Proto tool box review

[SawtoothJL]

Did some work tonight. Ground out the 1/4" steel plate for a brushed look and bolted it down to the box with the new vise. Added two counter-**** machine screws in the center of the plate to help keep it from moving.

Looks awesome! Thanks for the great thread

 

[theamcaddict]

His is the same as mine but slightly older http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233295

Current part # would be J455743-13RD

All of these proto boxes look like great boxes.

 

[RogueFab]

Good for you for drilling that box for your top and vise. Looks great and very practical. What do you work on BTW?

 

[zkling]

Ruger, maybe a odd question, but since you seem to be very brand independent compared to most on here. Did you ever consider kennedy's pro mechanics, large ball bearing box line? If so what were your thoughts?

 

[Ruger_556]

Looks awesome! Thanks for the great thread

Good for you for drilling that box for your top and vise. Looks great and very practical. What do you work on BTW?

Navistar/Kenworth dealer tech. Class 8 trucks mostly, do work on light duty occasionally ('05 GM 3500 pickup this afternoon). Then I've also gone on road calls to work on railroad equipment so it keeps things interesting

Ruger, maybe a odd question, but since you seem to be very brand independent compared to most on here. Did you ever consider kennedy's pro mechanics, large ball bearing box line? If so what were your thoughts?

I did look at them but they don't make a layout that I really liked. I don't get stuck on brand too much, if it works I buy it.



I did add a second set of drawer slides to the top and bottom drawers awhile back, the drawer isn't open all the way in the pic but they are full extension slides. Cleaned the box up a bit today too.

 

[Ruger_556]

Fab'd up a bracket to hold my air hose and creeper. Bolts on where the handle would on the opposite side.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Badass tool box, I really like the color! Who did you buy it through?

 

[Ruger_556]

Badass tool box, I really like the color! Who did you buy it through?

Thanks I ordered it though Tools Plus.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Nice Jeepers Creeper. Mine is the same color. Great idea on the hook for it as well.

 

[Ruger_556]

Nice Jeepers Creeper. Mine is the same color. Great idea on the hook for it as well.

Jeepers FTW I'm kinda thinking about buying a black one for work and taking the blue one home. The grease stains do horrible things for my OCD...

 

[Ruger_556]

So I'm looking at this to add some storage for miscellaneous ****... http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i...Top-Chest-with-Drop-Front---10-Drawer,-Black/



Probably set it up on the front left edge of my box and build a shelf behind to store manuals and such (one of the older guys in the shop has his box setup the same way with a smaller top chest and bookshelf behind). What do you guys think? I was going to do a side box but I like being able to maneuver around the shop and I'm kind of liking this idea

 

[Ruger_556]

I might actually need to get a top box sooner rather than later, drawer just rolls smoother and smoother but man there's a lot in there, starting to run out of cubic inches...

 

[ladrones]

Are you allowed a 3-bay in your shop?

 

[Ruger_556]

Are you allowed a 3-bay in your shop?

Yeah, the guys that have them hate it though... No assigned bays so constantly moving and man those 3 bays need a lot of room. Turns into a lot work real fast having to move stuff out of the way. If I were to go wider I would add the side cab to this one.

 

[Cope]

Our Paccar engine tech asked me about it. He remembered when Proto used to be carried by hardware stores but didn't know they were still around or made boxes. I think Proto would do well if more people knew they even existed.

Proto has always made boxes. I have seen many of their vintage boxes in industrial maintenance facilities.

 

[G-Ram]

love the toolbox and add ons

 

[Prowrench]

My Mac dealer says they cost him more than the Mac boxes and are made in same plant

 

[AV tinker er]

I think Proto would do well if more people knew they even existed.

Proto is very common in the industrial setting, but I think auto techs prefer the warranty availability with tool trucks.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

I might actually need to get a top box sooner rather than later, drawer just rolls smoother and smoother but man there's a lot in there, starting to run out of cubic inches...

Nice box, all you need to do now is paint that top plate, so it looks the part

 

[Hiball]

Nice box, all you need to do now is paint that top plate, so it looks the part

I'm going to guess the reason he went with Stainless is because he uses the top for a place to work, paint wouldn't hold up to good on a working mans box.

 

[Ruger_556]

I'm going to guess the reason he went with Stainless is because he uses the top for a place to work, paint wouldn't hold up to good on a working mans box.

It's actually 1/4" mild steel (9" grinder and then a flap disk to get it looking like that) but yes paint wouldn't last long at all I used mild steel partly because it wasn't too expensive but more so for indestructibility. Weld spatter? No big deal, touch up with the grinder and it looks just as good as new. Need to drive bushings? Sure, no worse for the wear.The only maintenance it needs is a scotchbrite pad soaked in PB Blaster every few weeks.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

I'm going to guess the reason he went with Stainless is because he uses the top for a place to work, paint wouldn't hold up to good on a working mans box.

It's actually 1/4" mild steel (9" grinder and then a flap disk to get it looking like that) but yes paint wouldn't last long at all I used mild steel partly because it wasn't too expensive but more so for indestructibility. Weld spatter? No big deal, touch up with the grinder and it looks just as good as new. Need to drive bushings? Sure, no worse for the wear.The only maintenance it needs is a scotchbrite pad soaked in PB Blaster every few weeks.

