Advice on tool box upgrade

[2001ZR2]

Hello I've been lurking on here for few weeks. I have reached the conclusion that I'll need to upgrade to larger box to organize my tools. At least the way I want. I'm looking at the Kobalr 3000 series. I have looked at HF and Northern Tool.
I can get top box I want now at the lower price.

I see three options since the lower box isn't availible locally.
1. Buy the top box in the color and config I want and wait till next Christmas or the next big sale.
2. Buy the color (white w/ black drawers) and know keeping the box clean will be chore.
3. I could just wait and take my chances.
Or i could mis match the set with a blk top and a white bittom. Have done this but this should be my last tool box I get.

I am about ready to get the top and put on my work bench and take the risk but thought getting 2nd opinions might be best.

I am mainting vehicles for 4 drivers now with a couple toys. So I am mostly a wrench turner than wood worker or fabricator

 

[RAS61]

Huh, I've never seen a white tool chest, maybe made for the computer clean room market?

 

[Tenex]

You should look at getting something deeper than 18-20". The new Masterforce boxes at Menards are 24" and have a grip latch feature.

 

[ssdave]

You should look at getting something deeper than 18-20". The new Masterforce boxes at Menards are 24" and have a grip latch feature.

I bought a masterforce set, they are great. But, they are twice the money on sale with the 11% rebate than the ones the OP is looking at.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Is it this one you're looking at? I saved this pic off here awhile back because I thought the box looked good. Haven't seen them in my Lowes though.

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[2001ZR2]

Thanks for answers so far.

I will have to look at the master force boxes. I hadn't considered them as nearest Menards is bit of a drive.

I chose the Kobalt due to the 99 lb rating on the drawers. Higher than the Homak at 88 lbs and HF at 59 lbs upper and 80lbs lower for a similar price.

 

[2001ZR2]

Is it this one you're looking at? I saved this pic off here awhile back because I thought the box looked good. Haven't seen them in my Lowes though.

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Yes that is the one I can get today but I am not sure white is best color as I tend to get my hands dirty.

 

[ptgarcia]

Thanks for answers so far.

I will have to look at the master force boxes. I hadn't considered them as nearest Menards is bit of a drive.

I chose the Kobalt due to the 99 lb rating on the drawers. Higher than the Homak at 88 lbs and HF at 59 lbs upper and 80lbs lower for a similar price.

The white Kobalt box is the 2000 series, not the 3000 series. I have played with both and I think the only difference is the 3000 has soft close drawers, the 2000 does not.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Yes that is the one I can get today but I am not sure white is best color as I tend to get my hands dirty.

My box is yellow and does show dirty fingerprints when I'm getting tools out if I'm working on a vise or one of our vehicles.

Not really a big deal though because I wipe down any tools I use before I put them away. One of the luxuries you have when your not using your tools in a fast paced shop environment. I just leave any tools that I've used out until I'm done and it only takes a couple minutes to wipe them and the drawer pulls down too.

That may actually not be a huge issue with that white Kobalt box though because the entire drawer pull looks to be black. The other consideration for me at least is I actually prefer any color over a black box but that's obviously personal preference.

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[TNBurban]

My cars - I care about scratches, dents, nasty dirt, etc. My old truck and tool boxes - character.

 

[TheEuronater]

Is it this one you're looking at? I saved this pic off here awhile back because I thought the box looked good. Haven't seen them in my Lowes though.

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Wow, weird seeing my picture on here Ive had that box for around 7 months now and think it is a great alternative to the HF box. I think it feels better and I like the layout more. My slides are not the soft close but its not a huge deal to me. The slides are super smooth, much better than the HF slides in store. I ended up getting it for 500 on clearance plus a 10% coupon so 450 plus tax which I think makes for a great deal. The white does show dirt, but is easy to clean and I don't mind it. Any question feel free to ask

 

[chrisnazzy]

Wow, weird seeing my picture on here Ive had that box for around 7 months now and think it is a great alternative to the HF box. I think it feels better and I like the layout more. My slides are not the soft close but its not a huge deal to me. The slides are super smooth, much better than the HF slides in store. I ended up getting it for 500 on clearance plus a 10% coupon so 450 plus tax which I think makes for a great deal. The white does show dirt, but is easy to clean and I don't mind it. Any question feel free to ask

I save a bunch of pics of tools, toolboxes and especially vises off GJ to a folder on my phone. If I ever repost like this I always make sure I indicate that it's not my pic.

