Here I go again , with the cheap tool questions . Tool Boxes

[fastfredracing]

Anybody have a HF, HD, Lowes , Craftsman , or other newer tool box ?
I need a roll around beater for the shop . Id like a smaller double bay , ( mostly for the counter top space ) , just to keep my most used tools ( Wheel sockets, hammers, screwdrivers , wrenches etc ) stuff in, and roll around from job to job in the shop and to double as work space .
Before Speeder yells at me for being a professional using cheap tools, please understand, my days of financing 10k tool boxes are over . I currently have 2 really large Snap on boxes, 3 medium snap on boxes, and a few Craftsmans floating around . They are built to last, work perfect, are beautiful, but are crazy expensive . I would rather put that money into PIWIS or something that makes me the bread .
I'm looking at used Snap on, but would still be 2k+ for what I want used prob 5 k new I was looking at lowe's last night, and $500, gets a decent looking unit . $700 is really nice, they seem to be fairly heavy built for the money .
If were to get 5 years out of it , it would be a good deal for me .
I just wonder if the casters and slides will hold up to constant use. I remember the guys with the big craftsman boxes in the old days , would break drawers when they weighed them down real good, they would also tip over pretty easy when full .
Anybody have one , any feedback ?

[masraum]

I have had a couple/few different "cheap" boxes (HD or Lowes type stuff, nothing from HF), and they lasted fine. Just give them a thorough check before you buy and make sure that the drawers are smooth and things feel well made. There is some cheap junk out there, but I think that'd be obvious to you.

Granted, I never moved mine around much, but they were full of tools.

[asphaltgambler]

If you haven't seen Harbour Freights latest boxes, you're missing out

[pwd72s]

Tons of tool box reviews on youtube...here's one. This guy compares several brands..

I've been quite happy with my old Craftsman "griplatch" rollaway, but I'm no pro, and usually leave it put in place. Bought my craftsman box & tools when they were still USA made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHY-08vLEkM

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

If you haven't seen Harbour Freights latest boxes, you're missing out

I was looking at them over the winter, they look pretty darn sweet for the money . They are going to put a hurtin on Snap on and the big guys .
Tool boxes don't really make you any money . I paid over 15 k for my last one new 20 years ago. I think it would be 25 k today for similar . That is just nuts . That is no way to make a living, Id rather have a Porsche or Corvette in lieu of a big shiny tool box .

[RANDY P]

Homak RS PRO, and the best deals are at NAPA- best thing is they usually have them in stock

I bought my 41" upper and lower in red for $1400. No waiting or BS from Harbor Freight- better looking as well. My local NAPA had one in warehouse, ready to go that day.

Homak RS go to pg 26

[fastfredracing]

Craftsman made, and still makes some nice boxes, they always have, but they did not stand up to day to day wrenching very good . The drawers would be falling out of them and all the paint was worn off in a few years . Still for the money, they were quite good.
They would last a lifetime for home use

[cabmandone]

I have a HF 44x22 double bank roller. The drawer guides are nice and smooth and it seems pretty sturdy. I also have an old Kennedy 3 stack (bottom, middle, top box) roller. Might look on CL for a reasonably priced box.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Wasn't there a thread on this several months ago?

I had just bought 3 56 inch US generals from HF and a 44 US general.
and several end cabinents.

Highly impressed. Wait for a sale. I'd also consider the 72 inch, although it sits at a different height than the 56 inchers/
Although the 72 is an esthetic beauty, I like the idea of putting several 56 inch cabinents together and making a table top for it. The 72 sits too high for a top, and with spring wheels, will change height, so not so good for sistering up, but it is a sexy beast. oh well.





These seem very heavy duty compared to the craftsman modern day ones at lowes.
The large drawers also have double slides on each side, much more stout than some of the HD or lowes boxes.

The 56 and 72 also have individual door locks, which is a love/hate thing. I like it to keep closed drawers closed when filled with heavy stuff to prevent tipping if several loaded drawers get opened.

Wait for a sale, go to HF, and be done with it.

My only complaint is I now have so many drawers I can't remember where the hell I stored anything- Still in the process of labelling/organizing. A big part is using them to see where stuff stores well in the individual's workflow. These will not wear out, even at professional use anytime soon.

