I need some affordable quality storage.

[e30bradley]

Hey everyone, my names Eric and I'm new to the forum. I am in desperate need of some affordable tool storage.. I'm 15 and don't have a job at the moment so money is pretty tight, but do you guys have any suggestions on some good quality tool chests? I would love to have a snapy box or something similar but thats not reasonable for now. what do you think?

I'll post some pictures cuz I know we all like those :
Top section, 3/8 drive and first three little drawers open.
,<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1497.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1497.jpg" border="0" alt="3/8 drive 3 small drawers open"></a>,
1/2 drive section,<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1498.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1498.jpg" border="0" alt="half inch drive drawer"></a>,
1/4 drive drawer.. this one isn't so clamped<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1500.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1500.jpg" border="0" alt="quarter inch drive drawer"></a>,
Wrench drawer,<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1503.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1503.jpg" border="0" alt="wrench drawer"></a>,
Storage rack,
<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1493.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1493.jpg" border="0" alt="chrome storage rack"></a>,
a few others, <a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1509.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1509.jpg" border="0" alt="lawson metal box"></a>,
My holley ignitions parts box that I hung on the wall,
<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1506.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1506.jpg" border="0" alt="holley box closed"></a>,
Opened,<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1505.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1505.jpg" border="0" alt="Holley box open"></a>,
A far veiw of the garage.. <a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1510.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1510.jpg" border="0" alt="garage 1"></a>,
and another,<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1511.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1511.jpg" border="0" alt="garage 2"></a>,
Pegboard,<a href="http://s1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/?action=view&current=100_1507.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i364/e30bradley/100_1507.jpg" border="0" alt="peg board"></a>,

By the way, I work on cars and my tool collection is rapidly growing. also, I don't like poor quality anything.. especially tools. when I dish out my money on tools I expect them to last and the same with the storage.

 

[dittle fart around]

Got some old guys ready to croak in the neighborhood. Check out their garages and make friends.

 

[Javadave]

Hey is that my garage? Costco supplies and car fenders

How much you want or can spend? There is a 13 drawer Harbor Freight deal now on a tool chest that goes for 350 and rivals chests costing over a thousand.

Personally I would scrape and craigslist some stuff to get that HF chest. From what I have seen on this forum and other places it will last a lifetime and is the best item HF sells.

 

[e30bradley]

Javadave, I've been looking at the HF ones but am kindof cautious about them because I've broken some HF tools.. but then again, I got some wrenches from them aren't to bad.
and if I can sell that Engine I'll check them out. and yes, I just visited Costco haha.. I got that mobile 1 for 36.99 for 6 quarts (~$6.15/quart) and a month ago I paid 8.49/quart at autozone. also got a jack, and towels. and what car fenders ?

 

[e30bradley]

DFA, a few months ago I got a thousands dollars of SO stuff for less than 300 from some nice old guy who I found while riding my bike around looking for garage sales. I think he knew his time was coming and just didn't want them anymore..

 

[csp]

Javadave, I've been looking at the HF ones but am kindof cautious about them because I've broken some HF tools.. but then again, I got some wrenches from them aren't to bad.

There are many threads here about the HF boxes. Best bang for your buck, hands down if you want new boxes.

 

[bazzateer]

Save yourself some cash by buying the Mobil1 etc in larger 'bottles'. Must cost a fortune doing it in those little bottles.

BTW, I'm 3 x your age and your tool collection is a hell of a lot better than mine!

 

[dlc]

There are many threads here about the HF boxes. Best bang for your buck, hands down if you want new boxes.

I'm DLC and I approve this post.

 

[e30bradley]

Save yourself some cash by buying the Mobil1 etc in larger 'bottles'. Must cost a fortune doing it in those little bottles.

BTW, I'm 3 x your age and your tool collection is a hell of a lot better than mine!

Ha thanks. I just went down the street and picked up some more tools for 65 bucks. some vintage craftsman stuff and a real nice puller. And how do you know how much oil to put in when its coming out of a gallon container? do you measure it first ?

 

[dlc]

And how do you know how much oil to put in when its coming out of a gallon container? do you measure it first ?

There are marks on the container for each quart.

 

[keen]

There are marks on the container for each quart.

...and measuring cups are cheap (think big lots). there are even funnels with shutoff valves and caps and measurement marks, so you can premeasure what you put in right in the funnel, stick it in the hole, open the valve, and presto..

