best tool chest on a budget?

[jml74]

I thought for sure this would have been covered on here before, but I couldn't find anything with a search. Anyway, I desperately need some more tool storage. I've currently got a Snap-On five drawer roller that I love, but more Snap-On or the like isn't in the budget right now, not even what I've found on Craigslist or Letgo (and it's a fliptop, so I can't add a topbox). So, with that said, what is a decent storage solution that won't make me cry every time I open a drawer? Sizewise, something like this HD model would probably work. Am I correct that in assuming that current Craftsman isn't much better than HD or Lowe's?

 

[Farrier]

Google is your friend. This topic is very redundant.

 

[Toothaker]

I have the Husky 46" wood top, 9 drawer mobile workbench. I like it, but I'm a amateur, weekend wrench, and I use it so infrequently that its shortcomings don't bother me.

But you have a Snap-On roller; you might hate the Husky. The metal is thinner, the slides not as well made, and the fit isn't real good. On my Husky, the next to the bottom drawer drags on the bottom drawer - on both sides. I doubt your SO box does that.

I also got my Husky around the holidays last year, when it was on sale, for around $180 if my memory serves. I feel I got my money's worth.

While you are shopping around you should look at the US General line at Harbor Freight. They get good reviews and seem to be well made.

 

[Mr_B]

A snapon guy not going be over impressed with US General lol plus they in a transition of new box range and old range low stock and no great current offers and I only recommend US General at rock bottom coupon prices .
I would look at 24" deep masterforce or homak rs pro via napa .
If budget real tight the new matte finish husky 52" not bad at sale price, they are 22" deep and 18/19gauge rather than 21gauge and a skiny 18" depth on cheap one you listed and also have 120lb rated slides .
You would need make worktop if want one but that easy enough with ply and oil treat it or stainless cover it perhaps .
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5...Finish-H52TR9HD/303411381#product_description

 

[ken w.]

I have SO boxes and I think the HF boxes aren't that bad. I've been thinking of buying the big one and selling all my other boxes. I have 9 smaller (26") boxes and 1 Craftsman 40" now and just need more space. Plus the big one can be a work bench as well with a piece of wood or stainless on top.

 

[Toothaker]

I have SO boxes and I think the HF boxes aren't that bad. I've been thinking of buying the big one and selling all my other boxes. I have 9 smaller (26") boxes and 1 Craftsman 40" now and just need more space. Plus the big one can be a work bench as well with a piece of wood or stainless on top.

What is this "sell toolboxes" thing you speak of?

 

[jml74]

A friend has the 46" HD mobile workbench, he used it in a professional shop and was happy with it, but I'm afraid that compared to the SO it's going to be a letdown. Probably what I'll end up doing is putting stuff I use less frequently in whatever I end up going with and keeping the everyday tools in the SO. Does anyone know anything about International? This one is on sale at Northern Tool right now and I've got an extra coupon.

 

[Mr_B]

International SHD series good but tech bottom end.
Cheapest I would go is the 52" Husky I linked or something US General at lowest coupon price.
I seen the matte husky 52 and 60" used daily in shop and felt better than I expected when played with the full drawers .
Not all Husky the same and the 46" had changes with some being better built than others, the newer matte finish in deeper 22" or 24" are quite decent for the price and thicker sheet metal and better slides .
Go too cheap or small and you wasting your money really .

 

[NUTTSGT]

Neither of your links are working for me at the moment, so I can't see what you are looking at.


How big is the budget and what is the setting it will be used in ? For the money, the HF 44 box is a decent deal. It also looks like they are clearancing them out right now for a redesigned box so you may be able to pick one up cheaper.

 

[Shiftless]

to that ^^^^^^^^^^

I have the HF 44 inch box and it works quite well for me. Home hobbiest.
Double ball bearing drawer slides on the full width top drawer handles a very heavy load of sockets and ratchet handles for me.

