Tool Storage
 

Wanted to get some opinions on tool boxes, see what you guys are using and what kind of top and bottom chests you would recommend.

I badly need a big tool box. I literally have hundreds of tools laying around my garage. I would like them all to be stored in one place and thought a craftsman top and bottom chest would do nicely. I've never had a tool box before because I've never had many tools but now after collecting for years it's about time I get one. Ideally I would like to go snap-on but I'm no professional mechanic these are just my tools that will only see my car and a few others so craftsman will do fine. I'm willing to go to other brands if you guys recommend it.

General Idea of items I have (90% Craftsman 10% MAC)
- 250+ sockets and socket accessories
- 10+ ratchets all different sizes and lengths
- 2 torque wrenches
- A couple Makita Drills
- A couple screw driver sets
- 20+ Impact sockets
- 3+ Hammers
- Compression kits
- Spring compressors
- 50+ wrenches and pliers
- 50+ Hex wrenches
- Bunch of drill crap
- A couple specialty tool sets
- 100+ pc Electrical wiring kit
- Soldering Kits
- Spare nuts and bolts
- A couple meters
- general accessories (retrieval magnets, stethoscope, goggles etc.)

I'm a tool whore, i know. I know a lot of you are as well and have some wisdom for storing all this crap.

Here's a combo that looks pretty nice and doesn't cost much. Looks small to me but it might work. Trying to spend sub $500.00.
8-Drawer Chrome Blue Ball-Bearing Combo

This one is also pretty sweet. Leaning towards this one.
14 Drawer Steel Cart: Your Mobile Workstation at Sears

I can't recommend anything specific, but my wife got me a Craftsman top, mid, and bottom chest combo several years ago. They're all black with aluminum drawer pulls and ball bearing drawer sides. I'm a tall dude, so I like having the top/mid/bottom so I don't have to bend down to get to most of my hand tools. My bottom chest has five big drawers, so power tools go in there. It's quite nice and for a homeowner, I couldn't imagine a better set-up.

I know Harbor Freight stuff can be hit or miss, but I've heard really good things about their big toolboxes. They're worth a look if you are near one of the stores.

Give it a little tappy. Tap tap taparoo.

Maybe go on craigslist and find some used tool boxes? I have my tools scattered among several different Craftsman bags.

The Garage Journal


But the harbor freight 44" gets praise over there in terms of bang for you buck storage.
Roller Cabinet - 44" Red Rolling Tool Cabinet w/ 13 Drawers

Only tips, make sure the drawers are all ball bearing, at least 50-75lbs rated weight but 100+ is better. Go as big as you can afford/fit, at least a 30" box...you'll be surprised how quickly it will fill up and some tools won't fit without the extra width. Most 26" boxes won't actually fit a 24" breaker bar for instance because it's the outside width of the box.

And trust me, you aren't a tool whore yet with the minimal stuff you have...

Ask Will @Captain KR; for his opinion on tool storage.

I am biased but https://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/for...312_085805.png and I just added a side locker not to long ago.

But I wouldn't think any one would want this for home. But your best bet is look on craigs list, may find lots of retired techs selling there stuff for cheap, and craftsman stuff is not to bad.

I like that. Looks like it would hold the majority of my tools. Might need the top chest as well. :wavey:

Minimal huh... well I got some work to do. The only other person I know who had as many tools and me is my late uncle who was an auto mechanic. He had a full size snap-op filled to the seams with tools. I wish I had his box, never knew what happened to it.

Model OT-XXL | Veto Pro Pac - Toolbags That Work.

If a open top bag sounds good, that's the xxl open top, but they have smaller bags.

DeWalt also has a mobile storage system with different size boxes that will snap onto each other and onto a dolly.

DEWALT Storage & Work Support | Find Tools and Accessories

I went craftsman because I knew they would be around to add pieces that match as I needed more space. I am sure there are better ones out there but they have worked out well over the years. When I outgrew one with all the middle and side boxes I just started a new set. Now I have one dedicated to hand tools like ratchets air tools and wrenches and another dedicated to machine tools like micrometers dial indicators taps dies etc.

I have looked at the ones at harbor freight and they look decent for the price as well.

Good luck finding one.. My women say's it's too much for a new tool box, the small on I have is "fine". So I keep leaving tools in random kitchen drawers. I will get a new tool box!

Craftsman is ok around the house or try general.. They also have some nice boxes at lows... I'm a ford tech and have a matco tool box but that ran me 6k and it's a middle size and the 3 bay runs around 10k and that's no tools.. I finally just paid it off a few months ago.. 5 years later lol but when I was 17 my first box was a three stack craftsman and did its job until I made it my profession then upgraded but the craftsman is in my parents garage still kicking after 10+ years..I think it cost around 350-400 bucks back then..

I've got a 36" box that's about 6 feet tall that's stuffed full. Plus a work bench full, plus several shelves full, plus a variety of bench tools and whatnot scattered around.

Granted most of my stuff isn't high end, I don't have really any tool truck brand stuff...but I do have a fairly decent collection and have started buying IR, Gearwrench, etc

Here's a smattering of photos I dug off my facebook:

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...10669139_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...17662194_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...76919601_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...48375373_n.jpg
(not my speed, but working in my garage, that was fsb install)
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...07283146_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...77490860_n.jpg
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...29781656_n.jpg

I need something big. I have way too many tools for stuff like that. I have small tool boxes around the house for mobile stuff when I need it. I'm just looking for a full on garage storage tool box.


