Big tool boxes.

[protoolman]

What do guys think about the big tool boxes being sold these days. My dad was an aircraft mechanic and so was I early on before changing careers. Our boxes were tiny compared to nowadays. My bro in law offered me a big industrial Lista which I turned down as I don't even want to haul it. But snap on and competitors now have 3 wide boxes so tall you need a stool and cabinets on top for electronics and TV screens as well as side bolt on uniform lockers etc. At a certain point you wonder why they have wheels because they're way too big to roll around. I'm definitely a tool junky but no so much into the crazy big tool boxes.

 

[epags]

Don't have one of them...but would sure be nice to see eachscrewdriver and each set of plyers in its own slot. Don't plan to spend more for the box than the tools are worth.

 

[JAYDAWG]

What do guys think about the big tool boxes being sold these days.

Well, kinda like a Corvette.......a fiberglass penis extension, except in this case, for the guy who works on the Corvette .

Cheers,
JAYDAWG

 

[Killer Bee]

afraid I don't anything about penis extensions but I was a quite highly regarded heavy junk mechanic in my day

paid cash for all of it from of lots of hard work in my trade

now a manager I've got fairly decent home garage tools

I like the large heavy duty cabs with open work space on top, not really a fan of the add-ons that reduce mobility in a shop

Snap-on KRL1003 in cranberry, big enough and strong enough to hold professional tools in the line of daily duty

lots of snap-on chrome and power

3/8" to 1-1/2" in two patterns

 

[Watertender]

I can do about 90% of anything I have to fix using a small belt pouch of tools. However I do have several large Kennedy and Waterloo toolboxes with various sets of tools in them as well as pipe wrenches from 6 to 48 inches.

I don't do any automotive work but I have fixed almost anything you can imagine from boilers, compressors and pumps to medical, dental and chiropractic equipment including X-ray and medical gas handling equipment.

These days I help young people into the skilled trades and set them up with tools for their chosen trade.

 

[GasGuzzler]

My Snap-On box is "third tier" Classic Series, the biggest they made (but not nearly as big as the other models like Master and Epiq).

It's 72" wide, 24" deep (which is shallow), and 38" tall. I added a stainless top, stainless draw pull toppers, Master Series style drawer liners, and chrome corner guards. With trade in, my price was $4200 for it in the middle of the recession of 2008. I paid cash every week and paid it off in 90 days so I paid NO interest. That box has an MSRP of over $8K today. It's full so I can see how people need big tool storage. I never was an extravagant tool spender so my full box of tools is all basic stuff. Many go overboard though. I would not do it over again. I'd get the biggest, nicest ICON they have at Harbor Freight.

I'll see if I have any pictures.

The largest starter cabinet in the top of the line Epiq series is 144" wide and $35K. Add lockers on both sides plus a hutch with storage and they can get close to $100K empty. See it here ---> 144" Snap-On Epiq

 

[Dan in MI]

I haven’t wrenched professionally since 1990. Even back then I had a pair of upper and lower boxes about 5’ tall. With all of the new fasteners, electronic and specialty tools I can see why boxes are so big.

If you need your own benchtop too then wider is the only way to go.

 

[the_leper_colony]

Looks like they might hold lots of handguns, ammo, mags, and parts ...

 

[Mobuck]

My 'shop' that burned 11/2/22 had only a 5 tier X 24" wide tool box. The majority of things like combination wrenches were hung across the back of the bench and marked for easy identification. Very efficient but took up a lot of wall space.
For the new shop building, I chose a 48" wide X 60" tall drawer cabinet on casters(actually a lower roller cabinet with a 2' drawer cabinet on top). I DON'T LIKE IT!!! Even with labels on the drawers, I open and close 4-5 drawers before finding the correct one. Waste of time IMHO. I'd like to go back to the wrenches hanging on pegs but bench and back panel not compatible with the layout I had before. Even with only half the wrenches I had before, the drawer cabinets are far less handy.

