Tool Chest

[Sterob]

I'm thinking of buying a metal tool chest that all the Auto Parts Stores seem to sell these days.
I can't anything now as its all in an old cupboard.
I want 'more' rather 'less' number of drawers. ( 7 seems to be the most I've seen. )
Needs to be robust and I'm willing to spend $500-600 on the right one,b ut if I can find what I want for less, thats good.:)
Does anyone have a recommendation? Kingcrome any good?
I want to store lathe tools and accessories, sockets, dremel and kits, battery drills, etc

They have a wood tool trolly for $399 but not sure it would be strong enough or the draws would fit well......
( I have one of their wooden tool chests.....)

Local shop doesn't have any stock so have to order sight-unseen.
Postage costs for one would be huge, I think if I had to order from out of town....

This seems to be the most expensive, so I assume, its the best that this shop sells.

[Ueee]

Hi,
I looked at getting something like this too, before i built one from some old units out of a shop fit. http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/your-latest-project-121056/index39.html#post1570412
In the end i came to the decision that the 600mm wide ones like you picture are just too small. To go to the next width up the cost is just ridiculous, you can easy spend over 1K on just a toolbox. Even mine at 1200? wide is already full, it is amazing when you put all your tooling in one place just how much space it takes up. If you are not up to making one from scratch, maybe a kit type kitchen/laundry unit from bunnings may be a good starting point, get some runners like these Full Extension Drawer Runner - MAXISALE (http://www.maxisale.com.au/full-extension-drawer-runner.html) and make some drawers to suit. Of course this means the drawers can be made around your tools to, so you don't have wasted space.

[Sterob]

Hi,
I looked at getting something like this too, before i built one from some old units out of a shop fit. http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/your-latest-project-121056/index39.html#post1570412
In the end i came to the decision that the 600mm wide ones like you picture are just too small. To go to the next width up the cost is just ridiculous, you can easy spend over 1K on just a toolbox. Even mine at 1200? wide is already full, it is amazing when you put all your tooling in one place just how much space it takes up. If you are not up to making one from scratch, maybe a kit type kitchen/laundry unit from bunnings may be a good starting point, get some runners like these Full Extension Drawer Runner - MAXISALE (http://www.maxisale.com.au/full-extension-drawer-runner.html) and make some drawers to suit. Of course this means the drawers can be made around your tools to, so you don't have wasted space.


Yes, I see what you mean....I want one like yours now.....lol

I'll look in Bunnings and see what they offer.

[bollie7]

Keep you eyes out for some of these. I think they are called "cheque drawers"
I have three sets, all different heights. I think I paid about $200 each for two sets at auction and about $300 for the other set at a tender centre.
For one set I have made up a chassis with casters on it and I keep my mill and lathe tooling in it.
regards
bollie7

[Bryan]

I have a "Kincrome" and a "Dual Power". They are identical except the Dual Power was much cheaper. Not sure of the price now but I think it was maybe $400 delivered. Got it from a crowd in Sydney. Could have been these guys: http://www.crazysales.com.au/bargains/16-drawer-tool-chest , though they're not showing prices right now. It is cheap & cheerful stuff. Which is fine - just don't pay extra for a badge.

243578

[Pat]

Maxim toolboxes (http://justprotools.com.au/) from epay (http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1311&_nkw=maxim+toolbox&_sacat=0&_from=R40).

I have had my 42" Tool chest (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAXIM-42-Tool-Chest-on-Cabinet-Box-Toolbox-Snap-Lock-Drawers-/330733748935?pt=AU_Tool_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d014482c7) for a year or so and cannot fault it.

[Sterob]

Bollie-They are certainly right for the job, and good value. I've never seen anything like that around here. Don't like my chances of finding any, either...lol

Bryan- The Dual Power boxes may be an option,if postage is not a killer ( probably will be. I'm 200 km south of Perth )

Pat- I like the 'wide' option. The more I think about it the wider I want it....


Forgot about H&F but I am not confident of a cheap option.


Thanks for all the suggestions guys.


