Recommended tool chests?

[stbm5]

looking for reasonably priced rolling tool chest and top chest. thus far am considering viper, wen and homak. they are all similarly priced. any thoughts on best made brand?

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

[CirrusSR22]

Reasonably priced? Harbor Freight - not even kidding. They’re just as good as anything in stock at Home Depot or Lowe’s, probably better. And cheaper.

Obviously there are high end ones like Snap-On but the prices get insane.

I recently looked all over at every big-box store you could imagine and all the consumer-grade ones are pretty similar in quality. Homak was no different. Haven’t seen Viper or Wen in person.

I bought a MasterForce brand at Menards because I thought it was among the better built consumer-grade ones I found, and the price was competitive. I should have saved the money and got a HF one.

Another option is to search Craigslist for used, higher-end ones.

[SakhirM4]

I have been very happy with my Craftsman tool chests.

[1MOREMOD]

Costco online will have deals sometimes also

[9iron]

Find a used Stanley Vidmar rolling tool chest. High quality stuff. Buy once cry once.

$2500 brand new....significantly less if you are patient.

Besides that, I agree with harbor freight.

[Emilime75]

I bought a pair of Viper 9 drawer units in white, second hand, about a year ago. Seller owned them for 6 years before me, so they're roughly 7 years old. I like them, overall. The fit and fnish is nice. My only gripe, is that on the one that gets used more often, the plastic detents that keep the drawers closed are wearing out...so if it's not on level ground and tilting forward, even just a little, some of the drawers won't stay closed. My fix is shimming the front casters with a piece of .25” plywood. This works well enough, but hate that I have do it and always have to lock the box if I decide to roll it around the garage.

On the other hand, the Snap On that I've owned since new and bought roughly 23 years ago, is still in great shape with no issues.

My rec would be to look for a used Snap On, Kennedy, Matco, Mac, Lista, Cornwell, Vidmar...some of these are insanely expensive, but you might find one at your budget and end up with a better quality box that'll last as long as you do.

[stbm5]

thanks for the suggestions. been checking craigslist for a long time hoping for a steal on a snap-on or matco, no luck. shipping cost adds about 25% to most of these too. i looked at harbor freight and their larger ones seem better built than their smaller ones, i'll go take another look.

[radiofrequency]

I went with Extreme Tools based on my budget, and the fact that I wanted my tool chest to be my first and last purchase of this nature. Yes, the Snap On is the top of the heap, but outside of my budget, so I did a great deal of research in addition to asking others, prior to my purchase. You can see these tool chests here: http://extremetools.net/about-us.html I purchased my tool chest from Strictly Toolboxes here: http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ext...SAAEgIgpvD_BwE

I have no affiliation with either business. Things I like about my toolbox:

1. Drawers roll smoothly and feel like they weigh a ton.
2. The stainless steel top, looks great and is very durable.
3. Overall weight and look, this item weighs a ton, is well built, and the quality is evident everywhere.
4. It locks.
5. Drawer handles - yes, perhaps a small thing, but beautiful crafted from stainless steel with lots of heft.

If you do go this route, you will be required to be present for delivery, perform a full inspection prior to accepting delivery. Expect to pay $1 600 - $2 600 based upon your needs.

[DSB335d]

You can look up distributors in your area like snap-on etc. contact them about used tool boxes. Techs are often upgrading to bigger boxes and distributors want to get the used boxes that are traded in off their trucks ASAP.

The Stanley Vidmar boxes are built very well also. At my job there are probably close to 100 of them in our parts room, they are the stationary ones but I'm sure the mobile versions are the same construction.

Personally I have MAC Tools boxes.
A Macsimizer work station w/stainless top and a utility cart. I used to be a an automotive technician over a decade ago.

[overcoil]

Thought the below video might be interesting. I don’t need to lock up my tools or transport my entire kit when moving from job to job so I like to hang my stuff on peg boards and use cheap but nice corrosion proof rubber shelves and a wood workbench.

[SharpAndCunning]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Reasonably priced? Harbor Freight - not even kidding. They’re just as good as anything in stock at Home Depot or Lowe’s, probably better. And cheaper.

Obviously there are high end ones like Snap-On but the prices get insane.

I recently looked all over at every big-box store you could imagine and all the consumer-grade ones are pretty similar in quality. Homak was no different. Haven’t seen Viper or Wen in person.