 

[Danjet500]

I bought all my tool boxes, four of them, at local auctions. All are the smaller, upright variety. Three Craftsman and one Homak. Two of them have a smaller box that sit on top of the wheeled box. Also bought a lot of my tools at auctions. I've saved a ton of money buying at auction. One of the boxes has all of the most commonly used tools and is easily wheeled to wherever it's needed in the shop.

 

[contender]

Just like guns,, each type or size of tool boxes depends upon the user's needs or desires.

A bigger box allows for better organization of many tools,, especially if you have specialized ones. And it's easier to find tools if they each have their own spot or rack within a box. Mobuck mentions having his wrenches hanging on the wall, and I had to chuckle. He had a "system" that he spent years getting accustomed to,, or, just like shooting,, developed "motor memory skill" on where to go & where to look for specific wrenches.

Many good comments above,, but one thing not mentioned is having a box of YOUR tools,, in a shop owned by someone else. And having a lockable box keeps "borrowers" or whomever out of your tools. In your shop at home,, this may or may not be a consideration,, UNLESS you have friends or relatives or whatever who like to borrow stuff & forget where it belongs.

I inherited a pair of bigger Snap-On boxes,, built in the 1970's, long ago. Seeing some of the boxes nowadays that are so much bigger makes me marvel a bit. Yet,, I can see how a professional can do his/her job off of a single "work station" set-up built around their own box. My Snap-On box top lid stays open all the time,, and is kinda piled too high with several tools & such. I have a few smaller boxes,, but the ones that are not drawer types or easily mobile,, are all a PIA to try & find a needed tool easily.

We each have our own needs or wants when it comes to guns, tools, cars, or whatever.

 

[Randyzzz]

I won this Mac box off a raffle for one $20 ticket. And it still doesn’t hold all my tools. There’s a Kobalt low rollaway for all my electrical tools too.

Please excuse the mess…these pictures were taken right as we were setting up to move.

 

[Mobuck]

Well, I had the idea of 'roll around the shop' being a handy feature BUT with all the other 'stuff' that's needed to make an effective work area, the roll around part is only good if everything else is moved.
Open space seems to attract clutter.

 

[Kevin]

My Snap-On box is "third tier" Classic Series, the biggest they made (but not nearly as big as the other models like Master and Epiq).

It's 72" wide, 24" deep (which is shallow), and 38" tall. I added a stainless top, stainless draw pull toppers, Master Series style drawer liners, and chrome corner guards. With trade in, my price was $4200 for it in the middle of the recession of 2008. I paid cash every week and paid it off in 90 days so I paid NO interest. That box has an MSRP of over $8K today. It's full so I can see how people need big tool storage. I never was an extravagant tool spender so my full box of tools is all basic stuff. Many go overboard though. I would not do it over again. I'd get the biggest, nicest ICON they have at Harbor Freight.

I'll see if I have any pictures.

The largest starter cabinet in the top of the line Epiq series is 144" wide and $35K. Add lockers on both sides plus a hutch with storage and they can get close to $100K empty. See it here ---> 144" Snap-On Epiq

OMG! I thought the Husky tool drawers at Home Depot were nice.

I don't see the value in these though. Not enough to justify the cost difference.

But you know what would be very cool. Is to remodel your kitchen at home. Make it an industrial type theme and use one of these for a kitchen island. Then I could see the price value.

But, to each their own. Though I do wonder how many they sell at that price.

 

[DGW1949]

Wow, you guys are putting my 50+ year old, hodge-podge, collection of tools to shame. I have some of about every brand, but not a complete set of any one brand....Snap On, Blackhawk, SK Wayne, Williams, Proto, Blue Point, Craftsman, Mac, Matco, Cornwell, Challenger, K-D, Lysle, A few of Ford's old "Rotunda" specialty tools, a couple that I either made myself or modified for doing a special job, and probably one or two other brands that I've either forgot or are so old/worn that ya can't read their names any longer.....Boxes?...one small, no-name, roll-around cart that I added a single Snap On drawer to, one 50 year old Blackhawk bottom box with an even older Dayton top box that bought used sitting on top of it, and a newer/larger Stanley chest that I rescued out of a scrap pile back when I worked for Halliburton....but like I said, almost nothing matches, and none of it is very pretty...but, you know what they say..."Poor folks has poor ways" ...LOL.

