March 2023 - 42

BIG TIME BOXES
keep all his diagnostic, electrical, and AC
equipment all in one spot.
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 overWrenching
in paradise
After 35 years, this tech still loves what he does, where he
works, and his aged-yet-grand toolbox setup.
By Kayla Nadler, Associate Editor
F
or 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
Scott Pinner
Shop: Wheaton's Service Center
Location: Key Largo, Fla.
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 CocaCola
box because it has a small locker 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
42 PTEN MARCH 2023 www.VehicleServicePros.com
sized 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 starting 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. "
Want to see more photos of Scott Pinner's box?
Visit: VehicleServicePros.com/21293105
Want to show off YOUR Big-Time
Box? For more information, email
Editor@VehicleServicePros.com.
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com/21293105 http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
March 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2023
