Recommendation for Home Shop Tool Storage (rolling cart)?

[upallnight]

Hi all!
Had to move and rethinking my ski/bike tuning/work area. Thinking of getting some sort of "nice" cart that won't break the bank. Edit: I'm looking for the cart/drawers, not a table-top/working space. I have that piece.

Can anyone recommend a good storage solution fitting the following criteria?

• Roughly waist-high for a 6-footer, to slide under a work area <--Drawing attention to that last part; this is going UNDER the workspace, it is not THE workspace
• Wheels (preferred)
• No open storage — don't want wax scrapings and dust to collect
• Doesn't have a top that opens vertically — perhaps that is a non-issue if the cart has wheels & for infrequently used items?
• For HOME shop use — want something nice but not crazy over-built (& expen$$$ive)
• Likely to move with me a couple times in the next few years
• The top of my workspace is likely to be ~30" deep. I could expand that by 8-12" if it's really a problem.

I've seen stuff like this; it seems like a waste of money for the above scenario: some Snap-On cart.

Appreciate any ideas — or criteria I might have overlooked. Thanks!

[caulfield]

the thing you linked is available from any of the cheaper tool storage mfgrs

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-s...-cabinets.html

home depot has husky, lowes has kobalt and craftsman, pretty much all the same

the thing you'll run into is that they're mostly built to working height, so sliding them under a work bench requires a pretty tall bench

[adrenalated]

The cheap stuff from the box stores is perfectly fine for this scenario.

I've worked in shops with professional Vidmar etc tool cabinets. Are they nicer? Unquestionably. Are they worth the price for a home toolbox? Absolutely not.

I have both US General (Harbor Freight) and Husky (Home Depot) tool chests and both have lasted a number of years for home use with absolutely no issues.

[toast2266]

I got one from Costco a while back that has served me well. Wood top. A bunch of drawers underneath. On wheels. I want to say it was $300-ish.

[NBABUCKS1]

the thing you linked is available from any of the cheaper tool storage mfgrs

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-s...-cabinets.html

I second the harbor freight. I just bought the 5 drawer on 'black friday' for $189. They are bomber...and it's a tool cart.

[BigHerm]

Bought a 48" Husky a couple years back. Had it delivered and there was a forklift oopsie mark on the back. Home Depot made it right. I've been quite happy with it. Even bought a matching Husky adjustable work table as a computer desk.

[nickwm21]

I have a Husky. It’s good enough. I do like the integrated power strip on the side of it.


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[Jason4]

I have something like this that my wife got me for my birthday when it was ~40% off. The adjustable top is nice because you can lift it up and clamp your waxing clamps to it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-62...1MYS/302158736

[SnowMachine]

People seem to like the US General tool carts for this application. I had a MAC when I had my shop. I think it was about $1500 at the time. It was a great compliment to my tool box. I rolled it around with 90% of the tools I used daily and made very few trips back to my main box.

[XXX-er]

All this ^^ stuff looks pretty fucking expensive to me, when i couldn't have a real work bench cuz i was renting or whatever I just used a B&D workmate

I made a jig for skis and a way to chuck my park bike stand into the B&D

[spudbumkin]

If you are not opposed to Chinesium, Amazon has some rolling tool carts at reasonable prices.

https://a.co/d/9zSfN6L

[Eluder]

I've got this Husky, Its fine.

[Iowagriz]

I have the same as Eluder and have no complaints.

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[upallnight]

Thanks for the responses!

I second the harbor freight. I just bought the 5 drawer on 'black friday' for $189. They are bomber...and it's a tool cart.

Can you link to the one you have?

I have something like this that my wife got me for my birthday when it was ~40% off. The adjustable top is nice because you can lift it up and clamp your waxing clamps to it.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-62...1MYS/302158736

Man... that is $1,200. Also, I'm going to have a tabletop on sawhorses, so I don't want it to be the bench.

Doesn't really qualify as "won't break the bank" (to me).

People seem to like the US General tool carts for this application. I had a MAC when I had my shop. I think it was about $1500 at the time. It was a great compliment to my tool box. I rolled it around with 90% of the tools I used daily and made very few trips back to my main box.

Checked out the HF ones. They seem to be 175#. Is that not overkill for ski and bike tools? Seems like at that weight (even with rollers) dealing with future moves is annoying, at a minimum.

