Archived from the Tools In Action forum (In The Shop). This thread is read-only.
Looking for a good durable stationary tool box that will fit a good amount of tools in but also wont take up too much space and of course wont break the bank any ideas??
I know husky sells some really good ones and are usually reasonable in price
How big and how much is your budget?
The only thing I can really tell you right now is do NOT buy Craftsman unless it’s older.
What type of tools? Automotive wood working? Other? You need to figure out what tools you are planning to put in the box and then find a drawer layout that works best for you. No sense in buying a box with real thin drawers of you want to put power tools in them.
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If your looking for a homeowner grade box that won’t break the box I would check out Millwakee boxes. They got there big one an just came out with 2 new models not long ago.
Milwaukee,husky, or HF toolboxes should suite your needs. I just saw some smaller versions of milwaukee rolling boxes at HD just yesterday. I shoulda taken a pic but spaced it.
rrich1 wrote:
What type of tools? Automotive wood working? Other? You need to figure out what tools you are planning to put in the box and then find a drawer layout that works best for you. No sense in buying a box with real thin drawers of you want to put power tools in them.Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
General hand tools, some air tools, sockets,wrenches etc all my woodworking tools and power tools are on shelves
What they said. I have four Husky boxes and love them. The Milwaukee boxes look really solid too. Check your local HD, they’re clearancing some Huskys for real cheap. It might be worth waiting for fathers day deals to start.
Unless you just want to spend the money I would look into US General that they carry at Harbor Freight. The mechanics at our company have the high end snap on and matco boxes and some have the Harbor Freight boxes. I generally go out into our shop and see what new tools they have and drool over their toolboxes. Ftom what ibe seen and for my use the HF are just as good and you don’t have to sell a kidney to buy one.
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The 26″ HF box when it goes on sale is hard to beat, it’s nicer than the Husky imo.
http://www.harborfreight.com/26-in-16-Drawer-Glossy-Red-Roller-Cabinet-Combo-67831.html
Most of the younger guys in the shop now have HF boxes due to me telling them to check them out.
I told them you have years to go for that sweet Kennedy stack. I could probably have at least 6 of the big HF boxes for my lower Kennedy alone.
My box weighs a literal ton,I buy beer for ones that can move that thing. Machining tools like pin gage sets and such are super heavy. It adds up quick. The nice thing about the HF boxes is everything is ball bearing slide constructed and the gauge of metal used is strong.
I’ve been looking into getting a truck box. I may consider a crossbox style or a simple box style. I mostly want it to put my personal tool bag and tool belt. I’m leaning towards something like the Ridgid 2032 box. It’s 32″ wide. It seems like the right size for me and the price is within my budget. My question is this,how would I mount this box onto my truck bed? Would I need to anchor it down to the bed of the truck? Any input would be appreciated.
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Probably anchor it down I don’t think hem boxes have any mounting options . I’ve seen them at HD those are nice heavy duty boxes.
Jimbo
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wizbang wrote:
2 hours ago, wizbang said:I’ve been looking into getting a truck box. I may consider a crossbox style or a simple box style. I mostly want it to put my personal tool bag and tool belt. I’m leaning towards something like the Ridgid 2032 box. It’s 32″ wide. It seems like the right size for me and the price is within my budget. My question is this,how would I mount this box onto my truck bed? Would I need to anchor it down to the bed of the truck? Any input would be appreciated.
Regardless of whether you have a standard pickup bed or flatbed they definitely have to be anchored down and anchored well. There are bolt holes I the bottom of the legs. Drill holes in your bed that line up. Set it in and put some 5/8 or so grade 8 bolts in. On the bottom side of the bed put a small piece of plate (4″x4″ or so) on each bolt with a hole drilled that the bolt goes through to disperse the clamping force then a washer and grade 8 lock nut. I’ve seen a few of these on the side of the road because guys thought they didn’t have to anchor them.
Anchored for sure. you can use heavy duty chains too if you had to. Grade 5 hardware would be sufficient enough,and wont pop when any kind of excess pressure is exerted to them. ie someone using a prybar. Just use grade 8 washers
The funny one is when it is anchored but not properly like without that plate on the bottom end it will pull the bolt right thru the bed. Good luck
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Stercorarius wrote:
Regardless of whether you have a standard pickup bed or flatbed they definitely have to be anchored down and anchored well. There are bolt holes I the bottom of the legs. Drill holes in your bed that line up. Set it in and put some 5/8 or so grade 8 bolts in. On the bottom side of the bed put a small piece of plate (4″x4″ or so) on each bolt with a hole drilled that the bolt goes through to disperse the clamping force then a washer and grade 8 lock nut. I’ve seen a few of these on the side of the road because guys thought they didn’t have to anchor them.
Great advice right here. [emoji106]
tonylandin wrote:
1 hour ago, tonylandin said:The funny one is when it is anchored but not properly like without that plate on the bottom end it will pull the bolt right thru the bed. Good luck
From a fan of tools with lots of assistance from Siri #TIACREW
Yup! After some time and movement, the steel will flex enough times to crack and the nut eventually pull through, it’s too thin of material to not disperse that force
I’d try to drill that into the frame if possible but some plate steel should do the trick…but it’s a lot to ask of the bed’s steel, in my opinion. Maybe some rubber matting under the box would help keep the box from wanting to slide and widen the holes in the bed floor.
BMack37 wrote:
24 minutes ago, BMack37 said:I’d try to drill that into the frame if possible but some plate steel should do the trick…but it’s a lot to ask of the bed’s steel, in my opinion. Maybe some rubber matting under the box would help keep the box from wanting to slide and widen the holes in the bed floor.
That is a great idea. It would minimise the rust buildup from losing paint too. That and noise. Old conveyer belting is nice but I’m sure you could use any sort of rubber.
If you are gonna anchor it down, make sure you take off the handles. Nothing is more annoying that the constant banging.
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Thanks for all the the tips. I got the idea from a coworker. I’m going to ask him how he anchored it in place.
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Stercorarius wrote:
1 hour ago, Stercorarius said:That is a great idea. It would minimise the rust buildup from losing paint too. That and noise. Old conveyer belting is nice but I’m sure you could use any sort of rubber.
Anti-fatigue mat from HF should do the trick
wizbang wrote:
48 minutes ago, wizbang said:Thanks for all the the tips. I got the idea from a coworker. I’m going to ask him how he anchored it in place.
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A lot smaller than I imagined. Looks like the perfect size for a tool belt and a few bags.
hopefully the hole spacing they give is wide enough to even hit the frame. would depend on truck. and hopefully you can drill with out hitting anything else.
If you have Rhino lining or something similar in your truck bed that would eliminate the need to add padding.
To the OP……….I have the HF 44″ top and bottom boxes and they are great boxes. I will be getting the side boxes soon to expand what I have and I didn’t have to give up my first born to get them. Being just a weekend mechanic I think they will last a very long time. Smooth slides and and sturdy construction.