Determining the right tool box size

[Kenrevo]

Hey,

I'm looking to upgrade my craftsman box. I currently have a 26" top box that is over flowing. I'm only 25 and will continue to get more tools. I'm an engineer and love working on cars so it will mainly be used for that. I trying to figure out what box I should get. I'm depending between 44", 56", or 72" box. I want to get a box that I probably won't have to upgrade later but I'm probably going to move a couple times and don't want it to be a huge pain to move. I like the idea of the 56" or 72" as I can use the top at another bench. I'm looking at HF and the 56" and 72" draw layout is better than their 44" one. Is it possible to have tool box that is too big?

Thanks

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[Roddyo]

At 25 I wouldn't be worried about buying my last toolbox. There's a lot to be said for buying a 44 and selling it every time you move or upgrading then.

 

[rodm1]

I have 4 44" boxes it's easier to squeeze them in the shop a 72" would be impossible to move in there.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

If I had to do it all over again I would probably go with a 44", and keep buying more as I need them. I find the larger boxes cumbersome.

 

[ZRX61]

I'm also a believer in just buying another box & keeping the old ones. Right now I'm up to 7 or 8 rollers.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I started with a 26" craftsman & the black hf cart. Both were packed so I decided to upgrade. I was looking at the hf 56 but a few guys in my shop said that people always leave **** on top of their boxes & I should get one with a top box. I got a 40" husky that was pretty full after organizing it. I needed a bigger one in about a year. Now I have a 66x25 & it's not empty by any means but there's plenty of room. The depth makes the biggest difference. I use the 40" top for spare parts. It takes up more work space than I'd like. I'd recommend the 56 or 72 & keep the craftsman top.


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[JKady]

I say buy the biggest you can feasibly fit in your work space and afford. I've never met anyone that wished they had less storage.

 

[bobcatdan]

If you see yourself moving a few times before really settling down, I would stick to smaller boxes. Big boxes a pain in the *** to move. Biggest I would go is a 56" box. At that size, two to three guys can still get it up ramps relatively easy.

 

[K-Dog]

I say buy the biggest you can feasibly fit in your work space and afford. I've never met anyone that wished they had less storage.

THIS.

I guess it was about 12 or fifteen years ago I bought what I thought was going to be my last box. I was a Matco 6s. I custom designed all the drawers and what not. Spent a **** ton on it. Well just over a year ago I had to go and do it all over again. It was WAY annoying and stressful. On top of all that I am back to having toolbox payments AGAIN.

Simply put, if I had to do it all again I would have gotten a bigger box.
Did I really think I was going to outgrow the Matco? I never really thought about it and maybe, maybe that was the problem. Either way, think of the biggest box you could need and then go bigger.

 

[LXCam]

Hey,

I'm an engineer and love trying to figure out what box I should get.

I like the idea of the 56" or 72" as I can use the top at another bench.

Is it possible to have tool box that is too big?

Thanks

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OK, I gotta ask. Just how many pocket screwdrivers can a guy have that needs that big of a box??.





LOL. I'd suggest the 56". I had one for a couple of years and it worked just fine. The reason I'd go that route is rolling it around loaded wasn't a breeze. The 72" will make it all that much more difficult.

Welcome to the joint and where ya located at?.

 

[Olafur]

Engineer?
Reasonable estimate x pi!

 

[whitetrash1]

I would suggest the 56". Should last you quite awhile and still be fairly reasonable to move around.

 

[JJThrasher]

Honestly even the 72 HF box isn't very large. Sure they're wide, but the depth ***** on them under 2ft iirc. I'd be looking at both depth as well as width. I went from a 75" wide 24" deep box to a 68" wide 30" deep box and you'd be shocked how much extra storage it gained me while taking up less wall space.

 

[woody 73]

I say buy the biggest you can feasibly fit in your work space and afford. I've never met anyone that wished they had less storage.

Buy the largest Mother of all tool boxes that you can buy without going into debt; you will be so glad you did not buy the smaller units.

The small rollers are nice but you will outgrow them before the blink of an eye trust me been there before.

 

[Packard V8]

There is not such animal as the one perfect box unless one is a shop tech and is only given X space in which to park.

At home, there's no excuse for not having space for one more box when a good buy comes along. I've lost count of how many I've got and the tools expand to fill the space available.

jack vines

 

[taumac]

I agree with a lot said above. IMO I would go for the 44'. I say this because of the depth of the 56 or 72. A 44 is 18" deep while the 56 and 72 is 24". I would get the 44 and keep the Craftsman next to it. It would be easier to move and not push into the garage to much. In a single or 2 car garage that extra might be difference getting cars in garage or not plus your not sure garage space you will have down the road. If needed you can always get another 44 down the road.

 

[gdpolk]

I chose the HF 44" box for my needs. It offers decent storage at an affordable price with quality construction. It isn't as nice as some of the SnapOn monsters or what not in a professionals shop but its light years above Craftsman/Husky/Rigid boxes seen in most peoples home garages and it's easy to add onto as your collection grows.

