Help me decide which tool boxes to keep

[cgrutt]

Life has thrown me some curve balls and I need to significantly scale back on all the "stuff" I've accumulated over the years. Which tool boxes would you keep and why?

First up my original MAC/Snap-on/Craftsman boxes purchased back in the 1980's. They are just friction slide 26x18 boxes (tops are 16 deep) but are still in excellent condition. Sort of grown an attachment to these as they have been with me so long. If I wind up keeping these I will probably swap out the Craftsman box with either a Snap-on or MATCO shown below.

Next a "Masterhand" 40x18 box purchased new from Tractor Supply about 10 years ago. I actually like this box a lot. Nothing special but the larger drawer is nice and it has ball bearing slides. Excellent condition.

Next up a 40x20 Snap-on KRA style that I'm in process of restoring. Still a work in process . I bought a complete set of brand new roller bearing slides from Snap-on as well as a new handle. Will be in very good condition when finished. I think I would like having full size drawers and will gain a couple extra inches in depth by keeping this set.

Not really a serious option, but have this vintage Snap-on set that I picked up with thoughts of restoring someday. Top box is actually in pretty good shape. Friction slides still working reasonably OK. Needs some TLC. May swap top box for the Craftsman if I keep the 1st option. Bottom box is in rough shape. I do have the bottom drawer but need to buy some slides for it. I have a new lockset from Snap-on and a vintage badge. Not beyond the point of a restoration but might just scrap it if I use the top.

Finally, a classic MATCO 26x18 (top is 16 deep). I picked this up along the way with thoughts of restoration but haven't gotten around to it yet either. I actually quite like this box and might swap out the top for the Craftsman but that would kind of ruin any residual value for the bottom. In any case a single 26x18 really isn't going to cut it for me so this one will probably have to go.

Also have this small MAC side box that I'll probably keep. Purchased this one new back in the 1980s. Still in excellent condition.

So what do you guys think? I'm going to be really hard pressed to get my tools into any one of the options, but I'm going to see how it goes. Probably am going to need to keep two of the options or transfer some stuff to storage cabinets.

Also any ideas about valuation if I decide to sell any of these? Rough ballpark. Thanks.

CG

 

[Richard Cranium]

keep the one you are redoing, it will be the best box in the end in my opinion

 

[Theyeti83]

Jealous. Nice collection.

 

[cgrutt]

Jealous. Nice collection.

Thanks but no need to be. I seriously got to get rid of most of them. Trying to figure out how to consolidate into a much smaller footprint. Not sure what to do...

 

[kaymccampbell]

Which ones have tools in them and are actively used?

 

[cgrutt]

keep the one you are redoing, it will be the best box in the end in my opinion

That's kinda my second choice but I'm definitely thinking about it. I like having the smaller drawers in the classic boxes. Do they make a decent divider kit for the wide Snap-on drawers?

 

[FJ 432]

I would keep your bottom MAC matching rollers and make them into a bench. I would include the Matco bottom if you still have it. Add the super cool side cabinet. Get rid of the top boxes.

 

[cgrutt]

Which ones have tools in them and are actively used?

First two and the side box are pretty much out of space. The Snap-on and MATCO classics are also pretty full but not stuff I intend to keep. Obviously no tools in the Snap-on KRA yet.

 

[FJ 432]

Your top boxes are like mine, junk collectors

 

[cgrutt]

I would keep your bottom MAC matching rollers and make them into a bench. I would include the Matco bottom if you still have it. Add the super cool side cabinet. Get rid of the top boxes.

Interesting. Hadn't really thought about that. I'm need to minimize my footprint has anybody ever stacked the roller cabinets before?

 

[cgrutt]

Your top boxes are like mine, junk collectors

LOL, yeah the tops are anyway...

 

[crewchief888]

since this is GJ, i see you have 2 options,
get rid of all those horrible and outdated, friction slide boxes..

either buy an epic or a HF 44





tough decision getting rid of something that has sentimental "value"

i'm in the single bank toolbox fan club, even if you have to have multiples of them

i still have the last 2 sets of new boxes i bought. 1 set in '85, the other in '95. they'll get passed on (or sold off) when i'm dead and gone

 

[BTL-A4]

Keep the ball-bearing ones: the Masterhand and the 40x20 Snap-On. Go through your tools and get rid of everything you don't need/use. Sell the rest.

 

[cgrutt]

Does anybody make good drawer dividers for the wide drawers? Like open top trays that fit full depth of drawer? Preferably metal.

 

[nationalminer84]

the practical choice is the masterhand. large but one single footprint and should hold what you need to downsize too....of course the sentimental value and real value is in the name brand boxes.... tough choice,

 

[Doug B]

I would keep the snap-on in the first pic and the Masterhand. Maybe the side box also.

 

[goldtang]

I would look at what I need to keep and what I want to keep and take it from there we are in the process of down sizing now the last of my children have left home and the collection in the shed is not going to be easy good luck

 

[ScottsGT]

I had a snap on similar to the first one pictured. Sold it to my son and bought the HF 44" top/bottom and two side cabinets. No regrets, other than still storing the S-O for the son. He bought a starter home while still in college with no garage.