Tool Cabinets
 

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

+1 on the Kobalt tool cabinet. I have had the large one (top and bottom) for 5 years and no problems.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217531903.jpg

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217533757.jpg

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

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.

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.

http://vintagebus.com/gallery/mod/image/2103527.JPG

That looks just like the model I bought from Sam's a few years ago. Nice box, especially for the $$. Not a problem. I would check out of few different versions, there are several drawer configurations, figure out what works best for you. I prefer lots of 'thin' drawers to a few that are 6-8".

Just buy a used Snap On off a decent private seller on eBay, something that will never need replacing. I have a Heritage setup and love it.

Mine is going to be for useful tools that do actual work.

Absolutely !!!!!!

I'll run by Lowe's and take a look. I was hoping to stay around the 500 dollar or less point. Sears has a good sale on a double stack ball bearing setup for 399 right now.

Good tip on the thin drawers.

Paul when you see a dbl stack ball bearing combo for that price be sure to count drawers!

Sams club here has a very tall ss cabinet with lots of thin ball bearing drawers for $400.

10 drawers and the top. Here is the link to Sears.

I waited too long for the Sears deal, but they extended and sweetened it.

I got the ball bearing Craftsman triple stack 26in boxes for $399. They threw in the intermediate chest for free. Free shipping as well.

Thanks for all the help.

I have two of the Craftsman BB stacks. Had then at least 10 years. No problems, worth every penny.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217889208.jpg

That is a fantastic family room you've got there. Your wife's eye for decorating is fantastic. I'm printing this picture as the theme for the new house.

It looks like I got the same ones you have but in black and with a 2 drawer intermediate chest.

T-Bird's man cave there. My wife had NO SAY at all about decor. I didn't tell her how to set up her washer and dryer. Actually that is my gunsmith shop.
My second set is mismatched. Some B&W and some red. Got them as scratch and dents after Christmas at Sears. Saved a pile.

1978 Craftsman bottom. Had to replace casters, also made a heavy duty frame out of angle iron. I was rolling the box a few miles a day back then.

1982 Mac Top. Traded junk Kmart set of golf clubs. I won that deal. Made my living working out of these until 1992.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217893015.jpg


2005 Excel generic box, but has nice ball bearing drawers. Wanted storage under my bench and this fit perfectly. Found on Craigslist for $70 new, but with minor damage on base that was easily repairable.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217893183.jpg

Our local PCA had a detail clinic and one thing that I learned that has been terrific:

After I finish washing the car (before drying), I mist the entire car with detail spray. Then, I blow the water off with my leaf blower. The detail spray helps the water to just slide off the car. By the time I'm done blow drying the car, there is almost no water left. The I mist the car again and wipe dry with micro-fiber towels.

I guarantee you will not have a single water spot using this method & it's much easier than drying and wringing out the towel several times.

Oh yeah, with regards to a tool box - I reccomend getting the largest you can afford. I have a 6' x 3' craftsmen and it's full. It's amazing how much those things hold and the large drawers are great for power drills, buffer, and other gadgets that you don't want laying around.

That's not a bad price at all.

I bought these online, but it is amazing having so much to choose from now that I live in California. I had nothing but the internet and Wal Mart a few weeks ago in BFE Texas.

I have this model CSPS box from Costco. Gift from my wife. I think it was $650 plus tax. It is excellent quality and holds all my hand tools and air tools. I do believe that these bulk warehouse boxes are the best bang for the buck.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads12/Porsche%2BTool%2BBox1203352689.jpg&imgrefurl=http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D393492&h=600&w=390&sz=39&hl=e n&start=1&um=1&tbnid=boaJodHdbqNZWM:&tbnh=135&tbnw =88&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcostco%2Bstainless%2Btool%2Bbox%26um% 3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1203352689.jpg

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4791

The box gets fingerprints on it easily but is cleaned up with some WD40 in a minute after you are finished with your project. Even comes with rubber mats inside. I just moved and the box rolled on the truck whole. Had it for a couple of years.

George

if yer really really gonna load it down with tools..............like a TFE(turbo fan engine) wrench, than i would buy quality. have seen quite a few no name boxes loose their casters at worst moment. remember as always you get what yo pay for.

my kennedys have been with me since i was 19 years old from werking at garrett. never had a drawer take a crap let alone a caster. i have a 520 top machinists box, a middle 4 drawer, and a 7 drawer rollaway all from kennedy. they hold so much that upon cleaning out one weekend of all doubled up tools i had a pretty good selection over the years to "tool up " my back shop.

you will be amazed at how much you put in them over the years and the weight does get up there.

TOP TIP...............hang outside gate of your local aerospace company or local automotive mfg company on friday afternoons and monday mornings. when you see a guy rolling his roll away across parking lot accompanied by security guards, run up and make him an offer on his tools and his box since he just got FIRED!


reasonable choices" kennedy/proto/waterloo

stupid money- snap on, unless ya gotta spend 3 times as much to get a woody!

really cool ergonomic boxes/drawers/tables etc- LISTA

Ask the local snap-on or mac truck. They often take in craftsman, etc. tools & boxes on trade. I've purchased a few craftsman boxes for under $100.

My new box, now my older Snap-On can go in the race trailer:D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1218332769.jpg

Why did I have a feeling that Ted Nugents old tool box would show up?

:D


I like that family room !
Took me a second to figure out the safe in the corner until I realized that there was rack of guns to the left of it. But why the high security? You got some good stuff in there?

I put all my special chemicals and oils in the doors and special VHT heat paint it has hangers they give you in a package with that toolbox and my hones for cylinders fit up there. I have those two drawers packed and the deep love that tool box I have 3 of them now.