So i want to know what everyones opinion is on downsizing your tool box. I have a us general 44 13 drawer with the 7 drawer side cab plus my 5 drawer tool cart. I have planned to upgrade and add on the top and locker but would have to get rid of my tool cart. I have given some thought on downsizing to the milwaukee 30 in 12 drawer box and keep my us general 5 drawer cart. Ive been considering the less is more concept. Had anyone done something similar or are you a more tools more space type? Just a thought myself but still considering the upgrade within a few months.
When to downsize your tool box
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Chromdome35
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I think you're asking the wrong people for advice on downsizing your toolbox. No one here will know. 
Downsizing? what is this terminology you speak of?
Oldsmobile
Well-known member
Downsizing, eh?
Well, I also had a HF 44 top, bottom, and side cabinet. In the last few months, I added the HF 26 top & bottom, and another 44 bottom.
My workshop is a 2 car garage. I can park two inside for snow, or I can have one inside to work on it.
To make maximum use of space, I got rid of a metal cabinet and replaced it with an open shelf that is also part of my workbench now. For me, the question I kept asking was along the lines of Would I rather have THIS, or THAT? I was able to eliminate my machinist chests and a workbench that was at the end of its life.
I see OP has the mobile tool cart, and my shop is small so I never considered owning one. So, OP, what's important to you? Mobility? Accessibility? What else could you do with the space you'd gain by downsizing toolbox volume?
Well, I also had a HF 44 top, bottom, and side cabinet. In the last few months, I added the HF 26 top & bottom, and another 44 bottom.
My workshop is a 2 car garage. I can park two inside for snow, or I can have one inside to work on it.
To make maximum use of space, I got rid of a metal cabinet and replaced it with an open shelf that is also part of my workbench now. For me, the question I kept asking was along the lines of Would I rather have THIS, or THAT? I was able to eliminate my machinist chests and a workbench that was at the end of its life.
I see OP has the mobile tool cart, and my shop is small so I never considered owning one. So, OP, what's important to you? Mobility? Accessibility? What else could you do with the space you'd gain by downsizing toolbox volume?
thesilverone
Well-known member
first post (and should be your last)
NFH2740
Well-known member
I went from Harry Homeowner hand box to full blown overload to a moderate sets of shop, home and electrical tools plus a ****** display case of antique ****.
Most modern duplicate wrench sets and all duplicate socket related stuff is gone.
Downsizing clears the mind and gave me far better inventory control. I am happier for not having to worry over so much to lose.
Most modern duplicate wrench sets and all duplicate socket related stuff is gone.
Downsizing clears the mind and gave me far better inventory control. I am happier for not having to worry over so much to lose.
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
Downsizing your tool box?... interesting concept.
txvwnut
Well-known member
Blasphemer! Turn in your GJ membership! 
toolman9w
Well-known member
Can't wrap my head around this concept.
Ohmthis
Well-known member
I've never thought of downsizing my tool box. With every new skill I learn or new project come the opportunity for more tool. I have multiple boxes in the 33"-50+" wide varity, I just make room for them. Who needs to park in their garage????
Jimthediyguy
Well-known member
I just hit the 60 mark. I still have my first box but have now added a work bench and a roller cart. The bench and associated cabinets house the wood working tool while the cart has the air tools and impact sockets. The first box has top, middle, bottom and side boxes. I have 16 drawers with storage in bottom box.
I said all that to say I'm ramping up to do the things I want to do when I retire 'cause I know j won't be able to afford some things. I'm actually getting the HF 44 top, bottom and sides this week.
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So far so good on this post in just a couple hours. I know in automotives its always go big however im learning what i use more and what i either use less or even that one time rare occasion. Im more towards build and add than i am downsize but its something to simmer on the next few months.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Simmer on a beer and don't be concerned about oversized tool boxes. If it fits in the garage, it cannot be too big.
Mikeske
Well-known member
The concept of downsizing is a bit of a stretch for me. I have 40 plus years of accumulated tools and I would never consider it. I upsized from a Waterloo 27" top and bottom box that was overwhelmed by my tools.
I retired in April and took my Waterloo roller box that I had for over 34 years home. I then started to gather all the tools I had at home from 2 garages, 3 cars a pickup and a 5th wheel and countless plastic buckets, benches, and even the floor and put everything in one location.
By the time I finished I realized that I needed more tool storage. I ended up with a HF 44" roller cabinet, top box, side box and locker. I still needed more and then bought a 2nd 44" roller cabinet and sidebar and then hooked the locker on the left side, 44" roller cabinet with top box next, then the side box, then the 2nd roller cabinet and finally the second side box and I still am at the edge of needing more so I bought a 5 drawer cart.
Everything now has a place and since I have the room in shop for all of the tools I keep everything and use the duplicates in the 5 drawer cart as it saves me time when I am working a project to have need near by. If I need something that is more specialized it a short trip to my main cabinets. It works for me and at 60 years old I am not yet in the mood to down size.
