Tool box options

[anavrinIV]

Lately I have been mulling about the idea of a new tool box. I have had a HF 44 with side cabinet for the past 6+ years and it has served me well but is not working as well as it used to for how I want to organize. I had the box loaded to the gills for a while and lately have been moving tools and other stuff out of it to make space for new acquisitions. I have a few empty drawers thanks to a shelf holding consumables, a power station for all my battery tools, and some clearing out of duplicates and things I just didn't use enough to keep them in the box.

The last straw has been upgrading ratchets and socket sets and not being able to fit everything in the "socket drawer", the main top drawer of the box. Part of the issue is width at about 37" inside the drawer, the other part is depth at only 16" (series 1 box). There is not enough Tetris I can play to get everything in there and I already have a second drawer for bit sockets, extensions, adapters, and the odd sized 1/2 or 3/4 that I needed once for an axle nut.

For space limitations I can only house a box 60" or less in total width, a little narrower would be preferable and there is no shortage of 54" or 56" boxes in the market. Depth needs to be at least 24" but I will not balk at more. Height is not a huge issue but I do use this as my workbench. I am 6'3 and can handle more height but there is a limit to that. Lastly, I would like a box with at least 2 full width drawers so I can move all my wrenches into a single space (currently filling 2 wider drawers on my 44" box). Bonus points if the box comes in lime green.

The big 3 all have a box that will fit this bill but they are out of my price range new. I am not a pro, do not have a connection a driver, and do not need a box of that caliber so I am stuck in the used market. I have seen some KRLs in the 2-4k range that are contenders, Matco and Mac boxes are harder to come by used in the configuration but i know they exist.

The others I have found:

Extreme Tools RX 55 x 25

Gator Built 55x25

Tool Vault Elite 55x30

Homak RS Pro 54x24

God help me ICON 56x25

The tool vault elite and ICON boxes are more than I would like to spend but meet the requirements. I am leery of anything that expensive from HF even if my current box has been good to me. The Homak can be found the cheapest at under $1200 from Summit but is also the smallest and only has a single full width drawer. I have not found much on Gator built outside of people mentioning it exists.

What else is out there that I have missed? I have spent an inordinate amount of time looking at this already

 

[ZRX61]

Montezuma?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

It sounds like what you want is a used snap on box. Locally to me lime green and orange seem to be the most abundant used colors. Depth on a double bay box (approx 56" wide), would be either 24 or 30 inches, dependent on part number.

 

[sparky 1971]

Depending on where you are, the Masterforce line sold at Menards is a pretty nice box for the money. I have the 56" wide, 24" deep, top and bottom, and 16" side cabinet.

 

[anavrinIV]

It sounds like what you want is a used snap on box. Locally to me lime green and orange seem to be the most abundant used colors. Depth on a double bay box (approx 56" wide), would be either 24 or 30 inches, dependent on part number.

I would love that and if I put color aside they are fairly abundant. I'm also interested in non truck options which is why I'm here

 

[anavrinIV]

Depending on where you are, the Masterforce line sold at Menards is a pretty nice box for the money. I have the 56" wide, 24" deep, top and bottom, and 16" side cabinet.

I have looked at them online bit the nearest Menards is about 1100 miles away so I cannot go seem them in person

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

If you don’t want another US General then Homak would be my second choice. In my area you can get them at Northern Tool so you wouldn’t have to worry about buying it online or anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Jersey Drew]

Used snap on then US General series 2 and then husky. Husky gets a bad rap but i had one for many years and for home use it was good enough. The slides worked well the drawers had nice detents. If i were going to buy box store stuff it would be a husky over craftsman or milwaukee. I think it is best bang for buck on the homeowner level.

 

[richfinn]

Could you sell what you have and put it towards one of the Tekton boxes??

 

[blairjw]

I have the Homak RS Pro and love it. I considered the US General line, but I had bought one of their little 5 drawer rollers and it took two tries and it still had broken latches on a couple of drawers, I didn't want to risk that with a $1000 spend. The one feature I really like about the Homaks' is the door latches, they are more like snap on, where they are metal and rock in and hook inside the drawer, the downside is you need to make sure nothing blocks those latches or you might never get the drawer open again. Also with the Homak, if you have a NAPA store near you, they are usually in the "NAPA Real Deals" Flyer on sale every month and brought into your store without shipping costs. I just checked the flyer, the lowers 54" is $1899 and the lower 72" is $1699, yes, cheaper...

