I'm looking for any best practices or suggestions for jobsite tool/materials carrying cases. For example, my installers would like a better way to carry in all Almond outlet materials - 1,2,3 port plates, inserts, etc. in one easy to carry case.

We have a case for cable termination that works well - a nice Craftsman with cantilever trays for RCAs, BNCs, etc. - but it won't fit the bill for plates.

We've also used the big Craftsman boxes with telescoping handles in the past along with the smaller clear cover cases with dividers, etc. - but nothing has hit the mark for portability and flexibility.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Might want to also do a search. There was a long thread on this issue some months back.

Over the last 6 years I have tried just about every method of organizing plates and snap ins. Settled on one way that seems to work well for me.

A cardboard box. The Crestron ones are my favorite due to their sturdy construction. I keep the plates in their bulk boxes and the snap ins in plastic bags.

Cheap, easy and disposable.

Just about everything else I carry is organized, containerized and ready to go. Can't seem to get something just right for plates and inserts.....

Let me know if you find anything or send me your address. We have a ton of Crestron boxes and I am willing to share....

the best solution...

eliminate the need for them to carry around all those little parts. they are likely never to have all the parts on hand that they need, you are going to face huge shrinkage (oxymoron?) with parts either becoming trashed or simply lost. the best practice is to kown exactly how many parts that you need before going to trim and simply drop ship the parts to the site, adding a few parts here or there to account for breakage during installation or the last minute unaccounted jack. it may seem like a lot of work up front, but it is worth it.

Rubbermaid containers, they are rugged, they have handles, they are clear, etc. Got them at Target.

Mike

We use the large Stanley parts organizers:



Home Depot carries them for about $15 each. They're the perfect size for carrying single gang plates (take the yellow boxes out for larger ones), and smaller bins for all your snap-in connectors. The smaller version works great for cable terminators, CAT-5 ends, Phoenix connectors, etc.

Just my $.02 worth.

Fred Forlano
Higher Defintion

I have tried a million things, and have settled with the large stanley organizers like Fred uses..

Us too...

We've also had good luck with these:

[Link: americanvan.com]

Maybe not big enough for the cover plates (haven't tried) but rugged and good for all the other little parts...

I just use some drawres from a plastic storage rack that I got at Wal Mart. it fits 2 rows of wall plates pefectly. So each drawer holds 2 styoles of plates. I store them on the trucvk on the top shelf of the van shelving. Then one seperate box for all the insterts.

works pretty good.

100% the best for leviton jacks etc...
very tight lid nothing has ever ever EVER spilled into the other side of the container it is supposed to be in, snaps are very durable dont seem like they will break off easy. i think i paid 15 bucks a pop, gets pricey i think i got like 6 of em, but they were worth every penny.

I have 4 Durham parts bin drawer racks in my trailer. The racks each hold 4 parts bin drawers, which are removable and can be carried into the site. The bins are steel and available in a variety of configurations, of which I have found the adjustable ones the best for my needs. The bin drawers are steel, with latches, and have plastic inserts. The racks have 4 sliding shelves in which the bins are stored. The racks stack nicely and act as simple drawers until I need to bring the entire bin inside, then I just lift out and carry.

Considerably more expensive than the above options, but the storage is nice.

For larger parts and cables, I have 5 wire shelving sets lined on the trailer walls, 3 with 6 shelves and 2 with 3 shelves. The tops of the tall ones hold all my cased tools and pull stick cases. The rest are lined with 18" deep Akro Mills bins in various colors. red=audio. yellow=video and blue=everything else, including wall plates, rings, boxes, ect. The 2 shorter racks hold all the wire, in pull boxes if possible. The rear doors hold stools and collapsable wire reels. My older Craftsman tool box is bolted together, then to the floor to hold all my tools. These boxes have the grip latch type drawers that don't open unless the lever is lifted. Various other small racks hold misc goodies. 2 sets of white LED underbody kits provide good lighting, powered from an Optima yellow top and microswitches on the doors. The battery never goes dead as these lights draw almost nothing.

I have 16 feet x 4 feet wide down the middle, with cargo anchors, to carry larger equipment such as plasma and rear projos. and longer ladders.

I also have ALOT of signage.

Sold off the cargo van and bought this, can't beat standing up comfortably, and the organization possibilities of a huge box.

Wow, I got WAAAAY off topic.

Apologies.

I get most of my bins and such from Fastenal. They treat me pretty well.

I'd like to see a picture of that setup!

I don't do plates. That's what the newbies are for.

We use one similiar to Fred. I think it is sold @ Home Depot under the WorkForce name. It is grey with yellow dividers, and I think it is around $12. This is exactly what Russound sells as part of their PlateMate collection.

One of my installers took a Rubbermaid container and put in plywood dividers. It keeps everything organized, and has plenty of room.