Toolbox Discussion

[Highland512]

I have been exploring the idea of updating my tool storage for about a year or so. My 42" crinkle finish hobo fart box from 2008 is packed to the limit and starting to rust. After almost 20 years of service, I think it has offset it's $180 purchase price with coupons. My plan is to get something new/new to me and pass my current box to my son.

Im having a tough time making a decision though. A new 72" US General is $1800, 2 new 56" US Generals are $1800. I'm sure these boxes are fine and would last 20+ years like my current box, but when I look at the used market, I get to thinking. I am seeing MAC Tech Series, Matco 4s, and Cornwell boxes in the $1,500-$2,500 and snappy boxes in the $2,000-$3,000 range.

So if you were in the toolbox market at the $2k range what would you do? New US General or used not abused tool truck box? Currently looking at a MAC Tech series 67"x27" with 16 drawers, front power, and a power drawer that's in nice shape for $2,000. Also looking at an earlier 2010's Cornwell 60" with no power for $1000.       

[goodfellow]

For what it's worth Highland, I've seen the 72" US general boxes in many shops over the past 10 years, and everyone who uses them has the same answer "Wish I'd done it sooner!". I have the older 42" Crinkle combo and side cabinet and it's a great solution for most DIY setups. Two of them side by side would be the ultimate storage solution for a DIY garage.

That said, the 72" box was designed for the pro environment and to tackle the tool truck monopoly head on. From what I've seen, they succeeded way past expectations. Used truck boxes are nice, but the technology and design of the HF 72" units is cutting edge. Smooth as glass and built to very high standards. The Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers can build quality stuff if they are given a good specification and a reasonable price point. The HF boxes and ICON tool lines are proof of that.

Good luck with your search!

[jabberwoki]

Used American all the way.

[skfarmer]

i scouted for a used truck box for years. would have bought one if i could have found one at a reasonable price. never did. next to new price or a train wreck for the same a as hf. i live in a used truck box desert.

i bought a gen 1 72 inch hf.it seems to be holding up just fine for my use.

[Hickory n Steel]

i scouted for a used truck box for years. would have bought one if i could have found one at a reasonable price. never did. next to new price or a train wreck for the same a as hf. i live in a used truck box desert.

i bought a gen 1 72 inch hf.it seems to be holding up just fine for my use.

For me California is full of people who think any vintage American made tools ...etc are solid gold, and truck brands forget it.

For some things like toolboxes, HF really is a good option these days.
A couple years ago I found a broken in half barely brazed back together Craftsman vise for $80 and the guy was insulted that I didn't think it was worth it.

[bmwrd0]

The whole world is like that Hick. Everyone thinks what they have is gold, or crap.

As I have moved away from cars and bikes, and toward machining, I stepped up to a Kennedy stack for general use

[Uncle Buck]

I really like the new HF boxes and think the quality is certainly there. That said, i would not buy one. Regardless the brand the first thing i look at on all boxes, top or bottom is drawer height. I like shallow drawers and plenty of them, the more the better. Lots of drawers allows me to divide tool types by drawers. Buying used is easy for me because while I love bb drawers, the vintage boxes I love are always friction slide drawers. FS drawers are all i have ever had and have always suited my limited funds better. Regardless the type of drawer slides or brand, shallow drawer boxes with plenty is priority 1 to me. Price is the second factor. Condition of the box is third.

Odd brands and old brands I like, Hout, Duplex, Rem-Line,  MBC, Blackhawk, the vintage boxes all had numerous shallow drawers and are often found in decent shape at cheap prices. An old box that just needs a paint job i am a sucker for. Put in the time and labor and old repainted boxes can look stunning. Years ago I went to multiple boxes, my main stack is all standard, a second old New Britain box is all specialty, third stack is a Hout top box on a Craftsman 3 drawer riser and hold all metric. I repurposed an old box from an ambulance, hung it on the wall and set it up with most of my pullers. I found a very heavy office cabinet about 40" tall, 30" deep by 5' long. BB drawers, I repainted it red with black drawers, then loaded it with most of a half ton of heavy stuff, all air tools in one drawer, all electric saws in another, all electric drills in another drawer, all electric grinders, three of which are 7" and several smaller grinders as well. Another drawer both sets of SAE and metric tap/die sets lerge sets, 58 piece each set and extra large tap handles and die stock handles, the big ones, 16" or so long, Another drawer full of extra box sets, some mine,some inherited from my dad and other guys. Another drawer with a bunch of larger auto diagnostic stuff. That old repurposed office cabinet bought and repainted to match my boxes was the best $20 I ever spent. Big deep drawers for larger tools, the only tool storage in my shop without shallow drawers. Several years ago when I skinned a of my shop benches and lathe bench with 1/8" steel plate i skinned that box with plate steel as well. I never regretted the cost of covering all flat surface with steel plate. Limited funds required outside the box thinking for tool storage for me.
I am probably not the best guy to weigh in on this as my tool storage solutions have been changing and evolving over the last 25 years. Even now I change/alter and continue to have to find new, odd and creative solutions to improve tool storage. Right now I have several old cases with no drawers I will make drawers for and somehow find homes for in my cramped 2 car detached garage. I have made a point of storing tools that always seem to involve drawers in storage solutions some of which are tool boxes, and others never intended for use in a shop or related to tools. The older I have gotten the more determined I have become in solving my tool storage issues with as little $ investment as possible. I prefer to cheap out on boxes, but not the tools they hold.
WOW, I talk too damned much.
Future plans will see shelves disappear and old kitchen top cabinets scavanged from the neighbors trash when they remodeled the kitchen will be hung where the shelves are now. I already have several others which in recent years I painted the cabinets themselves cherry red and the doors gray to match my tool boxes. When the new cabinets are hung they will be painted the same colors as the existing cabinets.
Damn, why did I do this? I'm going to bed, I'm beat.

