Crazy cheap tool storage
 

Harbor freight getting rid of the US General Series 2 line to make room for the new series 3. Hardly snap on quality, but like I said, crazy cheap...

https://www.harborfreight.com/26-in-x-22-in-single-bank-roller-cabinet-yellow-56233.html

I hate you for posting this . . .

LOL! I've been there too. Something going on sale after I paid full price...

Took the wheels off and works great in my race car trailer.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702264817.jpg

If I buy that then I must buy tools to fill it.... oh wait...ok

Scroll down..might as well kick in another hundred to add the top chest...;)

What I really need is some bit of kit that will organize all of my battery chargers.

I'm surprised HF doesn't make a version of Pit Gear for race trailers, thoser racks for oil cans and aerosols and paper towels and tires and jacks and jackstands and the like to tidy up the race trailer experience.

The 44 inch version for only $50 more seems like twice the deal...except that it appears to be out of stock. Wonder why...

Ask for a voucher.

I'm glad they don't ship to Hawaii. Over the past 30 days, I bought a Husky 5 drawer roller cabinet, a Husky top and bottom chest from Home Depot, and a Craftsman 2000 series 5 drawer roller cabinet and a Kobalt 4 drawer with hutch top cabinet from Lowe's. I went a little nuts. Still waiting on my utility cart from Amazon.

I have 4 rollers. Dang you for tempting me. My mind is now trying to figure out where to put another one... or whether I need another one.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702313799.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702313799.jpg

Or you could buy one 3/8" snap on ratchett for the same money !

With weekly payments at who knows what interest, you could pay it off in a decade or so..:rolleyes:

Seriously, these harbor freight prices make me cry when I think of what I paid for my 3 chest stack of 26" wide Craftsman "ball bearing griplatch" storage I bought decades ago.
I guess I can take solace in knowing they were made in the USA. ALL of the big box store chest offering sold today are made in the same place as the harbor freight offerings...China. Far as I know, could be the same factory.

When my son moved out to his first job recently, I sent him with a bunch of tools. I had an extra 3/8" socket set w/o ratchet, so I gave him my ratchet.

Went online and decided to get a Hazet 3/8 ratchet. Pretty sure it cost more than the entire Craftsman set of sockets and ratchet that I gave him. It sure is pretty though.

Matthew...I still have no regrets over buying all the USA made Craftsman tools I bought. I figure those old 36 tooth ratchets have more than paid for themselves over the years, and they still function well. Probably because I usually would go for a breaker bar on stubborn fasteners.

I did recently take the ratchets apart, cleaned all the old grease & crud out, relubed with "superlube". They now work smooth as silk. Tons of "how to" videos on youtube on this.

Every tool chest before roller bearing guides is POS including the took truck ones. A dealer I work for on site has a Matco older slide style that he bought at an estate sale for much cheaper than they even go for at those sales. It was empty and he had a lot of tools scattered all around his warehouse. I have been slowly organizing it for him.

I hate the thing and it's in really good nick. Just older and needed a good shot of lube on the guides, especially the lower ones. The gauge of metal seems pretty stout.

I love my newer roller bearing import that I got from a chain of stores that is no longer called OSH. It was a floor model and the employee that unboxed it locked the drawers, then tossed the keys in a drawer and closed it.

So 1/3rd off for the bottom chest and it's close to the HF 44". My top chest is a clearance model and although black like the lower, is another brand from HD. Fits like they were made side by side.

Even those current prices don't beat what I've got in these. All my other boxes are older units with non roller bearings. They are all lower rollaways with one having a top chest, but much narrower than the 44's. I hate them all, but they are really pretty beat.

I noticed Ted saying that one fit in his trailer. I had 2 of my other 3 rollaways in a trailer at one point and not that many miles. But they really aren't built for that, not the old ones anyway. They never work that well after being jostled around full of tools. Never ship a box that is full of tools unless it's maybe a Lista or something.

I just remembered one more chest I have. It's top chest that I took the lid off and it's tucked under a rolling work bench. It's definitely a HF top 44" with roller guides. I like that one too.

It was 50 bucks at a poorly run sale. There have been so many of these sold that the prices for used can't be that high if you look around.

No stock left at the Freight around here.

Good point. :)
I did have a free (won it at the track in a raffle) lower quality Craftsmen box in the trailer and the bottom drawer was wasted after several years.
This HF box seems stronger than the old cheap Craftsmen.
I'll be careful not to overfill the large capacity lower drawers. :)

Agree. The Husky and Kobalt rollers look the same, but a different finish on the drawer handle. The Kobalt ones are sturdier.

I had a collection of three Craftsmen toolboxes, with the top and bottom box, not having the ball bearings. Only the middle box had bearings. I’m 6’ - 4” and had to stand on a milk crate to get to my sockets in the top box.

