Cheap 26" Rolling Tool Boxes?

[bassJAM]

and Harbor Freight has its place with consumable and one-off stuff, but its just not a "feel good" place". I find myself there every once in while but I'm never happy about it.

It's the overbearing chemical/rubber smell that gives you that feeling. It feels like if you stay too long you'll end up with some sort of cancer.

That being said, their US General tool boxes really are a step above the big box store offerings and are a true "BIFL" item for the average homeowner.

 

[gleman]

My wild goose chase is over... I started at my local Home Depot. They had two of these boxes this weekend, but they were long gone. So, I then went to the Home Depot about 15 miles away. They had one and I bought it, only to notice it was all kinds of fucked up - paint chips, dents, etc... So, I turned around and returned it after being denied a discount.

On to my next Home Depot.

I braved the traffic in Austin and went right to the center of town where I found them entirely out as well... I asked the manager if he could check stock at the local stores and mentioned they had a beat up one in the back that he would sell me cheap. I took a look and both bottom drawers were bashed in.

For $150 plus the king's tax, I accepted the challenge. I figured I might be able to fix the drawers and if not, I could do something weird to replace them. The money was just too good.

On the way home, I stopped by a buddy's shop that does paintless dent repair hoping to get some pointers. Instead, he just fix em both. Took all of ten minutes... and now, I have my ****** 3D printer tool box for pretty dang cheap!

You got a steal on that!



Your other idea went for a premium.

 

[Ryan]

She’s coming along!

 

[Boogerman]

That box should do well for you. I've been using 3 of them for 3 or 4 years as a workbench, steevo style. They have worked well for all that, and held up. I discarded the wood top and casters and electrical stuff off of mine to build them in. The drawers are a lot better size for shop cabinets than the US General boxes; I hate the shallow drawers that won't hold anything of any size that the USG boxes are filled with.

 

[Ryan]

**** is getting real on the organizational front:

 

[mike93lx]

Looking good. Should 3d print the next box

 

[rayra]

Man those auction boxes really did go for too much. Guy that won them probably thinks he got a great deal 'Snap On! Half off!'.

 

[Ryan]

Man those auction boxes really did go for too much. Guy that won them probably thinks he got a great deal 'Snap On! Half off!'.

To be fare, I would much rather have those than even those US General boxes... For one, you will never be able to convince me that these old beat up Snap On boxes aren't better made AND they just have so much more personality and soul to them. I know it's stupid, but **** like that matters to me in a creative environment.

As for my Husky box, it's fine... Not great by any means, but my standard was set by my Lista boxes that I use in my shop. If I had to compare the Husky to a box, I would compare it to the Cheaper Craftsman boxes of the 1990's. Remember when Craftsman top of the line boxes were red with charcoal drawers and their cheaper line was red with red drawers?

 

[rayra]

To be fare, I would much rather have those than even those US General boxes... For one, you will never be able to convince me that these old beat up Snap On boxes aren't better made AND they just have so much more personality and soul to them. I know it's stupid, but **** like that matters to me in a creative environment.

As for my Husky box, it's fine... Not great by any means, but my standard was set by my Lista boxes that I use in my shop. If I had to compare the Husky to a box, I would compare it to the Cheaper Craftsman boxes of the 1990's. Remember when Craftsman top of the line boxes were red with charcoal drawers and their cheaper line was red with red drawers?

(Shrug) its a tool box. I dont expect / require it to have soul.

/Douglas Adams wrote a great bit about self-aware elevators, their doors smartly whooshing with self-satisfaction.

 

[Ryan]

(Shrug) its a tool box. I dont expect / require it to have soul.

/Douglas Adams wrote a great bit about self-aware elevators, their doors smartly whooshing with self-satisfaction.

Nothing is “just a tool to me” and I know for a fact that I’m not better for it.

 

[PugetDude]

Nothing is “just a tool to me” and I know for a fact that I’m not better for it.

The first step is acknowledging the problem...
Congratulations on your new journey.

 

[rayra]

Nothing is “just a tool to me” and I know for a fact that I’m not better for it.

Two arguments I didn't make, that you seem intent on arguing against. 'It's a tool [box]' and 'JUST a tool' are nowhere near the same statement. And 'JUST a tool' is just the obverse of an emotional brand argument. That again I am not making.

