Looking for Recommendations for Tool Storage Chests

[Bikeboy80]

I am currently building myself a larger workshop/shed and I am looking to upgrade my tool chest that holds all of my auto mechanic tools. I currently have a Craftsman ~24" combo unit, non ball bearing slides, I have over weighted just about all the drawers and they are a pain to open.

So I am looking to upgrade to something larger ~40" wide and has to have ball bearing slides. All of the high end lines are out of my budget (Snap-on, Mac tools, etc). I really like the Craftsman Grip-latch boxes but am open to less expensive brands if there are any recommendations.

Thoughts?

 

[mikey2]

I too have the Craftsman non-ball-bearing 3-piece rollaround chest, and know exactly what you mean when the drawers are overloaded.

Check out *cough* Harbor Freight. I got this one to put a metal lathe and mill-drill machine on:

http://www.harborfreight.com/roller-cabinet-44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-68784.html

It rolls easily, not that I will be moving it around, and the drawers operate smoothly. The reviews are mostly positive, and it seems to go on sale regularly.
It comes with a rubber mat for the top, and rubber foam drawer liners. I cut a piece of melamine shelf to put on top.
There is a top chest available, and even a side chest.

 

[JayStPeter]

All the guys at work have Snap On, Matco etc. as they have to have their tool chests shipped a few times a year.  Involves forklifts etc.   One guy recently arrived with this http://www.harborfreight.com/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html and the other guys have reluctantly given it their nod of approval.  Be forewarned, it weighs 400lbs.

 

[Paul G]

All the guys at work have Snap On, Matco etc. as they have to have their tool chests shipped a few times a year.  Involves forklifts etc.   One guy recently arrived with this http://www.harborfreight.com/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html and the other guys have reluctantly given it their nod of approval.  Be forewarned, it weighs 400lbs.

Thanks for the info, surprised to see that at HF.

 

[tvgordon]

I really like the MasterForce chest I bought from Menards.

Tom

 

[nclemmons]

You might look at the Stainless Steel Kobalt boxes at Lowes.  I don't own one but have looked at them and like a lot of the features.  The stainless is also appealing for longevity and still looking great.

http://www.lowes.com/Search=tool+chests?storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&N=0&newSearch=true&Ntt=tool+chests#!

neil

 

[Bikeboy80]

The HF boxes seem like a hard deal to beat!

 

[EdL]

The red HF chests get good reviews, the black ones are a cheaper model, I've heard to avoid those.
Our local Sunday paper always has a HF flyer, some really good prices on the tool chests & carts.

Ed