Taking the plunge to a bigger box...
- Thread starter carl456
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That's where I'm at now.. I have the HF 44" top and bottom, plus a blue point roll cab. Then I filled those so I bought a 7 drawer side cab for the HF.. then I filled that and bought another 7 drawer for the other side.. I might just buy another 44" and link them all together lol. It's already 88" long that would put it at 132"... ideally I'd buy a triple bank snap on, but then I think of all the tools i could buy with that money. It's hard lol. Every single tool in my box is either snap on, matco, SK, with a few oddball import tools that I don't use often. I'd much rather have Top quality tools and a decent box then the other way around.
That's exactly it. I have bought a small side cab but that's full now too, I don't want to keep adding bits on and end up with a mish mash of random smaller boxes. But as you said it's hard to justify the cost of the box when I could get other tools with it.
Don't get me wrong I have all the bases covered at the moment for tools, I wouldn't be buying it and not having basics if you know what I mean. The new box would be a 72 inch unit, not snap on but good quality all the same.
Don't get me wrong I have all the bases covered at the moment for tools, I wouldn't be buying it and not having basics if you know what I mean. The new box would be a 72 inch unit, not snap on but good quality all the same.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
For me it was driven by the necessity for more storage first and foremost, followed by my desire to be more proficient in my work and have similar tools in common drawers. Such as I wanted ALL of my sockets in one drawer, ALL my wrenches in one drawer. That was difficult to do with my multiple toolboxes and having to open multiple drawers to get a few wrenches or sockets and extensions.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I always find it more impressive when the tools are more high end than the box. For example: A Craftsman box loaded up full of Snap-on tools, or a Kennedy box loaded up full of MAC tools.
My first bigger box was a 36" wide, 18" deep mastercraft bottom + top...it was full and the drawers were overloaded to the point I was worried about the slides giving out every time I opened/closed certain drawers. That was when I knew it was time to upgrade. Went to a 56" wide, 24" deep international bottom + top with not only a lot more space but also heavier slides on all the drawers (min 100lbs instead of 50lbs).
So long and short, when your box is about to fall apart from too much stuff is when it's time to upgrade.
So long and short, when your box is about to fall apart from too much stuff is when it's time to upgrade.
More room was needed. I filled the HF 44 up and the add on side chest. No matter how I did it stuff wouldnt fit. Tracked down the now elusive 26" red chest top and bottom cause I use the 44 chest as a workbench sometimes. Now Ive half filled the 26" chest
Having like in tools in the same drawers is a big incentive to get the bigger box, at the moment there's no space to move stuff around to make it more organised. And the bigger stuff like test kits, pressure testers won't fit in the box so I have them stuffed down the back of it.
Unfortunately in Ireland where I am there's very limited options in terms of boxes the size I would need in a single unit. There's Snap on and maybe two or three cheaper brands which is what I'll more than likely go for. Very few large boxes come up for sale second hand unfortunately.
Unfortunately in Ireland where I am there's very limited options in terms of boxes the size I would need in a single unit. There's Snap on and maybe two or three cheaper brands which is what I'll more than likely go for. Very few large boxes come up for sale second hand unfortunately.
rsanter
Well-known member
I love the big boxes but in some ways they are not realistic for the home shop guy.
Originally when I needed more room I just put another box next to the exsisting one. Worked well for years.
Then I started going to bigger boxes as I found deals on CL and such.
Currently I have 17 boxes full with only one being a larger box at 50 so inches. The rest are 33 and 40” wide boxes.
This has worked for me as the large box is my general purpose box, all the other ones are specific
Measuring instruments
Mill tooling
Lathe tooling
Engine building
Clamps
Sanding/grinding
Woodworking accessories
Etc
The benifits is that some of the boxes I only get into a few times a year so I pull them out when needed and put them away when not needed
Originally when I needed more room I just put another box next to the exsisting one. Worked well for years.
Then I started going to bigger boxes as I found deals on CL and such.
Currently I have 17 boxes full with only one being a larger box at 50 so inches. The rest are 33 and 40” wide boxes.
