointing it out.

travisdh1

I like tool boxes for my kit, that DeWalt looks nice, but a bit on the small side for everything I carry around. At the moment, I just have a cheap one from WalMart, but it fits my kit well. Patch cables, cable tester, air pump/blower, usb dvdrom, various screwdrivers, recovery and system dvd/cd roms, etc.

frodooftheshire

Thank's Tim. Definitely interested in what your friend uses. The Samsonite looks pretty good, but I'm not sure it would be big enough to hold what I need. I do like the fact that it retains a professional look which is nice. It's a fine line between rugged toolboxes that are used by construction workers, and a more high end professional/leather looking bag.

Again, I might have to end up with two different storage solutions. One bag for laptop, and the Pelican box I mentioned above. The main reason I like the pelican is because the modular compartment design, but it's also somewhat overkill because it's usually used to protect expensive equipment (cameras/lenses/etc) and I would be using it for my drill/patch cables.

travisdh1

@frodooftheshire said in Looking for best bag/case/box solution for storing cables, HDs, tools:

Thank's Tim. Definitely interested in what your friend uses. The Samsonite looks pretty good, but I'm not sure it would be big enough to hold what I need. I do like the fact that it retains a professional look which is nice. It's a fine line between rugged toolboxes that are used by construction workers, and a more high end professional/leather looking bag.

Again, I might have to end up with two different storage solutions. One bag for laptop, and the Pelican box I mentioned above. The main reason I like the pelican is because the modular compartment design, but it's also somewhat overkill because it's usually used to protect expensive equipment (cameras/lenses/etc) and I would be using it for my drill/patch cables.

With a pelican, you'll probably need additional containers for the smaller items. They're great cases, but not meant for things like screws or screwdrivers.

Obsolesce

@frodooftheshire said in Looking for best bag/case/box solution for storing cables, HDs, tools:

Thank's Tim. Definitely interested in what your friend uses. The Samsonite looks pretty good, but I'm not sure it would be big enough to hold what I need. I do like the fact that it retains a professional look which is nice. It's a fine line between rugged toolboxes that are used by construction workers, and a more high end professional/leather looking bag.

Again, I might have to end up with two different storage solutions. One bag for laptop, and the Pelican box I mentioned above. The main reason I like the pelican is because the modular compartment design, but it's also somewhat overkill because it's usually used to protect expensive equipment (cameras/lenses/etc) and I would be using it for my drill/patch cables.

I suppose it just comes down to what you do. If you walk inside of some company, sit down at a desk, break out your laptop... do some work, then go out to trace some network cables or wire some up quick... possibly install some switches or work on some servers... that professional look is what you want.

But if you walk in, start tearing out equipment, run wires through walls, need a lot of tools, need a lot of equipment, need a lot of hardware, then you need big cases that can fit all of your stuff in it or you just have to make multiple trips out to your car/truck.

If you perform the best of both worlds, then bet a big bulky box for your big tools, equipment, and hardware, and get one of those professional looking Samsonites for your laptop/charger/mouse, small hardware, rack screws, a few drivers/mini drill, etc... you get my point.

Mike Davis

I have 3 bags at this point. One nice leather over the shoulder bag. Something like this, except it's a top loader:
https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Leather-Messenger-Briefcase-Laptop/dp/B00FR0JMNE/
In that goes the laptop, charger, notepaper, small screw driver, external drive (HDD and DVD), roll of velro, and a couple of patch cables. It's the stuff I used on almost every job.

Then I have a little craftsman softbag like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-9-37535-Soft-Tool-Box/dp/B004VMTG1C/
It's my "troubleshooting bag." I have a toner, crimpers, side cutters, punch down tool, box cutter, and larger screwdriver. That's the one I grab when something on the network isn't working.

The third one is my installer bag. It's something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Custom-LeatherCraft-1132-75-Pocket-Backpack/dp/B0000DYVCY/
It has my butt set, two more toners, a cable testor, more hand tools, fish tape, misc screws for racks, etc All the stuff I usually need on an install or big cabling job.

frodooftheshire

This post is deleted!