Dealing with multiple machinist chests

[Revere Cycles]

I started with an old wood Gerstner, picked up a Waterloo, and a trio of Kennedy 520 machinist chests. Now I don't know what to do with myself! I've organized and filled them to the point where I don't want part with them, but I would like to find a better way to incorporate them into my shop. One of my 520 boxes is on top of my newly acquired 277 roller; the others just occupy valuable space on my work surfaces.

I was thinking of some sort of shelving system above my benches, or a different kind of rolling cabinet to store them.

Does anyone else have this problem? If so, how do you deal with multiple machinist chests?

 

[mtnwalton]

I have the same issue, but I don't keep my precision tools in the garage. I've got a room in the basement with built-in shelving for boxes and a roll around Kennedy. I've got a six foot bench and a sit-down work table with task lights and magnifying lamp.

 

[Torque1st]

I have three chests, a 520 and 2 ea 528s. I also have a roll around. One of the 528s goes on the roller. I am considering placing the other 528 back-to-back with the 520 on top of another roller cabinet of some sort. The two chests would have to have enough space between for one lid to be open. That dictates the depth of the lower cabinet. The lower cabinet may be decked out with bin boxes to make up the width with a custom frame and top to fit.

Window shades make a cheap cover for open shelves or bin boxes to keep out chips and dirt.

 

[zkling]

Personally, if you can't find a good place for all of them I would sell off 2 of the Kennedy boxes.

That is what I don't like about those boxes, being less than 26" wide, they are not efficient on top of a standard roller. Additionally, although they are only 8" deep, you can't put them up against the wall because you need to have clearance for the top to open, so they take up even more space. The only saving grace is that you can open the drawers without opening the top, allowing you to stick them on a shelf. Just my 2¢

I have three chests, a 520 and 2 ea 528s.

Question, how do you think the build quality compares between the 520 and 528 (or is it a 526)? To me it seemed like they were of the same build quality, same thickness metal, same drawer slides, just the 526 is a stretched out version of the 520. I haven't played with a 526 much though. There are a few features the 526 has that I wish the 520 had

 

[Torque1st]

My old brain fart, it is a 526. I haven't noticed any difference but then I have not really looked. I got two of the chests with a machine tool I bought. It has been almost 40 years since I purchased my first 526 box.