Tool Box drawer layout

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Hi everyone,

Longtime reader and first time poster. I have seen loads of threads about where to put your tools within the drawers but I cannot seem to find any about the actual drawers themselves. eg. full length drawers on a 40" roll cab or split drawers etc. Does anyone have any advice as I am about to buy a new Snap-On 40" or 53" box and would like some input. I previously used a 40" Mac box which has finally fallen apart and there is no way I am going to pay full price for Mac when in my opinion Snappy are a lot better for the buck. I am in the UK so Craftsman and Matco are not an option. I really like Matco but not practical as the only service I have here is Snap-On, Mac and Teng. Teng through in my personal experience are ****. Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Chris

 

[colin39]

Mac are great, BUT you need to buy maximizer, imho.
Im struggling to understand what you mean about where to put in your draws.anything like this


This



Or this


Or even this



Gis a clue i understand your a sweaty sock so this could be lost in translation, tehehe

Not disrespecting ya buddy

 

[drewvdw]

I think he's meaning the layout/dimensions of drawers themselves, number of drawers, width, depth, and height. I measured a few others' toolboxes to see what they had, measured my tallest and longest tools that I planned on putting in my boxes, and planned accordingly. My boxes were built to my specs, unfortunately for you, I don't think Snap On offers that kind of customization.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I'd say just consider the tools you need to keep in the box. Are there lost of plastic cased specialty stuff? Only loose hand tools? Long tools? lots of small tools? Stand up socket racks?....lots to consider....

I would say that I have gotten way from boxes with the one super deep drawer usually near the bottom. Only really odd things like power tools or a few plastic cases fit in one of those without burying too much stuff under other tools. I stack plastic cases and large odd shaped stuff in a side locker, and order the box with 2 or 3 more usable drawers in place of that one.

 

[colin39]

I think he's meaning the layout/dimensions of drawers themselves, number of drawers, width, depth, and height. I measured a few others' toolboxes to see what they had, measured my tallest and longest tools that I planned on putting in my boxes, and planned accordingly. My boxes were built to my specs, unfortunately for you, I don't think Snap On offers that kind of customization.

Argh yes i see what you are saying, matco are the only ones that really get close to that

 

[drewvdw]

Argh yes i see what you are saying, matco are the only ones that really get close to that

As far as truck brands go, yeah. But there are far better boxes to be had for less money.

 

[crewchief888]

I'd say just consider the tools you need to keep in the box. Are there lost of plastic cased specialty stuff? Only loose hand tools? Long tools? lots of small tools? Stand up socket racks?....lots to consider....

I would say that I have gotten way from boxes with the one super deep drawer usually near the bottom. Only really odd things like power tools or a few plastic cases fit in one of those without burying too much stuff under other tools. I stack plastic cases and large odd shaped stuff in a side locker, and order the box with 2 or 3 more usable drawers in place of that one.

how many tools do you have now, and do you plan on buying more?
storage for home or work?

my "working" tools organization is vastly different than my "garage" tool organization.

i guess i'm kinda "old school" in my box selection, i dont have any boxes wider than 36", i prefer multiple shallower drawers rather than fewer deep drawers.

 

[a52-830]

wider drawers maximize the space in the box. they also tend to get too crowded and things get "lost" in them if they get too wide and deep.

40" single "bay" (full width drawers) seems to be the sweet spot in cabinets. larger seems to end up with multiple "bays", smaller you loose too much in the sides.

as for the depth of drawers, you need to decide how you store your tools. i lay mine flat, and dont use the cases they came in much, so i want lots of shallow drawers. others store things like pliers on their sides, so they need deeper drawers. and dont forget sockets, ½" deep sockets are pretty tall.

in the end, you need to decide what works for you, but you need to take time to make sure you understand what you are doing. the money involved is substantial enough that rushing into decision is not advisable.

my end game involved maximizing my storage for the space i had, along with the money i had. i ended up with 35 year old snap on boxes. 35" wide, with 13 full width drawers, and three levels of split drawers. it was in the sweet spot between maximizing square inches of storage space versus cost. much newer had the price dramatically rise, and often the density go down because finding single bay cabinets in that size was hard.

getting here was a lot of work, and there is still work in front of me, but i am pretty happy so far.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

The problem I had before was 2 rows of a wide and then narrow drawers on the bottom stack. I only had one drawer on the top box big enough for Stilsons, breaker bars and 60" Combination spanners etc. The problem being if you needed to grab one tool it was invariably at the bottom of the box. So I had to take everything out to get the one I needed at the bottom of the drawer. But, and I say but! The top wider drawers ended up a mess as hex keys, small screwdrivers and punches would all get mixed up. I put in stainless dividers (home made) but it still looked a mess.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Sorry if I wasn't clear but yes this is what I meant.

 

[colin39]

Ernst do draw dividers and organisation trays they work really well.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Matco are available in Scotland, just a shame I cannot get them, this side of the A1!

 

[colin39]

Matco are available in Scotland, just a shame I cannot get them, this side of the A1!

Really??

