Tool Chests, wow so many choices, which one?

[PCSailor]

Hello,

We've just moved into a new house, going from 1000 ft2 to 3200 ft2. I'm taking the opportunity to buy a "lifetime" toolchest. A 72" x 24" top and bottom would fit great in my workshop space and, with the addition of a few lockers, hold my 20+ years of tooling.

I'm looking for that sweet spot between price, metal gauge, drawer holding capacity and strength, etc. Snapon, Mac tools, and Matco are out. I don't pay for the name, I pay for the quality.

It seems the Extreme Tools Professional or Tool Vault tool Chests offer the most. I'm uncertain about the durability of 18 gauge body and 20 gauge drawers. Seems a little flimsy. Any thoughts on this?
What is the gauge of the name brands mentioned above?
I love the look of an all black Gator box but I'm only finding the bottom 72".
What your thoughts on suppliers to buy from?
I don't see quality coming out of the box stores, Home Depot, Lowe's, Harbor freight, Menards so I'm no longer really considering them. I've been looking at StrictlyToolboxes and Rockintoolboxes and siding towards Strictly.

Curious what everybody thinks about my research, potential purchase, and how you've handled your own storage.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[Davefr]

I'm looking for that sweet spot between price, metal gauge, drawer holding capacity and strength, etc. Snapon, Mac tools, and Matco are out. I don't pay for the name, I pay for the quality.

IMHO the sweet spot is the tool truck boxes. (SO KRL's) The key is to buy them used.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If I had to start over and get a new chest, I'd get a Montezuma, possibly this one:

https://www.montezumastorage.com/co...oxes-indoor/products/36-x-17-in-steel-shopbox

Tommy

 

[karoc]

I am no connoisseur of tool cabinets since my taste is more on lower tier due to my budget. For 30 plus yrs ago I purchase my first box which was the gray/red craftsman and still using it to house all my other craftsman tools.Then about 5 yrs ago I purchase my second Craftsman tool box and its no where's near the quality as my first one. For reason that you had mention,thinner metal. So last yr I went shopping again and didn't even consider Sears,so there is a new HF in my area so just for giggle/grins I stop in of all places. I be dang,I purchase the US General. I have to say that its even better than the cabinet from Sears 30 yrs ago. On bigger drawers has double slides, I can't say that the metal is thicker on it vs my 30 yr old craftsman but I would buy another.The quality for this low end guy is good enough and price is right. Now if they will ever put the upper cabinet on sale
PS,don't be ashamed,near my neighborhood is a fancy neighborhood full of all yuppies who drive through my neighborhood to get to Walmart,so its OK to shop at HF

 

[NUTTSGT]

Do you have a price point or budget ?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I am a professional mechanic and have 3 boxes 1 Craftsman Evolv series and then two US General from Harbor Freight I have had them since I was 15 and they are great boxes and strong and great in my opinion. Also I work with a guy who has a Frontier box from Rural King and he loves it said it was very strong and sturdy. I have heard good things about Icon boxes from Harbor Freight also. So I wouldn’t completely narrow it down to those three brands you mentioned.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[got2boostit2]

Check the Homak brand, NAPA stores carry them. Decent quality and reasonably priced. I picked up a RSPro bottom box two years ago and love it. Planning to add a locker to it soon.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I don't see quality coming out of the box stores, Home Depot, Lowe's, Harbor freight, Menards so I'm no longer really considering them.

If you just aren't interested in Harbor Freight in general I understand, but have you looked at their boxes in person? They really are pretty nice for the money.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, I have put my money on the US General at Harbor Freight. I consider it the best value for my money and it fits in my future plans.

 

[PCSailor]

Hi all,

Thanks for the advice. Some manufacturers here I haven't heard of, i.e. Shure, Performax, Snapon KRL, etc.

To answer a question, I have looked at US General, HF. I just am not seein the quality I'm after with these boxes. Drawers and slides feel flimsy.

I'm siding towards the Extreme Pro RX series, 72"x24", top and bottom drawer setup, ideally flat black on black <: I'm also trying to figure out the equivilent models to the Extreme brand as this is a bit confusing, Gear wrench, Rockin Tools, Tool Vault, etc.

I'm ready to buy right now, but this is alot of money that's not going into my kids college fund so I want to be sure it's the smartest purchase I can do.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[matt_i]

I'm coming at you from an industrial standpoint and far from a professional mechanic but I have yet to see a drawer system that matches Vidmar or Lista.

