Machinehead, I got the floor mat from Homedepot. It's the kind that lock together like a puzzle. I cut some of it down in places to fit all around the boxes. The rubber on the top was also from the Home depot. The brand is MSI and you can get it in different sizes.where did you get that mat? And did you buy the thinner rubber for top too?

























That small waterloo is super cool
Damn that shop is nice. I feel like we have a lot of beer to drink and you have a lot things to teach me in that shop!Over the past 60 years I've been acquiring tools and tool l boxes of different brands and sizes. My latest acquisitions are two mechanics boxes from RollCabs.com. Who also market under the name Extreme Tools. Their quality matches SnapOn. One is a 72" by 25" deep top & bottom combo unit pictured below. Plus a peek inside...
My RollCabs.com 55" by 25" that I have tooling for my CNC Mill Digitizing probes and Touch off block
Erickson's extensions and small collets
Misc tooling
I must have a dozen tool boxes in my retirement complex.
SnapOn
Mostly SapOn tools inside.
In the garage with the SnapOn is My first Roller Tool Box, Craftsman I purchased about 60 years ago. And A Waterloo roller cabinet that was the last they made in the USA about 25 years old
I store my SAE Tools in the left hand side and Metric in the right hand side...
In my garage that I park my two motorhomes and wood working equipment is a Kennedy roller box with a box hung on one side and small Waterloo on the other side.
Once again it's full of Craftsman tools
![]()
After discovering the cute red Waterloo cabinet 40 years ago, I purchased it. And mounted it to my Kennedy roller cabinet combo.
I think a Shop video Tour is necessary
That a sweet set up !

















If your in need of a beer drinking buddy I am available most everyday.After discovering the cute red Waterloo cabinet 40 years ago, I purchased it. And mounted it to my Kennedy roller cabinet combo.
Aerial view of my retirement complex taken 25 years ago, tucked away in acres of trees. Consisting of my 3,500 square foot home, attached four car garage, and two story 30' by 50' workshop. A 30' by 50' detached garage that I store my two motor homes and wood shop. And two detached 26' by 40' garages. I have since added two smaller garage areas.
The 30' by 50'Machine shop area
Grinding area of shop
Detached garage store two motor homes, wood shop, and storage.
One 26' by 40' with 13' ceiling height garages store some my cars with Four two-post lifts.
Second 26' by 40' garage with paint booth and working garage. 240Volt 100 Amp load center
Newer 18' by 30' expansion area that's heated A/C with own 240 Volt 100 amp load center
Shed 12' by 16' also heated & A/C with 240 Volt 60Amp load center. Yard equipment, scissors lift, and small 14” by 36 gear head lathe kept...
![]()
Here is a pic of Jay Leno's first toolbox. I took this in 2009 I think. This is the box he had as a kid, I think.I had outgrown my old toolbox and wanted something a little "different" for my garage remodelling project. I'm a Ford guy so this one fit the bill for me. Show us what you've got.
![]()
Dave




























