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Electrical hardware can be a pain to carry, especially when you need to have more than one on hand. Their weight can prove challenging alone, but their size is also something to contend with. Tool boxes and tool bags may not be large or durable enough to appropriately carry and protect more sensitive hardware.
There are options depending on the number of tools, the weight of them combined, and the potential distance you’ll travel by foot. These are all factors to keep in mind when figuring out the best solution.
Methods to transport these heavy electrical tools need to match the challenges you face, so it’s best to keep in mind the job’s requirements to find the best course of action. Planning ahead of time can save you headaches on your way to the site. So let’s take a look at how to transport electrical tools safely and conveniently.
Tool Boxes and Bags Could Work for Your Job
When working on a project, the usual method of storing your tools is to have a toolbox. They are plenty of different kinds, and many are tailored for specific areas of work.
Handheld Storage is Still an Option
Electrician’s tool kits can be a great starting point for anyone working in this field. They’re often spacious and durable no matter the type—though tool bags have straps to help with transportation. These bags can be used for other industries, as well, and can also serve multi-purpose use.
Bucket tool bags are used in buckets to hold many different tools in one convenient location. They’re often better than rolling tool boxes because they’re fastened to a bucket—and can be removed just as quickly. In addition, they have larger pockets for larger electrical tools and smaller compartments for less-weighty tools. Given their size, they may be a great option for projects that require many different tools at once, but they are also incredibly portable.
Hard bottom tool bags and boxes are durable and sturdy. They have a hard plastic or metal bottom that can hold far heavier weights than a simple tool box. Their heavy-duty construction means they keep your tools protected from any bumps, and they can take a lot of wear and tear of daily use. Plenty of them are also waterproof, which is essential when working with electrical hardware.
Rolling Tool Boxes and Bags are an Alternative
Wheeled tool boxes are essential when carrying a bundle of tools by hand becomes a chore. These work for a larger volume of hardware—between their durability and storage capacity, they can be a great option for longer walks and public transportation.
Rigid plastic or metal tool boxes are easily towed and can have either two or four wheels. They can be tilted back to provide better leverage, meaning their weight is negligible when moving it. They’re often made of durable materials given their rigid nature, but there are heavy-duty versions like the hard bottom bags mentioned earlier.
Rolling soft tool bags are lighter and easier to squeeze into small places like their handheld counterparts. This makes squeezing into a cab far less stressful and they can be hidden away easier on packed busses and trains. They have the same benefits in terms of rolling leverage, although they work better with less fragile tools.
A combination of a rigid rolling tool box and a lighter tool bag can be a great way to boost storage capacity and minimize weight. The toolbox can hold larger, heavier electrical tools as well as their accessories. The smaller bag can be strapped onto the handle and rest on top of the box, allowing for easier movement and organization.
Hand Trucks and Dollies are a Step Up
Searching for dollies and hand trucks can yield similar results. In the end, dollies are usually four-wheeled platforms that can be stocked with cargo. Hand trucks generally have two wheels and a handle that can be tipped back to provide leverage.
As hand trucks function similarly to wheeled tool bags, they are a great step up in capacity and durability. However, their greater capacity often sacrifices ease of use, and they are often unwieldy in comparison. Dollies, conversely, lack the leverage option and are best when transporting hardware on flat surfaces. Both involve strapping down your cargo to stop it from sliding around and potentially falling off.
When Even a Rolling Tool Box isn’t Fit for The Job, These Two Come to the Rescue
Hand trucks come in various sizes and shapes. The simple frames are excellent for lighter collections of hardware but can become difficult to move when the weight becomes too much. Some hand trucks have gas cylinders to add leverage and ease transportation. Many of them also unfold into a flatbed, allowing for even more room.
Dollies, as stated, are best for flat surfaces as they don’t have a frame to hold onto. When carrying a collection of hardware, especially many heavier electrical tools, this may be an excellent option. The lack of a handle means you can only lash down your storage and push from it, which can be challenging to do on an incline and is impossible to use on stairs.
Remember, There are Plenty of Options to Transport Electrical Tools
These may work for your unique situation to get your tools on site. If you have access to a truck or van, stocking what is needed ahead of time can reduce trips back and forth should anything unexpected arise. Truck-mounted tool boxes are an excellent option as well if you have a suitable vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a wheeled tool box with two additional bags tied to the handle, or a gas cylinder hand truck stocked with the hardware you need, there are options for easing transportation of the tools required for the job. And no matter the approach you take, if it reduces stress and gets the job done, it’s the perfect method for you.