For some techs, a toolbox must have the latest technology and features. However, that is not the case for Scott Pinner, shop foreman and director of service at Wheaton’s Service Center in Key Largo, Fla.
“A $100 worth of tools and a $10,000 toolbox is a waste of money, but $10,000 worth of tools in a $1,000 box is the way to go,” is what Pinner tells the young techs.
A technician for 35 years, Pinner’s grand setup consists of two Snap-on KR1000 double-bay cabinets, a Snap-on KR7100 roll cabinet chest, a Snap-on KRA2007 Heritage Series roll cab with KRA2055 5-drawer top chest, a U.S. General 5-drawer cart, and a couple of Snap-on utility carts.
The two KR1000’s were built in the early 1990s and, as Pinner describes, “are tanks”. Pinner bought one alongside his dad. When his dad retired, he gave the box and all the tools within to Pinner. Since Snap-on never made hutches for those boxes, he decided to make his own.
The KR7100, also known as the Coca-Cola box because it has a small lock built into the side, is a rare toolbox.
“They only built that box for three years and I had wanted one ever since I saw it new back in the 90s,” he notes. When he ran across it 15 years ago, he had to have it.
His favorite thing about it is having a built-in locker and hutch. It allows him to keep all his diagnostic, electrical, and AC equipment all in one box.
Having multiple carts is necessary for Pinner. From one end of the shop to the other is roughly 100 yards. He has smaller carts for quick repairs, a larger cart for repairs that he knows will take a couple of days, and a diagnostic cart to store all five of his scan tools, scopes, and laptops.
Organization
From wrench racks and socket grids to screwdriver racks and other organizational tools, Pinner is keen on keeping his tools in order.
Each drawer is also dedicated to specific tooling. For example, he has a drawer for 3/8”, 1/4”, and 1/2” sockets, a drawer for wrenches, one for pliers, one for hammers, one for compression testers, one for oversized drive sockets, and the list goes on.
“Everything is organized so that I don’t have to guess what is where,” he states.
Here to stay
Before working at Wheaton’s Service Center four years ago, Pinner moved around and worked for various dealerships and shops. He even owned a shop at one point. After being stationed in the Florida Keys back in 1989, he knew this was the place to be.
“I love what I do,” he says. “I’ve been all over and worked all over and built up a number of certifications over the years, but down here is the place that I have felt the most at home and most appreciated for the job that I do.”
Always adding
Although in the market to expand, Pinner refuses to buy anything new.
“I want it to be a 90s model Snap-on KR box so that I can park it next to my others and it’ll look like it belongs,” he says. “If I could find another KR7100 box that would be the ultimate toolbox.”
