Help Me Choose a Tool Chest

[Ej63090]

I’m on the hunt for a tool chest. This will be for home use for a mix of hobby woodworking and small engine work (snowmobiles, atvs, mower, snowblower). I’ll use it to store my handheld woodworking power tools and then mechanics tools.

I am considering a few options:

Husky 52” industrial 15 drawer with top

Waiting for a sale for it to go down to $800 plus a 10% competitor coupon to $720


The Harbor Freight 44” stack with locker. I know the 44’s are going on sale for $400 in a week plus ~$400 to get the locker and top when on sale.

Masterforce 44” stack $1000 with 11% rebate so effectively $890. Maybe I can combine with a sale and shave a few bucks. No locker, maybe add later.

I am in the market anytime, but not needing to decide until May likely when I will have a bit more time to spend In the shop.


Let me know your opinions

Thanks!

 

[jimreed2160]

I agree with ssdave--check out the drawer height. Shallow drawers have limited use in a woodworking shop. Most drawers for mechanics tools are too shallow for even handplanes. I have a mix of HF, Kobalt and Husky toolboxes in my woodshop and find that the Huskys tend to have the deepest drawers and are the overall best for woodworking. My suggestion is to check the boxes in person.

The toolbox market is pretty competitive and products are often on sale. My boxes were all purchased over time and were on sale. There are springtime sales, Father's Day sales, Labor Day sales, and holiday sales. Once you find a box you like, wait for it to go on sale and you will save some money.

Good luck with your purchase. I started a shop organization project and began to purchase toolboxes and cabinets. It was somewhat sad to see my custom plywood and 2x4 shop furniture go but the new stuff has really helped organization and has made my shop much more efficient.

 

[Ej63090]

Thanks for both of your replies. I wish I could get the side locker for the husky that comes on their 80" hutched box. Maybe in the future. I appreciate it!

 

[DakotaMan]

I have a Homak I purchased from Northern Tool. Like you, I have a mix of power tools, mechanics tools, and woodworking tools (mainly clamps) and drawer size is important. If I had to do it all over again, I would look at these three items:

1. It's generally inevitable that I add tools over time, so get one size bigger than what you think you need today. I have a 44", I added an 18" later on. I should have got a 72" or 50~ inch to begin with and then add the 18". I can fit everything in what I have now with creative arrangement, but this means I have to remove a few tools to get to the ones I need.

2. I would want some sort of mechanism to keep drawers from opening. My new spot is on a slight incline and the drawers open on their own. It's not a big deal but an annoyance I'd consider in future purchases.

3. One that has or can add a top. I added some sheets of plywood to mine as it also serves as my workbench. Some don't really have anything for a top.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Another thought would be a roll around toolbox for smaller tools where you need portability then putting up (making your own) shelves or cabinets for larger things.
This is the last cabinet I got on sale at Lowes.

Sent from my SM-S320VL using Tapatalk

 

[grizzlebar]

I’m on the hunt for a tool chest. This will be for home use for a mix of hobby woodworking and small engine work (snowmobiles, atvs, mower, snowblower). I’ll use it to store my handheld woodworking power tools and then mechanics tools.



I am considering a few options:



Husky 52” industrial 15 drawer with top



Waiting for a sale for it to go down to $800 plus a 10% competitor coupon to $720





The Harbor Freight 44” stack with locker. I know the 44’s are going on sale for $400 in a week plus ~$400 to get the locker and top when on sale.



Masterforce 44” stack $1000 with 11% rebate so effectively $890. Maybe I can combine with a sale and shave a few bucks. No locker, maybe add later.



I am in the market anytime, but not needing to decide until May likely when I will have a bit more time to spend In the shop.





Let me know your opinions



Thanks!

Good to know the HF is going on sale, been thinking of buying one

 

[Max]

I have a HF 44” stack. There are 2 each 6” drawers in both the top and bottom. If you want to store tall stuff like routers, get the side cabinet (which I also have). The boxes are not Lista or SO, but I think they are much better than the similar Husky in their construction.

Max

 

[BuffettFan]

View media item 88656
Milwaukee donated several of these to our school. I was very impressed with the quality of them and really like the variety of drawer sizes.
I looked up the price and was amazed. Around $800 list for the pair, which is a bargain in my opinion.
Measures 46" X 18" X 63" with the lid closed.

 

[Bluedodge]

I was in a very similar situation. You can go nuts comparing boxes. After awhile, it is difficult to remember which box had which drawer layout and which features.
After comparing (and drooling over boxes), I wound up grabbing a 72" Frontier combo from Rural King. Paid $1100 for the pair. Later saw it on sale for an even grand. Oh well.
I'm like you; some wood working, some mechanical, plus some typical home owner projects.
I've had it a little over a year and am very happy with it. Not SnapOn quality, but a great bang for the buck and I'm happy with the drawer layout.

https://www.ruralking.com/xdd-72-tool-chest-10-drawer-xtb77210a

I will admit, if HF had a 72" top for their roller, I would have strongly considered it... but I don't like their black plastic drawer latch thingies.

