I just ordered a Gray Tools cantilever box and it should be here tomorrow or the following day. I'll be sure to post some pics. Not sure on the COO but for what I paid I hope it's not China. I know Gray no longer makes their big boxes in Canada.
Cantilever Tool Box
- Thread starter crewchief437
- Start date
sgtmac
Well-known member
I am in the aviation business and we do "call outs" in addition to our regular work. I keep my on call tools in the Ridgid portable toolbox cart. I use the big bottom and two of the smaller boxes. They carry almost everything I need to do a job on the road. I keep my wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and other misc. items in tool rolls that are easy to access and easy to inventory when your done.
Here are my top reasons to recommend the ridgid system.
1: price point less than 200 for all 3.
2: extremely water resistant. I carry them in back of trucks and never had any water inside.
3: built in hasp so you can lock them.
4: easy to roll through buildings and interior spaces.
5: all sections lock together and they are easy to strap down.
6: no hard corners or points that could harm the inside of an aircraft if you have to fly with them.
7: lifetime warranty
8: easy to lift
9: boxes make good steps or seat
Here are my top reasons to recommend the ridgid system.
1: price point less than 200 for all 3.
2: extremely water resistant. I carry them in back of trucks and never had any water inside.
3: built in hasp so you can lock them.
4: easy to roll through buildings and interior spaces.
5: all sections lock together and they are easy to strap down.
6: no hard corners or points that could harm the inside of an aircraft if you have to fly with them.
7: lifetime warranty
8: easy to lift
9: boxes make good steps or seat
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Westozfixer
Banned
Dave455
Well-known member
I've seen those plastic Snap On / Pelican boxes and have to say that they are superbly thought out!
Some observations though : -
To make them work the drawers have to be lined with high density foam with cutouts for each tool. If you're using an issued box with tools and foam supplied, that's fine, but it's a lot of work to do this for your own tools. Loose tools will damage themselves and smash the plastic drawers. Once you've done all this, you have no flexibility for change. Even a different ratchet might need a new foam lining!
Secondly, it's always a two man job to move these things! Fine in the airforce, but most folks want to be able to move their own box!
The cantilever boxes don't need much work to fit out - put a lining in each compartment, fill them reasonably densely with tools and you're away! Folks often complain about the weight, but that's mostly tool weight, and if you need 40 lbs of tools you need 40 lbs of tools! Not much can reduce that!
I've recently been experimenting with different portable boxes, and after much fiddling around have settled on a cantilever box. I went with the Hazet, but only because they're all similar and the Hazet is about the cheapest. I've made a couple of wooden dividers to stop stuff rattling around, and I'll probably make one fof the bottom to hold stuff like punches and files!
Some observations though : -
To make them work the drawers have to be lined with high density foam with cutouts for each tool. If you're using an issued box with tools and foam supplied, that's fine, but it's a lot of work to do this for your own tools. Loose tools will damage themselves and smash the plastic drawers. Once you've done all this, you have no flexibility for change. Even a different ratchet might need a new foam lining!
Secondly, it's always a two man job to move these things! Fine in the airforce, but most folks want to be able to move their own box!
The cantilever boxes don't need much work to fit out - put a lining in each compartment, fill them reasonably densely with tools and you're away! Folks often complain about the weight, but that's mostly tool weight, and if you need 40 lbs of tools you need 40 lbs of tools! Not much can reduce that!
I've recently been experimenting with different portable boxes, and after much fiddling around have settled on a cantilever box. I went with the Hazet, but only because they're all similar and the Hazet is about the cheapest. I've made a couple of wooden dividers to stop stuff rattling around, and I'll probably make one fof the bottom to hold stuff like punches and files!
Roobaix
Well-known member
I've got a Hazet 190L loaded down with my 1/4" and 3/8" socket/ratchet stuff. It's also got a full set of screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, impact screwdriver, and some other misc stuff jammed into it.
I also have the Ridgid set shown above that I carry the rest of my mobile tools in. I've got a full set of combination wrenches in a roll, a small bottle jack, jack stands, my impact sockets and extensions, vacuum bleeder kit, and whatever power tools I need for a particular job.
I also have the Ridgid set shown above that I carry the rest of my mobile tools in. I've got a full set of combination wrenches in a roll, a small bottle jack, jack stands, my impact sockets and extensions, vacuum bleeder kit, and whatever power tools I need for a particular job.
Finky198
Well-known member
The pelican 0450 works fine with or without the foam if their packed properly. I previously ran a lighter weight setup in full foam. I've since changed fields and needed a much more comprehensive tools set in the shop, but I can be in the field on the same day with or with out power. And it just wasn't going to fit with all that foam, so I yanked it out packed it tighter with tools and place sockets on rails. When I'm on the go I slip sheet of uncut foam over a few drawers to keep them from shifting and it's as simple as that. Depending on the job Ill take a few bags with larger tools ie pry bars, hammers, air tools, specialty tools.
