How do lug your tools around the bone yard?

[jballard81]

I have two big socket tray organizers. They are great but ultimately heavy and kinda ungainly for lugging around a yard.

I've taken to grabbing what I think I'll need and tossing it into a backpack. Then, usually have to trudge back out to my truck at some point for more tools.

Looking on Amazon I see a bunch of tool rolls (not impressed), tool bags (maybe??) and pack out type roller things ($$$)...

So I ask y'all, how do you get the most tools out the most comfortably with the most flexibility?
Thanks!

 

[sgtsandman]

I haven't done much junk yard excursions. So no personal experience here. Are your tool boxes the type that you could load them, stacked on a hand truck? One with air or never flat tires might work pretty well.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've gotten kinda lazy the last few times but it really depends on what I'm going in for... I've got one of the $100 Kobalt kits they sell at Christmas time and I have a bigger tool bag I use for the other random stuff, tool bags are nicer since they're flat all the time... if I'm doing a lot I'll take both and my Gorilla Cart since all their wheelbarrows are usually gone when I go (since I go on sale weekends mostly)

 

[jballard81]

I haven't done much junk yard excursions. So no personal experience here. Are your tool boxes the type that you could load them, stacked on a hand truck? One with air or never flat tires might work pretty well.

They are not currently stackable. That is the path I'm somewhat leaning towards. Expensive though they may be

 

[jballard81]

I've gotten kinda lazy the last few times but it really depends on what I'm going in for... I've got one of the $100 Kobalt kits they sell at Christmas time and I have a bigger tool bag I use for the other random stuff, tool bags are nicer since they're flat all the time... if I'm doing a lot I'll take both and my Gorilla Cart since all their wheelbarrows are usually gone when I go (since I go on sale weekends mostly)

Gorilla cart, had to look that one up. I have one of the $99 Craftsman Xmas kits condensed down as much as I can and even then it's annoying sometimes

I mainly see the pack out kits and similar stackable type deals at the boneyard. The guys I see there ever time I'm there seem to have something like that.

All good info, appreciate it!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Tool loadout depends on the target, I just use their carts. Try to find a good one that doesn't have flat tires and/or a bent axle so the tire rubs on the cart and away I go.

 

[JoshT]

Excellent topic. I always have the same awakard tool battle when I go.

Usually I throw a bunch of assorted stuff in the truck, then pack what I think I need in a HF tool bag when I get there. Little suff I've got a cheap 1/4 drive ratchet and screw bit set from Tractor supply that I'll carry in. Might take battery drill or impact driver (1/4 drive type) to speed things up a little.

If I'm after bigger stuff, bigger tools are in the truck and bet loaded in the tool bag. That trip usually gets a 1/2 drive impact gun, breaker bar, and pry bars.

Of course the problem with that is that I'm tired and stuff never makes it back into the tool box when I get home. I need to start building up a home set and a travel set.

if I'm doing a lot I'll take both and my Gorilla Cart since all their wheelbarrows are usually gone when I go (since I go on sale weekends mostly)

Which gorilla cart you got? The plastic tub dump type, or the expanded metal with folding sides? I need to get one for the house that I can also carry out for stuff like this. Something to hook up behind the lawnmower for yard trash anyway.

Usually for the salvage yard trips I borrow dad's expanded metal cart or use the place's wheelbarrows. The cart certainly works better.



Battery powered, self propelled.
Nothing strong enough to ride, but an assist to get back up hill in that loose gravel with a loaded cart. Although, if it was strong enough to ride...

 

[scotts90ranger]

Which gorilla cart you got? The plastic tub dump type, or the expanded metal with folding sides? I need to get one for the house that I can also carry out for stuff like this. Something to hook up behind the lawnmower for yard trash anyway.

I have the bigger of the two expanded metal carts, the one with the 13" tires instead of the 10" tires, we've had it for like 8 years for moving firewood in the winter, it's wife approved... only one of the 4 tires leaks, I think I've put stop leak in it but don't remember, I have a tube and have had it for like 4 years, don't rush me...

 

[MaicoDoug]

Good topic, when I go jetty fishing, my tackle box, cooler, tools, poles, ton of stuff to stay there for hours, need something redneck no doubt, well.... there is a battery powered wheelchair junkyard down here in Houston. The guy wants hardly nothing for differentials, BIG lead acid batteries, & tires. I did build a battery powered cart that hauls about 60 lbs no problem, would haul my butt too I would guess. Used a junk "garden cart" from harbor freight for the bed and simply fab'ed up the diff from an old electric chair with the original 12" tires. Worked so good I sold it to my friend for him & his kids to ride out a mile on the paved jetty in Sargent, Texas. Need to build another. Got $50 bucks in it. Need to take a picture.

For the junkyard, I simply use my service bag with the shoulder strap, very fashionable. Impact & blanket required. The guy at the desk asked, you gonna take a nap? Only if I'm in the shade I told him.

 

[Uncle Gump]

My fishing rig... but it has been to the junkyard too.

 

[jballard81]

Tool loadout depends on the target, I just use their carts. Try to find a good one that doesn't have flat tires and/or a bent axle so the tire rubs on the cart and away I go.

