Looking for a better quality toolbox

[3TV]

I'm looking for a larger and better quality toolbox for home use. Twenty two years in the same garage has led to the accumulation of too many tools for my current tool box, which is a stainless steel 36" Husky toolbox. The stainless steel Husky was their top of the line model, and has been a pretty good toolbox. It looks and feels like it is quite a bit better quality than the Husky toolboxes I see in stores now. I've looked at other box store toolboxes (Milwaukee, Dewalt, Kirkland signature) and I want something a little better quality, and in the 56" range.

Here are two that I have narrowed it down to. The Extreme Tools box uses 18 gauge steel in the drawers and weighs 22 lbs more than the Tool Vault box, that uses 20 gauge steel in the drawers, but otherwise they look about the same. I am leaning toward the Extreme Tools box right now. What do you think of these two? Are there other brands of equal or better quality that I need to consider? I'm trying to keep the price between $1500 and $2500.

1 Extreme Tools http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/to...l-boxes-21-drawer-tool-cabinet-top-chest.html

2 Tool Vault http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/to...l-vault-21-drawer-tool-cabinet-top-chest.html

 

[LXCam]

You'll have a hard time beating the value of either of those two without going to a truck brand being at least double to triple the cost. I'd suggest instead of focussing on the drawer construction you make sure the drawer configuration suites your needs. I looked long and hard at both of those before building my lista set up. My determining factor was the drawer config.

 

[Tonellin]

You can find tons of gently used tool truck boxes in that price range on craigslist...the quality will far surpass what you're currently looking at

 

[3TV]

I know nothing at all about Craig's List. I tried to use it once, years ago, and the closest towns big enough to have a Craig's list were 200+ miles away. It wouldn't let me post an add because my location was too far away from the location the list was supposed to serve.

 

[SJR033]

I'd suggest instead of focussing on the drawer construction you make sure the drawer configuration suites your needs. I looked long and hard at both of those before building my lista set up. My determining factor was the drawer config.

I second this. I spent hours drawing out different tool boxes on graph paper and trying to lay out my tools how I wanted them.

 

[LXCam]

I know nothing at all about Craig's List. I tried to use it once, years ago, and the closest towns big enough to have a Craig's list were 200+ miles away. It wouldn't let me post an add because my location was too far away from the location the list was supposed to serve.

You could spend a lifetime hunting down a deal on CL. I'm not sure how you value your time but going with a new box that meets your budget makes thing somewhat super simple and both those manufacturers offer a very decent product. Lotta guys here have them and I've never heard a truly bad word. Plus they are a site supporter which adds some value in my book.

 

[creativecars]

It is very hard to beat the value of the 56" from Harbor Freight.

 

[Jim Diesel]

Draw configuration is also a deciding factor for me. At the end of my working day, I need to be able to store/lock all my tools away. Also buy a box based on future needs rather then housing the tools you currently own. You will always be buying more tools and you will need the space to accommodate these.

 

[ryan20021982]

It is very hard to beat the value of the 56" from Harbor Freight.

Agreed, I got mine about 4 months ago and love it

 

[Strouty]

While I cannot argue that the harbor freight is a seemingly good buy (my Father owns one) I will say that the depth is way too shallow for my liking. I also agree that drawer layout is a really big consideration, that is one of the major reasons I bought a new box, they allowed me to configure the drawers the way I wanted. Had that not been an option, I probably never would have bought a new box.

 

[regguy1]

I have the Tool Vault, is a great box.

Tool Vault close up review:

Tool Vault Organization video:

 

[48548]

I bought the tool vault and wish I would have spend more time looking for a used snapon on, but also I was tired of trashed stuff and people wanted a lot of money. I also like the montezuma boxes from them as well. I think I have filled mine up pretty well. I wish I would have bought a second side locker though.

 

[Wamsutta]

18 gauge is too thin to have any strength and 20 gauge is a joke.

 

[3TV]

Thanks for the pictures and videos of those Tool Vault toolboxes. Those look like a pretty good quality toolbox to me, especially on the video where you can watch him opening and closing the drawers. Nice tool collections guys!.

It doesn't look like I could go wrong with either of my choices.

 

[48548]

18 gauge is too thin to have any strength and 20 gauge is a joke.

Buying the cheaper box allowed me to fill it with better quality tools,

 

[3TV]

18 gauge is too thin to have any strength and 20 gauge is a joke.

I had been thinking of getting a 72" toolbox, with heavier gauge metal, but I decided I have to watch the weight somewhat. All I have to help me set it up is my wife; she has a bad back, and I have a bad shoulder (torn rotator cuff). If I buy a 2000 lb toolbox I would have to rent an engine hoist to get it off the pallet, and to lift the top box up onto the bottom box. I had considered getting this toolbox that has 16 gauge metal, but decided to tone it down a bit, because I thought it was just too much.

http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ex...er-professional-roller-cabinet-top-chest.html

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm trying to save you from buyer's remorse. I have an 18 gauge box and the drawer bottoms sag when loading them with too much weight. When the drawer bottoms sag, the drawers won't close. You'd be surprised if I told you the brand.

 

[ryan20021982]

While I cannot argue that the harbor freight is a seemingly good buy (my Father owns one) I will say that the depth is way too shallow for my liking. I also agree that drawer layout is a really big consideration, that is one of the major reasons I bought a new box, they allowed me to configure the drawers the way I wanted. Had that not been an option, I probably never would have bought a new box.

