Outdoor Friendly Tool Chest?

[NSXRguy]

Anybody recommend a outdoor friendly, exposed to the elements (no direct rain contact)

My das *father in law but i saw him more as a father* (retired Cummins mechanic 30 years experience) recently passed away and he left a collection of mostly snapon tools acquired over a long period of time

Im not a mechanic but ive always been fascinated with tools as a kid. I dont see his tools as mine, but i would like to pass it on to his grandchildren one day.

Anyways, anybody can recommend a outdoor friendly toolchest? Maybe a heavyduty plastic one? I do occasional minor mechanic work on our own vehicles so i occasionally use his tools but i do have a mini set if my own.

 

[matt_i]

So you want to store them outside?

Um, I'd find an attic or basement first. If the contents were ever discovered they could be gone with a 4 to 5 figure replacement cost

A job box would be a start but the padlocks are easily defeated.

Inside I'd go for the heaviest thickness ziplocks you can buy at U-Line plus a thorough amount of VCI paper in each one.

A spray (paintbrush) with fluid film, LPS3, cosmoline, etc would also be a positive step.

 

[kbs2244]

When Puerto Rico was part of my sales territory I would some times visit care repair shops.
The often had no walls, just heavy chain link fence between the roof supports.
That way they would catch the cooling breeze.

The tool boxes were the same as the ones I would see on the mainland.

 

[rct]

If you need to seal it from the elements, most military surplus ammo cans have a rubber seal, depending on the budget, Pelican makes several tool cases such as the 0450 and all of their cases seal airtight. If you do seal the tools up, use a dessicant such as silca in the box to absorb moisture sealed into the box with them. Good luck!

 

[kaymccampbell]

In Halfassed we call that a garage.

 

[SickNick]

I have one of those Snap On all weather boxes. Love it to death.

 

[jonshonda]

If you want to preserve his tools for future generations then storing them outside might not be the best idea. Maybe keep a small toolbox outside with the tools you use most often, and store the rest in a cool dry place AFTER wiping them all down with a good protestant.

 

[AdamRichi]

Good afternoon, may I advise the Dee Zee box DZ91717P
Withstands a temperature of up to -50 degrees. Made of foamed plastic. You can stand on it and there will be nothing to it. The truth is certainly not cheap, but the price is justified by the highest quality.

 

[FJ 432]

Pelican model 0450 has been used for the military.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If I didn't already have a top and bottom box, or I was outfitting a truck, I'd get a Montezuma.

https://www.montezumastorage.com/collections/triangle-toolboxes-outdoor


Tommy

 

[rsanter]

Put up a shed
Or get one of those job boyes

Or even better, find room inside somewhere. Perhaps go to several smaller carry boxes that can be stored inside and sell the toolbox

 

[yatg]

AFTER wiping them all down with a good protestant.

Or even a good Catholic!

 

[yatg]

A cheap solution might be an old fridge or freezer. They are airtight after all.

 

[tez929rr]

If I didn't already have a top and bottom box, or I was outfitting a truck, I'd get a Montezuma.
https://www.montezumastorage.com/collections/triangle-toolboxes-outdoor

I have been trying to find an excuse to buy one of those for years. Very cool.

 

[theundermount]

what about one of these with some smaller tool carriers stored inside?

 

[bczygan]

Snap-On?

Fathers tools?

I would keep them in the living room!

Bill

 

[Zeke]

Never though of an old fridge. Might be the last place a thief would bother. Just put a blind lock on it and bolt the sucker to the ground in a less obvious way.

 

[RStewart]

We use a truck bed box to keep frequently used tools for outside projects. Hand and power tools survive going on 3 years. The lock on it works well enough. Box sits on 2x4’s to keep it up off the ground. It is out of sight in the backyard so I’m not too worried that the lock can be beat.

 

[John in OH]

Couple of good suggestions offered above! On construction sites, we kept most hand tools in the heavy "job boxes" as suggested by "theundermount". Use heavy locks and bold the boxes to the concrete floor.

The old refrigerator is also a good idea as it will help minimize damage due to fluctuation ambient conditions, but securing the door could be difficult. The suggestion is intriguing!

