Home Depot tool box combo. A piece of JUNK!

[John Schmidt]

I've been needing a larger tool box/roll around bottom for some time. Of course, my wife said if I didn't have every tool known to man it wouldn't be a problem. Well, it's not quite that bad but I do have a good collection. I'm 74 and didn't start wrenching just last year so you know by now it's overflowing my 26" chest which sits on a rolling cabinet. So, yesterday I went to Home Depot to pick up their 41" combo, having looked at it last week and measured available space in the garage. Got it home in my stepson's p/u, attached the casters and he and his wife slid it off onto the driveway. Rolled it in and pulled out one drawer to start transferring items. The drawer fell off the glides in my hand. I checked inside thinking maybe it hadn't been inserted into the glides originally, but no....the roller bearing strips were laying in the drawer. Then I discovered three of the drawers in the base section were that way. I worked for nearly three hours last night trying to reinsert those bearing strips, all to no avail. Tried again this morning with the same result. I didn't even bother to unpack the chest that sits on top, they just loaded it up and we hauled it back to Home Depot. The gal at the return desk asked what's wrong with it, told her it's a piece of junk and I'm not a junk dealer. She walked around the counter, commented it looked fine to her, then grabbed one drawer to look inside....that's when it came off in her hands. I had to explain to her why I couldn't fix it, nor did I want to bother with it anymore. She refunded my $423 w/tax.

Now, my problem is....I still need a good sized tool chest combo. This one was 41" long and was just the ticket for me, but I can't seem to find anything close to it for under $1k. Does anyone have a suggestion of where to look for one similar to the one in the link below? Preferably one where the drawers stay in place! 

Fortunately my stepson was here overnight so I didn't have to do any heavy lifting. Uncle Sam has already caused enough damage to the spine, and right now it's kicking my butt!


http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Tool-Storage-Tool-Chests/h_d1/N-5yc1vZc2gk/R-202033759/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

[bscrive]

The old saying 'you get what you pay for' is so true for tool boxes John.  I paid $800 for mine from a company in British Columbia called Apollo Tool boxes.  Really good quality.  Made for real mechanics with roller bearing drawers and double roller bearings on the large drawers.  The only other thing you can do is look for a used one in the classifieds and check it out before you buy it.   

[solo1]

I'm the same John in the fact that I too accumulated a lot of tools over the years.  Now that I'm in apartment I don't really use them as much.  However, my son Mark, a GM tech, outgrew his high quality Craftsman rollaround quickly and I've inherited it.  American made no less.

Mark has gone on to a mammoth Matco but the Craftsman will serve me well.  I'm also lucky that my garage is 27 feet deep so I can accommodate the tool box easily.

[hubcapsc]

This stainless Kobalt one from Lowe's doesn't suck too bad (hasn't come apart
in my hands yet  ) ... it is almost $800 after you add on the 41" base that is
also available... The top part, which is what I have, is about $280...



-Mike

[Robert]

So my 15k tool box is ok I guess   you know bragging rights. John I have a tool chest used in my garage it was my chest from Snap on its a roll around the dimensions are 25dx46hx65w the top is ok to work on. I have it in my garage and may be interested in parting with it. It is not perfect but presentable and for your info the back wheels on the thing are bent  and the top is bent down a bit all the drawers work and its a good box. When switching jobs the stupid tow driver let it roll down the flat bed and land on its back. I could use a smaller one for my garage a bit narrower so the wife could get the car in it. I have all my home stuff in it now.

[Valker]

+1 on the Kobalt stuff from Lowe's. It is made by Snap-On. It's not as good quality as the branded stuff, but it's a LOT cheaper.

[Master Blaster]

This stainless Kobalt one from Lowe's doesn't suck too bad (hasn't come apart
in my hands yet  ) ... it is almost $800 after you add on the 41" base that is
also available... The top part, which is what I have, is about $280...



-Mike

My Local Lowes has their large stainless Combo on sale, both top and bottom are around 800 for the combo.  I am sorely tempted, they look and feel really good.

[musclehead]

give me a holler John next time, I gotta pick up and a back in decent shape 

[Wolf1910]

   John....come on and let loose of some of that money    Let your friendly Matco dealer...that be me...hook u up on a box that will last you a lifetime ....

[John Schmidt]

Questions.....   

[John Schmidt]

   John....come on and let loose of some of that money    Let your friendly Matco dealer...that be me...hook u up on a box that will last you a lifetime ....

Too pricey for my fixed income wallet.    You see on the link what I'm looking for, and I'll use my plastic if it's a good deal. It's just that most tool outlets like Matco, SnapOn, etc., are way too high for me. But I'm always willing to listen. 

[John Schmidt]

give me a holler John next time, I gotta pick up and a back in decent shape 

I hear ya Tom.    Finally went to the gym today, had a light workout...less weight, fewer reps and sets. Back is feeling tired, but seems OK. I'll try it again Friday and if it's OK then, I should be able to work on my friend Steve's bike Saturday. If I do, you should come down and supervise.    Drives me nuts to not be able to do much of anything, and the afternoon TV sucks.

[BF]

John.......I'm very happy with my Craftsman boxes....my boxes at home and the ones I've got at work.  They're usually very reasoable when they're on sale.  Keep checking the sales flyers.  I've got one very similar to this one at home (I added a three draw middle box to it when I bought it)......

