Do all top tool chests have lids that open?

[Ohio Andy]

In my basement I have a Craftsman rolling tool chest that I love. It works really well. The drawers are great. It's held up really well and when I wanted a top chest for it, it didn't even occur to me to go buy one, I simply built one out of wood with hand cut dovetails and nice drawer slides. That works great.

I was thinking about buying a top tool chest to stick somewhere else and all the top tool chests that I seem to be finding have a top that opens up. Something like this one. You can buy at harbor freight as an example

https://www.harborfreight.com/27-in-x-22-in-top-chest-series-3-orange-70746.html

From what I can see, all the top tool chests open that way. Or I want to put it, I can't open the top and they can't just leave it closed because if it's closed you can't open the drawers.

I'm not ready to buy one cuz I don't have the money at the moment, I'm just curious what my options are. The ones I have seen that don't have a top that opens have only a depth of about 12 in which is a bit small for what I wanted.

I mean I could throw together a cabinet that is not furniture quality. That would be sized exactly as I want, but that's a lot of work online. Just not sure I want to do that right now. So I'm evaluating my options. And I could just buy something like the general that I linked above and then just cut out the lock mechanism so it doesn't lock.

 

[DHCrocks]

Top chests have a locking bar that slides up/down along the back wall of the chest. This bar locks the drawers when the lid is down and unlocks when the lid is up. You can remove the bar so that you can open the drawers when the lid is down but you will lose the locking function with the key.

Some top chest can open the drawers independently of the top being open so you might not need to do anything, just have to try it out. Or it might be like a rolling cart where there is an option to lock the drawers if the lid is down and there is a switch is deactivate this feature.

 

[larry_g]

I used to have a Mac mid tool box. The mid boxes have no top lid as they are made to slip in between the roll cab and the top box. You could also pull the pin from the piano hinge and remove the lid/lock bar.

 

[Citation]

You can find light duty (cheap) top boxes that use a bar that slides in the front vs is attached to the lid. I picked up a clearance Cman box like that many years back. It's a **** box but it was $34 for the top chest and base. Not going to argue the price. I do like that the lock isn't tied to the lid.
You can also look for a center box.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a HF top box like you linked and it sits in a place where the kid doesn't open all the way. Like mentioned, I pulled I drawer latch lock bar out of it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Here's a link that should work and will talk about what I did.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/garage-refurb-r.75024/post-10690705

Just read through a couple of posts.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Here's a link that should work and will talk about what I did.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/garage-refurb-r.75024/post-10690705

Just read through a couple of posts.

Wow! Thanks for the link, that's very useful.

I went to harbor freight near me and all of their chests seem to have issues like I couldn't open the drawers. It was weird. Some drawers would open some drawers wouldn't. I didn't know what to make of that.

You call out that we should pay attention to the fact that that cabinet is heavy. I didn't give that a thought yet.

I see that you said it so that you could open the drawers. I don't affect someone else actually removed the top piece. I could make it so where I want to put it. I could open the top but that top opens really tall relative to where I want to place it.

Have you found it to hold up? Well? I almost bought one last weekend based on what you put there. I'm not sure that I could have been able to get it in the car since I was alone.

There's another harbor freight near me that has a larger variety, so more colors that they have in stock

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have the top open and I pulled it close enough to the pallet racking that the cross beam holds it up.


I only mentioned weight because if you think it's going to weigh the same as a regular Cman top box and try to pick it up, you might hurt yourself.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have the top open and I pulled it close enough to the pallet racking that the cross beam holds it up.


I only mentioned weight because if you think it's going to weigh the same as a regular Cman top box and try to pick it up, you might hurt yourself.

I see now, it is listed as almost 150 pounds. Very heavy! I don't think I could do that, especially given the size. There were on a crazy sale last weekend. That sale will come around again.

 

[Citation]

I went to harbor freight near me and all of their chests seem to have issues like I couldn't open the drawers. It was weird. Some drawers would open some drawers wouldn't. I didn't know what to make of that.