Nice air setup. Looks like a very handy garage.

I think I'm going to end up getting a 40" craftsman since most of my tools are the same brand. It will do, as long as I get the better rated stuff.

Thanks...I just did that a month or so ago, relocated my compressor down to the cold room and piped it in. This way I don't have to listen to the damn thing when I'm working. It will eventually be replaced by a proper 60 gallon 5hp one when I get ambitious again lol

We've done a lot in the local garage, have install days (NATOR style? although I'm not sure I'm officially aloud to use that term lol) about once a month. We've probably done a dozen suspension swaps, even more motor mounts and intakes and such...parted out an entire car in it even (right down to empty shell). Only thing I'm lacking is a) more space lol and b) a lift...err and c) a welder.

Craftsman boxes aren't known for their quality as much as they used to be, but I'm sure for regular home use it will be fine. It's not like my mastercraft one is much better, at the time I bought it it was overkill, now it's way too small and I wish I had a 44" or 56" or something. Try to snag one on sale and you'll get a decent deal.

My friend works at harbor frieght in my town so I get a good discount plus they are doing their open tent sale next week so im picking up 2 jacks for 40$

The harbor freight box is growing on me. The quality seems to be pretty good and has a ton of storage. I may pick that one up.

I agree, craftsman has been slipping but their warranty is what keeps me coming back. I've broken a few of their sockets and I have not been hassled whatsoever when I took the broken tool in for replacement.

A couple years ago I broke a snap-op ratchet and some sockets and the dude who replaced it kind of gave me a little sass.

The HF box is probably as good as anything you'll find with out paying out the ass. There's plenty of professional mechanics out there using them.

You stated you have some MAC stuff. Does this mean you have a dealer? If so talk to him about getting a roll cab from him. If he has one on the truck that he has had for a while, then usually they will hook you up wih a good deal. Maybe ask for some money down and set up monthly payments as opposed to weekly payments. Same basically goes for Snap-On as well. Snap-On has EC or SOC (easy credit or Snap-On Credit). Even if your credit is a little on the low side if your dealer is platinum they can overturn a no from SOC and write you to paper anyways. The good thing about MAC and Snap-On is if you ever go to trade up or anything, the dealers almost always will give you damn near what you payed for it. The boxes hold their value pretty well. In my opinion there is nothing better then Snap-On tool storage. I've got over 20' of it and over $150K in Snap-On tools.

Jason

^^ Because he's going to get anything snap on in his $500 budget? Nope, so instead he should go into debt on a tool box? For home use? Really? That's absolutely stupid.

Not necessarily. There are a few options that may work for him. Granted they are not sub $500, but the good thing when you run a truck account with Snap-On, MAC, Matco, etc is you do not have to come out for the full amount right off the bat like you would at Sear's or Harbor Freight. Not to mention if there are any issues, you have a lifetime warranty on your product. Here are some options from Snap-On:

KRB2006FPQR, Roll Cab, Blue-Point™, Single Bank, 6 Drawers, Red

KRA2005FPBO, Roll Cab, Single Bank, 5 drawers, Red

I do not know what his ultimate plans are for this. He just asked about suggestions and what other people are using. I was not telling anyone to go into debt over tool storage so calm down.

Jason

+1 on harbor freight. some of their stuff is really good for the money.

Look for a used Snap-On. Find a dealer and they always have used ones. Craigs list has some for cheap every now and then. Buy Snap-On once and you wont need to upgrade at all, except to add on for more tools.

At work I use a snap on tool box, at home its a husky tool chest.

Snap on imo is ok, but not really worth the money. The reason why most mechanics choose snap on or mac is because the dealers make weekly stops at your job for money, and to see if you need shit replaced, but the box is still a box, and quite overpriced at that. Youre basically paying for the convenience. I just bought a locking 3 drawer tool cart for work from Craftsman for 250, Snap On has it for 450.
If its for the house, go Craftsman. Same lifetime warranty, half the price.

If you guys are curious I ended up getting a heavy duty 48" stainless steel chest from my girlfriend for our anniversary (She's pretty awesome :smlove2:). She knew I wanted one so she surprised me with this. I have so say I love it. Seems like a high quality piece and It definitely makes my dirty garage a lot nicer. It fit all my tools with a small bit of room to spare for new additions.

It came with a nice solid wood top but I doubt it will stay clean for long.

We picked it up at Costco on Saturday (fit in my speed, I love this car). I think it cost $450 after tax.

It's not the heaviest duty box (weighs 220 lbs can hold 1500-2000 lbs if I remember correctly) but it will work for my setup.
@himurax13; @Voltron Locos; @someguy; @budzinski; @mr.speedy3; @Cheapspeed; @kritz;

Cool dude.

We're moving to a new house soon and I grabbed a bunch of huge cardboard boxes that I broke down and fit in my car. I really do love the versatility of the 3's.

Yeah I didn't expect it to fit because it was so big...lol I just read this back to myself.

Nice pickup, my bday is Thursday and my GF continuously mentions that she wants to get me some nice tool storage (so I stop using the kitchen drawers probably). So hopefully I get something nice!

Right on!

I think you got a great deal.. Nice set up and it will do its job..

Not too bad. I like the butcher block top too. Nice spot to mount yourself a vise for doing internals for all your buddies.

Jason