Looking for a new tool chest...need some input.

[ScorpioSnake]

Hey, kinda new to the board here...

I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I recently decided that I need to upgrade my tool chest; I bought a 26" Cman (Homeowner - yuk) 7-drawer chest, 2-drawer intermediate, and 5-drawer roller about 1 1/2 years ago and I'm not very pleased with it.

It was a good deal, and at the time, I couldn't pass it up. But very thin metal throughout, and bad slides that stick and kink. Tried lubing them up, didn't really help much.

Ball-bearing slides are a must-have, I took a look at Sears, and wasn't very impressed with their ball-bearing chests on display at all, still seem to use the same thin metal, the slides seemed to be okay though, and they removed fairly easily.

Took a look at the Stainless Steel Kobalt ones at Lowe's, they seemed to be a little better, but the slides are junk, I'd be tempted to replace the lot of them straight away (rivets are no issue to me...)

I guess I'm just looking for some recommendations, but please note, I cannot afford (or justify the cost of) Snap-On, Mac, Matco, etc. My budget is about $1200 or so, preferably more in the $700-$800 range. Gotta go with 26" - 27" wide because I need to be able to get the darn thing in the basement (No garage large enough to work in...)

I've heard good stuff about CSPS, but I don't think Costco sells them anymore (and I don't have a membership anyhow.)

Thanks for the input...

~SS~

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I'd suggest scouring your local craigslist until you find an older snap on, Mac, or Matco chest. You may want to rethink "ball bearings are a must have"...I have over ten toolboxes, many of them older...Waterloo, Craftsman, Mac, Snap On, none of them are ball bearing...and all of them work fine. I got a Waterloo ten drawer rollaway from a diesel mechanic who used it as his main box and it worked fine. If you're willing to rethink the ball bearing thing, you can find some good stuff. Friction slides on a quality box work much better than ball bearings on a flimsy box. The older boxes have thicker metal and were built better too.

As with most things, just keep them lubed!

 

[BigK600]

Welcome Scorpio Snake,

I saw your from Minnesota. If I were you I'd go check out Menards, there Masterforce brand tool boxes are good, in my opinion. They have a very nice 26" box that a 6" deep drawer up top on the roller, which is nice for sockets. BB slides and it comes with drawer liners. I think the top and bottom sell for around 450 bucks and they go on sale alot. The only down side is that they only come in green, which is ok, but it would be nice if it came in other colors.

 

[Kona Cruisers]

x2 on watching c/l. I bought a double bay matco for 650 with a side box off craigslist.

 

[Merkava_4]

Top chest or roll cab?

From what your criteria is, Kennedy would be perfect. They make heavy duty tool boxes that are on the small side like you want, but they're not cheap because they're made in the USA.

 

[ScorpioSnake]

Top chest or roll cab?

From what your criteria is, Kennedy would be perfect. They make heavy duty tool boxes that are on the small side like you want, but they're not cheap because they're made in the USA.

Looking for both, actually.

I have a 26" Kennedy roller at work (shop chest), it's nice.

 

[n2hcky]

I know a lot of people are down on Harbor Freight stuff but most agree that for the money it is hard to beat their 41" 13drawer roller chest #90320 and their top #92099.
I just got my roller btm this past weekend after having the top for over a month.........had to wait on more stock to make it across the big water.
I am very impressed on the construction.
If you don't want red that they put on sell all the time you can order black or yellow but I don't think they ever go on sell.

 

[vette-kid]

I just bought one of the craftsman 40' boxes. I thought it felt prety good actually...the ball bearing with griplatch. When I was doing my research though, International kept coming into the picture. I have no experience with them at all but they are priced right. you may want to look into them.

 

[ScorpioSnake]

I'd love to get a 41" but I don't have room for it in my basement.

I'd maybe re-consider a Cman model, but I just don't know...

 

[vette-kid]

International makes a 27" you could look into. I had a Cman 26 that ran out of space in pretty short order. Of course...more space just means its easier to justify more tools!

 

[Merkava_4]

Here's the top:
http://www.toolstoragewarehouse.com/kennedymodel2700mpsmoothyellowmechanicschest.aspx

Here's the bottom:
http://www.toolstoragewarehouse.com/kennedymodel2703mpsmoothbluerollercabinet.aspx

 

[usa#1]

Like n2hcky says, you will have a hard time trying to find a better box for the money than the red HF models listed. They are well built and heavy. I was surprised how much better the HF box looked verses the Craftsman. Make sure to purchase the HF boxes when they are on sale and use the 20% off coupons.

