Take notice, Dave could have shown amazon kits, with affiliated links.But no, it's actual quality tools that are only a fraction of the cost, and he won't get a dime on it. We appreciate your work, Dave.
I'd add a vice grip, a knife and some assorted hardware. (nails, screws, staples, nuts and bolts. ) to start. Don't forget a pair of gloves and a shop rag.
need to make these as house warming gifts or graduation gifts for young guys. an ammo can full of old school dependable used tools. Too many young men these days lack tools, DIY skills, etc. Give them a headstart by making sure they have a good dependable tool kit to start off with.
Lots of great comments and of course many homesteading and carpentry tools are not going to fit in this and specialized boxes or sets are great. I have one for woodworking but it’s not in an ammo can. There is only so much room here so we have to stay basic and multifunctional. Some great suggestions I have seen here for sure.
A neighbor came into my life as a mentor when I was in my 40s. You are never to old to learn. I was self taught DIY but I am still learning from him. He organizes his tools in 5 gallon buckets. I said that's good enough for me. It takes more room and it not waterproof but also holds more. As each of my kids moved out, they took a bucket kit I had put together from garage sales. Even for the less mechanically inclined, I knew there was a basic set on site I could use if a problem arose. Those with property also received a refurbished basic set of shovel, rake, saw, and axe. Power tools are awesome but these would mitigate an emergency and wait until needed without serious maintenance. I had years to plan. Many items were a buck or two. Battery powered power tools have taken over the industry. Corded power tools were sometimes free there is so little demand for them. A drop cord and a drill and a circular saw still solves many problems. You can still do cheap and good, you just can't do it fast. Start now.
Grandpa kept a tool box in the farm truck…. Some of the things used the most besides screwdrivers and wrenches were a hacksaw, measuring tape and a spool of wire ( we used bale twine a lot too)
Thanks, Dave. I am 83 & I have been buying used American made, high quality tools at flea markets & yard sales for years. I've been using an Ammo Tool Box like yours for decades. I've also been fortunate to inherit osme Old School tools from my Dad who died last year at age 101; after being discharged from WWII, he worked for several years in a real old fashioned hardware store! I would add some type of hack saw. Thanks a million. This presentation took me down Memory Lane; but I use my Everyman Tool Kit daily!
Razor knife, file, small hacksaw, tape measure, some zip ties, pencil, sharpie, chisel are some of the things I thought off the top of my head. Interesting series idea. 👍🏻
Some type of file, bastard and a small round file. Sharpen an axe, cut through larger material etc. Just my opinion. Thanks Dave! You always have actually useful well thought content.
The good thing about these type of tool cans is that they can be assembled in many ways…a gp one like Dave put forward is always good. You could specialize several cans for different uses..an electrical box for example. An oil change box would eliminate looking for the correct tools in several places. I keep a box on my tractor to keep often used tools handy.
Thank you brother. Got one started already. Its called my tractorbox. I have every tool you have in there down to the brand thx to my father and grandfather🎩
What a great idea for a series. I love the community involvement. My contribution: set of picks, magnetic parts tray, zip-lock bag with some rolls of steel wool, center punch.
Ammo can was my Dad's tool box that went from tractor to tractor. Farm mechanic tools of the era, 50's, open and closed in wrenches, assorted pliers, vise grips, ball peen hammer, punches, chisels, crescent wrench, screw drivers, pry bar,etc. Weighed a ton for a kid. Ha!
Good morning Dave. BFH, LOL. I am a retired vet (thanks for your service BTW) and military surplus reseller. I like the videos, have learned much from them. Hope to attend the school someday. If you would like, I can send a link to my surplus for you and your listeners. Pretty thin profit margin but i may be able to offer some kind of discounts for your viewers. I sell lots of these, actually I'm in Lytle, TX, picking up a load (400 of these) this morning. Sell lots of canteen cups and field gear as well. Again, appreciate your passion for teaching and videos.
* 1/4" and 5/16" nut drivers. Very handy for disassembling and fixing common household appliances. * Knife (utility knife is fine) Cutting anything, stripping wires, etc. * Small torpedo level - Hanging things on walls, get a post or crosspiece plumb or level * 1/4" drive ratchet and about 10 common metric/sae sockets on a wire, and a 6" extension * small multimeter * Flashlight * rare earth magnet (stick on screwdriver to make a retrieval tool)
I would omit the lineman’s pliers & add a couple pair of vice grips . They are a multi use tool that can be used as a extra set of hands, or like a vice or C-clamp, they can cut or twist wire , crimp a brake or fuel line, crimp electric connectors . Their value & uses are immeasurable.. You can cut the length of a 12 “ adjustable/crescent wrench & make it easier to pack. A good pair of side cutters , telescopic inspection mirror. Telescopic magnet. Round & Magic cut files . Hacksaw or at least a couple of blades . I find a ball peen hammer more useful in a tool box than a cross peen. Large flat screwdriver serves as a multi use tool. Punches & putty knife. Utility knife & lots of blades..
When I moved out I went through the work trucks and grabbed just the extra tools (duplicates) and threw them in an ammo can. I put a wheel cylinder in a firebird and replaced a u- joint in an old Mazda rotary truck with those tools! It was just what we had lying around! I now use an ammo can as a lunchbox but I have a bunch of gadgets in there too, like a knife sharpener and extra mag.
As you stated, you can have add-on cans with a lot of the items stated above, more specific to the outing. I believe that Dave is looking to create a can that you will be able to grab tools out of without having to dump all of the contents from the can to find what you need. I’d replace a few of the items that you have found, but my suggestions would cost you more, even used. Great subject Dave! I have 3 of these with different parts in each, depending on whether I am Jeeping, RVing, electrical work, wood cutting, shooting, hunting, etc. These 3 cans are in my pickup as supplements to my Pelican rolling toolbox. No duplication with my EDC carry tools. Thanks!
