Drawer layout vs size

[Jake40]

I've been looking for a new box. I have decided on a Masterforce box but I'm having a hard time deciding which one. I like the 56" combo cause it leaves room to grow. I like the 41" due to layout, the half width drawers are good for punches and chisels. Both boxes will fit all my tools but do I go with the 56" because it has most potential for expansion or do I go with the 41" because it has what seems like a more useful drawer layout? The US General 56" has the best of both worlds but I really dislike the plastic drawer locks.

 

[Jake40]

http://www.menards.com/main/items/media/QCILI001/ProductLarge/2451594_2451596_56in_combo_blue.jpg

https://hw.menardc.com/main/items/media/QCILI001/ProductLarge/2451556_2451558_41in_combo_black.jpg

 

[bp460]

If your goal is to always have your tools in a single cabinet, then bigger is better for future expansion. On that note, if you have the space for it, the Masterforce 72" box usually goes on sale for $999 at least once a year.

If you really like the 41" layout, you could always add a second box as your tool collection expands. I personally prefer the MF boxes because of the griplatch style pulls and they are available in black.

-Brad

 

[Richard Cranium]

Always go bigger if you can.

 

[jobo1004]

Agreed on buying the biggest you can afford that will fit your space. I bought a 44" a little over a year ago thinking I'd never fill it and low and behold I did.

 

[Jake40]

If I choose the 41" I would also get a side locker for it. If I went with the 56" do you have recommendations on storing punches and small chisels and other smaller items? I'm just a weekend hobbiest that wrenches on anything from lawn mowers to construction equipment. There isn't many tools I plan to buy in the future unless it's specialty stuff for my personal vehicle.

 

[Mr_B]

Drawer layout is important, no point having a big box with drawer width/depth that don't work for your tools or layout. 41" or 46" with side cabinets added would hold a lot of tools and shallow and short width drawers great for punches/chisels/drill tap helicoil/elec tools/pliers organising etc.
The 56" is little deeper at 20" but I also not keen on it's drawer layout. 41" segments and side cabinets easier moving/transporting too . I bought a 41" over 72" because of easier future transporting and fact drawer layout better for my use and added 2 side drawer cabinets that gave me a 73" cabinet over all .
As I have a large amount of shallow short width drawers I layout punches next to each other in descending size order and have chisels in next drawer followed by drills tapping and helicoil extractors etc. Other thing you can do is make or buy compartment trays bit like cutlery drawer trays for punch and chisel organization.

 

[ssdave]

I'd go with drawer layout. That is what decided me on the Masterforce 41 when I bought one. That, and the latching of the drawers was nice, and the quality is excellent. If you probably won't expand your tool accumulation, the 41 and a side locker does what you need, I'd go for it. It's a real good box. The one thing I wished on mine is that they'd put in a couple of full width drawers across the top. Since that time I've also acquired a 54" KRL Snap-on, with one full width drawer and it's real nice to be able to put all my sockets in one drawer.

I like the masterforce 41" almost as well as my KRL. Like I said before, it's a real good box.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'd go with the larger box. You can always partition drawers with trays, while stretching the smaller box doesn't usually work

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[Mr_B]

With the smaller cabinet just add the hangon side drawer cabinet. seems you not planning on much tool expansion your choice should be easy .

 

[r_olson_06]

I have a 41 for work and had to add the locker on it after a year. Very nice box and never regretted buying it.

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[VinceG]

for me 2 inch deep drawers are useless. I prefer as few as those as possible.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I use utensil organizer thing for punches and chisels. Then you can put other stuff in the drawer.


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[KMdef9]

Drawer layout > Size.

But, what size tool box are you using now? If it's a 41" overflowing, the choice is different.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Square inches Vs. Cubic inches. All depends on your tool collection. If you have mostly smaller tools, square inches are more important. If you work on ocean liners and have giant tools, you probably need more cubic inches to fit your 6" impact socket. An eye for future expansion is a good idea, but you may find that a more suitable drawer layout gives you more tool storage in a smaller footprint. In a home garage, you may not want to lock up blow molded cases. In a shop, you pretty much have to.

 

[Jake40]

Drawer layout > Size.

But, what size tool box are you using now? If it's a 41" overflowing, the choice is different.

My current home box is a 26" Craftsman that I out grew long ago but always made due with what I had.
I have wrenches and sockets up to 1 1/4" and comparable in metric. 2 sets of combination wrenches of each. 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" sockets 6 point metric and standard. Impact sockets in 1/2" on up to 1 1/4" and comparable in metric. 19 piece screwdriver set. For a home tool set there's not much I can't do with the tools I have. I dont have large quantities of pry bars and such because 3-4 will give you enough variety for anything.

 

[Mr_B]

Having looked at these I would go with the 46" and add a side drawer hanging cabinet and locker one too if need expansion. Much prefer drawer layout on the 46 and 41" units, like the pull out work surface too. proper drawer latches on these boxes is superb for price group. Only thing I would liked better was minimum cabinet depth starting at 21" and going up to 24", 18" is a bit short - still great boxes in this price range and with 4 color options and expandable side cabinets it can tailor a lot of needs in size layout color and cost .

 

[johninct]

GO BIGGER!!! I have 99% of the tools that I will ever need but I still change the layout of my drawers when I get more tools (I need a bigger top box) or when I get a specialty tool. Also, I got wide drawers with no dividers because it seems that dividers are always in the wrong place for me.