I like long tools. I have several tools that are 26” long many between 18” - 25”. I have been unable to find a tool roll or case/bag that fits my tools for travel. Anyone have a recommendation ?
-
Congratulations to Kelly Shaw winner of the March 2025 Turning Challenge (click here for details) -
Congratulations to Steve Bonny for "Rhonda and Fisherman"being selected as Turning of the Week for March 31st, 202 (click here for details) -
Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.
Tool bags
- Thread starter Ed Brekke
- Start date
I can’t help, but just to say from what I’ve read it seems a number of demonstrators use removable handles to make traveling easier.
Double ended tools also help in this respect. Perhaps something to consider for the future?
Double ended tools also help in this respect. Perhaps something to consider for the future?
I purchased a couple of tool rolls from Peachtree Woodworking Supply link to item. They were on sale for $8, normally $20. The roll holds tools up to 31" long (I subtracted 1" from the advertised dimension). I haven't used them long, but no complaints. The closure is a buckle you loop the strap back through, you'll get to decide if this is acceptable for you. Handle only, no shoulder strap.
Good hunting.
Good hunting.
Have one made? Someone with a heavy-duty sewing machine could make one, maybe someone who makes custom drapes, an upholsterer, shoemaker. We don’t know of any around here but they are out there somewhere. My sewing machine wouldn’t handle it.
Could make a tool roll of any size from canvas sewing by hand, if you have that skill. Or might be riveted. I’ve made and repaired things from leather this way.
JKJ
Could make a tool roll of any size from canvas sewing by hand, if you have that skill. Or might be riveted. I’ve made and repaired things from leather this way.
JKJ
Well I was single for awhile in my younger years and taught myself to sew, I could probably do that!
My younger brother was recently gifted some of those removable handle tools. He has not tried them yet but I will see how he likes them.
I've been fortunate, as my 92-year old turning mentor gifted me with an old, heavy-duty, very long and deep gym bag that holds even my longest tools for going to classes. In fact, it can hold almost more than I can carry comfortably. It doesn't help that I pack half my shop even for a day class!
I use a tactical rifle bag, available in various lengths, # of areas (rifles), pocket options etc. Mine is similar to this one. The tools are loose inside, I use tip protectors. Tools could be strapped together. I think mine has 3 separate areas tools (or rifles) can be placed in. Has handles and shoulder strap. Its light and tough. I do get asked sometimes when toting it in for demos, even with my faceshield hanging off the bag. No one has asked to see inside yet…
Thinking out loud here but if you’re not adverse to modifying existing tool handles they could be retrofitted with one of several Ferrules available on the market? If not you could perhaps gradually replace existing handles with new ones. Just a thought. I should add that whilst I have many tools with conventional handles I’m a big fan of removable ones and it’s all I make now, both in wood and alloy tube with plastic grips.
Cindy Drozda - Tool Handle Adapters
Elegant, Exquisite, Museum Quality Lidded Finial Vessels and Urns hand made by Woodturner and Artist, Cindy Drozda. Woodturning instruction, Demonstrations and Instructional DVDs.
www.cindydrozda.com
I use a 5 gallon bucket and put styrofoam? pipe insulation that is duct taped closed over the sharp gouge ends. Cheap and cheerfull!
Good idea, Bryan-At least at home, having had little success trying to keep multiple tools from rolling around (and hitting the floor!) on the platform I made for my lathe bed, I keep the ubiquitous $5 Home Depot bucket near my lathe and just put my tools for that day in it while I'm turning. I've seen a number of turners do this just cuz it's easy to reach and they're all in one place.
+1 on handleless tools. Easier travel, and easier storage in the shop.
But I still have a lot of handled tools. Looking around years ago this DeWalt rolling tool box was the longest I could find. (And I think wheels are a must).
It's been a while, but if memory serves it can take a 26" tool, max. If there is one "on the shelf" near you to look at take a 26" dowel with you (and maybe 25" & 27"?).
But I still have a lot of handled tools. Looking around years ago this DeWalt rolling tool box was the longest I could find. (And I think wheels are a must).
DEWALT 28 in. W 12 Gal. Polypropylene Rolling Tool Box DWST28100D - The Home Depot
DEWALT has a well-earned reputation for designing and manufacturing many of the world's most reliable and best-performing professional-grade power tools. And every product is forged with DEWALT's unwavering
www.homedepot.com
It's been a while, but if memory serves it can take a 26" tool, max. If there is one "on the shelf" near you to look at take a 26" dowel with you (and maybe 25" & 27"?).