DGW

 

[bigbillyboy]

I bought all my tool boxes, four of them, at local auctions. All are the smaller, upright variety. Three Craftsman and one Homak. Two of them have a smaller box that sit on top of the wheeled box. Also bought a lot of my tools at auctions. I've saved a ton of money buying at auction. One of the boxes has all of the most commonly used tools and is easily wheeled to wherever it's needed in the shop.

Wow, you guys are putting my 50+ year old, hodge-podge, collection of tools to shame. I have some of about every brand, but not a complete set of any one brand....Snap On, Blackhawk, SK Wayne, Williams, Proto, Blue Point, Craftsman, Mac, Matco, Cornwell, Challenger, K-D, Lysle, A few of Ford's old "Rotunda" specialty tools, a couple that I either made myself or modified for doing a special job, and probably one or two other brands that I've either forgot or are so old/worn that ya can't read their names any longer.....Boxes?...one small, no-name, roll-around cart that I added a single Snap On drawer to, one 50 year old Blackhawk bottom box with an even older Dayton top box that bought used sitting on top of it, and a newer/larger Stanley chest that I rescued out of a scrap pile back when I worked for Halliburton....but like I said, almost nothing matches, and none of it is very pretty...but, you know what they say..."Poor folks has poor ways" ...LOL.

DGW

In the same boat , sk , proto , new britain etc.

 

[DGW1949]

In the same boat , sk , proto , new britain etc.

"New Britain" you say?...oh yeah, I forgot about those guys. I've got one of their old-school beam type torque wrenches that I bought brand new from a NAPA Store some 50 years ago....No telling how many engines I've either built or repaired with that thing. It still works perfect.

DGW

 

[bigbillyboy]

"New Britain" you say?...oh yeah, I forgot about those guys. I've got one of their old-school beam type torque wrenches that I bought brand new from a NAPA Store some 50 years ago....No telling how many engines I've either built or repaired with that thing. It still works perfect.

DGW

Yeah, if I remember correctly new britain was a "napa " brand . Now I am curious as to what all the old tool brands were . Have to go through the tool boxes ..........

 

[RoninPA]

I have 2 good size roll around tool cabinets (2 part types) for my tools and all the auto body tools I inherited from my dad (lots of air driven tools as well as all the different body shaping tools). They're pretty much in one place and don't get moved around. The one with my hand tools in it I labeled the drawers so I don't have to remember which drawer has what in it.

Speaking of tool cabinets for firearms: This is my 9 drawer Craftsman for most of my DA Rugers. These pictures were taken about 18 months ago, I have since added 5 or 6 more DA guns that filled holes in my collection. My SA and semi-auto Rugers are in 2 standard 22x15x60 safes that I modified to have shelves.

 

[bigbillyboy]

I have 2 good size roll around tool cabinets (2 part types) for my tools and all the auto body tools I inherited from my dad (lots of air driven tools as well as all the different body shaping tools). They're pretty much in one place and don't get moved around. The one with my hand tools in it I labeled the drawers so I don't have to remember which drawer has what in it.

Speaking of tool cabinets for firearms: This is my 9 drawer Craftsman for most of my DA Rugers. These pictures were taken about 18 months ago, I have since added 5 or 6 more DA guns that filled holes in my collection. My SA and semi-auto Rugers are in 2 standard 22x15x60 safes that I modified to have shelves.

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Wow ! Now that is a novel idea , quick easy access . Never saw that use of a tool box before .!

 

[Watertender]

I keep this little set in my locker at work to line up blowers and pumps. The day shift Engineer is a "Millwrong" who uses a set of plastic calipers and a $0.99 dollar store level to work on equipment. I have to realign anything he touches. As a friend of mine says... He could screw up a one car funeral. The level-square and taper gauge are from Starrett, the double square is from PEC, the 4 inch dial calipers are Mitutoyo, the dial indicator is from Federal and the magnetic base is an old Sears Craftsman.It has everything I need in one place. The only tool missing is the BFH used to move things....

