New Junkyard Exploration and Retrieval Bag

[Automan2164]

Just wanted to share the new bag I picked up over the weekend for my 'Yard bag.

 

In the past, I've used just about anything. It started by just carrying in tools. After that, I used an ammo can that held a fair amount, but no bigger items. It was heavy, and awkward to carry if you didn't have a free hand, or suck to carry around in big yards. I usually cut off and tied on a serpentine belt to the handle and slung it over my shoulder for long hikes. That worked ok, but it needed to be better. I switched over to a Condor Tactical Bag. It is a smallish range bag with a ton of pockets and held all the tools well. I loved it. It had a nice shoulder strap to sling it across my body and be able to carry whatever score I had. While I liked it, it was more of one huge compartment, and I seemed to always be digging down to the bottom to find my tools.

 

The new bag I found when trolling youtube awhile back. It is a 5.11 Tactical All Hazards Prime bag. It's quite pricey new ($250ish) but I picked this one up off eBay from a Law Enforcement seller who just used it as a live shooter training bag. I only paid about $65. It has so many pockets and expandable stuff. Tons of the molle tags for adding stuff, and a bright interior to make it easier to see tools in the bag. It also finally has a spot for my longer tools, like my hammer and my collapsible prybar so I can stop carrying them. Same with the power tools. This bag has a compartment where I can put my cordless impact, sawzall, grinder, or drill also without carrying them.

 

Enough chat though... I took a bunch of pictures on the ceremonial tool transfer. 

 

Most of the tools I usually carry. Surprisingly enough, I've pulled axles, interiors, transfer cases, and many parts using just this amount of tools. The only thing I really need to add is a deep well set, which I am probably going to do in 3/8ths.

 

 

Old bag on left, new on right.

 

 

New bag all loaded up.

 

 

Front pocket, gloves.

 

 

Small compartment, drivers, bit drivers, DVOM, tape measure, electrical tape.

 

 

Behind the front of bag, sort of netted bottom expandable area, perfect for the power tools.

 

 

Medium compartment. Velcro attached pouches on the left, molle straps on the right. Pouches have the wrenches and 1/4, 3/8's sockets.

 

 

Biggest, rear compartment. Nothing in here yet, more or less saving this for small parts or other items, as whatever is in here will fall to the bottom.

 

 

Really cool through sleeve on either side to hold the longer items.

 

 

 

Dedicated small pouch on top of bag that is soft lined and perfect for glasses or sunglasses.

 

 

Right behind the back plate, it is set up for a water bladder like a camelbak. Just need a suction hose for the shoulder straps.

 

 

Heavy shoulder straps with vented material to keep dry, and the back plate has a recessed cross so it breathes on your back.

 

 

All set up and ready for adventures.

 

 

After playing around with this bag today, I love it. I am looking forward to using this in the yards, and having everything I need at hand. I hate finding something in the corner of some huge yard, and having to walk all the way back.

 

So what are you guys using?

 

Rob

[fiatslug87]

Nice set up. I lug in an old school Craftsman 20x9x8 tool box. It's heavy and awkward, but the yards usually have wheel barrows. I really like your use of carabiners to gang the wrenches, I'll have to steal the idea.

[daking]

Very Awesome !

 

I just rebuilt my "Junk yard" box a few months back. I used a box that doubles as a steeping stool. I loaded it with "cheap" inexpensive tools, that way I sweet it if I loose or leave behind a tool. 

 

I try to keep it light, by use "multi-tools" where I can. I may get a power driver too, like what you did. 

 

The box I use is nice around the driveway, but in recent trips to the yard, it did not work out as nice. The have wheelbarrows at the yard, the tool box does not fit right.

 

I never even thought about a pack.. I'll be looking for one now. I think that is the way to go.

 

Great job! 

[Automan2164]

I lug in an old school Craftsman 20x9x8 tool box. It's heavy and awkward, but the yards usually have wheel barrows. I really like your use of carabiners to gang the wrenches, I'll have to steal the idea.

 

I have a couple of those "Old School" yards by me. Muddy, hilly, no organization, cars on the ground without stands. The first time I went to an LKQ with set prices, compacted gravel, cars off the ground, and wheel barrows, I thought I discovered Mecca.

 

As for the wrenches, steal away. I did the same but modified the idea. The one I took from the guy used a length of small cable and a clip.

 

Rob :cheers:

[Automan2164]

I never even thought about a pack.. I'll be looking for one now. I think that is the way to go.

 

Great job! 

 

Thanks! The pack came to me when using the ammo can like a shoulder bag. It makes the bigger yards much easier to navigate. Keeps your hands free to pry and peek, and also keeps you mobile when just scouting. Often times I will walk the yard first looking for Jeeps, grab any smalls, and if I see something I want that's big, I'll go back with a wheel barrow if I'm in one of those yards. I hate dragging a cart or barrow around if I am just looking around.

 

Rob

[Minuit]

Until recently I've used the same set of tools that I use in the garage with a few things left off: big unwieldy 230pc Craftsman socket set with a ratcheting screwdriver set instead of hex keys (added as a result of those stupid T6 set screws on the interior mirror trim) as well as a bag with hammers, screwdrivers, combo wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, steering wheel puller, gear puller, 1/2" impact and accompanying impact sockets. In total that was about 50-60lbs in just tools (and it grew with each trip) but I rarely if ever was without something. I've since put together a leaner kit with a smaller socket set and a bag about half the size that also fits behind the seat of the MJ so I can also use it as a traveling set (although I lose the impact)

 

Your way is about a million times better than mine and I will almost certainly steal it in the future :D

[Pete M]

want!

[yellaheep]

All these years I've stomped around in the yards........ never thought of using a back pack...... :doh:

 

I've been using a soft sided Craftsman tool bag with shoulder strap.  Better than the hard tool boxes. 

 

I do believe I'll be keeping an eye out for a similar back pack.  I dig it!

[ComancheKid45]

Great idea, If i had any yards relatively close that i visited often id be aiming for the same thing. :thumbsup:  

[glundblad]

Automan, I hope you are aware that you have problems.  :rotf:

[86FUBAR]

KCCO !!

 

I always do a preliminary walk through with just a few tools on me and scope things out before draging a bunch of tools in with me , usually just have a a flat head and filipes head screw driver , a pair of pliers and a 6" crescent wrench . I do almost the same thing at swap meets , run around up and down taking a quick look at stuff and make note of the "wants" and "needs" and gauge what I should spend my money on .