Which toolbox for work?

[ZeanonJenkins]

Hey there,

I recently started at SK Hand Tools as a maintenance tech and need to purchase a toolbox to store my tools at work.

I’m currently thinking of the husky 56” 23-drawer tool chest and cabinet combo for $1098

Or

The HF US General series 2 56” tool cabinet and chest for $1220.

Both seem to be quality toolboxes, however I’m not sure which to choose and am looking for suggestions.

As I’m going to have power tools with chargers I’m thinking the husky might be the better option due to the storage space in the top of the chest and the included power bar.

What do you guys think?

Thank you!

 

[Ohmthis]

Tell us your responsibilities and what tools you are Required to have. Remember required and want/need are different things. I’ve worked industrial maintenance for many years at a few different places. Each had a different requirement of tools. One place I had to supply everything, while my current job gave me a required list and Ive added to it as needed. Congrats on your new job! Why not just get an SK toolbox

 

[Richard Cranium]

That was my thought also, why not an SK tool box?

 

[marineman]

Do you have to move your box around the plant or does your box stay put? I would go wider with no top box if you have to move it around at all. Only takes a small crack in the concrete to give you a bad day with a full stack. If it stays put I would go with the Husky only because I like the full width top drawer on the bottom for my sockets but I have a ton of sockets. Try to think of what you use and how you would lay out the drawers, that's how I picked my box was the one with the best drawer layout.

 

[Spareparts]

When I worked Industrial Maintenance (9yrs) in a 3 story plant the go to box were Craftsman and I realized after seeing some of the boxes that of the other maintenance men that the boxes with the mounted casters would not hold up, they cracked from the moving over the floors and into and out of the elevator. So I made a base out of 3" angle iron with the front angle facing down to clear the drawer opening and got the heaviest casters available (950lbs). It lasted the full 9yrs with no cracking. I agree with the above post, does S&K still make boxes??? seems like that would be a good choice, maybe even a good employee discount +++ point's.

 

[dan360]

Works for SK. Thinking of a HF box. Irony.

 

[andy013]

Volume of storage and if you want a work surface, or area to mount a vise could also be a consideration. NAPA Real Deals quarterly catalogs (view on their website https://realdeals.napaecatalog.com/) have had some good deals on Homak RS Pro boxes both combos and cabinets with stainless work tops. Might be worth checking out. 54" box, 10 drawer, stainless top, 6' casters, 24" deep for $989 in 5 colors. Might be worth a look.

I had a Canadian made Husky double bank, Husky 27", HF Us General 5 drawer cart, Carftsman 27" and others though the last 12 years working in an industrial shop and the fit and finish of the Homak RS Pro boxes are way better, at least my experiences with them.

GJ thread for the 72" https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=372181

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

They haven’t given me a list of required tools although that is something I will ask about.

Sk does make a couple of toolboxes but they’re more like a rolling tool cart. A small cabinet with a lid compartment, which I can’t justify for the price. Don’t get my wrong if they had larger toolboxes I would definitely get one but that’s all they have as of right now.

I used to use a HF 44” US General series 2 toolbox at my previous job (supplies by the company) and everyone was surprised at how high the quality was compared to everyone’s craftsman boxes.

The toolbox will be staying put most of the time, might occasionally need to move it however all of the concrete floors are in really good shape.

I have a work bench so I’d prefer to have a top box also for more tool storage. From what I can tell responsibilities are general maintenance but I’m going to be learning everything. Metal working, electrical, hydraulics, facilities maintenance etc. I just know I want to get a good size box so I don’t run the possibility of running out of room.

My price range is around $1300 but I want to try and get both top and bottom boxes for that. Like I said I like the idea of the husky’s top lid storage compartment and power strip for power tools and chargers, yet I’ve read comments online that the husky’s drawers tend to flex a fair bit when applying weight to them.

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

Works for SK. Thinking of a HF box. Irony.

Have you seen the price tag on SK’s toolboxes? I wouldnt buy one either, especially for a job where it has the potential to get beat up and broken.

If youre up on platforms and catwalks all day a toolbox is only gonna be used for storage, and a good investment would be a wheeled bag or a backpack to take with you up the ladder. If you push your tools around to what youre working on, Id get just the bottom box, and then get a cheap tool cart to push around with what you need in it.

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

Have you seen the price tag on SK’s toolboxes? I wouldnt buy one either, especially for a job where it has the potential to get beat up and broken.



If youre up on platforms and catwalks all day a toolbox is only gonna be used for storage, and a good investment would be a wheeled bag or a backpack to take with you up the ladder. If you push your tools around to what youre working on, Id get just the bottom box, and then get a cheap tool cart to push around with what you need in it.