There are big difference in what can be put in some of these smaller system and what I can carry with my get up is it as easily mobile no, but they are not really made for same purpose.
As for damage I've been opening and closing drawers, lids, and hasps on my pelican cases for years. Very rarely do they break I have replaced 1 hasp in 8 years between my 8 cases. I'd consider that pretty much a non issue.
There are big difference in what can be put in some of these smaller system and what I can carry with my get up is it as easily mobile no, but they are not really made for same purpose.
As for damage I've been opening and closing drawers, lids, and hasps on my pelican cases for years. Very rarely do they break I have replaced 1 hasp in 8 years between my 8 cases. I'd consider that pretty much a non issue.
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My new Gray Tools cantilever box, it will definitely hold 18 beers in the bottom storage... maybe 24 
It's about 23lbs dry
I believe I also got lucky with old stock made in Canada. It does have a few flaws but it's going to get dinged up anyway since I'm using it for work.
It's about 23lbs dry
I believe I also got lucky with old stock made in Canada. It does have a few flaws but it's going to get dinged up anyway since I'm using it for work.
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Finky198
Well-known member
Sry no pics 
Sry no pics
Really you cannot see them?
I just logged out and I can see them on my phone with a cleared cache? Very odd?
^ ^ No - - - can NOT see pics. Your Google account requires access.
Instead, just push/upload the Pics directly to GJ.
Edit post / Go Advanced / Manage Attachments / Browse to link up to 7 pictures from your harddrive / Upload / Save
OP . . . +1 for Kennedy for a lifetime box and USA made. It will be heavy once loaded up with tools so start doing your weightlifting at the gym !!
I've got older Craftsman that I like for general use. Just bought cheap cantilever from Sears for $28 that will be my electrical box.
^ ^ No - - - can NOT see pics. Your Google account requires access.
Instead, just push/upload the Pics directly to GJ.
Edit post / Go Advanced / Manage Attachments / Browse to link up to 7 pictures from your harddrive / Upload / Save
OP . . . +1 for Kennedy for a lifetime box and USA made. It will be heavy once loaded up with tools so start doing your weightlifting at the gym !!
I've got older Craftsman that I like for general use. Just bought cheap cantilever from Sears for $28 that will be my electrical box.
I update the original post... it's been a while since I've uploaded pics... I still have photobucket but it's slower than dirt. Still looking for a good host site.
jo4gj
Well-known member
My new Gray Tools cantilever box, it will definitely hold 18 beers in the bottom storage... maybe 24
It's about 23lbs dry
I believe I also got lucky with old stock made in Canada. It does have a few flaws but it's going to get dinged up anyway since I'm using it for work.
Where did you order it from ?
jo4gj
Well-known member
Who make hazet and where did you order yours from?
jo4gj
Well-known member
How do you compare the dewalt to ridgid systems. My homsdepot had little ridgid to compare. I am more impressed with dewalts claps and lockability. Also they say made in USA ?
flushcut
Well-known member
Just subscribing. I am looking for a cantilever box but I am not sure what I want.
hi guys any you looked at Milwaukee's packout system?
I really like the Pelican box but I am concerned about two things:
1- drawers look weak and flimsy - no real slide mechanism. Maybe its not a big deal
2-Lifting it by myself to put into the car etc.
I really like the Pelican box but I am concerned about two things:
1- drawers look weak and flimsy - no real slide mechanism. Maybe its not a big deal
2-Lifting it by myself to put into the car etc.
I use one of These as my hangar bag, lI like that I can set it down, unzip it and be able to get at 100% of my tools. Google around for better pics, each flap has storage, one is a pouch and the other is a wrench roll, then you have rows of pouches on either side and a full size pouch in the middle.
The shoulder strap makes it easy to move and the soft sides make it more comfortable bouncing off my hip.
Lots of guys seem to like those pelican cases and there's a Snap-On plastic FOD control box with metal drawers some guys like to be cool with.
The shoulder strap makes it easy to move and the soft sides make it more comfortable bouncing off my hip.
Lots of guys seem to like those pelican cases and there's a Snap-On plastic FOD control box with metal drawers some guys like to be cool with.
Negen
Well-known member
I cannot say any thing about that job but I do have a drapper branded cantilever box it gets heavy fully loaded. Guys at work have some sort of backpack style tool bag that holds a bit of tools. And is easy to carry. My box gets weighted and I only carry 3/8 sockets with hex and torx so probably less than 30 sockets and three ratchets hammer and five or so pliers. And a few smaller bits. I am just glad we got mini trucks now 3/4 mile isn't far until I had to walk it with box.
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