t’s cheap” he said “15 bucks.” No. says I, I’ve got too many toolboxes already. “OK, 10 bucks.” he says. So I bought
a toolbox and lugged it all the way back to the car. It resided in my junky farm shop for a year or so when a plan emerged from my foggy mind. For years I’d been saving pill and vitamin bottles and other nifty little containers. (My dear wife, however, had other thoughts about my collection of “nifty” containers.) So I thought if I took “A” a tool box and added “B” the small containers then filled them with “C” a selection of nuts, bolts, and fasteners the result should be “D” a handy portable box of supplies.
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Here’s what we have in our toolbox:
Nuts and Bolts: Nuts and lock and flat washers are sorted by size. For example, quarter-inch nuts and washers are in one container. Bolts are separated by size and length. For example, quarter-inch bolts of one to two inches in length are in one container.
Cotter pins
Chain links and connectors
Key stock
Sandpaper
Tie wraps
Hose clamps
Nails
This year, I’d like to add a few more items:
Threaded rod in various lengths. One of my customers told me that if you have threaded rod, nuts and washers and a hacksaw you have the ability to make bolts of any length in the field.
Adhesives such as silicone and Seal All (for fuel leaks)
Some electrical connectors and tape plus a crimping tool
A selection of screws
Do you have any other suggestions that would work well for toolbox supplies?
Perhaps I can blame this idea on our son Ben. A couple of years ago he made up a little tool box to take in the tractor when we are seeding. In it he has the chain tool for fixing the chains that seem to break every so often, as well as chain links and numerous other specialized needs for the hoe drills. This has saved us a lot of time and many miles.
How often have you had to hold up production to traipse back to the yard for some evil little fastener or common parts? Perhaps a toolbox like one of these will make your farming a little more productive.
Ron Settler, his wife, Sheila, and their sons Ben and Dan farm and run a repair and salvage business at Lucky Lake, Sask.
