portable boxes, whats your take?

[young_buck]

I have never owned a real portable box only little plastic ones for fasteners. Anyways, I was thinking about getting one for my tools at work but wasn't sure if it was worth it, what do you guys think? Also which is better, cantilever or large opening with tray?

 

[Haveblue]

I bought a brand new box (waterloo) similar to the one in your picure cheap at a pawn shop last year. I picked it up since I sometimes go on service calls. its come in very handy for that! Where I work, mobility is productivity. its nice to have a small box to throw things in for whatever comes up! ive never had a cantilever style, but they look like a box that would be more organized to actually store tools in..mine sits empty at the bottom of my cart untill I need it, I just throw in what I need, and go..looks a little more professional than using a cardboard box like I used to! LOL!

 

[crewchief888]

hmmm..

i prefer a toolbag myself, i keep one or 2, (sometimes 3) in my service truck in case i have to lug tools and parts back and forth to a machine that i cant get access to with my service truck
i have a used, ($9 flea mkt find), kennedy cantilever i keep my off road spare parts in. loaded up, it's in the 80-90 lb range

if i'm headed to a friends place to do some work, i have a '70's vintage CM 3 drawer top box that holds enough tools....

 

[young_buck]

I prefer tool bags as well but I need to be able to lock it for overnight and weekend storage. this will be my primary box for work for my basic hand tools for on the go yard and field repairs

 

[spotco2]

I used to use one similar to this when making field calls for electronic work. Easy to find everything you need and plenty of room. Regular boxes seem to be cluttered catch-alls when I use them.

 

[PCO6]

I have never owned a real portable box only little plastic ones for fasteners. Anyways, I was thinking about getting one for my tools at work but wasn't sure if it was worth it, what do you guys think? Also which is better, cantilever or large opening with tray?

I have 4 or 5 metal boxes of that size that keep on a shelf over my bench. I keep my spray and air brush guns and related equipment in them. I also have 5 of the next size down that I keep on a shelf in a metal cabinet. I use them for various jig, puller, bender, etc. kits.

 

[Outlander]

I use one like in your pic as well as a larger plastic one (gift from my Mom) when taking tools from the shop outside or to another room. This is especially true at home where I have a basement shop and running up and down the stairs is a killer!

 

[dandan111]

I have a few in my truck. One for a log chain,hitch and the other for tools. Very handy. The box for tools is a old Kennedy with a pivot tray on top. A cantilever for tools would be even better.

 

[Justin1776]

I have a KRA-21 that I got at a garage sale for $20 (damn thing is $400 new now) but it is from the 70's, faded with surface rust. That being said, it is built like a tank and weighs over 70 pounds with tools in it. I love it for keeping my sockets and ratchets in it. It lives in the back of my jeep and serves as the junkyard, road side assistance and small equipment service box (construction work). It is too heavy to lug around though, the waterloo and craftsman equivalents are at least half the weight. I certainly recommend one (or a similar Waterloo etc.) you wont be disappointed.

 

[ianguilly]

This is what is in my trunk for junkyard and road side repairs, love it

 

[darkk]

I have several portable boxes with just an upper tray I've used over the years. Kinda got used to that style...

 

[honcho]

I've gotten used to tool bags for mobile work, but I do group different tool sets in portable tool boxes. I acquired a big cantilever box but once I got it full I could barely move it around. I'm still trying to figure out the mobile tool solution that is something besides two or three soft sided bags.

 

[rusty65]

I think portable boxes are very useful big heavy items not commonly used but still need to be portable and some what organized. Such an example is that I have a old Dunlap portable box that I keep old worn out or broken or orphaned machinist tools in I like to keep them some what organized in case I need a piece from the box.

 

[andrew9]

I had this cantilever box for going around a factory.
The box was the companies, and so was the time and materials for the cart, but I still wish I'd grabbed it when I left.
It was real easy to walk around with, handled small steps well, and rolled fast.
Custom stainless tube spray can holders on the rear too.

sorry for the **** picture

 

[TerryH]

I would personally vote for a cantilever box. Love my Snappy UT22. I've had it for a long time and it has served me very well. The new ones sell for $129. Mine is made in Canada. New one's are made in China. You can stuff a ton of tools in it!

 

[bluebolt]

This is what is in my trunk for junkyard and road side repairs, love it

I use a similar four drawer Craftsman version for the same stuff, works great.