Mine as well! First toolbox with drawers. Long gone, as I gifted it to one of my young employees in 2006 when we closed up one of our plants. Served me well for 30 years, but I needed more room.Here is a pic of Jay Leno's first toolbox. I took this in 2009 I think. This is the box he had as a kid, I think.
Its none of my business but I have to ask...Pictures of other tool boxes found in and around my garages..
A Kennedy roller mechanics box in my machine shop. That has has a 2" thick steel plate on it.. Filled with tooling..
There are two Craftsman roller cabinets in the machine shop area. Once Red that I painter both blue to match the shop. I keep accessories for my cutter grinder in one. The other I keep my home made precision grinding vises and a V-Block spin fixture. Along with other precision grinding tooling.
Collet set and arbors for the Monaset Cutter Grinder that sits the right..
More collets and four diamond wheels...
Misc tooling for Cutter Grinder
The other Craftsman sits between my two surface grinder.
My home made grinding vises along with a purchased V-Block Spin Fixture in one drawer..
There are two Horrible Freight narrow roller cabinets. Once again I painted them blue. My larger Ultra-Sonic cleaner sits on top of one. While the other is loaded with hundreds of drill bits up 2" diameter..
The cabinet to the left has drill bits up to 24" long inside. On top Silver & Deming drill bit set and 12" long set drill bits..
There are two Horrible Freight roller carts. One in my machine shop I painted blue. They are handy to put tools on when working under my auto lifts.
In another garage there's Kennedy roller combo mechanic's combo box. Along with box hung off the side.
There's a Kennedy mechanics mid box that's smooth red with a Four drawer Craftsman on top. They were installed in my enclosed car hauler..
A second Red Kennedy mechanic's box located in a compartment of my larger motor home..
And a no name combo roller set that came along with the ride of other items I purchased..
An antique SnapOn Rolla-Bench that followed me home 10 years ago with the purchase of an old car. I was going to restore; But I have too many project going on...
1950 SnapOn catalog page
Then I have a nice collection of Gerstner wood machinist boxes. That I store all my precision machinist tools acquired over the past 65 years. Gerstner is recognized as the top machinist tool chest manufacturer. Founded in 1906,, still family owned and continuously manufactured in Dayton Ohio. They do sell a far more affordable imported wood chests named International series.. Though the quality falls short of the Dayton made chests...
Three Oak Gerstner Journeyman's 2610 on my work bench.. They are 26" wide with 10 drawers.
Pro Series four-piece Cherry combo set commemorating their 100th Anniversary. Identified with a round cast medallion. Consisting 2613 Top Chest, B1705 Base, B2903 Riser, and R3005 Roller Cabinet. Of course I purchased them new in 2006...
Small Gerstner Oak International Drawer Chest. It's mounted to the wall next to my work station. That I keep keys in.
![]()
Its none of my business but I have to ask...
How old are you? And how long have you been collecting? Did you own like a machine shop or something and brought a bunch of equipment over once you retired or something?
I am 40 and buy tools/equipment every chance I get and you are light years ahead of me! Idk if I will ever catch you or even have a chance to learn how to use all that stuff!


You're right. Since you asked...
My father was my mentor. He was a patient man and saw to it that I learn all about construction, wiring, plumbing, and fixing cars. When I was four I was on roof of the garage nailing wood planking down. Always wrenching with him. I remember rebuilding the engine of the family's 1948 Kaiser-Frazer.. At twelve I'd purchase a tool at Sears every week. At first from a paper route, along with cutting grass, shoveling snow, and any household work. At fourteen I was repairing cars in the neighborhood. Brakes. Tires, rebuilding carburetors, wheel bearings, exhausts, you name it. By that time I built a nice tool collection. And purchased my first Oxygen- acetylene set. That I still have today. At fifteen I started part time working in a machine shop. Learning tool & die making. That started my machinist tool collection. A Lufkin 1” micrometer was the first. I spent two years studying Engineering at Ohio University. Returned to the Cleveland area and worked at mold shop. I purchased my first home when I was twenty. A real fixer-upper,, that I totally remodeled including building a three car garage. Having the space, I started purchasing machines...
Now after a long productive career this energetic Octogenarian is not about to stop. After all, “He who dies with the most toys, WINS!” And I'm not at the finish line...
Please keep at it,, you have 40 years to catch up with me...
First of three sets..
My first micrometer lower right.. In the original box...
Love the back story, work pays dividends. Not too many home shops with an edm and an optical comparator. Do you make your own automotive engine parts?