 

[NUTTSGT]

to that ^^^^^^^^^^

I have the HF 44 inch box and it works quite well for me. Home hobbiest.
Double ball bearing drawer slides on the full width top drawer handles a very heavy load of sockets and ratchet handles for me.

I put one in my enclosed trailer but didn't get out much last year. Hopefully I'll be racing more this year and can report back on how well it survives going down the road.

 

[Shiftless]

That will be a good test. Mine hasn’t rolled one inch in 2 years. I imagine that is one of the big differences between US General and Snap On...the ability to withstand movement and rolling around.

 

[Aaron_W]

I have a smaller 26" Husky tool chest. It seems well made and I'm happy with it.

Reading reviews it appears quality control is spotty, I went in and picked mine out so I could ensure everything worked as it was supposed to before leaving the store.

 

[rburke65]

Have you looked at the boxes at HF?

 

[larryq]

If it's for home storage, hard to beat HF, their 44" or 56" boxes. I hear good things about Menard's as well, even though I'm 1500 miles from the nearest one.

For everyday use or in a pro shop, maybe take a look at the offerings at strictlytoolboxes.com. Any Husky toolbox from Home Depot is likely subpar and/or overpriced.

 

[Steevo]

I have heard that the HF 44" roller boxes are pretty well made and stand up to use very well.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have heard that the HF 44" roller boxes are pretty well made and stand up to use very well.

You can get fancy... build a frame and table top... around some 44" boxes... so I've heard anyway.

 

[jml74]

I ran across this Milwaukee that I really like the looks of. It looks like it might be on closeout at HD and they don't have one in my area, although it says I can still get one. Anybody seen/used one?

Also, I didn't realize that my links were broken; I thought the "http://" that popped up in the link window would get overwritten when I pasted a link, but it ended up staying there and breaking the link. I went back and fixed them.

Edit: DAMMIT. That Milwaukee chest was $399 yesterday, today it's $698.

 

[Parrothead]

I have heard that the HF 44" roller boxes are pretty well made and stand up to use very well.

You can get fancy... build a frame and table top... around some 44" boxes... so I've heard anyway.

What's that you say?

 

[ssdave]

I have heard that the HF 44" roller boxes are pretty well made and stand up to use very well.

I've heard you do some fab work? Have you considered maybe working them up into a cabinet system?

 

[StingRay]

All the modern budget boxes have way too many tall drawers for me. I have 2 vintage Beach and an older Craftsman set with lots of drawers. A few deep drawers is fine if you don't mind piling your tools in and the drawers jamming all the time. I keep an eye out for good older used stuff. I get them for pennies on the dollar too compared to new.

 

[MarlynOC]

Pawn shop

 

[GMCGarage]

I have this from Costo, very good box, sometimes is on sale for 399$

 

[IMSA GTO]

I have SO boxes and I think the HF boxes aren't that bad. I've been thinking of buying the big one and selling all my other boxes. I have 9 smaller (26") boxes and 1 Craftsman 40" now and just need more space. Plus the big one can be a work bench as well with a piece of wood or stainless on top.

SO user here for as long as I can remember, but I have to agree that the larger boxes at HF are pretty robust. I needed storage but also wanted to combine a work surface, so went the butcher block top from Lumber Liquidators route. Swapped adjustable feet for the casters that came with the box. This thing is crazy solid and stable.

 

[jml74]

I ended up going with this Husky. I had to order it because in the stores they only sell it in combination with a topbox, but it felt solid and the drawers were pretty smooth. I really like this particular drawer configuration, it should be perfect for what I need. It's kind of tall, but so am I, so I think with a covering it should be good for a work surface with an adjustable stool. I was also able to get it for 10% off, which helped.

 

[SouthLake]

Lumber liquidators for maple top brilliant.
Thank you for saving me from another CL goat rope “in search of”

 

[ken w.]