I quite like this:
MAXIM 42" Tool Cabinet Box Toolbox Chest Trolley Roller | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAXIM-42-Tool-Cabinet-Box-Toolbox-Chest-Trolley-Roller/261025564778?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=016&category=42361&cmd=ViewItem#ht_7434wt_1139)

[rodm]

Supercheap have one on sale at the moment. Roller cabinet plus chest for $499.

[Sterob]

Supercheap have one on sale at the moment. Roller cabinet plus chest for $499.


Thanks Rod. A good size and cheap enough. I'll go and have a look.

[Sterob]

I quite like this:
MAXIM 42" Tool Cabinet Box Toolbox Chest Trolley Roller | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MAXIM-42-Tool-Cabinet-Box-Toolbox-Chest-Trolley-Roller/261025564778?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=016&category=42361&cmd=ViewItem#ht_7434wt_1139)


I got a quote for a Maxim chest- $90 to Perth. Not bad except I'm not in Perth....lol

[Dave J]

I have been seriously thinking about the Maxim $1399 combo with side chest and side cupboard. I did message him about 2 side chests instead but he gave me a price of 1349 plus post, not sure whats going on there.

I have looked at the coloured ones from supercheap and they look and feel good quality, but you loose the advertised room because of the box corners and the sides are recessed in, making the draws smaller.

Don't take the price to be better quality, in my research over the past few weeks I have seen plenty of tool boxes the same for all sorts of different prices. One thing to look for is the weight of it, that will at least tell you something about how it's made.

A few years back I bought a 41-42 inch supercheap tool box for $500 as a machining chest. I now wish I had bought 2 because they are not a bad box. I see they have the same colour ones in there from time to time but have cut down the size in width, less drawers, but charge the same price.

Dave

[Dave J]

Keep you eyes out for some of these. I think they are called "cheque drawers"
I have three sets, all different heights. I think I paid about $200 each for two sets at auction and about $300 for the other set at a tender centre.
For one set I have made up a chassis with casters on it and I keep my mill and lathe tooling in it.
regards
bollie7

When was it you wanted help moving, I could just leave one of them in the trailer and bring it home, LOL
Seriously though, great score. You pay big money for those new these days. I just bought a few steel cabinets and there nothing like the brown built ones of the old days that my grandfather had.

Dave

[rogerbaker]

Keep you eyes out for some of these. I think they are called "cheque drawers" I have three sets, all different heights. I think I paid about $200 each for two sets at auction and about $300 for the other set at a tender centre. For one set I have made up a chassis with casters on it and I keep my mill and lathe tooling in it. regards bollie7

These cabinets can often be found at s/h office furniture outlets.

Roger

[danny.s]

Anyone interested in the Kincrome ones should check out a couple of Bunnings stores. Looks like they might be clearing them off the floor because they all have those yellow sale price tickets we love so much. Some decent reductions.

For anyone in Melbourne Kincrome have a factory outlet in Scoresby which has some great bargains from time to time.

No association, just like blue tools.

Danny

[snowyskiesau]

I bought a Maxim 42" combination set about 18 months ago in Sydney and brought it down to Tassie.
It survived the trip and living in the back of the van for 12 of those 18 months with no damage or breakages at all, apart from the expected scratches.
I can't remember exactly home much I spent but around $1300 seems to ring a bell.

Another thread on the Maxims, here. (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f245/maxim-toolboxes-133883/)

[Dave J]

The Maxim site states Western Australia
$80 (36% off, normally $125) - Pick up from Welshpool Depot only, Pickup available approximately 10 working days after being shipped.
$119 (30% off, normally $169) - Delivery to Door - Perth & Surrounding Suburbs & Fremantle. We have a specialist Transport Company to Perth. Delivery to your door is 10 to 15 working days.

Dave

[Dave J]

Link
42" Series | Just Pro Tools (http://justprotools.com.au/42-series)

Dave

[Sterob]

I bought a Maxim 42" combination set about 18 months ago in Sydney and brought it down to Tassie.
It survived the trip and living in the back of the van for 12 of those 18 months with no damage or breakages at all, apart from the expected scratches.
I can't remember exactly home much I spent but around $1300 seems to ring a bell.

Another thread on the Maxims, here. (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f245/maxim-toolboxes-133883/)


That's what's known is the business as a 'corker'.....lol
I like it....