 

[jimreed2160]

...One that has or can add a top. I added some sheets of plywood to mine as it also serves as my workbench. Some don't really have anything for a top.

True. Most workbench tops are either metal and expect a box on top or they are flush wood of some sort. Anyway, it never works for me. I added oversized plywood tops to some and 2x6 glue ups to others. Often I will put a backsplash on to keep things from rolling off the back.

 

[grizzlebar]

Went browsing online after all this discussion - Lowe’s is showing a special of 10% off or so on the craftsman 52” cabinets. Plus my 10% additional for military makes this kind of enticing.

Anyone know of issues with the craftsman 2000 series?

 

[DakotaMan]

If you were closer, I'd make you a deal on my 44" with side cabinet and buy me a Homak 72"

 

[grizzlebar]

Went browsing online after all this discussion - Lowe’s is showing a special of 10% off or so on the craftsman 52” cabinets. Plus my 10% additional for military makes this kind of enticing.

Anyone know of issues with the craftsman 2000 series?

Never mind. Just checked it out in person and it’s not as great as it looks on their website

 

[Raymond Fast]

Here's something to consider ...

I have a wide assortment of hand and power tools for woodworking, home upkeep/repair/Improvement, automotive, hobby, yard and garden, etc. I've accumulated literally hundreds of tools over the years. Some years back I was in a situation where I was living in a boarding house and didn't have a building to work in, let alone a place for a toolbox. Most of my tools were in a storage locker and I had to keep the ones I used regularly in the toolbox in my truck bed. I am an extremely organized person by nature and couldn't live with my tools just thrown helter-skelter into a truck box, so I bought several tool bags from Harbor Freight. They come in an assortment of sizes, they're fairly cheap, and they're reasonably tough.

I now have a two car garage which I use as my work shop and have room for a pretty decent size tool box, but I've found that the bags are still way more practical for a number of reasons. I bought some heavy-duty shelf brackets on Ebay from a disabled vet who welds them by hand for about what I'd have paid for the cheap ones at Home Depot and reinforced a couple of wall shelves. Now my tools are well organized in a number of bags which are labeled and arranged neatly on those shelves.

Advantages:

ORGANIZED - My tools are organized just as they would be if I had them in drawers. When I outgrow my current arrangement, I don't need another tool box: I just buy a couple more bags, reorganize, and put them on the shelf. Lowe's carries small zipper bags that I use to stow small things like bits, punches, adapters, etc. and tuck them right into the larger bags.

EFFICIENT - I don't use any floor space to stow my hand tools. Everything is up where I can easily reach it and large/heavy things like my welder, air compressor, and larger power tools are stowed underneath, out of the way.

PORTABLE - Whether I'm working at my stationary workbench in the corner, at a portable work bench in the middle of the floor, on a car in the driveway, a project in the back yard, under the bathroom sink, or at my parents' house across town, I just grab the appropriate bag(s) and the tools I need are all within arm's length.

Just my two cents.

 

[grizzlebar]

I’m on the hunt for a tool chest. This will be for home use for a mix of hobby woodworking and small engine work (snowmobiles, atvs, mower, snowblower). I’ll use it to store my handheld woodworking power tools and then mechanics tools.



I am considering a few options:



Husky 52” industrial 15 drawer with top



Waiting for a sale for it to go down to $800 plus a 10% competitor coupon to $720





The Harbor Freight 44” stack with locker. I know the 44’s are going on sale for $400 in a week plus ~$400 to get the locker and top when on sale.



Masterforce 44” stack $1000 with 11% rebate so effectively $890. Maybe I can combine with a sale and shave a few bucks. No locker, maybe add later.



I am in the market anytime, but not needing to decide until May likely when I will have a bit more time to spend In the shop.





Let me know your opinions



Thanks!

Not quite $400

 

[danb35]

Not quite $400

Wrong sale. They've got another weekend sale next weekend (8-10 March) which will have the 44" chest at $399.

 

[grizzlebar]

Wrong sale. They've got another weekend sale next weekend (8-10 March) which will have the 44" chest at $399.

Good to know!

 

[Ej63090]

Here's something to consider ...

I have a wide assortment of hand and power tools for woodworking, home upkeep/repair/Improvement, automotive, hobby, yard and garden, etc. I've accumulated literally hundreds of tools over the years. Some years back I was in a situation where I was living in a boarding house and didn't have a building to work in, let alone a place for a toolbox. Most of my tools were in a storage locker and I had to keep the ones I used regularly in the toolbox in my truck bed. I am an extremely organized person by nature and couldn't live with my tools just thrown helter-skelter into a truck box, so I bought several tool bags from Harbor Freight. They come in an assortment of sizes, they're fairly cheap, and they're reasonably tough.

