Plastic cases, keep or toss, or use?

[Danglerb]

I've got a freaking farm of plastic cases growing in my garage, and I am trying to decide what stays in the case and gets marked with whats in it, and how do the cases with stuff in them get stored?

I like how some stuff is organized in the case, like my Craftsman 48 pc set of thread chasers, but its laid out for a display, and has no room for the half dozen more thread chasers I have or plan to buy.

I've kept my torque wrenches in the plastic cases, and usually take the case to where I am working so the tool goes right back in after use. Downside is that the cases eat a lot space in my box, and many of them look the same, so I need to use a marker on them to ID whats inside.

 

[mrshaun]

keep the power tool and socket/wrench cases. if you travel they come in handy.
also trade in to a dealer is easier if you have the cases.

 

[Fedwrench]

It ***** but, I would keep them. I'm not talking about the thin plastic trays that sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers come in. I'm talking about the blow molded cases with a hinged lid. I would store measuring devices like dial indicators in them. I would also keep test equipment in their original case. I store the empty boxes in an old file cabinet. The boxes are worth having if you sell the tools that came in them.

 

[rsanter]

I would not throw them away, but if you really dont want them then sell them. there are people that will buy them


bob

 

[chrislehr]

I would not throw them away, but if you really dont want them then sell them. there are people that will buy them


bob

I see them for sale all the time on CL here... which says to me, sell em, and if you have buyers remorse, you can find em later.

I think if I had one of those blow mold ones that hold 5-6 tools from an entire set (like a dewalt or ryobi, etc) I would keep just because they paid people to learn how to pack them best, and it would never pack smaller if you did it yourself.

 

[xroad]

I'm talking about the blow molded cases with a hinged lid.

Usually the hinged lid boxes that comes with the set is not a pinned hinge. It is just a thick film connecting the box and the lid that gets folded back and forth that eventually splits. They are inefficient in space. Like someone mentioned, they are designed for presentation. I suppose if you ever want to sell the set, the box would make a better ... eh ... presentation.

 

[back2class]

I throw them away. The small older steel DeWalt drill boxes were worth keeping but the plastic ones for hand and power tools go to the curb. To bulky and don't last.

 

[tw33k2514]

keep them in case you sell a set.

 

[Joe H]

I say keep em. They might come in handy for packing up the tools if you move or if you decide to sell em.

 

[brian90505]

I may regret it later but I've thrown all of mine away.

 

[Blwnsln]

I buy most of the snap on one's i see. So dont toss them!

 

[krehmkej]

Blow moulded ones go straight into the recycle bin. Only box I kept was a Milwaukee fabric one. Works great for shop first aid kit.

 

[wesmamyke]

I am still kicking myself for not buying this circular saw at a used tool store. Forget the brand but the saw and especially the case were all just shiny polished metal.

Off topic sorta but those old metal cases make me wish it was years ago before plastic was even invented.

 

[Stuey]

I toss cases occasionally and sometimes regret it. But for the most part, if I REALLy miss a case, I can replace it with a better quality or space saving version.

 

[KevinCT]

keepem, I've gutted some with my dremel ,took the molded innards out put foam in back in ,to protect other items for storage.

 

[WoodbyFabrication]

I threw all my blow molded cases away saves room in my tool box only ones i keep is for my diagnostic equip. and measuring tools like calipers and bore gauges. I might regret it later but havent yet.

 

[eborcim]

I'd find a big heavy cardboard box and store them in it and it out of the way.

 

[escapeewantab]

I love plastic cases never have enough.

 

[Danglerb]

I didn't think about resale, but your 100% right, best to keep them, even if its empty in some box in storage.

I need to get busy with a marker and start putting labels on the cases, so I don't open 3 before I find what I need.

Thanks for the opinions.

 

[d33pt]

i always toss em unless i don't plan to put that tool into my toolbox. the only one i've regretted tossing is the 150pc craftsman toolset case.

 

[nate379]

I usually toss them.