Star Tech Journal

STAR*TEcH
Journal
CD
March 1996
Tips
'Wey Enzo, I can't find the self-test button on this Captain Fantastic!"
Douglas 'Enzo' McCallum • Shiawassee Technical Services• Lansing, Ml
THE TOOLBOX
(PART
1)
When /' m off to Seattle or Boston to rep a product,
the last thing I want is to find out I don't have all the tools I need for the job at hand.
Tools are just as important on a local service call. I think an organized toolbox and
the proper selection of tools is the key to good service.
The kind of toolbox you carry is
less important than the organiza-
tion within. I like a large box with
pallets (panels with pockets for
each tool), but I also use a soft
zippered case from time to time.
boxes have held up well, and
they make small things conve-
nient to store. 35mm film cans
are real handy for storing crimp
connectors, hardware and small
components.
Even a tackle box style toolbox
is fine. Pick a box that will keep
the tools in place so when you
go for a tool, it is still where you
put it last time.
Storing your tools in a consistent
manner does two things. First, it
enables you to find your tools
quickly without wasting time dig-
ging around in the box. Second,
it lets you tell easily that you have
picked up ALL your tools before
leaving the location.
There are many ways to anchor
tools and supplies: pallets, divid-
ers, rubber bands, little boxes,
Styrofoam, whatever works for
you. I use a number of small and
medium sized fishing lure cases
to keep my small tools, parts,
electronic components all neat
and tidy inside my tool case.
Plano makes a wide variety of
these and they are available in
many stores. Look in the sport-
ing goods section. My Plano
Looking for a good toolbox?
There are many sources. Your
distributor probably sells them,
and the big parts houses do. Lo-
cal electronics parts stores often
sell toolboxes. You owe it to your-
self to check out Jensen and
Techni-Tool. These two large
catalogs feature a range of tool
boxes as well as just every tool
imaginable. Talk to other techni-
cians about the pros and cons of
the various tool boxes they have
used.
My personal choice is a Jensen
deep two pallet case in heavy
duty plastic, but there are many
other styles and brands that will
serve you well.
Caution: the airlines are VERY
hard on toolboxes. If you fly with
your tools, I highly recommend
the heavy plastic models. This is
the same material the airlines use
to make the cargo tubs that ride
the conveyor belts. The fake
leather covered wood boxes look
good and are fine to carry
around, but the airlines will shred
them in no time . Aluminum
looks good, but it dents. Alumi-
num costs a lot more, too. The
catalog houses have sales engi- .
neers to help you select the best
model for your needs.
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