tool storage

[McLaughlin]

Suggestions or experiences regarding tools storage cabinets would be appreciated. In particular, I'd like some feedback on the value of ball-bearing drawers systems as compared to the friction glide systems.



My gift for the holidays was tool storage Oo. ; however, rather then purchasing a setup that didn't match what I wanted, I was told I have to select the set I want with a purchase to follow. I've been looking around for a day or two (I was told the day before Christmas) and found a couple of canidates at Sears (Craftsman) and Lowes (Kolbalt). I'm primarily looking at a roll around cabinet and top chest. I'm also considering an intermediate chest if the price doesn't get to excessive. I don't currently need a huge set of cabinets (I really don't have anyplace to put a huge system). So I've mostly looking for 10 or more drawers of various sizes that are up to 26in wide.

 

[LesStallings]

Different slant on the same question:



It seems many shops are now using the bottom section of tool boxes, keeping the top for workspace. I even see "work station" carts that are task specific. I've not got plenty of room in my new (hobby) shop and would like to de-clutter my tools.



Any thoughts on using several lower sections only??

 

[WDixon27]

i don't use a upper

#ad


#ad


id say defiantly get one with bearing drawers the slides get harder and harder to open, it's been a while since i looked but i think the kolbalt or husky was a better design then the cheapo sears, the good sears ain't bad though (almost as pricy as snap on at a good deal), look at all three push pull and twist on them and see which one seems stronger

 

[EricBu12]

I have this set, it has been pretty good so far



http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...OL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=009CH021000

 

[RT66DOC]

Santa skipped my house but this is what I want. Bottom section only. From what I've learned these boxes are as good as it gets and don't cost an arm and a leg. Blue, please.



http://www.listatoolboxes.com/P_DWM750_900.html



Other than that, I'd go for Husky or Kobalt before Sears.

 

[DieselTweaker]

ball bearing drawer's are a must!!!!!!!!!! spend the extra money and get a box that has them.



As far as the box it's self I would just get the biggest bottom box you can get now and work off that. You will have plenty of room, plus a work space.

 

[McLaughlin]

Santa skipped my house but this is what I want. Bottom section only. From what I've learned these boxes are as good as it gets and don't cost an arm and a leg. Blue, please.



http://www.listatoolboxes.com/P_DWM750_900.html



Other than that, I'd go for Husky or Kobalt before Sears.

Cool site. I've looked at the adds for the Husky but haven't made it by Home Depot yet to lay my hands on them. I'm leaning towards a Kobalt setup they have at the local Lowes. It looks like the better Sears stuff is pretty good but it is also a bit more expensive then I really want to go.

 

[McLaughlin]

ball bearing drawer's are a must!!!!!!!!!! spend the extra money and get a box that has them.



As far as the box it's self I would just get the biggest bottom box you can get now and work off that. You will have plenty of room, plus a work space.

Your comment and a couple of others have confirmed my gut feeling that ball bearing drawers are the way to go. Regarding your other suggestion, I'm going to have to think about that some more. I hadn't thought about, until you mentioned it, the value of the workspace on top the cabinet. Thanks.



EricBu12 - Looks like a nice setup. I'm going by Sears today to take a look at it and to look at the wider ones like Partsman suggested.

 

[RT66DOC]

You also might want to take a look at Sam's Club. (I know, I know, just work with me here for a sec. ) They have an all stainless set for around $700 give or take for upper and lower both. Someone on this site, I believe, bought one and was impressed with the bang for the buck. IIRC, it had ball-bearing drawers.

 

[WDixon27]

last time i was there they had a cheeper one that had a big hood that covered the work space, didn't get to play with it much because it was locked

You also might want to take a look at Sam's Club. (I know, I know, just work with me here for a sec. ) They have an all stainless set for around $700 give or take for upper and lower both. Someone on this site, I believe, bought one and was impressed with the bang for the buck. IIRC, it had ball-bearing drawers.

 

[CLiberty]

You also might want to take a look at Sam's Club. (I know, I know, just work with me here for a sec. ) They have an all stainless set for around $700 give or take for upper and lower both. Someone on this site, I believe, bought one and was impressed with the bang for the buck. IIRC, it had ball-bearing drawers.

I`ll second that one. The fella that works next to me has one of those and it has held up to daily abuse very nicely. But I guess you could`nt go wrong with a Craftsman, they have some nice stuff too. Whatever you do get the ball bearing slides, friction slides get sloppy very quickly unless the box is a very old one (they don`t make anything like they used to ).

 

[Koa Man]

I have a 35 year old Craftsman roll-away with top chest, no ball bearings and it still works great. I will be building a new garage and when it is done (about another 8 months), I will probably buy a used Snap On. I see them every now and then in the paper at a fairly decent price.

 

[CLiberty]

A used snappy or mac would be a nice find, I have an OLLLD Snappy top box at home, friction slides and all, just have to keep em lubed from time to time. Bottom is a Craftsman I got on a "scratch n dent" sale at Sears, paid 75 bananas for it. Might want to ck out e-bay, I have seen some nice used stuff there but shipping could get $$$.

 

[Nate]

Ball bearings are a must if you keep more than a few wrenches in your toolbox IMO.

 

[Grizzly]

Check out the tool chests with ball bearing drawer guides at Costco and Home Depot. Great prices.

 

[DKayser]

You also might want to take a look at Sam's Club. (I know, I know, just work with me here for a sec. ) They have an all stainless set for around $700 give or take for upper and lower both. Someone on this site, I believe, bought one and was impressed with the bang for the buck. IIRC, it had ball-bearing drawers.

That would be me. Or at least I fit the bill. I bought mine from Cosco. They are down from 735 to 650 currently. I believe it might be on their website. It had a dorky name, Hammerhead I think. But it could hold my Mac set inside of it. Very huge bang for the buck. DK.

 

[mgoncalves]

Talk to the tool truck guys, see what they've got used.



About 4 years ago I got a nice snap on set for $1000 that somebody traded in on a new cornwell box. A compareable, new snap on was close to $3500. It's way more than what I need, but it really will last me forever as a hobby mechanic.



Matt

 

[Ggg]

If you can afford it, get a Snap-On, Mac, Or Matco tool box. They are made much better then the others out there. I bought all of mine used to help with the cost. The Craftsman professional series are the only boxes they make anymore that are worth it IMO.

On the slides, I have both friction and ball bearing. I like the ball bearing better, BUT, If you move the tool box around then I would get the friction slides. I had all of my drawers come sliding out on me once and the whole tool box toppled over. I did check to see if they were locked but obviously I didn't check good enough. So I now use my old friction slide tool box for a roll around work station and it is much safer.

 

[rbattelle]

I was recently at Lowes and laid eyes on this and this.



Wow! Very nice storage units. Even though I'm sure they're Chinese origin, I was very impressed.



Ryan

 

[sarj]

I looked forever, and with space at a premium, I got a used Snap On Highboy out of e-bay. It was used in a bike shop and looks brand new, and you can't overload it. You absolutely can't beat a used Snap On box for value and quality. There isn't a new box anywhere that I'd even consider, and I looked at 'em all.