It's a toolbox. I've got a garage full of tools. My vehicles are tools for varied purposes. As are my firearms. They are not me, I am not them. And I certainly don't measure my value as relative to material objects / brands. I do not think myself better or less than a friggin tool box.

Understand I make these statements as revelatory of myself and not as an argument with you. It doesn't matter to me what you believe. I'm just asking you not to project it onto me or impute words or motivations that I plainly do not state.

Enjoy your new toolbox, it looks nice and you got a decent deal on it.

 

[Ryan]

Two arguments I didn't make, that you seem intent on arguing against. 'It's a tool [box]' and 'JUST a tool' are nowhere near the same statement. And 'JUST a tool' is just the obverse of an emotional brand argument. That again I am not making.

It's a toolbox. I've got a garage full of tools. My vehicles are tools for varied purposes. As are my firearms. They are not me, I am not them. And I certainly don't measure my value as relative to material objects / brands. I do not think myself better or less than a friggin tool box.

Understand I make these statements as revelatory of myself and not as an argument with you. It doesn't matter to me what you believe. I'm just asking you not to project it onto me or impute words or motivations that I plainly do not state.

Enjoy your new toolbox, it looks nice and you got a decent deal on it.

I’m not that complicated really… in some ways, I value myself by what I make. And I make much better **** when I’m in an environment conducive to creativity. Given that, things as stupid as a toolbox or even the color of a toolbox liner is important to me. No detail is too small.

It’s all on the verge of ruining me at all times.

 

[niget2002]

Nothing is “just a tool to me” and I know for a fact that I’m not better for it.

Anything worth doing is worth overdoing. It's the GJ way.

 

[gleman]

To be fare, I would much rather have those than even those US General boxes... For one, you will never be able to convince me that these old beat up Snap On boxes aren't better made AND they just have so much more personality and soul to them. I know it's stupid, but **** like that matters to me in a creative environment.

As for my Husky box, it's fine... Not great by any means, but my standard was set by my Lista boxes that I use in my shop. If I had to compare the Husky to a box, I would compare it to the Cheaper Craftsman boxes of the 1990's. Remember when Craftsman top of the line boxes were red with charcoal drawers and their cheaper line was red with red drawers?

I don't get that. You were looking for cheap tool boxes!

I'd love a garage full of Vidmar or Lista storage but that's not realistic for me either.

Are your standards too high to shop with the plebs and get a decent deal on cabinets?

That Husky box was a steal and way over built for what your using it for.

I don't think that there's a 10x the price difference to get some "soul" out of used shop equipment from the eighties either.

 

[Ryan]

I don't get that. You were looking for cheap tool boxes!

I'd love a garage full of Vidmar or Lista storage but that's not realistic for me either.

Are your standards too high to shop with the plebs and get a decent deal on cabinets?

That Husky box was a steal and way over built for what your using it for.

I don't think that there's a 10x the price difference to get some "soul" out of used shop equipment from the eighties either.

Easy answer... I'm wrong... and pretty damned stupid.

But, it's what I am. I gotta own it. If I could not be this way, I would not be this way. Weird **** bothers me... **** that shouldn't mean a thing.

 

[gleman]

Easy answer... I'm wrong... and pretty damned stupid.

But, it's what I am. I gotta own it. If I could not be this way, I would not be this way. Weird **** bothers me... **** that shouldn't mean a thing.

I kinda get it but I'd advise to just enjoy your cheap cabinets and chalk it up as a win!

 

[Ryan]

I kinda get it but I'd advise to just enjoy your cheap cabinets and chalk it up as a win!

Oh. I have. I’m perfectly content with the husky. I’m just saying I’d trade it for those old snap on boxes.

 

[rharman]

To be fare, I would much rather have those than even those US General boxes... For one, you will never be able to convince me that these old beat up Snap On boxes aren't better made AND they just have so much more personality and soul to them. I know it's stupid, but **** like that matters to me in a creative environment.

As for my Husky box, it's fine... Not great by any means, but my standard was set by my Lista boxes that I use in my shop. If I had to compare the Husky to a box, I would compare it to the Cheaper Craftsman boxes of the 1990's. Remember when Craftsman top of the line boxes were red with charcoal drawers and their cheaper line was red with red drawers?

I had a 12-drawer top & 12-drawer bottom Craftsman stack red w/charcoal drawers for MANY MANY years. Close to 40, I estimate.
I added the pullout shelf at some point in time. That pic was taken in 2017 and it looked as good as the day it was born.

