Box Recommendation For Beginner Tech.

[B_Lafayet]

Keep an eye out for a used HF 44 inch.

 

[Wrenchinfool]

Congratulations!! What will you be working on? I am a diesel monkey so I have a krl1002 with a riser best box I ever owned and a cart nothing fancy with the cart

 

[stage20]

the harbor freight 44 will be useless to you if you are looking for bulk storage. people recommending it havent read your intentions with the box.
the 56" box from harbor freight will better suit your needs, but im not sure if that pinpoints what you are trying to do.

the milwaukee will serve you best out of whats mentioned. id like to see it priced cheaper myself, but its not a bad deal for the money.

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/s...PiSzHfDxu5QOKBwGhjujzwaaAB29GT-PttBoCzPLw_wcB
you can find these cabinets CHEAP!!!!! on craigslist and they will hold all youll ever need as far as bulk storage. buy a large movers dolley and screw it to the bottom. roll it anywhere.

if you have a little more room, look for a lateral medical file......must be medical file. these style have a flip up door and the drawer actually slides in and out. i have 4 of these in my shop. they are rated at 200 pounds a drawer(paper is heavy) so it will hold all the tools you can throw in it. these are found fairly cheap on craigs as well.

 

[Boneebone]

The only complaint I have on that box, is if i leave the lid down, I set stuff on top of it. So I just don't put much for tools in the top, mostly use the drawers.




It's probably still not a bad box is it? Still stores tools? I know a mechanic who has used one daily for probably that long.

Saddest thing is thinking what $600 bought then compared to now, and how little wages have changed.

I bought the same black Matco Tool Cart used for $320, without tools.

I also bought the Side Shelf for it, but it only has a weight capacity of 35lbs, but it does fold down when not in use.

You can buy the exact same side shelf from the Manufacturer, which is Sunex, and save about $30 vs. buying it from Matco.

 

[dieseljc]

Thanks again guys for the wealth of knowledge that you guys give here.
I work on Land Rovers. Just a diesel enthusiast.
I do plan to work out of my service cart until it's overflowing, unless an awesome priced used box comes up in the meantime. Like mentioned, I will be prepared to jump.
My cart will consist of mostly Milwaukee power tools/ wrenches/ sockets/ extensions and pliers. The basic service stuff. I agree that it should last for sometime and I will continue to use it even after I purchase a bigger box.
I never planned to go in over my head in debt all for a box and tools. I'm taking it slow for sure. I doubt I will ever go for a new brand box. I just can't justify the price to myself. I'd rather put a 1/6 of the price on a used box and the rest on cows, or other means of income! I view a box as a mere tool.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

the 44' box from HF is pretty hard to beat. without going into debt.

 

[Mr_B]

^ 44" is pretty tiny and tinny .
He way better looking for used truck brand as if lucky can find something tidy that retains same value as you put into it.
Push comes and need cheap new then 56" plus is needed and 22" depth or more.
Husky do 24" deep boxes and HF 56" is 22" deep but it not super cheap or super good if used hard .
If got time then should find something used from snapon mac or lista. Is indeed waste of serious cash spending big money on just a new top brand box.
Hope you find nice big bottom cabinet, take a while I expect but always worth a try as can have few bargains.
I normally never find exactly what I want but have made money buying and selling few boxes when been hunting .

 

[jwsia]

Where at in the Commy state are you? I saw a blue classic 78 at a pawn shop in Davenport last week.

If it were me I would look for used but as stated above you gotta have cash on hand (weekend deals) and a buddy with a trailer or a few and a truck and the time to do it. If you dont like the hunt wait till the HF 56" box goes on sale. Then when your established move it to home or to another new tech or sell it on CL for a couple hundo less than you paid for it. It would be cheap storage for a few years and alot better than those payments to the tool truck. Just my 2 cents

 

[yamaha0343]

I don't mean to insult "The Lord's Chosen Toolbox", but those of you that keep saying the HF44 didn't read the OP's post. He needs something with deep drawers to store large items, which isn't a strong point of the HF 44. Otherwise it's a fine box.

In my area, with the downturn in the oil & gas industry, I was able to pick up a very slightly used KRA for dirt cheap. But also check out Strictly Toolboxes (site sponsor) and maybe even the new (all black) Huskys.

 

[dieseljc]

I work just North of Chicago, but live almost in Wisconsin. Can't stand being that close to the city. Even where I live is way too packed for my liking.