The HF 56" drawers are 2" deeper than both boxes the OP linked to

 

[3TV]

Ok, I was just over on Harbor Freight's site reading about their 56" tool cabinet. It doesn't list what gauge metal is used, but does say "Tall drawers feature 2 pairs of ball-bearing slides to support up to 80 lbs. per drawer"

Is that right? Or is that a typo? That would mean the drawers that have a single pair of ball-bearing slides only support 40 lbs per drawer. That's worse than Craftsman. I'm thinking 100 lbs per small drawer, and 200 lbs per large drawer is about the minimum I want to buy.

 

[3TV]

I'm trying to save you from buyer's remorse. I have an 18 gauge box and the drawer bottoms sag when loading them with too much weight. When the drawer bottoms sag, the drawers won't close. You'd be surprised if I told you the brand.

Please, tell us the brand.

I ask because there are a number of toolboxes that look like high quality toolboxes that use just 18 or 20 gauge steel in the drawers. Take for example the 72" Tool Vault toolbox. It looks like an awesome toolbox, and uses 18 gauge steel for the shell, but only 20 gauge steel for the drawers. And the drawers with two sets of slides are rated at 500 lbs per drawer. That's 500 lbs with 20 gauge steel drawers.

The Extreme Tools 72" toolbox that I pictured above has a 16 gauge shell, but uses 18 gauge steel in the drawers, and the drawers with one set of slides are rated at 300 lbs per drawer, while the drawers with two sets of slides are rated at 600 lbs per drawer.

 

[SJR033]

Look at the manual for the HF box. It list the weight limit of each drawer. The lowest is 154lb.

 

[ryan20021982]

Ok, I was just over on Harbor Freight's site reading about their 56" tool cabinet. It doesn't list what gauge metal is used, but does say "Tall drawers feature 2 pairs of ball-bearing slides to support up to 80 lbs. per drawer"

Is that right? Or is that a typo? That would mean the drawers that have a single pair of ball-bearing slides only support 40 lbs per drawer. That's worse than Craftsman. I'm thinking 100 lbs per small drawer, and 200 lbs per large drawer is about the minimum I want to buy.

From the manual

View media item 62038

 

[Cato]

The stainless steel Husky was their top of the line model, and has been a pretty good toolbox.

So your Husky is still truck'n? I find it interesting that even the cheapest Craftsman boxes never break; you can get quite a bargain with the new Husky boxes. As long as you start out with one that wasn't damaged in shipment, then you're good to go for a life time.

It sounds like you just WANT a fancier box. You might consider going with Snap On or Lista and "cry once."

 

[wornoutoldman]

Lookee here

 

[3TV]

So your Husky is still truck'n? I find it interesting that even the cheapest Craftsman boxes never break; you can get quite a bargain with the new Husky boxes. As long as you start out with one that wasn't damaged in shipment, then you're good to go for a life time.

It sounds like you just WANT a fancier box. You might consider going with Snap On or Lista and "cry once."

I have outgrown the 36" Husky toolbox, but it is still in good shape. I plan on giving the Husky toolbox to my youngest son. I know I would have loved to have a toolbox like that at his age. I also have a Matco 56" toolbox in my Tuff Shed. My oldest son took some mechanics courses and was able to buy one at half price when he was in the class (actually, I bought it for him as a graduation gift). But then he got married, moved across the country, and joined the Army, so I bought it back from him at the price he paid for it. I basically bought it twice, but I was being charitable because he needed the money. I am storing his toolbox, and plan on giving it back to him when he gets out of the Army and wants to go back into mechanic work. I don't plan on using it in the meantime. So I know what the tool truck toolboxes are like. I don't need to spend that much money on myself.

I should have planned ahead, and bought two Matco 56" toolboxes when my son was able to get them for such a good price. Hindsight is 20/20.

 

[3TV]

From the manual

View media item 62038

Harbor Freight really needs to fix their website.

 

[3TV]

Well I got my toolbox today, an Extreme Tools 56" combination toolbox set from Strictlytoolboxes.com. Strictlytoolboxes was great to work with; Fed Ex Freight, not so much so. I called the day before it was to be delivered to set up an appointment for delivery, and after three phone calls and talking to four different people, no one could tell me what I needed to do. I called the next day and set up a delivery appointment for 24 hours later, between 1 and 4 PM. About 4 PM that same day (the day before the appointment) Fed Ex shows up at my house with the toolbox. So much for setting up a delivery appointment and having a chance to inspect the toolbox for shipping damage, and being there to help manhandle it into the garage. Anyway, I got it, and I like the toolbox.

Quality seems real good, and I'm glad I didn't get a toolbox with any lighter gauge steel. Getting it off the pallet and installing the casters was no big deal. Lifting the top toolbox up onto the bottom toolbox looked like it was going to be a chore for the wife and I, but after removing all of the drawers it was much lighter, and do-able. If there is anything that I don't particularly care for it is the detent closures on the drawers. Here's a picture of the toolbox. I like the soft closure slides and hinges on the New Age Pro cabinets that you can see on the right side of the picture better.

 

[patterz6250]

Looks nice!!! Thinking about getting one myself