I retired in April and took my Waterloo roller box that I had for over 34 years home. I then started to gather all the tools I had at home from 2 garages, 3 cars a pickup and a 5th wheel and countless plastic buckets, benches, and even the floor and put everything in one location.
By the time I finished I realized that I needed more tool storage. I ended up with a HF 44" roller cabinet, top box, side box and locker. I still needed more and then bought a 2nd 44" roller cabinet and sidebar and then hooked the locker on the left side, 44" roller cabinet with top box next, then the side box, then the 2nd roller cabinet and finally the second side box and I still am at the edge of needing more so I bought a 5 drawer cart.
Everything now has a place and since I have the room in shop for all of the tools I keep everything and use the duplicates in the 5 drawer cart as it saves me time when I am working a project to have need near by. If I need something that is more specialized it a short trip to my main cabinets. It works for me and at 60 years old I am not yet in the mood to down size.
ihateminimumwage
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I recently downsized from a 41" Waterloo box (a few inches taller than the HF) with a side locker to a Snap-on 30". It was all about utilizing space, and selling off tools that weren't being used.
I've since moved into a service truck with a very loaded 26" top box, that will definitely teach you how to maximise space!
moparguy01
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Many years ago when I stopped spinning wrenches professionally I sold my Matco box and replaced it with a 44" HF unit top and bottom. Then filled 2 shelves, and now I have the HF unit, 2 lista cabinets, and a shelf full of tools. Plus my junkyard tool bag, and the toolbox for each individual car, and the one I carry in the car trailer.....
I was the wrong one to give advice here. lol
I was the wrong one to give advice here. lol
bczygan
Well-known member
I thought a 44" HF roller and their 5 drawer cart would be all I would ever need.................What an idiot I am!
bill
bill
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think the first question is why do you feel you need to downsize? Have you moved into a smaller place? Lost job? Kids on the way? Is this a home set up or work?
I've reorganized from using a traditional 60 inch wide top & bottom Cornwell unit into a wallocker with shelves and a 7 drawer tool cart. The cart holds about 95% of the tools that I use often daily. The specialty equipment and stuff used less often goes in the wallocker. It might not work for everyone but, I've been happy with it for over 10 years now. Good luck
I've reorganized from using a traditional 60 inch wide top & bottom Cornwell unit into a wallocker with shelves and a 7 drawer tool cart. The cart holds about 95% of the tools that I use often daily. The specialty equipment and stuff used less often goes in the wallocker. It might not work for everyone but, I've been happy with it for over 10 years now. Good luck
wouldn't want spend out on a milwaukee 30" when already got a decent 44" us gen with side cabinet.
Milwaukee pretty flimsy and not so expandable, versatile over your 44"
If was thinking of side locker and top I can't see how could possibly downgrade to a tiny 30".
buy another side drawer or a locker and not a top box and enjoy counter top space and perhaps look at idea of building hutch if add a sidelocker .
Only sensible reason creating ballache of box swap purchase/sale for going to 30" would be reduced foot print priority. Seems to me like hassle and expense to end up with worse storage setup .
Milwaukee pretty flimsy and not so expandable, versatile over your 44"
If was thinking of side locker and top I can't see how could possibly downgrade to a tiny 30".
buy another side drawer or a locker and not a top box and enjoy counter top space and perhaps look at idea of building hutch if add a sidelocker .
Only sensible reason creating ballache of box swap purchase/sale for going to 30" would be reduced foot print priority. Seems to me like hassle and expense to end up with worse storage setup .
jimreed2160
Well-known member
You are on the right track with your "less is more" concept but downsizing is the wrong direction. Perhaps you should think of getting a smaller box with more tools that you can keep handy. I have tool boxes and tool stashes everywhere--garage, kitchen, cars, etc. Buy duplicates of common tools and keep them handy. You can always go to the big box for specialty tools but the small boxes will save you many steps.
Downsizing? Don't worry about it, that's something relatives do for you after you die.
Plus they keep making things tighter and tighter with new types of fasteners for which more varieties and types of tools are constantly being invented. Someone needs to invent a belly pan drawer that fits between the wheels on our roller cabinets. Also drawers that all have thin lids with mirrors on them that pop up when you open them so you can see whats inside when you have to stack boxes so high we can't see in them. Thant's what we need.
Plus they keep making things tighter and tighter with new types of fasteners for which more varieties and types of tools are constantly being invented. Someone needs to invent a belly pan drawer that fits between the wheels on our roller cabinets. Also drawers that all have thin lids with mirrors on them that pop up when you open them so you can see whats inside when you have to stack boxes so high we can't see in them. Thant's what we need.
Trey T
Well-known member
From a certain perspective, a good downsize toolbox is the 26-inch 16 drawers cabinet which has 32.8ft^2 of drawer space, which is 5.6ft^2 more space than your 44-inch box. Something to consider if it fits your need or not.
If you can work of of your box comfortably then i would leave as is. There's nothing worse than having a small-ish box that's got tools pilled on top of each other in every drawer. There's always the other end of the scale though with people buying huge boxes and filling them with junk, maybe only half of it of any real use to them. Think about what you really need and what you use often, the rest can go in a cabinet or other kind of storage.
