updated in post 7

Many of us work on our own games in our own houses and have containers that we work out of. Some of us even have tool chests and great organizational skill (OCD). Then there are the people that either 1) don't have the skills to work on their own machines and don't want to learn, 2) don't have the time or patients to work on their own machines, or 3) don't have the desire to work on their own machines. For the people that fall into the last category i have set up my workshop to be mostly portable.

Within these two bags i can carry almost everything that i need to in order to repair machines on site in the clients homes (and probably a lot of things that i don't need). I have been doing this for quite some time now (we ran a route for 20 years so i am used to having my tools around me always) and when going into someone else's home it is important to not only act professional, but also look professional.

When you enter a potential clients home to work on their "toys" they want to know that you are going to treat their items just like you would your own.

I have been looking to consolidate my tool and supply collection for some time now and i have come up with the pictures below. I spent about 2 hours in my local Home Depot just sitting in the tool section putting different size boxes together to see what worked best (luckily this is not a very busy store so i didn't disturb anyone while i had my mess going).

I started with the "small parts" organizer

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-24-in-Big-Field-Duffle-GP-45216AN13/204507905?N=5yc1vZc2g6Zrd

then i added the actual storage trays

large (8)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-14-in-Parts-Bin-Organizer-83053N13/204536846?N=5yc1vZc28pZrd

these hold my bigger or multiples of the same style (header pins, molex connectors, etc) parts

small (14)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-9-in-Parts-Bin-Organizer-83043N13/204536850?N=5yc1vZc28pZrd

these are for specific parts (fuses, networking (i do more than just pinball repair), pop bumper parts, etc)

then i found my "tool" box

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-18-in-Total-Tech-Bag-43888AN13/203989163?keyword=total+tech

unfortunately the item that is shown on Home Depot's website is not the same one that i have in hand (that i purchased last week). it is the same exact model number, but the one i have is larger.

this bag hold almost all of my other tools.

outside pockets

brand new pinballs
multimeter
multimeter leads
network cable tester
wire striper (outer shell)
wire cutters
termination crimper (networking)

first inside zippered area

eprom eraser
eprom programmer
idc punchdown tool (spring loaded)
ratcheting wrenches
electrical tape

opposite side inside zippered area

different pliers (needle nose, wire stripper, diagnonal cutters, etc)
pen, marker, paper

inside zippered area

novus
soldering station
desoldering gun
precision screwdriver set (phone and game console edition)
Dell Mini 9 laptop (mostly for eprom burning)
nutdriver set (standard and metric)
electronic contact cleaner
compressed air
assorted screwdrivers
crimper

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-18-in-Total-Tech-Bag-43888AN13/203989163?keyword=total+tech

i have used this bag a couple times now and it is easy to work with. both bags open fully so you can see everything and get to everything.

both bags have shoulder straps, but i only use the strap on the tool bag.

is this the "perfect" setup?

doubtful...

i am sure my OCD will kick in again and i will redo something. I am already trying to find a bigger "small parts organizer" to hold some of the common coils (flippers, vuks, etc)

if you guys/gals have any questions let me know. if you think there is some tool that i am missing let me know. if you think i am a nut job and would like to share your feelings with me... well, it is a free country so you can do what you want.

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Seems to be working. The only thing I wish is that the small parts container we more sealed in between the compartments.

Used the new setup at two client's homes and so far I like them. I have noticed that I will need at least one larger small parts storage for flipper coils, opto boards (stern) and other larger small parts. Other than that I really like it.

I have added a couple of tools

Small hammer
compact socket set
portable dvd drive (never know if I will need it for computer repairs)

Thanks for checking this out

Christopher

update:

Was walking around home depot yesterday (02/01/2015) looking for a couple of smaller parts organizers for leds, posts, etc. I was in there the week before and looked at a new bag for the smaller parts. I noticed that the 22" rolling tool bag was $129. When i was there sunday they were on sale for $69 (in store, online seems to be $30 higher). It also comes with a "free" bag that i was able to get some of the small parts storage boxes to fit perfectly in.

bag ($69 in store)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-22-in-Pro-Grade-Rolling-Tote-with-Bonus-Bag-GP-46122N14/205172047?N=5yc1vZc2g6

storage boxes ($10 in store)

this is the box that i have the leds in and the color cliffy posts.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-11-in-and-7-in-Polycarbonate-Waterproof-Storage-Bin-Combo-83003N14/205171796?N=5yc1vZc28p

double sided storage box ($8 in store)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-Double-Sided-Organizer-320028/204645520?N=5yc1vZc28p
needed more storage for "on location" parts.

Leds (clear, frosted, flex, flashers (standard and flex)

Cliffy colored posts, rubbers, etc.

some smaller containers for assemblies (pop bumper, flipper, etc)

integrated dolly

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update...

i am still using this on an almost daily basis. while some of the contents have changed, the over system is still the same.

one thing that i have noticed that i do not like is that there is a protective covering over the wheels of the rolling cart that gets hung up on the edge of the stairs. i am going to take a closer look and see if i can remove the covering so that it will be easier.

i have not been able to find anything to take off. what i have done instead is just give a little nudge when going down the stairs to propel the wheels past the lip of the stair so it the edge of the bag doesn't get caught up.