Tool Storage options

[redline9k]

I just moved into our new house and im looking for your opinions.

In our old house, i had about 20' of workbench real estate in the basement w/ pegboard for all of my tools. It was nice to see everything and put a hand on anything as needed...oh, and it was cheap.

Now im thinking about a similar workbench in the new house, but with a freestanding tool cabinet instead of pegboard.

Is it that much nicer to have a cabinet to store your tools in? I never really need to move them around so im not sure having them portable is an advantage...

whats your opinions?

Thanks

Doug

 

[littletoes]

It depends on what kind of tools you are talking about.

Most Carpentry tools, like hand saws, or files/rasps, I wouldn't mind hanging up. Don't want them banging around too much, taking the set out of the teeth, or ruining files.

Other hand tools like sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, I prefer a nice big 'ol Tool Box, with lots of drawers.

The wall space I can then use for items that won't fit in the tool box, like the books for the rigs I work on, shelves for parts, etc. Even possibly a window for light.

 

[redline9k]

ok, i know this is a loaded question, but for an avid user is buying the HD/Costco/HF tool cabinet a waste of money if i plan on having this box for a long time? Is craftsman the entry-level to nice cabinets? It wont see more than 1-2 times a week use, and although i appreciate nice things, i dont have 1k+ to spend on a top/bottom cabinet...

 

[Clarifixer]

Check out this for some ideas:

http://www.carguygarage.com/

 

[DrkMtnDew]

personally i think the HF boxes are a little better than craftsman. so for someone who is just looking for storage those should work good for you.

 

[BiltFordTuff]

they are all pretty much the same toolchests just different badges, personally i would rather buy a HF because they are just as good and cost a lot less

 

[littletoes]

ok, i know this is a loaded question, but for an avid user is buying the HD/Costco/HF tool cabinet a waste of money if i plan on having this box for a long time? Is craftsman the entry-level to nice cabinets? It wont see more than 1-2 times a week use, and although i appreciate nice things, i dont have 1k+ to spend on a top/bottom cabinet...

Along these lines, the problem with the COSTCO stuff, its not very adaptable for "add-on's".
As your tool needs grow, and your box becomes too small (if you decide to go that way), if you had chose the HF/Craftsman/big name brand boxes, they are much easier to add too.

Either with a mid box, or an add on side box of some type, those brands you can add too. Some of the off brand stuff you can't.

Plus, if you can add to it, it may allow you to purchase a smaller box now, that you may be able to afford.

Hate to break the bank for an EMPTY tool box (means you can't afford any tools to fill it after paying for the box!).

 

[Chris Adams]

ok, i know this is a loaded question, but for an avid user is buying the HD/Costco/HF tool cabinet a waste of money if i plan on having this box for a long time? Is craftsman the entry-level to nice cabinets? It wont see more than 1-2 times a week use, and although i appreciate nice things, i dont have 1k+ to spend on a top/bottom cabinet...

You are a prime candidate for the HF bottom box. You sir, are the target market, and the perfect user.

On the other places mentioned;
Costco comes and goes with good stuff. Right now they have a 72x18 'work bench' really a long skinny rollaway with a top. That might work, but the drawer quality is below the HF, it takes up room, can't be upgraded and is an accident waiting to happen.
That long, that top heavy, and that thin means you open two heavy drawers the whole thing falls over on you.

If you bolt it to the wall, it might be great.

Home Depot, when they have the promo boxes they are very low quality.
Get one of the non-promo on closeout, scratch and dinged, or some other special and they are great. They just sometimes bring in some incredibly cheap stuff to sell at very low prices.

Sears is all over the map. The 'homeowners' stuff is junk. Thin and shoddy, but priced like it was quality. The ball bearing Craftsman stuff is still quite adequate for a homeowner, just expect to pay two to four times Costco or HF prices for the amount of storage.

On longevity of the boxes;
The cheap boxes from Sears will not last. The older stuff there did, but the new stuff is flimsy. I'm talking about the 'entry level' stuff.

The HF and Costco stuff have good rollers, but the rollers may fail someday and there will be no warranty on individual rollers. This is not really much of a problem as any roller that lasts the first month will probably last a homeowner a lifetime.

A mechanic or hobbyist can swap out a defective roller for a 4-12 dollar replacement in a few minutes but it's surprising how many people don't seem to know that.

 

[lowbucktruck]

It depends on what kind of tools you are talking about.

Most Carpentry tools, like hand saws, or files/rasps, I wouldn't mind hanging up. Don't want them banging around too much, taking the set out of the teeth, or ruining files.

Other hand tools like sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, I prefer a nice big 'ol Tool Box, with lots of drawers.

The wall space I can then use for items that won't fit in the tool box, like the books for the rigs I work on, shelves for parts, etc. Even possibly a window for light.

I am in agreement with littletoes... depends on the type of tools we are talking about. I love the pegboard as well (can't get enough of it)... my mechanics tools live in the toolboxes and most of my woodworking tools are on pegboard. Really depends on where you want to keep it and how accessible/easy to find the tool is. But to answer your question, it is nice to have a tool box full of drawers to organize and store your tools, depending on their purpose. I have a whole drawer in my rollaway chest that is just electrical tools/equipment... makes it handy to have one place to start looking for those linesman pliers and wire crimp tool.
I also would suggest staying away from the Sears Craftsman homeowners tool chests; at that price point you can find something better (and sturdier). They look like a good deal, but as others have mentioned, are a bit flimsy. The more tools you put into a tool chest, the more combined weight that tool chest has to carry... something to consider if you are thinking of rolling it around your garage instead of sitting in a fixed spot. My little homemade tool cart (wood) is sufficient for a portable project bench and light woodworking tool storage/hobby use... and hardly cost me anything to fabricate.

 

[redline9k]

You are a prime candidate for the HF bottom box. You sir, are the target market, and the perfect user.

Is this the one you had in mind for being decent for the money? ($149 before coupons)

 

[Chris Adams]

Is this the one you had in mind for being decent for the money? ($149 before coupons)

Sadly, no. That box is not very good.
I was referring to the widely posted about 41 inch box. It goes around the 350 mark.
It is a decent box, just read about fifty threads on it.
The little box there is inferior to a Craftsman box, or any of the promo boxes at Home Depot.

If you are restricted to keeping it under 200 bucks, I would look for a good used Craftsman, Waterloo, etc. on Craig's list.

 

[csp]

IT's the box in this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53369

I wouldn't read the whole thread though. The last couple of pages have the most pertinent information and current pricing deals.