I see the odd bit come up on the bay on the odd occasion

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

The problem I have is stupididly large tools. I have Stilsons that are massive, huge Sockets and reediculously sized combinations. I have 7 of these Costco boxes in the shop for the guys and they hold up quite well but I want a nice box for myself and if it works out I will buy new ones for the whole workshop.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Really??

Yeah I enquired about them through their website and their customer service said, they are available in Scotland, but not in England! shame because, I'm interested in their long reach ratchets.

 

[colin39]

There great the wheels on my old one collapsed inside.
Was a shame but it was very full

 

[colin39]

Yeah I enquired about them through their website and their customer service said, they are available in Scotland, but not in England! shame because, I'm interested in their long reach ratchets.

About 5 years ago there was a rep covering the midlands, but he vanished

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Yeah I enquired about them through their website and their customer service said, they are available in Scotland, but not in England! shame because, I'm interested in their long reach ratchets.

Is the guy based in Dundee by any chance?

 

[ssdave]

As far as truck brands go, yeah. But there are far better boxes to be had for less money.

I for one would love to see a thread that lists out boxes for less money than truck brand boxes that are in fact better. I haven't seen a thread like that, nor even a single post that listed a better box for less money yet, so it would be a great thread to have.

If you would start such a thread, along with some side by side comparisons to illustrate, it would be a great service to the community here. Somewhat like the HF44 box thread that compared the HF to other cheap boxes, with real, quantifiable and measurable factors to support the comparisons. I'm sure a lot of posters would post in with their favorite box that they feel is a better Value than the truck brands, but that would be useful discussion also, although really beaten to death already.

How about it? If you start it, I'm sure others would join in.

 

[colin39]

As far as truck brands go, yeah. But there are far better boxes to be had for less money.

Not here in the y-uk there isnt

 

[Dirty Diesels]

About 5 years ago there was a rep covering the midlands, but he vanished

I don't know because I've never seen them here!

Is the guy based in Dundee by any chance?

I cannot remember where abouts the customer service, said, because it were about a year ago when I enquired!

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

I for one would love to see a thread that lists out boxes for less money than truck brand boxes that are in fact better. I haven't seen a thread like that, nor even a single post that listed a better box for less money yet, so it would be a great thread to have.

If you would start such a thread, along with some side by side comparisons to illustrate, it would be a great service to the community here. Somewhat like the HF44 box thread that compared the HF to other cheap boxes, with real, quantifiable and measurable factors to support the comparisons. I'm sure a lot of posters would post in with their favorite box that they feel is a better Value than the truck brands, but that would be useful discussion also, although really beaten to death already.

How about it? If you start it, I'm sure others would join in.

I would welcome that too. However all the budget brands in the UK seem ****. We get Btirool, Teng, Costco, Sealy and Halfords. Britool are not bad, Teng are garbage, Costco are quite good, Sealy are really bad and Halfords instantly break. We do get US Pro but I think they are just Sealy. Snap-On and Mac are the only 2 I have used for decades without problems. I really would like to try Matco but I cannot find a dealer.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Not here in the y-uk there isnt

2nd that, unfortunately.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

I don't know because I've never seen them here!



I cannot remember where abouts the customer service, said, because it were about a year ago when I enquired!

I sent an e-mail but got no reply. Bearing in mind I had 160K to spend for the company and they didn't even reply. So we went Snap-On. I hope they read this as I would happily have bought Matco instead at the time due to a bad dealer in Glasgow.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

I sent an e-mail but got no reply. Bearing in mind I had 160K to spend for the company and they didn't even reply. So we went Snap-On. I hope they read this as I would happily have bought Matco instead at the time due to a bad dealer in Glasgow.

If you go on their FaceBook page, they will reply to you!

 

[colin39]

If you go on their FaceBook page, they will reply to you!

Hell yea they will.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

I will try that and see what they have to offer. The budget for this year is already spent and we are tied to Snap-On for another 2 years. They are good tools though, I just wanted to see what the opposition had to offer. At the time MAC, Teng and Snap-On were the only ones to reply. Snap-On got the PO due to their excellent custoimer service. They were more expensivebut really went out of their way to help. MAC were good too but too many breakdowns. Matco didn't reply and Teng were cheap chineese rubbish.

 

[colin39]

I will try that and see what they have to offer. The budget for this year is already spent and we are tied to Snap-On for another 2 years. They are good tools though, I just wanted to see what the opposition had to offer. At the time MAC, Teng and Snap-On were the only ones to reply. Snap-On got the PO due to their excellent custoimer service. They were more expensivebut really went out of their way to help. MAC were good too but too many breakdowns. Matco didn't reply and Teng were cheap chineese rubbish.

Teng are that. Mac are ok there tech boxes are ok but ive had two replaced due to rust, and its a bit damp north of the border

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

I hear you. However If one of my customers told me they had three and a half a million pounds over three years rolling contract to spend I would be on the phone instantly trying to get the work. I wouldn't ignore it or turn up with complete **** samples to try and sell. When I go out to try and gain a contract I have the best products we have to offer and the best service we can offer. Teng turned up with junk like Teng, MAC just missed out due to cost, Matco didn't bother and Snap-On went out of their way! Who would you choose?