 

[Fly YX]

Deleted

 

[Mr_B]

Homak not great mainly as prices not as good as once was and the latch mechanism being on the inside of drawer is complete stupidity ....
For your particular requirements which are a few the extreme Tools RX seems fit and price fairly acceptable . drawer layout decent for my liking in automitive tool storage.
Tool Vault Elite is only 500bucks more for 30" depth but too many deep drawers for my liking and you may not like 30" depth when actually using it (I find 25" best depth compromise)
I also would prefer take the money on used matco or krl over spending 2.5-3K on import boxes .
Matco have options, I got 3 of them all bought used, with used market you need be able travel and need be able respond to an ad quick. If in a hurry, not willing travel few hundred miles or fussy on colour etc then used becomes less achievable .
You got plenty good options and 2K seems sensible limit for better end import box .
Main thing is picking something with drawer layout and overall height that work for your tools and preferences and has features you enjoy using .
Good luck .

 

[anavrinIV]

If you don’t want another US General then Homak would be my second choice. In my area you can get them at Northern Tool so you wouldn’t have to worry about buying it online or anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

I would consider a 56" USG but the drawer layout is awful for my use case. I need at least one full width drawer in a box that size and the 56" USG is more like a wider 44" with a bank added on. Also has a lower drawer count overall with a lot of deep drawers - a couple is nice but IMO too many overall on those boxes. NT has Homak boxes but I have never seen an RS Pro in store, typically the standard box and H2 series around me.

 

[anavrinIV]

Could you sell what you have and put it towards one of the Tekton boxes??

I have a friend ready to buy my current setup which helps my plans along. The Tekton boxes are nice and I've read the reviews on them and Rousseau boxes but they are also quite expensive - I'm pushing my budget looking at the TV elite and ICONs.

 

[anavrinIV]

Homak not great mainly as prices not as good as once was and the latch mechanism being on the inside of drawer is complete stupidity ....
For your particular requirements which are a few the extreme Tools RX seems fit and price fairly acceptable . drawer layout decent for my liking in automitive tool storage.
Tool Vault Elite is only 500bucks more for 30" depth but too many deep drawers for my liking and you may not like 30" depth when actually using it (I find 25" best depth compromise)
I also would prefer take the money on used matco or krl over spending 2.5-3K on import boxes .
Matco have options, I got 3 of them all bought used, with used market you need be able travel and need be able respond to an ad quick. If in a hurry, not willing travel few hundred miles or fussy on colour etc then used becomes less achievable .
You got plenty good options and 2K seems sensible limit for better end import box .
Main thing is picking something with drawer layout and overall height that work for your tools and preferences and has features you enjoy using .
Good luck .

I looked on the used market last night and found a KRL1022 listed for a great deal. It's a 30" box which may be a bit much (hard to gauge until I can actually use it) and is pretty tall but workable if I move my power station which is easy enough. It's not the color I'm looking for but willing to get past that, and if I ever decide to sell I really wouldn't lose much if anything selling it. I think a 25" box would fit a little better but either beats my current depth issues

 

[anavrinIV]

I have the Homak RS Pro and love it. I considered the US General line, but I had bought one of their little 5 drawer rollers and it took two tries and it still had broken latches on a couple of drawers, I didn't want to risk that with a $1000 spend. The one feature I really like about the Homaks' is the door latches, they are more like snap on, where they are metal and rock in and hook inside the drawer, the downside is you need to make sure nothing blocks those latches or you might never get the drawer open again. Also with the Homak, if you have a NAPA store near you, they are usually in the "NAPA Real Deals" Flyer on sale every month and brought into your store without shipping costs. I just checked the flyer, the lowers 54" is $1899 and the lower 72" is $1699, yes, cheaper...

the 54" Homak RS Pro is under $1200 at Summit Racing, and even with delivery charge only comes out to less $1350. No stainless top on it but I use a wood work surface anyway

 

[Jersey Drew]

I looked on the used market last night and found a KRL1022 listed for a great deal. It's a 30" box which may be a bit much (hard to gauge until I can actually use it) and is pretty tall but workable if I move my power station which is easy enough. It's not the color I'm looking for but willing to get past that, and if I ever decide to sell I really wouldn't lose much if anything selling it. I think a 25" box would fit a little better but either beats my current depth issues

I have the 7022 same box just one row of 4 inch drawers less and i will tell you it is a monster. My 7022 is TALL, the 1022 is even taller. I love the box since i have a lot of unused room that will allow me to grow a bit over the next few years. My only complaint is too many of the real shallow drawers. I made it work but had to rethink where and how to organize my deeper tools.

 

[anavrinIV]

I have the 7022 same box just one row of 4 inch drawers less and i will tell you it is a monster. My 7022 is TALL, the 1022 is even taller. I love the box since i have a lot of unused room that will allow me to grow a bit over the next few years. My only complaint is too many of the real shallow drawers. I made it work but had to rethink where and how to organize my deeper tools.

