tool box/chest

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dukeboy440

dukeboy440

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I'm in the market for a new tool box. I've currently have a 3 piece Craftsman unit but it's about 10 years old, the drawer sliders are bout junk and after a recent break in attempt, my locking mechanisms are bent and messed up.

So I'm looking for a quality tool box. Something with a drawer load capacity around 30-50 lbs, ball bearing sliders and an internal locking mechanism, not the ones where theres a lock bar on the out side of the drawers. I can't afford anything like Snap-on or Mac, just need a quality, durable locking tool box/chest. I know Rural king and Home depot have some decent looking ones, but I dont know of anyone with experience with them.

Anyone have any recommendations.
 
I have had a husky for about 5 years now that I use at work. It had performed well even after it took a tumble after having too many drawers open at one time.
 
toplscuda said:
I have had a husky for about 5 years now that I use at work. It had performed well even after it took a tumble after having too many drawers open at one time.
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don't you hate it when they do that?
I was at work the other day (and the tool box I have there has WAY smoother drawers then my personal one)

I pushed the toolbox around a corner and ALL the drawers flew open, the whole thing tipped over


as for the original question, I had an issue with my own toolbox a while ago and the drawers became hard to operate
I found out there outer slides had just gotten a little loose...a couple of minutes with some channel lock pliers and everything was good as new
 
Too bad your in southern Indiana, I just retired and have 7 I dont need any more . shipping would be a bi..h
 
docdodge440 said:
Too bad your in southern Indiana, I just retired and have 7 I dont need any more . shipping would be a bi..h
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what brand....maybe i could talk the wife into a Route 66 trip :)
 
When was the last time you lubed your slides? My box draws were getting a little stiff so I took some AMSOIL Metal Protector to them. Works great now.
 
I'll probably get flamed for this, but I bought a box from Harbor Fake tools (price was too low to mention). It has been a good box for about 5 years now. I load the drawers pretty heavy and it seems to do just fine. I don't used it commercially, just for my hobby stuff. I'd recommend it. Here's a pic next to my 20 year old Craftsman (horrible drawer slides, light stuff only)..
 

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Any box will work. But always get one with roller bearing drawers, they make a big difference over standard slider drawers.
 
I have a Snap-On box I paid $16,400 for 5 years ago, for sale. I would let it go for $6500.
 
See a local tool truck guy. They sometimes get used boxes in on trade and can give you a good deal... Mac, Matco, Snap-On etc...
 
Watch Craigslist.
I've gotten some very good deals on tools.
Boxes are on there all the time.
 
I have always had MAC or Matco when I was doing it for a living. I still have Matco bottom,side, mid and top boxes that are more of a pain than I care to endure at this point. Several guys that work in our service dept have and use the mid size HF tamale wagons and love them. For $699 with a cupon it aint' bad!

image_23958.jpg
 
charger426 said:
When was the last time you lubed your slides? My box draws were getting a little stiff so I took some AMSOIL Metal Protector to them. Works great now.
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monthly, if not more. mine just has the cheap, crappy slides is all. I inquired about changing them out for ball bearing ones...craftsman does infact sell the kit to it, for 300 bucks.......
 
This is a Remline box that I Bought from my professional tool supplier about 15 years ago. Has the good roller drawers and an inside locking mech. Much, Much less expensive than the Snap On, Mac, Matco stuff. Never an issue with it. Should be able to procure one from your Professional Auto Parts Store.
And Yes.. that is my Wife in the pictures on the wall behind...
 

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Ben Drinkin said:
I'll probably get flamed for this, but I bought a box from Harbor Fake tools (price was too low to mention). It has been a good box for about 5 years now. I load the drawers pretty heavy and it seems to do just fine. I don't used it commercially, just for my hobby stuff. I'd recommend it. Here's a pic next to my 20 year old Craftsman (horrible drawer slides, light stuff only)..
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I think some car mag did a toolbox comparison and said the HF boxes were well worth it...

Ive scored a few small snap-on boxes at garage sales or CL, but its hard to find one priced right...

