Rolling Tool Cabinet? (1000 Sq Ft Retirement)

[karoc]

I am in process of transferring all of my shop stuff, mainly wood working and metal working with some wrenches in mix to my 1000 sq ft retirement home. My new shop is in Chaos right now and needless to say, it’s all spread out in totes, boxes, and whatever I could find put stuff in. At my present location all my stuff was in built-in cabinets which I made over 40 plus years as I need them. With the price of plywood and other building materials being what they are I’m thinking about rolling tool cabinets. Say Husky, Kobalt, Craftsmen, Yukon, US General which it seems priced are about 50.00 within each other if catch them on sale. My plan is to have boxes under my out feed table for my table saw to store my WWing hand tools and say some hand held power tools if fit in bottom drawers. My experience with rolling tool cabinets is very small, have 46” General that purchase about 5yrs ago but that box will be for my mill. My other cabinet that I purchase new was Craftsmen gray/red box from years ago. No ball bearing roller on these sliding drawers.
For now unless hear different I’ve look at HD, Lowes, and HF for comparison, it seems that Yukon 46” is at 300.00 till tomorrow at HF but I’m not going jump on it. Guys I’m not heavy duty user, just guy who kinda plays around. So I know get what pay for, but I don’t need SnapOn or anything along those lines. So more on cheap side, what is the recommendation? My goal is to have 4 of these under out feed table but I can’t buy them all at once. Is there time of year that catch good sale or just wait till sale pops up? Open for suggestions, open minded for other options. Thanks

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Not a huge HF fan, but in this case, the rolling tool boxes are the best bang for the buck.
I have a 1970s vintage SnapOn, a 1960 vintage Craftsman (neither have ball bearing drawer slides) and several US General boxes.

 

[rust in the eye]

Any chance of removing your existing built ins and making them mobile?
Very little of my wood working or construction tools would store well in my mechanic's tool chests. Me thinks you'll be wanting more deep drawers than mechanic's boxes provide. If your stuff will now be seldom used repurposed two or three drawer lateral file cabinets are not the best for organization but are plenty roomy for power tools. A three drawer is around 40" tall. There is a glut of used office furniture available. Contact a local installer, they'll likely have a warehouse full of stuff they want to unload.

 

[RTM]

Very little of my wood working or construction tools would store well in my mechanic's tool chests.

I agree with this. WW power tools really fill up even big drawers quick. Planes etc are worse, must just a little too big for the smaller drawers, and don’t stack well in the larger drawers. Think purpose built for the planes. I keep most power tools in boxes to keep the mess contained, when I can find them. They stack better than tool bags too.

 

[PhantomEB]

From what I see watching the threads here from Canada where it’s 5 hours drive to HF for me( a drive I gladly will do) you can’t beat US General.

I got at least two months before I can ever visit a HF for the first time, I not sure I can hold out getting another Husky box from Home Depot. I not the kind that cares too much about ball bearing slides, truth be told.

 

[karoc]

Thanks guys for responding, think I will take some of smaller cabinets. I do have a torsion table top that I made, going give it try with my hoist. Maybe!

 

[karoc]

Pulled my air compressor out of corner where it’s been for at least 20 yrs. Sprayed it down with WD40 wipe off all dust and oil residue. Draining oil out of it, so can lay it down and put some straps on it to haul to its new shop. Plus small cabinets, maybe one storage cabinets

 

[seber]

It may not be a problem but that compressor was not designed to be laid on it's side. I would try to find a way to either transport standing up or remove the motor and pump from the tank.

 

[karoc]

It may not be a problem but that compressor was not designed to be laid on it's side. I would try to find a way to either transport standing up or remove the motor and pump from the tank.

That may be the plan, at my age I don’t want to buy another air compressor. It’s a necessity in my shop

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

If you do have to lay your compressor down let it stand upright for at least 24 hours so any oil can run back down past the piston rings.

 

[bcschief]

If you do have to lay your compressor down let it stand upright for at least 24 hours so any oil can run back down past the piston rings.

How about just drain the oil and the air tank, move it and then replace the oil and hook it up and go.

 

[legenddc]

They might be too tall for an out feed table. I would look at what size drawers you have now and get whatever toolbox that has similar size drawers.

 

[msharley]

Don't be afraid of getting used tool boxes....

Sometimes one can do really well....

 

[Dig Doug]

My take is…

Down sizing ***** !

I think you’ll need to be in the new shop for a little bit to get the feel for what & how your going to use it….

retirement ( To Me ) means to slow down and enjoy the fruits of your labor / life. Hard to give up what you have already had and are used to working in.

Enjoy the time you have left….




My neighbor up the street had a full on wood shop in his garage, he has some health issues and has sold off all his gear - Table saws, shapers, sanders & planners …. All kinds of cool stuff!
I bought some Festool gear from him that I’ll probably never use but have a story or 3 to share.


He is such a good character!
He was a high end precision wood worker - multi million dollar homes in so cal. Crazy some of the stuff he has built. 2 story Libraries, floating stairs, kitchens & bathrooms - also kustom doors and trim…
I missed out on building something w/ him, It would have been cool to have a game board/ live edge gun rack or something we built together

I like to go up and give him a hard time and listen to his BS’n. We have a great relationship!

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

How about just drain the oil and the air tank, move it and then replace the oil and hook it up

How about just drain the oil and the air tank, move it and then replace the oil and hook it up and go.

I wasn’t clear, you should definitely drain the oil but still let it stand for 24 hours because there is still small amounts of oil in the compressor.

 

[dcg9381]

Not a huge HF fan, but in this case, the rolling tool boxes are the best bang for the buck.

I have a bunch (maybe more than 5) of the HF boxes and the older ones probably at least 15 years old. Great bang for the buck. 46" for $350 is a good deal. I'm going to keep buying them.

 

[CGarage]

Can’t you get a storage cabinet with free delivery off of Amazon for the larger, bulky woodworking tools?

 

[karoc]

Here’s plan, which I put lot thought into all suggestions. My crane won’t straddle the trailer so I can’t lay it over. Looking pump over to remove it, I’m afraid I’ll create leaks. So including other members ideas of using chain wrap around trailer rails to put straps on. Looking at pic, there are straps to keep top from going backwards and forward. Also couple straps keep it from tilting left/right on trailer. Tank is bolted to pallet which going to use deck screws to screw down trailer. Going to also screw down 2x4 blocks so pallet won’t slide around. I believe this will work under normal driving. But who knows what kind tricks I’ll come across. Thanks for all suggestions.