My new Gray roller cabinet

jvitez · May 23, 2010

Seeing all these well organized garages on GJ, and the ubiquitous obsession with tool boxes of all types, I gradually realized I could make my life easier by purchasing a roller cabinet. I'm in the middle of a few projects, so wasn't really ready to take the plunge. Then I saw the Gray Tools spring flyer. :drool:

For the reasonable price of $400 Can, I am now the proud owner of a brand spanking new Gray model 97211 11 drawer roller cabinet. Yay!!!!! :beer:

It's also made in Canada, double yay!!! (I am happy to purchase made in Canada or USA products primarily, European next, Taiwanese third) It has friction slides which are fine for my hobbyist use. Dimensions: 26 1/2" wide, 18" deep, 42 1/2" high. I wanted many drawers to have one drawer per type of tool for clear organization. I don't need deep drawers. I also like the slightly retro style drawer pulls and flush front.

I'm really happy with my purchase. Gray makes great quality products, and as far as I know they make their own tool storage units themselves.

I wanted to share with my GJ colleagues, so here you go:

jvitez · May 23, 2010

final two pics:

regguy1 · May 23, 2010

jvitez said:
final two pics:

Nice box and a good price, Looks similar to an older MAC box

Here's the catalog:
http://www.graytools.com/catalogue/2 - Tool Storage.pdf

caper · May 23, 2010

Nice purchase.I've had Gray boxes in the past and many of my co workers have them now,excellent value for the money.I like the drawer layout on many of those Gray boxes,lots of small drawers helps with organizing things.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · May 23, 2010

Very nice. Reminds me of the old MAC and Matco boxes.

PCO6 · May 23, 2010

I looked at that box at our local Cummins dealer a few weeks ago and I really liked the drawer layout as well - very practical. It's a good buy.

TheGrooveking · May 23, 2010

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv said:
Very nice. Reminds me of the old MAC and Matco boxes.

That is what I was thinking too. They are the same tone of red color wise and the drawer pulls are identical to my 4 Matco and 3 MAC boxes I bought in the early 80's.

TheGrooveking

Hiball · May 23, 2010

Looks like a sweet setup, I also like the small drawers at the top.

Blacknwhitepit · May 23, 2010

Did time stand still in Canada?

It looks so retro...

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

JMHO

-BWP

jvitez · May 23, 2010

PCO6 said:
I looked at that box at our local Cummins dealer a few weeks ago and I really liked the drawer layout as well - very practical. It's a good buy.

Thanks. I thought so too, especially for made in Canada. Interestingly enough, Gray sells a base on which you can put two of these carts, and make one 22 drawer roller cabinet.....a very interesting idea.

http://www.graytools.com/catalogue/2 - Tool Storage.pdf

Check page 41, bottom right, number 97014.

TheGrooveking said:
That is what I was thinking too. They are the same tone of red color wise and the drawer pulls are identical to my 4 Matco and 3 MAC boxes I bought in the early 80's.

TheGrooveking

If Gray makes their own boxes, were they the OEM for MAC/Matco back then? I'd love to know the history.

Hiball said:
Looks like a sweet setup, I also like the small drawers at the top.

That's what made me pull the trigger even though I wasn't really ready for a roller cabinet yet. I've looked at many 7 and 9 drawer set ups and realized it didn't meet my needs.

Blacknwhitepit said:
Did time stand still in Canada?

It looks so retro...

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

JMHO

-BWP

Yes, electrons move more slowly because of the cold up here. So do the clocks.

I like being retro. Unique is interesting, sameness is stultifying. I'm so retro, I'm cutting edge chic. Or at least that's what I tell myself as I'm surrounded by old things. Heck, I even own a turntable. You know, to play 12" long playing records. And I own several bow ties, and know how to tie them.

Tim Cowan · May 23, 2010

Looks like a fine bottom. Do they make a top box for a set? Christmas isn't that far away. Plan ahead. The only trouble with a new box is it makes you want "new" tools to fill it with. Happy wrench'n!

Keep · May 23, 2010

Very nice setup there, I have looked at that one a few times, I just have no more room!!

That base for the double looks like a good idea, added to the list.

scooby074 · May 23, 2010

very nice. i always liked the gray cabs. theres tons of them out there.

much better to get the canadian gray than whatever chinese **** canadian tire is peddling now :thumbup:

FoMoCoPower · May 23, 2010

Hate to tell ya,but that box is red....not gray.

j/k

dan76 · May 23, 2010

Nice find..

Scout Driver · May 23, 2010

Very nice box! Reminds me of a Remline with those small drawer pulls. Always liked them.

Scott

PCO6 · May 24, 2010

jvitez said:
Thanks. I thought so too, especially for made in Canada. Interestingly enough, Gray sells a base on which you can put two of these carts, and make one 22 drawer roller cabinet.....a very interesting idea.

http://www.graytools.com/catalogue/2 - Tool Storage.pdf

Check page 41, bottom right, number 97014.

