I Need A Machinists Box

[Matt018]

What would you guys buy to store your machinists tools? I work professionally at a small production shop. Locking the box is not an issue, but might be if I move onto a larger shop. I only need this to store my measuring tools and some hand tools. Most of my measuring tools are in boxes or cases so the felt lining is not too necessary. I'm currently working out of a Kennedy 526 that my boss is letting me use for free. But i'm quickly running out of room. I also have many more things to buy. Im finding I use just about none of the little drawers, Just one for my scales, scribers, and tweezers and such. I was in sears today and was thinking about just buying one of there ball bearing chests for $200 bucks? I figured its not like I will be loading up the drawers with just some measuring tools and light hand tools. Do you guys have any other suggestions for a machinists top box without breaking the bank. Im only 18 and an apprentice so money isnt flowing too fast these days.
This is what I looked at today at sears and thought might work well.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-26in...ckType=G20&PDP_REDIRECT=false&s_tnt=39869:4:0

And before any craftsman bashers get on here, I know the china craftsman stuff but Im not sure if for my purposes this would work.

 

[RCP]

I have that one, bought it for the price. I don't think I day goes by I haven't be frustrated by it's poor quality. I bought it because I have a bottom box made in 1996 and it's a tank.

That said it is a starting point, even if it's the worst option,if it'sthe only option forthe money you have it'll do.

 

[Matt018]

I could spend upwards of 300 bucks maybe

 

[devoncoolman]

The quality is crappy on those. But if you want good quality ur gonna pay more. If the drawer layout will work for u go for it. They are not very secure keep that in mind. Most of the low quality craftsman boxes you can just pull on the drawers and they will open when locked.

 

[KMScott]

You could search e-bay for Used Machinist Tool Chests made for what you are looking for. Kennedy is the leader in this category.

Look at this e-bay link.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...TRC2&_nkw=kennedy+machinist+tool+box&_sacat=0

 

[Davefr]

I'd look for a classic Kennedy machinist box on CL. I see them all the time.

 

[Midman914]

Watch Craigslist, there are a lot of Kennedies that pop up on there. Sometimes they even include tools and generally are taken care of. I got my top and bottom from a guy who's job went away, and it was like new for $150. The off shoring this country has done put a lot of these boxes on the market. Sad, but true.

 

[zkling]

Hi Matt,
I use the same (Just older craftsman) box for my machinist tools. For a while I had a kennedy 520 and hated it. Those small drawer pulls really made me mad

Anyway I think you will be happy with that 6 drawer craftsman. I keep heavy / common measuring tools in the top compartment and bottom (deep drawer) and all the other drawers are full of cutting tools. I think the semi shallow drawers on that box are great for cutting tools.

I agree 100% with you on those small drawers on the Kennedy. Just a PITA. The full width drawers allow you so much more freedom.

Where are you located? Have you checked your local craigslist?

Mine is just an older (1989) version of this.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-26in...0914030000P?prdNo=23&blockNo=23&blockType=G23

One other thing with the box that you linked. Those ball bearing boxes without grip latch take quite a bit of force to close causing the tools to shift every time. Something to think about as you usually don't want the cutting edges banging into each other.

 

[Matt018]

My beef with kennedy is the drawers are too short. Thats why I want a bigger box than the one I have now. So Im looking at a 26inch top box, I just need a good manufacturer.

 

[RCP]

My beef with kennedy is the drawers are too short. Thats why I want a bigger box than the one I have now. So Im looking at a 26inch top box, I just need a good manufacturer.

Remember it's not just about that 26''. That box is extremely thin, almost to the point of being usless. I can barley fit a wrench rail in it correctly

 

[Matt018]

Remember it's not just about that 26''. That box is extremely thin, almost to the point of being usless. I can barley fit a wrench rail in it correctly

Thats what I mean, The front to back of the drawers is tool small, I can barely fit three calipers in their cases in one drawer.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Look, you can get anything you want but a kennedy is a kennedy. For machinists, it's the final word. You can get good deals on Craigslist. 300-600 can get you a roller box, a riser and a 526. Shop smart

 

[Matt018]

Well im not a big fan of the whole brand craze, Like a mechanic needs a snap on box? I call BS, I want the best toolbox to do the job.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Maybe something like this?

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Well im not a big fan of the whole brand craze, Like a mechanic needs a snap on box? I call BS, I want the best toolbox to do the job.

Well I'm a big fan of brands and make fun of machinist with red boxes (up until two months I had a red Waterloo)

But yes, drawers are short and small sometimes on Kennedy's. That's why I'm designing a 35" drawer to put my caliper in.