 

[Hvymax]

I've got a 50'x20' barn and a 40' Conex for my tools and still don't have enough room!!!

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Well, kinda like a Corvette.......a fiberglass penis extension, except in this case, for the guy who works on the Corvette .

Cheers,
JAYDAWG

I find that it is not the size of the tool box that matters, but the size of the shop the tool box is in that matters

JAYDOG Just for the record I own two Vetts and mine is still little

The cabinets also have tools in them

 

[Mike J]

Not going to take a picture. My garage is a mess between my stuff, bicycles, the home gym my daughter uses daily, etc. I have one of the old style Craftsman roll around boxes with bottom box, a mid box & a top box. It is tall enough I have to use a step up to see in the very top (I'm 6'2"). my hand tools are a mixture of the old Made in USA Craftsman, Stanley, Blackhawk, Mac, Snap-On, Proto, Easco & Gear Wrench & made in China. It seems like I still find myself buying more because of the stuff the kids lose (usually phillips head screwdrivers & needlenose pliers) & me still needing to do things & not having the right tool. It seems to never end.

 

[Jeepnik]

The number of cordless power tools today is astounding and increasing. That’s one of the reasons for bigger boxes. Heck some are wired for battery chargers.

Now where I live most of the garaged are small, one car structures. And that’s if your car is a Fiat or smart car. Land gets a bit expensive on the coast. Huge tool boxes would eat up valuable real estate.

I have a 50(?) year old Craftsman double. These were minuscule compared to today’s monstrosities. It holds only “hand” tools. Everything else is in cabinets (repurposed from several kitchen remodels, mine and other’s) shelves ot pegboards.

Yet with all of these tools easy to hand, I find myself grabbing my old work tool bags most often. One is mechanical (wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, pliers and such). The other is electrical/electronic and never the twain shall meet. And I keep a third bag.

The third bag is for the aforementioned power tools. All my cordless stuff is Milwaukee. It all takes the same battery. In the bag resides numerous batteries, a small charger and has room for two, sometimes three tools. This method is leftover from my work.

I carried a lot of power tools. But obviously different jobs needed different tools. So I could grab the tools, the bits and bobs that go with it, toss in in the bag and go.

The same methods work well around the house.

 

[peachhead]

I don't have anything that big. I bought a couple of the decent sized ones from HF (yeah that place) and they work pretty well for me. One is in my garage and the other in my gun shop.

 

[Watertender]

JAYDAWG you have a great setup there! I know you had some problems a few years ago but everything looks fantastic.

 

[blume357]

Here's my work tool box:
(most of the of the specific chimney sweep tools and repair supplies are removed for the picture but their is still about $15,000 worth of tools in various places.)

Oh, and just for kicks ... here is an enlargement of the yellow sign on the right side door:

 

[GasGuzzler]

I don't see the value in these though. Not enough to justify the cost difference.

Ding ding ding. Or should I say "dinger" (as already mentioned). People in my industry USED TO try and outdo each other. With Millennials getting past age 40, it's not posh in most cases to go $40K in debt for tool boxes. They don't buy ANYTHING, they borrow. And Gen Z dang sure doesn't do what my dumb Gen X generation did with these boxes.

Though I do wonder how many they sell at that price.

That's another salient point from a guy in Texas. They don't. I don't think. Haven't seen our Snap-On rep (supposed to come by once per week, that's how they trap the young'uns) in at least six if not ten weeks. The last rep we had (I said "we" but I'm the only one that's been there that long) was cool, was local, and came by on schedule. He retired, his son wanted none of it, and he sold his franchise to a useless dealer. The Matco guy was useless for 15 years then disappeared. When we got the new one five years ago, he's better than the old Snap-On guy. MAC comes regularly for the last 20+ years but doesn't always have the stuff and he shows up at quitting time on Fridays. Cornwell has gone through three reps that never showed up more than four times. We don't buy much.

Last three new boxes purchased by others at my shop were from Harbor Freight.

 

[gnappi]

Mine is pretty typical of the ones sold in the big tool stores. One drawer for screwdrivers, one for wrenches... I love it.