Mika Jaakkola Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Hi,I'm thinking of getting myself a tool chest. Craftsman is the #1 candidate of course, but has anyone have any experiences of these Torin tool chests?Amazon.com: Torin 42in. Top 8-Drawer Tool Chest - 41 3/8in.W x 17 1/2in.D x 21 3/4in.H, Model# TBT4408X: Home ImprovementThanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Walling Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 It depends upon how many tools that you have. If it was 1/2 full and you only used it on weekends, it would be great. But if you fill it up and open and close the drawers multiple times, 5 days a week, you will have problems in a short time. If you compare the price with Craftsman, Snap-on or Mac tools, you will see that a quality toolbox is very expensive and may be worth every penny. Personally, I prefer Craftsman tools as a great compromise between price and quality. One example of quality is a "DA Sander", The original cost about $165 and will last several years in professional use. An exact copy of the same tool made in China will cost $35 and will last only a few months. This I know that for a fact as I have advised my men not to buy them and they soon had to replace them with the original name brand tool. Paying more will not necessarily get you a better tool, but paying less will guarantee you will get a lesser quality one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I have my wrenches hanging on a board in my workshop because I got frustrated looking for the right size in the draws fairly early on in my career. I have sizes in multitude as many times more than one is needed and they are hung from big to small. Also my scewdrivers are hung the same way and it is easy to find the one you need without digging. In my opinion, a tool box is a device that you have only if you need to lock up your tools because you are worried about thievery. I am the only one in my shop so it is not a problem. I guess you could say that my basement shop, is my tool box as there isn't a box big enough to hold them all. Sockets are in their boxes that they came in (S&K) years ago, and are on sheves with air tools and other stuff so that they can be reddily seen. The only exception is the tools that I travel with to do repairs on the road. And then I use two small boxes. One with wrenches and sockets sets, The other with scewdrivers and pliers and such. This is because I often need to carry tools to a remote area sometimes that is not readily accessable from a service vehicle. Just my two cents with about 35 + years of wrench pulling experiance thrown in. Dandy Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budd28 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 another tool storage would be kolbalt from lowes they used to be made by snap-on with out the price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest windjamer Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 craftmantools are fine for a home shop. I f you have more than a set of scerewdrivers and a pair of plyers I would suggest you check e-bay,craigs list or evan a local flea mkt. for a Snap-on or mack used box. My Snap-on chest is 40 years old and still works like new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mika Jaakkola Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 I just spotted this kind of thread in The Garage Journal Board Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 Mine are stainless steel units from Costco. Very nicely made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I have several Craftsman chests and am happy with them. Be aware that there are now several levels of Craftsman tool chests, some with ball bearing slides and some without. I have bought them new but more recently I have bought them used. There's a significant difference in price, if you can accept some scratches and small dents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I have a big rollabout chest and top cabinet sold by Montgomery Wards back when they competed with Sears. My father used to work at the store in Mount Prospect, IL and he tipped me off when they were selling off lightly used display models. I've had them for 40 years, kept them mostly full, and put them through 4 moves. they are not pretty but they do the job well. I would definitely look for used rather than pay for new as long as it is a quality brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 As Joe said, be sure the Craftsman box has ball bearing drawer slides. The ones with the plain slides are not too good. I have one add on side box with he plain slides and I don't care much for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 As a hobbiest I find the Craftsman Tool Boxes to work fine. But, the bigtower of a box doesn't work for me. I have a large garage and it's all work area, so alway going back to the tower is a pain in the rear bumper.What I did was take a roll around cart (like busboy's and hospitals use) and install two 4 drawer mid=sections underneath the recessed top.That way i rool it around behind me and have a bench to with me and themost used tools. The tower stores the big and speciality tools.My 8 roll around drawers are: SAE wrenches, SAE SocketsScrewdrivers, Metric wrenches & sockets, Meausuring Tools, Electrical tools,Punches and Chisels, Small Speciality Tools Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastertech Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I use a blue point box, top bottom and side cab, along with a roller cart and cart for my lap top. have had them for at least 10 years now did havea mac box till i ran out of room Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Yaros Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 I echo the comments of Dandy Dave. My tools all hang on peg board in the garage. It makes them more than easy to find. It is also easy to spot any that might be missing. It sure saves a lot of time, hassle and stress!Tool boxes are for when one is taking tools on the road, IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 I echo the comments of Dandy Dave. My tools all hang on peg board in the garage. It makes them more than easy to find. It is also easy to spot any that might be missing. It sure saves a lot of time, hassle and stress!Tool boxes are for when one is taking tools on the road, IMHO.This works if you have a minimal number of tools. I need the larger storage capacity. I have 3 drawers of just end wrenches alone. In an moment of idle curiosity, I wondered how many sockets I have. Over 400. I can't afford that much pegboard;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwhizzer Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 I have bought Snap on and Mac tool boxes at Flea markets for less than Craftsman which I also have. You can't beat quality! ow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandy Dave Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 (edited) This works if you have a minimal number of tools. I need the larger storage capacity. I have 3 drawers of just end wrenches alone. In an moment of idle curiosity, I wondered how many sockets I have. Over 400. I can't afford that much pegboard;)Minimal number of tools? You haven't seen my shop, have you? You cold not fit 1/4th of what I have in that big fancy box. And it would be a mess at that. LOL Dandy Dave! Edited November 27, 2009 by Dandy Dave (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budd28 Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 it all depends on how much you are willing/able to do i one large craftsman box that you need a stool to look in,and its full up.then i bought another large chest for metric tools specialty tools,pullers,meters.that is full up so i bought one more for welding and body tools.without the cars iwouldn't need the tools,without the tools i wouldn't need the cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest windjamer Posted November 27, 2009 Share Posted November 27, 2009 :)When I started turning wrenches it was at a local two bay Arco station. My tools hung on a pag board. When we outgrew the station the boss built a large 4 bay shop with a customer waiting room. Often working on 4 cars at once the peg board wasnt feasiable. I bought ia 10 drawer bottom and a 7 drawer top box for my hand tools.I could rool it where ever I was working. Now that Im retired (retarded) when I need to work on one of my cars at the shop I just work out of every body else,s box:D works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 I am with Dandy Dave. I have a bunch of my wrenches on the wall so I do not have to dig to get them. It is also an quick inventory after a job to be sure nothing was left in the vehicle. Screwdrivers below the wrenches. Two large tool box roller chests for all of the other tools including things that are not used really frequently including my machinist tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest elmo39 Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 i.m sorry but i,m still trying to work out why you would need 400 sockets , i have most of my fathers tool kit plus what i have purchased over the years, i have more than enough tools to work on American , British and Metric sourced cars , i could come up short if i had to work on large machinery , like a large truck or tractor .about the only specialised tools i dont have are a boring bar (to rebore engines )and the ability to regrind the crankshaft ,camshaft. and it all fits in my small workshop 30x12 with a small tool room of 12x9 attached to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest windjamer Posted November 28, 2009 Share Posted November 28, 2009 :DI dont know about 400 sockets, but I will say tuurning wrenches for a pay check I had 1/4 3/8 1/2 3/4 and 1in drive sockets. If I needed a tool once I borrowed it, if I needed it again I bought it. Unless you use them to pay the bills you MIGHT not understand,but sockets come short long fat thin and often you might get in a tight spot with a 9/16 that you used 2 seconds ago and find you need one thats thin walled or deap or just 1/16 in. shorter. Put them on a peg board or in a box is your choice,but dont buy a cheap POS box,FILL it with tools and expect to be happy. Just my 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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