1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Top Chest Opinions

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by timgr, Feb 10, 2020.

  1. Feb 10, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    So I have a 26" Craftsman bottom chest I bought about 10 years ago. I was thinking to expand this chest with a top chest, and put away a bunch of tools I have laying around. I already have a different top/bottom 26" Craftsman combo for my primary tools.

    Lowes offers a Craftsman 26" top chest, either with 5 drawers and the traditional hinged top, or with 4 drawers and a taller "garage" in place of the top drawer, at a $50 premium.

    Harbor freight offers a similar top chest, but too deep for the standard bottom chest.

    So my options are a Craftsman top chest with a conventional top lid for $199, one fewer drawers with a "garage" at $249, or a complete top and bottom chest from Habor Freight at $500, $200 for the top and $300 for the bottom.

    Opinions/insights?
     
  2. Feb 10, 2020
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    I keep trying to talk myself into a HF box but just can't. I don't like the drawer set up (or lack of) on the 44" bottom box. I was there this weekend and measured the 44" box to see how the drawers would line up with my Craftsman bottom box (I'm weird that way) and noticed that the 44" wide bottom box only measures 42".

    I'll have to investigate the "garage" thing. Not familiar with it but, the compartment on top under the conventional lid....never found much use for it. With an intermediate box in between the bottom and my top box, I can't see what's in that top area under the lid.

    I will say that the HF boxes are priced right and I believe pretty well made actually. Roller bearing drawers are way better than the old slides. For 700 bucks, if it works for you, go for it.
     
  3. Feb 10, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Only thing I can really add is the conventional lid usually ends up as counter space for me then I have to move things to open it which is of course inconvenient. That garage space sounds interesting.
     
    baldjosh likes this.
  4. Feb 11, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    I always leave the conventional lid open on my Craftsman top box for convenience and all the sockets up there get dusty. We live in dust country, so "dusty" means covered in a quarter inch of silt. The "garage" would prevent that at least.

    I have a Harbor Freight lower I use as my nut/bolt/hardware storage. It's a well built box and I have no complaints with it.
     
  5. Feb 11, 2020
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,929
    The reviews on the HF boxes are good, depending on which one it is. Were it me it would depend on what you really want. My craftsman has the hinged lid and it stays up and open. I"m 5'6" and it is hard to see what is in it. So it has become a catchall of tool crap. I like the idea of the garage space top. I think this is what I'm going to go with when I get a bigger garage. I'd also use this as an excuse to get a new tool box and get new ones from HF. I'd put a workbench top on the current 26" chest and use it as a small workbench.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  6. Feb 11, 2020
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2003
    Messages:
    2,132
    The title of this thread had me puzzled.. But then again I'm still a 12 year old boy..
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
New Posts