Toolbox advice???

[MamaCat]

I would like to get a toolbox for my husband for Christmas and am hoping you guys can give me your advice/suggestions. He's not a professional mechanic or contractor... just a handy husband/dad who builds and fixes things around our house. Right now his tools are stored in various places, so this would be the first proper tool box. I'm looking for something fairly small -- maybe 4-6 drawers, about 12" deep, maybe 24-30" wide. My father uses a Craftsman box which is still going strong after 30 years, so that's what I initially had in mind... but when I went to Sears, I was disappointed to find that the quality of the Craftsman boxes isn't the same as my dad's old box. They seemed much flimsier, whereas the drawers on my dad's box have this really nice heavy, smooth feel when you open/shut them.

Any help?? Is it possible to find a really nice quality box of this size for <$300? Are some Craftsman boxes better than others? Is there an intermediate brand I can shoot for? The box won't be used daily or anything, but I would like to get something that is nice quality and will last.

 

[ihatelaramie]

Hate to sound like a broken record but check out the Harbor Freight 44". Little bit more (~$350+ tax), but great bang for the buck and it blows the lower end Craftsman stuff outta the water. Don't need that much storage? The 5 drawer service cart is a good unit for under $200.

 

[ludakris04]

tool boxes can be very personal.. he probably has one in mind already..... $.02

 

[creativecars]

Mama, You are right. Craftsman is not what it used to be. If you look around here you will find many people dissatisfied with new Craftsman. As mentioned the Harbor Freight professional line of boxes will give the best bang for the buck. There are coupons for many of them on line, here on this site and in many guy type magazines. I grew up with Craftsman, but I now have the 13 drawer box already mentioned. I like it a lot for 359 it was the best deal.

 

[MamaCat]

Okay... my apologies for this stupid question, but:

I'm on the Harbor Freight website... by the "Harbor Freight professional line of boxes," are you referring to the US General Pro brand? Or is that a totally separate brand??

I think you guys are referring to this product, right? http://www.harborfreight.com/roller-cabinet-44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-68784.html

 

[Carl B]

The dimensions you specify, sound like an old Craftsman box. I had a good OLD Craftsman box from the mid 70's. - until a couple years ago. So I understand your concern with "Quality".

Tools over the decades have changed a lot in many cases - far more affordable power tools are in common use and most of them today are battery powered. Many also come in their own blow molded plastic cases. So most home owners need something more modern in design, than the old Craftsman boxes. {that was one reason I upgraded my tool storage}

You have to go look in the garage - and see what would fit - if he replaced some scattered storage units with something that could combine his tools in one place. Rule #1 is Bigger is Better {as long as it will fit in the garage}. Guys keep a tool box for years if not decades - and room to grow in the future is an important consideration.

This US General Top Cabinet is a very nice tool box, with exceptional quality at its normal $349.00 price - its a bargain on sale at $299.00. It is however deeper {17"} and wider {41"} than you specified, but I think your husband would be very happy with it.
http://www.harborfreight.com/red-roller-cabinet-top-chest-68787.html

I have two of the roll cabinets that the above tool chest is designed to sit on. So in the future if he needed more storage room - he could add to the set. Or if you could clear a space 42" wide - start him off with the 42" 13 Drawer Roll Cabinet.. Then he could add the top cabinet later if needed/wanted.
http://www.harborfreight.com/roller-cabinet-44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-68784.html

Thousands of guys have bought these tool boxes for themselves over the past few years - and everyone seems to be exceptionally happy with them.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[rburke65]

Mamma.....welcome to Garage Journal. IMO, you can't do better for the money than a Harbor freight box. I'd be more than happy if my 5/8ths.......more than my other half......bought me a box. And like they say, they are never big enough, so if you can, the bigger the better. He won't be upset. Have a great holiday!

 

[MamaCat]

Thanks guys for the advice... this is really helpful!

 

[MamaCat]

It looks like Harbor Freight has frequent 20% coupons but they no longer allow you to apply these to tool boxes... is that right?

