- Owner: Christopher Caouette
- Shop: Gearhead Garage
- Location: Minot, Maine
Christopher Caouette, owner of Gearhead Garage, has worked in the industry for 22 years. Caouette began his career as a tire changer, but after climbing the ladder and going to school, he landed where he is today as a proud shop owner. Throughout Caouette’s long career as a technician, he has collected an arsenal of tools and equipment, and his previous storage system was no longer handling the job.
“Previously, I had a triple bank Snap-on Master Series, No. KRL723, and a Matco Double Bay 4S. Both were overflowing,” Caouette says. The solution – two Snap-on 100th Year Edition 68" EPIQ Roll Cabs, No. KETN682B3WFH. Though Caouette has only had his new storage system a few months, he is already sure he made the right move.
“I wanted a red and gray box; [it is] the color scheme for the business and my favorite color combination. I was planning on ordering a candy apple red EPIQ with titanium trim, [but] then this deal came along,” Caouette says.
The 100th Year Edition 68" EPIQ Roll Cabs are unique in that only 1,920 units were manufactured, making each box one-of-a-kind. “Owning a literal one-of-a-kind box – that was representative of myself, my caliber of work, and my business,” Caouette says.
This shop owner’s favorite feature of his new tool storage system: the space. “Dear lord, the space it gives me! I have six empty drawers and an ability to condense other tools to make more space [if need be],” Caouette says. Going from an overflowing toolbox to having plenty of space has allowed Caouette to organize his tools efficiently.
“My tools are organized by vehicle components and jobs. My sockets are in a drawer, metric wrenches in a drawer, cooling system tools in a drawer, steering, suspension, and brake tools are in a drawer, engine tools in a drawer, electrical repair and diagnostic tools in a drawer, et cetera. Everything has a home and is organized in a self-explanatory way,” Caouette says.
Among his neatly organized tools are a couple of his favorites: a Snap-on Triton D8 scan tool and a Snap-on Vantage Elite. “My most used tools would be my Milwaukee Tool and Snap-on cordless tools. They’re in my hands more than anything else in the box,” Caouette says.
“I wanted [this to be] the last box I would ever own,” Caouette concludes, regarding his EPIQ Roll Cabs, “the box that I will end my career with.”
About the Author
Tyler Fussner
Associate Editor | Fleet Maintenance
Tyler Fussner is Managing Editor - Community Manager at Supply Chain Connect, part of the Design & Engineering Group at Endeavor Business Media.
Previously, Fussner served as the Associate Editor for Fleet Maintenance magazine. As part of Endeavor's Commercial Vehicle Group, his work has been published in FleetOwner magazine, as well as Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer-Body Builders.
Fussner's May 2022 print feature 'The dawn of hydrogen trucks' was named the best single technology article in B2B by the judges of the 2022 Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Awards. Fussner was also awarded Silver in the Technical Article category for the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) 2021 Tabbie Awards.
Fussner previously served as Assistant Editor for Endeavor's Transportation Group on the PTEN, Professional Distributor, and VehicleServicePros.com brands.
Fussner studied professional writing and publishing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He has experience in shop operations, is a Michelin Certified Tire Technician, and a Michelin Certified Tire Salesperson.