Tool Chest

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Briansol

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Sears has a good sale on a tool box.
I currently have an old dresser in my garage acting as my tool box. Needless, it's a disaster and a mess and it's something i've been wanting to replace for a long time. But, I also have no need for an uber-expensive tool chest. We all know i'm not very handy, so this will be used very lightly. I don't need uber ball bearing drawers/etc/etc.

That said, is this an utter piece of junk?

Craftsman

it's basically half price this week and seems to be a good buy for a chest and cabinet for $99.

Thoughts?
 
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For the price it's not bad but I had what looks to be the same top setup, if its the same I had it for a few years before it rusted out. Unless you spend big bucks on craftman tool boxes I'm not a fan, they seem cheaper then the other cheap tool boxes of the same or lesser money.

Also the bottom drawers are big, for me I use them for impact gun, wired drill, wireless drill and random pipes/nuts bolts. they're too deep for basic tool storage.

Honestly I'd trust Harbor Freight tool boxes over any of the cheaper craftman boxes.

I'd do this for $100.00 more. 11 Drawer Roller Cabinet

Tomorrow I'll try to find out the brand of my book box, I've had it for about 8 years and its still in great shape. full BB drawers and about 14 of them total. very happy with it. Paid around $300.00 back in the day.
 
My father has an old craftsman chest that looks just like that but red. He's had it for 25 years that I can remember.. Some of the drawers are sticky, but it still works. He gets into it about once a week, maybe less.

I'd say go for it. For $99, light use, there is no need for anything huge and awesome. That is, if it'll hold all of your tools. I'd need 5 of the bastards.
 
My father has an old craftsman chest that looks just like that but red. He's had it for 25 years that I can remember.. Some of the drawers are sticky, but it still works. He gets into it about once a week, maybe less.

I'd say go for it. For $99, light use, there is no need for anything huge and awesome. That is, if it'll hold all of your tools. I'd need 5 of the bastards.

If hes had it for 25 years chances are its a legit box. Craftsman makes many different models of chest. The one Bs linking is the bottom of the line Chinese made crap that your dad didn't even have the option to buy back in the day.
 
My dad got a similar model 6-10 years ago for xmas. His is red, and so far it's held up well, except for one draw that the paint is falling off of. I have no idea how much it cost new, but it's the same layout.
 
I've got a non-ball bearing Craftsman stack that I got last year with 14 drawers in it for $200. You can't beat the value. I've had ball bearing boxes before (when work paid for them) and they're extremely nice, but for my own garage (and my own wallet) it's not really necessary. My previous Craftsman non-ball toolboxes lasted for quite a few years.
 
I have a cheapo walmart craftsman small stacker that my parents gave me atleast 5 years ago. And their chinese crap, but for the price they paid and the amount of use and abuse I put it through its ok. Though some time soon it needs to be replace. The drawers can't hand the amount of stuff I stack into them.
 
I've got a non-ball bearing Craftsman stack that I got last year with 14 drawers in it for $200. You can't beat the value. I've had ball bearing boxes before (when work paid for them) and they're extremely nice, but for my own garage (and my own wallet) it's not really necessary. My previous Craftsman non-ball toolboxes lasted for quite a few years.
Not ot be a dik here as you and I are buds.

I have tools as old or older than you are! There's a Craftsman Tap and Die set in my box I bought about 1974. When I buy a tool now, I only want to but it once. I've gone through the slide type drawers - they don't wear as well as the BB type - but, you posted that too.

Whatever the choice, BB or simple slide type - Craftsman tool boxes are good ones. When they are on sale, they can't be beat - the most Bang for Buck.

So, what to buy? I wasn't always able to buy the top end stuff - so, maybe the slide type is the right answer in this case due to budget. :)

I"ve got 4 craftsman chests in my shop, two rollaway's, an intermediate chest and a top chest and a Gladiator rollaway. For a home shop, Craftsman is great stuff.

Whatever your choice is, buy it on sale and get drawer liners for it.
 
Not ot be a dik here as you and I are buds.

I have tools as old or older than you are! There's a Craftsman Tap and Die set in my box I bought about 1974. When I buy a tool now, I only want to but it once. I've gone through the slide type drawers - they don't wear as well as the BB type - but, you posted that too.

Whatever the choice, BB or simple slide type - Craftsman tool boxes are good ones. When they are on sale, they can't be beat - the most Bang for Buck.

