Biggest toolchest for under $800

[makgreens]

looking for a new box and though I know the HF always gets good reviews on this board I don't want a red box(yes I can paint it I know)

So far I've looked into
Viper
HF
Homak
Husky...too thin though


Any suggestions and experiences?

I have a Napa 7 drawer cart and love it but since they dont make them anymore I have to find something else...plus a work space would be nice


ALSO...If I sell my small Matco cart I can put in 1k for a box...maybe that will widen my search

 

[dclassical]

I don't know if it is still sold, but I bought mine at Sam's Club years ago.

I believe the name was Steel Glide (I am not home and don't have access to the information) and it is made on stainless steel, is 41" and had about 12 drawers (all the full width). Bought it about 7 years ago for around $600. This is in my garage, not a pro environment, but I really love it.

 

[makgreens]

apologize for the mess but this is the area I have to deal with

 

[cheechi]

So you have room for a 56" and maybe a 72" it looks like. I like Viper boxes, at least compared to the Cman ones they sit next to, but I don't know if they are as good as HF boxes. They do give you more colour options, as do Homak.

Biggest complaint I have about Viper is the drawer layout, which is the same I'd say is why I don't like the HF 56"+ boxes. Depending on the Homak, I could learn to like one of their boxes. HF is still the best value in this price range though.

look at strictlytoolboxes.com and see if something there appeals to you. Homak and Tool Vault seem to be pretty similar layouts (their 60" looks like a TV box for example). Within your price range your choices are a little slim but you could get 2 HF 26" boxes and have more storage without using more space. Yes I know you don't want red. I'm in the same boat as you though. I don't prefer red either, but I settled for it for the price.

 

[zkling]

When you say biggest are you talking in terms of just sheer external size, volumetric storage capacity or area storage capacity? If I was in your boat I'd try to find something like a used snap on KR1000. Paint would have to be an option as I think they were all red. Same issue with the large HF box and paint, but those deep drawers aren't the most efficient IMHO, unlike the thin drawers the KR1000 has.

Have you checked the used route, or do you only want a new box?

 

[colin39]

How much are the 42inch costco ones in the u-s as they are only £600 here in the uk

 

[alinc100]

this 72" box was at Rural King for $799 over the winter.Not sure when they do their sales/rebates.

http://www.ruralking.com/xdd-72-tool-chest-21-drawer-xtb7221b.html

 

[makgreens]

im looking for the most space...efficient space that is...I plan on keeping my NAPA cart but the other boxes are just temp until I find something else. The NAPA cart will just get moved either to another part of the house

I really like the layout of the 41" Viper boxes because of the 4 full length shallow drawers but for the same price I could get the 56" HF

Used boxes are hard to come by around here

 

[cheechi]

I really like the layout of the 41" Viper boxes because of the 4 full length shallow drawers but for the same price I could get the 56" HF

Are these two your 'favorite' of everything in this price? I like the shallow drawers but the goofy deep drawer on the Viper is what turned me away. whats the square foot storage on each of them that's going to tell you the most efficient without it being at your place and being filled up.

 

[Kevin54]

Menards carries a few different colors of their tool boxes and tool chest.

 

[makgreens]

nothings really my favorite...I just need efficient space and not to break the bank since I want to get a Tig welder in my future

 

[Kevin54]

nothings really my favorite...I just need efficient space and not to break the bank since I want to get a Tig welder in my future

If you want brand new, you may be a little over what you are budgeting for. Have you looked on CL for any boxes? Usually there are quite a few, but for $800, you won't get a Snap-On, Mac, Matco, or Cornwell, unless the planets are perfectly in line. Craftsman.....Possibly. Myself, I have three Menard rollers, and I like them. Here are their boxes. http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/c-9188.htm

But my advice.....if you got $800 to spend on a box, get the best bang for your buck and keep an eye out on CL, even if it's a one day road-trip to pick it up. A 200 mile diameter search should find you something I'd think.

Doing a search in Tennessee, this popped up in Atlanta http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/tls/4419427094.html 16 drawers of Mac goodness.

Add a couple hundred more, or do some talking and this guy may drop a little http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/4435791075.html

 

[makgreens]

Doing a search in Tennessee, this popped up in Atlanta http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/tls/4419427094.html 16 drawers of Mac goodness.

Friction Slides?

I dont have to have new just prefer it...like anyone I suppose but I would gladly take a good used box anyday

 

[-Brent-]

I have no input to add, unfortunately. However, I think this is an interesting thread. Please post up what you end up with.

 

[oldldh]

HF 56" is as good as "New" gets...

Goes on sale for $ 699.99 from time to time...

And it's got a top box if you ever need more room...

If red ain't you...paint it!!!

 

[ADSR]

Your budget is right between junk and half decent. Both those choices aren't good.

Save up a little more and buy something good. Do you have a costco close by? maybe stop in and see if they have any boxes.

http://www.costco.com/SPG-International-75"-15-drawer-Tool-Cabinet.product.11757731.html

 

[makgreens]

just get this to complement my other cart?
http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/4374261541.html

 

[SchuLace]

I have had good luck with Masterforce boxes from menards. I picked up a 46 inch bottom, top and side locker for $1100. Drop the side locker and you are just a little over your budget.

 

[ADSR]

just get this to complement my other cart?
http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/4374261541.html

Nice cart! i believe they are on sale this month for 1g. So his price is a little high.

