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Large mechanic toolbox for home garage recommendations?

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Pziddy29

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Feb 11, 2015
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Northern NJ
Hey guys so I am looking for recommendations for a large toolbox for my home garage. I am looking for a 72” wide toolbox approx 22-24” deep with a height of 40 inches or more. I am a mechanic by trade but I’m not exactly looking to buy a Mac, snap on or Cornwell toolbox for my home garage. I do a lot of work on my cars at home. I need the storage space for all my hand tools air tools and speciality tools as well. I have looked at craftsman toolboxes and huskys as well as kobalt but can’t seem to find out the gauge of steel they use so it’s hard to determine. Also open to other brands. Budget is roughly 600-1900.


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Shelbylex

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Pziddy, if you have some time, wait and try to get a SO or MAC: with economy going down I think there will be plenty of cash deals. If you are good with body work or painting, or do not mind getting non-perfect one, even higher chance.
 
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Shelbylex

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Check this thread
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=445050

I once in a while see huge boxes go for good prices.

If you know somebody who can manufacture things - even better. Last year I had a lead on SO 660B (not as big as you want, but still nice) for 300-350 missing one mid size drawer and having another bent... No leads from GJ and none available from SO... Had to pass...
 
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Pziddy29

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Funny thing I think my box that was a hand me down front my dad might be a KR1000 or something else. Except it has a silver posts to separate the 2 banks or drawers. Buying a damaged box or box to restore is Not a bad idea. I am not in a rush but I would like to have a nice solid box.


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matt_i

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The Lista/Vidmar/others are good solid cabinets. They lack the flair of the tool-truck-style boxes but will last a long time in any shop. Have to find the deals, eventually they will show up.
 
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M635_Guy

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If you can wait, are willing to spend the time looking until you grab one and think a MAC/SO will fall into your price range, then that's great. Seems a little unlikely (timing, sub-$1K, need to search, etc.), but worth it if you have the time and patience.

Otherwise, I'd go with the HF US General. There are some vids on YouTube comparing them with Husky, etc. and it's generally not close in terms of materials/construction. I just went through a bunch of research to buy my box, and I just don't think the Home Improvement brands are going to deliver what USG is for the $$$. My $0.02.
 
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richfinn

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I would look for used Lista Cabinets on ebay etc and build what you need.

Next to that a used Snap On KRL (you will pay for the branding a little more than Lista but there will be more available)
 
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scubadoober

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CafeTools

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I got two HF 44 boxes and am super happy.
 

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Mr_B

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CafeTools said:
I got two HF 44 boxes and am super happy.
Click to expand...

Is a lot of box for best coupon price.
Instantly look nicer with snapon decals lol .
It's the easy choices as plenty choice on size, color and available stores .
I been a used box guy all my life, mainly as couple decades ago used boxes way cheaper and plentiful than current easy online selling platforms has made it .
Matco and Mac tend be better price used deals these days .
 
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CafeTools

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Thanks! Yes the badges and stickers I got on eBay for about $35. Most people (not people on this forum) probably wouldn't think twice that it's not a real snappy box.
 
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Pziddy29

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All good suggestions I may look for a snap on box to restore or something used. I saw the new craftsman 3000 series box at lowe's today for a grand I was not impressed to be honest. Not a bad box but small especially for the money. Ideally looking for something that has 16 gauge steel drawers at least. As far as harbor freight goes, I am not too fond of anything they sell especially tools wise but I guess that just me being spoiled and mostly buying snap on tools or SK, MAC and so on. I have a HF tool cart but I am least than happy with it. I think getting a scratch and ding special on a snap on box is a great idea. I definitely wouldn't mind that. I found this as I think they used to be a sponsor here or had a paid advertisement on this site. This box looks good size wise. However not crazy about the color or the fact that the shell and drawers are 20 gauge steel. That's about on par as a HF box. Basically thicker gauge steel bends a lot less, so less sag in a large drawer also wont bow as easy when loaded with tools.I will keep an eye out I guess. worst case scenario perhaps ill buy a decent used box for work and take my old snap on box home.

https://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/tool-vault-56-11-drawer-tool-cabinet.html
 
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kngelv

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Pziddy29 said:
All good suggestions I may look for a snap on box to restore or something used. I saw the new craftsman 3000 series box at lowe's today for a grand I was not impressed to be honest. Not a bad box but small especially for the money. Ideally looking for something that has 16 gauge steel drawers at least. As far as harbor freight goes, I am not too fond of anything they sell especially tools wise but I guess that just me being spoiled and mostly buying snap on tools or SK, MAC and so on. I have a HF tool cart but I am least than happy with it. I think getting a scratch and ding special on a snap on box is a great idea. I definitely wouldn't mind that. I found this as I think they used to be a sponsor here or had a paid advertisement on this site. This box looks good size wise. However not crazy about the color or the fact that the shell and drawers are 20 gauge steel. That's about on par as a HF box. Basically thicker gauge steel bends a lot less, so less sag in a large drawer also wont bow as easy when loaded with tools.I will keep an eye out I guess. worst case scenario perhaps ill buy a decent used box for work and take my old snap on box home.

https://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/tool-vault-56-11-drawer-tool-cabinet.html
Click to expand...

