Got a new tool cart: Help me fill it up!

[ConstantChange]

My birthday is coming up and we celebrated it today. My family/friends joined together and bought me this Craftsman tool cart...

Craftsman 40'' Wide 14-Drawer Ball-Bearing GRIPLATCH® Tool Cart - Black

So tonight I decided to buy the matching upper tool box which I'll pick up tomorrow...

Craftsman 40'' Wide 8-Drawer Ball-Bearing GRIPLATCH® Top Chest - Black

Now I need to know what tools, organizers, etc... I "need" to get. This is my first full size tool box. I have a full set of sockets and about 10 wrenches in a portable ~130+ piece set, but I'd like to leave that set in the portable case so I can take it with me if need be.

I have a nice set of Kobalt screwdrivers and pliers that I got for Christmas that are still in the plastic because I didn't have anywhere to put them. I'm guessing I'll start with a good set of sockets and wrenches.

You guys recommend Craftsman, Kobalt, or something else? I've always been a Craftsman guy, but I like the Kobalt stuff I've used and Lowes is a lot closer to me than Sears. Snap-On is too expensive for me.

I mostly do home improvement type projects, so I got a full line of DeWalt stuff, but I do attempt to do most automotive repairs, so I'd like tools for both.

Help me spend my money!

 

[Link-Belt]

My personal opinion is Craftsman. I grow up on em and will stick with there USA made stuff. As for organization try Harbor Freight they have Hanson socket tray knock offs and some kick *** wrench organizers (they take up a whole drawer but hold a **** load load of wrenches nicely get two). Don't get sucked into Harbor Freights tools they are cheap but the majority of them are junk.

 

[CD1]

You'll need drawer liners. The ones are Harbor Freight are cheap, but on sale again as they usually are.

http://www.harborfreight.com/solid-nonslip-drawer-liner-65565.html

I went with the Zerust liners that Lowes sells.

http://www.lowes.com/Search=zerust?storeId=10151&N=0&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&rpp=24

I also have the Metric and SAE Socket Trays from Harbor Freight.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=socket+tray

My tools are not Harbor Freight!

 

[Brian_B_]

The harbor freight-hanson knockoff socket trays (black ones) are awesome. You can get a set of 3 (1/2", 3/8", 1/4") for the price of one Hanson. I have the SAE and Metric sets.

The wrench racks are ok. They are metal so I modified them a bit to fit with a cut off wheel.

I do have some HF tools, but most are ones I have used a few times only. I just have cheap kitchen drawer liners in mine from wal mart.

I do not have a large tool chest so everything is tight.

 

[billymade]

If you want to be really organized and are willing to spend some dough... check out Ernst products...

http://www.ernstmfg.com/

 

[BlackdogJunkyard]

Hands down the kobalt ratchets feel way better than the craftsman ones. I bought a 1/2" craftsman ratchet the other day and regretted it when I was in lowes a couple days later. The craftsman one felt so loose and junky. I shake it and it makes noise. The kobalt one was tighter in every way.

I also briefly owned the $100 set of three ratchets from sears. The full polish whatever ones. The 3/8 drive ratchet jammed permanently on the first bolt I had to loosen. I returned the set immediately.

Sent from my DROID X2

 

[Rickster]

I would stay away from the HF socket organizers and go with the Hanson's, I had trouble fitting all the sockets on them side by side. As for tools I would search the classifieds here and ebay to find some good quality used USA made tools.

 

[KenS]

Concerning drawer liners: You can get a huge roll of black drawer liner at Sams Club that is identical to that sold by Lowes, HF, etc. with the exception that you get at least twice to three times as much for about $13.

 

[biscuit141]

+1 for the Harbor Freight drawer liner. Thats what I have now and am very happy for the price. The drawer liner does not slide around and neither do my tools.

 

[crewchief888]

for most DIY'ers a set of CM RP combo wrenches fill the bill.

CM pro, or gearwrench could be good choices too.

i have kobalt and duralast ratchets i keep in my trail truck toolbag

MTS has some nice wrench racks and magnetic socket holders, i have a few of them, and they've survived many years in a professional environment

hansen, MTS, and lisle are probably the "top of the heap" as far as organization goes.

congrats on the new boxes

 

[rattracer]

OK, I just finished restoring an old Matco tool cart, and am going to take my Craftsman top chest off the workbench and combine them. Does anyone have a source for a good heavy mat to place on top of the tool cart to set the top chest on? Excuse the lack of proper terms and labels, I am a newbie, first post.
thanks,
Rat

 

[NC-Fordguy]

What kind of work do you do or foresee yourself doing??

If you're nearby a sears outlet there are some really good deals on quality tools right now

 

[yjWrangler]

This is not a cart

 

[crewchief888]

OK, I just finished restoring an old Matco tool cart, and am going to take my Craftsman top chest off the workbench and combine them. Does anyone have a source for a good heavy mat to place on top of the tool cart to set the top chest on? Excuse the lack of proper terms and labels, I am a newbie, first post.
thanks,
Rat

look for some carpet runner or a rubber floor mat in a local big box store

 

[Toolman12]

harryepstein.com is the place you want to be they have everything the enterprising and upcoming tool nut needs and help an American mom and pop store out not the big box boys