 

[stltikn]

I also agree with the Harbor Freight boxes if buying new. But have you thought about a good used box? You may want to check your local craigslist to see if any Snap-On or Matco boxes in your size/style are available. You could also contact Snap-On or Matco for the nearest rep as they always have great used boxes for sale. It's close to Christmas and many folks are looking for money, so they may be more willing to deal.

 

[jzt]

It looks like Harbor Freight has frequent 20% coupons but they no longer allow you to apply these to tool boxes... is that right?

Correct.
There are other coupons for that toolbox.
Check here, last page:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2736251#post2736251

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

I just bought a 11 drawer Craftsman basic cabinet. With the sale price and discounts, I paid about $180. Yes, it is not as sturdy as something that a professional mechanic would use, but it is great for storing my tools in the garage. YMMV.

 

[dandan111]

If you go to sears get him one of those viper combo roller and top chest. They look nice to me if my wifey gave me one of those ,..woohoo!

 

[kd4gij]

There are coupons out for $169 for this cart It fits. It is a great buy and verry sturday.
http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html

 

[Big Bob]

I've been quite happy with the Kobalt set up I bought from Lowe's several years ago. I thought for the money it beat C'man by a good margin. I would not want to put it to professional use but it is perfect for the handyman/home owner sort of use. And, while I don't normally like their stuff, I was in Harbor Freight last week and they had U S General that was really strong looking and very reasonably priced.

I remember before I bought my box I had tools in drawers and boxes all over the place and could never find anything I needed, often having to go buy a wrench or socket that I knew I had somewhere, just could not find. Since I bought my box I have things organized and tasks go much smoother. I am certain that will be the case for your husband as well.

Good luck in your shopping.

 

[Hotrod barn]

You might be better off asking him or one of his buddies to ask for you what kind he would like.Most guys know what they would like before they buy.As for myself I don't think I would be happy having my wife buy something like a toolbox for me Unless she went BIG and bad.I just bought a big one from lowes top and bottom for us to use at work and it's nice.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

that is true. im pretty picky also. but if you got the biggest most bad a$$ tool box you could afford im sure you would be good. theres always a gifr reciept

 

[shoturtle]

If you go to sears get him one of those viper combo roller and top chest. They look nice to me if my wifey gave me one of those ,..woohoo!

The vipers are very nice boxes form Sears.

 

[shoturtle]

MamaCat,

Welcome to GJ, my question to you, are you looking to keep the size fairly small as stated in your opening post. While the HF 27 inch red tool chart with top case is a great value. It is not small. It is quite large, and will need a bit more area to stow the box away. And you loose the top of the cart for a work area.

If you want to stay small, I would really look at the viper boxes at sears. They are really good boxes.

http://www.sears.com/viper-tool-sto...p-00980672000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

http://www.sears.com/viper-tool-sto...0929014000P?prdNo=12&blockNo=12&blockType=G12

Gladiator is another good option at sears.

http://www.sears.com/gladiator-prem...00913044000P?prdNo=9&blockNo=59&blockType=G59

But most of the lower end craftsman boxes are pretty thin, their more expensive ones are made better. The industrial and the grip latch are much nicer boxes then the ball bearing, quiteglide and basic line boxes.

 

[premierplayer]

From ABC news:

Economists say that if each American spends $64 on U.S. items this h0liday season, they’d create 200,000 jobs.

That US General box doesn't look so good to me anymore.

 

[rharman]

Craftsman Club has a sale ending Thursday the 13th. There is a top/bottom combo 6-drawer for $170. #00931016/7

 

[1grnlwn]

Not sure there is any toolbox made in USA! Seams to me your hubby would be thrilled to get a good gift, like a tool box. My advise would be don't be afraid to go bigger than you think. I now have 3 tool box stacks and am starting to look at a service type box.

 

[shoturtle]

There are US made boxes, proto, mac, matco, wright, cornwall and snap on comes to mind. But they are way pricey.

But if her hubby is not a tool collector, and do not plan on getting that many things for around the house, bigger is just bigger and not worth anything. And for storing power tools, the HF boxes is not ideal for that, the drawers are way to short.

 

[creativecars]

From ABC news:
Quote:
"Economists say that if each American spends $64 on U.S. items this h0liday season, they’d create 200,000 jobs.

