My first tool Box

[marcello7x]

So im looking to buy my first box. Being that i just bought my first house and am doing work to the garage, the box has to be cheap. I currently have a small amount of cheapo tools that has got me through building my hotrod, and loads of other projects. But rather spend less on a box and get better tools down the line.

Last week i almost picked up a cornwell tool car for CHEAP. But came down with the stomatch virus flu thing thats going around and by this weekend it was already sold. Would i be better off buying a cheap older craftsman?

How do they hold up? I need it to last untill i can afford the box i really want. OR more so untill i finish the garage and can figure out which will fit best.. Here is one i found asking $150

 

[Super Sport]

I personally don't care much for the Cman boxes like that, but they will get the job done.

HF sells a 26" roller and top box that would be much better...and I believe with coupon can be had for $289. Cman also has some deals going on their cheaper ball bearing boxes right now.

 

[tjmonsen5]

that box doesnt have enough storage space. For a home garage box, who cares about storage space on the bottom and a top tiny work surface? You most likely have other places you can store stuff. Get a box that has drawers from top to bottom. You will fill it up really quickly.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

i have almost that same box doesn"t lkike weight very well non ball bearing the slides get stuck easily i'll never get rid of it though for sentimental reasons

 

[Ocho]

I have the same upper and lower box. My setup has a 3 drawer middle box. I've had it about fifteen years with pretty moderate use it has held up pretty well. The slides are friction slides and those bars you see are how you secure the drawers. The whole setup sold for about 150 new, iirc. I paid 188 for mine 15 years ago.

A better value would be the Craftsman 9 Drawer on sale this weekend for $176.
Ball bearings, more storage, better locking, brand new and only 25 bones more. You could even probably sign up for a Sears account and pay it out.

Maybe this link will work.
Craftsman 9 drawer

 

[Outlawmws]

The boxes with the external locking bars were entry level and not very good.

Keep looking for the older Craftsman boxes with the I frame sides, (60s to maybe early 80's) these were tanks and if still in decent shape hold up well.

Or find an old Kennedy, roller.

Definitely go for drawers top to bottom. The 3 drawer rollers are IMO useless for serious tool storage...

 

[Galaxie]

That top box is the exact one I first bought while still in high school right around 15 years ago, needless to say I upgraded to a ball bearing as soon as possible. Still have the box but it isn't used much.

FWIW there are some pretty good prices on new Craftsman boxes this weekend but you have to be careful what you get, some aren't the best. You would be in the $150 range for a good, not great, top box right now from Sears. If you happen to be in FL Industry Recycles sells a lot of blem and damaged Kennedy and other great boxes for really good prices on ebay.

 

[marcello7x]

Looking into the sales now. Thanks alot guys ill keep you updated on what i get.

 

[back2class]

i had that box. held tools just fine. Not a snap-on but perfectly fine for holding some tools nicely. $100 would be fair and you could sell it for that when and if you want something better or just give it away to a relitive of kid when that times comes.

 

[marcello7x]

I looked into the sale, almost bought a box that was 200 for a 40" wide top box, but before paying i realized it didn't have bearing slides. Going to keep lookiing on cl for now.

 

[Kevin54]

I looked into the sale, almost bought a box that was 200 for a 40" wide top box, but before paying i realized it didn't have bearing slides. Going to keep lookiing on cl for now.

IF you have a Menards around, check out their MasterForce boxes. If not, Look at the HF box. You might as well get as big as you possibly can afford because you'll want to go bigger later.

 

[marcello7x]

Went to hf tonight to pick up a box. Well a cart, its the biggest cart they have. 5 draws with an opening top and side table i believe. 700lbs capacity.

With coupon it came out to $150. Exactly how much i wanted to spend for a no name smaller box. Its big enough to hold me over for now. I moreso needed a place to keep everything organized as my tool collection grows.

First impression, in the store seems like a good sturdy cart. Compared to the bigger boxes they had it pooked small, but while unboxing it in my garage its not so small. Well packaged although the cardboard on the outside was banged up. i have yet to assemble it but steel legs are nice and thick and the quality of the finish is better than i expected.

Once i assemble it ill give you guys my thoughts then.

 

[pipsters]

That is a good cart. Next you will want the 42" tool box. I walked by it not more than 2 years ago and proclaimed to my wife "I would never spend $350 on a tool box".

2 years later not only did I have one of the HF 42" tool boxes, I sold it and bought a 56" 24" deep International tool box. Never say never!

 

[marcello7x]

Haha all i said was i wouldnt spend over 150-200 on a non name brand box. When the time comes im completely ok on spending the money on a nice snap on. Considering i just bought my house last month im tight on $$$.