Pelican General Mechanics Tool Kit

[ComitSteve]

I hadn't ever come across that case you posted, but I did just recently come across this bad boy: http://www.pelicanonline-ralphs.com/...th-Drawers.htm

Looks similar, but it has built in wheels and a couple different carrying/rolling options. Expensive though.

[bigwapitijohnny]

All,

I just got back from acquiring the ultimate (my opinion) mobile toolkit available. It was a stroke of luck, and this was a gift from my wife ( ). It is an Armstrong SGMTK1 (General Mechanics Tool Kit). This was a Craigslist find, and I am in shock as to how much I got it for. It is brand new and complete. The gentleman that I bought this from was given this kit overseas. He already had a comprehensive tool kit, and did not need this one. His loss is my substantial gain...For all of you ebay / craigslist hawks, he said that there were PALLETS of these kits remaining following all of the mechanics getting theirs. I figure its only a matter of time before these kits trickle down to ebay and craigslist...Happy hunting.

Case is the Pelican 0450. The tools are from Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools (subsidiary of the Danaher corporation). 7 drawer configuration. Laser cut outs and friction fit are exceptional...

Again this acquisition was truly serendipitous...

Regards,

BWJ

[4lowdean]

Been working on setting one up for my dad over the last few months. Got the case through our local Pelican dealer and then started with a Craftsman Tools basic set. Just been fleshing it out with odds and ends.

Only two downsides are 1) When it is fully loaded it is HEAVY... I mean REALLY heavy. I am a stout guy and I can barely lift it on my own. It's not bad to move, roll, and set up... but there is no way I want to risk trying to lift it in and out of the back of my lifted Jeep. 2) Cutting out the foam is a PAIN IN THE TUKAS. By about the third drawer I finally got a good system going so I may have to go back and redo the first two drawers.

In light of points 1 & 2, well mostly #1, I think for my set up I will be doing a pair of the smaller Pelican Tool Boxes --- The 1460 Tool Chest. Just seems like two of those would be easier to transport, store, and move for a solo person. Not to mention boxes could be set up for different "sets" of tools.6

If anyone is interested, I will try and get pics of our 450 tool chest.

[shredwagon]

I have a 0450 case filled with tools and find it WAY to heavy and bulky to bring on any adventure. How the handles fold out makes it awkward lifting.

A simple 1550 holds all the tools I need. Pretty organized with tool rolls, ALOT lighter, takes up less valuable storage space and 1/5th the cost.

The 0450 now serves garage duty. Works as a good step too.

Edit: But if you can score GMTK used - IMHO buy it just for the tools. Armstrong are quality Made in USA Tools with lifetime warranty. The older one is a canvas bag and all snap-on. Much nicer.....

[REDrum]

We have a 0450 for rally car service team. Its good but not great. Given the option, I'm not sure I'd go there again. As other have noted awkward lifting and balance, just over the save weight limit for one person, and foam is a ***** to cut

[Hatech]

You an buy extra foam if it gets wrecked or have got a new tool. I have always had my eye on peli cases, my friends works for a production company who use peli's for their equipment and I really like them. But i understand why a massive tool box might be awkward. Instead of looking for one of these which comes with tools it just makes more sense to buy a case/cases and tools separately.

[Stumpalump]

I have a 0450 case filled with tools and find it WAY to heavy and bulky to bring on any adventure. How the handles fold out makes it awkward lifting.

A simple 1550 holds all the tools I need. Pretty organized with tool rolls, ALOT lighter, takes up less valuable storage space and 1/5th the cost.

The 0450 now serves garage duty. Works as a good step too.

Edit: But if you can score GMTK used - IMHO buy it just for the tools. Armstrong are quality Made in USA Tools with lifetime warranty. The older one is a canvas bag and all snap-on. Much nicer.....

I use the same size box called an IM2750. I just bought my second one. No drawers foam or tool pallets. It weighs 18 pounds but the tool chest weighs over 41 pounds empty! The airlines only allow 50.
I use small bags for the tools and pack what I need according to the job I'm on. They are like a small hand truck as well so you can pile a ton of crap on top of them. I hauled one at 50 lbs with a soft bag at 50 along with my laptop at 15 lbs for years. I'd bounce that thing off curbs and off buses and it held up great so I would imagine the military version could get drug around without trouble. Fwi I paid $192 for the empty box and would say that after 25 years of hauling tools it's my favorite.

[redaddiction]

[QUOTE=bigwapitijohnny;1150107]All,

I just got back from acquiring the ultimate (my opinion) mobile toolkit available. It was a stroke of luck, and this was a gift from my wife ( ). It is an Armstrong SGMTK1 (General Mechanics Tool Kit). This was a Craigslist find, and I am in shock as to how much I got it for. It is brand new and complete. The gentleman that I bought this from was given this kit overseas. He already had a comprehensive tool kit, and did not need this one. His loss is my substantial gain...For all of you ebay / craigslist hawks, he said that there were PALLETS of these kits remaining following all of the mechanics getting theirs. I figure its only a matter of time before these kits trickle down to ebay and craigslist...Happy hunting.

You are aware that you purchased an item that was stolen from the U.S. Government right? He wasn't given that as a gift he or someone he knew stole it. Those cases are issued to units and they stay with the unit, they are serialized gear, it's sad to see that there are soldiers like this that steal and ship stuff home for personal gain. Especially when there are Units that need these things to fight the war over there. I've been deployed and it sucks not having the proper tools to do the job but hey congrats on your purchase hope you enjoy it.

[redaddiction]

And for the people looking at these kits spec out the tools you need specifically for your setup. I also used the old and new style boxes and the majority of the time they were worthless.

[REDrum]

[QUOTE=redaddiction;1157838]

purchased an item that was stolen from the U.S. Government right

When I first read the post, I found it odd. As I spent months trying to buy a 0450 fully fit-out, or a vendor who would fit out to my spec, and/or cut the foam. No one would, all vendors said DOD only. The push-back I got from vendors was that mil spec pre-cut and loaded tool kits by contract could not be sold to civilians-period. They couldn't even sell just the pre-cut foam, it was DOD technology. Thus we had to spend hours cutting our own foam. Now that was 3 years ago, and things can change, I hope the case didn't fall off the back of a truck and end up illegally in civilian hands.