Going to put the drawer between the two tubes.

 

[zkling]

Well I'm a big fan of brands and make fun of machinist with red boxes (up until two months I had a red Waterloo)

But yes, drawers are short on Kennedy's. That's why I'm designing a 35" drawer to put my caliper in.

REAL machinists have Gerstners. Want to be / arrogant machinists have Kennedy and hardworking sensible machinists have craftsman, waterloo, other.

Seriously, if you judge someone on their tool box brand that is pretty pathetic. Judge them on the work they produce.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

I'm pathetic, I don't care

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Sorry if anyone got offended. I don't judge anyone by their possessions. Knowledge can not be measured by their tools or how they look. My waterloo post was a mere attempt of a joke.
Keep on trucking guys!!!

 

[rlitman]

My beef with kennedy is the drawers are too short. Thats why I want a bigger box than the one I have now. So Im looking at a 26inch top box, I just need a good manufacturer.

So you say you want a machinist's box in one breath, and say you don't use the small drawers in another. I would ordinarily recommend you step up to a Kennedy 52611, as that's my go to box for my machinist tools, but it sounds more like you'd be happy with a mechanic's box.

Just beware that the stuff at Sears is flimsy and tinfoil thin compared to the good stuff out there.

 

[helterskelter]

Whatever you get make sure it locks and make sure you lock it every night. I could easily fit a thousand dollars of indicators in my front pockets. Machinist tools are just too expensive to not be locked up.

 

[454ragtop]

That Sears box you linked is only 12" deep, very limiting, suspect you'd grow out of it just as fast. I'd recommend at least 16" deep. Craigslist is full of good deals on boxes of this type. Where are you located, a member might want to help out a young guy just starting out? Even something like this would hold a lot more http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/9201/category/427/
HTH, Jim
Almost forgot, I have a couple Kennedy's, don't think much of them, way over rated IMHO.

 

[rsanter]

44" HF bottom box
Lots of room form your needes and a top surface to work on.
I would put a surface plate next to a butchers block and you would be set

Bob

 

[Outlawmws]

Get yourself a Kennedy Roller on CL. All the carping on brand and the "overrated" talk is BS IMO. Kennedy does make better boxes that anything Sears sells, period.

Are there better boxes? Not in your price range.

The 536 and 520 series are not intended to hold measurement tools in their cases, so it's a misapplication. The bottom rollers are 18" deep and more than adequate for the purpose.

And yes I do know what I'm talking about: In Kennedy I have 3 rollers, three intermediates, and 10 tops, in mechanics, 526 and 520 series.

 

[Wayfastwhitie440]

What about a Homak H2pro. They look pretty well built and are pretty inexpensive and I see them on sale at northern tool all the time.

 

[justanengineer]

Seriously, if you judge someone on their tool box brand that is pretty pathetic. Judge them on the work they produce.

Funny you mention that since many machinists have traditionally built their own box. One beautiful example another member owns linked below. Personally, if someone pushed that into our toolroom looking for a job and also seemed otherwise competent, theyd have a lot of leeway asking for extra wages/benefits.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36156

Id suggest the OP builds his own. It would be almost like a business card for yourself amongst peers and a great example of your work when you change shops. You can also tailor it to fit your needs exactly and it could be rather cheaply done if youre a scrounger.

Ive been designing my own for a few months now, and once I get a break from my project Bport Im going to start construction.

 

[helterskelter]

Funny you mention that since many machinists have traditionally built their own box. One beautiful example another member owns linked below. Personally, if someone pushed that into our toolroom looking for a job and also seemed otherwise competent, theyd have a lot of leeway asking for extra wages/benefits.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36156

Id suggest the OP builds his own. It would be almost like a business card for yourself amongst peers and a great example of your work when you change shops. You can also tailor it to fit your needs exactly and it could be rather cheaply done if youre a scrounger.

Ive been designing my own for a few months now, and once I get a break from my project Bport Im going to start construction.

If someone pushed that into our tool-room asking for a job I'd ask them if they were a f**king idiot. Maybe 50 years ago building a box was where its at. But it has no place in a modern manufacturing environment. That box has one place, and that's at someones HOME shop.

 

[bluebolt]

If you want to go with Craftsman get the 26" Griplatch 6 drawer. 16 3/8" deep drawers instead of 10 3/4", 5 year warranty instead of 3, 70 pound rating per drawer. Its the only new Craftsman box I will buy. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959618000P

 

[KMScott]

I have not seen to many Craftsman tool boxes in ToolRooms, in fact none, I have seen a couple in the 40 years I have been machining but only a couple in the production shops. Yea maybe the new Craftsman are nice but a better choice for home shops. Can not beat a Kennedy 5 or 7 drawer roll around if machining is your line of work.

