Tool Box Metal Thickness?

[Stuey]

I've been reading over some trade commission transcripts, and came to this part (PDF, pg 171):

The industrial/retail divide is largely driven by marketing. A customer does not choose a toolbox based on the material thickness or the weight of the tool box. In fact, I would challenge you to find any customer that could tell you the metal thickness of their tool box, or the weight of it. The concept is just as absurd as believing a customer selects a car based on the metal thickness or the total weight of the car.

They obviously never came to GJ. =)

How thick's the metal of your tool box?

 

[Chromdome35]

21 Gauge, box weighs about 550lbs

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

They obviously never came to GJ. =)

How thick's the metal of your tool box?

The first piece of information I look for when researching toolboxes

 

[KM223]

16 gauge and 1044 pounds here.

 

[Musicinabottle]

No idea on mine, probably 33 gauge and 6 oz.

(I did the laughy face because my box obviously isn't 33 gauge huh?)

 

[Druder]

Every single positive review of a tool box talks about the thickness of the metal as does every negative review. I can't think of a tool box review that I've read that it wasn't discussed at all...

 

[jp828108]

That's insane. The thickness of the metal is important to pretty much anyone looking to buy a decent box. I mean I don't know the exact gauge of the metal, but I know that it's stout. I don't know the exact weight of the box, but I know that it is pretty darn heavy. and I wouldn't want one with thin metal and that I could pick up with ease because I don't believe it would hold up to being filled with tools.

 

[Parrothead]

I've been reading over some trade commission transcripts, and came to this part (PDF, pg 171):



They obviously never came to GJ. =)

How thick's the metal of your tool box?

This is one of those situations where data doesn’t tell the whole story. I love data and marketing but to think you’re going to get information about people and what they’re going to buy based on their knowledge of the thickness of metal is just stupid. They might go by “feel” and if it feels “well built”. Analytics are great, and often wrong.

 

[4 FN 27]

Every single positive review of a tool box talks about the thickness of the metal as does every negative review. I can't think of a tool box review that I've read that it wasn't discussed at all...

That's insane. The thickness of the metal is important to pretty much anyone looking to buy a decent box. I mean I don't know the exact gauge of the metal, but I know that it's stout. I don't know the exact weight of the box, but I know that it is pretty darn heavy. and I wouldn't want one with thin metal and that I could pick up with ease because I don't believe it would hold up to being filled with tools.

I suspect the author cast a broad net on the audience of Tool Box Buyers.

Walking through our Shop I see every kind of tool box imaginable. And I would say 90% of my shop bases their Tool Box purchase on only 1 thing: Price. I asked a few of the low price box owners and none of those I asked based their purchase on Material Thickness or Tool Box Weight. Now those I asked who have "invested" in a Tool Box, ie: Kennedys or upper end Craftsman did consider the, for lack of better words, "sturdiness" of the tool box.

I think the GJ audience would require a much smaller net with finer holes and thus why we come here.

I transitioned out of upper end Craftsman Tool Boxes to Mac Tool Boxes. Solely based on overall quality, Drawer Slides, stoutness, Casters, Drawer Size selection, height, width, depth and function of the storage system. At the home shop I have 3 Macs, MB1902A topped with a MB1910 in the Car shop for Automotive Tools. In the Machine Shop a MB1350 for Assembly Tools and an MB8800 for all Machining related tools. Still have a Craftsman Professional Roller Chest for all my Armorer Tools and a double wide Professional Upper Box for End Mills, Drill Bits and Lathe Tooling (Drawers are lined with custom made Aluminum Trays with moveable Insert Dividers).

In our Fab Shop we have tried Lista and they will not hold up to the amount of Turret Tooling we need storage of. So I design the storage system 20 years ago from 14 ga and 16 ga CRS and heavy duty Drawer Slides. It is an add on system. When we run out of space we just make another run and add on. The Drawers are design to handle the load as if they were loaded with a solid steel bar the size of the Drawer. Not one failure in 20 years.

There is a difference between "buying" a Tool Box and "investing" in a Tool Box. I'll make the assumption most here on GJ invest.

 

[SRSemenza]

For me, as long as it is well made with decent slides and won't fall apart just standing in one spot, I don't care if the metal is 18, 20, 22 , etc. Super thin is probably going to end up not well built in general and super thick is probably overkill for most.

The weight .... well , whatever it is , it is.