Glad to see you're still liking the box. I definitely think it's a nice looking alternative to the Husky and HF boxes. All the Kobalt boxes I've ever checked out seem to be just a little better built than others in the same price range.

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[TheEuronater]

I save a bunch of pics of tools, toolboxes and especially vises off GJ to a folder on my phone. If I ever repost like this I always make sure I indicate that it's not my pic.

Glad to see you're still liking the box. I definitely think it's a nice looking alternative to the Husky and HF boxes. All the Kobalt boxes I've ever checked out seem to be just a little better built than others in the same price range.

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I do the same thing, and feel the same way. I was just glad someone liked my box haha

 

[Wrenchinfool]

Have you looked on Facebook market or Craigslist I see used boxes all the time, I like roller cabs so you move it where you are working along with a work surface..just my thoughts

 

[2001ZR2]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions.

I am warming up to the Kobalt 3000 White box with the black drawers. At $600 out the door very tempting.

The MasterForce 24" deep boxes are VERY intriguing with the 46" box only about $71 more than the 41" version with sales and rebates. The 19 gauge metal is a bit of a concern as HF and Kobalt use 18 gauge not a huge difference but I have teenagers at home. The rebates being store credit is another reason to pause. Menards is a bit of a drive and I would probably have to plan a trip there when several other stores are much closer.

The option to do nothing and waiting for next round of sales is a consideration. After I could embrace the idea I have too many tools....Nah that's just crazy talk.

I'll sleep on as the sales don't expire till this weekend. I'll let you all know which way I go.

Quick question for the guys who have the Masterforce boxes what kind of tool organizers work in these? Seems like most are universal or designed for the standard 16 or so drawer depth.

 

[ptgarcia]

Thanks for all the input and suggestions.

I am warming up to the Kobalt 3000 White box with the black drawers. At $600 out the door very tempting.

The white box is a 2000 Series box. Still nice, but it lacks the soft close drawers.

 

[ssdave]

I looked at the HF and Masterforce boxes at the time I bought the MF. The thickness of the drawers was an initial concern, but the design of the drawer and the way it's reinforced by hemming/folding/front trim, etc, I think it is actually superior to the heavier weight HF design. HF used brute weight of metal, MF reinforced by design. Both were acceptable boxes, it boiled down to the drawer configuration for me. I got a good enough deal on the MF by buying the top box at a huge discount and the bottom box on sale that the price was the same as the HF for the combo. It boiled down to drawer configuration and quality to me, and the MF was better on both counts.

 

[2001ZR2]

The white box is a 2000 Series box. Still nice, but it lacks the soft close drawers.

Sorry on a phone with cracked screen I missed the drawer color but I am looking at model 41RCWBSS roller cabinet and 41TCWBSS for the top. The Lowes sight lists them as 3000 series with soft close drawers.

I apologize for any confusion.

 

[ptgarcia]

Sorry on a phone with cracked screen I missed the drawer color but I am looking at model 41RCWBSS roller cabinet and 41TCWBSS for the top. The Lowes sight lists them as 3000 series with soft close drawers.

I apologize for any confusion.

Cool, I haven't seen those white boxes before, and they are indeed listed as 3000 Series. And the price is the same as the old 2000 Series. I don't think you can go wrong with those!

 

[Technikal]

First time poster. My current circa 1990 Craftsman 26" with middle cabinet is overflowing and searching for tool chest ideas brought me to this site. I had originally focused on the Harbor Freight 26" based on price and configuration, but checking out in person left me concerned that several of the drawers were too shallow for sockets and related tools.

I searched some more and found the Kobalt 3000 in white/black on sale at Lowes. I was hesitant at first as I'd only planned to buy the bottom unit and i knew I'd never find a matching top unit since it was on clearance. After a bit of manly rationalization, and finding a 10% off coupon, I went ahead and ordered both. The bottom unit was in stock, the top unit is supposed to be at the store in a couple of days. $539 for both boxes seemed like a good deal, and the 3000 series seems to be good quality from what I saw in the store.

Hopefully everything will be in this weekend and I can post some photos.

 

[Technikal]

Picked up the lower cabinet today. Still waiting on the upper. Overall it looks pretty good. The drawers are soft close, seem to have 30 ball bearings per slide. The cabinet is double walled throughout. Casters seem decent and mount solidly to rivnuts embedded in a u channel. I like the color - not as flashy as I was worried it would be. Biggest deficiency is the single slide on the big drawer.

