I need to replace an old plastic tool box I got at HD years ago… just wore the latches right off. No idea of the brand but I loved it, perfect size to hold a good assortment of hand tools, had a two level nested tray in the top. Bought a Lennox and don’t like it at all… big but the proportions are all wrong for half the tools I’m used to carrying, and the tray in the top warped into uselessness within a couple months! I’d like to find a good quality, hard style box to carry your usual assortment of hand tools, ideally with a tray in the top for more fragile stuff and odds and ends.
So…whatdyall like?
TIA
PaulB
Edited 10/7/2006 9:56 am ET by PaulBinCT
Replies
I use metal Craftsman boxes. I have 5 of them. My main boxes are the four drawer black ones(they're called Rally Boxes). They have a tray on top of them and work really well for me.
I use two 4 drawers for my hansd tools, one 4 drawer for fasteners, a 3 drawer for electrical, and a 2 drawer for plumbing parts.
The best part is that I have two mini scaffolds from depot that I use as a kinda tool crib and the two hand tool boxes fit perfectly on the top shelf with power tool cases on the shelf below.
It makes it real easy to move tools around on bigger jobs and it makes the site look cleaner at he end of the day. Everything is put away and its easy to move around the site.
The only bummer (or me) is that sears quit selling the 2 and 3 drawer models in metal. The drawers work great for 1 pound boxes of fasteners. I can get 6 pound boxes and two boxes of staples per drawer and they fit perfectly.
The guy I used to work with laughed at me for having all these boxes (he had one of those bucket pal things), but it always seems that if we needed a tool he'd go to my boxes not his bucket. Seems he couldnt bring everything we needed in his bucket.
Thanks MSA... but I should've been more clear. I'm looking more for "carrying" boxes, rather than tool chests. I agree that the better Craftsman tool chests are quite nice, have a few myself.
The rally boxes are carry boxes. I'm not talking about the chests. I have to be portable too and these work well. The four drawers have handles on them and full probably weigh 60-70 lbs. They are very portable and like I said, i've never had to say, "wish I had "whatever" with me.
Go check them out, you'll see.
Edited 10/7/2006 10:32 am ET by MSA1
Here's a shot of the two tool boxes I rely on. If I'm going to work, they go with me. The open one has my everyday tools, level, plumb bob, pliers, hammers, chalk boxes, screw chisels, flat bars...stuff like that. The one with the lid is mostly my finish and specialty tools, 12pt saw, good chisels, spring clamps, stair riser/tread guages, various glues, rafter book...stuff I need occassionally but not every day.
Each is built big enough to carry lots of tools, but small enough that they weigh maybe 60 lbs when full. They are also narrow enough to throw up on my shoulder and carry that way if I want.
I always liked having wooden tool boxes. Anyone can go buy one, and I have several store bought ones for my drill bits, paint supplies, putty, drywall tools and more. But for my carpentry hand tools, I prefer wooden boxes I built - just the romantic in me, I guess. Who's the cat that won't cop out, when there's danger all about?
http://www.asmallwoodworkingcompany.com
Just what I'm looking for Jim, but in plastic ;)
I get too compulsive when building that kind of thing for my own good. I need to just hand over my ATM card, load em up and get to work ;)
PaulB
I like your tool boxes, I seem to buy new ones every year that are never,"right". Must make my own!
I'm the same way. We change the course of history,everyday people like you and me
I forgot to mention I thought of you last night at the record store. Remember Andy's clamps?
Saw this album cover. Found it in the easy listening section.
View ImageWe change the course of history,everyday people like you and me
"Mastodon"? Was that the name of those big arsed pipe clamps we found in his shop? Geez man, I had forgotton all about that. What else we find in there? We had quite a time digging through that poor guy's stuff, huh?
Hey. Remember how the group kept growing? I was out there digging around, next thing I know you and deisel poke your heads in, then gunner and maybe seeyou...holy smokes man, we had half the party in there rummaging around by the time Andy showed up and broke out the drywall stilts!
Fun day. But then, there's usually some unplanned magical thing like that that happens to me at a Fest. See you next year, huh?Who's the cat that won't cop out, when there's danger all about?
http://www.asmallwoodworkingcompany.com
I definitely in for next year.We change the course of history,everyday people like you and me
How'd I miss the tour of Andy's garage?
Maybe I didn't get in on the secret handshake?
You were probably paying attention to the demo. I never was good at sitting still watching someone else do something - probably why I switched over to the vocational program in (let's get) high school. Who's the cat that won't cop out, when there's danger all about?
http://www.asmallwoodworkingcompany.com
You were there in spirit. At least as long as we were talking about you. :)
The funniest thing about this tagline is that by the time you realize it doesn't say anything it's too late for you to stop reading it.
http://www.hay98.com/
First jim, then dustin and diesel, and only then Gunner? Gunner fourth fir diggin' and rootin' in Andy's tool stash? gotta be kidding.