Eventually got replaced by the 52" stack shown.

The old one still lives on in my neighbors garage.

 

[Ryan]

Yep… that’s the one… I still have mine. I’ve always loved the tall narrow drill bit drawer.

 

[bb29510]

craftman was made by waterloo. you think the ones at lowes are waterloo?

 

[rharman]

Yep… that’s the one… I still have mine. I’ve always loved the tall narrow drill bit drawer.

That was where my Champion lighted spark plug magnifier and safety wire pliers & wire lived - among other paraphernalia from back in the motorcycle racing days. I still have the lighted magnifier (man, is that light puny by todays standards) and probably still have 95% or more of the roll of safety wire - after 45+ years...

 

[Etchase]

craftman was made by waterloo. you think the ones at lowes are waterloo?

Yes they are. Well made in the same factory and the same workforce Stanley purchased and reopened the plant as part of their support of American manufacturing. They get no credit for that for some reason.

 

[bb29510]

i was looking at facebook marketplace and the snap on are stupid prices, then you would have to have snap on tools. i think I just get a cheaper box and have anything in it, I was looking at the craftman boxes at lowes friday, just because you pass them on the way to the bathroom. They asking stupid prices for them too

 

[Skellyii]

i was looking at facebook marketplace and the snap on are stupid prices, then you would have to have snap on tools. i think I just get a cheaper box and have anything in it, I was looking at the craftman boxes at lowes friday, just because you pass them on the way to the bathroom. They asking stupid prices for them too

The best time to buy ANY toolbox at Lowes is the month before and after Christmas. They are usually either on sale or on clearance then. I bought my last CMan stack there in January last year at 50% off.

Be advised though, if you have a CMan box from the 70s-90s, you will definitely notice the difference in quality. I probably won't be using the new box for more than 10-15 years as a retired home gamer, so the price/performance worked for me.

 

[bb29510]

, if you have a CMan box from the 70s-90s, you will definitely notice the difference in quality.

that why i ask if waterloo was still making them, they look flimsy

 

[Ryan]

that why i ask if waterloo was still making them, they look flimsy

The 2000 series is similar to the husky I just bought, maybe a little better… Just okay.

The 1000 series is pretty bad.

One of the ways I check for quality is to remove the bottom drawer and see how the base is made. Most have reinforcement ribs. Well made boxes often have square tubing for the casters to mount to.

The 1000 series has the casters mounted straight to the sheet metal - no ribs or anything at all. Most of the units I saw at Lowe’s were already failing.

 

[PugetDude]

The 2000 series is similar to the husky I just bought, maybe a little better… Just okay.

The 1000 series is pretty bad.

One of the ways I check for quality is to remove the bottom drawer and see how the base is made. Most have reinforcement ribs. Well made boxes often have square tubing for the casters to mount to.

The 1000 series has the casters mounted straight to the sheet metal - no ribs or anything at all. Most of the units I saw at Lowe’s were already failing.

I used a black 2000 Series 5-drawer for my welding cart build. It's held up well, drawers are completely loaded with vise grip clamps, grinding wheels, gussets, tabs, etc. It's sitting on an angle iron subframe with a 120cf gas bottle, riding on 5" locking swivel casters. A 18" deep HF folding shelf for their 5-drawer service cart fits perfectly on one end.

 

[Skellyii]

The 2000 series is similar to the husky I just bought, maybe a little better… Just okay.

The 1000 series is pretty bad.

One of the ways I check for quality is to remove the bottom drawer and see how the base is made. Most have reinforcement ribs. Well made boxes often have square tubing for the casters to mount to.

The 1000 series has the casters mounted straight to the sheet metal - no ribs or anything at all. Most of the units I saw at Lowe’s were already failing.

@Ryan, sorry to correct you, but the 1000 series is not pretty bad, it's VERY bad!!

I saw a few somewhere, maybe not Lowes, and the sheet metal was so thin and flimsy, they were so poorly constructed, I feel they could have made a better product using cardboard and some decent glue.

I bought the 2000 series, hopefully it will last until they carry me or wheel me out to my next living situation.

 

[mike93lx]

@Ryan, sorry to correct you, but the 1000 series is not pretty bad, it's VERY bad!!

