Please Help Me Decide on a Box

[Rockuf8]

I'm new here and have enjoyed viewing and reading many informative threads, the photos really help give an idea of how tool boxes really look in person.

I'm in the process of redoing my garage and adding A LOT of storage, as I have collected too many tools and have outgrown my 26" stacked CM griplatch box.

There are so many choices I'm more confused than ever, the more research I do the harder the choice is becoming.

Looking in my garage, the left side will have an adjustable Gladiator 8ft tool bench with some roller Ulti-MATE cabinets underneath. Above that there is a bank of (3) 54"x12x24 pre fabbed white cabinets already hung and filled with various items.

The back wall has plastic shelving which will be replaced with a wall of (5) Ulti-MATE white metallic cabinets.

The right side is the side I'm trying to decide on. I have (1) 54x12x24 cabinet already hung and will add onto that. Can no longer find these cabinets but have found same depth cabinets at various heights at Lowes, albeit slightly different doors.

The decision I need help with is which box or boxes configuration do I get.
Factors are price, number of drawers, and sizes/configurations of these drawers that will fit in the space shown. I cannot spend 3k for a 72" roller, so I'm trying to be creative as my budget will be $1,500 and under.

Best way to help visualize this was to quickly illustrate the options. I have a rather large socket and screw driver sets that don't currently fit in my 23" CM drawers, so I prefer a few wider drawers. A lot of white cabinets, neutral painted walls with gloss painted white baseboard moulding for a clean look like the rest of my home. I want this to look more like an extension of my home, rather than a garage.

Example of white Ulti-MATE cabinets

Gladiator 8ft White Adjustable Bench w/ Bamboo top

Option 1
Harbor Freight 44" with (2) side cabinets

Option 2
Harbor Freight 44" (2)

Option 3
Montezuma 56" with lower existing CM

Option 4
Viper 41" + 26" + 16"

 

[Rockuf8]

Option 5
Viper 41" + 33"

Option 6
Viper 41" (2)

Option 7
Craftsman 56" (extra deep 24") + 27"

Option 8
Viper 41" White (2)

Not going to post photo examples of all the boxes, I'm sure most have seen all of them before.

I eliminated the orange 41" International since I have read the longer drawers have a raised center rib which I would hate. Hope none of these other ones have it. The HF 56" alone would be to small and not provide enough drawers for my needs.

Thanks!

 

[55cadillacking]

Wow, I thought I was ****! You take this stuff seriously. That's a compliment, not a criticism. I have a 56" CM and love it, so it gets my vote. Good luck with your decision, I'm sure you can't really go wrong.

 

[Rockuf8]

Ha, thanks man. Yeah, I have a problem, I realize this.

Do you have the 56" roller 24" deep CM? Just wondering how much difference a 2-4" deeper drawer makes, plus not sure of the ones I posted which are full extension, which might make a difference.

 

[Conductor562]

For some reason I like option 4 But, for the money, option 2 is pretty hard to beat.

 

[55cadillacking]

Ha, thanks man. Yeah, I have a problem, I realize this.

Do you have the 56" roller 24" deep CM? Just wondering how much difference a 2-4" deeper drawer makes, plus not sure of the ones I posted which are full extension, which might make a difference.

No, I have the 56" CM roller with 21" deep drawers, which is by FAR deep enough for me. The top 51" drawer is awesome for storing breaker bars, jack handles, and other long tools. I got a crazy deal on mine through the Sears Canada website. Over 50% off.

 

[55cadillacking]

Sidenote: the top drawer (51") does have the raised center rib. FWIW.

 

[Rockuf8]

Awesome, thanks for the info 55cadillacking, I'm thinking I would like to avoid a center rib, unless all wide drawers usually have that?

And I agree Conductor562, the two 44" HFs are a hard to beat value, red is my least fav color, but I do like how the new gloss red finish looks in real photos versus the stock pics on the HF site.

Anyone else?

 

[BarnFab]

Not a real good picture but I used Whalen units from Costco, they set me back $499 ea and are 72" long. Gave me a nice look and a good work surface.

I have them full of weight and they seem to work well and were good value for $$$ I thought.

Once they are setup I am going to remove the wheels and put them on kickers so they tie in better and seal to the floor.

 

[Rockuf8]

Yeah, those look great, but they don't seem to carry those anymore or at the moment at least. no idea if they're get them in anymore, I just joined Costco a few days ago.

 

[BarnFab]

They have them in my local Costco still.