I'm getting a bit nervous about the upper chest. It was supposed to be in today, but they couldn't find it. It shows as not orderable in my area now. I hope they find it. I don't want a mis-matched set.

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[jcbarry]

That is a really sharp box! Looks awesome, but I am partial to white boxes.

Hopefully the top shows up for you. Congrats

 

[mdog892001]

i got one too. Only complaints are the soft close drawers hate the unheated garage. And the kid won’t close with dewalt battery on the chargers


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[Technikal]

Great idea to put the power strips in the top section. Makes a ton of sense. And the complete unit looks great!

 

[Snap_cap]

Picked up the lower cabinet today. Still waiting on the upper. Overall it looks pretty good. The drawers are soft close, seem to have 30 ball bearings per slide. The cabinet is double walled throughout. Casters seem decent and mount solidly to rivnuts embedded in a u channel. I like the color - not as flashy as I was worried it would be. Biggest deficiency is the single slide on the big drawer.

I'm getting a bit nervous about the upper chest. It was supposed to be in today, but they couldn't find it. It shows as not orderable in my area now. I hope they find it. I don't want a mis-matched set.

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That looks really nice.

 

[2001ZR2]

Technikal and mdog Nice boxes!!!

I decided to pass on the Kobalt becasue of the drawer heights and depth on the Masterforce units. I am going wait for the next sale as I have some saving to do to get the Masterforce.

It came down if this was the last box I'm going buy which one would I want? And by the slightest of margins I decided on the Masterforce.

Again both are nice units and I don't think either would be wrong.

 

[mdog892001]

My buddy has a masterforce it’s a nice box You won’t be disappointed.


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[Technikal]

Got my top chest. Now to figure out how to organize everything...

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[ssdave]

Technikal and mdog Nice boxes!!!

I decided to pass on the Kobalt becasue of the drawer heights and depth on the Masterforce units. I am going wait for the next sale as I have some saving to do to get the Masterforce.

It came down if this was the last box I'm going buy which one would I want? And by the slightest of margins I decided on the Masterforce.

Again both are nice units and I don't think either would be wrong.

I think you'll be a lot more pleased with the Masterforce. The only real advantage to these Kobolt is the cost savings, which could be considerable if you didn't care about color and took the clearance ones.

I really like the masterforce I have, and I think they'll be working great when the Kobalt have been relegated to the scrap bin.

Nothing wrong with the Kobalt, they're made for a different price market, and seem a good value for that.

 

[mdog892001]

Got my top chest. Now to figure out how to organize everything...

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That’s the fun part. I used the full length drawer on the bottom box for my wrenches


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[Acuratechva]

These are on clearance now but no lime ones locally i am distraught((

 

[Parrothead]

I love white tool boxes, especially in a suburban dry walled garage! It doesn’t scream, look at me I have a giant tool box come ask me to borrow stuff or steal me!!! Classy and refined while still purposeful and functional.

 

[Druder]

I just bought the HF box but I took a hard look at these, I have an affinity for white but I wasn't sure of the quality and didn't think the deep drawers were a solid use of space for me. Slight buyers remorse after seeing your pics but I'm really happy with my box.

 

[mdog892001]

I’ll get more pics with my mechanics time saver this week


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[Tallpilot]

You should look at getting something deeper than 18-20". The new Masterforce boxes at Menards are 24" and have a grip latch feature.

This is good advice. I am already tiring of my HF drawers and will get 24” drawers in my next box.

 

[Acuratechva]

Anyone try to calculate total Storage area of the Kobalt top and bottom vs HF 56"? I have one but need to downsize to create much needed works space in a one car garage. its 4" less narrow.

I like and hate the huge drawers of HF 56'er. Its nice but same time stuff gets all mixed up and after a while hard to find.

 

[mdog892001]

got my mechanics time saver tray yesterday and the extra 1/4” locks today. My plan is a have one tray for every size. And yes the 1/4” locks fit in the 1/2 spaces but I don’t know about the other way around. Guess I can try that tomorrow


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[ssdave]

I've got one of those trays; they work great but are real space wasters. Haven't been able to find anything that works perfectly, socket storage is tough if you have big, comprehensive sets.

 

[Technikal]

It's taken a couple of weeks, but I sorted through my two old tool boxes, put true duplicates in boxes for my kids and my truck, and got everything organized into the Kobalt box. I still have a few empty drawers that I'll use for power tools. This should allow me to get rid of a set of shelves in the garage and put a work bench in place.

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[Technikal]

The rest of the drawers.

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