 

[zkling]

Funny you mention that since many machinists have traditionally built their own box.

Very true, just not very practical these days. The master tool and die maker that taught me machining had hand built his top tool chest (bottom box was an old craftsman. Everything had its place. It was more of a piece of furniture than a tool box, but he used it in his shop for years, before he brought it home.

Of all the top machinists that I know, none of them give a damn about what box you have, only the work that you can produce. However they may make a few comments if you pull out a digital caliper that reads to half thou and you actually report it.

The op made it sound like he wants a top box, and not a roller. Another thing to consider is that if he has to move it often a 12" deep box is probably the largest you would want.

Locks only keep honest people honest. If someone really wants to steal your tools they will, no matter how good of a lock you have. Sad to say. Especially if they are in a machine shop surrounded by cutting tools.

 

[Adam.C]

You're 18?
1) Folks DO judge craftsmen by their boxes, just as we judge people for the clothes they wear. I don't make the rules, thats just how it is. Don't bring a mechanic's box to a machine shop.

2) Kennedy boxes aren't for storing wrenches in. You need a kennedy box to store files and hones, scales, parallels and 123 blocks, squares and indicators, your mighty mag and Noga arms, random gage blocks, table clamps, and a wide range of cutters, drills, reamers etc etc. They aren't for sockets and wrenches. That's what the bottom boxes are for.

My advice is, if you want to be a machinist, buy a machinist chest even if you don't have all your tools yet. Don't buy a chest for this very moment.

And tho none of us wants to admit it, people DO judge you. Your co-workers and bosses will ask themselves if this 18 yr old is worth teaching, will he stick around, is he serious? They will listen to what you say, but watch what you do.

One more gem: Old guys like me expect young guys like you to follow in our footsteps and learn from our mistakes. In my work, that rarely happens. Every new guy is a genius who knows everything already. I'm okay with it. Its your world. But I must admit to being gratified when one of the young guys pays me some respect by dressing appropriately or doing things a certain way. It's inevitable that they will learn from me, just as I learned from the older guys when I started. It's just nice to see some of those fruits sooner than later. That said, buy a box similar to your boss' or co-workers.

 

[msnow]

I can promise you some people are still judged by the tool boxes they have especially if they make them themselves. I work in the entertainment industry and made this when I as 22 as I was leaving school to go work in the "real world". A lot of people remember me for my box and my tools just as much as my skills. There has not been once I have opened it and someone has not said wow or that is a nice box. Now a days I use more industrial boxes (knaack and lista) but one day I will build another wooden box to show how far I have come in terms of my skills. If it was me I would buy a kennedy for now and then eventually build something to be exactly what I wanted and show my skills. Whenever I see a beautiful hand built box I know that the guy behind it will work not only with his hands and head but also his heart. It is hard to put a value on passion. Cheers and good luck!

 

[mrbreezeet1]

too bad your not in pittsburgh
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3805255364.html
It's $150.00 0r BO

 

[mrbreezeet1]

you should have your location in with your name.
Someone might have something for sale, or might say, hey, there is this on craigs list, or E bay pick up only,

 

[rlitman]

The 526 and 520 series are not intended to hold measurement tools in their cases, so it's a misapplication. The bottom rollers are 18" deep and more than adequate for the purpose.

Exactly. The bottom drawer of my 52611 has the bevel protractor in case, and a few cased dial calipers, radius gauges in a pouch and some other larger things. But that's the only drawer deep enough for this sort of stuff.
I also have a 526 box, and it does not have this largest bottom drawer.

The next drawer up, the center full width drawer has SAE and metric mic's in cases. They just barely fit, and I'm not really making good use of the space.

The next drawer up, the upper full width drawer, has rules, and other long things.

What sets these boxes apart are the smallest upper drawers. There's no better place I can store needle files, or small taps, or tweezers, etc.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

Adam C is the smartest guy in GJ... Besides me of course hahaahahah

 

[onewaydave]

I have asked numerous times for the machinists to post pics of their boxes and contents so I could get an idea of what they used and how they organized their box. I know they won't all be the same but I'll bet there are some good ideas out there. For some reason not one has responded.

IMO, the only tools that should be left in the manufacturer's case are those that are rarely used or are delicate need protection. I lol when I see mechanics with huge roll-arounds with drawers full of blow cases wasting space and complaining about needing something larger than a 84" x 36" bottom box, or something.