 

[makgreens]

Nice cart! i believe they are on sale this month for 1g. So his price is a little high.

im sure i can talk him down a bit since its been on CL for 2 months and Im travelling 2 hrs to get it possibly

heres another one Ill find out about tomorrow if he doesnt sell it
http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/4406831248.html

 

[bobcatdan]

I'd go look at that Mac. Its an early 1700 and those are big *** boxes. The bottom drawer is ball bearing for sure, not sure about the rest. The mb1700 was the first box to have ball bearing slides as we know them today. Dicker him down to $600 and painter her as you like.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I have had good luck with Masterforce boxes from menards. I picked up a 46 inch bottom, top and side locker for $1100. Drop the side locker and you are just a little over your budget.

I was just going to type this.

MasterForce from Menards is what I have....well made box for the money....lifetime warranty. Mines held up very well....looks like they day I bought it.

 

[makgreens]

I'd go look at that Mac. Its an early 1700 and those are big *** boxes. The bottom drawer is ball bearing for sure, not sure about the rest. The mb1700 was the first box to have ball bearing slides as we know them today. Dicker him down to $600 and painter her as you like.

Id have to be buying that MAc box for a 4hr drive

 

[bobcatdan]

Thats a good enough reason for me

 

[92GreenYJ]

I know a lot of people here bash the Husky boxes. But I currently have three of the 40" set ups. For $350 bucks for the top and bottom box together you really can't beat it for home use. As soon as I finish fixing the PAC Man machine and get it out of my garage I will be buying a 4th Husky box to finish out my row. I like them that much.

 

[makgreens]

I know a lot of people here bash the Husky boxes. But I currently have three of the 40" set ups. For $350 bucks for the top and bottom box together you really can't beat it for home use. As soon as I finish fixing the PAC Man machine and get it out of my garage I will be buying a 4th Husky box to finish out my row. I like them that much.

I'm in and out of my box like Im at a shop on the days Im off from work...think itll hold up? Just seems super flimsy

 

[wkderf]

have you considered vinyl wrapping the front of the HF box, if you really can't stand red?

 

[makgreens]

Worth it?
http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/4404941622.html

 

[Mach5]

That's a nice box, though I don't know about the side door. Would have been better with full width drawers.

 

[makgreens]

guy wont go any lower than 800 on that mac...so as far as used boxes go Im leaning pretty hard towards the cornwell

 

[ADSR]

Worth it?
http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/4404941622.html

That's a pretty nice cart!

 

[makgreens]

That's a pretty nice cart!

it is but the cornwell is only an 1.5" smaller width wise and the same depth and height... plus ive always liked that box...a tech at my old job had one

 

[cheechi]

I know this isn't really contributing much, but that SPG Costco box looks really great on the website. I haven't seen one in person, has anyone here? I can see it being just like those Husky boxes, or being as good as the Viper or low end Homaks like some of the boxes Costco has had in the store in the past.

Some of those ones they have are really poorly made and are more for looks than real use. The 'bamboo' front 24" for example. Others have been nearly as good as the HF 56, but I haven't seen anything in Costco (or Sam's for that matter) that is better quality than that HF 56. Basically to me the Costco one is a variable being compared against a known quantity in the 56" and by extension the HF 72".

 

[makgreens]

the SO box is KRA-4109

 

[ADSR]

I know this isn't really contributing much, but that SPG Costco box looks really great on the website. I haven't seen one in person, has anyone here? I can see it being just like those Husky boxes, or being as good as the Viper or low end Homaks like some of the boxes Costco has had in the store in the past.

Some of those ones they have are really poorly made and are more for looks than real use. The 'bamboo' front 24" for example. Others have been nearly as good as the HF 56, but I haven't seen anything in Costco (or Sam's for that matter) that is better quality than that HF 56. Basically to me the Costco one is a variable being compared against a known quantity in the 56" and by extension the HF 72".

The SPG boxes are pretty damn good quality. They're all made in canada and feel damn solid. They put my homak H2pro to shame in quality.

 

[MP&C]

My brother in law was recently looking for a side box to hang on his MAC tool box. The dealer wanted more than he paid for the stacked boxes he has presently, so he started watching CL. He ended up getting another stacked set like he already had, paid 600 for it. It's a WWF set, like this one less the side box..

So my recommendation is to look for a higher quality box in the used market. You might not get one tomorrow, but there are deals out there..

 

[hsnedigar]

Have you looked at the International SHD boxes there made in Canada we use to sell em at a company I worked for there really good boxes and for the size they have not to expensive. Tactix if you can find it were your at there not to bad a lot of guys I went to school had them beat the hell out of em eventually traded em off for a Mac, SO or Matco box.

 

[70C-10]

I bought a HF 44" bottom & top with The 8 drawer side locker 4 years ago. It hasn't broken or failed, all drawers work fine. For what I have into mine it allowed me to buy more tools. YMMV.

 

[LOOSEWHEEL]

The SPG boxes are pretty damn good quality. They're all made in canada and feel damn solid. They put my homak H2pro to shame in quality.

Depends which line of SPG boxes. The one at Costco is their 'Value' series ( recently renamed the 'Tech' series) which is their #3 line. Their top tier is the SHD (Super Heavy Duty) series followed by the 'Professional' series and then the 'Value/Tech' series.

 

[92GreenYJ]

I'm in and out of my box like Im at a shop on the days Im off from work...think itll hold up? Just seems super flimsy

They have ball bearing slides on them. So far they have been holding up great for me and I have a few of the drawers pretty well loaded down probably over the rated capacity. Namely my socket drawers. I've had them opened and closed a lot and the slides feel as smooth as they did the day I bought the box 6 months ago (the first one)