Need Toolbox Purchase Advice

[Spta97]

The Spring Super Savings event.

Thanks. How did I miss this???? I’ve only been looking for a few days so possible it was not on my radar.

Surely they will have another sale? Father’s Day?

 

[kngelv]

I had to jump on it... with the Irwin Vise attached!!

If the OP is patient he might luck out with one of those deals. The problem is nowadays there are all these resellers scouring the used sites all day and night, and they scoop this stuff up quick. Us regular people don't have the time so for most of us it's just dumb luck.

James

 

[kngelv]

Another option might be a used Lista or Vidmar. If depth is not an issue you can usually find those on industrial surplus sites at about $100.00 a drawer. They are usually 27 3/4" deep and 30" wide by 59" in height. They are built like tanks and can hold way more stuff than most toolboxes.


James

 

[redragoon]

For daily use, the Extreme Tool Brands box does well. We have one at work that is a shared box that has yet to fail after 8 years. Tools inside are a mess, but the drawers and box have held up great.

For home/DIY use, and box with bearing slides seems to get the job done. I have a 60" husky I bought several years ago.
I actually prefer smaller drawers to get more divisions of tools.
Wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, and other small items fit well into shallow drawers.
I have one full width deep drawer for sockets, but it tends to rack sometimes. Having it be 2 half width would have worked better.
The one deep drawer is good for items in cases, but I don't need that and a cabinet. Wood worktop is more useful to me than a full top cabinet too. I put my 30" Craftsman top box on the end for some extra storage.

 

[rancherbill]

I’ll look again but complaints on that box were the paper thin steel used.

I also can’t say I would be happy with the looks

"Thin" is a funny comment, because Stainless is stronger and thus you don't need as big a gauge. All I know is that Costco usually delivers value.

 

[CallumRD1]

"Thin" is a funny comment, because Stainless is stronger and thus you don't need as big a gauge. All I know is that Costco usually delivers value.

Stainless isn't stronger, just harder to work with. The most common mild steels likely to be used in a tool box (1018 and similar) have very similar yield strengths and modulus of elasticities as that of the most common 300 series stainless steels. The mechanical design of the box and the cross sections of the materials used will have a far greater influence in the performance of the tool box than going from carbon steel to stainless.

 

[tyyost]

One other thing, you may not always like all of the drawer sizes but drawers are where the value is in a home box. You'll find something that fits.

IMHO hutches and lockers are a poor investment for a home box and especially for someone with budget. For that type of storage at home there are much better/larger storage options for the money.

Agreed, steel 2 door cabinets like Lyon or lateral files get you tons of storage space for short money.

 

[Spta97]

"Thin" is a funny comment, because Stainless is stronger and thus you don't need as big a gauge. All I know is that Costco usually delivers value.

Just going by the reviews. Don't get me wrong, I LOOOVE Costco, jus this particular box didn't seem worth it.

 

[Spta97]

Thank you again to everyone for your input!

Just to update the thread, I ended up buying the Husky 52" V3 today as, interestingly, it magically came back in stock in my local store.

I really wanted this one as the size works better than the 56" (limited space) and it had thicker (18 ga) steel, LED light, wood work platform in one of the drawers vs. the Version 4 model. Moreover Husky CS gave me the company who actually makes it (Geelong) who also informed me the V4 is 1.5" SHORTER in depth! I had not caught that in my research as I made the incorrect assumption it was the same frame.

Next step is to hope the unit they have in the store is in good shape (I called and it is packaged in separate boxes; not put together thankfully) then figure out a way to get it home.

I plan to rent a HD truck with a ramp and slide it down - perhaps use some ratcheting straps so it is controlled and doesn't crush me to death. My < 100 lbs. gf will be little help other than "This is too dangerous!" . Top box is ~380lbs., bottom is ~260lbs...yikes.

As a man I laugh when I am told I can't do something . I figure if they could build the pyramids in Egypt, I can handle this.

Next adventure is getting the top box onto the bottom. I'm thinking I may be able to use my hoist (which I use for raising tires into a rack).
Need to check the weight limit.

If anyone has any physics lessons for me, I'm all ears!

 

[saltwater4life]

Us general for sure. 72 bottom is a killer box for the price.

 

[Zeus36]

"...Next adventure is getting the top box onto the bottom. I'm thinking I may be able to use my hoist (which I use for raising tires into a rack).
Need to check the weight limit.

