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I'm looking for a (hopefully Aluminum) rolling tool cabinet that meets these criteria:
* 4-5 drawers
* 18-22 inches wide, 12-18in deep, nore more than 31-32 tall
* Not so heavy
I've found this: http://www.toolboxesdirect.com/tool-...lercabinet.cfm
But it seems awfully spendy for a box that's also going to be so heavy I can't personally lift it into the SUV/Truck, etc.
Thoughts?
I find decent selections of these kinds of cabinets at various stores. Harbor Freight has them (cheap both ways) and light, Northern Tool slightly better and more expensive options, and Craftsmen at Sears usually has a good selection, and quality, but I wait for the sales. Your local Costco also always seems to have one or two now, but they are usually the big ones, not cheap, but a decent deal for what you're getting.
Thanks.
I checked both of those out yesterday. Mostly, the smallest sizes are too large, and certainly too heavy. 100+ lbs before tools is common. No way I can dead lift that, which is a requirement.
If you modify the chest so that the drawers will come out, then you can remove each drawer before lifting it and lift one drawer at a time.
Won't a rolling tool chest fit into your enclosed trailer (that you'll be getting)?
Other options for loading into pickup include lift gate and crane arm.
Other options: weight room; get his wife to lift itQuote:
Originally Posted by Sean Gurevich
I think it might be tough to find a light one that would last. I would first look into the fabrication of an inexpensive ramp for loading.
Yea, yea, bad back and all...Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh Henke
Kennedy is one of the top tool box brands
Just get one of these Jim !
http://i21.geccdn.net/site/images/large/241660.jpg
http://www.northerntool.com/images/p...74_700x700.jpg
Perhaps you should just break down & buy a nice enclosed trailer with a rear ramp door???
And a new vehicle to pull it with...Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Klindworth
I want one made of aluminum!
you should build one with your mad aluminum welding skills ! :)
Visit
Liberty Division Commercial
1729 N Westmoreland Rd, Dallas, TX 75212 » Map(214) 637-3326
and buy your aluminum at scrap prices :)
That's where we bought aluminum sheets & aluminum 'angle iron' for our '57 Lonestar boat repairs a few decades ago.
They had a pretty good selection & sold it by the pound
how much can you lift? my little 3 drawer craftsman toolbox was close to 100lbs fully loaded with tools. Even if you found a rolling tool chest that weighed almost nothing, it'd still be at least 100lbs with tools.
I figured about 100lbs all-in was where I wanted to be, total. I don't carry as many tools as you do, and my current little roller is about 60 or so loaded, just not big enough. All of the tool chests in the sizes I'm shopping start at around 90-130lbs *empty*, so that's where the non-starter comes from.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Gilliland
Jim...just my opinion and what I do...I carry one of these...I can lift it and it has all my tools. I bag or case them by type...screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. It is easy to load, pull anywhere.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-2...3#.UoDv_3BQZEM
honestly, even the small Snap-on top box full of tools is heavier than i wanted to lift, specially after the races.
do your self and your friends a favor and buy one with wheels, even if you have to use different ramps on your trailer for it...
i bought mine from Napa ($450 ish)and have had good luck with it, craftsman also make a reasonably nice one,ive yet to see an aluminum one , i doubt the weight difference is worth the extra cash,and i believe the tools are the biggest contributor to the final weight.carrying and extra set of sockets prolly makes up the difference :/
http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225...8y3-C3_Kaw.jpg
I don't even want to carry this after it is filled with tools.
I don't blame you. It looks toxic!Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon Orr
I don't have that many tools, but I was hoping to consolidate my two spares & fasteners containers, warmers & extension cords, plus my small complement of tools, which has already been selected down to only the exact ones I could possibly use on my motorcycle only in a given weekend. (that was a huge weight saver, btw.)
I don't bring a socket set, I bring only the ones I use on the motorcycle. I couldn't believe what a difference going through my tools and doing that did to my weight in the current box.
I have a fairly lightweight Craftsman with wheels that I plan to use next year (I planned to set it up this year). The first thing I am going to do is organize the tools by priority and weed out things I never use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Dugger
I was actually thinking about the Stanley FatMax rolling tool box from Home Depot. It's light because it's plastic, but I guess if you don't go crazy on packing it to the gills with tools the fact that it is plastic won't matter much:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-F...a#.UoE15eKzJI0
The tool case companies could learn a few things from the Audio rack manufacturers. Durable, waterproof, highly quality systems designed to haul and protect very delicate gear are commonplace.
http://www.skbcases.com/music/produc...t=1&c=121&s=81
I'm actually thinking about an aluminum roadrack with Aluminum drawers. I bet I can get something in the 50lb range that way...
Yeah, allot of lighting techs on our tours have their own tool / parts case made by Kangaroo, Calzone/Anvil, etc.
http://www.kangaroocases.com/
http://www.calzoneandanvil.com/
Now, you're talking big time.
Not sure if it'd do what you want but this Bosch modular system that has stackable drawers and can be 'broken down' into modules of manageable weight for transport is a neat concept.
Took me awhile to find it but the drawer dimensions seem to be on the order of 12.25" x 14" x height that varies.
Not too many drawer options unfortunately, but the dolly base adds a lot of options for 'multiple stacks' that could be handy.
video in this link gives an idea of the size and basically how it works
http://www.coptool.com/bosch-l-rack-...torage-system/
source and pricing info here
http://www.ohiopowertool.com/m-443-b...ge-system.aspx
The older I get the more attactive these things with smaller footprints and modules that are reasonable (loaded) size/weight become. Wish I knew of a place locally to see/feel this system. Rotomolded is OK by me but not any plastic that feels like it would crack if dropped from carry height.
Please post up if your research leads you to other modular systems with a rolling base and stackable drawers - I'd definitely be interested.
I almost bought this one. The ones I saw at Home Depot seemed kind of flimsy...most on display had an issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by David Tiede
I like their flat case...I have all my tools and spare nuts/bolts/small parts. Very happy with it. My bike parts are in my dad's Craftsman boxes (sentimental reasons). If I did not have these boxes, I would have a second Stanley case.
DittoQuote:
Originally Posted by Heinz Roy
I have a FatMax and have hauled it around for about a year now. No issues. Price is right.Quote:
Originally Posted by Heinz Roy
I think this is the best compromise... a lot more space than a small tool box but much lighter than a tool chest/cart, and you can still wheel it around.Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl Price
I'm going to check out the fatmax, but I'm also pricing out a 14-space aluminum rack with a 4-space drawer, 2 3-space drawers, and 2 2-space drawers. All metal, with casters, will come in at about 45lbs unloaded. Looks to cost about the same as some of the Kennedy units.
Compact, too...
i had a couple of these on duty for my shop hands for installation purposes...Quote:
Originally Posted by David Tiede
they did really well, the first thing that went was the wheels,but attribute that to operator not giving a crap about them and dropping it out of the delivery van and ram in it into the stepped entry ways we often work at.
i think they will perform very well for you Jim.
in fact, i'm pretty sure ill be using them next year as i'm also trying to make room in trailer..