You need c-clamps, vintage carpenter square, Nicholson Mill File, Cloth measureing tape. used vise grip tool, used razor utility knife, work gloves, can of 3 and 1 oil, a vintage hand drill press with drill bits, punch set for nails with center punch for metal. That may complete your tool set. Great Video.
I have carried one of these for years I have a socket set boxed end wrench set screw drives a 12 inch pipe wrench a 12 inch adjustable wrench different types of pliers a couple different size hammers and a tire plugging kit in mine along with other essential stuff like zip ties duck tape and electrical tape to patch something back together to get me out of the woods
I have made up tool boxes like this in the past for my different needs and places. I have been to auctions and bought all these tools in a bundle for $5 before. Always shocked when nobody else bids on them. I would add a claw hammer, allen wrenches, tape measure, file, utility knife, manual drill and bits, hack saw and small pipe wrench.
Vice Grips, Red Rag. small rope. 1 bit driver with assorted bits etc. tire pressure guage. zip ties. bailing wire. 3/8 socket set metric. small pry bar. one of those 5 in 1 painters tool things. few drywall screws assorted nails. wire brush. allen keys. telescopic magnet. few pieces of alum foil. im sure more. but thats a darn good start
Gawlee, Dave! I love it! I put together a "junk drawer Toolbox" in a Hefty container about a year. Inspired by Art of Manliness, it's more inside the house related but sooo useful. I got buddies all the time calling me for help and I've wanted to throw something together like this for my truck beyond what I've got already. Excited about this series. 👍
Pounders, squeezers and Turners seem pretty well covered. Some potential additions - After having to go get one out of the car twice in one week, I would add a claw retriever. Maybe one of those 3 blade folding saws from Menards. I do a lot of electronics work, so a soldering iron kit, including a small pair of bird mouth vice grips. Tape Measure. I keep a "10 way" screwdriver in every kit, along with 1/4" hex to nutdriver bits for it.
I repurpose things as well. For example I recently replaced the engine hood cable on my 85 truck. I took the old cable and pulled it from the sheath. It has the metal ball already attached to the one end and I now just have to attach a ring to the other end and I have a cable that can be used for a few uses.
A good pair of fencing pliers go a long way, they'll do just about anything you need. Then only thing that comes to mind at the moment would be a roll of trapper wire, not sure about finding it used. As others have said a pair of vice grips would be good, maybe even two pair. Oh! You could add a small hacksaw one of the "mini" ones I think it's called
Vice grips, some stainless or other wire, thin copper wire, a folding set of Allen wrenches, box cutter and extra blades, a small pry bar, some 3 in 1 oil, an awl or ice pick, maybe some bits of sandpaper or steel wool, a small gunsmith set of screwdrivers that has Allen and star bits included(I’m a gunsmith by trade and my good screwdriver sets always seem to follow me for field repairs and they are infinitely useful)
That is a great start to the ammo can fix it box. I’d suggest/recommend bailing wire (or some kind of wire that is strong enough to perform a temporary repair in a fence or hold up exhaust pipe/muffler, fender/mud flap(s), quality work gloves to prevent your hands from getting ripped up, a hacksaw and folding saw.
I would absolutely add a shop rag or two, a few pairs of black nitrile gloves, a tape measure, box cutter, a set of Allen wrenches, a small hacksaw, (a Laplander folding saw will cut a 2x4 just fine), a torpedo level, a headlamp, a flat pry bar, a 1/2" Chisel, a 2" putty knife, a 4 function file, a small steel cleaning brush, a pair of 8" vice grips, a carpenters pencil, a sharpie, maybe a folding square or at least a 12" flat metal ruler straight edge, and small ratchet with common sockets in either 12 point metric, or SAE. I could be pressed into an inspection mirror and a voltage tester pencil, and a small box of nails, screws, nuts and bolts. duct tape, zip ties, WD40, electrical tape and gorilla glue or hot stick glue
Folding hex key sets, hack saw blade with tape for handle, knife, couple feet of tie wire/ coat hanger, some sort of rod for punching/prying maybe just a piece of rebar or cut off the end of a tire tool, piece of pipe maybe flattened a little on one end to fit over the adjustable wrench for more leverage, Flat pry bar
Have use an ammo can as a toolbox for years. Cut an inch off a set of 440 channel locks to fit in the can. Added a U-bolt so I could put a lock on the box. Fits nicely in the shelf of a gang box. Is strong enough to stand on.
Dave, You've got some good ideas started there. Some other items that might be useful are a good pair of slip-joint pliers to round out your plier's selection, a tape measure, a pry tool of some description, a six-in-one screwdriver set, a utility knife, baling wire, a drift pin punch, and maybe a small can of WD-40 or penetrating oil. Everyone might have other things, but these seem basic enough to warrant consideration.
offset tinsnips both left and right, hacksaw, pipe cutter, telescoping magnet, safety glasses, dust mask, ear plugs, electrical tape, metal file, wood rasp, (how big is your bucket?), leather gloves....
Great video and idea Dave! If I were to add something. I would say a wire brush as it's multi use especially with small engines from cleaning a bad connection to using a bristle to clear a jet orifice in a carburetor and many other uses.
I'd add a beater screwdriver (they make specific demo ones that won't break if beaten), a four in one file/rasp, vintage multi tool (looks like a screw driver with a metal chuck,has a hollow handle that holds twist bits, awls, chisels ect that you can put in it) and maybe some tin snips
vice grip, folding knife, pair of spring clamps, small hacksaw, files of various shapes, maybe upgrade to a ratcheting screwdriver and bits, gloves, battery terminal brush and tin snips would all be great options, add in a new Reciprocating saw blade or two to go with the vice grip like you did for the budget bushcraft kit many years ago and you could replace the hacksaw
Vice grips, a few of the most common wrench sizes would be great - 3/8" through 3/4", a pry bar that fits in it, maybe a pipe wrench for basic plumbing, hacksaw, a cold chisel and punch, a 4 way file, hose clamps, baling wire, a few nails and screws. Maybe an old pocket knife and lighter.