HF 56” is 18 gauge.

James
 
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kbeefy

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I have that Costco box, use it in the shop for a 'desk'. Draweres aren't quite as nice as the HF ones, but fine if not overloaded.

Between home and my work I have 3 44" and 2 56" HF boxes. 1 44 and 1 56 I purchased new, the rest I found on Craigslist. They are a pretty nice value.

Another one a step up from the HF boxes is Homak Pro series. I have a 41" I use instead of a cart and I really like it. It was one of the only ones I could find w/ 24" deep drawers that wasn't a $4000 Snap On.
 
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MJK

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You know you have 2 threads on this with exactly the same title, right? I voted in the other one.
 
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Bab029

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For all it’s worth, I scraping up the cash to get a nice box for the homestead. I’m torn between a used snapper around 1500 or a new homak rs pro 72.

I think the plus for the snap on is retained value if I want to get rid of it.
 
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WittHay

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Surrey, BC Canada
Napa has started selling Carlyle boxes up here based on Homak. Have not seen one in person but the catalog specs and drawer layout is not that bad.

54" x 24" x 40" high. 18 gauge steel and lift latch type drawer locks. Sells for about $1000 usd with the current exchange rate
 

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Pziddy29

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MJK said:
You know you have 2 threads on this with exactly the same title, right? I voted in the other.


I just realized that not sure how that happened.
Hmm speaking of lista cabinets, I have a lista cabinet id be willing to trade for a decent box shes e3b8c2328671a9e2fead5faac0e93cd3.jpg
kinda dirty right now and cluttered with stuff but in good shape. The tops has a gouge in it but other than that she’s nice just not for me.33d53e2014b3a5bb7a54f3fae2ccda00.jpg
1e2791060f2a54847a8b07afa5faa2e9.jpg


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Coach James

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A few months ago, I was looking for more box space. I have a HF 44, but this time went with two HF 26" boxes. Still plenty of storage space, but easier to move around and fit in more areas around the garage.

Coach
 
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Pziddy29

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For some reason it seems as homak rs pro is the way to go. I have my eyes on the 72” box for my home garage it would be great to have and never have to worry about buying another box. I don’t feel comfortable spending a grand at HF for one of their boxes. Anyone else care or has compared the two in person?? As far as fit,finish,features and durability goes??


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Mr_B

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fit and finish is better.
better slides and proper lift latch pulls, better wheels.
24" vs 22"
only downside with homak is lot of boxes arrive slightly dented .
masterforce is equal to the homak .
US General is decent enough for lowest price coupon deals and in a home shop likely last decades with only minor issues like wheels and plastic drawer latches .
Once well over a grand I always take the money to used truck matco mac or snapon as if make bit of effort you get a box that hold purchase value should you need a layout change or bucks in your palm .
 
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NorDel Garage

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Oct 13, 2011
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Newark,Delaware
I recently bought the Harbor Freight 72 inch box. I love it ! I just sold my 44 inch HF box.
I will be getting rid of my HF 5 drawer service box and a couple of service carts.
I had too many tool boxes. The 72 holds so much. It is built like a tank. I used a coupon in December to get it for $1000 . On top I put an old Homack 33 inch chest.
 
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M635_Guy

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NorDel Garage said:
I recently bought the Harbor Freight 72 inch box. I love it ! I just sold my 44 inch HF box.
I will be getting rid of my HF 5 drawer service box and a couple of service carts.
I had too many tool boxes. The 72 holds so much. It is built like a tank. I used a coupon in December to get it for $1000 . On top I put an old Homack 33 inch chest.
Click to expand...

My garage isn't big, but I love having a cart and a box, especially when my cart has a tray.
 
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Sleeper

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I’ve recently been looking in the northeast where Snap On stuff is always expensive and there are 2-3 boxes for sale now in that size with top boxes for around $2000 obo. You might try to get one of those for a little less and then sell the top box and you could be right in the sub 1,000 range.

Pziddy29 said:
I am in Northern NJ 07403 to be exact.


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