A local bowling alley was selling 8' sections of alley made of maple. A bunch of us bought a bunch of these. I was going to make a tool box top from this , but they are so heavy. I'm not sure if they are too heavy.

 

[Kevin54]

There is a thread somewhere on MasterForce Boxes also.

 

[GNX423]

I went with this Husky Box. Has some pretty good features and covers my home shop needs well.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-in-W-20-in-D-15-Drawer-Tool-Chest-and-Cabinet-Textured-Black-H52CH6TR9/206828259

 

[DrewFSD]

There is a thread somewhere on MasterForce Boxes also.

I couldn't be happier with my master Force, other than I wish I had the 24" deep now that they came out. Much nicer for the price than anything I've looked at before.

 

[ab0mination]

I have this from Costo, very good box, sometimes is on sale for 399$

Link?

 

[PugetDude]

I have heard that the HF 44" roller boxes are pretty well made and stand up to use very well.

I heard they work especially well in a static installation. Throw the casters away and then you're on to something...

 

[sinister94]

With as big of a following Milwaukee has in the tools subsection here, I'm surprised not as many people have their tool chest. I'm sure there's a reason for that?

 

[Bryanthegreat]

The lower drawers on the Milwaukee Chest are fairly deep which cuts down the number of drawers. A big part for me in the decision process is the drawer layout. Husky top drawers are short if you are going to stand up 1/2 drive sockets. I think currently Extreme tools and the Masterforce boxes with 3 wide top drawers is the best layout.

 

[-Ross-]

I'll be going with the blue, 24" deep x 56" wide Husky box from Home Depot.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-56-in-10-Drawer-Cabinet-Tool-Chest-Blue-VRB-5610BUHU/206266485

It's identical to the International Tech Series box they sell for over $200 more.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Interna...binet-Tool-Chest-in-Blue-VRB-5610BU/203715404

Both made in Canada...They appear to be the same box.

 

[High5]

With as big of a following Milwaukee has in the tools subsection here, I'm surprised not as many people have their tool chest. I'm sure there's a reason for that?

I just bought a 46" Milwaukee combo cabinet today at closeout price. The drawer layout will work very well in the fabrication area of my garage. I plan to store equipment/instruments like calipers, squares, clamps, mill cutters, live centers, steady rests, welding rod, torch cleaners, etc. The one drawer has a table top with provision for lap top computer storage which will be great for CNC layouts. The built in power strip in the upper chest will be handy for all the chargers we have. And the lower drawer is built to organize those cordless tools. The cabinets are well built. The drawers may be a little short for some. They made an upgrade for this year to a deeper box. Those storing wrenches will probably prefer it. HD had some Husky units on the floor as well with similar features. They too seem well built. It was a tough decision.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Lowes has almost all their Kobalt tool chests on clearance right now, to make room for the Craftsman boxes in May.

 

[jimreed2160]

I have several of the Husky 46" boxes, along with a few Kobalts and a HF 44". The Kobalts and Huskys are good for storage but are a little flimsy. I added solid tops made from 2x6s with a small backsplash and that works well. The HF box is under a 2x top and is my fixit bench where is gets lots of use. I love those drawers.

I do mostly woodworking so the deeper drawers are appreciated. You might want to wait for the Huskys to go on sale at Father's Day. I bought one at $249 and one at $199 and I like the less expensive one much better.

 

[trx125]

I ended up going with this box as an upgrade from a 44 HF box with side cabinet. It held everything I had in my previous box and all the stuff laying around on shelves into one place. I love the look, build and it was the best value for the money in my case.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5...Chest-and-Cabinet-Combo-H52CH6TR9HD/302962883

 

[southpier]

Lowes has almost all their Kobalt tool chests on clearance right now, to make room for the Craftsman boxes in May.

interesting. I was wondering why no "Kobalt" suggestion. I have had several with good performance. the stainless series is particularly nice. news about Lowes & Craftsman. the local Ace hardware has had Craftsman for a while.