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I'm looking for recommendations on a new tool case. Unfortunately, I'm the type that worries that there's a better option out there, and so I like to consider multiple options. I've searched the forum and only found a handful of threads on this topic, and they were all several years old, containing dead links and images. My first instinct is to go with the Genck Jr. soft case, mainly because it's piano technician specific. Any thoughts?

I've come to the conclusion that your organization methods end up being more important than the case itself. But then I've never purchased a case more expensive than US$30. My original case was one the big silver Harbor Freight aluminum briefcase. It has adjustable dividers and a great board insert with slots and loops for tools and pliers. After a couple of years those start coming apart, so I'd buy another one every 2-4 years and cycle the old ones as separate kits for stringing and spare parts that I keep in my trunk.

My current case is a nondescript black laptop bag I got from Goodwill. It's got two big pockets and a few smaller compartments of varying size. I use one big compartment to carry a large canvass tool roll with all my regulating tools, my lever, and a shaving kit bag with my mutes, oiler bottles, USB cord, glue (in small bottles), multi screwdriver, ear plugs, and tools I use every appointment. The other big compartment carries the big cardboard organizer from a Harbor Freight briefcase with all my pliers and stringing tools. I've got a few plastic organizer boxes with punchings, and other small parts distributed in other pockets, and the iPad in a large outside flap. If I break a string, I walk out to the car to grab my briefcase with piano wire. If there's a broken action part I grab the parts briefcase. Otherwise I only carry the one kit.

The most important thing is that you have a system and can remember where everything goes. Every tool has its place, and every place has a tool. Otherwise you start wasting time searching for tools or wasting money replacing tools that you've left in customers' homes.

My big case is a Bucket Boss quadrilateral case 18" long by 11" wide by 9" deep. Inside I have some plastic divider cases for parts, and several Eagle Creek packing cubes to organize my tools, plus a plastic bag with liquid containers (experience teaches you that you need a secondary enclosure, and some other odds and ends.

The tuning tools fit in a 12 by 3 by 4 packing cube which I can carry separately when I am sure that I am not going to have to do any other work. I also have a small voicing bag, another with string replacement tools, another with regulation tools, one with miscellaneous tools, and one with small amounts of piano wire for quick replacements.

There is another large case with my Jaras grand regulation rack and associated stuff, and a couple of others that I fill if I need some things for specialized jobs. These are cases that I used to use to carry my tools, but wore out or proved less suitable as my current main big case. The largest one with the regulation rack was unsuitable because it was too large, and the stuff inside shifted as I carried it, making it difficult to carry.

New tool cases are something I am always experimenting with. Being located in NYC I take the train a lot and need ultimate portability. I have experimented with using a sling bag for my lighter days. Holds my my hammers, mutes, a few glues, protek clp and a tool roll with the basics. I was actually searching this same subject last night because I was looking for something for my heavier days. Amazon has some pretty sturdy looking electrician tool bags and tool backpacks. Veto Pro Pac, Rugged Tools and Dewalt come to mind. I also came across some of those old threads you mentioned. The one site that is still around, but loads super slow, is jensentools.com. They have some really nice looking tool cases, bags backpacks etc I would check them out for sure.