US General tool chests... survive outdoors?

[NSXRguy]

My dad recently passed away and he has a whole lot of snap on tools that needs reorganizing (cummins diesel mechanic 30+ years)

He does have snap on tool chests which he keeps in his other garage as storage for his not too often used tools

His tools are actually kept in a plastic tool chest. While it does do the job, id like to make it look more professional. Maybe one day, either i can continue his work or pass on to his grandkids

Anyways, will a us general tool chest survive outdoors? It wont get exposed to rain, but houston does get humid. I understand that they are fully powdercoated so it *should* hold up

 

[kctyphoon]

I would THINK as long as its out of the rain it should be fine. I dont see much difference between that, and having a toolbox in a regular professional garage where the doors are always open. I’m willing to bet people have been doing similar things with craftsman boxes and the likes for generations. The HF boxes should be no different. Really, what could possibly be effected besides maybe the slides at most, and a light coat of oil should solve that.

 

[Farmall450]

I doubt you'll have an issue. My 44" has been in our uninsulated/heated shop for 6.5 years now; it hasn't had an issue. The heat swings we have up here that cause massive condensation in the spring are far more dangerous, imo.

 

[Yarpo]

My US general saw years of use in a service truck before I got to bring it home. In the dead of winter the box would often be covered in frost, the tools too. In the summer the humidity would get so bad everything would have a light layer of condensation. It's now been in my unheated garage that way for a few years still experiencing humidity and moisture without issue. I think you'll be fine if you keep it out of the rain, which it looks like it would be. Make sure the slides are oiled up and rock and roll.

 

[seber]

I recently picked up a Craftsman box that had been kept in a doorless shed for an unknown amount of time. I'm also in East Texas. The box was terribly rusted. The humidity and extreme dew here is a serious problem.

 

[highland512]

My old crinkle finish 44" has been living in a uninstalled or heated metal building for 10 years and is just starting to show signs of rust.
Dad had an old craftsman that lived in the same conditions for 25 years before he upgraded. As long as these boxes are not in direct weather or sitting on a dirt floor shop they should be fine.