Blackwoods sell one by JBS. emailed for a price. A Blackwoods in Bunbury, so a 3 hour trip to pick up....not bad.

[Dave J]

My Maxim one will be here on Friday and I will be giving it a good going over, so will let you know what the quality is like from them.
I bought my last 41inch supercheap one for my tools but it ended up being my machinist box.:doh:
Another thing to look for in a tool box is the draw depth, it's no use having deep draws for spanners and sockets, they need to be shallow.

I have looked all around Newcastle as well as online and think the Maxim tool boxes come out on top.

Dave

[Sterob]

My Maxim one will be here on Friday and I will be giving it a good going over, so will let you know what the quality is like from them.
I bought my last 41inch supercheap one for my tools but it ended up being my machinist box.:doh:
Another thing to look for in a tool box is the draw depth, it's no use having deep draws for spanners and sockets, they need to be shallow.

I have looked all around Newcastle as well as online and think the Maxim tool boxes come out on top.

Dave


Thanks Dave, that would be great. I'm still looking and am confronted with huge prices or small units.....expected, I guess...lol

I got a quote from Blackwoods...over $2000! ( JBS )
A mob in Bunbury called Instant Racking sell a Welders tool trolley pair and they are about $1300. ( they sell a 52" version as well....didn't price that one.....)
Bunnings sell these two, but I have yet to see them in the flesh.
244765

Price is ok, but like you said, the draw may be too deep for the small stuff.....

A local Auto Parts store guy is a mate, but he quoted me $130 more than Bunnings, for both......dunno.

To get anything posted to me will be a real pain...
The search continues.
Steve

[Sterob]

The Maxim site states Western Australia
$80 (36% off, normally $125) - Pick up from Welshpool Depot only, Pickup available approximately 10 working days after being shipped.
$119 (30% off, normally $169) - Delivery to Door - Perth & Surrounding Suburbs & Fremantle. We have a specialist Transport Company to Perth. Delivery to your door is 10 to 15 working days.

Dave


And a 400km drive to pick it up...
My problem is that I have been going to Perth multiple times for appointments for the last 12 months ( don't need to go anymore ) and I am reluctant to go AGAIN....lol
But not completely off the table....

[Dave J]

Ask them about to your door delivery, it might not be that much more. At least you will know there freight price to know if they are in the picture.
I found they answered questions pretty quick.

Dave

[Sterob]

Ask them about to your door delivery, it might not be that much more. At least you will know there freight price to know if they are in the picture.
I found they answered questions pretty quick.

Dave


They don't do it. Only to Perth address.
Which model are you getting Dave?

[Dave J]

I am getting the 76 inch 33 draw combo, you can see it in the link below (3rd one down) as well as a screw driver rack for the side. At 284kg it's a lot of toolbox for the money.
42" Series | Just Pro Tools (http://justprotools.com.au/42-series)
From what I have looked at even the 42 inch combo is a good price and weighs 190 odd kg's.
I was looking at the office city's 46 and 58inch tool boxes over here where I bought my racking from that are $1500 and $2000, but they only have 22 and 26 draws and only weigh 180 and 220kg, so a lot lighter than the Maxim ones for the size as well as more expensive. They also only have single draw slides.
Office City (http://www.officecity.com.au/content/pallet_rack.htm) (towards bottom)
I am chasing lots of shallow draws as I find they are more handy. You do need some deep ones for air tools etc, but 6 or so covers that.

I am not sure if you have seen it but this thread below has a lot of tool boxes we have over here
Tool chest review - Sears, Tractor Supply, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight - The Garage Journal Board (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153445)
It gives a look at some of the quality issues.

Dave

[Sterob]

Has your Maxim's turned up yet Dave? Keen to hear what you think of it.

I dropped into Bunnings today to view the Kincrome set. Not very impressive in the flesh....lol
Seems a bit flimsy. and the draws are not very long.
They had a Sidchrome set there are well .$1600 for the pair. Alot more draws than the Kincrome set and better built, but ALOT higher price....

Not sure if I want to spend *that* much....lol

Still thinking.....