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-10-drawer-2-piece-limited-edition-ball/p-009CO50190901B?vName=Storage+%26+Garage&cName=Tool+Storage&sName=Chest+%26+Cabinet+Combos&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1

I've also got a ball bearing Craftsman box at work too that's holding up really well considering the neanderthals on my crew that work out of my tool box.  It's very similar to this box (it also has a one draw middle box added to it).....

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-22-drawer-40-in-ball-bearing-combo/p-009CO47211701B?vName=Storage+%26+Garage&cName=Tool+Storage&sName=Chest+%26+Cabinet+Combos&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1

[tank_post142]

heres a couple of boxes in your area:

http://lakeland.craigslist.org/tls/3089847923.html

http://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/3083251648.html

[R J]

This link for the above posting is exactly like my old box.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/3083251648.html

I've had it in my shop for God only knows how long.

I told my youngest boys oldest boy he could have it when Grandpa croaked.

His response, bless his heart, Grandpa you keep it and I'll get another one somewhere else, I don't want you to leave us.

Every time he wants to work on his Toyota (that little sports car version,) Supra or something along that nature.   All I know is it runs like a scalded dog, with the 6 cylinder in it.  Slightly modified I might add.     Only thing he has added is a posi rear end.  It was already built up in the engine department.

[YoungPUP]

The matco, and snap-on guys are the way to go.  I bought mine off the snap on truck a few years ago. He had taken it as a trade in.  Hunt them boys down and see what the have in the used and scratch and dent offerings. Also try Homak. Had them before my snapon http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200495264_200495264

[Jeff K]

I bought the blue one on the left off of Craigs List for $380 It was nearly new but had a little dent in the front. It was part of a divorce sale. It ain't snapon but its fine for a home shop. It's a upscale Craftsman.

I'd watch CL.

And yes, they are all three full of tools now. As you can see, the two on the right were overflowing. 

[GreenLantern57]

Find a Sear's outlet near you. Scratch and dent can get some bucks off.

[John Schmidt]

Find a Sear's outlet near you. Scratch and dent can get some bucks off.

Now why didn't I think of that? We have one no more than 3-4 miles up the road, that's where we got our fridge and dishwasher. Geez-o pete....as my granny used to say. 

Guess where I'm going to drop in tomorrow.....

[jer0177]

If you can squeeze 3 more inches, this one will fit and it's a pretty good box (I have this and the matching top box, and still not enough room for all my tools  ).

Full length ball bearing drawers (that are completely assembled when you get them  ), and they handle the weight very well - in the long top drawer I have a full tanker bar that's been cut in half, pickle forks, hammers, slide hammer, prybars, etc.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-cabinets-and-carts/44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-roller-cabinet-68784.html

[J.Mencalice]

Home Depot is the WalMart of hardware; cheap Chinese junk for the most part.
Check out estate sales, auctions, pawn shops and farm sales if you have the time and inclination.  If you know what you want and how much it is worth, you can find just about anything out there.
Craig's list is a good source if you research and time out buyers who may have something there for a long time without selling, but relisting regularly.  You have negotiating power there.  "Wanna sell it today?  Here's my offer.  No?  Well, how about....?  Ok, let me know if you change your mind."  Give it another few days and call back.  "Still got it?  How about....?"
Horse tradin' is still fun.

Like Kramer said: "Only suckers pay retail."

[sugerbear]

there always harborfreight.

i like my craftsman. catch them on sale or scratch and dent like was suggested.

[lee]

You mite want to try a used office equipment place if there is one close.  They make some heavy duty card file cabinets.
Can usually find for $50 to $100.  Thats what most of my tools are in.  Sit them on a $25 moving dolly and you got a good tool box.

[musclehead]

give me a holler John next time, I gotta pick up and a back in decent shape 

I hear ya Tom.    Finally went to the gym today, had a light workout...less weight, fewer reps and sets. Back is feeling tired, but seems OK. I'll try it again Friday and if it's OK then, I should be able to work on my friend Steve's bike Saturday. If I do, you should come down and supervise.    Drives me nuts to not be able to do much of anything, and the afternoon TV sucks.

I've got to button up my bike over the weekend, looks like I'll be gainfully employed next week. I'd like to do my commuting on my bike. I took a road test today in a short dump truck    I felt like I was in a bob tail.  I also did a UA today, so looks good to go....

[Slick]

If you can squeeze 3 more inches, this one will fit and it's a pretty good box (I have this and the matching top box, and still not enough room for all my tools  ).

Full length ball bearing drawers (that are completely assembled when you get them  ), and they handle the weight very well - in the long top drawer I have a full tanker bar that's been cut in half, pickle forks, hammers, slide hammer, prybars, etc.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-cabinets-and-carts/44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-roller-cabinet-68784.html

And with the 20% coupon thats always in there ad's, it makes this one really affordable--

[old2soon]

Most likely everywhere else as it is here-we have a LOT of mechanics out of work and they are selling off the stuff they USED to make a living with. I know it's sad as i used to turn a wrench back in the day. Check out your local pawn shops. Again knowing prices BEFORE you walk in the door helps. Sometimes as others have stated you can turn up some real gems at garage and yard sales. RIDE SAFE.

[wobray]

Sams Club has a really nice stainless steel one, usually.