Three drawer portable tool box

[70Mach1]

I'm currently considering a Tactix 321102. I need portability, good construction quality (natch), and under $100. Craftsman is also an option, if folks think it would be worth the premium over the Tactix. I'll mostly be storing sockets, ratchets, wrenches, and other hand tools.

 

[milwaukeephil]

Never heard of it before your post. USA, lifetime warranty... give it a shot.
Only reservation with the portability is it'll rattle a lot louder than a toolbag and it weighs 22 pounds empty.

 

[swshawaii]

Not familiar with the Tactix portable tool box, but Lowe's has the three drawer Craftsman for $60.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/craftsman-...MIvN2ppOSy4QIVWyCtBh03CgHVEAQYASABEgLLkfD_BwE

 

[dscheidt]

Never heard of it before your post. USA, lifetime warranty... give it a shot.
Only reservation with the portability is it'll rattle a lot louder than a toolbag and it weighs 22 pounds empty.

No chance that box is made in the US.

I used a box like this (a Waterloo made Cratfsman 'Rally Box') to carry tools around in the back of a truck for several years. It worked fine for that, and drawers are easier to find things in that bags. But yeah, it was loud, even with stuff on holders, and with drawer liners. Heavy, too. One nice thing about those boxes is that thye have an internal lock, not a hasp for a padlock.

 

[username2]

I don't automatically think the old stuff is better, but I'd go to eBay and buy a vintage Craftsman 2 or 3 drawer box (or something similar) before I'd get a modern inexpensive box like that. There's a remarkable difference I think.

 

[gregpack]

I had a homak which was just "OK"

 

[Rabid Badger]

Lugging around a Craftsman 3 drawer like that filled with tools is what convinced me to buy a box with wheels. They get heavy in a hurry, and I'm saying that as the guy my friends call when they need to move big stuff.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Older Craftsman (waterloo) are pretty good, just clean the slides well and lubricate by rubbing on parafin wax. Here is an example from 1994.


Description from the 1994-1995 Craftsman catalog:

"Craftsman Rugged 3 drawer tool chest

- 1588 cubic inches of storage
- Padlock eye to lock box
- 20.5" wide x 8.5" deep x 12" tall
- Drawers lock automatically when the lid is closed
- Full length staked hinge with watershed design keeps moisture out of box
- Lid has rolled edges for strength
- Has comfort grip handle for easy carrying
- Two drawbolt latches offer extra security"

 

[70Mach1]

Good info all around. Thanks.

I've taken Tactix off the list, and probably new Craftsman too. The Husky model looks decent, but I'm limited to what I can order on Amazon (need to use a gift voucher I have). Unfortunately, none of the other options I'm seeing there, from Gearwrench to Waterloo, get great reviews.

Re the point about weight and portability, I should clarify that I'll only be occasionally lugging this up from my basement to the garage and back down again. So while 50+ pounds will be a little annoying, it won't be a dealbreaker for the frequency I need to heft it.

 

[Toold_up]

I have a Craftsman Rally box and I love it. I don't carry it around but this thing is solid. I think this style of box would suit your needs as a mostly stationary kind of box. Or if you can fill it up with tool rolls you can use it as a stationary home base and only take the tool rolls you need to the work your going to do.

ps F amazon. Sell/trade that giftcard and get cash you can spend where ever you want.

 

[swshawaii]

^ Good advice. One of the problems with buying on line is not being able to physically inspect a product. I'd suggest visiting your closest Sears, Lowe's, or Ace Hardware to look and handle the display model for yourself. I bought the Craftsman two drawer model in the mid 1990's and the construction doesn't appear a lot different from the current product line.

Take it with a grain of salt, but here's the second Lowe's review. FWIW.

The Craftsman tool box is as good as it gets. This is the second one I have owned. My first one was a gift 45 years ago. When I placed it next to the new one they were identical, except for wear and tear, and I am still using it. It is a Craftsman, what more do I have to say? A great product well made.

Off topic here, but I'm trying to remove the drawers on my Craftsman box to retrieve a pair of needle nose vice grips that fell behind years ago. TIA for any tips.

 

[Toold_up]

Off topic here, but I'm trying to remove the drawers on my Craftsman box to retrieve a pair of needle nose vice grips that fell behind years ago. TIA for any tips.

There are long narrow metal tabs inside the slides you can depress with a small precision (eye glasses) screwdriver through the slot. Pull the drawer all the way out, then push it back in ever so slightly and press the screw drivers into the slots. You should be able to feel the tabs depress. Then pull the drawer out far enough that you can get in there with a magnetic retriever and fish those pliers out. No need to remove the drawer farther than you have to (unless you have more stuff hidden in there).

 

[swshawaii]

Thanks Toold up. My last attempt was another fail. I'm almost convinced these drawers are not designed to be pulled out. Managed to get the lost vice grip sitting in the bottom of the box after emptying, a retriever magnet, and patience. Using every small tool imaginable I'm not find "tabs" to depress. I'd really like to clean and lube the slides since they are binding. Am I missing something?

 

[Toold_up]

Put your screw driver into that triangle shaped indent and press down that metal tab (you can see it in the picture you posted). The metal tab will depress behind the slide and you can pull it out.

