Tool chest recommendations for a homeowner?

[Milwookie]

I've been using clunky plastic drawers from Target to hold my ever-growing tool collection, but it's time I stepped it up. Unfortunately, I'm in a townhome and a don't have much in the way of storage space. I think I could get by with one of these, but I'm curious if there are better options: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-26-in-W-9-Drawer-Tool-Chest-H9CH3/204731412

I don't have a garage--this is basically going to be stuffed into some space under the stairs, but it's all I've got to work with. I appreciate any suggestions!

 

[great white tj]

If all the room you have is under the stairs and this box will fit, and you can work with it. Then you have a start. A townhome or a townhouse makes it hard to have a work area. But hang in there you will find a way to make it work..

 

[JonnyMac]

The trouble with top chests like that is once they are full of tools they are extremely heavy.
I would look for a quality cantilever box and perhaps a tool bag if some sorts...

 

[gdpolk]

For actual chests Harbor Freight red boxes are the bomb for the cash. When I lived in a row home I got those wire racks that are adjustable in height and filled it with smaller el-cheapo plastic toolboxes because that was the most efficient way to store all my stuff under the stairs and still be able to pull it out to work with.

 

[Cruzan80]

Wow, HF is moving up. Reply #4 this time!

 

[Milwookie]

None of the HF boxes will work, they're either two wide or too high.

 

[DieselSaves]

The box you linked to is going to get heavy quick. Have you looked at getting two or three of the plastic hand carry boxes and dividing your tools by task?

I started doing this so I can grab one box of electrical/battery testing equipment and related tools, one box with 1/4 drive and ratcheting screwdrivers, etc. I take the boxes I think I'll need for a job and not have to pack everything out with me.

Just a thought.

 

[davethorik]

The box you linked to is going to get heavy quick. Have you looked at getting two or three of the plastic hand carry boxes and dividing your tools by task?

I started doing this so I can grab one box of electrical/battery testing equipment and related tools, one box with 1/4 drive and ratcheting screwdrivers, etc. I take the boxes I think I'll need for a job and not have to pack everything out with me.

Just a thought.

If you go this route, do not buy the Blue Hawk plastic hand carry boxes they sell at Lowe's. They are complete and utter garbage.

 

[John in OH]

I've been using clunky plastic drawers from Target to hold my ever-growing tool collection, but it's time I stepped it up. Unfortunately, I'm in a townhome and a don't have much in the way of storage space. I think I could get by with one of these, but I'm curious if there are better options: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-26-in-W-9-Drawer-Tool-Chest-H9CH3/204731412

I don't have a garage--this is basically going to be stuffed into some space under the stairs, but it's all I've got to work with. I appreciate any suggestions!

I'm pretty sure I looked at this same box at HD about six months ago and I thought it was a reasonably nice box for the price. IIRC, it would be a good choice for your situation.



However, as others have already stated, it will get heavy FAST! It will probably not be a "portable" chest once it is full of tools. For my "grab 'n go" boxes, I use the cantilever style as suggested by JonnyMac above.



Even these can get heavy in a hurry, but you can get a lot of tools in a cantilever style box and the tools are easy to find rather than having to dig through a normal style of portable box. I've shown an Excel box, but I have an Excel and find it somewhat difficult to use so, again as suggested by JonnyMac, get a GOOD quality cantilever style box, not a cheapie. Put the tools you'll use 80% of the time in the cantilever box and fill the Husky box with your less frequently used tools and miscellaneous wrench'n supplies.

 

[Milwookie]

I'm not expecting it to be portable, I plan to leave it where I put it once it's loaded up.

 

[drink]

I've been using clunky plastic drawers from Target to hold my ever-growing tool collection, but it's time I stepped it up. Unfortunately, I'm in a townhome and a don't have much in the way of storage space. I think I could get by with one of these, but I'm curious if there are better options: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-26-in-W-9-Drawer-Tool-Chest-H9CH3/204731412

I don't have a garage--this is basically going to be stuffed into some space under the stairs, but it's all I've got to work with. I appreciate any suggestions!