So, what to buy? I wasn't always able to buy the top end stuff - so, maybe the slide type is the right answer in this case due to budget. :)

I"ve got 4 craftsman chests in my shop, two rollaway's, an intermediate chest and a top chest and a Gladiator rollaway. For a home shop, Craftsman is great stuff.

Whatever your choice is, buy it on sale and get drawer liners for it.

No worries. :) These days, my tools travel with me outside the house more often than they stay in the garage anyway, so right now they're all (the hand tools) tossed into a few heavy duty tool bags and ride with me in the trunk. I totally agree though- I'd prefer the BB slides, but they're not worth the extra cash to me right now. Maybe in a few years I'll upgrade. :thumbsup:
 
Its worth mentioning that in my personal shop, I purchased 2 large steel shelving units, and about 30 14"x10"x8" rubbermaid containers. Rubbermaid stuff just doesn't crack for some reason. Anyway, I put standard sockets in one, metric in another, socket wrenches and extentions in another, wrenches in another, etc.. Labeled them all, All the way down to containers labled "Goops, Glues, and Tapes", "Snips, scissors, and blades" "bulk screws and nails" "Loose nuts and bolts" etc.. and on the bottom shelf, I have the "Big Bin of Shit" Yes, it has a lable. A giant rubbermaid container that is the catch all that wouldn't fit in the other 30 catagories. Everything that came in its own case is on the top of the shelves.

This has proven to be a simple, no drawer, easy to organize system. Mechanics couldn't pull it off because there is zero security, but my shop has a lock and an alarm on it. Its amazingly cheap and simple for home use. It cost less than $200 and is a great system. I don't have to open drawers to look for things or put them away. Ever.

I also have one bucket that I use to transport tools.. If I am headed for a project outside of the shop, I can toss everything I need in the bucket and go. When I'm done, I sort everything back into their bins and call it a day. I have a few small hand-carry tool boxes I also use for such things.
 
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Its worth mentioning that in my personal shop, I purchased 2 large steel shelving units, and about 30 14"x10"x8" rubbermaid containers. Rubbermaid stuff just doesn't crack for some reason. Anyway, I put standard sockets in one, metric in another, socket wrenches and extentions in another, wrenches in another, etc.. Labeled them all, All the way down to containers labled "Goops, Glues, and Tapes", "Snips, scissors, and blades" "bulk screws and nails" "Loose nuts and bolts" etc.. and on the bottom shelf, I have the "Big Bin of Shit" Yes, it has a lable. A giant rubbermaid container that is the catch all that wouldn't fit in the other 30 catagories. Everything that came in its own case is on the top of the shelves.

This has proven to be a simple, no drawer, easy to organize system. Mechanics couldn't pull it off because there is zero security, but my shop has a lock and an alarm on it. Its amazingly cheap and simple for home use. It cost less than $200 and is a great system. I don't have to open drawers to look for things or put them away. Ever.

I also have one bucket that I use to transport tools.. If I am headed for a project outside of the shop, I can toss everything I need in the bucket and go. When I'm done, I sort everything back into their bins and call it a day. I have a few small hand-carry tool boxes I also use for such things.

I like that. Tool chests are waaay overpriced, especially if its a Matco/Mac/Snap-On/Cornwell box. Holy fuck. I had a 10 drawer 36" wide Snap-On with a side cabinet that I got used and pretty beat from the Snap-On truck guy. I paid $750 for it. I got fucked for sure but I was young and stupid.
 
remember black friday is coming up
i personally have a kobalt box from lowes that i picked up used off of craigslist and its done very well for me
 
i dont have a toolchest, so i offer no help.. i need one though so this thread will be handy.. i like Phyres idea.. i just dont need that much storage...

buut, my stepdad is gonna give me his old old tool chest 5ft tall x 3ft wide here in a couple months.. he bought a new one for work (Diesel mechanic) and is still in the process of transferring tools and organizing his new one.. not sure of the brand though.. i just know its really old and really heavy
 
Like the kind that you need a flatbed to move....I remember watching techs at one of my old jobs come and go and they would call AAA and have them come winch their fuckin boxes up onto a flatbed and strap them down. I mean, 100k+ of tools in a huge box...probably weighed more than most cars.
 
Went to home depot last night to geab some bolts for my honda oddessy fl250. While i was thre we looked at a couple of husky boxes. I must say they looked very nice and for the money where unbeatable. I dont know how long they would last as i have never owned one but from i i could see they where made really well. Ball bearings where really nice too. I must say i was supprised at the quality! Sorry for spelling errrrooorrs.
 
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