Question on Tool Chest Slides

[jamison]

I fully admit it, I cheaped out when I purchased my first tool chest when I was building up my first tool collection and went for the cheaper Craftsman Quiet Glide 40" combo rather than the ball bearing, which I fully regret now.

However, I just discovered the Sears parts web site (http://www.searspartsdirect.com/) due to searching for a replacement tool chest name plate, as mine got all scratched up during the haul into the house and I don't mind spending $3 something to get a new one.

Then I saw they also sell replacement slides. I assume I can just buy 28 replacement slides from the ball bearing model and upgrade each drawer one-by-one, correct? The guide rail attached to each drawer should be compatible based on what I know, but if anyone has any more knowledge on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry it's such a lame question, but they don't do returns and I don't want to waste money on something like that.

Thanks!

 

[onewaydave]

I think that by the time you buy and replace the slides you will have invested more than a Sear box is worth. Consider selling/re-purposing it and going for what you want.

On the other hand. Long before ball bearing slides (and that is a nebulous term calling some of these ball bearing slides), everyone had non-ball-bearing slides. They worked. Keep them clean, lubed and don't overload them and they work.

I have a soft heart for old C'man H-slide chest systems and use them. Sure my main box is a Masterforce (a cheap out in of itself) so the secondary boxes aren't used multiple times a minute or whatever.

Seriously, go look at and touch a Snapon, Mac, or other professional box before you decide to change just the slides.

Dave, known for throwing good money after bad, his own self.

 

[John in OH]

Interesting question, but don't know the answer. Do you have a buddy/relative/neighbor that may have the same size chest with the ball bearing tracks? If so, maybe you can get measurements of clearances etc. and see if they are the same as your chest.

Buy only one set of new bb tracks instead of 28 and see if that one set will, or can be made, to fit.

Sell your existing chest and buy the one that you really want. You'll probably lose $$ on the sale of your existing chest, but you will save the cost of buying new tracks. May be nearly cost neutral.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I considered this at one time. I was thinking that the slides mounted different, so you want to make sure to check that out. Also figure your tool cost of the slides vs buying a different box.

The HF box has a good reputation around here, it may cost you relatively cost to what replacing all those slides will cost.

 

[shanker]

I don't think it would be worth it after you factor in the cost and your time to do this.

I thought about doing the same thing, but I just kept my eyes open for a good deal on a new (to me) and bigger toolbox and came out WAAAY better.

 

[papabil]

H F box x2. I have 4 and i love them. bill

 

[er3456df]

No. The friction slides and QuietGlides will interchange (QG is just a coating), but the BB slides have a different cabinet and different drawers entirely.

Look at one of your drawers- part of the slide assy is spotwelded to the drawer. The BB drawers are just flat on the sides, with square and trapezoidal holes stamped in to hook onto the slides.

 

[jamison]

Thanks for all of the input, I appreciate your time and suggestions.

I think I'll just keep it as is and wait to buy more tool chests once I can move into a nice custom garage. This site has helped inspire me to purchase a reasonable house with a nice sized piece of land purely for the purpose of building my own very sizable custom garage/workshop.

I'm settled on the fact it will cost more than the house itself and be larger (early estimates at 70x35x35 with room for second floor expansion at later date), at least three bays with 1-3 lifts, a considerable entertainment room with large glass window peering into the shop, an office space, full bathroom, and little kitchen area with fridge, big tub wash sink, microwave, etc. Modern lighting, ventilation, AC/heat, insulation, wiring. That stuff alone is exciting after living my entire life in a 60 year old home with fuses that blow every week and no insulation.

I simply can't wait to fill this thing out. It will have storage cabinets galore, some peg board mixed in with Craftsman versa-track on the lower and upper ends of the peg board, one of those giant storage closets laid out with 80-100 storage bins for hardware, several work benches and the best vise you can buy, drill press, lathe, and some other shop and fabrication equipment. I even want to make sure it has a little extra room for a bike lift and I might just build a bike for the learning experience of it all even though I'm not a biker, and to make sure any friends with bikes can come over and enjoy the space too.

I really want it to be almost like a town-garage for my friends and family to come over, hang out, work on whatever they own and there will be at least one extra reasonably sized tool set just for visitors.

Thankfully it appears my career will be able to support this dream within about 10 years as I settle down on purchasing the house and land.

Off-topic yes, but I just wanted to share my thoughts. Thanks again.

 

[Falcon67]

FWIW - I opted for the Quiet Glide chests because of price. Never mind that you can now sometimes buy the ball bearing units for less than the Quiet units if you catch the right sale. I've been using the Glide drawers for many years without issue. And I cram my drawers with tools, and certainly am over the "50 lbs/drawer" limit on more than one drawer. Keep them lubed and use with care - should last a long time.

Also FWIW - I gave away a Snap On top check that used glide type drawer slides a few years ago. It was a 70s model, well built as you'd expect and someone managed to still screw up/gouge the slide on one drawer (why I got it cheap in the first place).