I think I found a 7022 in my preferred color combo for a good price....the sales sites are generally terrible about showing what I'm actually looking for and this should have popped up for me multiple times but just saw it today. The shorter height works better for me and it will still be much more space than I currently have or can use. If it checks out I may be picking up a new box sooner than anticipated.

 

[Mr_B]

If the 7022 proper decent and can get for realistic money buy it .
I think they come out at 29" overall, really deep drawers can take some getting use to but it will hold a lot and worktop be nice usable space .
Main thing is if pay sensible money you likely loose nothing if comes a time need sell it and if get a real good price you may actually make money lol .
It's a pretty sensible drawer layout, prefer the extreme tools drawer layout but both very usable .
The HF 56" is pretty awful layout but cheap for manufacture much like the plastic spring bolt latches, something else they need work on for a series 3 release perhaps!
Good luck, used truck is always way to go when can .

 

[anavrinIV]

If the 7022 proper decent and can get for realistic money buy it .
I think they come out at 29" overall, really deep drawers can take some getting use to but it will hold a lot and worktop be nice usable space .
Main thing is if pay sensible money you likely loose nothing if comes a time need sell it and if get a real good price you may actually make money lol .
It's a pretty sensible drawer layout, prefer the extreme tools drawer layout but both very usable .
The HF 56" is pretty awful layout but cheap for manufacture much like the plastic spring bolt latches, something else they need work on for a series 3 release perhaps!
Good luck, used truck is always way to go when can .

It should be a good enough deal, but really I expect it to be a box to last me a very long time. My HF box has been with me since mid 2014 on recommendations I read on this site and has served me well, this big of a step up has potential to last a lifetime. Never say never but if I'm going for it I may as well go big

 

[Mr_B]

Indeed it likely last a lifetime and get passed on to next generation .
If circumstances change a used KRL kept tidy will sell easily with no real financial loss .
You will love the box, may find drawer depth overwhelming at first but fits your needs and be rewarding to own a top tier US made box over imports and to achieve this at comparable costs .
Hope it works out . smartest box deal you can do is used krl older matco & mac .

 

[iajonesy]

I don't know where you are located, but I have a Snap On 60" Epiq model that would be a great box for you. It is 60" wide 48" high and 36" deep. I am looking for an 84" box to replace this one. This box is a medium blue color and perfect in every way. I am asking $5000 for it. The extra depth is very handy and I would only buy another Epiq for that very reason. This box has never moved since I bought it and is in my home garage.

Mike

 

[anavrinIV]

Indeed it likely last a lifetime and get passed on to next generation .
If circumstances change a used KRL kept tidy will sell easily with no real financial loss .
You will love the box, may find drawer depth overwhelming at first but fits your needs and be rewarding to own a top tier US made box over imports and to achieve this at comparable costs .
Hope it works out . smartest box deal you can do is used krl older matco & mac .

Verified it's a KRL722 not a 7022 but that's not a big deal, it's still the depth of most of my options and will fit under my power station where it's currently located and the color combination I want. If all goes well I'll have it this weekend

 

[anavrinIV]

I don't know where you are located, but I have a Snap On 60" Epiq model that would be a great box for you. It is 60" wide 48" high and 36" deep. I am looking for an 84" box to replace this one. This box is a medium blue color and perfect in every way. I am asking $5000 for it. The extra depth is very handy and I would only buy another Epiq for that very reason. This box has never moved since I bought it and is in my home garage.

Mike

That is a sweet box but is too big for my space - 60x36 would not leave me enough room to get down the steps into my garage and would put me really far away from my shelves, and the height will mean relocating my power station. Plus it would be dangerous to my bank account to have that much free space in the box....

 

[p00p]

i have the Milwaukee 61 in. 11-Drawer/1-Door 22 in. D Mobile Workbench with Sliding Pegboard Back Wall in Red/Black. If I were too do it over again, I'd go with the Milwaukee High Capacity 56 in. 10-Drawer Roller Cabinet Tool Chest as you can get the 18-Drawer Tool Chest

the 61" doesnt have a chest option.

 

[Mr_B]

Verified it's a KRL722 not a 7022 but that's not a big deal, it's still the depth of most of my options and will fit under my power station where it's currently located and the color combination I want. If all goes well I'll have it this weekend

24" depth, still a nice box but they can be had fairly good prices off the truck new so don't over pay for it as most not paid more than 4K new, top used price has to mint and decent liners too and preferably extras .