Steve

[Dave J]

Hi Steve,
It did turn up on Friday, sorry for the delay. The delivery guy backed out of my driveway and took out the side of the 6 month old VW LWB van, oops. I did tape the mirror back on for him to get back to Sydney.

It came well packed with really thick cardboard. The weight was the weight with the box and it's about 10kg less (top and bottom box)once unpacked.
It is made out of good thickness sheet metal and is a lot thicker than my sons Sidchrome tool chest. The first thing I noticed was a few flap disk marks under the paint where some spot welds where, but these might stand out a bit more being black. It also has a few eyes in the paint here and there from not being cleaned properly before painting. Overall the paint is good and I am just being picky as I spent so much.

The handles are a bit cheesy being made out of tube S/S tiged onto L shaped sheet. Some of the flap disking on them was rough.

The wheels attach to a box section not a channel as pictured in the listing which is a lot stronger. I moved it when full and the wheels will embed stuff into the tyre. One thing I had to add was spring washers as they are not supplied.

The ball slides seem to work fine but I notice the draws do not come out full length but stop short around 35mm back. Also the draws are only 400mm long in the 450mm cabinet.
The draw runners just clip in and are not riveted like others in the link I gave above.

The side cabinets went on no problems but attach to nothing at the bottom. In the link below from the US they have a nutsert in the bottom to hold it to the main cabinet.
Harbor Freight Tool Chest (http://www.mini-lathe.com/Reviews/HF_tool_chest/hf_toolchest.htm)
I think I will add 2 either side at the bottom.

The foam looks and feels cheap but at least you get some.

The lock system seems to work fine.

The Maxim badge get given to you with a safety sticker in a zip lock bag, so they are just importing them and supplying the badges separately to name them. I have left mine off.

The struts on the lid are a nice touch but do take up room when closed. Same as a 50 odd mm box built over the lock mechanism in the top, it also takes up that bit of room.

I was disappointed to see a 60 inch tool chest in the brochure they sent with it, it's 600mm deep with 32 or 37 draw option for $2000. I would have bought that if I had seen it as I have filled mine and need more room, but to bad now as this is a once in a life time buy for me. I worked out the face area and it was only around 0.01 of square meters extra compared to my whole combo, but it was the depth where you gain with another 0.3 of a cubic meter. I went back and looked on there website and only found it in the video.

I was worried about the weight with the 2 side chests and sent them 2 messages on 2 different days about buying a couple more castor's and with a bit of feed back on the screw driver rack not lining up with the 6 hole handle system and it not fitting over the lip on the side chest. That was Saturday and Sunday and still no reply, so I guess they have my money now.

Would I buy it again, no I would go for the 60 inch with a side chest, LOL, but there is nothing wrong with this box other than size for me. It does concern me that they have not responded to my emails when there where so quick before the sale, what happens if you have a real problem as they have not opened the boxes to check them, they where factory sealed.

Dave

[Sterob]

Thanks Dave. A real honest review.
I guess they are all compromises in some way.
I might just get the sidchrome pair, as I have some vouchers I can use to offset the price somewhat, and Bunnings is close to pick them up.
I *hope* I don't have as much stuff as you...lol

Steve

[Dave J]

Just asked my son for feed back on his $2600 (with tools in top chest) Sidchrome chest.
Just watch the Sidchrome box, my sons has come apart in the bottom corners just from wheeling it around work for 1 1/2 years. Looking at the bottom corners it only has a tack weld.

Wheels are hard plastic and jamb on almost anything.

The U shaped piece that holds the wheels caved in a bit which made the wheels buckled.

The struts are crap that hold the lid. If you don't push it more than half way it wont hold the lid up.

He is an auto elec and not a mechanic, but they pull cars apart anyway.

Dave

[Sterob]

Ok....To plan 'G' then.....lol

[Dave J]

It is a really hard choice, and if you spend money you want it to last. I had a look at the supercheap kingchrome copy and they seemed OK if you can ft all your gear in there. At one stage I was going to buy 3 of them as they where on special for $499 top and bottom together at one store, but the next week they where in the catalog for $599.