As a farmer who has small tool boxes attached to tractors, I might have a thing or two to add. A small roll of common sized wrenches. 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and then the same for metric 8mm, 9mm, and 10mm. You can fine old wrenches that are one size on one end and a different size on the other. A small cat bar also is a good add on. A old roll of wire is also supper useful. I could go on and on about things I use daily. Most everything you already have in your box. Search up old John deer tractor boxes. That is mostly what I have but everything in them can fit into an ammo can.
I have two of these in my car. One has tech related stuff and the other has all this sort of stuff plus nice grips, Allen’s, a husky 5in 1 screw driver, some files, zip ties, knife (because I can’t carry one at work) cork screw and a lil pry bar to open bottles.
Something to scrape with, chisel, putty knife, scraper, whatever. Also something to pry with, chisel, big screwdriver, small pry bar, etc. Precision size screwdrivers, and a bit driver of some sort with a set of screwdriver bits. Nowadays you're sure to need torx, square, etc. File or files of some kind. I like to have a triangular and a small half round. Small socket set, 1/4 and or 3/8 drive and a few combination wrenches. Hex wrenches. Bits of sandpaper and abrasive pads. Don't know if we want to get into building things, but a speed square, tape measure, and small level won't take much space. Some sort of pick or probe and maybe an awl. Small hacksaw and / or a handle for Sawzall blades. Wire stripper/crimper, and a few terminals and splices and good electrictape. (Although I keep a distinct ammo can type container in my truck with electrical stuff. Always seem to end up helping with someone's trailer, camper, boat, whatever) Also I'd want a lubricant, and a penetrant, an epoxy and a crazy glue, some gorilla tape, maybe a few other misc sprays and goops, but that probably another box too. If not, at least the bare minimum in here.
I'd add a hand powered drill (the old school type), a way to measure, a way to mark, a Phillip/flathead, and of course the all important square/level. Unfortunately homesteading takes some larger style tools that won't ever fit in an ammo can. If you cover these you can do most woodwork/repair around the house. Also tin shears or snips and or electric wire snips/strips
Really like this series. Damn good idea. Would like to see a 3 or 4 ammo can system. Grab a can and go depending on the situation. One or two I would add… might not be a tool but damn sure handy. NASCAR tape and I’d have to throw a few different sizes of zip ties in there. One tool I’d go with is a set of SAE Allen keys. Small enough to go in every kit. Another that needs to be in there, a snap blade utility knife. Sure you can use your good belt knife but sometimes a snap blade works better for certain situations. Cutting the jacket off electrical wire for example. Looking forward to part 2
A small assortment of punches. Setting nail heads, knocking loose castellated nuts, driving roll pins and cotter pins. Center punch to start a drill bit. Maybe a cold chisel too, for driving around rounded bolt heads. A tapered punch for lining up holes in metal for ease of assembly or digging knots out of rope or straps. Take it from an industrial mechanic, there are hundreds of uses for punches.
One thing i keep in my go bag that I've used countless times to fix things on the trail is gardening wire, ive fixed everything from tire rods to drive shafts and gotten myself and others out of the woods with it! And on that same not heavy zipties!
I’ve been building a kit something like this for myself. You just gave me some great ideas! So far in mine I’ve got a claw hammer, tape measure, couple of flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, channel locks, a couple of small clamps. I was thinking of adding a hacksaw, some kind of wire or twine or something like that, I have a big hand drill but if I could find one small enough to fit in there I think that would be a good idea, small shovel or trowel, gloves (nitrile and work gloves) and maybe some kind of light, Oh! And my all time favorite tool (I call it the magic tool) a flat pry bar that’s small enough to fit, but big enough to get the job done. :) Great idea! Thanks, Dave.
Man, oh man, this is right up my alley! I hope you will touch on cleaning, de-rusting, lubing and sharpening old tools. I spend a lot of time in little shops and garage sales looking for good tools to rehab and I notice there are some tools that you hardly ever find used: Needle nose pliers, adjustable wrenches, vise grips. People must hang on to those. Thanks, Dave, I'm looking forward to this series.
I would recommend having 2 sets of channellocks in there so you can backup a valve or fitting if you ever need to work on malleable iron pipe. Some fitting are just too big or too round for the adjustable wrenches to hold. Big fan of having a vice grip available for when you need a third hand.
Here's something I hope you find someday:... I found myself a tiny grease gun the size of a roll of quarters. Just two copper tubes sliding into eachother spring loaded with a nipple on top. They came from the British Spitfires. Absolutely awesome bit of kit!! Could have bought 7, bought only one.. been kicking myself ever since!!
I have one i made with a pelican case from harbor freight , has pretty much a full set of wrenches sockets pliers screwdrivers and just a good overall assortment i can grab ,with one hand and throw in any vehicle and fix mostly anything i made a video on it too. And uploaded it for the details on my channel! I like the idea of a more basic one thats super light! I think i want to do that next how little you can carry to get most jobs done , looking forward to the next video on this here too ! I used klein tool bags to organize as separator's in the box , to find exactly what you need for quick retrieval!
Still have my grandpas and fathers ammo can tool boxes. So much of self reliance, bushcraft, preparedness was simply routine 30-50 years back. I would add a one sided/mini hacksaw holder/handle. Cutting anything from PVC to metal you can't beat the versatility of a hacksaw blade.
A good set of Allen wrenches that fold open like a pocket knife! I think I have one around here somewhere! Building my own kit now! Thank you Mr Canterbury and keep up the good work!
Hey Dave! I would add a tape measure and file. Also, some electrical tape and an outlet tester for electrical issues. Maybe a half a box of nails and a variety of screws just to have them on hand.
Roll of aviation stainless steel locking wire, 0.8mm diameter. Usually comes in 100m plus rolls. Great for fixing all manner of things, from holding vehicles together to temporarily fixing equipment.