JOE
 
I bought a 3pc Craftsman set in the late 70's, maybe around 77/78. I took it apart and freshened it up in 99. When finished,I painted it with the same paint that I painted my BarracudaS. Yup she's like the Energizer Bunny,she just keeps going, and.... I guess she's been with me now nearly as long as I've been married. I used to throw the top 2 pcs into the trunk of my 73 Moredoor and truck it around as I was a freelancing mechanic. Can you imagine that? Here comes a 24 year old kid with a long brown Dart. He pulls up, opens the trunk and unloads his boxes onto his sawhorses, and gets to work tuning your car, or your brakes or pulling your tranny, or whatever. Can you see such a thing today? Would you hire a 24 yr old rag-tag kid to come and work on your car in your driveway today? Hah, how times have changed!
Anyway, that old girl is still with me, but is semi-retired just like me. She still stands proud, front and center,in my little garage. With 2 cheap other ones flanking her.
I guess the point is this; It's just made of metal. A little welding here or there, a little bodywork, a little cleaning and lubing from time to time. A lil splash of color. A toolbox can outlast your car.Mine has outlasted several,and soldiers on.
And I like the sticky drawers. The drawers stay in the box no matter how hard I corner her.And I need all the exercise I can get....Sometimes I open the drawers just for the halibut. Sometimes I have to cuz I don't remember which drawer the tool that I want is in. Sometimes I forget what tool I'm looking for, and just start opening drawers to see if it will jog my memory.Sometimes I fo......................
Naw, I'm just funning yous. I remember pretty good, what I did today..........
 
Ben Drinkin said:
I'll probably get flamed for this, but I bought a box from Harbor Fake tools (price was too low to mention). It has been a good box for about 5 years now. I load the drawers pretty heavy and it seems to do just fine. I don't used it commercially, just for my hobby stuff. I'd recommend it. Here's a pic next to my 20 year old Craftsman (horrible drawer slides, light stuff only)..
Click to expand...

You won't get flamed from me. I've looked at the boxes in the local HF in Macon and they look pretty good for the prices. I may end up with one myself.
 
AJ/FormS said:
Sometimes I open the drawers just for the halibut. Sometimes I have to cuz I don't remember which drawer the tool that I want is in. Sometimes I forget what tool I'm looking for, and just start opening drawers to see if it will jog my memory.Sometimes I fo......................
Naw, I'm just funning yous. I remember pretty good, what I did today..........
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HAHAHA

I think all have those trips to the tool box...

JOE
 
The only thing I worry about with my cheap boxes is the support works for the wheels, and the wheels themselves. I haven't had any collapse on me yet, butIi try not to overload them; which is why I have so many. Well three isn't really many, but you get the idea.
My most-used box has all the popular stuff in it cuz it gets wheeled around, and I keep it light. The other two have the heavy stuff and seldom used stuff;and they stay parked.
I don't think I'm into them for more than $1500Can. The two newest ones are; one from 97, and the other from a little newer;maybe 04ish. Point is I have 10 lineal feet by 42" high plus a small top box, all fit onto my trailer (forklift req'd,yup), for that $1500. That's about 55 cubic ft, or about $27/ ftcu. And since the average age of the boxes is 22, that makes it about $1.23/ft.cu/yr.........S'notsobad,eh?
 
If you can, try to get "SPRUNG" wheels one i have to get rid of is a snap on. what they call a taco cart. wide drawers on the front, full width on one end, doors on the back. sprung wheels, tow hook( they use them at large sites like airports, where they tow them to the job site) one repaint. Snap on has lifetime warrenty on slides, no matter who has it now, and wheels I think. Its a pro box. $500.00
 
for those of you reading this thread, I also have a Mac MB5000 top and bottom Jessy James signiture series. Brand new. not gently used, not kinda used, BRAND NEW!!! STILL ON THE SHIPPING SKIDS!! with all the boxes still in place. It saw day light 2 times. Once to inspect off the truck, once to photograph.Stored inside my garage in the desert. Yah the one with all the flames and skulls. Lots of extras also..
 
Another vote for the US General boxes from Harbor Freight. I've got one of their boxes that has a ton of storage and is built better than anything from Husky, Kobalt or Craftsman, and at a better price.
 
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