Rolling tool cart or rolling tool chest (5 drawer)???

[RBekk66]

So, I put a lift in my garage 2 years ago and finally realized I need a rolling cart to help when I'm working on my cars. I picked out a small Husky rolling tool chest ($270) from Home Cheapo and an OEM service cart ($100) from amazon. They both take up the same amount of floor space when not using it so no issue there. The service cart is lighter to roll around. The Husky will hold lots of tools that I use mostly when doing maintenance jobs. I need something so I'm not constantly putting tools on the floor or on the arms of the lift where they usually fall off anyway. I only need one so please tell me how you guys do it. Thanks in advance

 

[zmotorsports]

I have a plain open top/no drawer Snap-on tool cart that I have had for over 20 years now and is probably hands down one of the most used tools in my shop. It gets used for nearly every job in my shop.

I will generally load up the tool cart with tools that I may need at the toolbox before moving it into place at or under the vehicle. Then more tools accumulate throughout the job as I need.


Also works well for holding my brake bleeding pump/container and I can easily move around the vehicle.



Tools at easy reaching height when working under a vehicle on the lift. Also convenient when you have your hands full to be able to put parts, fasteners or tools into the cart from a standing position.


When the project moves from the vehicle to the workbench it can be easily rolled over to support the work at the bench.


Or at the fabrication table.


Many of my sockets are in magnetic trays so as I am loading the cart to work on a specific task I will grab the socket tray(s) I think I may need. Then smaller tools I keep in magnetic trays on the sides of the cart so I don't have to dig for them in the open top cart.


When the job is completed, cart is rolled over to the main toolbox where tools are cleaned before going back in to the toolbox.


This is what works for me as I prefer the open top cart for many reasons over a drawer style roll cart full of tools.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I had these two roller carts. I sold the blue one. I like and use the red one often.
The red cart needed a freshening, Shown, before and after. The blue roller cart was in good condition, but really dusty.
I still have tree Radio Flyer wagon boxes. I had them on a common post, with the smaller one on the top. These wagons were a few dollars each at garage sales.

 

[larry_g]

I'm with Mike above. An open tool cart is what works for me. With some experience you will know the basic tools you need to do a job and those are moved from the storage box to the cart at the beginning of the job. Soon you may find the same tools are being moved and they find a permanent spot in the cart. When the job is done then a wipe down of the tools and return to storage.

lg
no neat sigline

 

[RBekk66]

nice set up guys. if I choose the rolling tool chest, I'll use the top of it for setting down any tools I'm using for that job. also it's nice to add some more storage options, like with the extra 5 drawers. my big tool cart is almost full. since I bought my parts washer and put in a dolly I've been using that for rolling tool storage and I hate it. I bought both options but one has to get returned. we'll see.

 

[isb cornbinder]

This is the same roller tool tray/box. I shuffle the sections around. I really never liked this unit. It started after a friend wanted to sell it and we agreed on a price. I couldn't bring it home on my motorcycle, so he offered to deliver next time he was in the area. I was out and my wife paid for the box. He lied to her and collected another $100. I called him on it and he said, "You should have been there." He tossed out 35 years of friendship like so much garbage.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Harbor Freight 5 or 6 drawer carts are hard to beat for the value and quality

 

[zmotorsports]

This is the same roller tool tray/box. I shuffle the sections around. I really never liked this unit. It started after a friend wanted to sell it and we agreed on a price. I couldn't bring it home on my motorcycle, so he offered to deliver next time he was in the area. I was out and my wife paid for the box. He lied to her and collected another $100. I called him on it and he said, "You should have been there." He tossed out 35 years of friendship like so much garbage.

That's a chicken-**** move right there. Yeah, he wouldn't be a friend for long with me either.

 

[BigLeagueSmoes]

I have a plain open top/no drawer Snap-on tool cart that I have had for over 20 years now and is probably hands down one of the most used tools in my shop. It gets used for nearly every job in my shop.

I will generally load up the tool cart with tools that I may need at the toolbox before moving it into place at or under the vehicle. Then more tools accumulate throughout the job as I need.


Also works well for holding my brake bleeding pump/container and I can easily move around the vehicle.



Tools at easy reaching height when working under a vehicle on the lift. Also convenient when you have your hands full to be able to put parts, fasteners or tools into the cart from a standing position.


When the project moves from the vehicle to the workbench it can be easily rolled over to support the work at the bench.


Or at the fabrication table.


Many of my sockets are in magnetic trays so as I am loading the cart to work on a specific task I will grab the socket tray(s) I think I may need. Then smaller tools I keep in magnetic trays on the sides of the cart so I don't have to dig for them in the open top cart.


When the job is completed, cart is rolled over to the main toolbox where tools are cleaned before going back in to the toolbox.


This is what works for me as I prefer the open top cart for many reasons over a drawer style roll cart full of tools.

Nice set up!

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice set up!

Thank you.

 

[Jayman17]

This is the same roller tool tray/box. I shuffle the sections around. I really never liked this unit. It started after a friend wanted to sell it and we agreed on a price. I couldn't bring it home on my motorcycle, so he offered to deliver next time he was in the area. I was out and my wife paid for the box. He lied to her and collected another $100. I called him on it and he said, "You should have been there." He tossed out 35 years of friendship like so much garbage.

Wow, that is a real douchebag move by your “friend”! Glad to hear he became an ex-friend.
Some people...

Jay

 

[isb cornbinder]

That's a chicken-**** move right there. Yeah, he wouldn't be a friend for long with me either.

I was laying awake last night and thinking about this situation. I am an idiot for putting up with this guy 's bad behavior for so many decades. He has been calling my smartphone, but I do not answer. (Call display)