The Husky box you picked out looks okay but I don't know the size of your set of tools. Some pics of the tool set being stored would help. Do you think you could use a portable metal tool box? They are a lot cheaper than the $149 price tag but they don't have just less than a third of the storage space. Sears has some Craftsman portables on sale now and they will not take up as much room.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-dr...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-dr...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-harl...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

 

[maxcarp709]

Do you have room for a roll away tool chest?If it has to be tucked under the stairs,If you have 36"Hx26"Wx18"D then you would have a tool chest with a work space on top and a place to mount a vise.It could be rolled around the house to where it was needed
http://www.sears.com/26-in-5-drawer...000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2#Imagezoom

 

[T45]

Seriously look at pelican cases or the snap on equivalent. Hazet also makes a mini assistant. These are very functional and portable. They are priced pretty high but consider the functionality you require. Otherwise, I would look at Facom boxes if you need canti-lever style. Unfortunately these are all european, american brands seem to assume endless space in the Garage!

http://www.pelican.com/us/en/produc...hard-cases/large-case/mobile-tool-chest/0450/

 

[4Kings]

Google the Dewalt TSTAK and ToughSystem storage solutions

 

[Milwookie]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I checked them out. The TSTAK is intriguing, but didn't get great reviews. People said that when it's fully loaded the drawers bind up. The Pelican looks much better, but costs almost $500, quite a bit higher than I can spend (around $200 give or take).

 

[anodyne33]

Have a good Craig's List in your area? I'd look for something used there. I got a used Craftsman (1988, still USA made) box there years ago that is about as big as that Husky and I'm inclined to believe it's more well made and will last longer. If used is a deal breaker, go with what fits best.

 

[Trey T]

I suggest you look at the HF website further. I've owned HF and Husky before and I recommend HF over Husky.

I like the Pelican portable tool box but that has a limited function for a fixed storage solution. It might be very annoying to pop the cover on and off.

 

[Milwookie]

Not much used, I'm afraid. I did find this Snap-On for $350, but it doesn't meet my needs (still, I'm surprised no one has snagged it!): http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/tls/5663368160.html

 

[PapaGrande]

Hard to sell a locking tool chest w/o keys. Makes it useless for a shop or anything but the most secure home.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Not much used, I'm afraid. I did find this Snap-On for $350, but it doesn't meet my needs (still, I'm surprised no one has snagged it!): http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/tls/5663368160.html

oh...man

 

[lilredex]

I'd be happy to beat down a tool box price over the lack of keys, but in reality, the solution is cheap and easy....change the locks.

https://www.google.ca/search?q=tool...sAQIOg&biw=1280&bih=672#imgrc=8qe3r5nnunZnmM:


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152864

 

[kd3pc]

I've been using clunky plastic drawers from Target to hold my ever-growing tool collection, but it's time I stepped it up. Unfortunately, I'm in a townhome and a don't have much in the way of storage space. I think I could get by with one of these, but I'm curious if there are better options: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-26-in-W-9-Drawer-Tool-Chest-H9CH3/204731412

I don't have a garage--this is basically going to be stuffed into some space under the stairs, but it's all I've got to work with. I appreciate any suggestions!

two guys in my HEV class have gone through 6 of these, now they are on special order? from home depot - to get two that will actually lock and for the drawers to slide and allign.

We had to really "adjust" them, a LOT.

I would look at other units, these are pretty much junk all around.

 

[John in OH]

Not exactly what you are asking, but you might find this thread helpful:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328808&highlight=portable+tool+box

As I mentioned above, I've found the dual-box approach practical ... a "grab 'n go" containing the most used tools and a separate, larger, non-portable chest or box for everything else.

 

[a52-830]

i looked at that box, and i really liked it. i think it would be hard to find something of that capacity and quality for less.

one thing to watch out for, though, is to make sure you can open the top in the location you are going to place it. opening the top is what unlocks the drawers.