Anyone using those portable tool chests?
I’ve been looking for an alternative to hauling around two five gallon buckets with the Bucket Boss inserts. I find them top heavy and tipping over in my vehicle, stuff spilling out, too many things and you can’t move the handle, and stuff buried in the bottom you can’t get to. I started looking at these so called “portable” tool boxes that have handles and wheels, stackable trays inside with various compartments. Costco has one by Stanley that is two boxes that latch together or can be carried separately. The only thing that bothered me was the telescoping handle seemed flimsy. Stanley also makes a small one that seems more rugged. Craftsman makes one that is slightly larger, etc. Any experiences? I’m not a pro. I do some rehab-ing as an investment opportunity and a lot of projects on my own home and for friends and family. Thanks in advance for the advice.
Replies
I made the switch from the bucket boss a few yrs ago now im using a roller box I found over at HD works very well for me. I got sick of lugging and cleaning up the buckets.
Thanks Rich. Mind if I ask which one you are using and how large it is? I looked at HD and they had a small but rugged looking Stanley with a sliding metal handle that I liked. I was worried that it would be too small. Their other option is a taller Husky? that seemed like it might be frustrating - too many moving parts and such.
I bought one from HD about 4 yrs ago, think it's a Zag or some Israeli brand. Large bottom compartment, two wheels in back, metal handle that slides forward. Two trays that nest, and a top. It's ok, but it doesn't drag around well, because when you lift up on the handle to drag it, it tilts the whole box toward the wheels and everything inside gets rearranged. No, I'm not anal about organization in the tool box, but when you open it up and all of the small tools are packed into one end... I think one of the newer styles like the carry-on luggage might work a little better. One advantage to mine is that it is not tall, so it never has tipped over in the back of the truck. Also a nice height for taking a break on, and if you're careful where you stand and not too heavy, it works as a temporary 18" or so step stool. It holds enough stuff that I have trouble lifting it out of the truck sometimes.
I've had one of the "Stanley" boxes you described, the black one with the yellow and grey nesting boxes. It actually used to be made by ZAG but recently I've seen the exact same box with the stanley logo. Anyway, the metal pull handle is very tough, but the plastic lid clasps will break, and so will the top handle. Take a good look at the underside of the lid and you'll see why.
If they would keep the ecaxt same design, and use metal parts where nessary it would be a great box, but mine broke very quickly.
I finally gave up and switch to the 5 Gal with bucket boss inserts, and ran into the same things you did., but I really like having a place for everything. So I built a rolling wooden box that will hold both buckets, with a tray on top for stuff and good strong handles. Most productive weekend I can remember. I made another one just like it to haul all my machine tools.
Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
Edited 11/11/2002 7:52:19 PM ET by Justus
Mine is a zag, It gets a little heavy at times but i've never had a prob. I also don't pick it up by the top handle. It really holds up well and holds alot of stuff. I have two and thinking about a third, because of the diversity of my work. One for carpentry, one for elect, plumbing, masonary ect. ect. Mine is black with red and gray trays.
I think we have the same tool box. Looks like a small cooler with two wheels on one end and a pull-out handle on the other. I have never used the top handle for anything other than removing the top. For one thing, I need to use two hands to pick it up.
I have two of the Zag boxes ELCID72 and rich have. One with two tray inserts, the other came with one tray and the top acts as an imitation workmate-type clamping bench in a pinch. As mentioned, like an overgrown cooler, and I think there is now a Stanley brand version available. Compared to that Stanley, I prefer either of the Zags. I have seen the other Stanley types, usually they're a taller design, like a couple of "regular" toolboxes made to stack and ride on a luggage tote. I prefer the lower coolerstyle design, as mentioned, less tippy and can use as a step stool. I also have need to carry them in the trunk of my sedan, Zags will both fit OK, but a pain to lift over the bumper when fully loaded. The taller cases wouldn't do that for me. Crapsman actually had a Zag-type design, I think "SST (Stand, Sit, Tote)", but a bit smaller. I tend to keep my tools in them all the time, even if I know I'm not going elsewhere for months at a time.
(FYI, I'm a DIY, and so when I travel, it's to my mom/brother/etc. house, I'm not hauling them everyday, as some of you gents. BUT, there was a period where I was hauling them at least every other day for a few weeks, in a sedan, and it worked out well enough for me.)If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
Zag make these mobile boxes in several sizes and configurations http://www.zag.co.il/products_inner2.asp?product_line_id=42&Super_id=1&Sub_Super_id=2&Sub_Sub_Super_id=8 They also make some nice job chests (flip tops) and the rolling workshop. If you wander around the site, you'll actually see some of their boxes with Stanley logos on them.
Before we go too far, does anyone not know that ZAG is a Stanley subsidiary ?