I stayed at Andys. I had all night to dig around. They were actually after me.
Talk about embarrasing. Wait till your standing there with your bags all packed shaking hands goodbye and a Williams and Hussey rips through the bottom of your bag. That right there is an unsmooth moment.
The funniest thing about this tagline is that by the time you realize it doesn't say anything it's too late for you to stop reading it.
http://www.hay98.com/
Next time, set a diversionary fire in the shop and use stouter bags. ;)
Not sure if these meet your needs are not.But Sears has nice little box with two stacked trays and a large compartment below. And the lid has a couple of hinged doors for small parts.They are $19.95.Here is the link.http://tinyurl.com/h6k24If that does not work it is item 59307.I have one setup for plumbing and another for electrical.The plumbing one has map torch, pipe wrench, 2 adjustable pliers and two adjustable wrenches, PVC primer and glue, and a replacement flapper in the bottom.The trays have a couple of tubbing cutters, copper pipe reamer, combo 1/2 3/4" copper pipe internal/external wire brushes. Delta repair kitThe top has flux. solder, and some flux brushes.That one is HEAVEY.But I would also like one that was a little bigger, specially for the electrical.
wally world carries similar to that by Stanely..
7 bucks IIRC...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Paul,
I like the Contico boxes. Durable hinges and a top tray. The one I have is pretty large, but I know they come in smaller sizes as well. My local lumber place carries them.
Here's a link:
http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/other/contico/tool_boxes.htm?E+coastest
-Kit
Technique is proof of your seriousness. - Wallace Stevens
Edited 10/7/2006 6:11 pm by vanderpooch
With you on those Contico boxes.
My three 20" ones keep on truckin'. Really tough, resist abrasion, can almost sit or stand on one.
No.1 Contico has what's needed for most reno-repair handwork, incl. basic electrical and basic finish plumbing. Plumbing Contico (No. 2) was getting too heavy to carry without straining my back, so the bigger wrenches ride in Contico No.3. along with exotica and seldom-used stuff.
Buckets for much of the rest.
I have three metal Kennedy boxes that live in my truck boxes. They are very heavily loaded and usually don't make it further than the tailgate, rarely into the house. My daily hand tools are in a CLC soft-sided tool carrier that's designed to hold a lot of things sticking up vertically. I've found that to be highly useful and I haul it to wherever I'm working.
http://www.clccustomleathercraft.com/products/detail002.asp?partNo=1532
Paul, this isn't exactly what you asked for, but these boxes are absolutely great for fasteners. I have one for sheetrock screws, one for stainless nails, one for stainless screws, etc. The small inserts hold about 2# of fasteners and fit nicely in my tool pouch. The large inserts take a 5# box of fasteners. They are really tough, contents don't shift, and it's an easy system to train your guys on.
View Image
As for hand tools, just this morning my brother gave me a Veto Pro XL as a belated birthday present. I think that'll be my new favorite tool box!
Mike Maines
(Edited to find better link)
Edited 10/7/2006 11:18 am ET by woodguy99
Hmmm... I'd love to see it, but I get patio furniture when I click on the link :S
that makes two of us.......in the meantime , have you ever looked at the Plano stuff?I have used some of the totes on jobs......http://www.planomolding.com/content/index.cfm?siteaction=product&lineid=2&groupid=12§ionid=39I hope this link works...:).
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.Wer ist jetzt der Idiot
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Hmmmmmmmmmm.. real close I think to what want. Now I just have to find who stocks em in CT so I can see them in the flesh. Thanks!
(arggggg... from the Plano site it looks like the best bet around me is Lowe's! I hateeeee Lowe's)
Edited 10/7/2006 11:17 am ET by PaulBinCT
here is the the other outfit....Flambeau.....I have an old six tray tool box.mainly to help her to keep her hands off of MY stuffhttp://www.flambeauhardware.com/specialty_storage/specialty.asp#mtymocheck out the Mighty Mo cart.....and the Tuff -Tainers for small parts on a different page, and you can shop ....ONLINE.......
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.Wer ist jetzt der Idiot
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Now we're getting somewhere... big, sturdy and cheap (just like ummm... me?)
;)
Thanks.
you betcha......
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.Wer ist jetzt der Idiot
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It is almost impossible to link to an HD product.Sometimes it works, but most time not.They use cookies to store the actual information on the specific product. And that is only good for the computer that you orginal viewed it with.