 

[Sunbimmer]

I would go for the white option (8), I think that looks very neat.
It is one of the most expensive options but hey.... it looks cool.

 

[Rockuf8]

They have them in my local Costco still.

WTH. I called 3-4 local Costco's and they had no idea what I was talking about. If I were to get that it would still only give me 10 drawers. Of course you have three together, lucky . Is the s/s coated? I hate having to clean all my s/s appliances.

I would go for the white option (8), I think that looks very neat.
It is one of the most expensive options but hey.... it looks cool.

I do like how the clean look of the white boxes looks , they're both the same size and they would look very nice with the white cabinets and white tool bench, plus not too many people have the white Vipers.

 

[Modern Jess]

Not a real good picture but I used Whalen units from Costco, they set me back $499 ea and are 72" long. Gave me a nice look and a good work surface.

I have a couple of those in my workshop as well, laid out end to end. I do like them, though I wish the drawers weren't so stiff to open.

 

[Rockuf8]

I noticed the drawers were like that on a Kobalt I saw in Lowes the other day, I imagine it would get a bit annoying after a while. Anyone have the white 41" Viper roller? Haven't seen too many pics of them. Are the drawers on the Viper 41" cabinets full extension?

 

[Kevin54]

If you're looking at HF's, don't disregard looking at Menards also now that they have some new colors, of black, red, blue, then the ugly grass green that was standard. I think 56" or 72" is their largest.

 

[dandan111]

I have seen the viper at sears and they are nice. I have also seen pictures of the HF boxes in many projects and that may be the best bang for your buck. I would do both the same size,I just think it looks better. You are going to have a nice setup.

 

[Rockuf8]

If you're looking at HF's, don't disregard looking at Menards also now that they have some new colors, of black, red, blue, then the ugly grass green that was standard. I think 56" or 72" is their largest.

Yeah, I'm in NJ when I checked the other day the closest Menards is in OH

I actually liked their green box

I have seen the viper at sears and they are nice. I have also seen pictures of the HF boxes in many projects and that may be the best bang for your buck. I would do both the same size,I just think it looks better. You are going to have a nice setup.

I agree two same sized boxes looks neatest, the thought with two different boxes was varying the draw sizes.

As far as having a nice set up, I'm hoping it will look as nice as some of the ones I've seen on this site, there are some impressive ones for sure.

 

[regguy1]

My new 56" box here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175440

 

[Rockuf8]

Damn, I would be eliminating top cabinets which I didn't want to do since I will be using the top of the cabinets to store tons of extra wood trim I have, beautiful box though.

 

[seth928]

I have the Harbor Freight set up.....also 2 craftsman rollers...and a small Matco top chest. I will tell you that when I bought the Harbor Freight set up, I knew It wasn't a Snap On......it also costs 1/5th.....my only real complaint is the casters....my box is only 3 months old and is probably 1/2 full, (just because my organizational skills need work)....but the casters are poor and when this thing is loaded they will fail....I looked at reviews before I bought the set up....and that was a complaint I had read....just a heads up

 

[Rockuf8]

Damn, yeah I figured that was the weakest part of the HF boxes. I heard of the red rubber falling off the 56" casters after being moved once. Do you have the 44" or 56"? What exactly do you mean the casters fail?

Could the fancy spring casters be added to the HF boxes?

 

[seth928]

actually i think its 42....and its not the rubber...its the bearing (get a lil dust in there and forget it)....my plan is to retro fit the bottom cab with quality casters when the time comes....but the box and chest set me back 700 and change.. it was marked down 200 and change...and its for my home shop so i figured what the hell

 

[Rockuf8]

A little dust in the bearing renders the casters useless? Eh.

On a side note, I was just on the Viper web site and saw they are selling the lime green and white 41" boxes for $475 ea ($300 cheaper than Amazon)

Shipping is a bit inflated, but still would save me $256.

 

[55cadillacking]

You're just making things harder on yourself! The only thing I can contribute to your quandary is to go with your gut. Which one do you keep checking out the most?

 

[Rockuf8]

You're just making things harder on yourself! The only thing I can contribute to your quandary is to go with your gut. Which one do you keep checking out the most?

I think I have narrowed it down to the Black or White 41" Vipers because I agree as someone else stated that two identical cabinets look best, and I like the 4 wider drawers on each 41 Viper box. The HF only has 1 wide drawer albeit taller than the Viper drawers which I think wouldn't be an issue because I lay my sockets down flat in magnetic organizers.