I've seen this is a lot of consumer boxes (haven't checked on Mac, Snapon etc) where the drawer can be almost closed (looks closed) but just in front of the think metal bar. In those cases the draw can open even when the lid is down.

 

[seber]

I don't use top boxes for that same reason. The top compartment becomes wasted space. I've found other types of things for the purpose. Box of drawers, sliding boxes from hardware store hardware organizers and an old Snap-on six drawer miniature.

 

[tamaraw]

My top box just adds more drawers to my main box, no lid functionality:


Beta C39 (C39T is the top)

Maybe a "mid box" or "intermediate box" might be more what you are looking for?

 

[Ohio Andy]

My top box just adds more drawers to my main box, no lid functionality:


Beta C39 (C39T is the top)

Maybe a "mid box" or "intermediate box" might be more what you are looking for?

The top box looks great. A but pricey for home use maybe.

I assume it is very robust.

How deep are the drawers?

How much of a US presence do they have? I do see a few things on Amazon but something like this I really don't want mailed to me. And I don't see those top pieces available from Amazon I will do some more searching.

 

[Ohio Andy]

The top box looks great. A but pricey for home use maybe.

I assume it is very robust.

How deep are the drawers?

How much of a US presence do they have? I do see a few things on Amazon but something like this I really don't want mailed to me. And I don't see those top pieces available from Amazon I will do some more searching.

They have an Amazon store. Cost is about $1300, or was that $1500. And $250 shipping.

 

[tamaraw]

The top box looks great. A but pricey for home use maybe.

Mine is for home use, I think I paid about $1500 shipped for both the main and top a while back from Zoro (regular sale, discount coupon, and they forgot to quote freight). And yes, it was pricey, but still fairly low compared to the general box market.

I assume it is very robust.

Pretty robust, but the main structure is aluminum, so it doesn't weight much if you have to move it. You can see the construction in this video:

How deep are the drawers?

588x367mm plus the external can storage on the sides/back.

How much of a US presence do they have? I do see a few things on Amazon but something like this I really don't want mailed to me. And I don't see those top pieces available from Amazon I will do some more searching.

Beta doesn't have an official presence here but there are a few importers/resellers. I think Amazon prices will not be good though, Zoro is the best I have seen.

Check out Grizzly Industrial too, mostly mid range Chinese tools/equipment with strong US support. I have two of the shallow example below, they are pretty decent for simple push detent drawers (no latching).

Grizzly H0837 - 3-Drawer Mid-Riser with Ball Bearing Slides - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>H0837 3-Drawer Mid-Riser with Ball Bearing Slides</h1> <p>The lockable H0837 3-Drawer Mid-Riser will store your organized tools and other items.</p> <p>The H0837 has been manufactured with 18-gauge steel, a powder coated finish in “Grizzly Green”, and includes lock and keys.</p> <p>Each...

www.grizzly.com

Grizzly H5653 - 3-Drawer Full-Depth Mid-Riser - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>H5653 3-Drawer Full-Depth Mid-Riser</h1> <p>Expand your tool holding capacity with this 3-drawer mid-riser.</p> <p>Works great with the <a href=" https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-baby-roller-tool-cabinet-with-wheels/h5650" target="_blank">H5650</a> Baby Roller system or all by...

www.grizzly.com

 

[whateg01]

I like my stacked bottom boxes. Top drawers are a little high but I use those for stuff I rarely need, like the keys to the boxes

 

[Ohio Andy]

Mine is for home use, I think I paid about $1500 shipped for both the main and top a while back from Zoro (regular sale, discount coupon, and they forgot to quote freight). And yes, it was pricey, but still fairly low compared to the general box market.

Pretty robust, but the main structure is aluminum, so it doesn't weight much if you have to move it. You can see the construction in this video:

588x367mm plus the external can storage on the sides/back.