 

[e30bradley]

the Bottom drawer is now stuffed from some new purchases. And I'm going to take JavaDave's suggestion to sell some stuff to gather money for a HF chest. check out my for sale thread soon.

 

[ChristopherLutz]

OK - since you asked for advice:

1) Figure out what YOU want. If you must have Snap-On to be happy, then don't buy the HF box.

2) Once you've determined #1 - be patient and look for a box used that is in good condition - this will take some effort...but, try to enjoy the hunt.

I felt compelled to share because I too am 3x your age and have WASTED lots of time and money with my impatience.

Congrats on what you have already and your bias for quality. You seem ahead of the game.

 

[e30bradley]

regardless of how great a deal the HF boxes are for the money I don't think I'd be truly happy with one. I'll try to find a good deal on a snappy box but I haven't seen any on craigslist for a reasonable price. My uncle has a Snap on box and I can remember looking at it when I was probably 9 years old being astounded at how nice it was. The other problem is my mom says stuff like "your not a mechanic getting paid to work on cars, you don't need a snap on box"..

 

[tyyost]

Around my parts you can wait years for a deal on a box. I bought a hf box two years ago, filled it the next day and then went and bought the side cabinet.

This spring I bought the 5 drawer cart. I had many boxes in the past, but no truck brands. While I get your perceived need for higher end storage, you should take a few looks at members boxes from Hf that have become benches, pit boxes, and other excellent storage solutions. It's your money, but your best bet now is a hf box. Not only will the 13 drawer box fit your immediate collection, the other components are affordable to add as you go. Unless you find a smoking deal on a set of boxes you may get a deal on a roll cab that you can't find a matching top, side, or locker to add on.

Regardless what way you go, nice set of tools, a box will go a long way keeping you organized I couldn't imagine working out a 26" craftsman combo after the hf 41".

 

[Daniel Dudley]

You have a nice setup already.

 

[green.bubbly]

Check out places that sell used medical equipment. I scored a great cart from one of my customers for free. Below is a link to that thread. It is not a "cool" looking tool chest but if you can get a couple of used ones cheap, they are at least well built.


http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1648976&postcount=1

 

[r6_cannibal]

another vote for a HF box or a good used box. You're right about quality. Even in industry, the harbor freight box holds up pretty well. Spend the real money on the tools, rather than where they sleep. If you pull a tool out of a $300 or $3000 dollar tool box, it still performs the same.

If there's anything I've learned since I started wrenching, it's knowing when to spend money on a big ticket item and when not to.

edit: out of curiosity, is it an e30 3-series you're working on? if so, pictures!

 

[balane]

I wanted a Snap On box too, they're my favorite. I bought the HF 13 drawer to tide me over. If you keep the box nice you can get back much of what you spent when you sell it. But you know what? I like it so much that I spent the money I was saving on more tools. Of everything in my garage I think this HF box is the best deal I've gotten.

.

 

[crewchief888]

if i needed home store storage, i'd probably get a box from HF.
better than anything you'll find at a big box store or sears.

if and when you have the money for a SO box, the hf box will make a great underbench storage solution or basement box.


i'm kinda a toolbox snob, even my home boxes are SO.

 

[rkevins]

good looking tool set, I agree on the 5qt oil bottles my truck holds 6 so I buy the larger jugs and measure a quart in a quart bottle saves good money when you buy the larger jug

 

[e30bradley]

another vote for a HF box or a good used box. You're right about quality. Even in industry, the harbor freight box holds up pretty well. Spend the real money on the tools, rather than where they sleep. If you pull a tool out of a $300 or $3000 dollar tool box, it still performs the same.

If there's anything I've learned since I started wrenching, it's knowing when to spend money on a big ticket item and when not to.

edit: out of curiosity, is it an e30 3-series you're working on? if so, pictures!

I wish I had an e30. I was going to buy one but the guy decided he wanted to keep it. I had a 97 VW jetta Gt though, but I wrecked it

 

[balane]

Maybe it was a combination of listening to 2112 too loud and not being able to see through your hair that caused the accident?

All in good fun. Rush =

 

[e30bradley]

I really wish that was the case hahaha.

 

[sscustom]

your garage is nice size ,id say maybe go to hf and check out some of there toolboxes of just pick up a cheap toolbox some where or tool cart

 

[ibedayank]

all a tool box does is hold tools....cheaper you can get the box means more money to buy tools

 

[Kevin54]

Maybe it was a combination of listening to 2112 too loud and not being able to see through your hair that caused the accident?

All in good fun. Rush =

My first thought too

Nice collection of tools