Tape measure, box cutter, duct tape, Teflon tape, electrical tape, 3/4 ratchet with some basic size sockets, small/large vice grips, metal speed square, pencil, wd40, hi temp lithium grease, set of files, medium wire brush, old toothbrush, small folding saw with metal cutting blade and wood cutting blade (swappable) Any or all of those that will fit, that's probably pushing it.
Another bit of kit for neatness sake would be some kind of tool roll or rolls to corral some of your kit. Nothing huge or fancy, Pintrest can give you ideas galore. Just something to keep screwdrivers, wrenches, chisels and punches in an easily contained area. One other thing you may want to consider is a piece of tarp or oilcolth, around 11" x 17" or maybe 20" x 30" as a plce to set tools, parts work in progress down that is out of the dirt and debris around you.
2 pieces of 1/4"steel flat bar, 1"x 4",for use in sheet metal bending and when stacked on top of each other, an anvil. The flat bar,in conjunction with the adjustable wrench 🔧. An 8" tapered pin punch, used for aligning of objects. A 3//4" wood chisel. 7" Vise Grip.
Top quality content Dave. A dog bar/pry bar, take down hacksaw, speedy stitcher, awl, folding saw is what are in my tool kit they are all used frequently and accomplish a variety of tasks. I like the adjustable wrench a lot, helps with tuning of my steel traps, need two for sure. Keep the content going!🎉
The Trusty File, Zip Ties, Telescoping Magnetic, and some Hundred Mile Tape, and also Allunamin Duct Tape. I probably would need a 30mm Ammo Can. Great Series Dave, Still waiting for the new Pathfinder Steel Skillet. Sincerely your freind from Mo Rick and God Bless you 🙏 and your family and God Bless all of the Great Veterans and First Responders 🙏 🇺🇸 and God Bless America 🙏 🇺🇸
dave, thats a plumbing socket from a tub socket set for removing stems. add vise grips and another pair of channellocks. gotta have two for threaded pipe. stiff putty knife or 5 in one painters tool. maybe a pry bar, wire strippers, small socket rail and ratchet, electrical meter
I have and would add to this 2 - 4 in 1 screwdrivers that different size tips, why 2, so it will fit 8 different sizes of fasteners etc & if its a properly manufactured 4-1 the barrel that holds the tips in place is 5/16" which is the size you need to tighten, loosen,install, uninstall hose clamps etc, those are on everything that moves, I have used mine for this purpose for years.
i don;t know if you can find an old used one Dave but you've got to have a mini hacksaw in it! also a 4 in 1 file and a round a mill and a triangle file! a 5 in 1 painters tool a carpet knife a mini wonder bar a 6" or 8" pair of vice grips and a 30' tape measure are a must!! maybe add a torpedo level but?
Wire stripper pliers and a medicine bottle with a few wire crimp connectors. I'd put a small cheap multi meter in too or a test light at minimum. Might be hard to find at a garage sale, but it's something I use all the time.
Hack saw ? File ? Chissel , prybar , or a plane , tape measure , plumb bob , square , compass , pencil .hand drill and bits also draw knife , sharpening stone 2.5 sledge hammer head used as an anvil .
I'd add a small socket set, a can of WD40, some tie wire, and some duct tape. I'd also consider substituting the screwdrivers with one of the 10-in-1 screwdriver sets. They make them where you get all the common screwdriver bits, some not so common ones, and a few common sizes of bolt driver heads all in one screwdriver tool. The extra bits fit in the handle. Don't know if you can find a good one used, but I know harbor freight has some decent ones for pretty cheap. Worked for a year as an electrical apprentice with one before I finally got a nicer tool to replace it.
Hey Dave, I love your videos and I take great inspiration from them for my annual canoe trips throughout Europe. I’d probably throw a file and a pocket knife in there. Moreover I would suggest a German “Leder-Lochzange”. Keep up the good work!
I would add a decent plumb bob with a good cord on, and an aluminum Swanson speed square. You can use both together as a level, and the square as a square of course.
The only thing I have that you don't is some type of saw with different blades. I have a hacksaw frame with wood and metal blades in one box. And a homemade handle for reciprocating saw blades in another. And of course: wire, duct tape and zipties! Another thing I don't usually have in the toolbox, but kept handy, is a tobacco or coffee can for holding nuts and bolts when working in the field. Ziplocks work too
Take notice, Dave could have shown amazon kits, with affiliated links.But no, it's actual quality tools that are only a fraction of the cost, and he won't get a dime on it.
We appreciate your work, Dave.
I'd add a vice grip, a knife and some assorted hardware. (nails, screws, staples, nuts and bolts. ) to start. Don't forget a pair of gloves and a shop rag.
need to make these as house warming gifts or graduation gifts for young guys. an ammo can full of old school dependable used tools. Too many young men these days lack tools, DIY skills, etc. Give them a headstart by making sure they have a good dependable tool kit to start off with.
Lots of great comments and of course many homesteading and carpentry tools are not going to fit in this and specialized boxes or sets are great. I have one for woodworking but it’s not in an ammo can. There is only so much room here so we have to stay basic and multifunctional. Some great suggestions I have seen here for sure.
Buy a 10mm socket, then just throw it into the woods :-)
Cold chisel,putty knife, utility knife, sand paper, , Sharpie silver and black, rebar tie wire, c clamp, reciprocating saw blades with handsaw handle. My favorite stuff.
A neighbor came into my life as a mentor when I was in my 40s. You are never to old to learn. I was self taught DIY but I am still learning from him. He organizes his tools in 5 gallon buckets. I said that's good enough for me. It takes more room and it not waterproof but also holds more. As each of my kids moved out, they took a bucket kit I had put together from garage sales. Even for the less mechanically inclined, I knew there was a basic set on site I could use if a problem arose. Those with property also received a refurbished basic set of shovel, rake, saw, and axe. Power tools are awesome but these would mitigate an emergency and wait until needed without serious maintenance. I had years to plan. Many items were a buck or two. Battery powered power tools have taken over the industry. Corded power tools were sometimes free there is so little demand for them. A drop cord and a drill and a circular saw still solves many problems. You can still do cheap and good, you just can't do it fast. Start now.
