?? on installing a HF 44" or 2 26" Boxes

[pioneer1]

Ok, I believe I have decided to get 1 44" or 2 of the new 26" bottom ONLY boxes. This will be my 1st tool cabinet purchase. I am not a mechanic, so just home use. I will be removing the casters and will still have to raise my workbench to slide them under. Or get rid of my workbench and just use the top of the box, still undecided.

Any links to this type of setup would be appreciated.

Here are my questions / concerns

1. Thinking Black, but a lot of the organizers (plier racks, socket holders ect..) seem to be Red, may not be a big deal once I see them in the draw, but picturing them in my mind just looks weird. Any pics would be helpful

2. What should I use to but under the box to keep it off the concrete?

Feel free to share any likes or dislikes of this type of setup.

Thanks
Ed

 

[chrisnazzy]

Ok, I believe I have decided to get 1 44" or 2 of the new 26" bottom ONLY boxes. This will be my 1st tool cabinet purchase. I am not a mechanic, so just home use. I will be removing the casters and will still have to raise my workbench to slide them under. Or get rid of my workbench and just use the top of the box, still undecided.

Any links to this type of setup would be appreciated.

Here are my questions / concerns

1. Thinking Black, but a lot of the organizers (plier racks, socket holders ect..) seem to be Red, may not be a big deal once I see them in the draw, but picturing them in my mind just looks weird. Any pics would be helpful

2. What should I use to but under the box to keep it off the concrete?

Feel free to share any likes or dislikes of this type of setup.

Thanks
Ed

In specific response to your question about the colors of pliers racks and such.....I organized all my wrenches and pliers in black racks from Ernst & Snap-on. The all black pliers racks are made by Ernst for Snap-on and are only $16. The Ernst pliers rack only comes in red and the best price seems to be around $14-15 so obviously not a big difference.

Regardless of toolbox color, for pliers and wrenches I ultimately decided I wanted the organizers to sort of just blend in with the drawer liner. I've attached a couple pics.

It sounds like you've done some research but just in case you haven't checked them out yet, I would recommend considering the Homak RS Pro series available through NAPA. They are 24" deep (instead of the series 2 U.S. General's 22") and come in 26", 36", 41", 54" and 72". There are new deals in NAPA's flyer each quarter and also direct on Homak's website. From what I've read they look to be one of the best values before stepping up to an entry level truck brand box. There is a thread here on GJ.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=372181

Another brand that might be worth checking out in this range is Husky @ Home Depot. They seem to have some newer offerings with deeper cabinets and better drawer layouts and of course getting one in black is no issue.

If you do decide the U.S. General is best for your needs though, I would think the 44" would be best primarily because you will appreciate that one long drawer. With (2) 26" units you won't be able to store any long tools or organize your sockets, ratchets and drive accessories in one drawer very easily.

Hope this helps.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[pioneer1]

Thanks Chrissnazzy

 

[MJD1]

I was going to undertake a similar thing. The 26" boxes are currently 229$ each with a coupon that expires 8-31. The 44" is 459$. Much more useable room in 2 26" boxes. I would use 1"x1"x1/8" tubing on the bottom. Drill the holes 5/16" or so and on one side open up to 3/4". Use a socket head cap screw to mount the tubing to the bottom.

 

[rsanter]

The 44” is a better box and will give better organization.

Bolt hockey pucks to the bottom of them

How short is your work bench? Seems the toolbox on wheels is a good height for a workbench.

 

[Mr_B]

make your choice on what gives you a preferred drawer layout, if no need for the full length top drawer of a 44" the 2 26" may be better plus more adaptable down the road .
Black is a good choice and they look more expensive than plain old red plus hide oily marks better.
I would be inclined do custom bench over the box, have resting on box, tied into wall and H framed legs each end, hocky pucks or adjustable feet easy enough source and adapt .

 

[flylow7f39]

I'd probably build a frame from 2x6 (maybe 2x4 would fit under better ) pressure treated lumber to set them on.

I own the older 44" top and bottom, just bought the 5 drawer cart in red. Chose red because the folding shelf for the 5 drawer cart is only available in red and I didn't want to paint.

I am amazed how many tools fit in the 5 drawer cart. I think many could get by with 2 carts. If I didn't own as many tools I might go with two carts over a 26" top and bottom. But I don't need to slide them under a workbench. The cart freed up room in my 44" setup but it's still pretty full - just not as crowded.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I like the idea of two 26s. You want in drawer organization. Drawers have a lot of free room. For numbers run cu in if you want.

For height comparison the bench height is 36-37".

 

[ARFLY]

I personally would go with the 44" box. A lot of people on here have made workbenches out of the 44" boxes or installed the 44" box into a workbench. As for what to put under it, the hockey pucks work or even the right size of board will work well. This is what I did with mine. It is not a real good picture and I still have some stuff to finish out, but you get the idea.

View media item 85523

 

[pioneer1]

Appreciate the responses and ideas.
I like the Hockey Puck & adjustable feet idea.

Here's what I am working with, should have posted first

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My workbench is just over 36" high.
its 9' X 21 3/4"

Tools on pegboard will be going in the tool box

Shoot, I may rethink this whole thing.

1. I may just raise half my bench to the height of the box with the casters on and use the box or boxes as the other half of the bench.