I bought a MasterForce brand at Menards because I thought it was among the better built consumer-grade ones I found, and the price was competitive. I should have saved the money and got a HF one.

Another option is to search Craigslist for used, higher-end ones.

ABSOLUTELY GET A US GENERAL FROM HARBOR FREIGHT.

They make an awesome box, it's bigger, cheaper, and comes with more, dollar for dollar than any of the big names (Craftsman, Husky, etc). I currently have a Husky box, and i'd trade it in a second for a harbor freight. I saw them after i'd already bought mine, otherwise, wait for the Super Coupon, get 20% or sometimes 25% each(the top and bottom, but you'll have to do separate transactions).

Especially if this is a hobby box, or non commercial box. I use my box, every weekend, and a couple times a week, and it holds up fine. All day, everyday, maybe not. But it wasn't $3000 either.

[DETRoadster]

Another vote here for Harbor Freight. I have had this one for 5 or 6 years and have been really happy with it: https://www.harborfreight.com/56-in-...net-67681.html

Only gripe is with the plastic latches that hold the drawers closed. You slide it over with your thumb to unlatch and pull the drawer out while holding the latch to the left. it's a nice feature but the latch mechanisms are fragile. I broke one somehow in the first few months. The drawer still stays closed on its own but there's nothing latching it in place so in theory if the floor wasn't level or if I were moving the tool chest it could slide open on me. It's a small gripe for an otherwise really solid toolbox.

[stevenc]

I have a dewalt tool chest which I love. If I had to buy a new one today, I'd buy a husky. The harbor freight are the same price or more than the huskys and the huskys are really nice.

[SchillerM]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

I bought a pair of Viper 9 drawer units in white, second hand, about a year ago. Seller owned them for 6 years before me, so they're roughly 7 years old. I like them, overall. The fit and fnish is nice. My only gripe, is that on the one that gets used more often, the plastic detents that keep the drawers closed are wearing out...so if it's not on level ground and tilting forward, even just a little, some of the drawers won't stay closed. My fix is shimming the front casters with a piece of .25” plywood. This works well enough, but hate that I have do it and always have to lock the box if I decide to roll it around the garage.

On the other hand, the Snap On that I've owned since new and bought roughly 23 years ago, is still in great shape with no issues.

My rec would be to look for a used Snap On, Kennedy, Matco, Mac, Lista, Cornwell, Vidmar...some of these are insanely expensive, but you might find one at your budget and end up with a better quality box that'll last as long as you do.

I got a Viper setup from the scratch & dent area at the company warehouse.
I like the box, but the drawers are short. The socket holders I have stand the sockets upright, and deeps won't fit.
I too am having a few drawers that slide out if left unlocked.
Overall nice box, I wouldn't talk someone out of buying one.

Cant go wrong with a used Snap-on, or my real preference would be a used Cornwell.
But I do love my Lista cabinets. Still migrating from the Viper to the Listas.

[1MOREMOD]

I've had the same tiny craftsman forever and need bigger one but don't have space in my 3 car garage so full of other stuff. 2 cars, trailer, work bench, cabinets, wheel racks, kayaks, bikes, peg board, I need a shop.

Anyone had trinity stainless?

[SharpAndCunning]

Originally Posted by stevenc

I have a dewalt tool chest which I love. If I had to buy a new one today, I'd buy a husky. The harbor freight are the same price or more than the huskys and the huskys are really nice.

Husky are decent. I have one now. But the "lock" or resist to opening drawers take a bit getting used to. They are a little unnatural, and not as smooth as the harbor freight boxes. Although, my 65' tall stackables were only $100 used (had some over spray, so I had to IPA wipe them down for an hour), but worth the discount. But If I'm paying store prices, I'm going with Harbor Freight over Husky. If for noting else, Harbor Freight has better customer service.

[mecheng77]

Check out International SPG, they have different levels of quality and their higher end models are made in Canada and they are very affordable. I have their tool chest and I love it. I got it on Amazon

[MKSixer]

I highly recommend a chest of similar specifications to this one. I'm here to help.

[Emilime75]

^ That would suit my tool nicely.

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

I highly recommend a chest of similar specifications to this one. I'm here to help.

I'd put m tool in that chest.

Unfortunately though...I did the Harbor Freight. They're tools...and the cheap tool box works just fine.

[stbm5]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

I highly recommend a chest of similar specifications to this one. I'm here to help.

yeah, now were talking!