Gotta have a tape measure. Nice idea Dave!
Grandpa kept a tool box in the farm truck…. Some of the things used the most besides screwdrivers and wrenches were a hacksaw, measuring tape and a spool of wire ( we used bale twine a lot too)
Thanks, Dave. I am 83 & I have been buying used American made, high quality tools at flea markets & yard sales for years. I've been using an Ammo Tool Box like yours for decades. I've also been fortunate to inherit osme Old School tools from my Dad who died last year at age 101; after being discharged from WWII, he worked for several years in a real old fashioned hardware store! I would add some type of hack saw. Thanks a million. This presentation took me down Memory Lane; but I use my Everyman Tool Kit daily!
Razor knife, file, small hacksaw, tape measure, some zip ties, pencil, sharpie, chisel are some of the things I thought off the top of my head. Interesting series idea. 👍🏻
Dave i would add a claw hammer and a flat bar ( prybar) to start. This is going to be a great project. love the videos keep up the good work 73
I've always found a small cats paw or pry bar very useful.
It is good to stop by and see you still leading the Common Man forward. Thank you for being true to your mission.
What's great about this is if gets lost or stolen, no big deal! Not expensive at all! Thanks Dave!!!
Paint scraper tool. The one with the cutout for roller cleaning. Can pry, chisel, scrape and a host of other uses!
Some type of file, bastard and a small round file. Sharpen an axe, cut through larger material etc. Just my opinion. Thanks Dave! You always have actually useful well thought content.
The good thing about these type of tool cans is that they can be assembled in many ways…a gp one like Dave put forward is always good. You could specialize several cans for different uses..an electrical box for example. An oil change box would eliminate looking for the correct tools in several places. I keep a box on my tractor to keep often used tools handy.
Metal files, old time church key, small oil can, folding yard stick. Grease pencil, tire repair kit, metal shears, etc… Cool stuff
I’d double up on the channel lock pliers! Excellent start Dave!
Thank you brother. Got one started already. Its called my tractorbox. I have every tool you have in there down to the brand thx to my father and grandfather🎩
What a great idea for a series. I love the community involvement.
My contribution: set of picks, magnetic parts tray, zip-lock bag with some rolls of steel wool, center punch.
Thanx Dave , all the useful man survival knowledge over the years, cheerz from Ny
Round file, flat file, measuring device, vise grip pliers. Ratchet small assortment of most used sockets, and socket extension. Hope that helps.
I like to have some sort of voltmeter in case of power issues.
Ammo can was my Dad's tool box that went from tractor to tractor. Farm mechanic tools of the era, 50's, open and closed in wrenches, assorted pliers, vise grips, ball peen hammer, punches, chisels, crescent wrench, screw drivers, pry bar,etc. Weighed a ton for a kid. Ha!
I like to have a few zipties and 3 in 1 oil in my tool bag also.
Good morning Dave. BFH, LOL. I am a retired vet (thanks for your service BTW) and military surplus reseller. I like the videos, have learned much from them. Hope to attend the school someday. If you would like, I can send a link to my surplus for you and your listeners. Pretty thin profit margin but i may be able to offer some kind of discounts for your viewers. I sell lots of these, actually I'm in Lytle, TX, picking up a load (400 of these) this morning. Sell lots of canteen cups and field gear as well. Again, appreciate your passion for teaching and videos.
Couple things I always carry in my vehicles that prove themselves time and again. Hacksaw blade, file, cold chisel, vise grips, and bailing wire.
* 1/4" and 5/16" nut drivers. Very handy for disassembling and fixing common household appliances.
* Knife (utility knife is fine) Cutting anything, stripping wires, etc.
* Small torpedo level - Hanging things on walls, get a post or crosspiece plumb or level
* 1/4" drive ratchet and about 10 common metric/sae sockets on a wire, and a 6" extension
* small multimeter
* Flashlight
* rare earth magnet (stick on screwdriver to make a retrieval tool)
I would omit the lineman’s pliers & add a couple pair of vice grips . They are a multi use tool that can be used as a extra set of hands, or like a vice or C-clamp, they can cut or twist wire , crimp a brake or fuel line, crimp electric connectors . Their value & uses are immeasurable..
You can cut the length of a 12 “ adjustable/crescent wrench & make it easier to pack.
A good pair of side cutters , telescopic inspection mirror.
Telescopic magnet.
Round & Magic cut files .
Hacksaw or at least a couple of blades .
I find a ball peen hammer more useful in a tool box than a cross peen.
Large flat screwdriver serves as a multi use tool.
Punches & putty knife.
Utility knife & lots of blades..
When I moved out I went through the work trucks and grabbed just the extra tools (duplicates) and threw them in an ammo can. I put a wheel cylinder in a firebird and replaced a u- joint in an old Mazda rotary truck with those tools! It was just what we had lying around! I now use an ammo can as a lunchbox but I have a bunch of gadgets in there too, like a knife sharpener and extra mag.
I’m definitely following this series. I would suggest to throw in a small package of screw hose clamps and a small spool of wire.
many great additions in the list, the only one I'd add but didn't see already mentioned - a small ratchet strap.
As you stated, you can have add-on cans with a lot of the items stated above, more specific to the outing. I believe that Dave is looking to create a can that you will be able to grab tools out of without having to dump all of the contents from the can to find what you need. I’d replace a few of the items that you have found, but my suggestions would cost you more, even used.
Great subject Dave! I have 3 of these with different parts in each, depending on whether I am Jeeping, RVing, electrical work, wood cutting, shooting, hunting, etc. These 3 cans are in my pickup as supplements to my Pelican rolling toolbox.
No duplication with my EDC carry tools.
Thanks!
You need c-clamps, vintage carpenter square, Nicholson Mill File, Cloth measureing tape. used vise grip tool, used razor utility knife, work gloves, can of 3 and 1 oil, a vintage hand drill press with drill bits, punch set for nails with center punch for metal. That may complete your tool set. Great Video.
