Tool storage and care

[varova87]

My tool collection has tripled since finishing college, and my dinky Craftsman chest from high school is overrun and is on it's last leg. I've found myself obsessed with keeping everything clean, well-maintained, and organized. Half the fun of a project is going out and buying a tool I don't have to finish the job correctly.

A lot of my tools are Kobalt, so I've been looking at their line of chests. But, I'm not extremely impressed. I'm tired of this POS Craftsman with no ball-bearing slides, but I'm not interested in spending my life-savings on a Snap-on, either. I'd like to have a respectable, functional, quality place to store my tools without depleting my actual tool budget for the next two years. I don't think I'm being a cheap ass and asking for the world and not wanting to pay for it. I'm on a budget and looking for a balance in price/quality so I can still afford to actually add to my tool collection as needed.

Second, I'm open to tips on maintaing them as well. I'd like to think wiping everything down after every use would be sufficient to help them last for years. I think my biggest enemy is going to be moisture in the garage contributing to rust. Still trying to figure out how to address this. But, I'm guessing a quality box will help keep out the moisture.

Enlighten me.

 

[ArmyRover]

My dad got a nice stainless steel unit for $450 at sams club with ball bearing slides. I think it was around 50" wide.

Also I would watch on craigslist for a nice used one to save a few bucks.

 

[fishEH]

I spray my tools with WD-40 then wipe off the excess. I too am looking for a decent tool chest that I wont need to sell my first born to afford. Though anything is better than the old dresser I'm using now, haha.

 

[varova87]

I spray my tools with WD-40 then wipe off the excess.

I did that once, and the next time I used the ratchet I couldn't grip it to save my life, even after wiping the excess.

 

[knewsom]

http://www.damprid.com/ uses silica gel and similar chemicals to suck moisture out of the air. I live at the beach and it's an absolute necessity in my basement, boat, bathroom, and in my closets. Somehow, my garage stays dry, but I'm mystefied as to why.

I wish I could say I have a good method for organizing my tools... they're all a complete wreck. My in-truck toolkit consists of a military surplus bag with stuff tossed in (though wrenches are in separate pockets), and at least the sockets are on a socket organizer. I'm going to keep an eye on this myself because I too could use a good tall toolkit. My old black and decker toolbox on wheels works ok, but it's WAY too small for me, and I hate digging through it for stuff.

 

[Jake1996D1]

I spray my tools with WD-40 then wipe off the excess. I too am looking for a decent tool chest that I wont need to sell my first born to afford. Though anything is better than the old dresser I'm using now, haha.

ha now thats funny! My GF HAD to have this free dresser we found on C-list that was in Manhatten (when we lived in BK) SO we drove over and I had to help this guy bring this old heavy ass dresser down like 10 flights of stairs. In the middle of July.. Then after we moved to PA (of course) she decided that it's ugly.. so now it houses some of my tools and junk

I 3 need a better tool storage solution

 

[ArmyRover]

I spray my tools with WD-40 then wipe off the excess. I too am looking for a decent tool chest that I wont need to sell my first born to afford. Though anything is better than the old dresser I'm using now, haha.

Brett, I have a craftsman top and bottom box that is probably 20 years old but in decent shape that I would let go cheap. PM if you want pics.

 

[smrover1]

I agree with Armyrover the one from Sams club was a damn good box. Most of the techs where I work have Snap on and Matco and they all agree with me they would not spend that much on there boxes if they had to do it again. Lets face it the box only holds the tools. I would rather spend the left over money on good quality tools.

 

[varova87]

I'm guessing the Sams Club one is this one from Excel Equipment.

edit: this is the line of boxes Northern Tool carries as well. The company makes a couple different series, including a more expensive pro series. Their site here.

 

[rover4x4]

That same club box is pretty nice my old boss had one in his shop it has served him well for about 8 years.

 

[az_max]

Hate to say it, but the three piece toolbox from HF is pretty decent. You can get it down to $149 on sale and with 20% off coupon.

I clean the tools off with carb cleaner after use.

 

[ArmyRover]

I'm guessing the Sams Club one is this one from Excel Equipment.

edit: this is the line of boxes Northern Tool carries as well. The company makes a couple different series, including a more expensive pro series. Their site here.

Similar but my dads is a brushed stainless steel finish.

 

[discostew]

I know a guy who works out of that stainless box from sams club. I bet you could find a good used box from matco. I like a smaller tool box at home because lately I dont heat my garage all winter. So I like to move my tools into a heated storage room off the back of my house. The smaller(single bank) boxes are for sale a lot when some young kid is spending 16k on his next monster box.

 

[jymmiejamz]

At home I have a 65" wide triple bank Snap On box that I found on craigslist for $800. I'd take that any day over a HF box. If you look around you can find good deals on used Snap On stuff because there are always technicians getting out of the business.

 

[Durt D1ver]

I have a craftsman homeowner line box. I don't recommend it. I did buy a craftsman workbench off searsoutlet for under $100, then added one of the 5 drawer modules to it. I'm planning on adding a second one, as I really like it.
People on Garagejournal love the HF boxes.
Heres a coupon for the 42" one for 349, but hurry quick, expires in a few days. Theres a couple floating around for 359
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1973407&postcount=981

 

[jymmiejamz]

People on the Garage Journal don't actually use their tools or boxes for working on cars, they just polish their tools and take pictures of the Snap On hard handle screwdrivers.

 

[Durt D1ver]

People on the Garage Journal don't actually use their tools or boxes for working on cars, they just polish their tools and take pictures of the Snap On hard handle screwdrivers.

And they just don't understand the wonder that is PTSchram

 

[ptschram]

And they just don't understand the wonder that is PTSchram

:rofl:

No, I'm not too highly thought of over there but I stick around anyway, there can be much inspiration if you look for it.

As for toolboxes, don't be a (Dan Chapman voice on) cheapass (Dan Chapman voice off).

Think about it, you only have to buy a box once if you get the right one. Buy the most expensive box you cannot afford and Live with it.

I have an old Mac box and really wish I'd spent the big bucks on a nice triple bay S-O when I had the chance. Being able to find one's tools in a reasonable amount of time is priceless in more ways than one.

 

[mjbrox]

Check craigslist

 

[kennith]

I'll be heading to an area that's got a proper Sears Hardware store in a few days. I'll check if they have anything now that's worth a shit. A few years back, their storage solutions were very good, even if their tools weren't the best in the world.

Cheers,

Kennith