Within the parameters of being decently built I am more interested in the drawer layout, size and drawer size. As well as cost. About a year ago I bought a box for $1,000. Didn't really want go beyond $1,500 and there were plenty to choose from in that range. I like the drawer sizing, etc on the one I got better than what is available on boxes that are ten times that price. If I had 10K for a box would I have bought a 5k - 10K box? Only if it won out on the drawers.

I have the 56" Husky matte black combo. It doesn't seem cheap or under built. And I like the drawer set up. It might not hold up in some usage situations but I bet it would in most.

Personal preference plays a part as well as more extreme situations such as 4 FN27 has.

Seth

 

[jp828108]

I will agree price plays a huge factor in those choices, and people may not buy a box made with 18 or 22 gauge metal because of the gauge. They want the drawers to be sturdy enough to hold tools, and it to be able to support what they put in it for a decent price. The weight and gauge are directly related to sturdiness. So I may be getting ******* about that when in reality the bulk aren't concerned with the actual stats just that it functions as intended.

 

[Parrothead]

...There is a difference between "buying" a Tool Box and "investing" in a Tool Box. I'll make the assumption most here on GJ invest.

I think that might not be the best assumption. Given the overwhelming love for the HF44, I would say there are a great deal of "buyers" vs. "investors" when it comes to tool boxes.

You can count me in the group that "buys", mostly because I refuse to spend more on my box than I did on my last car. To each their own for sure, but knowing the difference in quality and "investing" in a tool box are two very different things.

 

[Druder]

I think that might not be the best assumption. Given the overwhelming love for the HF44, I would say there are a great deal of "buyers" vs. "investors" when it comes to tool boxes.

You can count me in the group that "buys", mostly because I refuse to spend more on my box than I did on my last car. To each their own for sure, but knowing the difference in quality and "investing" in a tool box are two very different things.

I think you're idea of buy vs invest is homeowner vs professional whereas many would see it as temp use vs lifetime use. Your average homeowner will rarely every need to replace something like the HF44 which is what makes it such a hidden gem.

 

[Parrothead]

I think you're idea of buy vs invest is homeowner vs professional whereas many would see it as temp use vs lifetime use. Your average homeowner will rarely every need to replace something like the HF44 which is what makes it such a hidden gem.

I get your point

If you’re talking automotive mechanic, no I am not. If your talking someone who worked maintenance in a food production facility and as a contractor who got paid by actual companies and wrote bids for the jobs then yes I qualified. That said the box stayed at home so there’s that.

 

[Druder]

I wasn't implying you weren't a qualified professional, simply that a HF44 could be classified as an investment level box to a homeowner whereas it could be a throwaway item for a professional setting. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Parrothead]

I wasn't implying you weren't a qualified professional, simply that a HF44 could be classified as an investment level box to a homeowner whereas it could be a throwaway item for a professional setting. Sorry for the confusion.

No, I know you weren’t implying that and I’m not anymore

My basic point was everyone views things different depending on what they’re doing. I could get away with a carry box at work most days so no need for premium box. That’s all :thumbsup:

 

[Bluedodge]

My box is 19 guage. Supposedly the first guage over 1 millimeter. I'd imagine its on the thinner side of the spectrum, but I'm just a Harry-Homeowner.
Roller is 488 lbs empty, top chest is 220 lbs empty.

 

[4 FN 27]

I think that might not be the best assumption. Given the overwhelming love for the HF44, I would say there are a great deal of "buyers" vs. "investors" when it comes to tool boxes.

You can count me in the group that "buys", mostly because I refuse to spend more on my box than I did on my last car. To each their own for sure, but knowing the difference in quality and "investing" in a tool box are two very different things.

Point taken. But my assumption is based on if you use your Tools in a profession SO, Mac, Matco are your investment choices and if you are weekend warrior at home HF is a healthy investment. Just different investment strategies for different levels of players.

I won't knock HF Boxes. I have purchased several for our shop and plan on buying 2 more on Monday. I/the company will own them but the employees who have no vested interest in them will be using them thus there is a slightly different level of care taken with them. Seems they get in the way of the Fork Truck often.

 

[dacan23]

Steel gauge on boxes matters to me now, didnt years ago when I couldnt afford nice boxes. Shake my head at some of the flimsy overpriced boxes in HD, Lowes, Sears these days. That POS Lenox box at Lowes comes to mind.

 

[Wamsutta]

Snap-on uses 18 gage for the inside walls where the drawer slides mount to. They may think that's reasonable, but in my strong opinion, the inside walls need to be at least 16 gage and preferably 14 gage. For the price, the whole damn box should be 14 gage in my opinion.