That's a great idea ... and one you could fabricate for a lot of different boxes.

arkangel06 · May 24, 2010

Those gray pro roll cabs are dead ****!

jvitez · May 24, 2010

scooby074 said:
very nice. i always liked the gray cabs. theres tons of them out there. much better to get the canadian gray than whatever chinese **** canadian tire is peddling now

Yup. I looked at several Ukranian Tire cabinets but all were Chinese, and the prices were the same as Craftsman & NAPA. Sears here had several nice cabinets which were made in Canada. Ultra-Pro labeled NAPA cabinets are also Canadian. NAPA has a sale right now, and a similar roller cabinet with the more usual full length drawer pulls was $419. I just liked this retro Gray box better. I bet there's one Canadian manufacturer that relabels their boxes for Sear or NAPA. I'm not sure who though. Does anyone know? AFIK Gray does make their own boxes.

FoMoCoPower said:
Hate to tell ya,but that box is red....not gray.

j/k

I had this vague sense of unease when I unwrapped it. NOW I know why..........

arkangel06 · May 24, 2010

The tool box company would either be international or SPG

lilredex · May 24, 2010

Yes, love that Gray (red) stuff, just don't own any. The top one was $300 a while back.

Why would anyone put their catalogue in PDF form............got to be the dumbest of the dumb??

sk farmer · May 24, 2010

very nice. looks like my old rem-pro boxes i sold years ago.

drawer slides my ****. when you wear that baby out your a-- willl be dragging. that is one fine looking box and i am jealous. you don't hear that much from me either. :bowdown:

scooby074 · May 24, 2010

arkangel06 said:
The tool box company would either be international or SPG

yeah.i think those are the only manufacturers left here.

i could be wrong but didnt international used to make the Mastercrap boxes too? Not sure who is now though.

scooby074 · May 24, 2010

arkangel06 said:
The tool box company would either be international or SPG

yeah.i think those are the only manufacturers left here besides Snapon. Stanley bought Beech and offshored it, then closed the plant. Did Waterloo ever have a plant here?

i could be wrong but didnt international used to make the Mastercrap boxes too? Not sure who is now though..

fatfillup · May 24, 2010

Dude, that was one good purchase. Love the retro look. Friction slides are not bad. So many people think ball bearing slides are the only way to go but unless you are getting top quality BB slides, I'll take friction slides. For the money, you did great and I doubt you'll ever wear that box out. I'll also bet you will out grow it if you hang around here long enough but that's a whole other issue that I don't like to discuss,,,,,,,,lol

Congrats and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

jvitez · May 24, 2010

arkangel06 said:
The tool box company would either be international or SPG

Another tool dealer here has a large selection of International cabinets in their catalogue for order, all with the Made In Canada maple leaf under the picture. They look awfully like the NAPA Ultra-Pro I saw.

sk farmer said:
very nice. looks like my old rem-pro boxes i sold years ago. drawer slides my ****. when you wear that baby out your a-- willl be dragging. that is one fine looking box and i am jealous. you don't hear that much from me either.

Thank you very much. I do take that as a special compliment. :thumbup:

acswan said:
Good choice, the top box in this pic spent 5 or 6 years bouncing around in the back of a forestry service truck,the drawers way overloaded(you can see how the small drawers were starting to collapse in the center).I got it for a box of beer , cleaned it up, greased the slides and now works perfect.In a shop enviroment, drawers loaded normally your box should last forever.

Wow. Looks great for all that abuse. If mine is as well made, I'm sure my son will be using it when I'm pushing up the daisies.

You mentioned greasing the slides. The instructions I got said to use petroleum jelly. :headscrat

I thought grease would do nothing but attract dust/dirt and get all gritty and sticky. I sprayed all the slides with Amsoil MP spray. Should I really use grease/petroleum jelly?

fatfillup said:
Dude, that was one good purchase. Love the retro look. Friction slides are not bad. So many people think ball bearing slides are the only way to go but unless you are getting top quality BB slides, I'll take friction slides. For the money, you did great and I doubt you'll ever wear that box out. I'll also bet you will out grow it if you hang around here long enough but that's a whole other issue that I don't like to discuss,,,,,,,,lol

Congrats and enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to you too! I know, space is never enough is it? Already I was thinking "Hmmm, the dealer has two more of these in stock. If I bought another one, then ordered the frame to hold both of them......." NO, Stop it! Must.....resist.........

lilredex · May 25, 2010

jvitez said:
You mentioned greasing the slides. The instructions I got said to use petroleum jelly. I thought grease would do nothing but attract dust/dirt and get all gritty and sticky. I sprayed all the slides with Amsoil MP spray. Should I really use grease/petroleum jelly?

I run the end of a candle in mine, or there is some stuff called "Door Ease" that might do the trick too. It has been around forever.

jvitez · Mar 2, 2011

Gray roller cab, now with top chest and side locker!

