Replies

1. 
   highfigh | Jul 22, 2006 04:27pm | #1

   How much equipment will you be carrying and what kind of work will you be doing?

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
2. 
   mudman | Jul 22, 2006 11:59pm | #2

   Thats a pretty wide open question. I'd say at least an axe, framing hammer, big a$$ screw driver, decient combination hand saw, some hand planes, chisels, tennon saw, and, dovetail saw.

   Or if you mount a generator to the roof or use a really long extension cord I'd go to Home Depot and get one each of the best bench top tools they sell; including a jointer, band saw,  table saw, drill press and planer. Pluss a good 5 piece cordless tool set, bunch of RO sanders, little air compressor and nail guns, and some chisels. This list of course assumes that you will not be using the tools INSIDE the van, in which case you would need a good dust collector. All this would be tight, but possible, in a minivan. A cargo van would be offer a lot more flexability.

   Let us know what you decide.

   Heh heh, I love the Internet.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

3. 
   byhammerandhand | Jul 23, 2006 01:20am | #3

   No way to answer that question without knowing at least a little more.

   1. Are you setting up a shop IN a van or just using it to transport tools?

   2. What type of "woodwork" are you expecting do to?

   You answers will vary greatly depending upon whether you're a snowbird that wants to turn some pens or carve some santas in Florida or a general contractor that runs from building site to building site and you will work outside the van, or anything in between.

   "The toolbox book" has a chapter on a van outfitted for a contractor.

4. 
   JasonWhite | Jul 23, 2006 02:12am | #4

   Don't get a cabinet saw.

   TF

   Toolfanatic (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak")

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/22/2006 7:13 pm ET by Toolfanatic

5. 
   user-181676 | Jul 23, 2006 04:19am | #5

   I also would like an answer to this one.  This question of mobile shop or wheeled toolbox has been my obsession for years.  I have had most rigs I could think of like huge vans to 4 cyl. mazda pick-ups with built in full bed drawers...(these worked well but were hell to get bigger saws in.)  I currently am using an astro van..(no windows due to Florida thieves) but it is too old and small. 

   I am now trying to find a stand up in van.  The trouble being that it takes driving way too many nails to pay for fuel now. 

   I am a trim carpenter who is doing high end custom restoration and stuff right now...whew lots of tools!  I sometimes do stores and resturants.  The truth is that I have always needed the one thing that I thought I didn't need.  I am really determined to have all of the best tools within reach...everything I need.  At that time I am sure I will be ready to retire.  ( almost there.)

   I have tryed searching but have not found a book on "Trucks...Motorised toolboxes". I guess if Taunton press doesn't get one out soon I will have to retire and write it...lol

   Newbee here ...Bob

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 23, 2006 04:04pm | #7

   Ditto on doing a search over at Breaktime. The search function is not the best, but this stuff is discussed all the time, and you will find tons of posts. Here are three names which you can search: JulianTracy, Mitremike, and Huck. Each of these guys have put a lot of thought into the problem and have come up with some good ideas.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   highfigh | Jul 23, 2006 06:49pm | #8

   One type of vehicle that would work well for this, whether as a mobile toolbox or an actual workspace is a box truck, like Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Cornwell tool dealers, preferably with a lift bed. That way, the heavy things can be brought in witout a lot of lifting. Converting it to CNG or propane would keep the fuel bills from eating all of the profits but using it for only the delivery/ installation part of the job would be best, IMO. Trying to cut, assemble and install everything at the customer's site would get expensive if multiple trips to suppliers are needed in the middle of a project, not to mention being a huge waste of time and fuel.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   mudman | Jul 25, 2006 03:05am | #10

   Check out the Dodge sprint van. It has a 3 liter turbo disel that likely gets better gas mileage than you get now. It is huge and is far more capable (payload, towing, space) than any van and many trucks. The down side.... it costs around 30 grand. Although I see a lot of guys tooling around in trucks that cost more.

   MikePardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.

1. 
   GeoBoggs | Jul 25, 2006 04:52pm | #11

   This is my first post on this forum having spent last several years on the Wooden Boat Forum. User interface is different. I've been away for awhile but you folks have taken the initiative.
   1. Forestgirl - the pics are great! They save alot of words.
   2. mudman - Yes, the Dodge sprint van is what I had in mind to setup. The headroom and mercedes diesel engine are strong points. The trailer like forestgirl has would be a savings over a van purchase. Except my little nissan wouldn't pull it so..
   3. highfish - Purposes: General & trim carpentry.
   4. toolfanatic - I've a Bosh worksite table saw
   5. norse - will check out the "Breaktime" if I can find it.Thanks folks.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 25, 2006 07:13pm | #12

   If you had any questions for the guy who set that trailer up, I'm sure he'd be receptive.  That's a friendly bunch over there, so don't hesitate to register and either PM (private message) or email him.  Tell him forestgirl sentcha.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   forestgirl | Aug 02, 2006 08:26am | #17

   Ooooops, I just saw "The trailer like forestgirl has...."  Nope, not mine.  One of the guys at WWA.  Nothing I have is even clost to being that neat and tidy, LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   tom21769 | Jul 31, 2006 05:53pm | #13

   Have you considered the Festool system?

   (Multi Function Table,  Plunge Cut Circular Saw, Router, ROS, Jig Saw, Guide Rails, Dust Extractor, etc., plus the "Systainer" boxes for interlocking  storage)

    

6. 
   Norse | Jul 23, 2006 02:24pm | #6

   Try this post in Breaktime, they're often writing about their trailers and vans and posting photos.

   Norse

7. 
   forestgirl | Jul 24, 2006 04:55pm | #9

   Take a look at the pictures here, starting with the 4th one down.  It's not a van, but the layout and design might help you quite a bit!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

8. 
   Burts | Aug 01, 2006 01:10am | #14

   Go to http://www.eurekazone.com and check out the EZ Smart Stuff.  Take a good long look at the photo gallery.  The flexabililty of the EZ System and light weight of the component parts would make it ideal for mobile use.

1. 
   GeoBoggs | Aug 01, 2006 06:57am | #15

   Burts,
   Maybe so but, I'm not looking for tools. Rather, I'm interested in how folks have organized their vans/trailers to facilitate taking a functional shop where ever the job site happens to be.
   Thanks
   Geoi

1. 
   Burts | Aug 01, 2006 07:20pm | #16

   it is kind of hard to organize something when you don't know if you want to use a table saw or a handheld tool.  I was just trying to suggest something you might find useful.   With the limited number of tools you mentioned, do you really need a truck or trailer?  More info as to exactly how you plan to use the tools sure would be helpful.

1. 
   GeoBoggs | Aug 02, 2006 04:01pm | #18

   Very nice to offer that suggestion. Rather than provide an inventory sheet of the tools I have, I am hoping instead to borrow from what others have already done. I was perhaps mistaken in original premise i.e. that others have done this and they have pics or plans to refer to. I have a book on wood shops. So, will instead muse over and adapt.
   Thanks.
   geo