This has worked for me as the large box is my general purpose box, all the other ones are specific
Measuring instruments
Mill tooling
Lathe tooling
Engine building
Clamps
Sanding/grinding
Woodworking accessories
Etc
The benifits is that some of the boxes I only get into a few times a year so I pull them out when needed and put them away when not needed
Got it, sorry I didn't realize you were in Ireland. Unfortunately used boxes come up quite often in my neck of the woods (NY) so I find myself with 4 classic roll cabs/top boxes, a dual bank roll cab and top from Tractor Supply, two side boxes and a mid size Snap on top and bottom, LOL...
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Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
This ^. At least that's the case for me at work, dealing with it everyday....Each time I have gotten to the point of stuffed full / overflowing, I traded up and went bigger.
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Lassen Forge
Well-known member
That's where knowing your tool truck guy comes in handy - have them look for a good trade in for you, sometimes they can find one in the strangest place.
I'm in about 5 or 6 small job boxes, a couple rollies, and 2 40" standups with their corresponding top boxes, and I've about had it searching through everywhere to find what I need... so yeah, that's why I'm looking at bigger and better. Find everything in one box? Wow...
I'm in about 5 or 6 small job boxes, a couple rollies, and 2 40" standups with their corresponding top boxes, and I've about had it searching through everywhere to find what I need... so yeah, that's why I'm looking at bigger and better. Find everything in one box? Wow...
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
Room for my tools for the most part. I also did not like moving a 6 foot + tall 26" wide combo around. Was looking hard at a HF 44" top/bottom or bottom/side box/s. Had a diesel mechanic tell me the Snap on driver had an older 54" X 24" Matco bottom. I went with the Matco. It cost the same as the top/bottom HF 44" but holds more than that combo. I also use my box as my main work bench. It's a far better box than I thought I would ever own. I could not be more pleased with my decision.
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
yeah...I said that, too.....3 toolboxes ago
I started with a craftsman 26 inch base, added a middle and then a top. Then added another 26 base, then added another mid and then another top. A few years ago, I redid my garage and move most of the old stuff to other properties and bought 3 HF 44 inch bases and put them in a row across the back of the garage with one 26 inch craftsman mid on top of one base.
Now I am thinking of adding one side cabinet. I keep buying tools.
If I had the money I would rather have two 72 inch. The drawer widths and depths would suit my needs better. Maybe eventually.
Now I am thinking of adding one side cabinet. I keep buying tools.
If I had the money I would rather have two 72 inch. The drawer widths and depths would suit my needs better. Maybe eventually.
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Richard Cranium
Well-known member
harbor freight has the 72in box again for 999.99
shawndp
Well-known member
Indeed! I too share this line of thought - you should see the looks I get with my $100 US General 4-drawer filled full of Snap-On!
JD3020
Well-known member
For me it was a necessity to get through the winter, our shop is a 15x30 and every square inch is used. My 42"x18" Craftsman box just wasn't cutting it anymore, not enough room to keep tools organized and my box is my bench so i didn't have enough room to work. Jumped up to the 56" HF box, but fast forward 4 months and i'm looking at ditching it for the 72" Homak with stainless top. I still don't have enough room for everything, biggest issue is i have a lot of stuff in blow molded cases that eat up space. Just not sure what i'll get rid of to make room for a 72". Can't wait till the day i have a shop with some room to work.
I had a 26" Craftsman combo 12-drawer top and 12-drawer bottom for probably just over 40 years.
As the years went by, always wanted something bigger but never found a drawer combo I liked. Then, I saw the Craftsman 52" combo on sale last August. My wife and I went to take a look and really liked it.
I felt guilty about buying it but she said "Go ahead.. you've been talking about it for years". How can you argue with that? Did an online chat with Sears, got some concessions on price and bit the bullet. Been very happy with it.
As the years went by, always wanted something bigger but never found a drawer combo I liked. Then, I saw the Craftsman 52" combo on sale last August. My wife and I went to take a look and really liked it.
I felt guilty about buying it but she said "Go ahead.. you've been talking about it for years". How can you argue with that? Did an online chat with Sears, got some concessions on price and bit the bullet. Been very happy with it.
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Stuff in cases (short of precision tools like torque wrenches or calipers) doesn't go in the box...build some shelving or get a cabinet.
I think lot of people upgrade by going up a box size which hard work and expensive and not always offering lot of extra space for the effort.
My method after my initial starter box was buy a used matco 7525 which basically a 56" box 25" deep, once I pretty much filled this I looked for another 7525 to add to it thus creating 112" of 25" deep storage for little outlay and easy transition and nothing to resell .
going from a 44" or a 56" to a 72" don't gain you much for the cost plus a 72" box is a **** to move/transport, 2 56" is cheaper, more storage, more work top space and easier move/transport plus you can turn them into triple banks with hangon side drawer addon if need further storage space .
