Anybody have a favorite toolbox they own? Tired of the plastic ones you get at HD or the heavy metal ones from SEARS. VETO seems to be the one recommended by Finewoodworking but wondering if there were others? Looked at some systainers but "empty" they are pretty heavy vs. ballistic cloth or plastic. Thanks.
Best tool box recommends?
- Thread starter Mark
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- Jan 22, 2007
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- 1,134
Hi Mark
I looked hard at the Veto and the XL one was great for some things and not great for others.
The XL was short so all the long items would hang out the top (my screwdrivers, hammer, etc). The model below that was too small for some of my tools like my volt meter.
Anyhow, I'd suggest taking some of your long tools and some of your wide tools to see how they fit in the pockets.
I ended up buying several sortianers and am happy with them. I throw them on my CT-22 and wheel them around. That works for my situation but might not work for others
Dan Clermont
I looked hard at the Veto and the XL one was great for some things and not great for others.
The XL was short so all the long items would hang out the top (my screwdrivers, hammer, etc). The model below that was too small for some of my tools like my volt meter.
Anyhow, I'd suggest taking some of your long tools and some of your wide tools to see how they fit in the pockets.
I ended up buying several sortianers and am happy with them. I throw them on my CT-22 and wheel them around. That works for my situation but might not work for others
Dan Clermont
robtonya
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- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
- Messages
- 722
I have the heavy duty Craftsman, but I don't really like the Craftsman name anymore, after seeing the low-end models they offer. My father had a brand I never heard of, U.S. General, I believe. If someone could tell me where these are sold, I would appreciate it. I would like to talk to the salesperson, if possible, to see how excited he was when he got it.
I think the Systainer route will work for me the more I think about it. The Systainers with the small drawers seemed pretty heavy relative to the capacity. I've seen the Systainer with the plywood insert for tools but this also seems like a lot of "tare" relative to the functionality you are carrying. What I didn't realize here in Hawaii is that every exposed piece of steel turns to rust in less than a week. The price of paradise I guess and so I'm looking for better ways to store my tools aside from dumping them into a gyp bucket or an overflowing tackle box.
Thanks for the advice!
Thanks for the advice!
I use a sys 4 and a sort 6(?) for hand tools. The sys 4 has a small ply box that drops in, nothing fancy, but it does leave gaps on all four sides for diag cutters, end nippers, drywall saw, speed square, putty knives, things like that. hammers and pry bars and channellocks I just throw in the middle. I was thinking of the smallest veto or maybe a square electrician's bag to drop in, but reading above I think I'll stick with it the way it is, I'm topping weight already.
I am very happy with Lowes's Kobalt stainless steel, consolidated all my hand tools, measurement devices and some Festool accesories.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=258180-55738-LW41SS07-BT1&lpage=none
Check the online price, often on sale for 20-25% off.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=258180-55738-LW41SS07-BT1&lpage=none
Check the online price, often on sale for 20-25% off.
I have three Veto Pro Pacs--two of the XL and one of the XXLF. They are heavy, but I like them with one major reservation.
The rearmost pockets on each side of the XL are rendered much less useful by a design flaw. The back of these pockets is lined with a thin layer of hard plastic, but the plastic only extends about halfway down the pocket. As a result, if you place something in these pockets that can catch on the liner (and many things will, in my experience), you'll have a heck of a time getting it out.
This is more than annoying. Each time you catch something you'll have to yank it out and do damage to the liner when it catches (making the liner more likely to catch on other tools), or get another tool out to help get out the tool you're trying to get out. I expected better from a product that costs so much. When I come across issues like this, I wonder if these companies are even bothering with product testing. Anyway, for this reason I do not recommend the Veto XL Pacs. I haven't had this problem with the XXLF. I use it primarily for longer or larger tools like a 2' level, framing square, etc. (one side of the XXLF has virtually no pockets so there is room for these items).
I really like this rolling tool box by Stanley (click on the link if you're interested; I can't make it appear blue for some reason):
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=ZAG+ROLLING+WORK&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=020800R&SDesc=FatMax%26%23174%3B+4%2Din%2D1+Mobile+Work+Station
I've owned earlier versions of Stanley's rolling tool boxes, but I like this one much better. The wheels are larger and it rolls very well. And I like the way it expands open and can remain in that position (very stable), allowing you access to everything inside.
The rearmost pockets on each side of the XL are rendered much less useful by a design flaw. The back of these pockets is lined with a thin layer of hard plastic, but the plastic only extends about halfway down the pocket. As a result, if you place something in these pockets that can catch on the liner (and many things will, in my experience), you'll have a heck of a time getting it out.
This is more than annoying. Each time you catch something you'll have to yank it out and do damage to the liner when it catches (making the liner more likely to catch on other tools), or get another tool out to help get out the tool you're trying to get out. I expected better from a product that costs so much. When I come across issues like this, I wonder if these companies are even bothering with product testing. Anyway, for this reason I do not recommend the Veto XL Pacs. I haven't had this problem with the XXLF. I use it primarily for longer or larger tools like a 2' level, framing square, etc. (one side of the XXLF has virtually no pockets so there is room for these items).
I really like this rolling tool box by Stanley (click on the link if you're interested; I can't make it appear blue for some reason):
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=ZAG+ROLLING+WORK&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=020800R&SDesc=FatMax%26%23174%3B+4%2Din%2D1+Mobile+Work+Station
I've owned earlier versions of Stanley's rolling tool boxes, but I like this one much better. The wheels are larger and it rolls very well. And I like the way it expands open and can remain in that position (very stable), allowing you access to everything inside.
