Kennedy Top Chest 52611 Vs. 3611

[VoodooCLD]

I'm looking at buying a Kennedy machinist chest to store my precision measuring tools in at work. They sell the 52611 and 3611 in the 11 drawer configuration. Does anyone have either of these tool boxes and have any insight? I'm leaning towards the 3611 as it is about 2 inches deeper, but it's about $300 more. Any reason other than its a little bigger?

Do you know of any other machinist chests i should consider as well? I think i've ruled the wood ones out for now as they don't seem to add a whole lot except the price tag (even though i'd love a decked out Gerstner)!

3611 is the first attachment
52611 is the second

 

[Whitworth]

I believe the wider of the two is sized to fit snugly on a Kennedy rolling box. The middle draw as pictured is, of course, for the Machinist Handbook. I think Kennedy has a version of the toolbox with three small drawers in its place. Worth considering if you don't use the handbook, or have the large print version. (Which I consider much more desirable,...eyes, you know.)

Gary

 

[VoodooCLD]

I do have the latest version of the handbook, however i don't feel the need to put it in that drawer. It's usually on my desk. Do you have a model number for that version, i don't believe i've seen it before.

I don't intend on getting a roller cart for it. It's just going to sit on a large table.

 

[zkling]

3611, 360, 2812 or even 285 variant. I can't stand those shallow boxes with tiny drawer pulls.

 

[Whitworth]

3611B Kennedy part number. One good thing about Kennedy is their products are backwards compatible, tool boxes from 50 years ago will stack nicely with current products.

The tool boxes are intended for machinists trades, so good for small tools, metrology, taps and dies etc. Can't fit your Crescent wrenches.

 

[Adam.C]

I would make the decision based on what you intend to put the box on. If you will be storing this box on a workbench forever, the extra storage space in the 3611 may be beneficial.

But if you want to place this box on a Kennedy roller, or intermediate chest, then the larger foot print (28-1/8" X 12-1/8") will force you onto Kennedy's biggest rollers. (315) Whereas the 526 series (26-3/4" X 8-1/2") will allow you to use any of the 27" roller (273,275, 277, 378).

As to the shallow drawers, I think heightwise, the drawers are the same for 52611 and the 3611. For precision measuring tools, this these are typically sufficient. But you will have to store your cases seperately.

I agree, you can buy these chests typically very inexpensively used. Their ball-less slides typically work fine with a quick clean and a light lube. Kennedy sells brown wrinkle spray paint to touch up the exterior. I never found a Rustoleum can that matched even close. The Kennedy spray paint is super expensive, but it really makes your box look brand new.

Refelting a chest is easy to do. When I made my wooden version I used wall paper paste. Not sure how that would stick to steel drawers tho. If it would work, I would highly recommned that approach. Oh, and 100% wool felt has oil in it that protects steel from corrosion. I think many people are using cheaper sythetics now and some say they can be acidic and cause corrosion. If you use your tools everyday, I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.