Tool Box for Machinist Essentials

[pb57]

I'm looking for a tool box to put a lot of my machinist tools in. Mic's, snap gauges, lathe tool holders, pretty much all the tools related to my manual lathe and mill. I have quite a collection of items now. What do you all think would be a good box for these items? A machinist box is just way to small. I'm not familiar with the quality of Harbor Freight or any of the other box stores so any input would be appreciated. thanks Paul

 

[pi_guy]

Look at the Kennedy line, machinist boxes come in a few sizes.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I use one of the new US General 26" boxes to hold all my mill tooling and measuring tools and it's worked out great. When I get a lathe I will get another one for all of it's tooling.

 

[pb57]

Thanks BigBlue, I wasn't sure on the quality of those but that size is what I'm after. Paul

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The only downside is some of the drawers are kinda shallow, but those work out great for calipers, mic's, etc.

 

[larry_g]

Machinist tools and machine tools are usually not in the same box. The machinist's tools that are used for measuring and setup go in the Kennedy tool box so that their precision is preserved. The tooling for the machine, cutters, tool holders, and accessories go in the Vidmar cabinet.

I say this hopefully to steer you into thinking that one box is not going to do everything for you. Get a good box with felt lined drawers for your precision stuff. Get another for the big hunks of iron that go along with the tools. Show us what your using now.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[joel63]

Machinist tools and machine tools are usually not in the same box. The machinist's tools that are used for measuring and setup go in the Kennedy tool box so that their precision is preserved. The tooling for the machine, cutters, tool holders, and accessories go in the Vidmar cabinet.

I say this hopefully to steer you into thinking that one box is not going to do everything for you. Get a good box with felt lined drawers for your precision stuff. Get another for the big hunks of iron that go along with the tools. Show us what your using now.

lg
no neat sig line

Well stated.

 

[matt_i]

Agree with LarryG on the utility of the Vidmar in a machining shop.

That said, there are other alternatives. One can store lathe tool holders at the lathe.

Also take a look at StrongHold cabinets, (any cabinet is best purchased used if you ask me ), but heavy duty cabinets are well appreciated.

 

[APEowner]

In my home shop I use machinist tools and machine tools to justify my collection of vintage tool boxes. I do segregate precision stuff from tooling by box. At work I use one large Vidmar cabinet that I bought off of Craigslist for everything and I segregate by drawer.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Machinist tools and machine tools are usually not in the same box. The machinist's tools that are used for measuring and setup go in the Kennedy tool box so that their precision is preserved. The tooling for the machine, cutters, tool holders, and accessories go in the Vidmar cabinet.

I say this hopefully to steer you into thinking that one box is not going to do everything for you. Get a good box with felt lined drawers for your precision stuff. Get another for the big hunks of iron that go along with the tools. Show us what your using now.

lg
no neat sig line

I assume the O.P. isn't asking for his machine shop; he's likely trying to find something that will work for his home shop. My measuring tools don't know or care what kind of box they are stored in, nor do they care they are in the drawer above my R8 collets.

 

[bubinga]

Machinist tools and machine tools are usually not in the same box. The machinist's tools that are used for measuring and setup go in the Kennedy tool box so that their precision is preserved. The tooling for the machine, cutters, tool holders, and accessories go in the Vidmar cabinet.

I say this hopefully to steer you into thinking that one box is not going to do everything for you. Get a good box with felt lined drawers for your precision stuff. Get another for the big hunks of iron that go along with the tools. Show us what your using now.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[bubinga]

Heck, Big accessories for the mill and lathe could go in a 4 drawer filing cabinet.

 

[dr_clyde]

I keep my machinist tools in a Kennedy top chest and riser on a Snap-on heritage roller cab.

I do keep some tooling(some taps and drills) in there, but by and large tooling is kept separate cabinets and drawers.

Drills, taps, end mills and other consumables should be stored in a tooling cabinet, ideally. You run out of room FAST if you try to keep cutters in a toolbox designed for precision measuring tools.

Machine specific tooling is kept either on the machine itself or in a cabinet. Daily use stuff like collets, quick change toolholders and common drill chucks are mounted right to the machine for easy and fast access. Medium size tooling like boring heads, drill chucks, tapping heads and stuff like that are in the big drawers in the roller cabinet. Stuff like lathe chucks, face plates, vises, and other big items are usually on dollies or in big deep drawers.

