Tools and Tool Boxes

[alfsauve]

 For going to the range I assembled one of my Plano boxes with an hodge-podge of this and that.  Random screw drivers, a small assortment of Allan wrenches.  Never really needed it much, until three things happened.  Another shooter needed to borrow a wrench and turns out it was the one size I didn't have.  Then someone had a squib and was leery of using my aluminum rod to drive out the bullet.  Finally my red dot came loose during practice and I realized all I had to tighten it was the plastic tool that came with the sight.  Rather embarrassed by my junky tool box.

For years I've had a small Chapman screwdriver set on my bench.  I decided that would be the start of outfitting my range box.  I printed a more compact holder for the bits.  (Oh and ordered my self a slightly larger Chapman set for the bench.)  Got new Allen wrench sets and pared down the holder eliminating the industrial sizes.  Got rid of the junk.  Have a "professional grade" squib rod.  Below is a picture of the new set.  Only thing missing are the Torx wrench which Miss Kitty is giving me for Christmas.

I really feel good about have Made in USA Chapman screw drivers.  They are hollow ground and the best for not marring up screw heads.  I know most autos don't need screw drivers but us revolver shooter use them frequently.

[Majer]

I'll have to try to remember to dig my tool kit out of my gun cart and take pictures of it.I have everything I need for most repairs on my CAS guns.

[Rastus]

Good info guys. 

I keep this for screws, etc.: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1026653778?pid=566001

Somtimes this punch set:  https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018248140?pid=258460

One of these if there is AR work to do:  https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102305607?pid=502227

Some assorted allen wrenches...mostly from scope mount kits.  And that's about it.  I like the wrenches idea.  Cleaning rods...I never have kept them around but with 22's that's a great idea.  I do keep some silicone cleaning cloths around along with various gun oils.

And, oh yeah, since Frank mentioned them I have received some pipe cleaners that were ordered.  I'm going to drop a couple of those in the shooting bag.

[alfsauve]

In the bag on the left are cleaning patches and some pipe cleaners.  I keep several red pipe cleaners hanging on my range cart for a) check for block barrel b) as an emergency ECI in case somebody forgot theirs.  Also, for no good reason I keep a couple of zip ties in the tool box. 

I was wondering about the Leatherman tool.  The only thing I need it for is the pliers.  I'll look for USA made long nose pliers.  For field repairs I don't need large pliers.  I have those in the truck tool box. 

[alfsauve]

Surprise to find that Channel Loc and some Craftsman are still made in USA. After looking at what pliers were available I’ll just stick with the Leatherman tool.  I did remove the belt clip to make it more compact.

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

I don't have a dedicated gun tool box. Or one I can toss a few things in to go to the range, but I probably should.

I don't usually carry it because of the weight, but have a Gerber Multi-Plier 600 - Black, Carbide Cutters, Needlenose that came with a Berry-Compliant Sheath. I also bought a CustomFit Dual Sheath for it that holds it and a set of 12 1/4" hex bits in a rubber holder, plus a tactical pen on the outside. It uses a nearly silent "one way" type of Velcro which reduces the ripping noise by over 95%, a military secret weapon. Quiet Deploy technology is activated by simply pulling down the front tab for stealth-like access – they’ll never hear you coming. I have the same bit set that comes with a Gerber Center-Drive, but had to buy it somewhere else. I took the lanyard loop off the Multi-Plier 600, and replaced it with ~1/3 of a hacksaw blade that I modified to fit in the tool, and fold in and out. The hacksaw blade locks open, as do all of the tools, and with the pliers telescoped back into the handles it's pretty solid and compact. This is for when I want to carry a tool kit on me, but not carry a tool box. I highly recommend the hacksaw mod for multi-tools, if you think you can handle it. It was a really frustrating pain in the butt. You can see where I had to narrow down the blade so it could fold, which should make it easier for anyone else who tries this mod. IIRC, I had to grind away a little bit between the hole and the edge too, to make it fit.

