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Can we talk tool chests?

T

Tebbsjeep

Well-Known Member
Location
Ogden
mesha

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
I had a husky box like the one you are looking at. I loved it, but after a few years I outgrew it and the loaded drawers started sticking.

I went with a harbor freight 56” top and bottom. Much much higher quality than the Home Depot. HF just had a 15 or 20 percent off coupon that would have gotten you close.

There is nothing wrong with the Home Depot/Lowe’s boxes. I do think the US general are better. While working on jeeps I live out of my 30” us general 5 drawer rolling tool cart.
 
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mesha

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
You will likely be just fine with whatever box you buy. FWIW, I couldn't tell a difference in the smoothness of the drawers between them until I loaded them up. A drawer full of sockets, wrenches and ratchets weighs a ton! It was much more noticeable once loaded and yes I had them loaded up side by side at the same time to feel the difference in drawers.

One thing to watch out for is the height of the drawers. I like to store my sockets vertically on a hansen socket organizer and some boxes didn't have enough tall drawers to fit all my sockets the way I like them.

I LOVE organizing my tools. It is really calming to me. Not only am I way faster when working, but way less frustrated.

It is funny because my garage is an absolute disaster, but open my tool box and it is always organized.
 
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UNSTUCK

UNSTUCK

But stuck more often.
Alright, lets talk chests.

As much as I hate to say it, it's one of those buy once cry once type of things. I paid dearly about 18 years ago. Before I purchased I'd stop to look at them as often as I could, but could never pull the trigger. Still happy with my purchase, but I can't help but look at newer models now and then. I have learned a few thing in my 18 years of ownership though. Hope it helps:

-There's many, many styles. Symmetrical, asymmetrical, tiny ones, HUGE ones. Beautiful and ugly. Lots of different colors to choose from as well.
-They'll never be big enough. So be sure to get a model that has the ability to expand. Start saving for the add-ons. You know you'll want them.
-Over time they will start to droop with weight and age. Just purchase new supports. That's usually a good fix.
-Don't get a chest that leaks. I know it can be hard to tell sometimes, but nobody likes a wet chest.
-NEVER lend them out to others to borrow. Especially friends or family members. They never come back the same. And then it's awkward.
-Don't brag about how nice it is, once you have one. We've all seen it. We know it's nice. We're jealous.
-Be very careful if you get more than one. I keep one at work and one at home. Some day I may try to bring the two of them together.
-Lets just be honest here. Everyone else is thinking it: Stay away from the Chinese ones.
 
mesha

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
Harbor Freight FINALLY released a top 72" chest to match the lower. Before you had to buy a 56" top and then they weren't the same size. That is going to cost me some money.
 
glockman

glockman

I hate Jeep trucks
Location
Pleasant Grove
I have a 13 drawer US General chest for at least 10 years and it gets used A LOT. I'd buy it again. The build quality is WAY better than most of the home improvement brands. I sold two newer crafstman boxes to buy my HF and it was a big upgrade. The bearings and metal thickness is on par with the tool truck brands.
I totally agree with Derek about being able to stand up all your sockets in your top drawer being a must have. I can't see into the top of those tall boxes so the top 1/3 of the top chest is a waste. I'd much prefer the HF chest. I will likely upgrade from the 44" to the 56" US general in the next year or two.
 
nnnnnate

nnnnnate

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
WVC, UT
What did you end up with @Kevin B. ?

I'm thinking real hard about another US General 44" box. I have one that my woodworking hand tools reside in but my other tools are spilling out of a USG 5 drawer cart and a craftsman box that has fallen apart.
 
Kevin B.

Kevin B.

Not often wrong. Never quite right.
Moderator
Location
Stinkwater
nnnnnate said:
What did you end up with @Kevin B. ?

I'm thinking real hard about another US General 44" box. I have one that my woodworking hand tools reside in but my other tools are spilling out of a USG 5 drawer cart and a craftsman box that has fallen apart.
Click to expand...
Nothing yet, but I'm leaning to that US General setup.
 
frieed

frieed

Jeepless in Draper
Supporting Member
Location
Draper, UT
glockman

glockman

I hate Jeep trucks
Location
Pleasant Grove
nnnnnate said:
That current coupon for the 44" ones expires today. Who knows when or for how much the next coupon will be but it might be a good excuse to go pick one up.
Click to expand...
Do it, I think you'll be very happy with that chest. Mine has held up to A LOT of use for a home shop. I just lubed the slides last week and it is even better. Probably should do that more than every 5 years.
 
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