I now have a two car garage which I use as my work shop and have room for a pretty decent size tool box, but I've found that the bags are still way more practical for a number of reasons. I bought some heavy-duty shelf brackets on Ebay from a disabled vet who welds them by hand for about what I'd have paid for the cheap ones at Home Depot and reinforced a couple of wall shelves. Now my tools are well organized in a number of bags which are labeled and arranged neatly on those shelves.

Advantages:

ORGANIZED - My tools are organized just as they would be if I had them in drawers. When I outgrow my current arrangement, I don't need another tool box: I just buy a couple more bags, reorganize, and put them on the shelf. Lowe's carries small zipper bags that I use to stow small things like bits, punches, adapters, etc. and tuck them right into the larger bags.

EFFICIENT - I don't use any floor space to stow my hand tools. Everything is up where I can easily reach it and large/heavy things like my welder, air compressor, and larger power tools are stowed underneath, out of the way.

PORTABLE - Whether I'm working at my stationary workbench in the corner, at a portable work bench in the middle of the floor, on a car in the driveway, a project in the back yard, under the bathroom sink, or at my parents' house across town, I just grab the appropriate bag(s) and the tools I need are all within arm's length.

Just my two cents.

I have considered building a system out of a mix of Systainers, Milwaukee Packouts, Toughboxes, and building a slide system in my out feed and miter station, but frankly, I am lazy and often in a rush at the end of a project. I'd rather tote around a cart, throw the tool in it when I am done. Then after it gets full, I empty the cart out into their respective homes.

 

[Ej63090]

Never mind. Just checked it out in person and it’s not as great as it looks on their website

Yep. I checked that one out at Lowes, not a fan. Cheaper, but I think it is shallower and the quality is lack. Even though it is US assembled, still same Chinese components, which doesn't have me clamoring to "buy american." The Husky seems better built and has better ergonomics from pretty much the same price point.

 

[NUTTSGT]

You can put the Menard's 11% rebate to work on a side box or locker. Once you get the rebate, wait for another 11% sale and double dip.

 

[grizzlebar]

Wrong sale. They've got another weekend sale next weekend (8-10 March) which will have the 44" chest at $399.

Any idea when the top chest is going to go on sale?

 

[danb35]

Any idea when the top chest is going to go on sale?

None at all. I only know about this one after talking with the store manager at my local store to get mine back down the the black Friday price. She said the top chest wouldn't be included in next weekend's sale, but I didn't ask further, and I don't know if she would have known anyway. I put the 26" top chest on mine, and I like that I'm left with a bit of usable top area that I wouldn't have if I had the 44" top chest there.

 

[Northerndave]

Check drawer depths. Some of the new masterforce are coming with 24" depth. Thats a nice drawer depth in my opinion. I have about a 5 year old masterforce and the drawers are too short in length front to back. Its an 18" box depth.

Thats one of the things im looking for in a new box anyways.

 

[Ej63090]

Anyone every try to double dip match the competitor coupons? Ie: Lowe’s 10% in store at Home Depot plus a Menards 11% off rebates through HD rebate center?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Anyone every try to double dip match the competitor coupons? Ie: Lowe’s 10% in store at Home Depot plus a Menards 11% off rebates through HD rebate center?

I tried to get them to match plus the 11% once and they wouldn't do it, they said one or the other and the cashier manager took the 11% rebate off the end of my receipt.


However, I do know this. She had a drug problem and was dating atleast one lowlife guy. Did she lie to keep the 11% rebate ? I don't know but I bought the chainsaw chain sharpener that I wanted for the price I wanted. In the end, using my Menard's I got a 2% rebate.

 

[grizzlebar]

Purchase both the upper and lower 44” blue cabinets today.


Conversely, now I have a 7 drawer vidmar cabinet for sale if anyone is looking. Located in Chesapeake,VA

 

[wildbill23c]

The 44" Harbor Freight Chest was pretty good, not sure how they are now, I've had mine for about 12 years maybe longer I can't remember what year I bought it. It sits outside on my carport in the heat and cold. The only thing I can say is the drawers on it are a little bit stiff trying to open when its cold, but it seems to have held up great, I do have the top chest for it as well...I wish I could have got the end cabinets for it but waited too long now they've got the new style out that is deeper so I'm out of luck on end cabinets...so if you get one, buy everything you think you'll want in the future because you never know when they'll just up and quit making that particular version.

 

[Victorymike18]

Here's something to consider...

Advantages:

ORGANIZED - My tools are organized just as they would be if I had them in drawers. When I outgrow my current arrangement, I don't need another tool box: I just buy a couple more bags, reorganize, and put them on the shelf. Lowe's carries small zipper bags that I use to stow small things like bits, punches, adapters, etc. and tuck them right into the larger bags.