Kennedy's should hold a ton of tools for the machinist, just not in their "Chinese" blow case of plastic. I have bought several old guy's Kennedy's boxes (520-526s) and am always surprised at how much stuff they have in there. I also often wonder how much was actually used on a regular basis.

One member, he's been referred to in like discussions before, uses the 520s as a means of organization. I have adopted and like that concept. For instance, a 520 Kennedy is not made nor capable of storing tools for every possible tool a machinist might ever need. But is might serve well to hold the tools needed to perform a particular task from beginning to end or a certain function. I have enough drill bits, taps and dies to fill a 520 and organize them well. Makes collecting 520s fun.

If you prefer the C'man boxes, I urge you to look for older versions and compare the material and construction before buying the newer version. I can see a difference and will gladly buy older C'man boxes. If I don't need them I am not embarrassed to give them as presents to younger friends and relatives. I'm referring to the linked box the OP asked about.

Dave, you get $0.04 worth today.

 

[rlitman]

One member, he's been referred to in like discussions before, uses the 520s as a means of organization. I have adopted and like that concept. For instance, a 520 Kennedy is not made nor capable of storing tools for every possible tool a machinist might ever need. But is might serve well to hold the tools needed to perform a particular task from beginning to end or a certain function. I have enough drill bits, taps and dies to fill a 520 and organize them well. Makes collecting 520s fun.

I do that too. I have two 520's filled with electrical stuff (crimp connections, soldering, color coding tape, etc). A third has wood carving supplies. The thin drawers fit smaller chisels perfectly.

My 526 has welding/brazing stuff. The long thin drawer has sil-phos filler.
One small drawer has soapstones and scribes. One small drawer has every imaginable air-acetylene tip. The big bottom drawer has brushes and oxy-acetylene tips (the Victor nut is too big to fit in the thin drawers).

My 52611 has measuring tools, jewelers files and screwdrivers, mini pliers, punches, and assorted smaller tooling.

Very few tools of mine are in the cases. Just two of my better micrometers (half a dozen others are not, and one lives in it's vise so it doesn't even fit in a drawer), my dial bevel protractor, a couple of dial calipers, and some swiss files. I have a lot of files in rolls, also feeler gauges in rolls, but not cased.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

IMO, the only tools that should be left in the manufacturer's case are those that are rarely used or are delicate need protection. I lol when I see mechanics with huge roll-arounds with drawers full of blow cases wasting space and complaining about needing something larger than a 84" x 36" bottom box, or something.

Kennedy's should hold a ton of tools for the machinist, just not in their "Chinese" blow case of plastic.
Dave, you get $0.04 worth today.

I agree with Francis here.
Here's a good example of running out of room for unnecessary reasons. I saved 1.75 drawers that measure 3 3/4 X 9 1/2 X 18 by getting rid of some plastic cases.

Before:

Now they sit on a 9 X 10 foot print on a shallow drawer.

I've had my box for about 2 months and I'm still moving things around. I'm probably 75% happy with the way my tools are organized but it still needs some tweaking. When I'm done I'll post pictures.

Kennedy Tool boxes for machinist or bust!!!
Viva las cajas Kennedy!!!

 

[Bob-B]

I have all my precision/layout/inspection tools in a 26" Gerstner box. This sits on top of a MC28 Kennedy riser which in turn is on top of a 26" Kennedy cabinet. I'm REAL old school and prefer a wood box for my precision tools. Parallels, 1-2-3 blocks and such need to be protected from nicks and burrs for maximum accuracy, so I do keep them in their cases, but remove the covers and use them as trays. They are in the riser box. Cutting tools such as end mills and especially reamers should not be jumbled and thrown together in a drawer, lest the edges get chipped. This is especially true of carbide. They are in the upper drawers of the roller box.

The Kennedy roller cabinet also has the necessary mechanic-type tools, wrenches in wrench racks, sockets, etc.

When I worked in 1 tool & die shop, the Gerstner and the riser box stayed on my bench, while the roller went back and forth between my bench and the various machines being assembled.

Now that I'm a desk jockey, everything is parked in my home shop.

 

[gyromike]

I recently bought two HF 44" rollers, one for my 'shop tools' and one for my machinist tools.

I roll the machine shop box next to the lathe or mill and I have a dandy work surface to set my drawings, books, tools that I'm currently using, etc., all withing reach and at the perfect height. I use the main drawer for my measuring tools and reference books. I have one drawer full of jigs and templates that I have made. Another with my notebooks and drawings, etc.

But I mainly wanted it for the worktop.

When not in use, I lock it up and park it behind the mill.