 

[zuspiel]

Welcome to the board!

I second (third, whatever ) CL. There are a lot of boxes showing up...

International might be a good option. IIRC, Nissan is really happy with his.

Extreme from http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ might be another option.

Edit: Couldn't seem to spell right...

 

[zuspiel]

Like this Extreme Combo set $500 with free shipping. I remember having read good things about them, but can't seem to pull up the thread...

 

[speed bump]

A Waterloo traxx box.

 

[cnyeco1]

I have a big kennedy and I HATE it. I cant put very many tools in it or it sags the sliders. Plus it's been kept in a climate controlled shop and there is rust under the paint on one of the drawers. I am very disappointed. i paid $1200.00 for it. I have a CM top box my wife bought me with the roller bearing drawers and I love it. I took everything out of the drawer on the kennedy that sags and put it in the CM. It just said give me more.

For the money and your needs stick with CM. I agree that the So and other boxes are great but for what you are going to use it for just buy a Cman.

 

[Monte406SS]

I know a lot of people are down on Harbor Freight stuff but most agree that for the money it is hard to beat their 41" 13drawer roller chest #90320 and their top #92099.
I just got my roller btm this past weekend after having the top for over a month.........had to wait on more stock to make it across the big water.
I am very impressed on the construction.
If you don't want red that they put on sell all the time you can order black or yellow but I don't think they ever go on sell.

Have you ever seen the stainless ones? Just wondering how they would hold up. Look similar to the red ones you listed, pretty close in price.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91469
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91468

 

[ScorpioSnake]

Have you ever seen the stainless ones? Just wondering how they would hold up. Look similar to the red ones you listed, pretty close in price.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91469
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91468

I like those stainless steel ones, anybody ever see one of those in person? I might have to take a trip to HF this afternoon...

 

[fatfillup]

Craigslist for a used SO, even if its older. They are made great and will last for decades. I have a SO made in 1990 in my showroom and routinely pull out the bottom drawer and stand in it. It has about 75 lbs of tools and I weigh 225. The drawer still slides easily. You won't be disappointed and you can pick up a nice used box in your price range.

 

[ScorpioSnake]

Most of the used SO's for sale around here are either too large and/or way out of my price range.

I'd love to have one someday, but I don't think I'm going to be able to find one for the size/price I'm looking for.

 

[SportFury59]

Just today I picked up a 27" CSPS 8-drawer tool chest at Sam's Club for $354. Nice stainless drawer fronts. Have had no experience in tool chests - always hung everything on the wall but now have a new detached garage with smooooth floor so now can roll the tools to the job. Seems like a well built chest with roller bearing slides and nice sized drawers. Price seems right.

 

[cnyeco1]

I was out at sears tonight exchanging some tools and wanted to see what the difference was in the ball bearing and the quiet glide. All they have done with the quiet glide is coated the drawer slides with some kind of crud. How long will the last with drawers filled with tools?

Look like a waste of money to me. Why not just spend a few extra dollars and get the bearings?

 

[ScorpioSnake]

I was out at sears tonight exchanging some tools and wanted to see what the difference was in the ball bearing and the quiet glide. All they have done with the quiet glide is coated the drawer slides with some kind of crud. How long will the last with drawers filled with tools?

Look like a waste of money to me. Why not just spend a few extra dollars and get the bearings?

Yeah, I was at Sears (again) today and noticed the same thing. Lame.

Their line of Stainless boxes didn't seem all that horrible, but that Griplatch **** can take a hike though...

 

[Chris Adams]

Got a K-Mart in your area? The local one is closing out Ball Bearing rollaways at 99 bucks. Beats the heck out of Quiet Glide.

 

[ScorpioSnake]

Stopped in at Costco on my way home from work this afternoon. They have the 27" CSPS 12(?) drawer stainless steel chest for $450. Seriously considering going back, getting a membership and picking it up!

Naturally, the girlfriend doesn't understand why I need a new tool chest...

 

[-B-]

Stopped in at Costco on my way home from work this afternoon. They have the 27" CSPS 12(?) drawer stainless steel chest for $450. Seriously considering going back, getting a membership and picking it up!

Naturally, the girlfriend doesn't understand why I need a new tool chest...

Check out the local Lowes I believe the Kobolt SS boxes are much better.

 

[zuspiel]

Sounds like you GF doesn't accept your addiction, yet.

