Tool Chests

[black roadster]

Time to upgrade the tool storage options and go with one chest to fit most of my tools.

I'm looking at this tool chest from Sears.



I like the stainless steel which is also still magnetic. It has a clear powder-coat to keep it shiny and fingerprint free. It has Grip latch and ball-bearing drawer slides and I like the wide drawers. Reviews are over-all good with damaged shipments being the main complaint. Price seams reasonable as a life-time purchase item.

I looked at this Kobalt one from Lowes too. I didn't like that is was not clear-coated so finger-prints are a problem. Also, the key does not come out when unlocked and the top must be open to open the drawers. It does seem more heavy-duty then the Craftsman chest though.



As for drawer organization, what do you like?

Obviously rubber drawer mats are the must have. I also think the peg style socket racks seem to make the most sense.

I currently have the clip-on socket racks and really don't care for them.

I think I've set my mind on the Craftsman chest unless I hear something that would change my mind. So I guess I'm looking for advice on drawer organization. There are lots of ideas out there. What do you use? Do you like it? I'm mostly storing mechanics tools so sockets, combination wrenches, screw drivers, and a the basics like hammers, pliers, breaker bars, files, etc...

I'm going from a wonderfully accessible peg board to a tool chest and my OCD tendencies wants to keep it organized and easy to find things at a moments notice.

[tailchaser]

Why on earth are you ditching your peg board?

I like my socket organizers I got from Northern Tool... One Big flat plastic thingy with well marked holders on the side and then a flat thingy with plenty of 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 nibs on the floor

[black roadster]

We are down sizing and moving. I'm going back to school and other changes have led to this.

[tailchaser]

Cool. I'm happy with my stainless chest. Fingerprints haven't been a problem, but I'm not sure what the finish is. Mine came from Costco, but they don't have any single-wide units.

[boisking]

I like my stainless chest from sams/costco wherever. It is similar to Lauren's. Steeltec is the brand IIRC. Not very heavy-duty compared to a Snap-ON or MAC unit, but i have used it heavily and moved it numerous times. It holds up, even with a substantial load in it. I use plastic trays for sockets with little wells and a magnetic strip to hold them in place for sockets. I think they came from HF or Sears. They are the best thing ever. You could always buy some foam and cut it to fit your tools, but you had better clean the tools before putting them away or that will get nasty quickly.

If you don't like fingerprints on your tool chest, stop working on cars. I just wipe mine down with some simple green once it is dirty enough that my hands get dirty just touching it.

[sxk122]

Check out the Harbor Freight Tool chest, seriously. They are as well built as the craftsman ones, for a fraction of the cost. There are some extensive threads on them on Garage Journal

[sammm]

^Agreed...for the money the HF's are hard to beat for a homeowner.

http://www.harborfreight.com/Roller-...fQ%3D%3D%0D%0A

[patf]

went back and double checked, i am looking at the homak units from northern tool, they look the same as the ones from summit racing. i am on board with the style of socket holders you have the pic of above, easy to grab the 3/8" rack and crawl under the car without having to come up for air. i looked at the stainless ones at lowes, but i look at my 10 year old craftsman and dont see why i need stainless.

[POS Racing]

I got a couple of "Vintage" tool boxes now don't really see a need to upgrade since a tool box isn't a status symbol for me it is just a place to store tools.

But I can tell you my 1960's Huot Box has more Soul than anything your looking at!


I like organized sockets! This is my current system!

[black roadster]

Mick, Craftsman is a status symbol? Really? That Huot chest does have some serious character their Sparky! Nice! BTW, it's you're not your.

I knew Snap-on, MAC, etc... in a hobbyist's garage was over-kill but I thought Craftsman was pretty much run-of-the-mill stuff.

Simon and sammm I'll run by HF and look at their stuff. HF quality can be hit or miss but I'll check them out.

Bo, I know the tool chest will get dirty but raw stainless steel is a nightmare to keep clean. Have it clear-coated makes for a much easier upkeep.

[tailchaser]

Just make sure whatever you get has real ball bearing glides in the drawers... and lean on them hard when you test them. There's no reason a HF chest with proper glides won't keep you happy for years... but you'll curse crappy drawer glides every time you touch the chest.

[sammm]

I don't have any pics handy, but I have a Craftsman chest that is probably around 20-25 years old that I bought new. No complaints, but I think their recent stuff is lower quality than the older stuff. If I was buying new today, I'd take a good luck at the HF roller in the link I posted above. I think you can catch that one on sale for $350'ish.

PS
I think onething has one of those HF's.

[altiain]

For socket organization, I have several of these Lisle magnetic socket holders tha tI picked up from Sears fifteen years ago. They've held up quite well, and it's nice to be able ot just grab a whole set when I'm working under the car.

On mine, I put a strip of duct tape down the middle and put the socket size right by each well. It's not the prettiest solution in the world, but when you're on your back under the car it's nice to be able to ID the socket size without having to take it off the tray.

[black roadster]

Looked at the HF tool boxes today and they seem to be impressively high-quality. It certainly gives me something to think about.

So who has the "red" HF tool chests? Thoughts? Anything you have had problems with or anything you don't like?

[sxk122]

I have the 5 drawer cart, and I love it. The only thing I'm not crazed with are the pneumatic stuts on the lid, they work well now, but we all know they will die eventually, lol

[sammm]

^I have one of those carts and they are very nice....for $150 on sale you can't beat it.


EDIT:
Looking thru the HF flyer I got yesterday....this roller/chest has a coupon for $299.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/roller-...est-67831.html

[driftdevil]

I have the black 5 drawer that has the hinges on the lid and it work great. Only paid $100 for it with one of their coupons.

[onething]

Sammmmmmmmmm is right.



I also now have these for sockets


found them on GJ



I also came up with a good way to label the drawers using a label maker with magnetic material

[sammm]

^Those socket holders are sweet! Link on GJ?

[POS Racing]

^Those socket holders are sweet! Link on GJ?

Yea what he said!