Now THAT would be a slick solution for traveling to classes, at least by car or truck. I wouldn't know about traveling with tools by plane like the big teaching and demoing turners do, though. I know some of them come up with unique solutions.+1 on handleless tools. Easier travel, and easier storage in the shop.
But I still have a lot of handled tools. Looking around years ago this DeWalt rolling tool box was the longest I could find. (And I think wheels are a must).
DEWALT 28 in. W 12 Gal. Polypropylene Rolling Tool Box DWST28100D - The Home Depot
DEWALT has a well-earned reputation for designing and manufacturing many of the world's most reliable and best-performing professional-grade power tools. And every product is forged with DEWALT's unwaveringwww.homedepot.com
It's been a while, but if memory serves it can take a 26" tool, max. If there is one "on the shelf" near you to look at take a 26" dowel with you (and maybe 25" & 27"?).
I have this one from Highland Woodworking, which I really like. It’s a supple leather, folds in half down the center for easy storage when not in use, and the standard webbing buckles secure well. I have a mix of fixed and removable handle tools, mostly the latter. This roll is nice, since I don’t have to remove handles to fit everything in. That’s especially useful for things like longer scrapers in D-Way handles, while technically removable these mostly just live in a default handle. There’s enough tool capacity that when traveling for a workshop, I can have all of the required tools plus a number of nice-to-haves all in one roll.
I went down and measured mine, and it’s 27” side-to-side measured stitching to stitching. You should be able to fit at least a 26” tool in there and not have the handle peek out at all.
I went down and measured mine, and it’s 27” side-to-side measured stitching to stitching. You should be able to fit at least a 26” tool in there and not have the handle peek out at all.
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere here, I really like Eric Lofstrom’s setup. He uses a Pelican style hard rolling case with layers of custom cut foam inserts. Many of his handles and accessories have been modified for size, weight, and/or resistance to student tampering
as part of his traveling kit – the whole thing comes down under the airline weight limit with just enough margin for any scale error. It’s a thing of practical beauty, but a lot more total time investment than anyone who’s not doing professional demonstration would probably want to make.
Did a search for “turning tool roll” and got a 1/2 dozen or more hits. Typically when I go to a public club fair type demo, where I’ll be turning for hours, I take jigs, circle template, honing stones etc. The pockets on the rifle bags I posted provide room for those odds and ends, where a tool roll does not.
That's a great point, and those bags DO look useful. I'm also reminded of the range of music keyboard cases with modular foam interiors, often also with extra pockets. I know folks who've put those to all sorts of uses beyond instrument carry.
In my case, since I'm (so far...) traveling by car to turning events, I have both a pair of traditional Japanese style toolboxes I made years ago and a giant contractor style tool bag. Those easily take up the slack of any turning accessories I need to haul along.
Tom Gall
TOTW Team
I've done something similar in the past. However, @Ed Brekke stated "I have several tools that are 26” long many between 18” - 25”.
That means the tool handles (or blades) will be considerably higher than the bucket handle. Probably a little inconvenient and uncomfortable.
Maybe some 4" or 6" PVC pipe** with an end cap and a threaded plug would work for you. You can fabricate a handle with some rope or an old leather belt.
** EDIT: thin wall PVC (S&D) for much lighter weight.
Last edited:
That is what I have done in the past when I had long fixed handles. Easy and cheap to make to suit your longest tool. I used several hose clamps to secure a handle for carrying. The handle is then movable to the mid-weight point, which will vary depending on what is going into it each time. Some high density foam inside the cap ends kept the tools and cap ends happy.
I’ve used plumbing pipe to make small transit cases before. Some screw on access caps are better than others. I’ve used ones like this before, they work nicely. Available in sizes up to 6” over here.
I have the same tool roll. I like it a lot, too. It holds quite a few tools securely, and is easy to carry.
Why yes, my wife is amazing!
yup me too, but if I'm going far I just roll them up in a small canvas sheet I have. Nothing fancy, just simple and practical.
Lance Mirrer
AKA "taxman"
For truck travel and going to workshops, I use a Dewalt bag from one of their large combo kits. It easily accommodates my long tools and a lot of stuff, and is quite strong.
I usually put tools in a tool roll, then the tools roll and a small tool bag for misc pieces. Pic for reference.
I usually put tools in a tool roll, then the tools roll and a small tool bag for misc pieces. Pic for reference.