The Big Investment

[SteveW]

Pcbear's recent thread on favourite tools through up an interesting and relevent (atleast to myself) point, when the subject of vans came up.

Ive had a search around the site and have found very little info on the subject (if ive missed any good threads please let me know). I know the subject is not lock related but i feel it is an important one especially for those guys who are starting up for the first time as it will probably be the largest single investment alot of guys will make. The other point is that we are pritty much a mobile industry and you cant do a job if you cant get you and your gear from A to B.

I should have my new van arriving next week (fingers crossed) and will spend the next few weeks fiting it out inbetween jobs. Ive fitted out several vans in the past for various purposes though i havnt done my own lockie van befor, ive just been given a set of keys and a van already to go.

So i am just after any advice, do's, dont's, nightmare/funny stories, disasters, hints and tips, anything relevent rearly

I just feel there should be a bit more info available on this

Cheers
Steve

[Shrub]

Personally i have a work bench running down the full side of one side, i have a set of draws under one end (woodern ones) and a couboard after that (all homemade) in the couboard i have slots for those steel draws engineers suppliers use and in those i carry my euro locks, at the end on the end i have a couboard that holds the mortice stock.

Key machines on top and a converted sack truck at the bulkhead end with a battery and inverter on etc, i can umplug the wires and move the inverter to the job if i want.

I like toomush's idea of a false floor to slde doors etc under but i can stand them up anyway and would just make me bend over more when in the van.

Good strip lights on the ceiling finishes it off.

Make sure you have a steel bulkhead for security and if there isnt one weld one in.

I will sort a pic out sometime of the back of my van.

[chrisjc33]

shrub do you have tool Insurance? i think it's worth it i recon i carry about 6-7 grand in locks and tools.

[SteveW]

My van is going to be living outside the house so insurance for my tools and stock is a must for myself, though my hand tools will go where i go and wont be left on the van.

What about power supplies, ive got a 2000 watt inverter to fit and i recon i am gonna need a second battery too, does anyone carry generators with them?

What key macheins do people carry, ive got a GL888C dual machein for the van, i havnt used it much yet but i am pleased with the results ive had so far. What about you guys?

Shrub was talking about posting pics of his van setup, I think thats a great idea, lets see how many different ways people have dealt with the same set of problems. I will post some pics of my own when ive finished it

[Shrub]

Tool insurance wont cover the sort of kit we carry fully as far as i know, if you know of anywhere that does separate insurance let me know.

Ive got around 15k worth on the van at anyone time of stock and tools but i dont carry transponder stuff in it unless i know i need it on a job.

I have a mortice and cylinder machine, a laser machine and a tibbe cutter.