Roller tool chests - need input

After all these years, I'm starting to think about getting a rolling tool chest to organize my tools.

As it is, I have one main hand-held toolbox with my frequently used sockets, gear-drives, etc. in it. I don't take it anywhere, I just move it around the garage to whatever I'm working on. It's overpacked, so 1.) It's heavy, and 1/2 the time I still walk to wherever it is to get what I want. and 2.) It's overpacked, so I usually don't put most of my tools back into it until I'm "completely done" - which, of course, can be months sometime. I oftent find myself wasting time looking for a tool I know I had nearby, but has become buried under other stuff, or left laying around.

I have other toolboxes too. There's one full of all my SAE-sized stuf, which I very rarely use. I have another full of electronics parts & tools, and a big case full of automotive-specific tools - things like pickle-forks, pullers, fuel-line disconnects, etc. Then I have all my wall-mounted tools, like screwdrivers, hammers, cutters/nippers/shears, some random punches - small stuff that would get lost in one of my small toolboxes. Then there's also my power tools. Grinders, cut-off wheel, drill, etc.

I'm going to be downsizing garages somewhat next year(the upside is it will be a heated, insulated, and possibly air-conditioned garage), and I'm analyzing what I can do to more efficiently utilize my space, as well as make it easier for me to work. I'm really thinking about a roller tool chest, and I've been studying them in the store & at friend's for a while, but here's my dillema:

1. • Most people I know who actually have these, don't really move them around when they work. They still get up, go over to the corner & fetch a tool from it as needed. Of course, their toolboxes are ususally trapped in the corner by all the other stuff packed around it.

2 - If I get a box big enough to hold all my hand-tools, automotive tools, and frequently used power tools, I'm looking at a small fortune for one that size, plus I doubt I'll be moving it about much just due to it's shear size.

So I'm looking for some strategy, advice & reccomendations from you guys who use these things all the time. What's the best route to go?

harbor freight has the 40" bottom chest for $399 right now and i have a 20% off coupon in my email for today through sunday that i can send you which would get it down to $320.

i do not move mine, but i have it setup right next to where i work on the cars. i have a 52" roller with middle and top boxes and a side cabinet, which equals heavy, and my garage floor has cracks and unevenness so it'd be silly to move it around.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11275876&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|114|3327&N=4014849&Mo=26&No=2&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=4540&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

used to come in stainless....but under $1K

I'm a 'walker' but the main thing for something that's going to move is going to be large, high quality casters.

Real mechanics apparently have a huge main box and then a smaller cart they load up with tools for the job at hand.

Craigslist is generally full of Snap-on and MAC boxes that people need to sell. Some are still very expensive at half-price, IMO.

I always wanted to build an angle iron frame to hold several large bottom tool chests with room for a top box too. The mentioned high quality casters, a 1/4 steel top with vise and misc other storage options and a plug would round out the design. I think I could build something to rival or beat the 10K toolboxes for maybe 3K

-James

Most people don't move them around, just nice to have all the tools on wheels to be able to move everything at once.

Mechanics usually buy a small cart for the tools they are using for the job to have on hand, so as not to run back and forth to the tool box. At home if you have a small garage, this isn't really nessary because the box is most times pretty close at hand.

My rollaway I got from Sears came with a small tool tray that you can put some tools in to tote around, and I keep a small toolbox for use in taking to the junkyard, keeping the other tools at home in the rollaway.

Whichever rollaway you get make sure it is a type that suits you best. I prefer a few more smaller drawers on the front upper box, but others prefer all large drawers. I would highly recommend ball bearing rollers on the drawers, as any box that is going to have as much weight in it as yours sounds will wear out the drawer in a hurry.

Chris Rummel

Check your local NAPA. They sell tool storage units at a very reasonable price. Ask if their servicing Distribution Center has any closeouts.

Purchase a "roll cart" for drivers, ratchets, sockets, pry bars and extensions. Get one with a sturdy shaelf for holding crap.