That's a good looking cart. If I'm lucky they will have a wheelbarrow that's tire has been foamed/slimed and holds some air. Still, better than nothing!

 

[jballard81]

Of course the problem with that is that I'm tired and stuff never makes it back into the tool box when I get home. I need to start building up a home set and a travel set.

This was my battle for the longest time. I've slowly built up a travel set of tools that stays ready to go, it does occasionally get supplemented by power tools from the main tool box.

 

[bhgl]

Carrying shit:
I also always bring a massive rubber-maid bin to chuck loose bolts, or tools I don't have the time to put away. I can put all the tool cases in there and not worry about them falling out or off the hand truck.

I'm big on hand trucks when I'm at the pick n pull, luckily the one I go to has them available on site.

I usually go with my girlfriend, so we end up using two if we need extra space for the parts we're taking.


Tools themselves:

Aside from the essentials of sockets, ratchets, and wrenches, I always bring my electric ratchet on a full battery, which makes life a lot easier when I need to get to a component behind a bunch of other stuff.

I usually look up disassembly/replacement/repair videos relevant to the part I'm taking off beforehand to make sure I even own the right tool, and pack it specifically.

From there, I make sure to bring things like an extractor set, a big ass metal bar for leverage, and a yoga matt.

I usually don't find myself out of a tool that's necessary, but depending on how busy the yard is, often times other folks are willing to let you borrow something.

 

[Shran]

I have a beat up Milwaukee Packout rolling toolbox specifically for this purpose. The intention was to have a fairly robust tool kit in the top organizer trays and then in the bottom, a jack, impact, M18 search light, and M18 inflator plus some stuff that doesn't fit in the trays like hammers, pry bars, etc. I can grab the box if I need to go help someone fix a flat tire at 3AM or pick up a junk vehicle or go on a junkyard run.

If I'm on a junkyard run, I take the light and inflator out and replace them with a sawzall, grinder, blades, cutoff wheels. I have a Packout milk crate that I put jack stands and other big stuff in. I'm pretty happy with the setup, thus far it has worked well and it's nice to have a dedicated box so I don't forget stuff.

Major bummer about junkyards here though. We used to have a bunch-

A&A is halfway closed, two brothers own it and one had a stroke
B&B closed about 5 years ago out of the blue, I think their real estate was worth more than the business
ABC closed about 10 years ago and everything is still there
U-Pull-It closed last year, the owner supposedly was shooting people for breaking in and lost his business license
U-Pull-It second location closed years ago, that place was awesome
A-1 has a lot of inventory but won't let you go wander the yard
Rapid Import also will not let you wander
Moore's only deals in old cars and I don't think their inventory has changed in decades
Alan's is now CoPart and they don't sell parts
Aggressive is the only one left where you can wander the yard and the word is, they are looking to close

Sadly about half of those yards are on one street here and somebody wants to build a big RV park behind their properties so I wouldn't doubt it if they all close up & sell the land. There used to be really good junkyards in Edgemont and Sturgis but those have closed too. My buddy that works at Aggressive said the business is just frustrating as hell, most people that walk in looking to wander the yard are tweakers that steal things. I miss the old days.

 

[jballard81]

I have a beat up Milwaukee Packout rolling toolbox specifically for this purpose. The intention was to have a fairly robust tool kit in the top organizer trays and then in the bottom, a jack, impact, M18 search light, and M18 inflator plus some stuff that doesn't fit in the trays like hammers, pry bars, etc. I can grab the box if I need to go help someone fix a flat tire at 3AM or pick up a junk vehicle or go on a junkyard run.

If I'm on a junkyard run, I take the light and inflator out and replace them with a sawzall, grinder, blades, cutoff wheels. I have a Packout milk crate that I put jack stands and other big stuff in. I'm pretty happy with the setup, thus far it has worked well and it's nice to have a dedicated box so I don't forget stuff.

Major bummer about junkyards here though. We used to have a bunch-

A&A is halfway closed, two brothers own it and one had a stroke
B&B closed about 5 years ago out of the blue, I think their real estate was worth more than the business
ABC closed about 10 years ago and everything is still there
U-Pull-It closed last year, the owner supposedly was shooting people for breaking in and lost his business license
U-Pull-It second location closed years ago, that place was awesome
A-1 has a lot of inventory but won't let you go wander the yard
Rapid Import also will not let you wander
Moore's only deals in old cars and I don't think their inventory has changed in decades
Alan's is now CoPart and they don't sell parts
Aggressive is the only one left where you can wander the yard and the word is, they are looking to close

Sadly about half of those yards are on one street here and somebody wants to build a big RV park behind their properties so I wouldn't doubt it if they all close up & sell the land. There used to be really good junkyards in Edgemont and Sturgis but those have closed too. My buddy that works at Aggressive said the business is just frustrating as hell, most people that walk in looking to wander the yard are tweakers that steal things. I miss the old days.

This is great info. I'm leaning more towards some type of pack out setup. I hear you on the yard situation. there are only two corporate LKQ places (each 30 miles away from me) near me. While they are good about getting some pics up to their site, I know they pull parts from rigs (employees get 1st dibs? or they know high value for fleabay) before they take those pics.