Tool Box Recommendations!?

[Nomex]

I hate to be posting this, but I'm stuck.. I have two packed toolboxes, and I'd like to move into a larger one at work, and keep cheap tools at home.

I've acquired tools being an ironworker, field service mechanic, welder/fabricator, and machinist. Not your typical DIYer. A lot of big stuff, and a lot of small stuff. I'd like something with drawers long enough to fit a 48" prybar, and small enough to fill with taps, end mills, etc. I have sockets up to 3 5/8", so I need a larger top drawer.

I've had an SO Epiq roll cart before and enjoyed it, so a 60" or 68" has been in question. I also like the KRL1032 and 1023, but I can't decide between the two. I've even looked at Tool Vault, seems like a good deal, but SO boxes are close in price when buying used. I feel like I need the space of a 72", but the mobility of a cart like the KRSC46. Do I buy a 1 ton truck with a utility box and a smaller tool box to roll around the machine shop?

I know this is blasphemy, do I sell the tools I "don't need"?

Looking for drawer layout advice, toolbox recommendations, bring it all!


Hammers on top.

Sockets Crammed in.

Extensions, 1/4 & 3/8 trays are double stacked. More sockets.

More Wrenches. Taps, End mills in a bag.

More Wrenches. Under wrench rolls are spud wrenches, bull pins, misc ironworker stuff.

More things.

Things on the floor.

Beginning of work tool box.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Looks like you need a double or triple bay box, a larger cart (like 6 drawer with top), and a machinist chest to sit on top of the box for the machinist stuff. A cabinet or old lista style chest would be nice to organize all the consumables. I don't like to store those with my tools. Pry bars, to me, get leaned next to the box. They can be unwieldy spinning and negotiating them out. Looks like you have a HF 44, and a MAC top and bottom?


For duplicate or excess tools; I've given some stuff away to others with weaker collections. Random duplicate sockets and whatnot I toss in plastic tool boxes. If I need them to make a tool or otherwise abuse, I can get them. Until then, they're out of the way.

 

[nelstomlinson]

In my home shop I have four stacks, including a smaller stack I use like a tool cart, and several top boxes sitting on benches for the small stuff. At home you probably don't need a single big box. You might be able to use several smaller ones at work, too.

Forgot to mention that I have four five drawer file cabinets mounted on a frame on casters, for boxed sets, supplies and construction tools.

 

[lan240]

Have you looked at the Lista toolboxes? I have one and it is well built and will hold a lot. Here is a picture of mine after I wrapped it.

 

[Legion Prime]

For your machinist tools, Kennedy all the way. Keep an eye on Craigslist. I picked up a 520 at a garage sale for $30 last year. Everything else? I won't argue with the guys above.

 

[twertsy]

I hate to be posting this, but I'm stuck.. I have two packed toolboxes, and I'd like to move into a larger one at work, and keep cheap tools at home.

I've acquired tools being an ironworker, field service mechanic, welder/fabricator, and machinist. Not your typical DIYer. A lot of big stuff, and a lot of small stuff. I'd like something with drawers long enough to fit a 48" prybar, and small enough to fill with taps, end mills, etc. I have sockets up to 3 5/8", so I need a larger top drawer.

I've had an SO Epiq roll cart before and enjoyed it, so a 60" or 68" has been in question. I also like the KRL1032 and 1023, but I can't decide between the two. I've even looked at Tool Vault, seems like a good deal, but SO boxes are close in price when buying used. I feel like I need the space of a 72", but the mobility of a cart like the KRSC46. Do I buy a 1 ton truck with a utility box and a smaller tool box to roll around the machine shop?

I know this is blasphemy, do I sell the tools I "don't need"?

Looking for drawer layout advice, toolbox recommendations, bring it all!

Bring a trailer and come on down!

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426753

 

[Mr_B]

I would possibly consider going 2 2bay boxes and perhaps a machinist box to sit on one of them. You may get away being able configure tools so only one box is main one for moving about but 2 2bays besides holding more than a 3 bay are way easier move when real heavy loaded, floor condition not great or space tight . Also cheaper and easier find truck brand used and in my experience hold up better to heavy loading and lot of moving .

 

[GrayEngineer]

I've contemplated my tool storage many times, and I have a similar work history to the OP. Snap on epiq boxes are very nice and are build well, the problem with them for me is cost since having a $50k+ wall of tool storage is out of the question for me. One company that has caught my eye is Stryke tool boxes out of Canada, they seem on par with SO. The other boxes I've considered that offer stout build quality are Vidmar, Lists, and Strong Hold. Of those brands the Strong Hold seems to have the heaviest cabinet construction, where as Vidmar and Lista use thinner gauge cabinets. I haven't experienced this, but I have heard that Vidmar and Lista boxes can have durability issues if they are rolled around frequently as mobile tool chests.