I won’t be working on any platforms or catwalks, it’s all concrete flooring. So I’d prefer a good sized toolbox that won’t have to be moved very often.

I’ve just looked at the masterforce 56” toolbox in gunmetal which is nice as it has drawer patches, however it’s over $1600 for both top and bottom box.

 

[dan360]

Waterloo boxes mostly were built in Sedalia Missouri. Now with the recent Stanley buyout I see they are killing off the brand name.

Good chance of deals on brand new US built Waterloo boxes for awhile. A local dealer already has them marked down.

 

[Mr_B]

I won’t be working on any platforms or catwalks, it’s all concrete flooring. So I’d prefer a good sized toolbox that won’t have to be moved very often.

I’ve just looked at the masterforce 56” toolbox in gunmetal which is nice as it has drawer patches, however it’s over $1600 for both top and bottom box.

Masterforce worth the extra. Way better made and proper drawer latch that even better than rs pro style .
If living with box day in day out those little plus points make living with it and long term durability big plus for the small price increase .
wait for 11% rebate.sale price .

 

[matt_i]

I'm a fan of the Kennedy Versa-Bench if you have to roll your tools around the plant. The casters are built for many years of this over floors that aren't the greatest.

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

Toolbox will be stationary most of the time. Only on a very rare occasion would it be moved.

Looking more into the masterforce toolboxes at Menards, they appear to only be made with 19 gauge steel, whereas the husky and US generals are made with 18 gauge.
How much of a difference would this make?

 

[matt_i]

The other advice is to look around at what other co-workers have and talk to them about their choices. If you see a situation where ~1/2 of the workforce has a very similar setup then that's what I would recommend copying because its likely already a sweet spot between price and performance.

 

[kngelv]

I have the Milwaukee 60" box with the pegboard wall that Home Depot sells. They are made by the same company that makes the Husky box. I also have a HF U.S. General 56" combo. The HF is a better built box by a mile. I hate the stupid latches though and can't believe the Series 2 kept them. I'm actually thinking of selling it and buying two of the Series 2 44 combos. The Masterforce boxes are nice too and usually go on sale a few times a year. Not familiar with the Homak from Napa but it looks like a quality box at a good price. For the money the HF is probably the best deal if you don't mind the latches. It weighs significantly more than the Husky box with roughly the same dimensions. I think the HF has a better structure under the bottom than the Husky which increases rigidity and weight.

James

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

The other advice is to look around at what other co-workers have and talk to them about their choices. If you see a situation where ~1/2 of the workforce has a very similar setup then that's what I would recommend copying because its likely already a sweet spot between price and performance.

Thats the difficult part, my coworker has a limited edition SK toolbox which they no longer make, and there are no more available otherwise i would ****** one up in an instant!

Maybe i'll buy a cheap craftsman for now, and replace it with a masterforce box when the 11% rebate or a sale comes around.

Or! my other option could be to buy either a husky or HF us general, use that at work until the masterforce sale, then take my first box home and put the masterforce at work.

Thanks everyone!

 

[archirelic]

https://sktools.com/shop/other-automotive-tools.html?auto_other_type=607

 

[Kevin54]

Thats the difficult part, my coworker has a limited edition SK toolbox which they no longer make, and there are no more available otherwise i would ****** one up in an instant!

Maybe i'll buy a cheap craftsman for now, and replace it with a masterforce box when the 11% rebate or a sale comes around.

Or! my other option could be to buy either a husky or HF us general, use that at work until the masterforce sale, then take my first box home and put the masterforce at work.

Thanks everyone!

If you plan on working there for any length of time, maybe just ask the supervisor if they have employee discounts. Why would you buy a Craftsman, then swap out for a Masterforce? And Menards always has the 11% rebate. Doesn't sound right to me.

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

They do have employee discounts, but it would still cost me $1,000’s for the SK box, which I could completely fill with tools after a short period of time.

Menards currently doesn’t have the 11% rebate going as they just finished it for thanksgiving. My problem is I need a toolbox for work within 2 weeks, and I doubt the 11% rebate would be popping back up that soon.


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[Mr_B]

Toolbox will be stationary most of the time. Only on a very rare occasion would it be moved.

Looking more into the masterforce toolboxes at Menards, they appear to only be made with 19 gauge steel, whereas the husky and US generals are made with 18 gauge.
How much of a difference would this make?

Lot of it down to way sheets bent and amount of welds.
masterforce seem better made and more rigid to me .
They'll be on sale again before christmas or new year .

