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.
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.
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.
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. 👍🏻
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)
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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🎩
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.
* 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..
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
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.
A tool can is a fun idea! - tape measure - utility knife - vise grip pliers - assortment of hardware - variety of tape - diagonal cutters - staple gun and staples - painters tool
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 think maybe having a second 'repair kit' that can go with the tool box if needed might be the way to go, as there's so many consumables you might need but would take up too much space otherwise. I didn't sort them that way, but here's some ideas I just came up with: Safety glasses and a pair of welding or leather gloves for grabbing hot or jagged surfaces. A flashlight and spare battery, preferably one that can be used as a work light. A good funnel or two of different sizes. A flat edged masonry trowel for scraping paint or gunk off something and smoothing out putty or compound. A metal file. A whet stone or axe puck. A chainsaw wrench. A roll of steel wire and a clamper tool for making temporary hose clamps, exhaust hangers, etc. A chisel or two for repairing furniture, door hinges, etc.. A block plane. Some spare consumables like lubricants, O rings, fuses, electrical wire, tapes, glues, loctite, JB Weld, penetrating oil, grease, nuts, bolts, washers, screws, nails, hose clamps, etc.. An angled pick or two. A Leatherman type multi tool. A set of lock-ring pliers. A couple different clamps for holding things as you work. A multimeter. A torch for soldering, brazing, or heating up stubborn nuts. A hose or pipe cutting tool for plumbing repairs. A ratcheting socket wrench and some common sizes of sockets, including damaged nut extractors. Some sand paper and a sanding block. A bottle or scissor jack if it fits. A ratchet strap or two. A drywall saw. A utility knife and blades.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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!
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!!
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
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’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.
BIC lighter, Roll of wire, 1/4 x 20 hardware, small and medium file set, small hack saw and a sturdy knife, I like a squirt of bright spray paint on the non working area of any tools I’ll be using out in the field so hopefully they all make it back home, helps people from walking off with them too, I use hot pink as it doesn’t blend with fall leaves and for thwarting tool thieves from wanting them!
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.
If you can find a 12V test light, it's super useful for any type of lawn equipment, ATV, etc. It will pull about 750mA of current so you can make sure powers and grounds are intact, and you can use it to check for spark on an engine. You can find inexpensive ones for less than $10 new so a used one might be a buck or two. DON'T get an LED one-- you want one with an incandescent bulb. I like to keep a roll of iron tie-wire (used for tying rebar) in my kits, but a length of coat hanger/steel wire/whatever will also do the job. You can use it for all sorts of repairs, cut it with a set of linesman pliers or side cutters, and it's cheap or free. Don't get piano wire or guitar string, it's generally too hard and can wreck the jaws on your cutters. I always look for consumables and fasteners when I go to garage sales. Zip ties, duct tape, wire, string, oil, shop chemicals, whatever. You can pick this stuff up for 10 cents on the dollar a lot of the time. Zip ties, duct tape, and a small bottle of general purpose oil (like 3-in1) will fix or prevent a lot of problems.
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!
Some wire staples, some basic annealed steel wire wrapped around 2 dozen 16 penny nails. A dozen washers. A dozen 2 inch screws. Vice grips. A small can of wd40. A small bottle of 3 in 1 oil. A lighter. 2 rolls electrical tape. Half a roll of duct tape. A dozen steel zip ties. A dozen 6 inch zip ties. A dozen 18 inch zip ties. A box cutter. A Leatherman tool. One axe file with bastard double cut and single cut sides. A chainsaw file. Swap the cross pein out for a shortened framing hammer. A cold chisel. A punch. An old t shirt (to use as rags).
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.
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.
A small variety of hose clamps, and zip ties, and then a roll of plumbers tape, electrical tape, and of course some duct tape (Id get a like smaller roll of gorilla tape or something like that). A small mini harbor freight claw hammer too. Allows for small hammer ability that falls between the mini sledge and the fence pliers. I also like having a small like keychain box cutter or a folding utility knife with replaceable blades. I also agree with the comments of a pair of vise grips would be super useful, maybe a small flat/pry bar, and a small tape measure. I do a lot of Overlanding/Camping and I'm the guy everyone always says to ask if I have something, I have been giving a tool roll bag a try but not thrilled with it and probably going to switch over to an ammo can like this. Love this video series concept. Too many people don't know where to start with simple tools and they buy entire "kits" that are cheap and poor quality. I bet you could put together a bomb proof can for under $100 (probably under $50 if you really tried) and always have everything you needed to get through something.
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
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
Others have said it , but i will second it: a utility knife. I use them regularly for stripping wires, opening bags of chicken or dog food, or sharpening your pencil. A good utility knife and a few extra blades is a great tool.
I built a kit just like this for my brother who's going off to college. I included a drill, sharpie, pencil, measuring tape, knife. A combo square, multitool, and saw would also be good.
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!🎉
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....
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.
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.
