Shop owner Josh Wischmeyer of Charlie's Auto Repair in Michigan has a 15' long, 6' tall, 30' deep, red Snap-on setup.

Big-Time Boxes: Josh Wischmeyer, Snap-on

Sept. 14, 2018
This 15' long setup is equipped with motion sensors and security cameras.

Owner: Josh Wischmeyer

Shop: Charlie's Auto Repair

Location: Ferndale, Michigan

Why have one when you can have two?

Shop owner Josh Wischmeyer of Charlie's Auto Repair in Michigan has had a spotless 15' long, 6' tall, 30" deep, red Snap-on setup since 2016.

His configuration features two almost identical main boxes sitting side-by-side with two lockable hutches and a locker hugging each end. It's a mirror image.

Wischmeyer, who has been a technician for 12 years, keeps his toolbox, and all its contents, sparkling clean and consistently monitored.

The box was recently equipped with two motion sensor detectors and two cameras mounted to the front of the box, which are tied into his shop's security system. Maybe for good reason too, as all of the 20 drawers in the main two boxes are filled to capacity with tools.

The drawers are organized meticulously by tool category. Sockets and hand tools, like wrenches, picks and pliers, are all kept in their cases, in tool racks or laid out precisely by size.

"The space [in the toolbox] makes it easier to keep everything organized in a way that makes everything very accessible," Wischmeyer says. "I can't stand looking for tools. I like to know where everything is and to be able to find it fast. Time looking for tools is time wasted."

The matching side lockers have two large pull-out drawers and four smaller pull-out drawers. These lockers hold bulkier tools in blow molded cases.

Two hutches offer overhead lighting for visibility and a pegboard, which Wischmeyer uses for small shelves to hold chemicals and disposal gloves.

In general, Wischmeyer keeps the top of his main boxes relatively clear, minus a few battery chargers and a micro mini desktop toolbox that matches his own. 

About the Author

Vesna Brajkovic | Associate Editor - Vehicle Repair Group

Vesna Brajkovic is 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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