[cabmandone]

BTW, if you have a Menards nearby, their mastercraft boxes are decent but I think the HF boxes cost less.

[Scott Douglas]

I feel the only Craftsmen boxes worth while are the ones with ball bearing slides.
I've got one of their cheaper lower boxes that has the regular slides. The drawers definitely would not hold up to a pro's usage. My upper box has ball bearing slides and I've managed to load up some of the drawers pretty good and they still perform well after 30 years of amateur use.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I feel the only Craftsmen boxes worth while are the ones with ball bearing slides.
I've got one of their cheaper lower boxes that has the regular slides. The drawers definitely would not hold up to a pro's usage. My upper box has ball bearing slides and I've managed to load up some of the drawers pretty good and they still perform well after 30 years of amateur use.

That's what I discovered when shopping for a rollaway...Craftsman had several quality levels offered. Several layers of pricing as well. The "griplatch" models were made of a heavier gauge steel, had ball bearing slides, and latched closed so they wouldn't open when rolling the chest.

I assume Sears wasn't alone when offering several grades of quality?

I noticed that Harbor freight offers a couple of different lines of rollaways as well. Ball bearing slides a definite must have in my opinion.

Edit: Leaky..I do the same. Old memory combined with not doing much wrenching these days...often opening several drawers before finding what I was looking for. At least I return stuff to the rollaway tho...better than leaving it just laying somewhere...

[vash]

my friend bought that box from Costco decades ago. I remember helping him pick it up with my old chevy truck, so it's been a long time.

he crushes that thing with the DIY stuff he does around his house. the drawers are still smooth as silk, despite his hoarder mentality. the thing is over-stuffed.

[rusnak]

Oh yes. I bought a Craftsman floor model rolling tool chest super cheap !! It's fantastic. I use it every day.

BTW it has the ball bearing slides and self-closing drawer feature. It's an essential part of my shop.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I feel the only Craftsmen boxes worth while are the ones with ball bearing slides.

I have a Craftsman Waterloo box from the late 90's. was 12-14 hundred retail.

This box reminds me of it but mine has no wheels.

https://www.grainger.com/product/60FG10?ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIyNrz18b88AIVRa-GCh36VgPdEAQYASABEgJChPD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!264955915868!!!g!502447222717!&gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:4P7A1P:20501231&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyNrz18b88AIVRa-GCh36VgPdEAQYASABEgJChPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[greglepore]

HF is going to crush SnapOn on the high end with stuff like this. Jacks, boxes etc. Say what you will about China junk, when then clone something, they can do it right with crazy low labor cost.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by greglepore

HF is going to crush SnapOn on the high end with stuff like this. Jacks, boxes etc. Say what you will about China junk, when then clone something, they can do it right with crazy low labor cost.

Nothing like really motivated prison/slave labor. "Do it this way, or we kill you!.

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Tons of tool box reviews on youtube...here's one. This guy compares several brands..

I've been quite happy with my old Craftsman "griplatch" rollaway, but I'm no pro, and usually leave it put in place. Bought my craftsman box & tools when they were still USA made.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHY-08vLEkM

Ive got a griplatch rolling lower box. I have been shopping for a 41” top box to match but doesnt look like they sell that version anymore.

This seems to be as close as you can get:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-2000-Series-40-5-in-W-x-24-5-in-H-6-Drawer-Steel-Tool-Chest-Black/1002481792

[1990C4S]

I've done some work for Snap-On's supplier, and their cheaper off-brand.

The first BIG difference in a really good box is the quality of the drawer slides and rigidity of the drawer. On a high quality box you can open a fully loaded drawer with one finger pulling on the end of the drawer, not the middle. That 'feel' and ease of opening separates the really good boxes from the pretenders. It is the only 'metric' I care about when I buy a toolbox.

Number two is fit and finish. Snap-On is automotive quality at the top end. The bottom end are nowhere close.

And be wary of the stainless boxes. Some rust (not enough nickel) and some are paper thin, so they dent easily.

I have not see a HF box in years, so I can't comment on the drawer quality, but I do recall them being good value. It just depends how good you want.

[fastfredracing]

I snagged up a scratch and dent today for a grand . A little more than I wanted to spend, and a little heavier than I wanted, but matches my other black box, and I am sure I will still have it when I retire .
Thanks for the advice anyhow !