What To Do With Old Toolbox?

[Matt M PA]

Well guys, I got a new Cobalt 40(something) inch toolbox last summer and ever since, I've been trying to think of what to do with the old one.

The old one is one of the gray Craftsman boxes...roller, mid box and chest. I've been storing some car parts in it...but it doesn't work well for that.

I put it upstairs in my garage as I've been apprehensive about parting with it since I'd had it so long...

I've been trying to think of what I could store in it if I moved the parts. I thought about lesser used tools in their cases...but many of the drawers are to shallow to fit much of that short of a timing light.

So guys...any ideas for an old box? It needs to stay upstairs as I have no room for it on the floor.

I also have one of those Stanley FatMax on-site boxes..like the one pictured. I used to use it for mobile detailing, but those days have passed. I first tried to use it for video gear for work, etc...but it seems like none of that works out.

Glad for your thoughts!!

 

[dreamingmuscle]

I store the off the wall stuff in my extra box. Air tools (blow gun, air chuck etc) in one drawer, tire repair in another. Drill bits and drill drive bits have a drawer and RTV, lubricants in tubes and glues have thier drawer too.

 

[Mikeske]

When I replaced my tool box an old Waterloo bottom and top box I could not figure out either and I ended up listing on Craigslist for cheap and got rid of it. It was just a clapped out toolbox and I had no need for it since I bought my replacement box. It would just gather dust and be in the way so I just got rid of it.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I keep all my woodworking hand tools in my old box.

 

[taumac]

There’s are always need to use a old box like that. You can turn into parts cabinet, duplicate tool cabinet or store your vintage tools. You’ll find I use for it I’m sure.

 

[csp]

You're done buying tools and won't need more storage in the future?

 

[Matt M PA]

It's been over a year since the new box...and this one being upstairs isn't helping in making it useful.

I'm going to play with it tomorrow and see if I can find some use for it....thanks for the thoughts, guys!

 

[PugetDude]

I wish I had an old 26" roller to use as the basis for a new welding cart...

 

[crewchief888]

last time i upgraded my work boxes, i traded everything in on the new ones.
ive added several more boxes since then, mostly for garage use.

even after 30+ years of professional wrenching, as well as garage wrenching, my tools keep expanding...

most likely you wont get much from selling your old boxes, i'd keep them for future use, or gift them to a friend.

several years ago, through trading and swapping, i ended up with a set of 26" montgomery wards powr-kraft boxes, and a bunch of extra, mostly CM usa hand tools. i gave them to a friend that didnt have much in the way of tools..

got them out of my basement, he had some more stuff, it worked out for both of us.

 

[matt_i]

You, Sir, need to buy more tools!

But I did read you don't have room for it on the floor, which kinda messes up my plan.....

I have drawers of electrical parts, plumbing parts, fish tapes, special tools I built for 1 job and would likely not get used in my lifetime but are too good to toss, extra gasket/gasket sets, tire irons and talc for tractor tires, auto tools like crank-pulley/harmonic balancer pullers, etc, etc, all in storage drawers. Not things that come out very often, maybe once or twice a year, but just need a "standardized place" to call home.

 

[icthruu74]

I moved my old box to the shed, so I could keep some basic tools out there too and not have to keep going back to the garage when I needed something.

Plus my tool collection keeps expanding. Even though I thought I had every tool I'd ever need.

 

[bad_idea]

Change your own oil? Cut the bottom 2" of the quart containers off. Great bolt bins. Fill the drawers with them. Organize your hardware collection. I have a 42" HF box loaded out like that. The machine screws in the wider drawers, carpentry screws in the other.

 

[jimreed2160]

I have been organizing my woodworking shop by transitioning from 2x4 shop furniture and shelves to rolling workbenches and toolboxes. Small drawers are very handy for organization AND keeping ahead of clutter. It would be a shame to lose your little buddy.

Here are a few thoughts. Perhaps there is a place inside the dwelling--like a closet. When I was a bachelor I kept my small rolling tool chest in apartment utility closets. I liked the concept so much that I have a HF cart in our pantry. It holds batteries, chargers, inside tools, and my splinter removal tools.

Or maybe put it in a spare bedroom. All you need is a few square feet.
Or maybe you need to reorganize the garage and pitch those snow tires.
Are there other things in the shop that can go outside? Get a storage shed for them and free up some space.

Your problem is really a good one to have. Good luck finding a solution.