My wife got me a ratchet for my Bday and
Ed's wife got him two for Xmas...

 

[sam 8]

I know you've already heard it, but in my area toolboxes and tools on CL are easy to find. Wait until an ad has been running for a week or two, then respond and ask if they are firm on their price.
My son scored on some tools last week, about 40 cents on the dollar, less than a year old. It sorta feels crappy knowing you are cashing in on someones misfortune, but we have all been there at one time or another.

 

[BigK600]

Did you ever check out Menards? I'd at least check them out before buying.


Right now Menards has a awesome deal on there 41" box for 688! Thats a crazy good deal I think. Me wants it but I have no where to put it.

heres a pdf link to Menards weekly add go down to page 14:
http://menards.inserts2online.com/MenardsMenardDaysSaleI/pdf/version.pdf

 

[Delray]

The Menards Masterforce boxes have a real solid feel. They sell 26" top boxes which are often on sale. I also have a couple of old Craftsman from around 1970 give or take which are a lot stronger than the newer ones.

 

[BigK600]

I think the Menards boxes are somehow connected with these boxes: http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/to...xes-extreme-tools-19-drawer-tool-box-set.html

However the Menards box has a pull out work surface. Man I really want that Menards box for 688 that is such a good deal. I dont really have a need for it, I just bought a Craftsman before Christmas.

 

[voidifused]

I would stay right away from stainless steel boxes, they are junk. Not in the sense they will not hold you're tools, in the sense that they look like **** after a month or so in the real world. i had one from costco here in Canada for about a week every time you touch them you leave finger prints and they move like butter all over it. That and i pulled the drawer open one day and pulled the front cover off it like Caper did with his.

 

[T56 Impala]

I've had my SS Costco box since 2001. It looks great and works perfectly. It is far, far more sturdy than ANY craftsman box I have looked at. Does it get finger prints on it? Yes. So what? A little wipe down with a rag once and a while does wonders! You you never wipe down a painted box?

 

[Monte406SS]

I stopped by Sears a little while ago to pick up a few things for my lawn tractor and looked at the chests they had out. I am looking to pick something up soon, but really haven't looked much since purchasing my cheapo Craftsman back in 2003. I was not impressed with any of them, quiet glide or the ball bearings. Maybe it was just the models they had out on the floor, and I usually like most Craftsman products but these things turned me off. Drawers did not glide smoothly and did not like the griplatch at all, just my $.02

 

[BigK600]

I dont know why people dont like griplatch seems to work good for me. Maybe a little explaining would be nice.

 

[Monte406SS]

The 2 that I opened a few of the drawers on felt really flimsy. Flimsy to the point I thought it was slightly broken, or was about to break off in my hand.

Maybe there was something wrong with them, that could be. After leaving the store I thought maybe it was just from customer after customer abusing them, but I would expect Craftsman to build it for mechanics or even hobbyists like myself to take a continual abuse.

 

[BigK600]

The 2 that I opened a few of the drawers on felt really flimsy. Flimsy to the point I thought it was slightly broken, or was about to break off in my hand.

Maybe there was something wrong with them, that could be. After leaving the store I thought maybe it was just from customer after customer abusing them, but I would expect Craftsman to build it for mechanics or even hobbyists like myself to take a continual abuse.

Ok I thought you had a problem with the actually griplatch mechanism itself not the way the box is made.

 

[Monte406SS]

No, sorry if that is the way I worded it, didn't mean for it to seem like that.

 

[Delray]

I stopped by Sears a little while ago to pick up a few things for my lawn tractor and looked at the chests they had out. I am looking to pick something up soon, but really haven't looked much since purchasing my cheapo Craftsman back in 2003. I was not impressed with any of them, quiet glide or the ball bearings. Maybe it was just the models they had out on the floor, and I usually like most Craftsman products but these things turned me off. Drawers did not glide smoothly and did not like the griplatch at all, just my $.02

Once you get some weight in the drawers they feel a lot better. I have a 41" set with some full width drawers that are full and have had no problems.

 

[Bo Heck]

Welcome to the board!

I second (third, whatever ) CL. There are a lot of boxes showing up...

International might be a good option. IIRC, Nissan is really happy with his.

Extreme from http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ might be another option.

Edit: Couldn't seem to spell right...

+1 for http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/. Great guy, great service, great box, great price. Other best option is Harbor Freight with 20% off coupons. And of course, craigslist, but you need luck and patience for that.