This is the type of screw driver I use:

The black metal tab you need to depress is like a spring. You may have to move the drawer in and out slightly so that it doesn't catch the slide (thus locking the drawer from sliding out). Keep at it, once you figure it out you will be a pro at removing the drawers in no time. If you decide to remove the drawer completely, mark the slide with a sharpie so that you know which way it goes (X inside O outside or whatever you like). I like to lube the slides with teflon spray (after they are completely clean) and debur any sharp corners that may dig in as the drawer slides.

Good luck, i'm sure you will get it!

 

[Robinson1]

I bought two of the Tactix boxes when my local Tractor Supply clearance them last spring. Got a 3 drawer and a 4 drawer. Put the 4 drawer on my service truck and it's basically falling apart. Have the 3 drawer in my shop and it's too heavy to move. Has a permanent spot under my workbench. If at all possible go with a tool bag or multiple tool bags if trying to stay mobil.

 

[70Mach1]

Ok, at this point I'm just going to keep my eye out for something used. I've lived with my current set-up this long. . . .

 

[MattDanger]

I would recommend a cantivever style box. They are much more space efficient than the 3 drawer units. The Kennedy 1022B or its Homack equivalent are a good design.

 

[Toold_up]

Ok, at this point I'm just going to keep my eye out for something used. I've lived with my current set-up this long. . . .

Can you give us some details on your current setup? Maybe we can offer some solutions to your problems on the cheap!

 

[swshawaii]

@Toold_up. SUCCESS, you are Da Man! I may have tweaked the metal slider tabs out of frustration during my previous attempts over the last 20 years. Should know that finesse is "usually" better than force with these types of things. Very dirty and dusty inside, and after cleaning and lubing with a Triflow squeeze bottle the drawers slide like buttah now. If it weren't for you would have given up, again. I'm very tempted to buy the three drawer Craftsman locally from Lowe's since mine is overflowing, and shipping to Hawaii exceeds the price of the box itself. Thanks again, and OP sorry for threadjacking.

 

[Toold_up]

Congratulations swshawaii I knew you could do it. I have that same magnet from Rock Auto.

I bought my Rally Box for $20 with a drawer that wouldn't open. I put it in a vise and hit it will a ball peen hammer until it was straight. Then I took a needle file to all the sharp corners. All the drawers slide nice now. I really like this tool box, it's very solid feeling and easy to organize.

Mahalo nui loa! Now go have a fruit punch to celebrate!

 

[Mecha]

Look for old Kennedy toolboxes if you are looking used, Machinist style. Some are rusty as heck, but they are pretty tough.

There is also the butterfly style that are nice too.
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_981_1096&products_id=8826

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002A5S3ZM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[70Mach1]

Can you give us some details on your current setup? Maybe we can offer some solutions to your problems on the cheap!

It isn't pretty. I have a circa 1990 Craftsman socket set that has a busted case hinge, plus other assorted sockets, extensions, wrenches, etc. that I've been cramming into the other half of the case. (See below.)

Look for old Kennedy toolboxes if you are looking used, Machinist style. Some are rusty as heck, but they are pretty tough.

There is also the butterfly style that are nice too.
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_981_1096&products_id=8826

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002A5S3ZM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thanks. I like the look of the cantilever style cases, but I don't know how much I'd like how the room is apportioned.

 

[Toold_up]

This is similar to the Craftsman box that I have. Mine has a black wrinkle finish and some different graphics, but it's essentially the same:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00167XE90/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can use your amazon giftcard to buy that box and it will hold all the tools you have. I'd get some drawer liners to keep your stuff from sliding around so much. If you really want it to be nice you can get some foam and cut out areas to hold your tools in place so they don't move at all. Something like this:

I don't know what your budget is but i'm sure you can be creative and make something that not only works but looks nice too.


Here is another example:

https://toolguyd.com/fastcap-kaizen-foam-organize-tool-drawers-review/

 

[BFHtime]

I have the 4 drawer rallye box with black coarse finish. I believe this is the best portable craftsman box. I have many tools in there. Well over a hundred pounds. I am surprised the handle has not broken. I have abused it and it has been great. I measured it at113 pounds using a two beam balance scale.

On a side note: the bottoms drawer can hi-jack some tools, so guys check behind those bottom drawers. I had a bunch of tools under there.

 

[crewchief888]

Older Craftsman (waterloo) are pretty good, just clean the slides well and lubricate by rubbing on parafin wax. Here is an example from 1994.


Description from the 1994-1995 Craftsman catalog:

"Craftsman Rugged 3 drawer tool chest

- 1588 cubic inches of storage
- Padlock eye to lock box
- 20.5" wide x 8.5" deep x 12" tall
- Drawers lock automatically when the lid is closed
- Full length staked hinge with watershed design keeps moisture out of box
- Lid has rolled edges for strength
- Has comfort grip handle for easy carrying
- Two drawbolt latches offer extra security"

I would recommend a cantivever style box. They are much more space efficient than the 3 drawer units. The Kennedy 1022B or its Homack equivalent are a good design.

i had one of those CM boxes as a "truck" box for a short time. for me it was a bad choice, it was constantly falling over, and didnt really have that much room in it.

for me a kennedy or CM cantilever works "better". i use a vintage CM 26" top for my "portable" box now.