 

[abachman]

I gave my old 26inch box to my daughter. She just bought her first house (with her significant other... soon to be husband) and has kept her tools in a tool bag up to this point in time. The bag has become too small for everything I've given her, as I like to be able to work with her on projects, and knowing that she has all the tools I would need makes it much easier.

 

[Matt M PA]

Yes, truly a good problem.

I have a friend that expressed an interest in the old box, so at least it could have a good, new home.

I've been using a set of those Radio Shack drawers for holding tape, grinding wheels, supplies...stuff like that. As a rule, it's better at that that than the toolbox.

Still gonna spend some time and play with a good option..

 

[apollo11]

That is an oddball.
maybe donate it

 

[kbs2244]

If your friend doesn't take it I would bet there is a neighborhood H S kid that would be a friend forever if he got it.

And young, strong, teachable friends are a handy thing to have.

 

[d.mcfarland]

If you have the space, getting rid of it will instantly be regretted (for most people).

If you need the space, sell it.

If you don't need the money or space, give it to a friend or relative who could use it.

Essentially, all it is, is an organization device.

 

[Bessy]

If your friend doesn't take it I would bet there is a neighborhood H S kid that would be a friend forever if he got it.

And young, strong, teachable friends are a handy thing to have.

This.

Young, Strong, Teachable friends are great to have, just as much as older, wiser, inventive neighbours/friends with tools and expertise are absolutely invaluable! I used to love hanging in the shop or working on stuff with "Grandpa Gary" (no relation). I'll never forget the day he stopped in with two grocery bags of older wrenches, a couple screwdrivers, etc and asked if I wanted them. Most any kid that shows an interest in tools/fixing stuff should be nurtured because it's a dying art that too few possess.

 

[MikeF2316]

Sort and store hardware, nuts, bolts and screws in it.

 

[Ji m]

my oldest toolbox,
grey stacked Craftsman box that was a Christmas present around 1987 stores all my consumables
drawer for grinder discs and wheels,
drawer for sawzall blades
not consumable so to speak, but taps and dies have their own drawer,
as does air & hydrolic fittings.
files have another drawer,
pretty much everything but tools and drill bits (drill bits are in another old top box).

My old non-ball bearing Snap On stack holds all the spares.
If theres doubles of something, extra sockets, ratchet handles, it goes in there.

That way it keeps the junk and non-tool stuff out of the main box.

 

[NUTTSGT]

fastener storage

dedicated job duty storage... plumbing, electrical, or data

consumable storage

 

[sberry]

my oldest toolbox,
grey stacked Craftsman box that was a Christmas present around 1987 stores all my consumables
drawer for grinder discs and wheels,
drawer for sawzall blades
not consumable so to speak, but taps and dies have their own drawer,
as does air & hydrolic fittings.
files have another drawer,
pretty much everything but tools and drill bits (drill bits are in another old top box).

My old non-ball bearing Snap On stack holds all the spares.
If theres doubles of something, extra sockets, ratchet handles, it goes in there.

That way it keeps the junk and non-tool stuff out of the main box.

This. I have a couple and put dupes, extra, pullers, got a drawer for broken sockets wrenches for mods etc and keep a lot of stuff out of a box I actually want to work out of.
Both of these really and I might retire the bottom of the really old one and replace it with one with a bit more room, if I do off to a basement it goes. I keep a lot of specialty stuff in the big nicer one, again, off the carts, I can walk over and get a milimetric tubing wrench should I really need it. Way easier than wading thru it all every day.
I strip everything I use regular out of all that and put on the cart.

 

[OldracerJones]

I turned one of my old ones into a welding toolbox and the other I donated to our local Volunteer Fire Department. They also needed tools so I was able to get rid of my duplicates and older tools I no longer use for a good purpose and take a tax deduction.

 

[Kpaige]

I used my old bottom for a mobile electric/soldering station. I rewire motorcycles often enough that being able to roll it out and have everything I need is nice.
Put the top on a small wagon and stock it with tools you use around the house. Then its quick and easy to get house projects done so you can get back to the garage!

 

[jkuro]

Again, you don't have enough tools!

 

[Gmonkee]

I understand. I build wood tool boxes for a pastime.

I had six, now I have two ready, one in progress and one up for sale yet. The last in is service in a brake shop. All future versions will be for sale. I have all the tool storage I need, if that changes I build more.

 

[Kpaige]

Gmonkey
Pics

 

[MikeF2316]

Gmonkey
Pics

What he said!!

 

[rsanter]

Clean it up
Clear coat it
Put it in the house