Spent little over 2.5K on both my boxes used including, making new tops, adding power strip and charge shelf to one and fitting all new castors .
These boxes will last my career and if need add to them it won't cost me a fortune to find an addon or another 7525 .
Money spent on tools and technical eduction material pay you back while a overpriced toolbox won't .
My method after my initial starter box was buy a used matco 7525 which basically a 56" box 25" deep, once I pretty much filled this I looked for another 7525 to add to it thus creating 112" of 25" deep storage for little outlay and easy transition and nothing to resell .
going from a 44" or a 56" to a 72" don't gain you much for the cost plus a 72" box is a **** to move/transport, 2 56" is cheaper, more storage, more work top space and easier move/transport plus you can turn them into triple banks with hangon side drawer addon if need further storage space .
Spent little over 2.5K on both my boxes used including, making new tops, adding power strip and charge shelf to one and fitting all new castors .
These boxes will last my career and if need add to them it won't cost me a fortune to find an addon or another 7525 .
Money spent on tools and technical eduction material pay you back while a overpriced toolbox won't .
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Lassen Forge
Well-known member
This has been bugging me for a few days now... and I hate it when this happens...
I just went out to the shop... with my tape measure. I found out that I can actually fit an 84" box where I have my "mess o' tools" currently... Like it will snuggle in right between the door and drill press. As if it was waiting for an "epiq" moment...
The question, now, becomes this -
Do I spring for an 84" box (and either a top box or a workstation) knowing that I can't expand (literally, the shop is just that small, the only downside of having a horse-sized 1870's shop in the 2020's) or do I go with a narrower box and a side box?
Seriously... I just hit up my other half, who told me "This fall, if the cards are paid down, then yes" (--grins-) ... so I really need to think this thru. I already have the colors and the idea, but (this sounds silly, I know) which way do I swing this? 54"and apower center with a tp work station, or a 84" with a workstation top, or...
Help me, Journal-wan-Garagehee... you're my only hope!
I just went out to the shop... with my tape measure. I found out that I can actually fit an 84" box where I have my "mess o' tools" currently... Like it will snuggle in right between the door and drill press. As if it was waiting for an "epiq" moment...
The question, now, becomes this -
Do I spring for an 84" box (and either a top box or a workstation) knowing that I can't expand (literally, the shop is just that small, the only downside of having a horse-sized 1870's shop in the 2020's) or do I go with a narrower box and a side box?
Seriously... I just hit up my other half, who told me "This fall, if the cards are paid down, then yes" (--grins-) ... so I really need to think this thru. I already have the colors and the idea, but (this sounds silly, I know) which way do I swing this? 54"and apower center with a tp work station, or a 84" with a workstation top, or...
Help me, Journal-wan-Garagehee... you're my only hope!
JuliusPepperwood
Well-known member
Same boat. Filled up my HF 44” and my bluepoint 5 drawer cart. I’m entertaining the idea of getting a husky 66” because I like how the drawers are really long. Long tool boxes with abunch of small drawers seems like there’s a lot of wasted space in my opinion.
^ trouble is a 44 plus a 5 drawer cart not much different than the 66" . that husky 66" bit flimsy too if heavy loaded or more daily use box .
If still keeping cart then pretty big upgrade but if not then gain is minimal plus you got old boxes sell.
Most people want skip small 18" depth boxes and stick to 22" minimum and preferably 25" depth and around 41 to 56" length and then rather than jumping to 72" boxes just buy matching cabinet to one you already got as cheaper and more capacity .
If still keeping cart then pretty big upgrade but if not then gain is minimal plus you got old boxes sell.
Most people want skip small 18" depth boxes and stick to 22" minimum and preferably 25" depth and around 41 to 56" length and then rather than jumping to 72" boxes just buy matching cabinet to one you already got as cheaper and more capacity .
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My biggest motivator has been the addition of a 2nd shop, which is around 65-75' away from my primary working space. The bigger shop has my lift and sees most of the larger jobs, whereas the smaller shop sees most of the actual day to day projects. As such, I now have separate sets of tools in both shops...thus necessitating multiple boxes. It got to be a pain to walk back and forth, and I had almost enough "extra" tools to fill several boxes, so it was really a no brainer.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
I got the same looks when I was an RV technician. $100 4-drawer HF cart filled with Snap On, Mac, Knipex, etc.