Purchase a "roller base" a little larger than what you need for everything else.

Personally these are on my wish list:

Sears Craftsman 009-59756N $399.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959756000P

Sears Craftsman 009-61931N $599.99

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00961931000P

Wait for a craftsman sale. I got a nice bottom and top box for $250 IIRC.

Also, lurk around the back of the tool department at Sears, looking for yellow and red "clearance" tags.These will be either open box, or returned models. Full disclosure, I'm an ex-Sears manager, and I'm married to a current Sears manager, so I get her discounts--but I picked up a bottom and middle box, full ball-bearing slides, for under $100 total. The boxes were returned since the slides were "broken". Nope, they hadn't been tightened properly. 15 minutes, and I had two boxes as good as new!

I went to the Kennedy Kit factory in Van Wert Ohio, they always have seconds available it cost me $400 for the lower, upper and a gun safe, not huge but big enough for me.

I guess it depends upon your location.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959890000P

got this for christmas from the girlfriend. was about 140 (but she got it for less on black friday). i'll let you know how it goes. she picked that one because of the big hinged door at the bottom for larger tools (i think she was thinking of my portable band saw).

Can't go wrong withsomething like this - http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_009H0336000B?mv=cf&vName=Tools&cName=Garage+%26+Tool+Storage&sbf=Brand&sbv=Craftsman

Sams Has a nice stainless model for @$800. One came in as a return to my local store and sold for $400 since it was opened. Went in one day!

buy bigger than you think you need

it's mazing how fast you can outgrow a box

I'd like to add to all the great advice so far. Here's my 2 cents.

-Skip the stainless unless you're rich and really want the "bling." I had a cheap 4-drawer desktop cabinet in the back of my truck for 6 years. It was about twice the size of a normal craftsman grey portable toolbox. I made a vinyl cover for it (to protect the tools from rain, but not necessarily the box) and it lasted those 6 years without any rust or problems. It was a plain red painted steel box that I abused, and still abuse to this day some 11 years later.

-Don't skip the roller tracks for the drawers. There is nothing more frustrating than saving $40 on the cheap drawers only to break one in the first year. The hardware is proprietary, so once its broken you can basically kiss that drawer goodbye.

-The wheels on the bottom aren't necessarily there to be portable, but when you rearrange the garage, or move to another house, you'll be happy they are on there.

-I'll echo the sentiment of getting one larger than you need.

-I'll also add, brand names don't usually mean anything. Like my father says, "if you find a great chest, it doesn't matter what her name is." He might have had a different idea in mind when he told me that.

Check and see if you have a Sears "scratch and dent" center near you. The tool boxes were usually 1/2 to 2/3 the normal price.

Lowes hardware store have 20% off all their tool chests right now. Check Sams Club also.

I have a Kennedy top and bottom set that I love. Very solid and durable, but can be pricey. I used to work at a machine shop and the owners would pay 20% of the cost and take the rest out of your check every week in payments. I never roll mine around however. A rolling cart to move stuff over to where you are working might be a good addition.

I second the looking at Craigslist option if you are trying to get a deal.

Thanks for all the replies, that really helps me out!

The only thing I have to add is that if you use it alot, ball bearings for the droors are worth it, its so much nicer to have them open easily.

Dont buy a cheapy from Lowes/Sears/Home Depot/Sams.

My used MATCO cost $1000. Its a $3500 toolbox new and worth every penny. The ones from Lowes that are close to as big cost MORE and are LESS of a box.

Kennedy tool boxes are really nice, older Cornwell's are made by Kennedy so they are also very solid.

Definitely buy bigger than you think you need. After consolidating all my tools into my MATCO box, its full. Sumbitch.

Mine is just like that but black. I was able to put my black ball bearing Craftsman top box on it and am happy. It sure shows that a good box is worth money, as the drawers in the Craftsman weigh literally 1/3 of the Matco drawers for the same size.