Looking for a toolbox suggestion

Off Topic Maker Matters
#1

Looking for a Christmas gift and ‘Toolbox’ keeps coming up.

Currently there’s no real rhyme or rhythm to the tool storage… it’s essentially several large plastic bins that are semi-organized based on activity…

Would love a large stand up rolling chest, but they can get quite pricy… anyone have experience with the Horror Fright versions that run a couple hundred rather than the Snap-on that cost an order of magnitude more? If it’s modular so that it can grow or disconnect and travel with only certain groups of tools, that’s even better.

Ideas?

#2

I would say keep an eye on Sears when they run sales, but holy schnikes, I’ve had hell buying a 3 piece tool chest this week.

I’m axiously awaiting the arrival of the bottom rolling cabinet on Friday and hoping they don’t charge me full price instead of the sale price… but the emails are now showing full price. If that happens I’ll go nuclear on Sears.

This is a replacement for an existing rolling toolbox set, but I’ll be taking the old set to my property for use out there.

#3

I bought one from Sears during a sale and I really like it. I have one of their small cheap ones though and plan on tossing it in the trash after 10 years of service. The new one is much better built and I suspect will last a long time.

#4

Here is the big boy from Milwaukee -$700

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-46-in-16-Drawer-Tool-Chest-and-Rolling-Cabinet-Set-Red-and-Black-48-22-8510-8520/206126307

#5

Look around the space at the different brands and how they’ve held up.

You may want to look at the Long Game . Get good quality piece now of say a 3 piece set-up, then a next year or birthday treat yourself to next piece … if suicidal - anniversary gift.

I’ve got a really nice Kennedy roll round at a Pawn shop for good price. One thing about really nice roll-arounds, you’re buying a life time tool.

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#6

I’d recommend getting one with ball-bearing, full-depth slides on the drawers. That’s kind of the separator between an OK/good tool chest and a cheap/low-cost one.

I picked one up at Tractor Supply 8-10 years ago for ~$250 and have been very happy with it. Large rolling box with a smaller chest on top.

I can’t personally justify the $2,000+ for a Snap-on or Kobalt toolbox, but they do seem to (at least kind of) hold their value, based on the offers I’ve seen on Craigslist for used ones…

I’d also invest in anti-corrosion liner material for the drawers.

https://www.amazon.com/Zerust-91132-Anti-Rust-Corrosion-Drawer/dp/B00150H0FW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512016489&sr=8-1&keywords=anti+rust+liner+for+tool+box

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#7

I paid about 1,300 for my Kobalt 41" stainless toolbox about 12 years ago. Im overall happy with it. I think it’s about 900 at the moment. Granted it doesn’t hold all of my hand tools but it does ok.

#8

www.strictlytoolboxes.Com

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#9

https://www.listacabinets.com/

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#10

Milwaukee makes a slightly bigger cabinet that is deeper for about $200 more. This was ones at the top of my list since I am looking for a toolbox.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-46-in-18-Drawer-Tool-Chest-and-Cabinet-Combo-48-22-8546/301937094

#11

Husky also has a toolbox that was up near the top of my list for about $700.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-in-W-20-in-D-15-Drawer-Tool-Chest-and-Cabinet-Textured-Black-H52CH6TR9/206828259

#12

This one is priced nicely…

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/tls/d/craftsman-tool-box-large/6400741315.html

#13

Bottom line is - if your rolling or base cabinet is only 18" to 20" wide (front to back) it will REALLY limit your storage options…unless you are a jeweler, or only have smallish items to store.

#14

If you are patient and willing to buy something high end that is used you can save a ton of money. Today at lunch I picked up a fairly new slightly used 11 drawer, 54"x24"x39" Snap-On KRL722BPC large rolling toolbox for $1000. List price on the Snap-On website was around $6500 and the guy I bought it from bought it without any financing off the tool truck for $3000 about a year or two ago. He was in a bind and needed the cash quick and I was able to pick it up for 15% of MSRP. It is built like a tank and will probably outlast me. I had been looking heavily at the Milwaukee and Husky boxes I posted a link to above but have been watching for a high end toolbox to show up in my price range. There was one for $1200 that was a little bigger and 30 inches deep instead of 24 but it sold last night before I could get it. Was regularly checking Craigslist, OfferUp, 5Mile and a few other places for the last few months for “tool chest”, “tool box” and “toolbox” as my key words… Glad I have a liftgate on my truck because this toolbox weighs nearly 500 pounds empty. If I had not got this I would likely have bought a toolbox from the StrictlyToolboxes.com website that TLAR told me recently.

Toolbox
Toolbox.JPG1632×1224 754 KB

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#15

That’s a nice unit! I used to use one like that (technically the boss’s; I never had that kind of scratch!) and it was VERY NICE to use, especially if you needed to move anywhere. Never underestimate how nice a decent caster can be…

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#16

Good suggestion, but also consider that your stuff at home may not get (ab)used as hard as the stuff at Dallas Break’rspace.

#17

I was helping my friend move a couple years ago. He had a snap on toolbox on his trailer. We were going down Hulen st in Ft Worth, when it decided it didn’t want to be on the trailer anymore. That was interesting.

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#18

Picked up a Wen box during a 50% off sale, has been super