New Rolling Tool Chest

[Peter Person]

Finally picked up the Harbor Freight US General 26" 8-drawer rolling tool chest. Not Snap-On, but it seems well built and can't beat the price. It is made in China.
My 26" Craftsman 6-drawer box fits perfect on top. I think I'm all set for tool storage.

Started out 40+ years ago with this Parker Tool Box. Top tray and a mess of tools in the box. Not very convenient.

1st Tool Box.JPG (23.63 KiB) Viewed 1146 times

Upgraded to this 3-drawer Craftman box when I bought my Cub.

When I started adding Metric wrenches and sockets to my tools, I upgraded to the 6-drawer box.
Gave Erik my 3-drawer box. Still keep the Parker filled with oddball items and duplicates.

[Dale Finch]

I LOVE my tools, and had a great time organizing them when I bought my rolling tool box. I do still have a fairly complete portable (albeit heavy!) toolbox that travels with me to Cubfests and any remote repair jobs.

Have fun finding just the right place for everything...and more importantly, remembering just where that right place is when you need a particular tool!!

[Stanton]

I bought HF's 44"x22" tool cabinet a couple years ago when it went on sale at Christmas. Red of course...

Haven't regretted it one bit. Quality item.

[Peter Person]

Dale,
Funny you mention putting things in a particular location. I was thinking the same thing, how many drawers will I open trying to find something. I pretty much had my 6-drawer box memorized.

Stanton,
I seriously considered the box you have. It’s on sale for $450. The box I got was on sale for $280. I opened a HF Credit Card and got another $28 off. With tax it came to $268. If I was going to be in New Hampshire any time soon, could have gotten it w/o sales tax, saving $16!
Should last the rest of my wrench turning years.

Peter

[Gary Dotson]

A couple years ago, I treated myself, on black friday, to a new tool box. I bought the 72" top & bottom from Rural King, that has sure been nice! That thing replaced 7 smaller box's, in a far more organized fashion. I gave a lot of thought, as to what items went into which drawer, then labeled all the drawers. I have gotten used to it pretty quickly, Peter, you will too!

[ricky racer]

People can say what they want about Harbor Freight but those US General tool boxes are pretty nice! Very well made and a great value for a box that will last a lifetime.

[CharlieK]

I like to remember where everything is in my entire garage--including where all tools are in the tool box--can't put up with my boy in my garage too often

[Gary Dotson]

You're quite right, Ricky! The box from Rural King was an even better price than Harbor, plus I got a good discount with the Black Friday coupons (my wife bought the top box, I bought the bottom and used two coupons) My $1100 set-up would have cost about $6000 or more, from Snap-On. I'll never understand the frenzy for the Snap-On tool chests.

[Peter Person]

You're quite right, Ricky! The box from Rural King was an even better price than Harbor, plus I got a good discount with the Black Friday coupons (my wife bought the top box, I bought the bottom and used two coupons) My $1100 set-up would have cost about $6000 or more, from Snap-On. I'll never understand the frenzy for the Snap-On tool chests.

For the homeowner, weekend warrior, or light duty user, Snap-On or MAC or Matco boxes are overkill. My son Aron is a road service mechanic, working on forestry and construction equipment.
He uses Snap-On tools almost exclusively, with a smattering of MAC, Matco, and Gear Wrench tools. His cordless tools are Milwaukee 18V Fuel. 2 years ago his boss upfitted the truck he was assigned to with Husky tool chests inside the side boxes of the truck. The Husky boxes were pretty well used up when he recently got a "new" truck assigned to him that already had the side boxes upfitted with some heavy duty drawer & cabinet units. The 2-year old Husky boxes got thrown in the scrap metal dumpster.

When he first started with this company he brought his 3 month old 60" Husky box with him and was in the shop for a 6 month trial period before he was sent on the road. I "borrowed" this for the last 2 years until Aron sold the box to his brother Erik, thus the need for the HF Rolling Tool Chest. Other than a good coating of dust, it was as good as new. The "soft close drawers" still worked!

[ricky racer]

You're quite right, Ricky! The box from Rural King was an even better price than Harbor, plus I got a good discount with the Black Friday coupons (my wife bought the top box, I bought the bottom and used two coupons) My $1100 set-up would have cost about $6000 or more, from Snap-On. I'll never understand the frenzy for the Snap-On tool chests.

I agree that both the US General and the boxes from Rural King are great buys. Being someone that worked out of a tool box throughout my career, a good tool box sure makes life easier. If you've got a youngster going into the trades, helping him buy a good box will be a gift that will keep giving throughout his career. Usually a kid just starting can't afford a decent box.

[RUSSALL]

Move your top box flush with the new bottom box or you’ll never use the bottom drawer on the top box


Russ

[Nelson 634]

So True......

[Peter Person]

Move your top box flush with the new bottom box or you’ll never use the bottom drawer on the top box

Russ

Russ, thought about that but decided against it. I'll have Aron fab up a side shelf that will bolt to the left side of the box using the holes for the push/pull bar.

[ricky racer]

Move your top box flush with the new bottom box or you’ll never use the bottom drawer on the top box


Russ

[Gary Dotson]

On my R.K. box, they already set flush, all drawers, top and bottom, are the same depth. I know what you're saying, though!