I've been trying to take the plunge to a bigger box at home for a few years now, but there's always other toys I want more. I have a HF 5-drawer cart, 4-drawer cart, and an old light-duty Craftsman 26" top/bottom combo lined up in the garage. The carts rarely get moved around, and I have a lifting work surface on the 5-drawer cart.
I'd like to sell them and get one 44" HF chest eventually, or possibly a Milwaukee workbench, or top/bottom combo. We'll see how this year goes, lots of work to do on the house first.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
If you want to be efficient you need a big toolbox with drawers you can open and get what you need out without running around opening 4 drawers for some tools that get used together. This is why i bought a snap on krl1023. Also planned for it to be my last box but seemingly after 8 years have filled it up too. It is one of those things. If you are a pro you have time standards to keep to. And if you arent able to work efficiently then you wont meet or come close to the time standards. Just my .02 and the reason i went from the old krl761 to the 1023. If i worked by myself out of my own garage, i would use control boards i think for a lot of tools that get used all the time like wrenches sockets screwdrivers, but this takes up too much space and leaves the tools too vulnerable to growing legs when you work for someone else in their space.
crewchief888
Well-known member
the turning point for me was when i was moving my boxes at work and nearly tipped over my 28" stack.
SO man dropped by that day, and we started talking. got a good price for my trade in's on a new KR550/555B.
as my tool inventory increased, i added on to what i already had. this was "back in the day" before double/triple bank boxes were available.
i still have the KR550/555B.
I'm not a fan of large double/triple bank boxes, for me, especially at home, it's easier to reconfigure single bank boxes to fit where i need them in the limited amount of space i have available. as an added "bonus" (for me anyway) single banks are a little easier to transport if needed, but even a large single bank is pushing the limits of what 1 person can handle.
the shop i currently work in, is small, and theres really no room for large boxes. i brought my work boxes home a couple years ago, due to the lack of space. most of my working tools are in my service truck anyway.
SO man dropped by that day, and we started talking. got a good price for my trade in's on a new KR550/555B.
as my tool inventory increased, i added on to what i already had. this was "back in the day" before double/triple bank boxes were available.
i still have the KR550/555B.
I'm not a fan of large double/triple bank boxes, for me, especially at home, it's easier to reconfigure single bank boxes to fit where i need them in the limited amount of space i have available. as an added "bonus" (for me anyway) single banks are a little easier to transport if needed, but even a large single bank is pushing the limits of what 1 person can handle.
the shop i currently work in, is small, and theres really no room for large boxes. i brought my work boxes home a couple years ago, due to the lack of space. most of my working tools are in my service truck anyway.
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I hope they come out with a box with more depth than their current lineup. 18"-20" deep drawers would be awesome. I know I'd be a buyer.
I don't see that.
90% of most used tools come out and stay out either on top of cabinet or normally on a work trolley right at the lift including 4 most used air tools so everything right at hand no time wasted .
only really in and out the box drawers when problem comes a long, after some special tools or you clueless to what the job in hand entails .
I work for myself but done same when employed at a shop, if tools going missing easily, staff and tool etiquette needs addressing .
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Thanks for all the input and pics, it's given me much to think about but ultimately I think I'll be getting the box soon enough. From an efficiency point of view it can be time consuming digging something out from the bottom of a drawer with other stuff crammed on top of it
bobcatdan
Well-known member
I'm not buying bigger box until the day I open a drawer and the slides shear off from the weight. Boxes are sold by cubic capacity and I plan to use every last one.
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
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Buy it.
It was between a 68 and 84 for me. The 84 was 8500 with power top and hutch. I got the 68 for 5500
I regret that lol
crewchief888
Well-known member
After talking with the wife and getting the go ahead. Ordering in a week so I can be there for delivery. Going out of town on Thursday.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Extreme...tainless-Steel-Work-Surface-Black-EX7218RCBK/
(sorry i have no clue how to make it pop up)
Moving out of a 7 draw ATD Tool Cart.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Extreme...tainless-Steel-Work-Surface-Black-EX7218RCBK/
(sorry i have no clue how to make it pop up)
Moving out of a 7 draw ATD Tool Cart.