I thought I'd resurrect this thread, as I've added a top chest late last year, and now a side locker. I thought you'd enjoy the pics. Gray had a sale on the Pro Series again, and I couldn't resist adding the side locker once I'd purchased a Gray pry bar set.

For the same price as I've paid for these 3 units I guess I could have bought an XL series 42" roller cab. But for my hobbyist use I can't imagine I'd ever need the heavier metal of the more expensive line, plus I look after my stuff, and basically I love the cool retro look of the Pro Series. I also really like the multiple drawers.

I took a pic of the inside of the door to show how Gray reinforces it. They used the same technique on the walls of the cabinet.

W650Mike · Mar 2, 2011

That is seriously SWEET!

Gregg33 · Mar 2, 2011

Nice! I love Gray's tool boxes and prefer their hardline to any other company. I have a 4 drawer bottom unit, in the same line as yours, It's due for a restore (bought it used). Not sure it's worth the headache though. I could probably sell it for $100, then add in about $50 to restore it properly. For $200-$250 I could get it new on sale. Hardly worth restoring it unless it was an antique (which mine isn't).

jvitez · Mar 2, 2011

Thanks for the kind words gents. I get a big smile when I walk into my garage and look at this great cabinet.

Gray's current promo has 5 pieces of Pro Series on sale, 2 roller cabs, 2 chests, and this side locker. I'd upgrade and sell the old box. Not worth the work for $50-100 IMO.

Perryk · Mar 2, 2011

You in Alberta?

gussteve · Mar 2, 2011

nice ,i need some more ideas on storage for tools an such if anybody has heard of any other reasonable cabinets please let me know

crewchief888 · Mar 3, 2011

Re: Gray roller cab, now with top chest and side locker!

jvitez said:
I thought I'd resurrect this thread, as I've added a top chest late last year, and now a side locker. I thought you'd enjoy the pics. Gray had a sale on the Pro Series again, and I couldn't resist adding the side locker once I'd purchased a Gray pry bar set.

For the same price as I've paid for these 3 units I guess I could have bought an XL series 42" roller cab. But for my hobbyist use I can't imagine I'd ever need the heavier metal of the more expensive line, plus I look after my stuff, and basically I love the cool retro look of the Pro Series. I also really like the multiple drawers.

I took a pic of the inside of the door to show how Gray reinforces it. They used the same technique on the walls of the cabinet.

very nice setup :thumbup:

i like the drawer layout of both the top and bottom.

:beer:

jvitez · Mar 4, 2011

Thanks. I do too. I like the fact I can organize specific items in specific drawers. Putting too many different kinds of tools together tends to let things get messy, or at least it does for me. This is one of the reasons I picked the Pro Series line of toolbox, as I saw only wider and less numbers of drawers in Gray's other lines, or other affordable brands available here like NAPA UltraPro (SPG/International), etc.

The only problem was it took me a long time to cut each drawer liner to fit, 28 to be exact. But it's a nice problem to have!

Gregg33 · Mar 4, 2011

jvitez said:
Thanks. I do too. I like the fact I can organize specific items in specific drawers. Putting too many different kinds of tools together tends to let things get messy, or at least it does for me. This is one of the reasons I picked the Pro Series line of toolbox, as I saw only wider and less numbers of drawers in Gray's other lines, or other affordable brands available here like NAPA UltraPro (SPG/International), etc.

The only problem was it took me a long time to cut each drawer liner to fit, 28 to be exact. But it's a nice problem to have!

Pre-cut liner kits that can be purchased for all Gray tool boxes. A kit for mine (basic 4 drawer bottom unit) was $12 or $13. You can't even buy those plasticy Mastercrap liners for that price. Obviously hindsight is 20/20 and I'm not suggesting you discard the liners you have, but for next time....

edit..I'll feel really stupid if you got the Gray liner kit for your box, but it required cutting! I know mine was pre-cut though.

TheGrooveking · Mar 4, 2011

Those Gray boxes are very handsome units, look to be very high quality designs and builds. I wish I had a bigger garage, cause even though I have 14 roller cabinets I would be up for a few Grays.

TheGrooveking

jvitez · Mar 5, 2011

TheGrooveking said:
Those Gray boxes are very handsome units, look to be very high quality designs and builds. I wish I had a bigger garage, cause even though I have 14 roller cabinets I would be up for a few Grays.

TheGrooveking

14 roller cabinets?! Way cool!! Do I dare ask if you have them all filled? :drool:

Greg33: so NOW you tell me!! :lol_hitti

When I initially looked at the roller cab, the store had either a Marquis or XL roller there at the same time. The more expensive series came with pre cut liners. I asked the sales guy if the Pro Series was supposed to come with them too, and he said no. He mumbled something about maybe being able to order some, but they would probably be expensive. Now that I know you paid so little, I'm thinking he wanted to sell a few rolls of toolbox liner already in stock.

Now when I get the double sized frame and buy a second Pro Series roller cab........... :bounce:

My new Gray roller cabinet

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