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After graduating high school when most of his friends went off to college, Isaac Stitzinger went out and bought tools and his first toolbox, and not just any toolbox, but a 90th-anniversary special-edition Snap-on EPIQ 60” toolbox.
“I knew what I wanted to do and so I started accumulating my set at the time,” Stitzinger says as the now lead fleet technician for his family's business.
Stitzinger works on everything from passenger cars and trucks to small engines and large heavy duty equipment.
“That’s why my tool selection is so big,” he shares. “Our fleet is so big that I’m constantly fixing things of all sizes.”
Stitzinger’s all-white with black trim Snap-on EPIQ Series tool storage consists of five 68” roll cabs, two top drawer sections, three work centers, five overhead cabinets, and four side lockers.
Measuring in at a staggering 42' in length and that doesn’t even include the other two Snap-on EPIQ 68” boxes that are not shown in the picture above – he has another box that is stationary in a different room of the shop and another that he uses to wheel down to the other side of the bay when he needs to.
It took a course of 10 years to complete, the technician notes. Since he started with an anniversary box (the first roll cab in the picture above), he thought it was only fitting to end with an anniversary box – this time Snap-on’s 100th anniversary (the last roll cab in the picture).
“I put all my extra money, time, and resources into getting this box done,” he says.
Being very selective
Stitzinger chose Snap-on’s EPIQ Series for a reason.
“EPIQ models are super rugged in design as far as weight goes, such as the drawer slides and the actual construction of the drawers,” he notes. “You can load them down with heavy duty sockets and wrenches and they will take the weight."
For tool storage, you get what you pay for. You can buy a cheap box with fancy paint or buy something with good construction that will last a lifetime.”
Since Stitzinger bought each piece one at a time, it was of utmost importance to him for all the trim to line up.
“The black trim from floor to ceiling is all in line,” he says. “I think it looks nice and inviting. A toolbox to a technician is like a chef’s kitchen. You got to have it inviting and you need to know where everything is.”
Knowing where everything is is not a problem for Stitzinger. He has it all organized, according to each box.
From left to right, he has a box specific to metric sizes, standard sizes, 3/4" sizes, and so on. Then from there, each row of drawers is the same. For example, the top drawer in each box is all sockets. The second drawer is all wrenches, and then screwdrivers, etc.
“I was always passionate about having my tools organized and ready to rock,” he says.
Life goals
Although he claims to be “pretty much” done with buying tool storage, he’s still accumulating tools.
“With so many department configurations on the box, I feel I have plenty of room for whatever comes along to be able to throw it in there,” he says.
At the end of the day, his favorite part is when all the drawers and cabinets are shut and he can stand back “to see the wall of boxes.”
“I just love the way it looks,” he says. “I think having a big shop with white boxes is unique. It just means business when you walk up to it and see it.”
