Affiliate links are at the bottom of the post in case you want to pick something up, at no extra cost to you. You can read my affiliate disclosure if you’re interested.
I love tools. There is no getting around that fact. When you’re building a PC or adding roll out shelves to your server rack good tools are important.
For years I got by using cheap tools from Dollar Tree or random tools I found laying around the places I lived or that my partner found and gave me1. Never in my wildest dreams did I know that investing in good tools makes a world of difference.
What is this about?
This is just a loadout post. What is a loadout? Well, it’s just a tool bag with the kit you’ve collected, organized in an efficient way.
In late 2021 I bought my first prosumer tool in the DeWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX Cordless Brushless Drill/Driver from Home Depot. I didn’t get to use it then and wouldn’t be able to use it till the end of 2022 when I modified my Echogear server rack. I could tell almost immediately, how much different it was from using my old, cheap, Black & Decker. It had a quality to it I wasn’t used to so I went full on Yellow Camp, picking up all the DeWALT tools I thought I may need; the box cutter with the removable blades, the utility knife, the socket set, the laser level with the leveler stand, the goggles. I had joined the cult, I suppose.
But after watching Morgan’s Maintenence YouTube channel, I knew that it was ok to branch out to other tools and so I did.
First tool bag
My first bag was a DeWALT handyman 12” tool bag which I bought earlier this year.
This bag was a bit too tight for all my tools but it worked well for a few months.
Just recently, I went looking for a bigger, more attractive, tool bag. Vera Pro bags are exquistely made and gorgeous but out of my price range2 so I focused on just getting a larger quality bag at a good price.
I found Foxrino 16” tool bag, made with a sturdy canvas and tough, hard, plastic feet. There is ample storage for my DeWALT drill, my Klein Tools screwdrivers, multimeter, and wire cutter, tools for networking and electical testing, and more.
The zippers are feel almost as good as YKK zippers, and it looks great. I am sure it will hold me over until I can finally get that sweet Vera Pro bag.
My kit
Klein multimeter, small wire cutter, and POE tester
Etekcity thermal gun, Dremel 3000 kit
DeWALT 20V brushless drill/driver
Klein automatic wire stripper/cutter, DeWALT driver bits and safety goggles
Microfiber towel, RockSeed Laser Measure, DeWALT safety gloves
Random pliers, Milwaukee Fastback flip utility knife, Klein Flip socket screwdriver with built in bit storage and dual bit screwdriver, DeWALT hex keys, random ethernet cutter/stripper, Fowler calipers
Affiliate Links
Foxrino 16” Wide Mouth Tool Bag - Amazon
Klein Tools Precision Screwdriver 27-in-1 Multibit, Part #32328 - Amazon
Klein Tools 14-in-1 Adjustable Screwdriver with Flip Socket, HVAC Nut Drivers, Part #32304 - Amazon
Klein Tools MM325 Multimeter - Amazon
Klein Tools11-in-1 Screwdriver Nut Driver Set, 8 Bits, Part #32500 - Amazon
Klein Tools Self-adjusting Wire Stripper/Cutter Heavy Duty, Part #11061 - Amazon
Milwaukee Hand Tools FASTBAK™️ Compact Flip Utility Knife - Amazon
Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Drill/Driver Kit, Part #DCD771c2 - Amazon
Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Laser Temperature Gun - Amazon