After selling our last house about three years ago, I bought a barely used 72” Matco toolbox for $2K. Crazy money, but it’s a lifetime investment. I think new off the truck, it was $4-5K. Then, paid stupid money to get thinner drawers to replace taller drawers, for more tools.

It’s been a great toolbox, and will definitely outlive me.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702350421.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702350421.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1702350582.jpg

It is a good thing I bought the Lowe's stuff this past weekend. The Craftsman 2000 series roller was half off, $154, now only $20 off so, $289. The Kobalt top box was half off at $119, now $60 off, so $179.

Actually, at $2K, A 930's Matco box was a steal...good job on the drawer additions.

(edit) My 3 chest 26" Craftsman set looks a lot like that craftsman set, only mine are all "ball bearing griplatch" in blue. Too tall, really. All closed up, on the rollers, 67" high. I made sure that the top drawer of the bottom "rollaway" chest was deep enough to hold long sockets upright on rails, so at least I have that going...still, if I had it to do over? Wider & lower, for sure. But at age 80, and not wrenching much now, just doesn't make sense to upgrade.

The initial $2k was a good deal. The second $2K for replacement drawers and sliders wasn't. That said, I’m very happy with it.

Ouch! Kind of like a "bargain" used Porsche then...a bargain until you buy parts. Lesson here is that if you're looking at a used tool truck toolbox, it's best if it's already configured to fit your needs.

But then, no drawer mod options with the big box store brands. So, my advice to anybody about to buy is to look, measure, and compare a lot before buying. It's best if you can store your most frequently used tools in easy to reach & see into drawers. One thing I did really luck out on was that the (waist high) top drawer of the rollaway was the right depth for holding rows of sockets, both tall and standard, upright on rails. What made me decide to buy was the ball bearing slides and the griplatch that prevented drawers from opening without locking the unit.

But...like I said, now wish I'd gone both wider and lower, with more storage. No real complaints about the old USA made Craftsman quality. The box has held up well for me. No idea on how well the current made in China Craftsman branded boxes work or will hold up...

Awaiting reviews of all once they've been in use for a while...SmileWavy

I missed out on that HF clearance deal. I have some nice Craftsman chests in the garage but was thinking about getting another for my motorcycle "shop".

Been checking CL and FBMP and even eBay. I love some of the used ones that come with tools in them. Saw one today for $300 that was loaded with all kinds of tools in a decent looking 7 drawer cabinet. The things is I'm in pretty good shape for tools right now so I held off on that one.

I finally pulled the trigger on this one on Amazon for $159.99 + tax, delivered.

Goplus Tool Chest, 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Storage Cabinet with Detachable Top Tool Box, Liner, Universal Lockable Wheels, Adjustable Shelf, Locking Mechanism, Metal Tool Cart for Garage Workshop

I think it will serve the purpose while not breaking the bank....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1705965996.jpg

Baz, hope I'm wrong on this. But after reading specs and watching the video, I'm afraid you're going to find out those are not ball bearing drawer slides, but the old style friction type.

It clearly shows no bearing guides. It's a cheap tool box but all some folks need. I have some that are beat to death, have been in trailers and sometimes the tracks disengage. Well, they still hold tools. Over weighting them is the main issue.

Milt hits the nail on the head.

I don't need ball bearing slides for this application.

Motorcycle tools are pretty much all light weight.

Even the hammer I use occasionally is not a "full size" one. ;)

But thanks for the observation, Paul......SmileWavy

Are you getting the 5 drawer model? I saw those and on the 6 drawer, the top cabinet fits underneath, but you can't open the lid because the drawer is in the way.

Getting the one in the photo.....the 5 drawer.

Will use the bottom to hold stuff like oils, lubricants, cleaners, etc.....

Have not assembled my new tool box yet. Maybe tomorrow or Monday.

In the meantime this one just showed up on FB MP. $75! I messaged the seller I would take it. Hopefully he gets back to me.

https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...hA&oe=65CC8196

Here's my answer for Tool Storage.............




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1707619911.JPG

Baz, Hell of a deal. Hopefully he also has the key? If not, new locks available aftermarket... Hell, I hardly ever lock mine..the set up in a locked & alarmed garage. Anyway, hope you get it...

Hmmm, Rusty must just lay the tools on the floor? ;)

The seller never got back to me.

The ad has now been removed, so it's gone. Was only 4 hours old when I messaged him.

Oh well......I scored a table this morning just around the block so there's that.....;)

Too bad..that Craftsman box probably sold for around $350 new.

The only problem I have with new tool boxes is the fact that I feel compelled to fill them. I don't like empty drawers.

I hate overfilling them.

I have that exact same 9 drawer box in my shop today. Starting to show it's age but still working well.