Beta doesn't have an official presence here but there are a few importers/resellers. I think Amazon prices will not be good though, Zoro is the best I have seen.

Check out Grizzly Industrial too, mostly mid range Chinese tools/equipment with strong US support. I have two of the shallow example below, they are pretty decent for simple push detent drawers (no latching).

Grizzly H0837 - 3-Drawer Mid-Riser with Ball Bearing Slides - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>H0837 3-Drawer Mid-Riser with Ball Bearing Slides</h1> <p>The lockable H0837 3-Drawer Mid-Riser will store your organized tools and other items.</p> <p>The H0837 has been manufactured with 18-gauge steel, a powder coated finish in “Grizzly Green”, and includes lock and keys.</p> <p>Each...

www.grizzly.com

Grizzly H5653 - 3-Drawer Full-Depth Mid-Riser - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>H5653 3-Drawer Full-Depth Mid-Riser</h1> <p>Expand your tool holding capacity with this 3-drawer mid-riser.</p> <p>Works great with the <a href=" https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-baby-roller-tool-cabinet-with-wheels/h5650" target="_blank">H5650</a> Baby Roller system or all by...

www.grizzly.com

I am particularly impressed with the grizzly 3 drawer full depth.

Grizzly H5653 - 3-Drawer Full-Depth Mid-Riser - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>H5653 3-Drawer Full-Depth Mid-Riser</h1> <p>Expand your tool holding capacity with this 3-drawer mid-riser.</p> <p>Works great with the <a href=" https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-baby-roller-tool-cabinet-with-wheels/h5650" target="_blank">H5650</a> Baby Roller system or all by...

www.grizzly.com

I don't understand how they can do that with free shipping.

It's not very tall and I sure would like six drawers instead of just three, but that adds $200 in shipping but it seems like I could buy two of those and just stack them... Or set them next to each other...

Thanks for the recommendation on the grizzly. I have to think about that

 

[Ohio Andy]

I like my stacked bottom boxes. Top drawers are a little high but I use those for stuff I rarely need, like the keys to the boxes

I read that twice before I realized that you were saying that you have two bottom boxes that normally would have rollers, and you just put one on top of the other.

What brand do you have? Inquiry minds want to know. Well I want to know too.

 

[whateg01]

I read that twice before I realized that you were saying that you have two bottom boxes that normally would have rollers, and you just put one on top of the other.

What brand do you have? Inquiry minds want to know. Well I want to know too.

Harbor freight. You can see them in the background.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Harbor freight. You can see them in the background.

Thanks for taking the time to post those

 

[Outahere]

Another 3-drawer option is Westward from Zoro. Free shipping

Westward box at ZORO

westward-tool-boxes.443940

 

[Ohio Andy]

Another 3-drawer option is Westward from Zoro. Free shipping

Westward box at ZORO

westward-tool-boxes.443940

I didn't realize that Westward had a deeper version. Thanks

 

[mikedodge]

You could take the top off. Ohe of mine it's been removed before I got it and I've seen the occasional one for sale like that. I don't like it misding yet I usually don't close them anyway.

 

[Ohio Andy]

You could take the top off. Ohe of mine it's been removed before I got it and I've seen the occasional one for sale like that. I don't like it misding yet I usually don't close them anyway.

I am leaning towards that and I'm going to take a second look. I really like that I would have the ability to go in person and look at it and evaluate how difficult it would be to remove the time.

I also kind of like those grizzlies

 

[Dave455]

Facom offer one similar to the Beta.

Just drawers, no top compartment.

Part of their “ Jet “ series.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Well, I bought one. The details are here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/garage-refurb-r.75024/post-10856055

I posted there because there was a discussion there on how to remove the top.

To summarize: I found a Wright Tools cabinet that I really like but it is $1500 so I bought a US General 3 and decided to keep the lid and instead had to relocate four shelves of stuff. I had intended to only relocate one shelf.