If anyone has any physics lessons for me, I'm all ears!.."

Remove the six drawers from the top box and lock the lid shut before you lift it onto the top box. Get a helper even if you are going to use your hoist.

 

[Spta97]

Remove the six drawers from the top box and lock the lid shut before you lift it onto the top box. Get a helper even if you are going to use your hoist.

Good idea. Lined up a neighbor to help so fingers crossed.

 

[Theronswanson]

Hi everyone,

Wanted to get some current advice on toolboxes.

I am replacing a small ~30 year old craftsman 3 box stacked setup which isn't that great quality so my expectations are low.

My usage will be mostly staring at it and occasionally doing some light work on the cars so minimal DIY. Price range is $1k - $1.5k

I want something that does not have chrome/silver handles as I hate chrome and prefer black.

So far I have looked at the following:

1. Husky 52" V4 - This is the version 4 box which does not have the LED light, 19 gauge (thinner) metal, but higher load rating than the V3
2. Husky 52" V3 - Version 3 of the above, 18 gauge metal, LED light, but less load capacity. Also is out of stock and the only live example in the store was beat to hell and had the drawers locked with no key to open. Top box was warped and was not sitting flush with the bottom.
3. US General V2 - plus the top chest. I hate the color of the drawer handles as well as the unlatching which is only to the right of the drawer. Interesting, I saw the 44in box next to it which did not have the annoying release on the right but also seemed to be sturdier. On both, I also found the top not to be tall enough to store anything like the Huskys.
4. Husky 56"- I saw a post here which indicated this is built by a different company than the 52's and is inferior, cannot find it in store.

I also looked at the HF Icon which was nice, but too much for what I want to spend (and chrome handles on all but the green). US General is also releasing the version 3 - 56" box "late summer". I looked at the 72" v3 and loved the color (gray), but was not blown away by the quality. The v2 box seemed sturdier?

Any opinions?

I've got the first option and couldn't be happier. I sold my Snap-on box and stuffed everything into a Craftsman similar to what you have now, several years ago. I got tired of digging for stuff and decided to upgrade. My only complaint is they didn't have it in a blue color.

 

[Spta97]

I've got the first option and couldn't be happier. I sold my Snap-on box and stuffed everything into a Craftsman similar to what you have now, several years ago. I got tired of digging for stuff and decided to upgrade. My only complaint is they didn't have it in a blue color.

I called HD yesterday who said they had no trucks to rent so I went to pick it up with my SUV with a plan to do two trips.

We got the bottom box in and I was able to slide it out and drag it into the garage. I was heading back to pick up the top chest but something told me to unbox the bottom I had first. Everything looked great until I removed the plastic from the left side (see pic) - looks like it got into a fight with a fork lift.

I called CS and was able to get them to refund my money and order a replacement box and ship it to me (supposed to be here tomorrow).

They didn't want the old box back but I wanted to get rid of it so they put me in touch with the store who said I had to call back.

I was thinking last night I'll just take a 2x4 and masonry hammer to it and replace the workbench I have in my shed.

Overall I love the box (at least the bottom) but I am really hoping I can get one without damage - especially since this model is being phased out. I also ordered wall cabinets and had to send back both for damage (replacements should be here today but concerned they will be damaged as well)

The (18 ga) metal is, surprisingly, pretty stout so the damage must have been a severe impact. Outside packaging had some scuff marks but no dents.

 

[Spta97]

I've got the first option and couldn't be happier. I sold my Snap-on box and stuffed everything into a Craftsman similar to what you have now, several years ago. I got tired of digging for stuff and decided to upgrade. My only complaint is they didn't have it in a blue color.

Not sure if it came across in my prior post but I really like what I've seen so far (sans the huge dent lol).

They have a blue one in 56 inch but only black or white in the 52.

Assuming I can get an undamaged box I think I will be very happy with this!

 

[Theronswanson]

Not sure if it came across in my prior post but I really like what I've seen so far (sans the huge dent lol).

They have a blue one in 56 inch but only black or white in the 52.

Assuming I can get an undamaged box I think I will be very happy with this!

They actually had the blue one when I went to look. My biggest complaint was the big middle drawer only had one guide on either side, not 2 per side. I really liked that box a lot, but that was a deal breaker for me.