I really like the clean look of the white, but black is my favorite color.

 

[55cadillacking]

I think white would look wicked with the white ULTI-MATE cabinets you are planning on installing. A very "clinical" look. That's my vote. White Vipers!

 

[Rockuf8]

With white and beige tiles, painted beige walls and painted white baseboard trim... hmm

 

[55cadillacking]

I think you're on to something there...

 

[indyokie]

For what it's worth- I have two Craftsman 52'' Wide 14-Drawer Ball-Bearing GRIPLATCHTool Carts, they often go on sale down to $ 650-$700 each - I actually got the 52" with the top chest for $ 999.00 I didn't know then, but I really would have paided more attention to the depth. 18" depth in a drawer only allows some items ( like larger combination wrenches - to go one way. Not the end of the world, however I wish now I stepped up to something with 20" or larger depth drawers, or some that were more wider.

 

[Rockuf8]

We shall see, I'll take one last look around various web sites before I pull the trigger on them. I just wish I could see some real world pics of them intead of the same stock photo I've seen of the box. I'm worried the two 41" 18" deep boxes won't look substaintial enough and be a lot more storage than my current CM set up.

Does anyone have a photo of two same sized 41" boxes side by side so I can get an idea of size? I would think it would certainly going to be much larger than my stacked 26" Griplatch CM.

This is basically what I have now but in black.

Wonder what it's worth on CL? It's in perfect condition.

 

[Rockuf8]

For what it's worth- I have two Craftsman 52'' Wide 14-Drawer Ball-Bearing GRIPLATCHTool Carts, they often go on sale down to $ 650-$700 each - I actually got the 52" with the top chest for $ 999.00 I didn't know then, but I really would have paided more attention to the depth. 18" depth in a drawer only allows some items ( like larger combination wrenches - to go one way. Not the end of the world, however I wish now I stepped up to something with 20" or larger depth drawers, or some that were more wider.

That is def something to consider, depth. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[BarnFab]

WTH. I called 3-4 local Costco's and they had no idea what I was talking about. If I were to get that it would still only give me 10 drawers. Of course you have three together, lucky . Is the s/s coated? I hate having to clean all my s/s appliances.

That is weird, where are you ? That number should link to them no issues at all.

Oh well, as for Draws, I don't really have a shortage of draws between the 4 Costco Units, the two 56" rollers, 2 x 11 Draw lista units and this load below..

Keep an eye on Craigs List is the moral to the story of draws

 

[Rockuf8]

What about the
Homak H2PRO 72in., 21-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet
72.125 W x 22 D x 46.75 H
Red, Blue or Black.

$1,499 + $227.71 shipping from Northern Tool

 

[Rockuf8]

After researching the forum, seems the Homak line hasn't been all that well received.

 

[Rockuf8]

There's my insignificant 26"/27" CM and my ugly garage. It's crying for a reno to match the rest of my home.

 

[Rockuf8]

Considering the layout on the other side of the garage (2 sets of 54" existing wall mounted cabinets) and proposed work bench and underbench storage, which wall cabinet configuration on the other side where the 41" Viper boxes will be makes the most sense to everyone? Wider cabinets, more shelving..etc..

Tool Bench layout

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Thanks

 

[Rockuf8]

Anyone have an opinion on which upper cabinet layout they prefer?

 

[Rockuf8]

Also, as far as a work bench and under bench storage goes I noticed a lot of the guys on here don't leave openings for a stool. I would think an opening is needed if you wanted to sit at your bench and work.. if not I could add another much needed under bench cabinet.

I'm really looking for advice here from your seasoned garage guys as I usually never used my last bench as a working bench but rather just storage. I'd like to be able to sit at my bench and do things like re assemble brake calipers instead of doing it inside the house while using a cocktail or kitchen table.

 

[Rockuf8]

So what about this layout?

I finally saw a Viper storage cabinet at Sears, but it was a small stacked unit, the lime green color killed it for me. Also the extruded brushed drawer pulls didn't look great, I think it's the brushed finish that looks cheesy to me, fit and finish of the one in the store was nice though.

If I got the Viper I would remove the pulls and powdercoat them in black or dark grey, same thing with the caster bracketry, for almost a storm trooper look sort of similar look to the Snap On below.(I think it's someone's on GJ)

A few better pics I found of a the 41" black Viper stacked box. Very nice build quality, the badge is pretty cool too.

Close up shot I took of the ugly lime green roller's badge and brushed drawer pulls.