Craftsman 3 Drawer Project Center

[Colin Len]

I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with this tool cart. Normally I wouldn't be interested in anything Craftsman as it seems their quality has gone downhill but I have the opportunity to pick this up for $60 (or maybe haggle them down on the price) and am currently trying to outfit my garage with as much usable storage space as I can on the cheap.

Link to newer version sold at Sears: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-drawer-homeowner-project-center/p-00940761000P

I was wondering:
- Is this even worth having or just too low quality?
- If the plastic top is removed is it open to the drawers or is there a metal top?
- Can the plastic bottom piece be removed and the casters still mount properly?

I already have an HF 4 drawer tool cart with an additional 4 drawers added and plan on getting the HF 44" roller box relatively soon, but hey, you can't have too much storage, right?

Any input is greatly appreciated

 

[2nrguy]

The plastic top is just for show, it can be removed and their should be a lip around the top to store another box of that same size on top of it. The plastic corners shouldnt have anything to do with mounting of the wheels.

 

[beardog]

2nrguy is correct about the top. Remove it and it looks like any c-man box with the same footprint. The lower casters are the same too. I think you can even remove and reinstall them without the "bumper".

$60 is all the money on any lower chest with that few drawers and a "cupboard". I can't stand them. Give me drawers. Your needs may vary from mine though.

 

[HunterMike]

I had the 5 drawer version. Good quality but I didn't like the top, or the very shallow top drawer. Sold it last year, after owning it for over 8 yrs, and bought a 5 drawer cart.

 

[bobemmerich]

I have it and use it to store my welders (in the bottom) and supplies. It's a decent lower end unit. I bought mine in the late 90's. the top comes off and there's a lip to put other boxes on, except if I remember there's a couple extra holes for the top attaching points I'd see if they'll let it go for 50. 60 is a bit much IMHO.

 

[Wylaco]

I had it but gave it away to a friend. It was fine just didn't need it anymore. $60 seems high to me also.

 

[lksdrinker]

Measure the drawers to see what you've got. I was gifted a cman box which is sold as something like "homeowners" unit. Its tiny compared to standard sized stuff. I cant remember the exact dimensions, but the drawers are very short, shallow, and narrow! However, if you dont mid that then go for it!

 

[rancherbill]

That looks like a good deal to me.

You say you are trying to 'outfit' your garage, so I feel at this point, it's a heck of a deal. At that price you won't have trouble getting rid of it later.

 

[cheechi]

Stick to your plan, put the money in the HF 44"

Even if this cart is sturdier than the more recent cm stuff it's still not cost effective comparing it to your planned HF 44" anyway. If you still have space/need space after you get it, consider one of these then.

 

[afmrick]

I also have the 5-drawer version and I love it! For my needs, it's the ultimate track toolbox. Nice big casters to make moving it around easy and, unlike current ones, it's nice and tall (39") to use as a work surface. The plastic on top and bottom make nice bumpers while strapped against the wall in the trailer.
I don't plan on ever selling it because they don't make 'em like this anymore.

With that said, a good cart can be a wonderful thing too so, there might be some redundancy there. If it was me, I'd stick with your existing cart and get the 44" roller FWIW.

 

[zkling]

Pass, look for a real bottom box.

 

[Colin Len]

Thanks everyone, I may go take a look at it if I can find the time. And just to be clear, this is not the HF box OR this CM unit. I just saw this and thought for the price it may be nice to have to use somewhere in the garage. I also would prefer drawers over the open space below, but in this case the space below may be perfect storage for a few jack stands.

I will be getting the HF down the road as there's a perfect spot for it in a decades old bench that was in the garage when I bought it. All I need to do is rip out a few drawers and cabinet (which are damaged and not useful) and the HF 44" will fit right into that slot. Left side of this pic is where the HF 44" will go:

I also have the 5-drawer version and I love it! For my needs, it's the ultimate track toolbox. Nice big casters to make moving it around easy and, unlike current ones, it's nice and tall (39") to use as a work surface. The plastic on top and bottom make nice bumpers while strapped against the wall in the trailer.

Glad to hear it's decent quality unlike the new ones. Of course this one looks like it's been outside so I'll need to confirm it still functions OK. Do you happen to know the width of the box itself without the plastic pieces? The dims online say 36" but I'm assuming that is the total width with the plastic.

 

[Colin Len]

And just for fun, here's the HF cart that I have currently. It's PACKED at the moment and I'm looking forward to stripping it down so that only my automotive tools are in this box and other general use or house specific stuff can be elsewhere in the garage.


I just bought a house with a 2 car garage and previously had a single car rental so I'm working on trying to get my new garage up to a point where it's at least comfortable to work in and everything has a "home" inside instead of just being strewn about as it is now. Unfortunately all my money is going towards the mortgage and home repairs/renovations so it'll be a long time until I can put any significant money into the garage

 

[afmrick]

Do you happen to know the width of the box itself without the plastic pieces? The dims online say 36" but I'm assuming that is the total width with the plastic.

Well, my 5-Drawer is 32-1/2" wide and 21" deep on the plastic top. The metal part is 26-1/2" wide and 18" deep. 39" high overall.

 

[Colin Len]

^Perfect, thank you. I think this may be the perfect size to fit between my HF roller cart and compressor.

 

[J Dogg Z28]

I have the two drawer version of this and while it is not top of the line, it has served me well for 10 years now. My dad gave it to me when I moved out of the house, along with a 200-ish piece craftsman tool set. I do use the peg board sides to hang some tools, and I like the plastic top; it has many trays that are perfect for holding loose screws, etc., where I know they're not going to get lost. Only thing I don't love about it is that the second drawer is too deep. A 3 drawer version would solve that. I've put plenty of stuff in the lower hutch portion too. This would not cut it as your only tool chest, but it can be useful.

 

[mrvm]

I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with this tool cart.
I was wondering:
- Is this even worth having or just too low quality?
- If the plastic top is removed is it open to the drawers or is there a metal top?
- Can the plastic bottom piece be removed and the casters still mount properly?

I already have an HF 4 drawer tool cart with an additional 4 drawers added and plan on getting the HF 44" roller box relatively soon, but hey, you can't have too much storage, right?

Any input is greatly appreciated

IMO this particular CM doesn't fit your current needs. I have a few heavy-duty bottom BB CM 7-drawer tool boxes from several years ago that work well and now serve as "tool overflow" boxes and have always avoided the homeowner grade CM boxes. If you don't like the plastic top (which can be useful) then keep looking especially since this box only has 3 small non-BB drawers. My offer might be 25-40 based on condition.

 

[mrvm]

I also have the 5-drawer version and I love it! For my needs, it's the ultimate track toolbox. Nice big casters to make moving it around easy and, unlike current ones, it's nice and tall (39") to use as a work surface. The plastic on top and bottom make nice bumpers while strapped against the wall in the trailer.
I don't plan on ever selling it because they don't make 'em like this anymore.

I probably got an older version of your CM 5-drawer with black drawers and no bottom bumpers. Well made, sturdy and the metal work surface slides along the plastic top concealing the additional storage spaces. Drawers are non-BB but the drawers have tolerated heavy plumbing wrenches and supplies.