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
Been carrying one in the truck and on the tractor for over thirty years. Gloves, wire, WD-40, battery cleaner, rag, and a set of stubby wrenches plus many of the other basics already mentioned.
In mine I also have a wire stripper, small hand saw, hack saw, putty knife, small pry bar, vice grips, dikes, utility knife, file, allen wrenches, leather gloves. Misc. nails, screws electric tape and tie wire.
Stanley/box cutter knife with a few spare blades, an awl, bradawl or small flat head screw driver, some sort of saw, Gorilla tape, a dozen metal & plastic cable ties, tape measure, ptfe tape, a dozen mixed fixings screws/nails
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.
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.
This is where multipurpose tools as opposed to dedicated purpose tools are appropriate. Screw/Bit Drivers, File/Rasp Combos, Scraper/Putty Knife and such but they're somewhat harder to find used at garage/yard sales and flea markets. Pencil, measuring tape, electrical tape, small flashlight, chisel, pry bar just to name a few but that box will fill up quick.
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
![[1295] Unbreakable, Unpickable, & Bulletproof? (TED Tooling’s Unusual Lock)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DX1KaFmER2s/mqdefault.jpg)
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.
Buy a 10mm socket, then just throw it into the woods :-)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gotta have a tape measure. Nice idea Dave!
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. 👍🏻
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)
Metal files, old time church key, small oil can, folding yard stick. Grease pencil, tire repair kit, metal shears, etc… Cool stuff
I've always found a small cats paw or pry bar very useful.
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
What's great about this is if gets lost or stolen, no big deal! Not expensive at all! Thanks Dave!!!
It is good to stop by and see you still leading the Common Man forward. Thank you for being true to your mission.
Paint scraper tool. The one with the cutout for roller cleaning. Can pry, chisel, scrape and a host of other uses!
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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🎩
I’d double up on the channel lock pliers! Excellent start Dave!
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.
Couple things I always carry in my vehicles that prove themselves time and again. Hacksaw blade, file, cold chisel, vise grips, and bailing wire.
I like to have a few zipties and 3 in 1 oil in my tool bag also.
* 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..
Thanx Dave , all the useful man survival knowledge over the years, cheerz from Ny
My all time Favorit all purpose tool....ZIP ties!
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.
Round file, flat file, measuring device, vise grip pliers. Ratchet small assortment of most used sockets, and socket extension. Hope that helps.
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
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.
A tool can is a fun idea!
- tape measure
- utility knife
- vise grip pliers
- assortment of hardware
- variety of tape
- diagonal cutters
- staple gun and staples
- painters tool
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 think maybe having a second 'repair kit' that can go with the tool box if needed might be the way to go, as there's so many consumables you might need but would take up too much space otherwise. I didn't sort them that way, but here's some ideas I just came up with:
Safety glasses and a pair of welding or leather gloves for grabbing hot or jagged surfaces.
A flashlight and spare battery, preferably one that can be used as a work light.
A good funnel or two of different sizes.
A flat edged masonry trowel for scraping paint or gunk off something and smoothing out putty or compound.
A metal file.
A whet stone or axe puck.
A chainsaw wrench.
A roll of steel wire and a clamper tool for making temporary hose clamps, exhaust hangers, etc.
A chisel or two for repairing furniture, door hinges, etc..
A block plane.
Some spare consumables like lubricants, O rings, fuses, electrical wire, tapes, glues, loctite, JB Weld, penetrating oil, grease, nuts, bolts, washers, screws, nails, hose clamps, etc..
An angled pick or two.
A Leatherman type multi tool.
A set of lock-ring pliers.
A couple different clamps for holding things as you work.
A multimeter.
A torch for soldering, brazing, or heating up stubborn nuts.
A hose or pipe cutting tool for plumbing repairs.
A ratcheting socket wrench and some common sizes of sockets, including damaged nut extractors.
Some sand paper and a sanding block.
A bottle or scissor jack if it fits.
A ratchet strap or two.
A drywall saw.
A utility knife and blades.
many great additions in the list, the only one I'd add but didn't see already mentioned - a small ratchet strap.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I like to have some sort of voltmeter in case of power issues.
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 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!
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 love hand me down and cheap or free tools. Vice grips and zip ties are always handy.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Some kind of flashlight. I normally keep one on me but I've found it's incredibly helpful
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!!
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
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’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.
BIC lighter, Roll of wire, 1/4 x 20 hardware, small and medium file set, small hack saw and a sturdy knife, I like a squirt of bright spray paint on the non working area of any tools I’ll be using out in the field so hopefully they all make it back home, helps people from walking off with them too, I use hot pink as it doesn’t blend with fall leaves and for thwarting tool thieves from wanting them!
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.
If you can find a 12V test light, it's super useful for any type of lawn equipment, ATV, etc. It will pull about 750mA of current so you can make sure powers and grounds are intact, and you can use it to check for spark on an engine. You can find inexpensive ones for less than $10 new so a used one might be a buck or two. DON'T get an LED one-- you want one with an incandescent bulb.