Dave

[Dave J]

Hi Steve,
My son and I where at supercheap today and had some spare time so we had a look at the Caliber tool boxes for you.
(page 4)
Super Cheap Auto Catalogues (http://catalogue.supercheapauto.com.au/catalogue/supercheap-auto-catalogue-christmas-most-wanted/4skz71pic.html?pid=promotedCatalogue#pageNo=4)

They look like a great tool box, made out of thick steel, the draws have 2 pressed squares in the bottom which makes them even stronger.

The draw slides are like mine and my sons Sidchrome box, but work better than mine as the draw comes completely out with the back of the draw flush with the front of the box.

The struts in the top are short and don't take up much room, and the box section covering the lock mechanism is at the back out of the way.

They have plastic protection corners on both top and bottom which is similar to the Sidchrome boxes, so a knock on the corner is not going to be any where near paint.

The boxes felt solid had nice paint (choice of colours) and over all I would highly recommend them if thats the size you are after. From the pushing and pulling on them I think if they where dropped from say 3-400mm it would not hurt them (not that you would)

As for the wheels and what support there is underneath I have no idea as they where not fitted, I also never got to look under them as they where assembled on the floor with top box attached.

I hope this helps in your search for a good box.

Dave

[DSEL74]

Bunnings are clearing out the old stock of Kincrome as new models are coming in I saw a long 8 chest about 1200mm long was $319 now $225, aid the could still do better. It's 44kg.

Total Tools also have a good range of brand and alternate options.

[Sterob]

Thanks Guys. I'm going to Bunbury tomorrow, so I'll have a look in SuperCheap and Bunnings again. There's one at the Racking Supplier to look at as well, but that has cupboard(s) that I don't really want.
The Kinchrome ones I saw were significantly smaller than the Sidchrome boxes and had less draws......
Can't wait to finally decide....lol


Steve

[Dave J]

Supercheap catalog ends tomorrow.

Dave

[marty989]

I know this is a bit of a thread resurrection but I just wanted to say thanks to the forum and those that contributed to this thread and the other Maxim one. Based on the info and advice given in these threads I had two Maxim toolboxes arrive today and couldn't be happier :2tsup:

[Dave J]

Maxim contacted me not long after I posted the right up here, glad it helped you out.

Dave

[Sick Puppy]

Thank you all for the posts and information here - I am considering buying a tool chest in the near future, and Maxim are in the top two or three choices I have at the moment.

Has anyone had any dealings with Total Tools? They have a store close to me, and their boxes are allegedly made by 1-11 - they look / feel good, but nice shiny new ones in the shop are a tad different to once they been used and abused for a while.

I dithered for a while over the Aldi tool chest that came up last month, but I figured that would be a hiding to nothing. Saw one at $150 though that seriously tempted me as a cheapo option :)

[Dave J]

Just an update, when I moved I removed all the draws and replacing them in a hurry I damaged a few bearing tracks.
I contacted Just Pro and bought some spare runners at very reasonable prices compared to other sellers on ebay.

Dave

[CLOUTZ]

Just wondering how everyone's Maxim gear is holding up after having it for a while?
Looking at getting this combo http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230791941147 as it's just the right size and has everything I want. Not being able to see them before buying I thought I would find some people who actually have the things.
Basically just want to make sure they aren't a rubbish product before I shell out $$ for it. Maybe someone could throw a magnet on their door to see if they are actually SS?
Also they are only going in my shed to help tidy the place up, so it's not as though I am going to be using the things day in day out.

Thanks for any help :2tsup:

Edit: Ok didn't see everyone's pics before, looks like you all have the tool boxes rather than the cabinets

[keltrader]

Last week I purchased this machinist cabinet on eBay. I hoped http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/20/53989a11e510a2da94e13c595b4ea044.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/20/89dcd086370bf716fe08093b3f652116.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/20/13cd02fde929f1f8effaaebdafe5f57b.jpgthat it was solid and functional. I wasn't disappointed. I've looked for a makers name but found none. I wonder if it's been made as a one off. Can any one shed some light on its origin or thoughts on its possible history.



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[snapatap]

I have seen a few cabinets like that around. The TAFE I went to had few to keep the tooling for their bridgeports in. I recon they are a great idea. I plan to make a heavy duty one to keep my accessories for my mill in one day.