Buying a toolbox

[shawndp]

Of late I have been on a bit of a tool upgrade spree, which has resulted in a shortage of space. This obviously turns one's thoughts to the notion of buying a larger toolbox. I have a couple of ideas / options and was looking for advice please.

Option # 1 - get rid of everything that does not ft in my current box. This would mean taking some home or putting them into the float set in the shop.

Option # 2 - I rather like the Milwaukee 46" 16-drawer setup for about CAD 1300

Option # 3 - my Snap-On dealer has a Classic 2422 with a work-centre for just under CAD 6000

Option # 4 - Matco dealer has a 4s 55" for CAD 4000 tax in.

Option # 5 - Costco has SPG International boxes that look well made enough for CAD 1800 for their Super Heavy Duty 54" that looks similar to the Matco. There are the lower series for CAD 1200 to 1400 for 54" top and bottom.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance.

 

[crewchief888]

all depends on how big of a box you have now...

professional use?
home garage?
new to the trade?
plan on buying more tools in the future?


as i "upgraded" working tools, i took stuff home...

then i upgraded boxes at home..

and bought more tools....

for both work and home....

 

[shawndp]

all depends on how big of a box you have now...

professional use?
home garage?
new to the trade?
plan on buying more tools in the future?


as i "upgraded" working tools, i took stuff home...

then i upgraded boxes at home..

and bought more tools....

for both work and home....

Semi-Professional use in that the tools all see revenue service but I am officially a dealer rather than a tech. My current box is a single stack 28" Husky with 7 drawers. Not much larger than the largest tool carts. I also have the US General 4-drawer cart that holds my most frequently used tools. The largest I can fit at the shop is 55" long but can always expand vertically if the need arises.

 

[Wamsutta]

The largest I can fit at the shop is 55" long.

Kennedy Benchmark 53''
http://www.penntoolco.com/kennedy-53-benchmark-series-tool-chests/

 

[Parrothead]

Personally, if it were me, I’d get the Milwaukee. It’s a pretty solid box for not a huge outlay of cash. I noticed you are getting a bigger box because of space, not because you thought your old box was inadequate. So with that being said, I’d rule out the Snap-on and the Matco. Take that money and invest it. Seriously.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Mr_B]

I wouldn't bother with the milwaukee as it only 18" deep and thin 20 gauge .
they pretty flimsy boxes.

Your best bang for buck, your usage and being you in canada is the spg international, the super duty boxes are decent with good warranty and spares support and big upgrade over what you got now plus it pretty much 25" deep so great for tool layout/capacity .
They sweet looking box in blue or black .
The truck deals very poor, wouldn't touch those .

 

[NUTTSGT]

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[WittHay]

I found you need a stronger box in a shop especially with employees. I would compare the SPG boxes to the Extreme and see what drawer layout you like best. Not sure of the prices with dollar exchange and shipping costs. On the coast we have a tool box importer called TCA, nice boxes built like Extreme but not cheap

24" x 54" is a good all round size tool box, and you can always add a top chest later

 

[Mr_B]

I would stick with SPG as they in canada and support/parts super easy plus it massive upgrade to what you been using .
Only 55" strictly toolboxes one that better would be the 30" deep tv-elite or the extreme model if want get most from your 55" space and assuming want go that deep .
the 54" spg super heavy duty is 24.5" deep and well made with proper drawer latches and good rated slides.
It easiest to buy/ get delivered and pretty fair price for the product and future support plus you supporting a canadian business and workers .

 

[Wamsutta]

If a tool box manufacturer doesn't tell you the gage thickness of the sheet metal they use, they're hiding something.

 

[Mr_B]

SHD steel gauge >

 

[jonshonda]

I have cheap crapsman boxes right now and I find it comical that I continually stand too close to larger deeper boxes when opening the drawers. The drawers will hit my body before the open all the way. Hopefully evolution will take hold and I will stand a few steps back sooner then later.

 

[shawndp]

Thanks everyone for all the info! I have ruled out the SO / Matco but am debating between the Milwaukee and SPG now. The Milwaukee will fit all my tools and a few more and at 18" deep go in nicely against the wall where it needs to be (24" is the max depth I really could get away with). The SPG has the allure of being Canadian made and they have cheaper Tech and Pro series that don't look half bad. Does anyone have any experience with those please? thanks once again!