I like to keep a roll of iron tie-wire (used for tying rebar) in my kits, but a length of coat hanger/steel wire/whatever will also do the job. You can use it for all sorts of repairs, cut it with a set of linesman pliers or side cutters, and it's cheap or free. Don't get piano wire or guitar string, it's generally too hard and can wreck the jaws on your cutters.
I always look for consumables and fasteners when I go to garage sales. Zip ties, duct tape, wire, string, oil, shop chemicals, whatever. You can pick this stuff up for 10 cents on the dollar a lot of the time. Zip ties, duct tape, and a small bottle of general purpose oil (like 3-in1) will fix or prevent a lot of problems.
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!
Some wire staples, some basic annealed steel wire wrapped around 2 dozen 16 penny nails. A dozen washers. A dozen 2 inch screws. Vice grips. A small can of wd40. A small bottle of 3 in 1 oil. A lighter. 2 rolls electrical tape. Half a roll of duct tape. A dozen steel zip ties. A dozen 6 inch zip ties. A dozen 18 inch zip ties. A box cutter. A Leatherman tool. One axe file with bastard double cut and single cut sides. A chainsaw file. Swap the cross pein out for a shortened framing hammer. A cold chisel. A punch. An old t shirt (to use as rags).
I have kept ammo can tool boxes on my utv's for a long time. Always glad to have them.
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.
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.
Hose clamps and zip ties are very versatile. Some vise grips, hacksaw, a level, a small assortment of files and a measuring tape are also very useful.
Gotta have a small roll of bailing wire, great video
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.
Hatchet, pry bar, hacksaw, putty knife, gardening trowel, scribe or ice pick, and a few vice grips in various sizes.
Hose clamps are nice too...
Hack saw, jab saw (drywall saw), keyhole saw, utility knife, Nail set, awl, 16oz hammer, flat bar, Allen wrench set
My grandfather always kept an ammo can like that in his trunk with tools & other odds & ends that could come in handy.
A small variety of hose clamps, and zip ties, and then a roll of plumbers tape, electrical tape, and of course some duct tape (Id get a like smaller roll of gorilla tape or something like that). A small mini harbor freight claw hammer too. Allows for small hammer ability that falls between the mini sledge and the fence pliers. I also like having a small like keychain box cutter or a folding utility knife with replaceable blades. I also agree with the comments of a pair of vise grips would be super useful, maybe a small flat/pry bar, and a small tape measure. I do a lot of Overlanding/Camping and I'm the guy everyone always says to ask if I have something, I have been giving a tool roll bag a try but not thrilled with it and probably going to switch over to an ammo can like this. Love this video series concept. Too many people don't know where to start with simple tools and they buy entire "kits" that are cheap and poor quality. I bet you could put together a bomb proof can for under $100 (probably under $50 if you really tried) and always have everything you needed to get through something.
When I had my jeep Cherokee . I had a 50cal can and had all I needed plus some. .loved it still Have the can.
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
Roll of emery cloth. I use it to sharpen tools, to clean battery cables/terminals and to scuff up pvc pipe before glueing.
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
Others have said it , but i will second it: a utility knife. I use them regularly for stripping wires, opening bags of chicken or dog food, or sharpening your pencil. A good utility knife and a few extra blades is a great tool.
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 built a kit just like this for my brother who's going off to college. I included a drill, sharpie, pencil, measuring tape, knife. A combo square, multitool, and saw would also be good.
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!🎉
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....
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.
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.
3in1 oil/motor oil in an oiler can also include a medium socket wrench and common size sockets. Nylon cord, AAA flashlight
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
Been carrying one in the truck and on the tractor for over thirty years. Gloves, wire, WD-40, battery cleaner, rag, and a set of stubby wrenches plus many of the other basics already mentioned.
In mine I also have a wire stripper, small hand saw, hack saw, putty knife, small pry bar, vice grips, dikes, utility knife, file, allen wrenches, leather gloves. Misc. nails, screws electric tape and tie wire.
Some items that I have in mine; awl, punch, hacksaw blades, tin snips, and some clamps.
Stanley/box cutter knife with a few spare blades, an awl, bradawl or small flat head screw driver, some sort of saw, Gorilla tape, a dozen metal & plastic cable ties, tape measure, ptfe tape, a dozen mixed fixings screws/nails
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
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
12 volt tester, some wire and electrical tape.
Great project, always enjoy and look forward to your videos.
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.
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.
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.
This is where multipurpose tools as opposed to dedicated purpose tools are appropriate. Screw/Bit Drivers, File/Rasp Combos, Scraper/Putty Knife and such but they're somewhat harder to find used at garage/yard sales and flea markets.
Pencil, measuring tape, electrical tape, small flashlight, chisel, pry bar just to name a few but that box will fill up quick.
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