Tool Cabinets

Brother · 07-31-2008, 10:35 AM

I'm looking at buying a rolling tool cabinet like the big red craftsman metal ball bearing things on casters.

I'd be interested in any observations/opinions that people had?

onewhippedpuppy · 07-31-2008, 10:44 AM

I've had a ball-bearing Craftsman box (red one) for about 5 years now, including 6 mo. time spent as a mechanic. It's held up well, except for the drawer stops. Even with the very slight grade of my garage floor, the stupid drawers won't stay closed. The positive stops it had when new seems to have worn out. I've noticed that the newer ones use the handle as a latch, which would certainly be better than the duct tape I'm currently using.

If you have a Sam's Club nearby, they sell a large stainless rolling box with ball-bearing drawers for under $500. It's tempted me many times. Harbor Freight also sells pretty decent looking boxes for cheap. Whatever you do, DON'T buy a box without ball-bearing drawer slides. I had a small one years ago, the full drawers would barely operate.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-31-2008, 10:49 AM

Crap. I went looking for the tool box, and found this:
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=374509

Deionizing car wash filter. Will not water spot your car when you wash. I want........

Here's the tool box, more money than I thought.
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=388157

VINMAN · 07-31-2008, 10:54 AM

Check out the Kolbalt tool cabinets in Lowes. they are nice. well priced too. I have two mid sized and one small Craftsman cabinets now. Im getting rid of them and picking up the largest Kobalt they have. My two craftsmans are about 20 yrs old and have held up well.
As Whippedpuppy said, definately go for the bearing slides on the drawers.

Zeke · 07-31-2008, 10:54 AM

I just saw the HF one this morning. It ain't no Snap On, but it'll do. I think the real high end have self closing drawers with a buffer so they don't slam.

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Dang! I thought this was gonna be a thread on Obama's choice for VP and other members of his cabinet...

Randy

Zeke · 07-31-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcecale

Dang! I thought this was gonna be a thread on Obama's choice for VP and other members of his cabinet...

Randy

In that sense, they're all tool cabinets.

Pazuzu · 07-31-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Crap. I went looking for the tool box, and found this:
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=374509

Deionizing car wash filter. Will not water spot your car when you wash. I want........

Don't believe it. The water will pick up environmental contaminants between the hose and the car, and it will still spot...just not as much. However, what IS left over is a bear to get off, because the water is so pure, it almost chemically bonds the grime onto the car. you're better off with tap water that has enough corrosives in it that it fully dissolves the grime, which then washes away much easier.

peppy · 07-31-2008, 11:18 AM

+1 on the Kobalt tool cabinet. I have had the large one (top and bottom) for 5 years and no problems.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-31-2008, 11:20 AM

I think a while back it was discussed, and someone stated that they had one and it worked. From what I understand, water spots are just mineral deposits from your water. If the deionizer removes these minerals, no spots?

Pazuzu · 07-31-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I think a while back it was discussed, and someone stated that they had one and it worked. From what I understand, water spots are just mineral deposits from your water. If the deionizer removes these minerals, no spots?

I can tell you with authority that what will hit your car will have deposits, and it will spot. I made big pieces of glass atomically clean, we had a 3 level deionizer system and used tens of gallons of DI water each day, and it would leave spots. It will pick up soot/carbon/dust/smoke/smog/ozone in the air, even in that 3 feet between the hose and the car.

You're better off keeping the car in the shade, using cold water, good soap, and getting good with the chamois.

pwd72s · 07-31-2008, 11:27 AM

IIRC both kobalt and Craftsman boxes are made by the same outfit.

I have a 3 layer 15 drawers total CRAFTSMAN set up...the 26" wide size. At 6'3", I can barely peek into the open top lid, shorter folks would need a stool. So, if I were to do it again, I'd probably go wider and shorter...on the other hand, I did have some space considerations.

If you go Craftsman, be sure to go for the ball bearing "griplatch" feature. The drawer pulls open and close an inner hook that keeps the drawers closed as you roll it about.

I went with the craftsman drawer liner stuff...then felt like a fool when I saw the same material sold in Target by the roll for much less. I guess that's Murphy's law...buy something, then discover it for less elsewhere.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

..... (snipped.) If you have a Sam's Club nearby, they sell a large stainless rolling box with ball-bearing drawers for under $500. It's tempted me many times. Harbor Freight also sells pretty decent looking boxes for cheap. Whatever you do, DON'T buy a box without ball-bearing drawer slides. I had a small one years ago, the full drawers would barely operate.

Stainless looks great until you actually use it. Stainless steel toolboxes will look filthy even though they aren't any dirtier than the rest. Kind of like that SS stove/fridge/dishwasher that doesn't hide even clean fingerprints.

onewhippedpuppy · 07-31-2008, 11:35 AM

That's not entirely true, I think it depends on the finish. My BBQ is stainless, but more brushed looking than polished. Ever since our cover blew away in a spring storm, it's been exposed to the elements. Honestly, it doesn't look any different.

Mike, I guess I'll save my $250. I hate drying, and am always looking for a shortcut.

pwd72s · 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryH

Stainless looks great until you actually use it. Stainless steel toolboxes will look filthy even though they aren't any dirtier than the rest. Kind of like that SS stove/fridge/dishwasher that doesn't hide even clean fingerprints.

plus non magnetic, can't place a magnetic strip on the side to hold screwdrivers, etc. The boxes sold by costco & sam's club are made in china.
I took a peek at 'em, but the griplatch feature on the Craftsman line sold me...they really do keep the drawers closed, so no need to lock the chest before rolling it around. I've used the keys for my chest once..just to be sure they work. Tools & chest rest in my alarmed garage, so really no need to lock it.

Dantilla · 07-31-2008, 11:50 AM

As a non-mechanic goofball who likes to tinker in the garage, I've been happy with Craftsman.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

I thought this was going to be about a box to put dipso into

304065 · 07-31-2008, 12:27 PM

berettafan · 07-31-2008, 12:40 PM

Best buy for the $$ appears to be the SS models at Sams club. i've seen $800 versions (huge) and $400 versions (still nice size).

That said i managed to score a very nice 3 pc setup from sears for $260 or so and i'm happy. didn't get ball bearing but it wasn't worth the extra money to me. i don't load up each drawer till it's overflowing. all my wrenches lay flat on the drawer liner, none are stacked.

have 2 drawers for metric wrenchs, 1 for SAE, 1 for hex stuff, 2 for ratchets, 1 for cutting stuff (utility knives, scissors, etc), 1 deep for air tools, 1 deep for corded tools, and many others i can't think of off the top of my head. i figure for the $200 +/- that i didn't spend i could purchase a LOT of tools.

the harbor freight boxes are surprisingly nice when you see them in the store.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I bought this @ CostCo a couple months ago, $1000 out the door. It's made (in China) by "Torin" I like it, but the two large drawers on the right side are useless. I thought I'd get used to them, but I haven't yet found a way to use them.