Is this the fatmax everyone uses?

Just checking to see if this is the fatmax everyone uses, it looks the same but the price is a lot better.
Thanks so much for your input!

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202262088/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053#BVRRWidgetID

Yep, that's it. I used to use it all of the time, but I don't anymore because it's just too heavy. I still use it for really big jobs that are a whole day long or a weekend long. They are great and sturdy. Just be careful when you roll it shut because I got my finger caught in it and MAN did that hurt.. it instantly started bleeding.. ugh.

Thanks Ashley! Ouch about the finger and thanks for letting me know about it because I am accident prone lol

I'll have to go to the store and check it out. I wonder what people do when they have to use stairs.

I agree with Ashley. It is vey handy but extremely heavy when filled with everything.
I only use mine for festivals. It's a great space to keep your purse and valuables at festivals. Not many people can figure out how to open it.
That is a great price too. Mine was $129. But, I live in Canada. Our stuff is always crazy expensive.

Thanks glitterfly, I have never done any festivals "my dream come true"
Have done birthday parties and usually are at peoples homes. hmmm, now I have to think about this. I need something I can use in case they don't have a place for me to set up, this happened a couple of times and the solution was awful.

I use it for parties because as a clown, I have a lot of stuff to bring with me... mine is FULL. Face paints, balloons, parachute, colouring books and crayons, ipod speakers, balls, rubber duck... all the essentials

It is a little heavy and I have to be careful if people want me to go to the party in the basement and they have beautiful hardwood on the stairs. I can roll it up and down stairs well enough, but if I'm afraid to scratch their stairs, it's a little heavy to carry. Usually though, someone will offer to help.

I will usually ask where the party is being held first.....but I take mine to parties and pretty much everything else really. The few times a party was in the basement.....the husband was kind enough to carry it for me. So it really hasen't been a real issue for me anyways.

I'm super particular about my set-up. With paint, it seems that no matter what I do, it looks sloppy. So my Fatmax has been the only thing that makes me happy. Mine is packed really light so everything has it's own compartment and all of my paints set-up nicely on top. Mine isn't that heavy at all. I know a lot of people use a ton of water on gigs, but I only go through two water bottles, which keeps my kit nice and light. I used to carry the same amount of stuff in a shoulder bag and it was much more difficult to manage for me than the Fatmax. It killed my back and shoulders. I sometimes wish it were smaller, but if it were, I wouldn't be able to have my nice clean looking set-up. The small bag was much easier to get in and out of my car, but the long hauls were killing me. Now the hard part in getting in and out of the car and the easy part is the long haul. Mine also carries my two tripod stools inside of it so I really like being self sustainable when I get to a gig. I don't have to ask them to provide a table or chairs, which I like. I allows me to set-up faster because I'm not waiting on them to find my mismatched chairs and the tiniest table they own.

Thank you so much for all your help! This is what I have:
http://www.luggagesets.com.cn/luggagebags194126-plasticshoppingcart.htm Not sure how heavy it is but I put everything in it and I can carry it and lift it no problem.
I don't bring water with me though, I bring empty containers and fill it at the party.

Whitney, I totally agree, I don't want to have the paint all over the place, I want it to look neat.
What kind of stools do you use?

Changing "Changing to hot mama now" I always get asked if I would like help, they even carry it to and from the car.

I think I am going to get it.

Maggie I think you will find a very useful part of your working kit. I like Whitney was carrying or attempting to carry all my stuff in shoulder bags....and that got real old real fast. I took the sugesstion from Psalm.....and I love mine It keeps everything in order I know right where everything is no searching for anything.

I only use my FP Bag now when I take my travel kit to the park or a small party or a jam.

I find it to be well worth the investment

Thanks Changing!

I want to get a director's chair too but I am very curious about Whitney's tripos stools.

They are called tri-fold stools. The short ones fit in the bottom compartment of the Fatmax. I went really cheap the first time and bought the ones from Dollar General, but I would encourage to go ahead a purchase some higher quality ones instead. I'm going to be replacing mine pretty soon. They are falling apart.

Here's a link I found for one. Mine are black instead of camo, but this will give you to concept.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/497454-realtree_hd_tripod_camo_stool.html?source=googleps

how tall are they?

Pretty short. Like 18inchs I think. It sits me lower than any other chair, but I love them because it fits kids perfectly and puts me at their level.

Hmmm, maybe those are not for me. I face painted at a daycare where they have little chairs and tables and my back was killing me.

I used to use a rolling milk crate type thing like that.... you'll be able to fit WAY more in the FatMax and it's much more organized with all its little compartments.

YES! I can't wait to get it, I want to hop in the car right now!

I would like one too Maggie, I currently use a rolling duffle suitcase thingee and when I get to an event out come each Zip lock filled with supplies, bags and bags....Those of you who use a FATMAX...do keep your paints in the FM while you are working or move them on to the table?

I keep mine on the Fatmax and carry my own stools. My client doesn't have to provide me with anything.

Oooo baby! loook at all those pretty pretty colors Me want some pretty pretty colors
Love your set up Whitney! that is exactly what I need.
I am sooooooo HAPPY!

I will say the only thing I want to change about the way I have it set-up is to find space to set-up my brushes, water and sponges on the top level paints when I'm doing a standing job. When I'm sitting it works perfect.

has serious FATMAX envy!!!!

I showed this to my SO... he's convinced!
I seriously think he's thinking more the lines of how HE would like to have one than for me to have one... *heh*

Some day... grin

Good luck, maggie!

I agree with Whitney, I like being self-sufficient, especially for large events. Here is a pic of my FM setup:

I want to make a different brush holder, using PVC pipe, that goes along the back of the tabletop behind the paint buckets.

I'm in Canada but I was lucky and got mine on sale for $86. My husband made a lightweight tabletop for it, and I attach a skirt with velcro that goes around the two exposed sides. There are more pics in my gallery.

I do now have a more portable kit for birthday parties. It is kind of ridiculous to drag along the whole she-bang for a one-hour gig, and there are some things in the FM that I only use for festivals and not for parties. So I carry my working kit in a cooler on wheels, with some things in a shoulder bag.

Thanks for the pictures!
Thanks klu. btw did you get your paints????

maggie, there was a problem with shipping.
I called Metina Friday to check on the order, and she assured me that it would be in Saturday's mail!!!!

I've already been shopping... er... casually glancing at more paints.

I've been bitten by the FP'ing bug!!!!