I saw a few somewhere, maybe not Lowes, and the sheet metal was so thin and flimsy, they were so poorly constructed, I feel they could have made a better product using cardboard and some decent glue.

I bought the 2000 series, hopefully it will last until they carry me or wheel me out to my next living situation.

Made me think of this. I bet you aren't wrong

Wait... What? I Made a Small Parts Organizer with Drawers from Cardboard! - IBUILDIT.CA

Just Released – Limited “200 Unit Run” The I-Build-It 6 Piece Screwdriver Set with Handmade Bench Block Holder: View Here! High lumber prices putting the brakes on your creative endeavours? Got too many small parts cluttering up your existence? Is cardboard becoming a real problem due to all...

ibuildit.ca

 

[bobg03]

Ryan I know you were looking for a cross btw functional, some kind of decent quality and of course reasonable.

I think they will hold up fine for your intended purpose, but digging thru HD's website I know they have a little better quality HD brands of a heavier gauge.

Someone posted a picture here of one of those in their car trailer, that is a heavier gauge box than the standard one y'all got. I think it'll be fine. That's a $150 you ****...lol

 

[bobg03]

I've been really happy with the Husky box I put in my car trailer. It's not equivalent to the Snap-On and Mac boxes that I have in the shop but it's been bounced around in my trailer for two years and something like 20k miles and it still works like new.

This is the Heavier gauge and a much better box than the standard Husky Box

 

[Fixr]

To be fare, I would much rather have those than even those US General boxes... For one, you will never be able to convince me that these old beat up Snap On boxes aren't better made AND they just have so much more personality and soul to them. I know it's stupid, but **** like that matters to me in a creative environment.

As for my Husky box, it's fine... Not great by any means, but my standard was set by my Lista boxes that I use in my shop. If I had to compare the Husky to a box, I would compare it to the Cheaper Craftsman boxes of the 1990's. Remember when Craftsman top of the line boxes were red with charcoal drawers and their cheaper line was red with red drawers?

And then there were the charcoal frames with red drawers and charcoal frames/charcoal drawers, just to add confusion.

 

[Ryan]

Top drawer is done…

 

[Old Man Roger]

Oh I would have crammed 10 times more **** into that drawer..lol

 

[AJHD]

A cheaper option from Harbor Freight are the side cabinets. Build an angle iron frame with caster around the bottom and they are moble. I have my mag drill station sitting on top of one and it is pretty stable. You may need to build a wider top it fit the printer but that is easy.

15 in. End Cabinet, Series 3, Red

Amazing deals on this Red 15 Inch End Cabinet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I'm thinking of buying one of these. For my needs, it doesn't need to have wheels and I don't need anything the size of a full-sized box or cart.

Hopefully they will go on sale at same point or there will be a coupon. $280 is a bit much for something 15" x 22".

 

[Jgaz]

I'm thinking of buying one of these. For my needs, it doesn't need to have wheels and I don't need anything the size of a full-sized box or cart.

Hopefully they will go on sale at same point or there will be a coupon. $280 is a bit much for something 15" x 22".

One way to justify the $280 expense is to look at the prices of raw materials (wood) to build something with as much storage and utility.

 

[Monza Harry]

Side cabinets are the same amount of work as the main cabinet, sometimes more, as there is less access space. The only thing that is less is the material and powder coat [again harder to do due to space constraints] is the material but material is likely only 10% of final cost. So less is frequently more [cost wise anyways]! Oh and built in lower qualities again driving up the price yet again! Harry

 

[rktinc]

I own an old Waterloo from the 1990's. It s a great box but not soft close drawers. I recently bought three 18x42 roller cabinet bottoms at Home Depot and built them into my shop cabinets. They were VERY heavy and sell built. They seemed to be in a much better class than the HF versions. The magnet slide close is what made them feel better to me. They really worked out well and fit my needs exactly.

I found an old Waterloo emblem and debadged the Husky logos to match my original box.

 

[Ryan]

I own an old Waterloo from the 1990's. It s a great box but not soft close drawers. I recently bought three 18x42 roller cabinet bottoms at Home Depot and built them into my shop cabinets. They were VERY heavy and sell built. They seemed to be in a much better class than the HF versions. The magnet slide close is what made them feel better to me. They really worked out well and fit my needs exactly.

I found an old Waterloo emblem and debadged the Husky logos to match my original box.

This is really beautiful. I love what you are doing with the Kennedy boxes as well...