TOOLCHEST PURCHASE
 

Gentlemen:

Need a second large wheeled toolchest. My shop is a mess - I presently have a rollaway craftsmen toolchest. Need more room. I do not have 3 to 5K to spend on a snap-on, mac, or highend toolchest. I also do not have alot of time to spend researching this issue. I am work 70 hours a week trying to make a living. Therefore, I requesting this groups expert thoughts on this subject matter. Thanks in advance

Sean :)

I was in a similar situation recently looking for a new toolbox. I looked everywhere and compared pretty much everything I could find, and in the end went with the 13 drawer roller cab from harbor freight. IMO it is hands down the best bang for the buck toolbox on the market.

Costco has a nice brushed stainless steel one.

Yeah, I've looked a a couple of toolchests at Harbor Freight. General was the name on both, they're red, and have the pads already in the drawers. Nice thing is the drawers have a latch you have to slide to open them. When you move the chest they won't pop open on you....and keeps the kids out of them. LOL

I wanted the big one that's about 4' long with the large casters, but with the 2' top chest off the one next to it that only comes as a set. That way I could have a 2' work top to set things on. The manager said it was a good idea and he would check with the home office and see what they could do.

Stay away from the black toolchest they always have on sale, it's a lightweight piece of crap.

My other option is the ones they sell a Lowes. No more Craftsman toolchests for me.

watch the craigslist, with all the unemployed mechanics and career changes you can usually find a decent one for reasonable money. depending on how often your into it the "cheap" ones tend to fail...snap on mac and matco although overpriced are quality and will last a lifetime. you can find a used one and the drawer slides are warrenteed so unless its bent itll be like new.

Go to garagejournal.com.....tons of threads on
off brand boxes.

I have a General top box biggest one they make. It was sitting back of the store for weeks and I ask the manager how much $, he wanted out of the store so i got it for $300. Lowes drawers are very weak if they are locked it won't take much to bend them. I have a snap on roller chest w/ 3 drawers on(Philadelphia) CL for 550. They make them w/ more drawers,a lot of the body shop guys use them so they can move from car to car in the shop.

I've been looking for a new tool box myself. You might want to look at Waterloo, Homak and Kennedy tool boxes. They have homeowner all the way up to professional versions. All seem to be cheaper than Snap-On, Mac etc., and some are made in the USA. So far I have only seen pictures and descriptions on websites, nothing in person.

X2. The Garage Journal is a throbbing brain on all things garage.