For what it's worth, the cost per SQUARE inch of drawer space is lowest in their 26" combos and the cost per CUBIC inch of drawer space is lowest in the 44" boxes. Depending on how you like to organize and what tools you actually have, that might influence your decision. If you have a lot of small thin tools like sockets, screwdrivers, etc and want to separate and spread them out then the 26" will be more organized (one drawer per socket drive size and one drawer for socket wrenches/adapters/extensions). If you want to group tools by function and use vertical space more then the deeper drawers on the 44" will be better.

 

[619DioFan]

My first box ( as a teen ) was a 26 inch craftsman top and bottom. filled it. added two intermediate drawers and a side cab and filled those. Then upgraded to a craftsman 40 inch top and bottom ( 9 drawer top and 15 drawer bottom ) then added the 40 inch craftsman intermediate drawer. later added the hf side locker and hf 7 drawer side cab. it is completely full ( still have the original 26 inch and it is also full ) currently getting ready to buy a 72 inch box ( been looking for a year for a truck box used , the prices in my area are insane ) moral of my story is I wish I had gone with a much bigger box in the beginning . my advise is to get the biggest box you can afford as you will never stop buying tools.

 

[md21722]

I bought a Home Depot unit about 15 years ago. I think its 44" wide. In the past year I added a Snap On KRL722 because of the double 50" drawers. Makes it nice to store most sockets & wrenches in just two drawers. Think about the layout that works for you. Deeper and taller drawers make tool organization easier. But deeper drawers also take up more space along the wall. I would've like a 72" but fitting in my space would've been an issue. Consider enclosed cabinets/shelves for stuff you don't use as often and blow molded case tools that you may not use regularly.

 

[Packard V8]

Consider enclosed cabinets/shelves for stuff you don't use as often

Agree, used filing cabinets are dirt-cheap and hold bulky well.

and blow molded case tools that you may not use regularly.

Disagree. The biggest space hogs ever!

jack vines

 

[PhantomEB]

Multiple smaller boxes is my thinking. I had the SPG International 56" top and bottom that was stolen. Now I got a No name top box for under my welding table and plan to just get a 37" wide blacked out Husky special edition from Home Depot as its on sale for top and bottom at 398$. The 37" fits perfectly behind the man door as my 56 was perpendicular and you would get a door to the back if someone came thru when you were getting tools.

I am now more for practicality and versatility.

 

[Rich.]

Im 24 and have just got my 84" Epiq. I figured it will be the last box i ever have to buy, and i can just add side cabs to it as i need more space.

 

[md21722]

Agree, used filing cabinets are dirt-cheap and hold bulky well.

Disagree. The biggest space hogs ever!

jack vines

Where would you put the blow molded cases?

My preference is to store them in a cabinet rather than my tool box.

 

[maxpower_hd]

My opinion would be to just get a used matching bottom box for now. You can probably get one for $50-$100 on CL. Then a few years down the road when that is overflowing make a choice.

I ended up getting a good deal on a large Snap On box full of tools and I needed some duplicates for my business so I bought that. Not to say it has to be a SO but one thing I really like about that box over the others I have had is the depth. You can store a lot more in them than a standard CM box of the same size because of the additional depth.

 

[Citation]

As a shade tree I would suggest several smaller boxes. Also keep in mind that you may not need all your boxes to the pro-grade stuff. If you have a box that is going to be heavily laden with sockets, pry bars etc then get a higher end box. However, if the box is going to be holding lighter tools then you might consider going with a more consumer oriented box. Also, do you really need/want to store all your tools in a box? It makes sense for a dealer mechanic to get a big box to hold things like the cordless tools, etc. They have to worry about locking everything up at the end of the day. That's not really an issue for a home mechanic. You own the whole garage. Cabinets, shelves, bins and pegboards are fine for many of your tools.

I guess finally you might ask how many tools do you think you will really collect. Over the past 20 years or so I've changed three clutches, pulled the head on at least one car, done several timing belts, water pumps, brakes, shocks, interior stuff etc. I actually have a pretty limited set of tools that have done all this work. If I were a pro my tool set would be insufficient as I wouldn't have all the specialty tools I need to get this job done before lunch already. As a shade tree I can afford to wait until I need it to get it. I can also afford to do things the slow but cheap way. Don't get me wrong, I love tools but I suspect I could replace all the tools I really use for auto work for not much over $1200. I look at people I know who have been working on specialty cars for decades (and producing very impressive results) and their hand tool collections are nothing compared to many dealer mechanics. They also aren't facing the time pressure. Anyway, don't over do it. I have to remind my self sometimes that the tools are supposed to be a means to an end, not the end itself.

 

[speed bump]

I would probably go with a 41 or 56" that is deeper than 18". Reason being is if you look at the difference in storage space a 56 HF box is double the storage space of a 44". Really, past that, most of the tools you acquire are better stored in a cabinet or side cab.