2. Do away with the bench and just use the box tops

3. Original plan, raise bench to put box / boxes under with casters removed.

Just thinking out load..

 

[Mr_B]

For you I think I would choose 2 26" .
remove current bench, install 2 boxes on pucks and refit your bench over boxes so it runs on a bearer on walls and also rests on boxes for support, expect bench depth need be increased too by 1-1/4 to 2-1/4"

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Box height w casters 40.5"
Box height w/o casters 34.5"

^^ If that helps you plan. Personally I like the 36-37" bench height. Your thread here is making me rethink my setup, I just mounted the bench to the wall, like this past weekend. Now I'm thinking go buy another box and drop the bench on top of both boxes.

 

[djcslice]

In my opinion its all about drawer layout. I had an old 44in and hated the right side narrow drawers because I couldn't fit many things in them. They are probably better now that they are deeper. I like the idea of the full width drawers of the 26 however having a full width drawer like the top drawer on the 44 is really nice to have for sockets, prybars or long things that still wont fit into the 26in box. Go with the option that has a more favorable drawer layout. Id suggest you also consider the 56in as well.

 

[ARFLY]

Box height w casters 40.5"
Box height w/o casters 34.5"

^^ If that helps you plan. Personally I like the 36-37" bench height. Your thread here is making me rethink my setup, I just mounted the bench to the wall, like this past weekend. Now I'm thinking go buy another box and drop the bench on top of both boxes.

This is Garage Journal. You should definitely buy another tool box and make a new workbench. It is the GJ way.

 

[Shiftless]

I second the motion to start over again. You’ll have to make too many compromises to retain what little you actually have there now.

The ultimate reference is the Steevo HF bench build. Here is a link...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126086

 

[Briancapecoral]

I have the old style HF 44” and 26”. I think black is nicer because the red will show grease and oil easily and you will be wiping off more frequently. The drawers start pretty shallow on the 26” so many of your tool holders will only fit in the bottom drawers, make sure you decide how you want to organize your tools then pick a box.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Pioneer, maximize your workbench top and your tool storage and do the cabinets under like Steevo's. Any other shelves can house stuff/parts/fluids. Keep the pegboard and consider a shallow overhead shelf midway on the wall and a larger overhead. Consider adding a switched light over the bench. Get that supply floor stuff off to the side or stored out from under foot.

This is Garage Journal. You should definitely buy another tool box and make a new workbench. It is the GJ way.

I second the motion to start over again. You’ll have to make too many compromises to retain what little you actually have there now.

The ultimate reference is the Steevo HF bench build. Here is a link...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126086

Enablers.

Still love Steevo's build. One day when I have space...

I have the old style HF 44” and 26”. I think black is nicer because the red will show grease and oil easily and you will be wiping off more frequently. The drawers start pretty shallow on the 26” so many of your tool holders will only fit in the bottom drawers, make sure you decide how you want to organize your tools then pick a box.

Yeah the top drawers are shallow. I have wrenches and sockets on the first three. Sockets lay down on rails. Downside is the really big sockets for the truck don't fit, they too fat even on their side. The foam inserts are a **** option, but very expensive. No thanks.

Black is classic.
I went with blue, matches my dirt bike.

 

[crewchief888]

This is Garage Journal. You should definitely buy another tool box and make a new workbench. It is the GJ way.

and quadruple the size of your garage....

 

[jamesly]

Hi all, First post long time lurker.
Love reading about workbenches and toolboxes.
I like the Workbench over cabinet idea.
I just tore apart my workbench. It was 72 inches long, 40" high, 36" deep 1" plywood on studs over cabinets.

I have 3 Craftsman rollers of various vintages and 3 top chests. I had 2 of the roller cabinets, still on their casters under the wood workbench. It served me well for 20 years. A little high for heavy work but just right for any assembly or hand work. I even did guitar work up there when need be.

I never thought to take a picture of it. But I am attaching a few where you can kinda see the setup. The one cabinet fit pretty tightly under the wood frame. About 1/2" of top clearance. The other had room between its top and the bottom of the workbench for storing my nuts/bolts in trays.

The great thing about setting it up this was was that the cabinets could not tip over (The short one did tilt a few times but I braced it with a piece of wood later on).

Over the years once I got over the idea of having scratched up stuff, in certain situations where I had to, I would open the lower drawer of the chests and lay a piece of wood across the drawers and drop transmissions or power steering pumps or long items, etc. on the wood and have a nice low spot to beat on stuff. I beat the snot out of my roller cabinets like this and they are still going strong with no drawer issues at all.

I had thought of taking the casters off to lower things but never did. I'm not tall but this still worked out for me just fine.

I'm doing a "Redo" of this all and getting rid of all of my duplicates or things/parts/pieces I saved because I might use them. The idea is to get rid of one cabinet and one roller.. but I can't seem to do it..

I almost bought a few of the 44" HF's, as discussed here. The area a good size for modularity in your arrangement. But I didn't want to build another workbench as I wanted the ability to move things if need be this time around. So I wanted a long box. I was close to buying the HF 72" and went and looked at them. They are nice boxes, but I ended up buying a 72" Husky with the movable top that is gonna work out well. My requirement was the 22" or deeper drawers and a color other than red. This Husky is a good box and I like the black color.

I have the 72" and 1 roller with top cabinet set up right now half done. I think I'll still need the second top or a bottom..
Thanks