Does anyone here know what boxes the military uses for field maintenance shops? I saw a special on TV some years ago that featured US Army mechanics and how they performed field maintenance on heavy equipment (tanks, APCs, etc.) but I don't recall what was used for tool storage. I would expect they use some really bad-azz storage boxes that would give good outdoor performance!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Does anyone here know what boxes the military uses for field maintenance shops? I saw a special on TV some years ago that featured US Army mechanics and how they performed field maintenance on heavy equipment (tanks, APCs, etc.) but I don't recall what was used for tool storage. I would expect they use some really bad-azz storage boxes that would give good outdoor performance!

Considering the US budgeted $435.00 for a hammer, IDK if I'd want to have to pay for the toolboxes they use.

Tommy

 

[gearhead1]

Does anyone here know what boxes the military uses for field maintenance shops? I saw a special on TV some years ago that featured US Army mechanics and how they performed field maintenance on heavy equipment (tanks, APCs, etc.) but I don't recall what was used for tool storage. I would expect they use some really bad-azz storage boxes that would give good outdoor performance!

As FJ 432 mentioned, the Pelican 0450 was used by the military. It’s also appears to be the same as a Snap-on KMC18043PBK.

https://shop.snapon.com/product/All...st,-All-Weather,-7-Drawers,-Black/KMC18043PBK

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Snap-o...567574?hash=item3b3a61f096:g:7XAAAOSwHv1dm8j~

Before Pelican, Kipper boxes were used. They can be found for a reasonable price on eBay or military equipment stores near military bases.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/KIPPERTOOL...570716?hash=item420324955c:g:9SEAAOSwCW9dCQ9T

 

[gearhead1]

These boxes are much cheaper and have a rubber seal:

The bins can be removed.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...ep-Pro-Small-Parts-Organizer-225046/205847797

These stack and also have the rubber seal.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Tool-Box-Black-222570/205440481

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-22-in-Pro-Gear-Cart-Tool-Box-in-Black-222573/205441921

 

[SGKent]

I was just going thru some fasteners that have been kept in sealed plastic bags in the wooden shed. It is reasonably dry. Many of the fasteners are rusty - humidity and O2 in the air.

If you watch historic programs on TV you find super heavy duty concrete buildings in stages of collapse from the elements, you find 20' thick bunkers full of rusty old metal caused by the humidity in the air.

If you want to STORE the tools until you find a time to use them, suggest making room for the tools in the garage. If there is no room then suggest go thru things and make room. Even stored in the garage they have to be checked on and wiped down with a rag with oil on it once in a great while.

If you were to privately interview most people here, and on forums where they work on their cars, boats, other things etc., the important list would go something like this: self (put you own mask on before helping others), wife and whole family, God and country, family pets, tools, then other things.

 

[NSXRguy]

Thank you for everybodys input. All suggestions look great.

My dads tools have been sitting in a open tool cart for the past 3 years while he was actively using them, so putting them in a more closed chest will not make a difference negatively. Will probably get a water proof chest for the electric tools

 

[66HertzClone]

Considering the US budgeted $435.00 for a hammer, IDK if I'd want to have to pay for the toolboxes they use.

Tommy

Didn't you see the movie Independence Day? Judd Hirsh explained why that stuff costs so much.

 

[ford33]

Here's another idea. Sell them and put the money into an investment account and when his grand children go to college or trade school they can buy books or the tools they actually need.

Taking up limited storage space for twenty plus years for tools that may not be usable, wanted or appreciated is not a good idea. Save yourself the effort now and sell them before they are worth nothing of value in money or memories.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Thank you for everybodys input. All suggestions look great.

My dads tools have been sitting in a open tool cart for the past 3 years while he was actively using them, so putting them in a more closed chest will not make a difference negatively. Will probably get a water proof chest for the electric tools

Tools that are being used tend to get grease and oil on them. I wont harp on this, but just consider the value of what you're leaving outside. It doesn't take too many quality tools to add up to 4 or 5 grand.

 

[John in OH]

Here's another idea. Sell them and put the money into an investment account and when his grand children go to college or trade school they can buy books or the tools they actually need.

Taking up limited storage space for twenty plus years for tools that may not be usable, wanted or appreciated is not a good idea. Save yourself the effort now and sell them before they are worth nothing of value in money or memories.

That's a pretty "cold hearted" point of view .... but, not totally unreasonable. Maybe select a few specific sets of wrenches that are in good condition and put them in a box under your bed for long-term storage and then sell the rest if you don't intend to use them.

I know from experience that my two sons couldn't care less about tools that belonged to their grandfather. But YMMV.