I have carried one of these for years I have a socket set boxed end wrench set screw drives a 12 inch pipe wrench a 12 inch adjustable wrench different types of pliers a couple different size hammers and a tire plugging kit in mine along with other essential stuff like zip ties duck tape and electrical tape to patch something back together to get me out of the woods
I have made up tool boxes like this in the past for my different needs and places. I have been to auctions and bought all these tools in a bundle for $5 before. Always shocked when nobody else bids on them. I would add a claw hammer, allen wrenches, tape measure, file, utility knife, manual drill and bits, hack saw and small pipe wrench.
Vice Grips, Red Rag. small rope. 1 bit driver with assorted bits etc. tire pressure guage. zip ties. bailing wire. 3/8 socket set metric. small pry bar. one of those 5 in 1 painters tool things. few drywall screws assorted nails. wire brush. allen keys. telescopic magnet. few pieces of alum foil. im sure more. but thats a darn good start
Gawlee, Dave! I love it! I put together a "junk drawer Toolbox" in a Hefty container about a year. Inspired by Art of Manliness, it's more inside the house related but sooo useful. I got buddies all the time calling me for help and I've wanted to throw something together like this for my truck beyond what I've got already. Excited about this series. 👍
I love hand me down and cheap or free tools. Vice grips and zip ties are always handy.
Pounders, squeezers and Turners seem pretty well covered. Some potential additions - After having to go get one out of the car twice in one week, I would add a claw retriever. Maybe one of those 3 blade folding saws from Menards. I do a lot of electronics work, so a soldering iron kit, including a small pair of bird mouth vice grips. Tape Measure. I keep a "10 way" screwdriver in every kit, along with 1/4" hex to nutdriver bits for it.
I repurpose things as well. For example I recently replaced the engine hood cable on my 85 truck. I took the old cable and pulled it from the sheath. It has the metal ball already attached to the one end and I now just have to attach a ring to the other end and I have a cable that can be used for a few uses.
A good pair of fencing pliers go a long way, they'll do just about anything you need. Then only thing that comes to mind at the moment would be a roll of trapper wire, not sure about finding it used. As others have said a pair of vice grips would be good, maybe even two pair. Oh! You could add a small hacksaw one of the "mini" ones I think it's called
Vice grips, some stainless or other wire, thin copper wire, a folding set of Allen wrenches, box cutter and extra blades, a small pry bar, some 3 in 1 oil, an awl or ice pick, maybe some bits of sandpaper or steel wool, a small gunsmith set of screwdrivers that has Allen and star bits included(I’m a gunsmith by trade and my good screwdriver sets always seem to follow me for field repairs and they are infinitely useful)
That is a great start to the ammo can fix it box. I’d suggest/recommend bailing wire (or some kind of wire that is strong enough to perform a temporary repair in a fence or hold up exhaust pipe/muffler, fender/mud flap(s), quality work gloves to prevent your hands from getting ripped up, a hacksaw and folding saw.
I would absolutely add a shop rag or two, a few pairs of black nitrile gloves, a tape measure, box cutter, a set of Allen wrenches, a small hacksaw, (a Laplander folding saw will cut a 2x4 just fine), a torpedo level, a headlamp, a flat pry bar, a 1/2" Chisel, a 2" putty knife, a 4 function file, a small steel cleaning brush, a pair of 8" vice grips, a carpenters pencil, a sharpie, maybe a folding square or at least a 12" flat metal ruler straight edge, and small ratchet with common sockets in either 12 point metric, or SAE. I could be pressed into an inspection mirror and a voltage tester pencil, and a small box of nails, screws, nuts and bolts. duct tape, zip ties, WD40, electrical tape and gorilla glue or hot stick glue
I would add a chainsaw sqrench with t27 but I have found to be very useful tool around home and camp
Mine is mounted on my tractor’s fender. I also have a small spool of construction wire for making mends in the fence or whatever.
Folding hex key sets, hack saw blade with tape for handle, knife, couple feet of tie wire/ coat hanger, some sort of rod for punching/prying maybe just a piece of rebar or cut off the end of a tire tool, piece of pipe maybe flattened a little on one end to fit over the adjustable wrench for more leverage, Flat pry bar
Have use an ammo can as a toolbox for years. Cut an inch off a set of 440 channel locks to fit in the can. Added a U-bolt so I could put a lock on the box. Fits nicely in the shelf of a gang box. Is strong enough to stand on.
Dave,
You've got some good ideas started there. Some other items that might be useful are a good pair of slip-joint pliers to round out your plier's selection, a tape measure, a pry tool of some description, a six-in-one screwdriver set, a utility knife, baling wire, a drift pin punch, and maybe a small can of WD-40 or penetrating oil. Everyone might have other things, but these seem basic enough to warrant consideration.
offset tinsnips both left and right, hacksaw, pipe cutter, telescoping magnet, safety glasses, dust mask, ear plugs, electrical tape, metal file, wood rasp, (how big is your bucket?), leather gloves....
Great video and idea Dave! If I were to add something. I would say a wire brush as it's multi use especially with small engines from cleaning a bad connection to using a bristle to clear a jet orifice in a carburetor and many other uses.
I'd add a beater screwdriver (they make specific demo ones that won't break if beaten), a four in one file/rasp, vintage multi tool (looks like a screw driver with a metal chuck,has a hollow handle that holds twist bits, awls, chisels ect that you can put in it) and maybe some tin snips
vice grip, folding knife, pair of spring clamps, small hacksaw, files of various shapes, maybe upgrade to a ratcheting screwdriver and bits, gloves, battery terminal brush and tin snips would all be great options, add in a new Reciprocating saw blade or two to go with the vice grip like you did for the budget bushcraft kit many years ago and you could replace the hacksaw
Vice grips, a few of the most common wrench sizes would be great - 3/8" through 3/4", a pry bar that fits in it, maybe a pipe wrench for basic plumbing, hacksaw, a cold chisel and punch, a 4 way file, hose clamps, baling wire, a few nails and screws. Maybe an old pocket knife and lighter.