Alchymist
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Ha, 75 here, and still buying tools. Next up is the HF 44" - perhaps next spring?
And I plan on using them for another 15-20 years!
Skeptic68W
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Ha! I'm trying to figure out how I can arrange my garage to fit an extension onto the side of my 44" cabinet.
Alexander
Well-known member
I suppose I see the point of the idea of 'downsizing', but I would word it differently.
For me, my work box is the perfect size, and I wouldn't change a thing there.
At home, however, it's just a mess. Useful tools, things I no longer need at work, 'maybe-someday-this-will-come-in-handy' tools, renovation leftovers, freebies, etc.
A lot of times for me it comes down not to where to store the tool, but if I should even have the tool. Fortunately I'm not as much of a 'collector' as some of the guys around here, but it's a pervasive problem nonetheless.
The goal I would have isn't just to have more storage or less storage, but to have the right blend of storage solutions for the ideal amount of tools/parts/junk for your needs. I've donated a lot of surplus tools recently. It was all useful, which is why I had such a hard time getting rid of it, but I eventually came around to the idea of placing a higher value on empty space and the ability to move around versus having duplicates of everything, 'just in case'. Because I had fewer tools, I was able to donate the cabinets that were storing those extras, freeing up floor space.
It's a balance. Sometimes less is more.
For me, my work box is the perfect size, and I wouldn't change a thing there.
At home, however, it's just a mess. Useful tools, things I no longer need at work, 'maybe-someday-this-will-come-in-handy' tools, renovation leftovers, freebies, etc.
A lot of times for me it comes down not to where to store the tool, but if I should even have the tool. Fortunately I'm not as much of a 'collector' as some of the guys around here, but it's a pervasive problem nonetheless.
The goal I would have isn't just to have more storage or less storage, but to have the right blend of storage solutions for the ideal amount of tools/parts/junk for your needs. I've donated a lot of surplus tools recently. It was all useful, which is why I had such a hard time getting rid of it, but I eventually came around to the idea of placing a higher value on empty space and the ability to move around versus having duplicates of everything, 'just in case'. Because I had fewer tools, I was able to donate the cabinets that were storing those extras, freeing up floor space.
It's a balance. Sometimes less is more.
I went back to small-medium hand boxes. The shop has bigger and special tools I don't need to buy. I never use them outside the shop.
Co-workers without made inventory a nightmare on that roller box. Easier to eliminate the box than the bad habits of cheapo friends.
At home I just don't need that much stuff.
Co-workers without made inventory a nightmare on that roller box. Easier to eliminate the box than the bad habits of cheapo friends.
At home I just don't need that much stuff.
ken w.
Well-known member
I have 7 top / bottom / mid boxes and a 40" bottom I use as a work bench. I would gladly trade all but the 40" in for a HF 44" bottom and maybe a top. I got them all but one used and at a bargain. It would be nice to have most everything in one box.
Packard V8
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About the same as downsizing one's male organ.
jack vines
Jimthediyguy
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Al Borland
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Insert "Tool" joke here:____________
Toothaker
Well-known member
You and me both, Bill. A little over a year ago I started cleaning, getting rid of junk in the garage and basement, and organizing my stuff. I had tools scattered all over, stored in a variety of toolboxes, bins, boxes and shelves. I decided I would solve things once and for all and bought a 44" Husky combo tool chest. Started putting my tools away, sorting through them, getting rid of duplicates and junk tools. And it didn't all fit. Bought a 27" Husky combo tool chest to put next to the bigger box. Now that smaller box is also full, and I'm looking at another toolbox.
I've decided organized tools take up more space. Not a bad thing, mind you, it just is. I can certainly find the right tool a lot faster.
apollo11
Banned
when you have 3-4 of everything
sberry
Banned
I am not a collector and when I look at it really don't have that much stuff compared to some others. I was going to score a new box but did some simple swapping around and got past that urge. Every ***/box doesn't have to go in to one of these chests but my setup is a little different than a home garage though. I stripped out a lot o extra **** and stored it conveniently in a couple 5 gallon buckets. Just plain didn't use it and no matter how good it is,,,, well,,, didn't use it. I stopped myself at auctions a quite a while ago, came home with another 3/4 impact socket set I already had and didn't use much as it was,,,, yes they were the best and they were cheap but all they do is ride a drawer.
Same for all those speed handles, whole drawer full and cant even remember the last time I used one. They went to the basement collection too. I sorted my cart/chest and had 10 1/2 x 1/2 chrome sockets, I use 1 once in a while. All that **** just adds another layer of confusion. This doesn't mean I wont get something I need but it means I am so much more selective than I was and don't get it for sport.
Same for all those speed handles, whole drawer full and cant even remember the last time I used one. They went to the basement collection too. I sorted my cart/chest and had 10 1/2 x 1/2 chrome sockets, I use 1 once in a while. All that **** just adds another layer of confusion. This doesn't mean I wont get something I need but it means I am so much more selective than I was and don't get it for sport.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Ditto