< snip >
And purchased my first Oxygen- acetylene set. That I still have today.
< /snip >
Great story and a very familiar one to my own. Funny you mentioned the oxy-acetylene setup, I also still have my first one that I bought back in the 80's.
I'm nowhere near as setup as you are, but I agree that it takes a lifetime of acquiring and using tools to have a setup like yours. Well done and thanks for sharing with us.![]()
Slicks and a trans brake..... ya that Cadillac axle never had a chance!I assembled my home machine shop with two reasons in mind. Simply my love of Tools and Machinery, Along with restoring and or repairing my antique cars. And Yes I have machined may parts for antique cars..
Four speed transmission parts for an early Locomobile..
Making a replacement floating rear axle for my 1914 Cadillac. This year was the only year Cadillac offered a two-speed rear axle. Ratio 3.6 to 1.0 and 2.5 to 1.0. And has two different axle lengths..
Finished
I won't go through the steps. But just for fun I machined the drive clogs using my CNC machine.
Click Here ====> CNC Bed Mill Link to short video clip of machining.
Rear view Two sets of ring and pinion gear.. Just in case you haven't seen one before... LOL
The 1914 Cadillac is my main touring car. Common that I put on 2,000 miles a year
Just for kicks. Picture of her engine. Four cylinder 366 cubic inches Bore 4.75 by 5.75 stroke engine.
![]()
I have to stay off market place. I keep finding additions to the box.Found two top cabinets local for short money!



You're shop looks to be NICE!Updated HF Cart pics.
I finally completed the set of Snap-On ratcheting SAE combo wrenches and box wrenches.
I keep my metric stuff in a vintage KR box in another bay of the shed - This is set-up for work on my Crusty Corvair (SAE) but I found myself getting tired of going to another box when I did need something metric in that bay so I have added Tekton metric shallow and deep 1/4" drive sockets.
I chose Tekton sockets because: a) Price and b) their 1/4" set goes to 17mm and c) ease of warranty.
I have also started adding metric Snap-On open ended wrenches (8mm-15mm) to the cart.
I am now keeping an eye out for a gently used larger Snap-On or Matco cart. If that doesn't work out I will probably just go with a Harbor Freight 6-drawer cart to replace this one with.
Couple pics of the cart and the wall I use for storage with magnetic holders from Etsy.
The old KR set that hold my metric stuff in a different bay.
![]()
Thanks. I appreciate it.You're shop looks to be NICE!
This is the KRL I got when I traded in the KR set you now ownUpdated HF Cart pics.
I finally completed the set of Snap-On ratcheting SAE combo wrenches and box wrenches.
I keep my metric stuff in a vintage KR box in another bay of the shed - This is set-up for work on my Crusty Corvair (SAE) but I found myself getting tired of going to another box when I did need something metric in that bay so I have added Tekton metric shallow and deep 1/4" drive sockets.
I chose Tekton sockets because: a) Price and b) their 1/4" set goes to 17mm and c) ease of warranty.
I have also started adding metric Snap-On open ended wrenches (8mm-15mm) to the cart.
I am now keeping an eye out for a gently used larger Snap-On or Matco cart. If that doesn't work out I will probably just go with a Harbor Freight 6-drawer cart to replace this one with.
Couple pics of the cart and the wall I use for storage with magnetic holders from Etsy.
The old KR set that hold my metric stuff in a different bay.
![]()
That is so cool that you were the previous owner of the box I now have.This is the KRL I got when I traded in the KR set you now own
Yes, bought them new. My dealer then used to come by my house - I never worked as a mechanic but I’ve been buying tools since I was 14. He was only a dealer for a couple years; he also owned a local gas station and the oil company forced him to drop the tool route. The guy that picked it up continued to sell me tools until I moved out of state. Since I moved back I’ve bought a tool or two from the current guy. I found the Kaufmans through their FB page. Went to visit and ended up with the KRL.That is so cool that you were the previous owner of the box I now have.
One is dated 1981 and the other is 1982.
Did you buy them new?
Was Lee Kaufman your dealer back then?
How did you know those were yours?Yes, bought them new. My dealer then used to come by my house - I never worked as a mechanic but I’ve been buying tools since I was 14. He was only a dealer for a couple years; he also owned a local gas station and the oil company forced him to drop the tool route. The guy that picked it up continued to sell me tools until I moved out of state. Since I moved back I’ve bought a tool or two from the current guy. I found the Kaufmans through their FB page. Went to visit and ended up with the KRL.