That US General box doesn't look so good to me anymore. "

Personally I still like my HF box and I would be happy to spend just 65.00 more on the same box to have it built here, sad thing is, that would not be enough profit for many companies.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

From ABC news:
Quote:
"Economists say that if each American spends $64 on U.S. items this h0liday season, they’d create 200,000 jobs.

That US General box doesn't look so good to me anymore.

Why? If you buy an imported product you are still supporting every American job involved in procuring, distributing, selling, financing and supporting that product. Only job you are not directly supporting is the manufacturing portion.

 

[MamaCat]

Hey all... thanks for keeping the comments coming! (We have a toddler and a newborn and they're both sick and cranky, so I am just now logging in for the first time since yesterday because I've been holding kiddos nonstop!)

Yes, I saw the Viper boxes at Sears and thought they seemed sturdier than the Craftsman. (Viper makes a hot pink box, which was so shiny and pretty it halfway made ME want to learn to build/fix stuff, lol.)

I also ventured out to Harbor Freight and checked out their stuff, including the 13-drawer unit. Apparently that unit weighs >400 lbs EMPTY, which also raises the question of how the heck I'd get any of these things home on my own!

Oh, and we also went to Lowe's to check out the Kobalt stuff. From various threads on this site and others, it seems like maybe it is considered to be about on a par with Craftsman, or perhaps a little better? What are your thoughts?

I will also check out Craigslist. I hear those of who are talking about US vs. China made products... I would love to buy American made, however I'm not set on it. The cost difference can be huge, and unfortunately nothing is gonna be 100% American anyway, since I'm guessing the materials still come from Asia or elsewhere. Depressing.

I'm confident that a tool box is a good idea, however as some of you have suggested, I'm not 100% sure that this is the sort of thing I can pick out for him. I doubt he has a specific product in mind, but he might have general preferences (e.g., depth of drawers, overall size). Originally I was thinking of something smallish (e.g., my dad's old box), but I think he'd really like the fact that with a bigger box (like the 13-drawer HF), you can use the top of it for workspace. (Plus that he could get a top box in the future when he needs more space.)

 

[shoturtle]

The original pink box is a very well made box, and the viper box is the same.

The 44" HF box is nice, and you cut a nice piece of wood to the exact dimension and it would work well as a work top. But it is 400lbs. But it only has 2 deep drawers so if your husband has allot of power tools, you may not have enough storage for them. Especially if he has power saws. They take a lot of space.

I would really inventory the tools you have in the house, and see what drawer configuration would be best. The HF box is better suited for allot of hand tools, ratchets, wrenches and things like that. To get the HF box to store more power tools you will need to add the side box and it makes the box even wider.

This lowes box would be a compromise for having good storage for hand tools and power tools with the deeper drawers.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_351991-5573...s&pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=tool+chests&facetInfo=


I am not a proponent of the viper, craftsman, lowes or HF box. I believe in getting the box that best fit the need.

 

[darkk]

The 13 drawer HF box is the best bang for your buck hands down. Find some friends to help you get it home. I'd hate to see you buy an inferior box just because of delivery issues...

 

[shoturtle]

It is not the best bang for the buck it the layout does not work for the user.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm confident that a tool box is a good idea, however as some of you have suggested, I'm not 100% sure that this is the sort of thing I can pick out for him. I doubt he has a specific product in mind, but he might have general preferences (e.g., depth of drawers, overall size). Originally I was thinking of something smallish (e.g., my dad's old box), but I think he'd really like the fact that with a bigger box (like the 13-drawer HF), you can use the top of it for workspace. (Plus that he could get a top box in the future when he needs more space.)

Personally, I think you buying him a tool box for Christmas is great. If my wife bought me one of the HF boxes, the only problem I would have is rearranging stuff to make it fit.

You could always cut out the picture of the box, put it in a card and give it to him. Let him know, you'll pick it up after Christmas if he likes it. If he doesn't like it, tell him he has "X" amount of dollars to put towrds a box of his choosing.


Hope the little kiddos are feeling better.

 

[tmcowboy]

Here's a coupon for the Harbor Freight 44" http://slickdeals.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1605574&d=1354611030

 

[NUTTSGT]

Here's a coupon for the Harbor Freight 44" http://slickdeals.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1605574&d=1354611030

Doesn't work.

