Seriously, This is the Best $5.00 I’ve Spent on DIY Projects in Years

You know those things that prove to be so useful, and become so quickly integrated into your projects and processes that you can’t believe you didn’t know about it before?

I just found another one. And it might be the best $5.00 I’ve ever spent. (Sorry three taco special at Los Michoacanos).    

And it is……..(drumroll)……..(epic music)……..(bells going off)……..(tension building)…….: A tool tote. Yep, a basic plastic box with a handle in the middle that has quickly become my most go-to DIY essential. Allow me to tell you why. 

See, I keep my tools on a pegboard in our detached garage. (See here) So, every time I need to execute a simple around-the-house task like hanging a piece of art, I gotta put on shoes, go outside, open the garage with the finicky little numeric key pad (not my decision), grab the cordless drill, the mallet, the screw driver, the drill bit, the anchor, the screw, the level, and the measuring tape. By the time I’ve assembled them all, my hands are full, and I teeter-totter back inside and up the stairs and rarely make it without dropping at least three items.

This simple tool tote solves that immediately. I grab what I need, place it the spacious storage area, and can carry the whole thing in one hand. I own tool boxes, but they’re heavy, and filled with stuff used for particular projects. So this thing allows me to load up the commonly used items, take them to a project, stay organized while I’m there, and then finish up and place things back where they belong.

This particular model is the 20″ tool tote from Husky, and it costs like $4.50 at your local Home Depot. (Unfortunately, I can’t find it on their website, but just look where the tool boxes and bags are). Here’s why I like it:

• It’s the perfect size. Large enough to fit a 18volt hammer drill, full range of twist bits, and all the other little things you inevitably need for a project. Balance things right, and it’s simple to carry with one hand. 
• It’s got holes along the edges to store your most reached-for items. For me, that usually means #2 Phillips screwdriver, marking awl, adjustable wrenches, pliers, and the like.
• They’re stackable. I bought one, found I loved it, then went back and got two more: one for schlepping garden tools from the garage around the yard and to vegetables beds, and another to keep in our office/craft room for current projects. (There’s always a current project).  Storing all three only takes three more inches than storing one.
• Did I mention they cost, like, $4.50?

ManMakers, I didn’t know I could get so excited about a plastic box with a handle in it either. But it’s great, it works, and I can’t recommend it enough. Go get one.