[Uncle Buck]

The whole world is like that Hick. Everyone thinks what they have is gold, or crap.

As I have moved away from cars and bikes, and toward machining, I stepped up to a Kennedy stack for general use

Very enviable setup there!

[Uncle Buck]

Used American all the way.

That is what most of mine are, but I love the vintage boxes too which others may not. Friction slides, boxes need repainted etc. Oh ya, that's for me.

[bmwrd0]

I am with you on the love of friction slides, Uncle Buck. I have a Snap-on box out in the garage with two bad drawers, as the roller bearings disintegrated. I bought the box used, so Snap-on wont just send me new slides, but this has happened on my with every roller bearing box I have ever had. To me, it is a sign of cheapness.

[Uncle Buck]

I am with you on the love of friction slides, Uncle Buck. I have a Snap-on box out in the garage with two bad drawers, as the roller bearings disintegrated. I bought the box used, so Snap-on wont just send me new slides, but this has happened on my with every roller bearing box I have ever had. To me, it is a sign of cheapness.

Not true, if I had deeper pockets and found boxes to my liking with shallow drawers I would enjoy that little luxury in my shop. Since I am not so well heeled and have never been spoiled with that luxury, while appreciating BB boxes for what they offer, not having that clear asset in my boxes is not a big deal.

Being a bit of an odd duck, I like unique, vintage and things not often seen in a modern shop. That said, I want as many quality tools and machines to work on projects as I can afford. Since I cannot afford new BB boxes and am quite content with the boxes I have, the majority dating from the 1960's & 70's I like the dated appearance my old boxes add to my shop. Several of my old boxes I put to use as acquired while others i restored to their original appearance to the best of my ability. I will repaint the old ones pressed into service someday. At least that's the plan.

[1965 Comet Caliente]

The way things are nowadays, I don't think you can go wrong either buying new HF boxes (US General or Icon) or used tool truck boxes.  I do like those Icon boxes especially, I'm pretty impressed with them.  Overall though, I'm more like UB, I've always liked the used truck boxes, especially older Snap On.  Plus, they're relatively simple to get parts for still.  Both these boxes are late 1980s, and while they've definitely seen their share of use, both work flawlessly.  Picked up the top for $400 and the taco box for $300 a few years back.

[Highland512]

I stopped in at HF over the weekend and test drove the 56" and 72" boxes again........They are nice compared to the old crinkle finish box they would be replacing, just the fact that the drawers open all the way for ease of access for the stuff in the back is a huge upgrade. I still cant justify in my head paying $1700+ on an HF box(s). Im working two different deals currently, I have cash in hand and I'm hoping the realities of bills coming due works in my favor.

[goodfellow]

........... I have cash in hand and I'm hoping the realities of bills coming due works in my favor.

That's a sad reality these days. Many mechanics are leaving the industry for reasons we all know by now. Most of them won't ever recoup their tool investments, and their time/money spent on training and certification is also a lost opportunity. My guess is that you'll pick up some very good deals - if not now, but after the holidays, when the bills come due.

[1965 Comet Caliente]

I stopped in at HF over the weekend and test drove the 56" and 72" boxes again........They are nice compared to the old crinkle finish box they would be replacing, just the fact that the drawers open all the way for ease of access for the stuff in the back is a huge upgrade. I still cant justify in my head paying $1700+ on an HF box(s). Im working two different deals currently, I have cash in hand and I'm hoping the realities of bills coming due works in my favor.

They did have the $1,800 ($1,799) boxes on sale for $1,299 the other day.