<HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-885= 9-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY style="BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER= -LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none" bgColor=#ffffff> Jeff, Jeff, Jeff....tsk, tsk, tsk...you might as well know there= is no perfect tool kit.  We've all been looking for it...the holy= grail of kits...it doesn't exist.   Do you know how many kit= bags I have in my shop right now?   At least 10 different ba= gs...all have come up short or I've changed my mind... but send pictures anyhow...;-] David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, California <DIV style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5p= x; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 3px solid; PADDING-TOP: 5px"> <HR> Original message From: "Jeff Olson" <JLOLSON@CAL.NET> To: "Colleg= e and University Technicians" <CAUT@PTG.ORG> Received: 1/7/2006 6:02= :34 PM Subject: [CAUT] The Ideal Tool Case? <DIV> As much as I hate to change the subject of alcohol and = pianos -- surely one of the most fertile lines of inquiry in the piano = repair business -- I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on what constitu= tes the idea tool case (or even if such a thing exists in any universal= sense). I ask because I've had one in mind for years, after using several di= fferent cases during that time and only being partly satisfied in each = incidence, and then today I suddenly saw it in the Home Depot tool sect= ion (while picking out a DeWalt 7.2 screwdriver, my absolute favorite b= attery-powered screwdriver for basic piano screwing in the home -- ligh= t, powerful, compact, and the battery lasts and lasts, despite its mode= st voltage.  M wife should be so content :-). The tool case in question is a "CLC" (no idea what that stands for) = -- a soft case of heavy nylon construction. It was advertised as being = intended for electrical tools I should say what I've always been looking for: 1) easy access but s= ecure fastening for the most commonly used tools -- e.g., tuning hammer= s, basic screwdrivers, tuning felt, meter, etc; 2) easy access to other= tools; 3) balance and comfort for carrying and setting down; 4) storag= e area for larger items such as flashlight, can of lubricant, battery s= crewdriver; 5) lightweight and looks professional. (I'm going to assume= that most of you agree with me that parts and tools should be in separ= ate carrying cases, otherwise you either have too few of both or a case= that weighs about 50 lbs.) I'd prefer not to open the case to get at my tuning tools. I like th= em being accessible from the outside, but prior cases had issues securi= ng tuning wrenches, etc.; I'd rather not remove pallets, etc., to get a= t tools; I'd like to have a large variety of well-ordered holding compa= rtments appropriate for the general size of piano repair tools. This is= n't a terribly exhaustive list, but I think it conveys my basic tastes.= The CLC toolcase has two side flaps that when unzipped expose a larg= e number of nylon tool holding pouches on either side, easily more nume= rous than the pallet style tool holders I've previously owned in hard-s= hell cases; in addition, there are tool pouches on the inside of the fl= aps themselves. There are a number of deep pouches on the ends of the c= ase -- placed there to avoid the imbalances that occur when you store t= ools on the outsides of a case, which tend to pull the case open or ove= r on one side. My five tuning wrenches and some screwdrivers fit neatly= into the pouches on both ends of the case. A quick unzip reveals an ar= ray of other useful tools. The deep main compartment in the toolcase is= good for holding the aforementioned larger items. Anyhow, I've gone on long enough. I was just happy to encounter this= case in a random shopping expedition, and thought I'd share it with yo= u. If anyone's interested, I'd be happy to send photos. I have no idea = if technicians in general are satisfied with their tool cases. I know I= 've never been -- until now.  Any alternate suggestions or thought= s would be welcome. Best, JeffO</DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>