Big-Time Boxes: Rich Griffin, Snap-on

June 15, 2018
The 20' long tool setup features two work stations and over 40 drawers.

Editor's Note: This article was orginally published May 15, 2018. Some of the information may no longer be relevant, so please use it at your discretion.

Owner: Rich Griffin

Shop: Qyst Tire & Automotive Service Centers

Location: Upper Darby, PA

 "One of our techs has a tool box bigger than a F-350 pickup," Qyst Tire & Automotive Service Centers' owner John Flick said in his Big-Time Box submission.

And he wasn't exaggerating. Rich Griffin has a 20' long, 8' tall, 3' deep Snap-on setup featuring three main boxes, two hutches, a top chest, two lockers and four top cabinets. All 41 drawers, not counting the ones inside the lockers, are full of tools, by the way.

That's what 13 years servicing all makes and models, from light to heavy duty, will do, says Griffin, who has worked at Qyst since he was 18 years old. There are even tool sets getting stacked on top at this point.

"As you can imagine there is quite a bit of specialty equipment needed," he says.

Griffin's favorite part of the matching blue setup is having two work stations, especially when he's working on multiple jobs simultaneously. One hutch can be dedicated to a truck repair, and while Griffin is waiting for a part, for example, the other work station can be set up for a diagnostic job with no interruption.

"Having two work stations makes it much easier to multitask; paper and computer work in one and 'dirty' work in the other," Griffin says.

Under each hutch, which features a power bank and work light, is a main box with 12 drawers. Each drawer is organized by category, from a wrench and socket drawer, to a dedicated specialty tools drawer.

In between the main boxes is a seven-drawer box with a 12-drawer top chest. That entire setup is also capped by a locker on each end. The lockers hold bulky tool sets and equipment.

Other big items, like suspension tools, are stored in the four top cabinets. At 8' height, the top cabinets need to be accessed with a step stool.

The whole setup was purchased in pieces, with the final touch, the four cabinets, being purchased November 2017.

About the Author

Vesna Brajkovic | Associate Editor - Vehicle Repair Group

Vesna Brajkovic is a former associate editor for the Vehicle Repair Group.

Brajkovic has covered the transportation industry for a number of trade publications, with a focus on the vehicle maintenance and automotive aftermarket industries since 2016. Prior to that, she covered the global aviation industry as assistant editor for Endeavor Business Media's AviationPros.com, and held a number of editorial positions at an award-winning community newspaper.

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