I see where your both coming from.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Hey Ruger I know you're thinking about getting that Proto road chest as a top box but have you thought about a tool cart to help free up some storage? The only disadvantage (and I'm sure you've already thought of this) to the top box is you will lose some of your worktop space.

 

[Ruger_556]

Hey Ruger I know you're thinking about getting that Proto road chest as a top box but have you thought about a tool cart to help free up some storage? The only disadvantage (and I'm sure you've already thought of this) to the top box is you will lose some of your worktop space.

I'm just not a cart kind of guy I want all my tools in one box, then I just roll up next to what I'm working on and have everything in arms reach. Then I don't have to roll 2 boxes across the shop every time I move bays also. I'm going to lose some work space but I'll survive. I've actually been eyeballing some of those tractor trailer boxes. One with the side open doors would sit on top of the box nice and store a lot of plastic cases for not too much money.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I like it. My boxes are blue too

 

[BDT/NWMN]

If anyone in the Fargo, ND area would like to check out these tool boxes,, MAC'S Hardware, (the big yellow sign) on main avenue has them... Budget some time to browse around; as that place is awesome... free popcorn too..

 

[zkling]

It's actually 1/4" mild steel (9" grinder and then a flap disk to get it looking like that) but yes paint wouldn't last long at all I used mild steel partly because it wasn't too expensive but more so for indestructibility. Weld spatter? No big deal, touch up with the grinder and it looks just as good as new. Need to drive bushings? Sure, no worse for the wear.The only maintenance it needs is a scotchbrite pad soaked in PB Blaster every few weeks.

How about a mirror polished finish on the top? A few flap disks, buffing pads some compound and a hour or two you'd need sun glasses to do much work.

 

[stage20]

I'm just not a cart kind of guy I want all my tools in one box, then I just roll up next to what I'm working on and have everything in arms reach. Then I don't have to roll 2 boxes across the shop every time I move bays also. I'm going to lose some work space but I'll survive. I've actually been eyeballing some of those tractor trailer boxes. One with the side open doors would sit on top of the box nice and store a lot of plastic cases for not too much money.

on a budget you can youse an overhead cabinet from an office cubicle. Not as heavy duty as an underbody box but more thn enough to hold drill cases. They have flip up doors that slide back on roller bearings
I have one id just about give you if you were close. I have a 60" but they come in different sizes.

 

[Ruger_556]

on a budget you can youse an overhead cabinet from an office cubicle. Not as heavy duty as an underbody box but more thn enough to hold drill cases. They have flip up doors that slide back on roller bearings
I have one id just about give you if you were close. I have a 60" but they come in different sizes.

Thanks for the idea, that got me looking and I found this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KX63BO/?tag=atomicindus08-20 It looks perfect for what I want.

 

[stage20]

Thanks for the idea, that got me looking and I found this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KX63BO/?tag=atomicindus08-20 It looks perfect for what I want.

wow. nicely priced and no diamondplate! haha. does it come in blue or do you know the paint code? LOL

 

[Ruger_556]

I am out of cubic inches, no amount of reorganizing is going to get me by. I don't think the Viper cabinet I was looking at would be enough space now. I think I'm going to have to order this http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i..._Proto®-450HS-34"-Top-Chest---4-Drawer,-Blue/

I thought for sure it would take longer than a year

 

[RedneckWelder]

I am out of cubic inches, no amount of reorganizing is going to get me by. I don't think the Viper cabinet I was looking at would be enough space now. I think I'm going to have to order this http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i..._Proto®-450HS-34"-Top-Chest---4-Drawer,-Blue/

I thought for sure it would take longer than a year

I think you will like having that top box.

I added a KRA-59 top chest to my 40" box last year, I like mine for holding taps, punches/chisels, screwdrivers, measuring tools, allen key sets, pliers, picks, etc.

 

[Wamsutta]

I am out of cubic inches, no amount of reorganizing is going to get me by. I don't think the Viper cabinet I was looking at would be enough space now. I think I'm going to have to order this http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i..._Proto®-450HS-34"-Top-Chest---4-Drawer,-Blue/

I thought for sure it would take longer than a year

I'm assuming you've already looked at the J451934-6BL-SC side box, correct? You wouldn't be losing any work surface area that way.

 

[ADSR]

Ruger, Is it time for an upgrade? This is the one i'm looking at. Joe said it was like 4800.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4565880&postcount=80

 

[Ruger_556]

I'm assuming you've already looked at the J451934-6BL-SC side box, correct? You wouldn't be losing any work surface area that way.

Ruger, Is it time for an upgrade? This is the one i'm looking at. Joe said it was like 4800.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4565880&postcount=80

Trying to avoid going any wider at the moment. I do want a Lista someday but not just yet.

 

[Ruger_556]

Proto has a new line of toolboxes coming out, I'm pretty excited

http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i...e3f8_Proto®-550S-57"-Workstation---13-Drawer/

 

[G-Ram]

Wow, are they ever expanding the toolbox line

 

[Brownsfan]

They look even more like Mac now. And probably less money. Win win.