EFFICIENT - I don't use any floor space to stow my hand tools. Everything is up where I can easily reach it and large/heavy things like my welder, air compressor, and larger power tools are stowed underneath, out of the way.

PORTABLE - Whether I'm working at my stationary workbench in the corner, at a portable work bench in the middle of the floor, on a car in the driveway, a project in the back yard, under the bathroom sink, or at my parents' house across town, I just grab the appropriate bag(s) and the tools I need are all within arm's length.

Just my two cents.

^ Good pitch for that way of doing things. I think this would work for many people. I have a similar setup for many "task-specific" tools which benefit from being portable.

 

[taumac]

The one thing to consider is options to expand. The is the one thing I really like about HF. I have 4 44’s and one 7 drawer side cabinet. I have tops I made to make each 44 into work bench with a vise mounted to each one. For me it eats up some floor space but I like having all the work surface. I think price is a small factor with all the boxes pretty close in price. A extra $100 or $200 over the lifetime of a tool box is small.

 

[RKA]

I’ll echo the comments about separating the mechanics tools and woodworking power tools. The mechanics tool boxes are laid out to accommodate those tools with less wasted space. Build cabinets for the woodworking tools or buy a tall cabinet with lots of adjustable shelving. There is no way I could find one box on the floor that would work well for both.

 

[Brand X]

I was in a very similar situation. You can go nuts comparing boxes. After awhile, it is difficult to remember which box had which drawer layout and which features.
After comparing (and drooling over boxes), I wound up grabbing a 72" Frontier combo from Rural King. Paid $1100 for the pair. Later saw it on sale for an even grand. Oh well.
I'm like you; some wood working, some mechanical, plus some typical home owner projects.
I've had it a little over a year and am very happy with it. Not SnapOn quality, but a great bang for the buck and I'm happy with the drawer layout.

https://www.ruralking.com/xdd-72-tool-chest-10-drawer-xtb77210a

I will admit, if HF had a 72" top for their roller, I would have strongly considered it... but I don't like their black plastic drawer latch thingies.

I second the Frontier box.. I bought one from HD in the work bench model.. 62 inch . This one had the Plastic latches like the older HF stuff. Just drilled the pop rivets out, and threw them in the garbage.. The drawers don't need them at all, because they still latch fine..This box is pretty much built about as well as my two Montezuma 36 inch boxes I have. Like the lift handles on the Montezuma;s better, but the Frontier drawers work fine now.. I compared this box to the Husky, and Milwaukee work space boxes, and the Fontier is nicer then both of those for 200 less. $599.00 is a great deal if this size works for you.. I got mine for $509.00 because somebody drove a pallet jack into the lower front above the wheel. Took the hit well, and is boxed in there.. If you hit a Husky like that it, would of tweaked the whole box.. Moved the Fontier name plate over the dent, and it's now invisible. I took a flier on mail order, and this turned out well for my needs.. Nice layout for me.. Dual slides on every drawer they can fit on. No racking of the drawers like the Husky.
I have a 20 year old Husky 40 inch box I moved to hold Milling tools, and a newer top box that works well from it drawer layout setup.Not picking on them, because they work well enough.. Also a 50 year old Snap-on top box, that I have owned for over 40 years too.. Plus just general other boxes.. In my shop, it's more about the quality of what tools that goes in them, then any one brand of box. That is one thing I have found over the years, the very best of the best machinist /fab men, and mechanics seem to have crappy boxes but great tools everywhere. Not on You **** too much either.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frontie...VsR-tBh0ZSQvREAQYAiABEgIESvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[John in OH]

As many others have already said, drawer size and configuration are of primary importance. Yeah, cost is certainly important, but what good is an inexpensive box if the drawers won't handle the tools that you need to store???

Think about all the specific tools you want to store in the box and then chose the box that best fits your storage needs. The HF, Husky, and Masterforce are all "comparable" quality IMHO. Not like you are comparing a SO box to any of those three so I doubt any one is of any significant quality above the others.

 

[Ej63090]

I ended up getting the Husky Industrial 52" top/bottom. On sale now for $798 + 11% menards rebate match + 2% retail me not + 5% chase freedom cash back from home improvement centers.

Love it so far, although picking up and dropping off were a challenge. The employees at HD had trouble figuring out how to get it on the bed of the truck since they didnt have the smaller forks to pick up the pallet longway. I finally got involved and found a pallet that fit the forks and the width of my truck and had them put the box and pallet on the new one. What a thought! To get it off the truck, I ended up creating a ramp with 2x4's and slid it down. Worked like a charm once i figured it out.

I think it is the right buy for my type of use, which includes mostly woodworking/carpentry tools over mechanics tools.