 

[plinker]

+1 for Masterforce, compared to the Husky boxes and the one HF box I've seen, they are considerably better made boxes, IMO. Even better now since they made the boxes 24" deep. They give the KRA Snap-on's a run for their money (also IMO).

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

I’ll definitely see about getting the masterforce 56” cabinet and top box then. From what I saw in the store they’re good quality, and I definitely like the idea of latching drawers over soft close which the husky offers.

I just wish the power strips were located differently, I like the idea of a long power strip across the back rather than at the sides.


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[Mr_B]

^
yeh not a lot in a modern kra over a masterforce in my opinion too .
main downside is drawer layout not greatest besides the 72".
they could of done with option of buying couple shallower drawers to swap out a deep and 50 - 50 split double banks not always great as real shortage on wide drawers for longer tools and good tool layout flexibility .
for the price range not a lot better though . latching drawers are spot on. would prefer no power and add my own or at least make it movable as built in one side not going work for all .

 

[Ohmthis]

If you are pushing something, get a bottom box and a cart. A 56 bottom and a tool cart will cover 150% of what you need. I’m not sure how long you’ve been in maintenance, but I had everything machine tools, mechanic tools, electrical/laptop, HVAC, welding, and hydraulic/pneumatic tools all in a 26” top and bottom. I had a tool pouch that I carried with me also. I think you are over thinking this. It’s your money and you have to make yourself happy, I’m just adding my two cents.

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

I ended up ordering the husky as it was the biggest bang for the buck currently, and met my needs better than the US General for power tool/charger storage.

Menards started their 11% rebate offer again, but the savings for both top and bottom box wouldn’t be very much, and the toolbox would still be much more expensive than the other two.

Who knows, maybe I’ll try the husky and if I don’t like it, I’ll save for the masterforce and use that for my garage at home or something.


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[Magnum440d100]

Here’s my setup. I went with the US General bottom box with the matching side box. I went with a craftsman top box because it has a built in power strip to charge my drill batteries, and phone when I’m out there.

I do all facets of automotive repair, and this set up stores everything I need for my outside box.

And best of all, I’m in it about $800, $550 after I get paid back from sears. Sears has a “spend $250, get $250” deal going on and I spent $239 on the top box plus a pair of snap ring pliers for an extra $20 to make $250 ($260). I’ll be using the $250 (10 weekly $25 payments) to buy some sockets that walked away or other tools I could use better versions of....


For my more specialized tools, I have a kennedy inside the “shop” that stays put. I may get a bottom cart for it, but for now, it stays on my workbench.

I may get a US General cart, and put my main box inside my “shop” and just wheel out what I need, but the convenience of having my large box only FEET from my work area, means I don’t have to walk back and forth if I grabbed an 11mm but needed a 7/16”... my shop and work area are about 50’ apart, which takes time to walk back and forth, and time is money!


If I have to go somewhere I can’t take my large box, or a rolling cart, I have a toolkit in a plastic case. It has the basics, and an extra storage spot for extras I think I may need.

 

[4Kings]

See you have your box, now o pick up a HF cart and you'll be set

 

[kbs2244]

Check what the other guys have and what they would change, if anything.

When I worked in a 1200 body mfg. build the lead maint. guy carried a 10 inch screw driver and a 12 inch Channel lock.

If that wasn't good enough, he went back to the shop and came back with a 5 gal plastic pail.

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

Received my husky 56” tool cabinet and chest combo the other day. I’m glad I had it delivered to work as I needed a fork truck just to lift it to put the casters on as well as put the top box on!

The quality is exceptional. It may be 18 gauge steel but it is definitely strong. The widest drawer on the cabinet doesn’t have a center support but it is still strong enough to hold a full collection of sockets.

The soft close feature is nice too as it prevents the tools from moving around when closing the drawers, I originally thought I would prefer latches like the masterforce, but even without them the drawers aren’t opening when moving the box.

Everyone was surprised with the quality, and we noticed the inside of the drawers have “made in USA” stickers. Husky are serious contenders with how high quality these toolboxes are.

Now just to fill it with tools!

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[jon72vega]

ZeanonJenkins,
You ended up with a nice tool box / chest combination.
BTW, my sister and brother-in-law live in Creston.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Nice looking box but is it the picture or does the paint not match ?

 

[ZeanonJenkins]

Nice looking box but is it the picture or does the paint not match ?

The paint matches, it’s just the picture lol

ZeanonJenkins,
You ended up with a nice tool box / chest combination.
BTW, my sister and brother-in-law live in Creston.

Yeah it’s a very nice toolbox, I was very surprised at the quality.
Really? Small world!




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