Of all the time I've spent looking for the ideal solution for my storage needs it has lead me to try my hand at building my own tool box. The tool chest is in progress currently, but due to time constraints it's been a slow build. If you have time to build one, I'd recommend building one yourself since you seem to have the skill and know-how to make what you could dream up. With my build, I am building it with the intent of never needing to worry about it wearing out or failing to stand up to abuse. It has a full tubular frame that's fully reinforced, and the sheet metal exterior is 12 ga. The drawers are all 16ga with stiffeners, with 250lb drawer slides ( 2 pairs on each drawer 5" or deeper). While this venture is going to cost a fair bit still, I think the value is being able to build it to my needs of storage and durability. Plus in the end if it turns out as expected it's something I'll be proud to have made myself.

 

[Legion Prime]

Of all the time I've spent looking for the ideal solution for my storage needs it has lead me to try my hand at building my own tool box. The tool chest is in progress currently, but due to time constraints it's been a slow build. If you have time to build one, I'd recommend building one yourself since you seem to have the skill and know-how to make what you could dream up. With my build, I am building it with the intent of never needing to worry about it wearing out or failing to stand up to abuse. It has a full tubular frame that's fully reinforced, and the sheet metal exterior is 12 ga. The drawers are all 16ga with stiffeners, with 250lb drawer slides ( 2 pairs on each drawer 5" or deeper). While this venture is going to cost a fair bit still, I think the value is being able to build it to my needs of storage and durability. Plus in the end if it turns out as expected it's something I'll be proud to have made myself.

Yeah, we're gonna need pics. You're going to start a build thread right? RIGHT?

 

[GrayEngineer]

Yeah, we're gonna need pics. You're going to start a build thread right? RIGHT?

I might post a thread about it at some point, but unfortunately my phone bugged out and I lost about 15 pictures of the beginning of the tool box build. I'll keep taking pictures as I make progress though. I'll likely make the thread once I have the bottom box finished. Then I'll update it as I make the side cabinet(s), hutch, and overhead bulk cabinets. As I mentioned, it's a bit of a slow go right now. The specs of the bottom box are 84"W x 27" D x 49" H, so it's just a little guy lol.

 

[Zewnten]

I have 6 tool boxes currently. One is a KRL1003 that I am giving a facelift (aka paint job) to with a craftsman "road box" on top of it that will eventually go to my work. When that happens I will take my 42" all full length drawers 42" topper again all full length drawers and 36" roll cab/tool cart home. But the KRL1003 doesn't actually hold anymore than the other 3 boxes I already have at work because of its small drawers and layout, I'm just tired of moving multiple boxes. If I could keep with the 42" toolbox still and just move the 36" roller cab/cart around I wouldn't change.

 

[crewchief888]

FWIW

since '76 ive been employed as a machinist, welder and been a field mechanic wrenching on const eq.

I keep my "good" machinist tools (all the basic stuff I bought when I got started) in an old PLVMP mechanics box in the basement. other machinist type stuff (mostly calipers I bought at pawn shops) stays in one of the boxes in the garage.


99% of my "working" tools are in my service truck, I have quite a bit of tools in the boxes in the garage, (so I don't have to get anything out of my truck).


I have a few odds and ends in the basement for around the house type stuff, all the woodworking stuff is also in the basement , along with cordless drills and drivers.



i'd divide the stuff up into more "manageable" areas, in smaller boxes.

I don't have a box over 36" wide, but have 4 sets of top/bottom, (1 set with a middle box) and an extra top for the machinist stuff

 

[bobcatdan]

I would say a bigger double bay with a top box. Order the top box with a lot of shallow drawers if possible. Use the top box for the machinist tools. The bottom box would be for the big heavy tools. From there a decent cart for the day to day stuff to move around. I'd suggest the Proto 67" combo. Same thing as a mac macismizer, but a better price. The top box is most shallow and little deeper, but not super deep. Top drawer on the bottom box is 59" wide. Main band drawers are 37" wide.

 

[Gears_call]

it looks like you have the HF 44" bottom so you could easily buy the top, and a 7 drawer side cab (or two if you want extra space). Which would be a good amount cheaper than a new triple bay. Hell you could probably even get a 5 drawer cart too and still have a few bucks to spare. Just my $0.02

 

[nikerret]

How do you know what tools you aren’t going to use? Just because you don’t need them, now, doesn’t mean you won’t need them later. Don’t sell tools unless you have to or they’re redundant.

 

[Wamsutta]

Snap-on boxes are the easiest to get parts for and there's plenty of used ones for sale.

 

[kythri]

See if https://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ has something in your ballpark.

I adore my TV-7217MZ