https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools/multi-plier-600-black-carbide-cutters-needlenose-berry-compliant-sheath-07550g1

https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/equipment/all-equipment/customfit-dual-sheath-30-001223

https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools/center-drive-bit-set-30-001194n?srsltid=AfmBOoob7NfW7d5-2Lu8-G5hTBRHcxhvSE3OrZYtHbWlbirgEn0yjDV5

[alfsauve]

I think I'm at a stopping point.  It'll aways be in flux.  I decided I didn't need all the tools in the Leatherman just the pliers portion, and I'm on a made in USA kick, so I found 6" adjustable Craftsman pliers and 6" ChannelLock long nose. (The long nose pictured are actually Stanley but I'm replacing it with CL when I can find one locally.)  I've taken out a few other things and am feeling good about it.  The objective is to keep the gun in the game after minor failures, not to perform major gunsmithing.  No torque wrench.  No barrel wrench.  Just to be able to clear jams, squibs and to tighten or replace screws.  The Glock Front Sight tool and the GunSmithing S&W Rebound Spring tool I probably don't need in the field, but I have extras so why not.

Here's the list of what's in the box as it stands today.  Three things not in the box but are kept in the cart separate:  a)Long Pipe Cleaners  to check for barrel blockage without "sweeping" yourself and they double as Empty Chamber Indicators.  Easier to get to hanging on the side of the cart than in the box.   b)Hornady One Shot spray cleaner-lubricant.  Safe on ammo, primers and powder.  Mainly use it to clean magazines and speed loaders  that are dropped in the mud or sand.  3)  Magazine Brush which is too big to go in the box.

Tools:
  Adj Pliers
  Long Nose Pliers
  Chapman Screw Driver Set w/ Handle and Ratchet
  Allen Wrenches in hex SAE and Metrix, and Torx Wrenches (Took the industrial sized ones out to save space)
  Glock Punch (very handy as a general punch for any gun)
  Glock Front Sight Tool (very thin hex head socket)
  Squib Rod
  S&W Rebound Spring Tool
Cleaning:
  Segmented Cleaning Rod
  Tips:  Slotted & Jag in .22 and .38/9mm and Brass Brush in .22, .38/9mm and .45
  Patches, Qtips, Wire infused Pipe Cleaner
  Brass Brush
  CLP lubricant
Misc:
  Lighter
  Fiber Optic Replacement Rods
  Sight adjustment tools (variety)
  S&W Revolver Screws + Firing Pin & Spring
  Zip Ties
Batteries: (dictated mainly by what I need for hearing protection, timers, flashlights and red-dots)
  2032
  2025
  1625
  AA
  AAA 
  CR123
  9V

[Big Frank]

It looks like a good kit. I recommend the Storacell Magnetic Button Caddy, 8pk. They hold 8 CR2032 and similar size batteries, like CR2016. They cost $13.95, and a Magnetic Button Caddy 4pk is $11.95. I have both and like them, but for 2 bucks extra I prefer the 8pk which is barely any larger, just a little thicker. Right now, they have Magnetic Button Caddy 8pk in 4 different colors, + Panasonic CR2032 10pk, Regular price $23.95, On Sale for $19.95. You Save 17%. The other batteries look fine the way they are, but this is an easy way to keep the coin batteries organized, and not lose any. Code STORACELL20 might still be good for 20% off, if anyone wants to order these or anything else from Storacell. As usual they have Free Shipping on domestic orders over $50.

https://storacell.net/collections/button-coin-cell-caddies?sort_by=price-ascending

P.S. What's with the banana? It's not some kind of banana clip is it?

[alfsauve]

In the Dull Men’s Club posts are required to include a picture of a banana for perspective.

[Rastus]

Methinks this is something I need to ponder closely.  It's been so too long since I've been on an organized shoot. 

Today instead of shooting I was breaking ice for animals to drink, hauling hay, etc.  Yesterday the same.  Day before I installed 50' plus of drain pipe and moved 30 yards of dirt.  Tomorrow I need to focus on moving 50-60 yards of dirt. 

Shooting...I remember that.