As a farmer who has small tool boxes attached to tractors, I might have a thing or two to add. A small roll of common sized wrenches. 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, and then the same for metric 8mm, 9mm, and 10mm. You can fine old wrenches that are one size on one end and a different size on the other. A small cat bar also is a good add on. A old roll of wire is also supper useful.
I could go on and on about things I use daily. Most everything you already have in your box.
Search up old John deer tractor boxes. That is mostly what I have but everything in them can fit into an ammo can.
I have two of these in my car. One has tech related stuff and the other has all this sort of stuff plus nice grips, Allen’s, a husky 5in 1 screw driver, some files, zip ties, knife (because I can’t carry one at work) cork screw and a lil pry bar to open bottles.
3in1 oil/motor oil in an oiler can also include a medium socket wrench and common size sockets. Nylon cord, AAA flashlight
I would add a scrench. And also i use my scrench to put on woven wire fence clips. Which you could also use a normal screwdriver for
Something to scrape with, chisel, putty knife, scraper, whatever. Also something to pry with, chisel, big screwdriver, small pry bar, etc.
Precision size screwdrivers, and a bit driver of some sort with a set of screwdriver bits. Nowadays you're sure to need torx, square, etc. File or files of some kind. I like to have a triangular and a small half round. Small socket set, 1/4 and or 3/8 drive and a few combination wrenches. Hex wrenches. Bits of sandpaper and abrasive pads. Don't know if we want to get into building things, but a speed square, tape measure, and small level won't take much space. Some sort of pick or probe and maybe an awl. Small hacksaw and / or a handle for Sawzall blades. Wire stripper/crimper, and a few terminals and splices and good electrictape. (Although I keep a distinct ammo can type container in my truck with electrical stuff. Always seem to end up helping with someone's trailer, camper, boat, whatever)
Also I'd want a lubricant, and a penetrant, an epoxy and a crazy glue, some gorilla tape, maybe a few other misc sprays and goops, but that probably another box too. If not, at least the bare minimum in here.
Gotta have a small roll of bailing wire, great video
I'd add a hand powered drill (the old school type), a way to measure, a way to mark, a Phillip/flathead, and of course the all important square/level. Unfortunately homesteading takes some larger style tools that won't ever fit in an ammo can. If you cover these you can do most woodwork/repair around the house. Also tin shears or snips and or electric wire snips/strips
Really like this series. Damn good idea. Would like to see a 3 or 4 ammo can system. Grab a can and go depending on the situation. One or two I would add… might not be a tool but damn sure handy. NASCAR tape and I’d have to throw a few different sizes of zip ties in there. One tool I’d go with is a set of SAE Allen keys. Small enough to go in every kit. Another that needs to be in there, a snap blade utility knife. Sure you can use your good belt knife but sometimes a snap blade works better for certain situations. Cutting the jacket off electrical wire for example. Looking forward to part 2
A small assortment of punches. Setting nail heads, knocking loose castellated nuts, driving roll pins and cotter pins. Center punch to start a drill bit. Maybe a cold chisel too, for driving around rounded bolt heads. A tapered punch for lining up holes in metal for ease of assembly or digging knots out of rope or straps. Take it from an industrial mechanic, there are hundreds of uses for punches.
One thing i keep in my go bag that I've used countless times to fix things on the trail is gardening wire, ive fixed everything from tire rods to drive shafts and gotten myself and others out of the woods with it! And on that same not heavy zipties!
I’ve been building a kit something like this for myself. You just gave me some great ideas! So far in mine I’ve got a claw hammer, tape measure, couple of flat head and Phillips screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench, channel locks, a couple of small clamps. I was thinking of adding a hacksaw, some kind of wire or twine or something like that, I have a big hand drill but if I could find one small enough to fit in there I think that would be a good idea, small shovel or trowel, gloves (nitrile and work gloves) and maybe some kind of light, Oh! And my all time favorite tool (I call it the magic tool) a flat pry bar that’s small enough to fit, but big enough to get the job done. :) Great idea! Thanks, Dave.
A lot of good ideas in here so far.
A pipe wrench (I prefer aluminum) is a good thing to have, can be used for a lot of things
Man, oh man, this is right up my alley! I hope you will touch on cleaning, de-rusting, lubing and sharpening old tools. I spend a lot of time in little shops and garage sales looking for good tools to rehab and I notice there are some tools that you hardly ever find used: Needle nose pliers, adjustable wrenches, vise grips. People must hang on to those.
Thanks, Dave, I'm looking forward to this series.
Very basic 1/4” drive socket set for hose clamps and small fasteners. Vice grips for sure as well as a tape measure and various fasteners and hardware
I would recommend having 2 sets of channellocks in there so you can backup a valve or fitting if you ever need to work on malleable iron pipe. Some fitting are just too big or too round for the adjustable wrenches to hold. Big fan of having a vice grip available for when you need a third hand.
Sounds like a solid start. If I had to add one thing, it would be a good length of baling wire. I have gotten out of many a jam with it.
Here's something I hope you find someday:... I found myself a tiny grease gun the size of a roll of quarters. Just two copper tubes sliding into eachother spring loaded with a nipple on top. They came from the British Spitfires. Absolutely awesome bit of kit!! Could have bought 7, bought only one.. been kicking myself ever since!!
I have one i made with a pelican case from harbor freight , has pretty much a full set of wrenches sockets pliers screwdrivers and just a good overall assortment i can grab ,with one hand and throw in any vehicle and fix mostly anything i made a video on it too. And uploaded it for the details on my channel! I like the idea of a more basic one thats super light! I think i want to do that next how little you can carry to get most jobs done , looking forward to the next video on this here too ! I used klein tool bags to organize as separator's in the box , to find exactly what you need for quick retrieval!