I also have many tools in Stronghold boxes.

Buy all of these good-used is my suggestion.

 

[Davefr]

I'm coming at you from an industrial standpoint and far from a professional mechanic but I have yet to see a drawer system that matches Vidmar or Lista. Buy all of these good-used is my suggestion.

Lista's are as good and probably better then SO KRL's. They are expensive but still way cheaper then new SO prices.

However the OP might not find a 24 X 72 and I've never seen a Lista top box/chest. Lista drawer layout might not be as efficient as those designed for tool storage.

The OP needs to decide of which compromises to make.

 

[pattenp]

You say you looked at Harbor Freight US General but have you looked at the Icon 73"X25"? There is a black one.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I was a professional and returning to the profession (after a 30-something year break building my pension), and I worked out of a pair of C'Man 26" boxes & tops. One of them is my current "work cart", so while current Craftsman may be more like Crapsman, the old ones (IF you care for them) seem to be pretty decent. True, they're not as stout as a truck box, but they've (so far) given me about 20 years of service over 40 years and (other than replacing litereally age-cracked and chunked casters) aren't slowing down yet.

IF you can find one of these, you might be OK. Otherwise, I'm joining the crowd saying " Get to know your local tool truck guys, and get on the list for a good, solid used box". Seriously - you;ll have one that you could hand down to grandkids, and there are a lot of defaults & people getting out of the business.

 

[larry_g]

I'm coming at you from an industrial standpoint and far from a professional mechanic but I have yet to see a drawer system that matches Vidmar or Lista.

I also have many tools in Stronghold boxes.

Buy all of these good-used is my suggestion.

Put me down for this idea also. Especially if you have no need to roll the box around.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[engineer2]

I've been researching boxes and the Menards and HF are about the same price per cubic inch. The Menards box has deeper drawers and a power strip. The HF has shallower drawers. Just depends on what you need. I find deeper drawers are more useful for things like deep well sockets and tools that come in plastic cases.

 

[Cobra5150]

****

 

[Mr_B]

Masterforce 72"x24" hard to beat if you like drawer layout.
Same OEM as montezuma .
Best bet is always take the cash to the used market for Matco MAC or Snappy boxes .

 

[gunguy]

This may help in your research -

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153445&highlight=tool+chest+comparison

Jim

 

[Mr_B]

I've been researching boxes and the Menards and HF are about the same price per cubic inch. The Menards box has deeper drawers and a power strip. The HF has shallower drawers. Just depends on what you need. I find deeper drawers are more useful for things like deep well sockets and tools that come in plastic cases.

Menards 72" is better made and has really good drawer lift latching and general fitting quality higher: wheels better, liners nicer etc etc .

Was a steal when price was 1300 rebate .

 

[M0E]

FWIW - Recently went through this struggle myself and ended up with a Masterforce from Menards.

From my research, both online and in person, they feel slightly more robust than the USG HF and Husky models, but are also a bit more expensive nowadays so there is a trade-off.

 

[PCSailor]

Thanks for all the input everybody. Interesting thoughts here.
I did a deal today and bought the Extreme RX Series, 72"x24", 19 drawer lower-black on black, also two 62" black/black lockers, and the upper drawer set for the top, which is not available in matte black/black to match everything else. So for the upper I have gloss black with the same matte black trim as everything else, a custom request instead of chrome trim.
Whole package of 4 items plus lift gate delivery, $5995.
I don't have alot of time and while I've been looking at used boxes, the prices people are charging are too high for what a non-name brand costs.
I've used some Extremes at work and know they're quality enough and handle industrial environments.
I'm excited to receive them and will post pics.
Phil

 

[greg13]

If you ever break a box (overload) you will wish you had paid the extra for a truck box.
Broken weld on my service cart, a week later new one was there. Yes I paid more, but if (when) I have a problem it is taken care of no cost. Drawer slides too!

 

[mepstein]

I used to work at a shop and we would buy the boxes that mac, matco and snapon had repo'd. They were usually 6 months to a year old and in great condition. Some came with tools. The sales reps had already made their commision on the boxes so they were always ready to wheel and deal. They always came to us because they would get cash that day. Who knows what they reported to corporate but it always worked out for both of us.