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Edited 11/12/2002 7:32:37 PM ET by Phill Giles
Edited 11/12/2002 7:33:13 PM ET by Phill Giles
We do now. I like the look of some of the stuff on the web site, but once again I come back to the plastic factor. Plastic is a good and great thing, and used right it saves a ton of weight and money. But use it in the right places, make the large panels out of plastic, the tub area, then make things that break, handles, clasps, rails, out of metal. (the military figured this out long ago, and some of my faviorite cases are mil spec that came with me when I left the service)
The goods have got to be out there! If not I'll make it myself. Justus Koshiol
Running Pug Construction
Well, plastic comes in so many forms that there are no more general answers. For example, a surprising amount of my Chev truck is made of plastic.
Back to the rolling toolbox; I have the two-tray mid-size; had it a couple of years now; learned not to fill it with C-clamps and still expect to put it up on the tail-gate; anecdotally, I found out to be careful about dropping it or hitting it with a hammer if you leave it out in the truck overnight in February. Reasonable value for the money.
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Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Looks like I have the 33001 Contractor, which has two compartments on the lid for scrrews and four tie down hooks on top. The screw compartments are a waste of time...the latches (which are just a friction fit) don't hold, and unless you keep the lid upright all the time, nothing stays in. I usually pop the top and lay/toss the lid to the side, where it flops around spilling whatever would have been in the trays. So I ran a brass screw into them to keep them permanently shut.
The tie down hooks are somewhat useful. I have used them to strap on other buckets for transport from the truck to the house and it works well. I have also used them to fasten my el-cheapo table saw so I could use the Zag as a saw stand. That worked pretty well also, although I wouldn't want to do it full time. But for a few cuts, it's better than having the saw in the ground, trying to bend over. FWIW I have a decent saw in the garage that's too large to move to the site, and I have a $99 saw that goes everywhere.
Thanks, Phill, I didn't know Stanley owned Zag. I thought they were an independent Israeli company.
The models I have are 33001 and one of 33010/33015. 33010 is just a picture, no decription, but it looks like that. The 33015 is description/ no pic, but fits what I have too.
As for the plastic clasps, etc., these are a rigid plastic, more rigid than most plastic toolboxes I've seen. They work well enough, I just wouldn't hit them with a hammer and expect them to survive. But they will take moderate abuse.If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
I've looked at several of the portable tool chests. I think one or two (or three or four) of those might be very helpful in the orgaization of my van, but I keep thinking about rolling that thing from my van to the door and then into the house. Most of the time, no problem. But if it's rainy, or snowy, or the path to the door is dirt instead of other, then you're tracking stuff in, or you have to carry the beast that you made so heavy because it has wheels....
This never comes up???
Rich Beckman
Use the same little red waggon (the kind with the fat wheels, like they have in garden centres) that you use to haul your compressor, CMS, and whatever else large items to the front door. And it's a much easier lift up or down from the tailgate too..
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
i'm very happy with my portable ..for larger renos when you nver no what tool you'l need next it's great.easy to move most every thing i need in one trip & usually a second trip to the truck for larger items like levels crowbars etc. plus i find the top to be a handy (albeit small) work bench good to set beside a ladder for instance to reach down when takeing a light or fan apart to lay down parts with out climbing down the ladder or putting them in the black hole I call my pouch.
I use buckets with pouch liners inside and outside the bucket and those yellow bucketlids with the compartments and a hinged lid for little stuff. I saw those wheel units you mentioned and almost bought one to try it out. Then I thought another one use tool speaking of the wheels and handle. Seemed to me if I were to go that route I'd get a dolly with the larger air filled tires and bungy a stack of buckets on there and let the dolly be multi functional on the job.
Let the thunder crack and the waves roar.
We're going on.
MMMMM , that does it for me too.
I just bought a Plano that has two insert drawers , with storage in the bottom . You can stand on it , or sit on it . I also have a rubbermaid step stool with storage in the bottom. I buy the heavy duty plastic carrying boxes . I use a four wheel dolly to transport things in and out , plus I work off the dolly room to room . I use ordinary five gallon buckets with lids , and clear plastic tubs w lids to transport things from the shop that are organized for each trade. Ive got plumbing fittings in five gallon buckets for example . They will stack to the ceiling in my shop, and they are free.
What I really would like to see is a tool chest with drawers that is water proof. I havent found it yet.
Tim Mooney
Those parachute bags work well for small parts as well. Ive got about 20 of them for all types of fasteners. then put them in the buckets. I don't like the open top bucket organizers. things tend to jump out into other areas. the parachute bags zip up with a rope to keep things in thier proper spots
Duluth trading has a couple of things that might be worth looking at:
Rolling Tool Organizer
Bucket Dolly
If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. [Margaret Thatcher]
The wheels on the Rolling Tool Organizer look to be too small for anythigng other than smooth concrete.