I thought I would ask what you guys have to store your tools in. For those either who own/operate their business and those who work for someone. What do you have for a tool box and/or cart?
I have a Craftsman upright tool box at my work with a top box and a side hanging cabnet. It is full and I was using a cart to wheel the more widely used tools from job to job I don't have any dedicated area that I do my work, I'm all over the shop going from one frame mach. to the other (we have 2 and I run both, I'm the only one who can) along with the other jobs I have going on.
Well the cart was plenty full with all the tools I need and it was a PITA to keep it all on there. So I desided to get another one (bigger with drawers). We do have a tool guy (Cornwell) come in and I looked at his flier and knowing all the tool guy prices are high, the one I was looking at was over $600. Oh hell no (I said to myself) not for a cart you would have to be nuts, I have better things I need to do with my money. So I went to Harbor Freight, yes you read that right, and wouldnt you know they had the same exact style cart. I have seen the Cornwell boxes and carts before (my boss bought one for home use) and the metal is no thicker or built better then my Craftsman, they just cost more. The Harbor Freight cart was made better and has heavier metal then any Craftsman or Cornwell cart, I would even put it up against Snap-On (no joke). The drawers have ballbearing slides and are soild I have quite a lot of weight it them and still pull out easy and smooth. The cart weighs 150lb empty, it is built like a tank, and I got it on sale for $160. That is WAYYY better then the other prices you will find with any tool guy or Sears and better built to boot.
The only thing I found it needed was 1pr of non-swivel casters (I bought 2 as replacements) as it came with 4 swivel casters (2 locking) which made it hard to control between cars while pushing or pulling. It is everything I needed and one hell of a bargin.
Well it dosen't stop there I have 2 garages and only 1 smaller tool box in the one nearest the house (I don't do any repair work in that one) the workshop has all my body tools in it skattered on the work bench and floor some in boxes and some just on the bench. Well since I was at Harbor Freight I looked at their tool boxes and chests. I was extreamly impressed again. They were all built like the cart ballbearing slides, heavy guage metal, drawer liners, heavy casters the works... I knew what size I wanted (56" chest). It was the exact size I needed and had plenty of drawers to hold everything I had on the bench and floor. I looked at Cornwell and they have the exact same style chest for $3k everything looks the same even the drawer layout with one exception, I bet it dosent weigh 450lb's like the one from Harbor freight. This thing is also built like a tank, very well built. I got it on sale with a super coupon for $620 after I paid for a yr. subscription to insider club and I would easly put it up against a Snap-On, Mac, Matco etc and you will no doubt pay 4-5X's that for a Snap-On or Mac mabey more.
So if you are looking for, or are in need of tool storage look no further then Harbor Freight they are the best your money can buy bar none. If you have a store somewhere near you go have a look for yourself they have quite a selection to suit everyneed. So you can apply your money where it counts more tools or you pocket.
There hand tools other stuff are another story, some good, some cheep you will have to figure that out on your own as to what is a good buy. The tool boxes/carts though, no-brainer, you get way more then you pay for.
I have a Craftsman upright tool box at my work with a top box and a side hanging cabnet. It is full and I was using a cart to wheel the more widely used tools from job to job I don't have any dedicated area that I do my work, I'm all over the shop going from one frame mach. to the other (we have 2 and I run both, I'm the only one who can) along with the other jobs I have going on.
Well the cart was plenty full with all the tools I need and it was a PITA to keep it all on there. So I desided to get another one (bigger with drawers). We do have a tool guy (Cornwell) come in and I looked at his flier and knowing all the tool guy prices are high, the one I was looking at was over $600. Oh hell no (I said to myself) not for a cart you would have to be nuts, I have better things I need to do with my money. So I went to Harbor Freight, yes you read that right, and wouldnt you know they had the same exact style cart. I have seen the Cornwell boxes and carts before (my boss bought one for home use) and the metal is no thicker or built better then my Craftsman, they just cost more. The Harbor Freight cart was made better and has heavier metal then any Craftsman or Cornwell cart, I would even put it up against Snap-On (no joke). The drawers have ballbearing slides and are soild I have quite a lot of weight it them and still pull out easy and smooth. The cart weighs 150lb empty, it is built like a tank, and I got it on sale for $160. That is WAYYY better then the other prices you will find with any tool guy or Sears and better built to boot.
The only thing I found it needed was 1pr of non-swivel casters (I bought 2 as replacements) as it came with 4 swivel casters (2 locking) which made it hard to control between cars while pushing or pulling. It is everything I needed and one hell of a bargin.
Well it dosen't stop there I have 2 garages and only 1 smaller tool box in the one nearest the house (I don't do any repair work in that one) the workshop has all my body tools in it skattered on the work bench and floor some in boxes and some just on the bench. Well since I was at Harbor Freight I looked at their tool boxes and chests. I was extreamly impressed again. They were all built like the cart ballbearing slides, heavy guage metal, drawer liners, heavy casters the works... I knew what size I wanted (56" chest). It was the exact size I needed and had plenty of drawers to hold everything I had on the bench and floor. I looked at Cornwell and they have the exact same style chest for $3k everything looks the same even the drawer layout with one exception, I bet it dosent weigh 450lb's like the one from Harbor freight. This thing is also built like a tank, very well built. I got it on sale with a super coupon for $620 after I paid for a yr. subscription to insider club and I would easly put it up against a Snap-On, Mac, Matco etc and you will no doubt pay 4-5X's that for a Snap-On or Mac mabey more.
So if you are looking for, or are in need of tool storage look no further then Harbor Freight they are the best your money can buy bar none. If you have a store somewhere near you go have a look for yourself they have quite a selection to suit everyneed. So you can apply your money where it counts more tools or you pocket.
There hand tools other stuff are another story, some good, some cheep you will have to figure that out on your own as to what is a good buy. The tool boxes/carts though, no-brainer, you get way more then you pay for.