 

[Mr_B]

Yeh my employee has the cheaper spg one they make for husky in blue .
It okay and he went for it as got 2 at bargain price as one open box and no keys but the SHD is WAY better .
I would never go with a 18" box as that 16" deep internal drawer which awful, those milwaukee are overrated average home owner junk imo ...
In Canada all I would consider is SPG SHD . If getting taste for cheap then some SPG lesser models okay but the SHD not overly expensive for what you get plus it supporting canadian business and workers ... Only one wise and honourable choice for a Canadian

 

[shawndp]

@ Mr. B - Ironic you mention Husky as my current box is a Husky! We have some Canadian Tire boxes marked as "Made in Canada" too, which I assume is a SPG. The Tech series amounts to half the price of the SHD, unless I am looking at the wrong places.

 

[Mr_B]

Yeh it a lot lighter constructed box and not got the grip latch system .
If cost an issue then Tech series worth considering but if you handled both of them you would want the SHD .
having been looking at options of 4,000CND I would of thought the SHD was perfect balance between cost and quality in a nice size and drawer layout.
The husky my employee has is tech series vrb5610 56" 10 drawer, he got 2 of them and put them side by side as a 112" cabinet with double layer of 3/4 ply as worktop.
They thin gauge and slides not so good or rated so high, was nice for his purchase price and should last as won't be moved or loaded too heavy .
Choice is yours but I would go SHD unless price a REAL issue, my employee far better spending extra 1,500 bucks on hand tools and some air/cordless tools and the tech series at the open box deal was nice choice for him .

 

[scroat]

Of late I have been on a bit of a tool upgrade spree, which has resulted in a shortage of space. This obviously turns one's thoughts to the notion of buying a larger toolbox. I have a couple of ideas / options and was looking for advice please.



Option # 1 - get rid of everything that does not ft in my current box. This would mean taking some home or putting them into the float set in the shop.



Option # 2 - I rather like the Milwaukee 46" 16-drawer setup for about CAD 1300



Option # 3 - my Snap-On dealer has a Classic 2422 with a work-centre for just under CAD 6000



Option # 4 - Matco dealer has a 4s 55" for CAD 4000 tax in.



Option # 5 - Costco has SPG International boxes that look well made enough for CAD 1800 for their Super Heavy Duty 54" that looks similar to the Matco. There are the lower series for CAD 1200 to 1400 for 54" top and bottom.



Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance.

I recently purchased the husky 52inch wide by 20 inch deep box at Home Depot. Loads of features, including soft close drawers, flat black finish, two outlet strips (8 ac outlets and 4 USB ports)

I think it was $700. I am very pleased with it. I do light mechanical and hobbyist level work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[scroat]

I recently purchased the husky 52inch wide by 20 inch deep box at Home Depot. Loads of features, including soft close drawers, flat black finish, two outlet strips (8 ac outlets and 4 USB ports)

I think it was $700. I am very pleased with it. I do light mechanical and hobbyist level work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5...nd-Cabinet-Textured-Black-H52CH6TR9/206828259




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WittHay]

@ Mr. B - Ironic you mention Husky as my current box is a Husky! We have some Canadian Tire boxes marked as "Made in Canada" too, which I assume is a SPG. The Tech series amounts to half the price of the SHD, unless I am looking at the wrong places.

I think some of the Husky's and Mastercraft were made by Beach. good boxes, I have a couple of Gray boxes made by Beach. The Craftsman boxes sold in Canada were made by SPG international

The Pro Series by International, looks quite nice and I think Home Depot sells the combo for $1,400. I have seen them at Sears rebadged as Craftsman and Napa sells them as UltraPro. Can't see why they won't work for automotive use

 

[Mr_B]

Pro series not always as easily found/delivered for all or well priced compared to rrp but that the next one down from SHD
the tech series is then 3rd in the lineup.
Seems he originally comparing to 4k$ matco and 6k$ snapon I think SHD best comparison.
If you handled all of them you would want SHD and for the extra cost it worth it .
If price a big concern then pro or tech will do the job but not with such ease or longevity and requires more sensible owner/usage .

 

[Moose Legs]

I was recently in the same position looking for a box in that size range and the spg shd was definitely top of the list, can’t beat the quality/price ratio and easy to find. I ended going with a Mac tech because my dealer gave me a fantastic deal. Otherwise I would have gone with the international.