Came across this one tonight. Seems like a dang good deal, as long as everything is in working order.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/tls/6025356870.html

 

[mdtaylorjr]

Ive been a pro tech for close to 15 years. I started with a 40" craftsman top and bottom box and used it for about 10 years. When i filled it up i added a snap on service cart. After filling both of them up i moved to the 68" epiq then to the 84" just because the deal was too good to pass up. Good luck in this profession remember a box is just a place to store your tools. Gearwrench and craftsman are good entry stuff for hand tools. For precision things keep with OTC or Snap on.

 

[dieseljc]

Ive been a pro tech for close to 15 years. I started with a 40" craftsman top and bottom box and used it for about 10 years. When i filled it up i added a snap on service cart. After filling both of them up i moved to the 68" epiq then to the 84" just because the deal was too good to pass up. Good luck in this profession remember a box is just a place to store your tools. Gearwrench and craftsman are good entry stuff for hand tools. For precision things keep with OTC or Snap on.

Exactly. I could never justify to myself putting that sort of money into something that is just going to sit.

I've been compiling a list of various brands that I plan to go with. Fair priced without sacrificing quality. Sunex has some nice impact socket sets that have good reviews. As you mentioned, the Gearwrench wrenches will be my choice. Milwaukee power tools. Sunex/Channel lock/ Irwin/ Knipex hand tools. OTC pry bars. A few of the basics.

 

[Jsf721]

If I were you I'd see if you can get a 46" Milwaukee for 330 dollars new at HD.

 

[Jake40]

Rocking tool box on Facebook has killer pricing on scratch and dent boxes. I just bought an Extreme RXE 5618 for a little over $800 delivered.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Exactly. I could never justify to myself putting that sort of money into something that is just going to sit.

I've been compiling a list of various brands that I plan to go with. Fair priced without sacrificing quality. Sunex has some nice impact socket sets that have good reviews. As you mentioned, the Gearwrench wrenches will be my choice. Milwaukee power tools. Sunex/Channel lock/ Irwin/ Knipex hand tools. OTC pry bars. A few of the basics.

I have a full set of IR 3/8" and 1/2" impact sockets, but have been filling out missing sockets with Sunex, and they are awesome quality. Also been using Sunex impact adapters and universal joints for 4+ years now, with zero complaints. You'll be very happy with what they have to offer.

GW combo wrenches will serve you great. I know a couple of folks that switched over from SK and MAC Knucklesavers to GW, and have no complaints using professionally.

 

[Greg85mcss]

Exactly. I could never justify to myself putting that sort of money into something that is just going to sit.



I've been compiling a list of various brands that I plan to go with. Fair priced without sacrificing quality. Sunex has some nice impact socket sets that have good reviews. As you mentioned, the Gearwrench wrenches will be my choice. Milwaukee power tools. Sunex/Channel lock/ Irwin/ Knipex hand tools. OTC pry bars. A few of the basics.

Those are some of my favorite companies. When snap on came out with the 14.4 ratchet my salesman told me to stick with the Milwaukee. Napa has some great pneumatic impacts for about half the price they are when the same gun says matco or cornwell.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cobradriver]

I have a full set of IR 3/8" and 1/2" impact sockets, but have been filling out missing sockets with Sunex, and they are awesome quality. Also been using Sunex impact adapters and universal joints for 4+ years now, with zero complaints. You'll be very happy with what they have to offer.

I bought the Sunex 1/2" drive,deep impact socket set,7/16" to 1 1/4" almost 20 years ago. The only size that is in really bad shape is the 7/8" from all the rusty lug nuts I fought with when I was in snow country.

Then I got smart and moved to Florida.

20 years ago? O.K.,now I feel old !

I can highly recommend them for the price....

 

[4x4_G30_Sportvan]

I'm gonna go with the other poster who mentioned a heavy duty 4 drawer file cabinet. I get themall the time at Goodwill or CL. Dirt cheap, usually $30 or less. For that price you can buy 3 of them to put your large bulky stuff in. They work great for specialty sets in the plastic blow molded cases.

You can even put them on a HF dolly if you think you want to move it around.

 

[mudflap]

Rocking tool box on Facebook has killer pricing on scratch and dent boxes. I just bought an Extreme RXE 5618 for a little over $800 delivered.

Thats a nice box..i like it.. Great price too...if its just that one drawer dinged..?

 

[Jake40]

Thats a nice box..i like it.. Great price too...if its just that one drawer dinged..?

Drawers are fine but there is ding in 3 handles. I'm not gonna complain though. Those 3 dents from a fork truck saved me $600.