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New job meant new tool box and setup

natemc

Adventure is an Addiction
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For those that don't know, I'm a professional, but go ahead and try this at home also! :haha:

I'm now the service manager at Star Rentals in town. I needed a box that handled some weight and volume. I am being a cheapo and refused to buy another name brand box. I've had a Matco double bank early on in my career. I have a Snap-on top box that rode in the truck for four years as a road box(amazing durability)! I have two Blue-point carts currently. So I did tons of spec comparison shopping for the last couple months. Snap-on will always be my favorite for top of line choice, I just didn't want to spend the money. So to set my limit at $2500 just might have shot myself in the foot. I went with this, both top and bottom.

http://t.harborfreight.com/56-in-11-drawer-glossy-red-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html

So far, I'm really impressed. The 44" pro is no better than a homeowner setup. This one, guessing the 72" is similar to the 56", is pretty sturdy. Drawer ratings are solid with 200lbs for the large bottoms. Welded together not bolted. Almost 3500lb gvwr. Top box has 1600lb gvwr. I have about 190-200lbs in the bottom left drawer and it still slides decent. All of my 3/4" & 1" sockets, ratchets and impact are one drawer up(heavy). This box is only going to sit against the wall and not roll around hardly ever. If it was to be a roller I don't think the drawer locks would hold up. They are just plastic tabs on one side not both. If it's to be rolled around, I'll be locking with the key to be sure, especially the top. I'll be adding two lockers to it in the future. That will free up multiple drawers by getting big wrenches and other hanging tools out. I have a couple of air tool hanging brackets to go in the lockers also.

As I get back in the swing of shop life, I'll update this post.
 
Congrats.

But I've never seen a service manager that needed tools. They get a desk a computer and a phone.
 
I've read a few mag comparisons that rate the USGeneral boxes pretty high.
I'm sure they're no snappy or Mac, but for the price to quality ratio they are about the best.
 
Compared to crapsman, they are extremely well built. They probably aren't as nice as the really pricey big names, but I wouldn't know. Too rich for my blood. I'd rather spend the little money I have on tools than a tool holder.
 
I'm actually selling my crapsman and Waterloo boxes i have at home and buying a harbor freight box. Better built and way bigger.

I think that was a great decision Nate


Edit- where are the pics?
 
Currently the shop doesn't do enough customer billable work to keep the service managers tools locked up. If I ever get to the point where I lock the tools up for the most part. Than I will have a sweet home setup and the drive to work on my own stuff again.
 
Compared to crapsman, they are extremely well built. They probably aren't as nice as the really pricey big names, but I wouldn't know. Too rich for my blood. I'd rather spend the little money I have on tools than a tool holder.

My sentiments exactly. I own a 42in top and cab from HF. Gonna get side drawers next.
 
sehazudy.jpg



Two blue point roll carts with it. Should have the two side lockers in a couple weeks. Taking one cart home and selling my snap-on top/road box
 
What you want for the road box?

What model is it? 8 drawer 10 drawer.
 
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What you want for the road box?

What model is it? 8 drawer 10 drawer.

It's the krl4055 top box that I used as a road box for 5 years. 5 drawers with a fold down front. It's USED.

I'm actually thinking of selling the blue cart instead now and keeping the top box home.
 
Ya. I got that from your pm. I don't want that one thanks. Just a road box I'm interested in. Thanks though.
 
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Anybody dealt with the husky boxes from the home depot? You can piece a much larger setup for less I believe than the US General boxes but not sure about the quality.
 
Anybody dealt with the husky boxes from the home depot? You can piece a much larger setup for less I believe than the US General boxes but not sure about the quality.

There is a range. The low end ones suck, but the high end ones are spendy....and pretty nice.

So, hard to compare "husky" in general to US General.
 
I have the 44" roller, perfect for home use. My son had his $8K snappy stored here for a while, wayyy stronger & heavier than mine...of course he makes a living with his.
 
All brands have a "pro" series. That is what you have to compare. If just for home use, anything will work. If you need to put serious weight in a drawer than you need a pro series
 

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