Make a custom version out of 1/4 or 3/8 birch ply?
could be a fun afternoon project
The problem is CAG, I'd get all twitchy about it and spend days and 200 bucks on brass and titanium hardware or some such nonsense. When it gets to things for myself, I'm wayyyyyy too fussy (neurotic) for my own good ;)
Better, smarter, cheaper to just buy... sometimes ;)
PaulB
Waterloo boxes. I've had two of these for about 5 years http://www.waterlooindustries.com/productdetail.asp?UnitNumberID=HP1756
...still ticking.
Search their site. If you need it, they've got it.
My bad..this is what I've had http://www.waterlooindustries.com/productdetail.asp?UnitNumberID=HP50465. Love 'em. (But the other one look like they might be even nicer).
I've gone completely, well almost completely, to soft sided zippered bags. They stack (pile) easier in a vehicle without rolling around and pack more densly in a tool chest like the big greenlee boxes. The various sizes allow each tool or grouping of tools to have a bag that fits just right.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Ya really like the bags? I've got two tools that came in "purses". I'm always afraid those tools are gonna get smashed in the back of my truck. You can keep your truck as neat as you can, and occasionally somthings gonna fall over.
The bags actually protect tools pretty well as long as nothing real heavy is thrown in on top of it all. Each bag has a bit of cusion and when everything is in bags it's all the better. The thicker bags provide more cusion as do bags that aren't stuffed to the gills.
Still, I usually put more delicate items to one side of the Greenlee box and heavier items to the other. After a year of constant use, the only casualty has been a plastic voltage detector.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
That is the same as the Sears one I listed above.Except it appears that the sears unit uses the lid from the first model, but the 2 tray from the 2nd.Also called Great Tool Organizer.Went throug there catalog and found this.http://www.waterlooindustries.com/productdetail.asp?UnitNumberID=HP55421Similar double tray, but in a little larger size.
This is one of the boxes I have, I have had it for a long time: http://www.waterlooindustries.com/productdetail.asp?UnitNumberID=HM2450
Mine has the metal grab handles on the sides like the 30" long box in their catalog.
Problem with the big box is I always seem to want to put stuff in there, and it gets heavy.
I am currently using a Klein canvas 20" bag with a leather bottom and pockets on the inside. It works, but not as convient as a big box.
I also liked the nylon bag offerd by Occidental with the pockets on the outside, but a little on the small side.
Ideal Industries makes a couple of things I am looking at now:
http://www.tequipment.net/Ideal35-534.asp
http://www.tequipment.net/Ideal35-975.asp
The company linked above also carries Pelican and other cases.
After years of different types of boxes I finally found this one at the HD. http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/jsearch/product.jsp?pn=100094597
I spent a lot of time making myself a set of boxes, very detailed and customed to carry what I use, somewhat like Jim's, but they were way too heavy and cumbersome. I had the expensive Kennedy 'carpenter's box' for several years until it broke and it was nice but did not have enough compartments for individual tools.
I bought the Husky and added a home made insert which is a long series of wood pieces glued together to form many slots to carry my chisels, block and shoulder planes, holes for nail sets, screw drivers, combo square, bevel set etc etc., all the smaller, finer finishing tools that otherwise get crapped up when they get mixed in with nails & other garbage that seems to accumulate, and this way they are easily accessed. I left room on the side for larger tools. It has several pockets all the way around and one in the side designed to slip in your job box hand saws.
In conjunction with this, I use a simple plastic tool tote tray. The Husky box hardly ever leaves the truck these days since most of what I do is finish and trim. I just load up the tote with what I need for that day and go from there. The key is to keep things compartmentalized, simple and light.
i just got one of these yesterday.
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=SOFT+STORAGE&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=501500&SDesc=23%2D1%2F2%26%2334%3B+FatMax%26%23174%3B+Xtreme%26%23153%3B+Tool+Bag
haven't had a chane to put anything in it ytet but i'm looking forward to it
Where did you get that Stanley bag? It looks like a bigger version of the husky one, which I've been looking for, is that right?
i noticed it on the shelf at my plumbers supplier.the've sold all they had in 4 days.i'm not sure where you would get one as i'm in England!! :-)it does look very similar to the husky one. it has a solid bottom and a strong rigid handle. and i have to say one look and i was hooked
Ok, just did some checking. I'm trying to decide if it's worth it. How expensive was the bag in US dollars? The flight will cost $2278, I think I might be able to swing it if the bag is under $50 or so.
cost about £20 or $30-35 USD.so it looks like you can just about afford it.the web link for the bag was for the US stanley website so you can probably get your local lumberyard to order one??
Replace the latches.
They don't have to exactly match what was on there before.
Rattlesnake, oh rattlesnake what makes your teeth so white ?
I been livin' in the bottom all my life an' I ain't done nuttin but bite...
I ain't done nuttin but bite.