 

[78Bird]

And if the 44" is a bit large for your needs, the 5 drawer service cart is very nice, and offers a lot of storage for it's size and the top opens for more stuff.

there's a thread on here somewhere where people show off their mods to these carts as well, to give ideas of what type of work it can be put to.

Easily wheeled from project to project, as well.

 

[Carl B]

I also ventured out to Harbor Freight and checked out their stuff, including the 13-drawer unit. Apparently that unit weighs >400 lbs EMPTY, which also raises the question of how the heck I'd get any of these things home on my own!

and

I'm confident that a tool box is a good idea, however as some of you have suggested, I'm not 100% sure that this is the sort of thing I can pick out for him.

To get the H.F. tool box home - you'll need a Pickup. Or a friend with a Pickup. HF can load it into your truck - and two people can unload it. My 18 year old daughter and I lowered it slowly off the tail gate to the ground.

Or as suggested above - give him a Picture of one - and let him go pick it up. You could buy it to be sure they had one in the store.. and if he didn't want it [hard to believe}... they could do a refund on your Credit Card... Then he could pick it up the day before or after Christmas.

Just my thoughts/experience about wives picking out tool boxes for husbands {or any other combination of mates}. All to often wives go buy something based on price and with no real knowledge of what they are buying. So the husband winds up getting stuck with a cheap box he most likely would not have bought himself. ...NOT GOOD.

You on the other hand have sought and received the advice of lots of guys with lots of experience in this area. I would venture to say that if your husband came here and ask the same questions - he would most likely wind up buying the HF offering. At least 9 out of 10 guys I know did. Very high quality, expandable at very reasonable prices as well. If he needs additional deep drawers - he can buy them for less than $20.00 each. {I did} - or if he need more room for big power tools he can add a side cabinet for $200.00, and get extra shelves if needed.

BTW - Marry Christmas..
FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[MamaCat]

You think it would fit in a minivan?

 

[Falcon67]

Don't be too afraid of the C-man ball bearing slid units as they tend to hold up well. All my boxes are Quiet Glide and are working well too but I take care with the drawers. You can buy ball bearing for what I paid for the glide stuff now. The HF box is also a real good one. Take a small tape measure to the van and then head to the store and see how the various boxes fit LOL.

Also - to the "it's a personal deal, watch out" crowd: My wife bought me a 3 drawer Waterloo roll away from the Army-Navy store for our first Christmas together. I had a little plaque made for it, says "Christmas 1980". I still have the box and use it every day, along with the big 40" x 6' tallbox collection I have now. It was cheap and all she could afford - and it'll be forever perfect.

 

[shoturtle]

You think it would fit in a minivan?

To fit into a mini van, it needs to be unbox. And then you risk scratching up the box or the van. I helped a friend picked up one with a town and country. It was a lot of effort to unbox and set it into the mini van, and you need to remove the wheels.

 

[ihatelaramie]

My wife bought me a 3 drawer Waterloo roll away from the Army-Navy store for our first Christmas together. I had a little plaque made for it, says "Christmas 1980". I still have the box and use it every day, along with the big 40" x 6' tallbox collection I have now. It was cheap and all she could afford - and it'll be forever perfect.

^^^ That right there is all that really matters.^^^

 

[Kevin54]

MamaCat.....great idea for the hubby. One thing though, you want something more than 12" deep. If you are going to get him a toolbox, go for a roll-a-round base.They will be around 18" deep.

For the money, Harbor Fright or if you have a Menards near you, check out their toolboxes. Menards only used to carry ugly green, but now have black, blue, and red.

For the money, either place is a good deal on boxes. On a personal note, I have Menards boxes. Three bottoms, two side cabinets and one top box, and have not had the first problem with them and have been very well satisfied, except for the ugly green that I was stuck with. Lol!!!

I also have some Craftsman boxes and I think HF or Menards, for the money, blow them out of the water.

Good luck on choosing and tell Hubby to post up his treasure after he gets it.

 

[shoturtle]

since we are at it, If you are a member of costco you can also check out the homak and excel boxes. They have a good assortment of drawers sizes.