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After upgrading my storage space over the summer with the addition of the new shed I decided to reorganize my tools. I had been considering purchasing a Craftsman tool chest but found the prices were way out of line for the quality of the drawer tracks and thickness of the steel used in the construction. The boxes that were in my price range just felt like cheap tins that you receive caramel popcorn in at Kmart.
Today I set out on my mission to find and purchase a box that felt like it could hold up to the weight of my tools and also stand up to time so I could pass my many tools down to my son in the future. After looking at many tool chests I decided on an Industrial 13 Drawer U.S. General chest.
I am very happy with the cabinet construction and the quality of drawer guilds and casters. The cabinet has the feel of a very well construct professional tool chest.
I only purchased the lower cabinet because I was undecided as to how much room I would need. My collection of tools up until now has been stored in 5 various size tool boxes and chests not to mention the hand tool sets that were still in the original packaging and the air tools that were always imposable to find. (99% Craftsman Tools I might add) I am sure you can understand that any time I needed a tool it would take me longer to find it than it took to do the job. This had become very frustrating.

After spending hours organizing tools I have come to the conclusion that I need MORE ROOM. I will be going back when finances are available to purchase the upper cabinet. I hope in the future my son will enjoy these tools as much as I did and that he understands better than I that you DON'T LEND OUT TOOLS. (unless you get a deposit )

Another thought would be to keep it locked! I searched for a couple of years and finally found a torx screwdriver to work on 2 Gerber automatic knives that I own. Went to get the driver to work on one and it was pretty much destroyed. I asked what happed to it and was informed that she was using it to set nails and as a punch

f9k9 wrote:Another thought would be to keep it locked! I searched for a couple of years and finally found a torx screwdriver to work on 2 Gerber automatic knives that I own. Went to get the driver to work on one and it was pretty much destroyed. I asked what happed to it and was informed that she was using it to set nails and as a punch

I learned all my carpentry skills from an very old school cabinet maker. This guy kept his shop very organized and always had the sharpest tools around. He had made a ceder cigar size box that was lined with what looked like the felt used on pool tables to keep his razor sharp wood chisels in. Each of the 6 chisels had their own slot in the box.
One day we were out on a commercial job and an electrician asked to borrow a chisel so Carl gave him the box. about 2 hours latter Carl ask me to go find the guy to get them back. When I found him he was down to the last chisel in the box trying to cut off a 3/4 inch bolt that was in his way of mounting an electrical box. All the chisels were mushroom out. I made him take them back to Carl and stood back to watch the firework display. It was very intertaining.

I bought some Craftsman stuff a few years ago (technically they were Christmas presents). I got the top chest, mid-chest, and cart w/ wheels on it. The series I have is the mid-range line--no ball bearings, but decent build quality. My stack stands roughly six feet tall with the top lid closed. The boxes are red with dark grey drawers. I wasn't able to find anything similar on the craftsman website to link, so I'm assuming they look different now.

I think the bottom cart was around $200, the mid chest was $119, and the top chest was $169. Those were Christmas specials BTW.

I've gotten alot of use out of the set, and would definitely buy the same thing again if needed. The drawers have held up well over the past four or five years, and most have been fully loaded--granted they don't move as smoothly as ball bearing sliders.

EDIT: Found a pic of the top chest. The mid chest has three drawers, and the cart has 5 or 6--they match the top chest in color/style.

I have worked as a mechanic for the last 33 years (give or take a few months). I have owned probably six or seven roll cab and chest combinations in that time, and hands down, Snap On wins the quality award. I know how expensive they are, but I have also seen how much abuse they can take. I currently have a Homak bottom box, and it is in need of replacement now. It lasted about 3 years before it started self destructing. Where I work, we are constantly having to move our boxes, and it takes a toll on on them. If you won't be moving a box much, or for home use, that box should last for years.

The higher quality Craftsman boxes were way out of my budget range for the size box I needed. I am guessing the Snap On boxes would have been even more. I do have a smaller Craftsman 7 drawer with roller bearing hardware that I am going to keep around. The other 4 boxes I have will be given away.

For the Snap On and Mac boxes, you can get very pricey. For some of the upper end cabinets, the cost is above $9000.00. Some of the lower priced ones can still set you back 2k or more. If you win the lottery, Snap On is the way to go if you have a good dealer.

I really was going to try to step back a little from this thread as I can not boast a high dollar box.
The box I use at work is almost identical to the one Walt posted. A Craftsman slider Top box and bottom with casters.
It has been in service for 15 years and no where near needing replacement. It does not get moved around much. It has its place in the shop, and that is where it stays. The drawers get used lots and they do need some GM Superlube from time to time. No complaints. I did not buy the box. It was purchased before my time and belongs to the company.
The box I have at home is of lesser quality and as old if not older. It is a no name brand. I do not use the drawers daily and this box will out last me for sure.

If I had to choose a box today, I would probably look at Craftsman again, only because I would be able to touch one and look it over first. The Harbor freight boxes look great. I am sure they will be fine. The price does look good.

HenryJ wrote:
If I had to choose a box today, I would probably look at Craftsman again, only because I would be able to touch one and look it over first. The Harbor freight boxes look great. I am sure they will be fine. The price does look good.

I am lucky enough to have a Harbor freight store near by so I was able to get some hands on before I purchased. No way would I ever had bought it sight unseen. Harbor freight has stores in most states. You can find them at their website. Their tools are mostly for the DIY guy and in most cases would not hold up to the professional world. I purchased a high lift jack from HF over the summer to level out my shed. $20 and it worked great for what I needed. The higher dollar Craftsman boxes are nice if I wanted to spend almost a grand for the same size box and get the Craftsman name. If you ever get to a Harbor Freight store check it out and you will see what I mean.

I guess I didn't know they had a retail store near me (Boise,ID) Thank you for pointing that out! I'll keep that in mind.

If the store is anything like the one here plan on spending a hour or two. The only thing that could make the store better would be a bar. I have been there twice and still not seen it all.

I just received the new Grizzly Industrial catalog, and they have a selection of tool boxes in it. For the most part, they look like they might be built better than most home owner boxes. You can check them out at grizzly.com.

I've got Craftsman boxes similar to Walt's and Brule's. Top box is the same as pictured above, as well as a 3-drawer middle and 5-drawer bottom with casters. For a starter set it's good quality stuff. I had access to all the Matco, Snap-On, and Mac stuff when I worked at the dealership, but just couldn't justify the cost for only being a "weekend warrior."

If you are looking for a good machanic size and quality cabinet though...check with your local Snap-On, Matco, or Mac rep about trade-in cabinets. Whenever they have someone upgrade, they get the old cabinet on trade and generally you can find some good deals on nice large cabinets.

I purchased this Tool Set just before Christmas so I would have something to grab and run with if needed. I have this Craftsman Box now but there is no way I am going to have enough room. I may look at a Craftsman upper box that is haft the length of my lower. If I think it will work with both the Craftsman boxes I may go that root. If not I will go back to Harbor Freight and buy the mate for the lower. It will make the box almost 6' tall but I have a step stool if needed.