Compact tape measure (like the one used by tailor), small basic set of Allen wrenches, duct tape and some type of clamp
Still have my grandpas and fathers ammo can tool boxes. So much of self reliance, bushcraft, preparedness was simply routine 30-50 years back. I would add a one sided/mini hacksaw holder/handle. Cutting anything from PVC to metal you can't beat the versatility of a hacksaw blade.
A good set of Allen wrenches that fold open like a pocket knife! I think I have one around here somewhere! Building my own kit now! Thank you Mr Canterbury and keep up the good work!
Hey Dave! I would add a tape measure and file. Also, some electrical tape and an outlet tester for electrical issues. Maybe a half a box of nails and a variety of screws just to have them on hand.
This is gonna be real popular series, seen a bunch i agree with, but my contribution is a snubby screwdriver in phillips and straight slot
Roll of aviation stainless steel locking wire, 0.8mm diameter. Usually comes in 100m plus rolls. Great for fixing all manner of things, from holding vehicles together to temporarily fixing equipment.
Tape measure, box cutter, duct tape, Teflon tape, electrical tape, 3/4 ratchet with some basic size sockets, small/large vice grips, metal speed square, pencil, wd40, hi temp lithium grease, set of files, medium wire brush, old toothbrush, small folding saw with metal cutting blade and wood cutting blade (swappable)
Any or all of those that will fit, that's probably pushing it.
Another bit of kit for neatness sake would be some kind of tool roll or rolls to corral some of your kit. Nothing huge or fancy, Pintrest can give you ideas galore. Just something to keep screwdrivers, wrenches, chisels and punches in an easily contained area.
One other thing you may want to consider is a piece of tarp or oilcolth, around 11" x 17" or maybe 20" x 30" as a plce to set tools, parts work in progress down that is out of the dirt and debris around you.
2 pieces of 1/4"steel flat bar, 1"x 4",for use in sheet metal bending and when stacked on top of each other, an anvil. The flat bar,in conjunction with the adjustable wrench 🔧. An 8" tapered pin punch, used for aligning of objects. A 3//4" wood chisel. 7" Vise Grip.
Top quality content Dave. A dog bar/pry bar, take down hacksaw, speedy stitcher, awl, folding saw is what are in my tool kit they are all used frequently and accomplish a variety of tasks. I like the adjustable wrench a lot, helps with tuning of my steel traps, need two for sure. Keep the content going!🎉
Very good lesson. I'm setting one up.
The Trusty File, Zip Ties, Telescoping Magnetic, and some Hundred Mile Tape, and also Allunamin Duct Tape. I probably would need a 30mm Ammo Can. Great Series Dave, Still waiting for the new Pathfinder Steel Skillet. Sincerely your freind from Mo Rick and God Bless you 🙏 and your family and God Bless all of the Great Veterans and First Responders 🙏 🇺🇸 and God Bless America 🙏 🇺🇸
dave, thats a plumbing socket from a tub socket set for removing stems.
add vise grips and another pair of channellocks. gotta have two for threaded pipe. stiff putty knife or 5 in one painters tool. maybe a pry bar, wire strippers, small socket rail and ratchet, electrical meter
my friend's dad used his ammo can's for holding cooper piper end pieces, like elbow, t joints and such. so handy to have when needed
I have and would add to this 2 - 4 in 1 screwdrivers that different size tips, why 2, so it will fit 8 different sizes of fasteners etc & if its a properly manufactured 4-1 the barrel that holds the tips in place is 5/16" which is the size you need to tighten, loosen,install, uninstall hose clamps etc, those are on everything that moves, I have used mine for this purpose for years.
Vice grips, chain wrench vice grips, common box wrenches (3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 5/8, 9/16)(8, 10-12,14mm), wire stripper/crimper with medicine bottle of assorted connectors. Assorted hose clamps, cut up hose for hose/pipe patches.
Not sure if mentioned, Allen wrenches, folding both standard and metric. Perhaps a small pry bar 8". A folding rule and maybe a carpenter pencil.
i don;t know if you can find an old used one Dave but you've got to have a mini hacksaw in it! also a 4 in 1 file and a round a mill and a triangle file! a 5 in 1 painters tool a carpet knife a mini wonder bar a 6" or 8" pair of vice grips and a 30' tape measure are a must!! maybe add a torpedo level but?
Wire stripper pliers and a medicine bottle with a few wire crimp connectors.
I'd put a small cheap multi meter in too or a test light at minimum.
Might be hard to find at a garage sale, but it's something I use all the time.
Hack saw ? File ? Chissel , prybar , or a plane , tape measure , plumb bob , square , compass , pencil .hand drill and bits also draw knife , sharpening stone 2.5 sledge hammer head used as an anvil .
I'd add a small socket set, a can of WD40, some tie wire, and some duct tape. I'd also consider substituting the screwdrivers with one of the 10-in-1 screwdriver sets. They make them where you get all the common screwdriver bits, some not so common ones, and a few common sizes of bolt driver heads all in one screwdriver tool. The extra bits fit in the handle. Don't know if you can find a good one used, but I know harbor freight has some decent ones for pretty cheap. Worked for a year as an electrical apprentice with one before I finally got a nicer tool to replace it.
Hey Dave,
I love your videos and I take great inspiration from them for my annual canoe trips throughout Europe. I’d probably throw a file and a pocket knife in there. Moreover I would suggest a German “Leder-Lochzange”.
Keep up the good work!
BFH 😂 gotta get me one of those. Thanks Dave, you are an inspiration.
I would add a decent plumb bob with a good cord on, and an aluminum Swanson speed square. You can use both together as a level, and the square as a square of course.
The only thing I have that you don't is some type of saw with different blades. I have a hacksaw frame with wood and metal blades in one box. And a homemade handle for reciprocating saw blades in another. And of course: wire, duct tape and zipties!
Another thing I don't usually have in the toolbox, but kept handy, is a tobacco or coffee can for holding nuts and bolts when working in the field. Ziplocks work too