tool chest/cabinets or boxes for power tools?

[retval]

I'm trying to get organized and debating what I want to do with power tools. I always liked too chests/cabinets, the ones with a work surface on top always looked handy. People seem to like boxes (maybe Craftsmen versastack to keep things cheap), and then I could always easily store accessories together.

What do you do? What would you do over again?

 

[Buickspec6231]

I use old filing cabinets that I pick up cheap to store my power tools like circular saws, drills, grinders, battery charger..... etc. For me it works great. I don't care about my cabinets matching in color/height/condition. As long as the drawers slide open I'm happy. You can pick up 5 drawer filing cabinets on local auctions and craigslist for 10-15 dollars a piece all day long.

 

[JamesW84]

I'll second the filing cabinet. I have one. Drawers slide easy and hold a reasonable amount of weight. If you don't want the tools in the open hanging on the wall or side of a bench, a filing cabinet would be great.

 

[Legion Prime]

I picked up this guy at Menard's a few months back, it's even cheaper now on sale. I've got my Ridgid drill & impact in the bottom along with a DeWalt DW2190 box filled with bits & randomry in the bottom. There's a tic tac case of phillips bits in the little area between the latches and so far the tray is completely empty. It fits under the shelf under one of the workbenches, I can't think of anything about it I don't like.
Plano Power 16" Black Tool Box

 

[Parrothead]

LATERAL File cabinets are your answer here. The standard cabinets work fine, but usually take up too much space. Get some casters from Harbor Freight and you’re good to go. I’ve spent anywhere from $0 to $15 to $30 on mine. Pretty much can’t get better storage. Rustoleum paint to match if that sort of thing is important.

 

[Bessy]

I have my drill, driver and impact wrench all hung in 4" PVC. Cordless saw is sitting above them,

I have a second set of drill/driver and 1/4" impact in a carry bag that I keep in the car.

These used to go in one of the 3-4" deep drawers in my tool chest, but now they are more conducive to grab and go. If I need a tool, I just reach up and grab the one I want.

I still keep a tool bag around to toss them in for taking to another project offsite or in the yard, etc.


Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[nimrag]

File cabinets for me, also. I put them on a dolly to be able to move them easily.

 

[Parrothead]

I picked up this guy at Menard's a few months back, it's even cheaper now on sale. I've got my Ridgid drill & impact in the bottom along with a DeWalt DW2190 box filled with bits & randomry in the bottom. There's a tic tac case of phillips bits in the little area between the latches and so far the tray is completely empty. It fits under the shelf under one of the workbenches, I can't think of anything about it I don't like.
Plano Power 16" Black Tool Box

I really like those, and am going to pick up a few for specific things, but I’d need about 30+ of them for my power tools and nail guns.

 

[Mattlt]

This is a really poor picture, but you'll get the idea. I built this cart out of some leftover 3/4" plywood. Stands about 5' high, about 2' wide. With casters. The drawer on top is where I keep sandpaper.

 

[egdede]

LATERAL File cabinets are your answer here. The standard cabinets work fine, but usually take up too much space. Get some casters from Harbor Freight and you’re good to go. I’ve spent anywhere from $0 to $15 to $30 on mine. Pretty much can’t get better storage. Rustoleum paint to match if that sort of thing is important.

I like 5 drawer lateral cabinets. Many have a built in shelf between the 2nd and 3rd drawer you can pull out, and cover with stuff.

 

[teamextreme]

I used 3 drawer lateral file cabinets and used them as a base for my workbench using a 2" square tube frame around them. Kind of like the Steevo cabinet build. Only drawback is it makes the workbench surface a little high. I'm 5-10 and it's barely acceptable ( I like a taller workbench too). Any higher bench (or shorter person) and it would be too tall. 4 of them in a row gives me room for all my power tools and other large tools that don't fit in a standard chest, like pullers, etc.

 

[taumac]

I agree that old office cabinet make great garage storage.

 

[crewchief888]

file cabinets for some things,
OEM blow molded boxes for others,
repurposed blow molded boxes for other things,
tool bags for some,
laying loose on a shelf, or hanging on the side of a tool box for some more...


I use them all, just depends on what it is, where it is, and how often it gets used....

 

[Aaron_W]

I'm a fan of shelving for most power tools. Easy to see and grab, no farting around trying to fit them into a drawer. If they have a case it fits on a shelf, if they don't have a case they still fit on a shelf.

 

[johnnyradiant]

I use the DeWalt version of the Versastack for a lot of my gear that ends up going to jobs. I have a couple dolly bases for them and make a tower up either at a site or back in the shop. For stuff that usually lives in the shop I have a workbench area that has lots of drawers, and then I have an in-shop cart, and in the farthest corner from the door I have a room with a solid core door. It has shelves for my shop tools that either live bare on the shelves or in Tstak's or their own case. The room was originally going to be a bathroom but I decided I needed a night time tool storage area for the occasional two legged rat that might come by.

 

[ford33]

Second vote for the Mendard's Plano power tool box 16". I have quite a few. I throw away the tray that is included. I've seen them as low as $4.99 during the holiday's. Currently on sale for $6.22 after 11% rebate.

They will fit most hand held power tools and they stack well but not tied together.

 

[LabWagun]

I use old filing cabinets that I pick up cheap to store my power tools like circular saws, drills, grinders, battery charger..... etc. For me it works great. I don't care about my cabinets matching in color/height/condition. As long as the drawers slide open I'm happy. You can pick up 5 drawer filing cabinets on local auctions and craigslist for 10-15 dollars a piece all day long.

+1 The drawers make all the difference! And you can usually score these cabinets cheap, they are standardized sizes (generally) and easily repurposed as needed.