Also consider a cart if you work any sort of distance from where your tool box is stored. My cart holds most of my go to tools and I rarely get into my main box.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I would go with the 56, you can add a top box if needed and a cart in the future if you find the need for one.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Where would you put the blow molded cases?

My preference is to store them in a cabinet rather than my tool box.

In the garbage...

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

Is this for work or home? I'm a hobbyist working out of my 2-car garage, so I chose to go with multiple smaller boxes. Currently I'm at 2 26" 3-piece stacks, a 33" top and bottom, a 33" top box, and a 4 drawer HF cart. Everything except the HF cart are old American-made boxes and were picked up used on CL or garage/estate sales for cheap. Every time I run out of space (or find a deal), I add a box. Wouldn't be a good strategy in a professional environment, but I've got 65 drawers of storage space for under $600 invested.

 

[crewchief888]

there really is no "right size" toolbox. everyones tool storage needs are different.
it's all about what you need, can afford and have the space to keep it in.

i'm in the multiple "smaller" boxes club. 4 sets of top/bottom combos, multiple side boxes.
1 set 36" wide, 2 sets 33" wide, 1 set 26" wide in the basement, i have the flexibility to rearrange my boxes as i need to, as my storage needs change.

if i was a "typical" homeowner, and was looking for top/bottom solution to my needs, i think i'd be looking at a set of milwaukee boxes from home depot, mainly for the power outlets in the top, and room to arrange all my cordless tools.

my tool storage needs aint typical by any means, i've been wrenching on const eq for 30 years, i have my work tools in my service truck, and more garage tools than a typical homeowner.
i keep metal and wood working as far away from each other as i can, sparks fly in the garage and driveway, wood flies in the basement.

 

[PelicanPines]

Trust me... I'm old... you will never have under used space in a box for very long.

 

[lwlobo]

I have the 44 inch top and bottom HF boxes (moved up from 26") and filled them very quickly. Depth is the key, my next box will be deeper (and wider).

 

[yamaha0343]

I started out with the 26 inch craftsman as well, and have added a KRA4107 that I got a great deal on, and a KRA2055 sitting on top. The Craftsman is still holding up, just have lighter stuff in it. When the time comes that I need more, I'll look for something about the same size and just have multiple boxes. 40" seems to be about the perfect size for me. These things get really heavy loaded down.

ETA: Keep an eye on the classifieds and Craigslist. Nothing wrong with HF boxes at all, but I've seen mint Snap On and Mac boxes going for what you'll pay for a HF box. Especially if you live in an oilfield area.

 

[kctyphoon]

Get the 44".. Then just add on as needed.. Bottom chest, top chest, side lockers or extra drawer units.. You can always buy a 44" for now, and then if you really feel like it's not enough, get a second 44" and joint them with a drawer unit.. I have the 44" with top and bottom, and one locker. I kept my 3 tier craftsman too. They hold a ton of tools. If you have a garage, a red tool cart would be a great idea too.. Good luck

 

[DanMan90]

I would also suggest the HF 44". If you find its too small, buy another one! You can add the side cabinets, top boxes, etc. Very modular, good quality for the money.

 

[Al Borland]

I've got 2 26" boxes at the house, a Craftsman and a Kennedy. My workbench has a dozen drawers. I have shelving on one wall with all the power tools (mostly in blow-molded cases). I have a big Knapp (or something close, peeled the labels when I painted it 25 years ago) and whatever is one size up from a 26" box at my buddy's shop. I have several small boxes of tools for different tasks in my work truck.
After all that, I have more tools in plastic totes than I have properly stored.
Go Big, or go mid-size and get several. Just get enough.

 

[kctyphoon]

I would also suggest the HF 44". If you find its too small, buy another one! You can add the side cabinets, top boxes, etc. Very modular, good quality for the money.

1 post in 3 years????

 

[thegroundpounder99]

1 post in 3 years????

Only get one chance at a first impression lol.


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[crewchief888]

Trust me... I'm old... you will never have under used space in a box for very long.

so very true...

back in '86 i bought a new KR 550/555b combo, i even told myself, i'll never fill this up, or have to buy another box.

i was wrong, very very wrong...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Trust me... I'm old... you will never have under used space in a box for very long.

Ain't that the truth!

When i started out i had two little cantilever boxes. A year later i bought a 26" top box, and it was instantly packed full and overflowing. Then i bought a 40" Snap-on KRA (top and bottom) which seemed huge and spacious, but it wasn't long before it was full and along came a side box, then a side locker, and it still got full. Now it has a 26" box shoved in there too and the ******* thing is full again!

Trust me... I'm old... you will never have under used space in a box for very long.

back in '86 i bought a new KR 550/555b combo, i even told myself, i'll never fill this up, or have to buy another box.

i was wrong, very very wrong...

Same here. It was only about 8 years ago.. :/


Whatever you think you need, go bigger. You can never have too much space.