 

[colin39]

I hear you. However If one of my customers told me they had three and a half a million pounds over three years rolling contract to spend I would be on the phone instantly trying to get the work. I wouldn't ignore it or turn up with complete **** samples to try and sell. When I go out to try and gain a contract I have the best products we have to offer and the best service we can offer. Teng turned up with junk like Teng, MAC just missed out due to cost, Matco didn't bother and Snap-On went out of their way! Who would you choose?

Gotta be snappy all the way.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Well so far, but I am not a Snappy Fan-boy. They don't make a bad tool that is true however It does surprise me that some companies don't bother or when they do turn up with complete ****. Have you ever used a Teng Ratchet? I have a 1972 halfords chinese Junk one which is far better in comparison. I don't mean to come across as a Teng hater as some of their older suff was good. But, really their current line up is absolute junk.

 

[colin39]

Well so far, but I am not a Snappy Fan-boy. They don't make a bad tool that is true however It does surprise me that some companies don't bother or when they do turn up with complete ****. Have you ever used a Teng Ratchet? I have a 1972 halfords chinese Junk one which is far better in comparison. I don't mean to come across as a Teng hater as some of their older suff was good. But, really their current line up is absolute junk.

Yea i know what ya saying, my problem with snappy is if i break a tool they will order a new one for me.
If i ask to by the tool first they have it on the van. 30k later i now hold there money to ransom until i get the service i deserve.

I have facom, snappy and some old 1980s kamasa thats outta my dads old toolbox and thats held up really well. And some old britool and kingdick. That stuff is as good today as when my dad bought it.
But stuff aint built to last anymore. Shame.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Yea i know what ya saying, my problem with snappy is if i break a tool they will order a new one for me.
If i ask to by the tool first they have it on the van. 30k later i now hold there money to ransom until i get the service i deserve.

I have facom, snappy and some old 1980s kamasa thats outta my dads old toolbox and thats held up really well. And some old britool and kingdick. That stuff is as good today as when my dad bought it.
But stuff aint built to last anymore. Shame.

Know what you mean about stuff ain't built to last anymore, I've got a right mishmash of Snap-on, hallmark Britool, Mac, Halfords, Bahco, Blue-Point, Laser, Kamasa, Stahlwille, Gedore, Sealey, Stanley, Facom, Clarke, Weller, Bosch, Makita, Black and Decker and a few bits of Draper and Apex, But I still prefer, the tool truck brands! they seem to last longer and are better build quality.

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

Maybe my Snap-On man is better!!!! Never had a warranty problem or replacement problem. If he doesn't have one in stock he will give me a new one, take mine to replace or repair and then we swap back. I have a ton of Whitworth King **** stuff and yes it is built to last. I have a few Spanners inherited from my Grandad. WW2 stuff with the MOD crowsfoot still going strong and some Kamasa from Germany (not the chinese ****) which still works perfectly.

 

[colin39]

@ dirty diesel :- Dunno, i have the snappy long 1/2 sealed head ratchet (18inch long) anyways ovet the last 15 years its a bit like triggers broom, if you know what i mean. And it now being completely replaced as the chrome has fallen off it and its going rusty. Lol

 

[Scotland Offshore ABZ]

I have a triggers broom breaker bar too. However that was due to me using scafollding pipe on it. They have always replaced it though no questions even when I have openly admitted to John Wayning it!

 

[Dirty Diesels]

@ dirty diesel :- Dunno, i have the snappy long 1/2 sealed head ratchet (18inch long) anyways ovet the last 15 years its a bit like triggers broom, if you know what i mean. And it now being completely replaced as the chrome has fallen off it and its going rusty. Lol

Yeah, lol, I've had a few older snap on ratchets replaced, due to wear and tear, I think these newer dual 80's are better! we also used to have a Bergen tools van, round my neck of the woods, but he disappeared, they did some good quality air tools and impact sockets!

 

[Greg85mcss]

I would welcome that too. However all the budget brands in the UK seem ****. We get Btirool, Teng, Costco, Sealy and Halfords. Britool are not bad, Teng are garbage, Costco are quite good, Sealy are really bad and Halfords instantly break. We do get US Pro but I think they are just Sealy. Snap-On and Mac are the only 2 I have used for decades without problems. I really would like to try Matco but I cannot find a dealer.

I've seen threads where people said us pro is the same boxes as harbor freight. To your original question I really like a deeper box. It gives you more organization options. Unless you're getting different models than the us the 40 & 53" kra boxes are 20" deep. The classic 78 is 55x24". Here's a drawer from a 25" deep mac tech

 

[colin39]

I like the mac tech 1000 boxes, they were built well good construction and thick gauge steel. However ive had 2 now go rusty along the draw tops where the steel is folded. Dam shame

 

[alfazer]

Not that I have much experience of them, but you guys don't mention Beta tools.
Are they worth a look?