 

[anavrinIV]

24" depth, still a nice box but they can be had fairly good prices off the truck new so don't over pay for it as most not paid more than 4K new, top used price has to mint and decent liners too and preferably extras .

It is cheaper than 3 of the ones I posted new and pictures show it in fantastic condition. I'm selling my current box to a friend, hopefully this weekend, and I'm selling a spare set of 302 GT40P heads today both of which will offset the cost (and free up some space in the garage).

I'm not getting my hopes too high being a FB marketplace find but it is EXACTLY what I started out looking for. I'll be happy once it's in my posession

 

[Mr_B]

hope it works out
Hard go wrong with better models of used truck boxes .
FB can be a ballache, I miss the good old days before FB and craigslist, so easy find/buy used and less BS and idiots .

 

[anavrinIV]

hope it works out
Hard go wrong with better models of used truck boxes .
FB can be a ballache, I miss the good old days before FB and craigslist, so easy find/buy used and less BS and idiots .

I've done enough transactions to pretty well gauge when it's not worth my time as either a buyer or seller. So far it has worked out in my favor and I get the sense this one will go smoothly. First couple communications can usually tell you exactly how it will go

 

[seber]

The KRL would be a better box than any of those with the exception of Tool Vault. I've never seen one, but the specs look really good.

 

[Mr_B]

A good way free up space is pick up a lockable filing cabinet or 2 and use it for large blow molded cases .
I picked up 2 free for collection off FB marketplace, 4 drawers each one and they hold huge amount specialist tools in efficient manner, built tough and lockable .
That got me onto the thin document drawer style ones that great for fastener and consumables organization and again can be free, if not free 20 to 60 bucks can buy a lot and lot of these straight out of offices so condition is great .

 

[iajonesy]

That is a sweet box but is too big for my space - 60x36 would not leave me enough room to get down the steps into my garage and would put me really far away from my shelves, and the height will mean relocating my power station. Plus it would be dangerous to my bank account to have that much free space in the box....

No problem, man. I started out with a krl 7022 and just grew out of it. I would recommend a krl over a kra any day of the week. The krl is built much stronger than the kra and would last a lifetime in a home shop environment and they have several drawer configurations to fit your needs. Keep checking Craig's list, Ebay,and Facebook Marketplace. There are bargains out there for you.
Good luck.

Mike

 

[anavrinIV]

My list is no longer relevant, shortly after posting it I came across a krl722 which is what I was basing my choices off of, and in the color combo I wanted. Extreme green with black trim. Bonus, it was cheaper than half my list and should last me a very long time. So I bought it!

I had a line on a 1022 in blue for the same price, and it made more logical sense, but it was too tall for my space and the 30" depth is enormous. Maybe I made the worse decision but no regrets, I love this box already

 

[Mr_B]

^
congratulations ... well worth effort sourcing used .
Is amazing what you can find used when really put effort in and have a little luck too .
enjoy the box, hard not to really when consider the quality to minimal cost, hard go wrong with used and yeah 30" depth is not for everyone ...

 

[Jersey Drew]

Enjoy!

 

[xjfish]

Good choice/find. Nice box.

 

[anavrinIV]

^
congratulations ... well worth effort sourcing used .
Is amazing what you can find used when really put effort in and have a little luck too .
enjoy the box, hard not to really when consider the quality to minimal cost, hard go wrong with used and yeah 30" depth is not for everyone ...

I could have worked with the depth even if it was a lot (the 24" feels huge coming from 18") but the 46" height was too much for what I have around it and even at my height a lot for a work top. Started loading it last night and it's doing everything I hoped for so far

 

[Mr_B]

pulling out 30" drawers get items at back gets boring and they too big leave pulled out as get in the way, 24 to 26" seems nice balance to me, is personal thing as many guys love 30" depth .
I use all my boxes as worktop and yeah 46" would be too high .
If good deal was possible on the 1022 I probably bought that too for resale earner, they pretty popular boxes and color decent too .

 

[anavrinIV]

pulling out 30" drawers get items at back gets boring and they too big leave pulled out as get in the way, 24 to 26" seems nice balance to me, is personal thing as many guys love 30" depth .
I use all my boxes as worktop and yeah 46" would be too high .
If good deal was possible on the 1022 I probably bought that too for resale earner, they pretty popular boxes and color decent too .

After some measuring 30" drawers would open all the way to the front of my project truck and not leave me any space. I definitely made the better decision for my use

 

[Mr_B]

For sure, even in my 2 bay shop 30" drawers take up more space than I like when fully open .
You done sensible choice, it right size and great quality box for not a lot of money and hold same value as you put into it for years to come .