 

[Robert Haas]

My Mill uses Cat 40 tool holders. I have over 40 different tool holders. They sit in a a rack I made out of wood a few years ago.It is mounted to the wall behind the mill. I like wood for the tool holders as it does not scuff up the tapers nor mind a bit of oil it greedily absorbs.

My main box is a 9 drawer Snap on roller that holds 3 drawers worth of calipers, snap guages, collets, and ten thousand other items that need to be inside a box to keep the chips and dust off them.

My secondary box is another roller this one is from Harbor Freight and It holds nothing but drills and reamers. I also have my 8" rotary table and a few different size sine plates in that box.

Over at the lathe I keep my QCT holders on another home made rack I have another Lista over there with my 4 jaw and other big accessories in that and on top of it is my Kennedy machinists box that holds carbide inserts, and HSS tooling as well as some lathe specific gauges.

Let me offer a great tip that was given to me. Have an air line with a blow off nozzle near your boxes. When you are about to put a tool in it, blow it and your hands off to get rid of all the chips you are hauling around on your person. I have been doing this for a long time and my boxes are chip free. When I didn't or worse left drawers and lids open I always managed to direct the chips path from my mill to fling themselves into the boxes. Nowadays I remember to close my boxes as soon as I have retrieved or put something away from them.

 

[danielbuck]

My lathe is small enough to be set on top of a sturdy metal table. I build the table to hold a set of these metal drawers underneith it. I like these types of drawers because the drawers easilly removed and can be swapped around. I have probably 4-5 sets of these drawers, in various sizes. Hundreds of compartments, really nice for keeping parts and smaller materials.

I label the drawers with bright green gaffer tape and a sharpie.

I use these: https://www.durhammfg.com/product-c...rage/drawer-cabinets/?fwp_type=drawer-cabinet

 

[kapster]

I'm a machinist for a living, and don't feel you have to have a Kennedy for machinist tools but that's just me. I have a kennedy top and middle box on my workbench, most of it is knick knacks. My main box is a Snap on classic 60 I got on craigslist, before that I had a craftsman 26" bottom box.

I don't think the felt is worth buying a Kennedy, I use Kaizen foam in my Snap on for common use measuring tools and love it (although may not be good in a non climate controlled shop). Most everything else is in their factory case in a cabinet. Almost any box would serve you just fine.

As stated above, Lista, stor loc, ect cabinets can't be beat for machine tooling. We've tried regular ball bearing boxes and alot of stuff is just to heavy.

I'm pretty certain two generations ago, every machinist HAD to have a Gerstner, previous generation was questioning that and getting Kennedy. Current day, get whatever you like!

Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk

 

[pb57]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. I went to Harbor Freight in Sioux City just after I posted this and they were shutting the doors for 2 days to disinfect the building. Wouldn't let me in. We then went to Lowes and I ended up with a Craftsman 52" roller. It says made in the USA which I always like, we will see. I guess I am a hobby machinist at this time but have been keeping really busy machining and doing repairs for farmers etc since I retired last year. I used to have a welding/machine shop in the late 80's then got into law enforcement and was a deputy sheriff for 30 years. I am certainly enjoying this new life again and am getting my tool line well stocked up. thanks again everyone. Paul

 

[bobcatdan]

I keep my measuring tools and other related hand tools in a Kennedy machinest box. They come up on the used sites pretty often that you should be able to find on pretty reasonable. My lathe tooling I have made hangers to put that stuff on the wall with in arms reach while working on the lathe. The rest of my cutting tooling I'm slow repurposing an older snap on kra300 I have into an organizatior with workbench top.

 

[pb57]

Hey Bobcat I just noticed your avatar. I have an original Tractors With Lugs Prohibited sign that came from our county roads. Most people wouldn't knot what it meant. Paul

 

[bobcatdan]

Hey Bobcat I just noticed your avatar. I have an original Tractors With Lugs Prohibited sign that came from our county roads. Most people wouldn't knot what it meant. Paul

Mine is a reproduction I had made after seeing a few originals at tractor shows.