All this ^^ stuff looks pretty fucking expensive to me, when i couldn't have a real work bench cuz i was renting or whatever I just used a B&D workmate

I made a jig for skis and a way to chuck my park bike stand into the B&D

Yeah.... even $400-500 is pricey. Why are these sooooo heavy?

I've got this Husky, Its fine.

I think that is 220 pounds. Is that necessary for this purpose? (Sincere question)

If you are not opposed to Chinesium, Amazon has some rolling tool carts at reasonable prices.

https://a.co/d/9zSfN6L

I'm not opposed to where it comes from. I'm more focused on getting the right item. Does anyone need something so (heavy/expensive) for ski/bike tools and basic shop stuff (drills, impact wrench, etc)?

Help!

Thank you!

[EWG]

Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist.

I have some older craftsmans that are excellent. I also have a newer Kobalt which is nearly as good. Anything decent quality will work for home use. But people barely use them and get rid of them all the time. Used is pretty easy.

[Jason4]

If it's just for waxing/tuning tools then maybe you need something more like this (wait for 40% off deal):
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52...2BJ2/311742117
Plus this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2...4067/320483663

It might help if you give more specific budget targets and as always, you can stretch your dollar much further by shopping used.

[toast2266]

I'm not opposed to where it comes from. I'm more focused on getting the right item. Does anyone need something so (heavy/expensive) for ski/bike tools and basic shop stuff (drills, impact wrench, etc)?

Help!

Thank you!

Define "need."

This is the tech forum. We obviously need lots of tools. Which means we need a nice place to store them.

As for the weight, heavy is durable and stable. Light is flimsy and disposable. Heavy is good.

[upallnight]

If it's just for waxing/tuning tools then maybe you need something more like this (wait for 40% off deal):
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52...2BJ2/311742117
Plus this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2...4067/320483663

It might help if you give more specific budget targets and as always, you can stretch your dollar much further by shopping used.

Sorry! You made me realize that that my initial post had some ambiguity. I'm not looking for the table/working surface — I'm looking for a (rolling) chest/drawers for my tools to fit under it. I'll edit the OP for clarity.

Define "need."

This is the tech forum. We obviously need lots of tools. Which means we need a nice place to store them.

As for the weight, heavy is durable and stable. Light is flimsy and disposable. Heavy is good.

Yeah, but hundreds of pounds for a chest of drawers for home use is so f-ing seriously overbuilt (and expensive) as to be silly. I can see if I didn't put anything constraints in my post how that would be an answer.

We're not talking about a 10# Ikea piece, but there's a huge gap between that and, say, the Husky at 226 pounds (I think that's what it is).

Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist.

I have some older craftsmans that are excellent. I also have a newer Kobalt which is nearly as good. Anything decent quality will work for home use. But people barely use them and get rid of them all the time. Used is pretty easy.

Good point. Unfortunately I don't live in a major metro with a ton of traffic for that sort of thing, but you never know.

[adrenalated]

Why are these sooooo heavy?

Because they're big fucking boxes made out of fucking steel. And yes... steel is expensive. But since you originally linked a $3700 Snap On tool cabinet I figured a $450 Husky would seem affordable?

Anyway the Husky one someone else linked was the "heavy duty" one which is, you know, heavy duty. The one I have in my garage is this one:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-46...9V18/318819159
The tabletops on them are actually pretty nice - nicer than setting a board on sawhorses, that's for sure. But attaching a ski vise will take some creativity.
The 46" for me is the right size for a basic set of bike tools, a basic set of ski tuning tools, and a few other random things.

Then out in my shop I have a big stacker US General (top and bottom chest) that has all my shit for working on cars and such. It weighs well north of 1000lbs loaded and I moved it twice across the state last year. That was fun.

In any case if you want cheaper options:
-buy a steel tool chest, but smaller
-buy a "tool cart" type product: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-28...2DMC/205884053 yep, less storage, that's why they're cheaper
-get some pegboard and hang your shit on the wall
-buy a big box ready to assemble kitchen cabinet with drawers and some drawer organizers, slap a piece of plywood on the top and bottom, then attach some casters to the bottom.

[NBABUCKS1]

here ya go.

people love them on the harbor freight reddit. Also they may have deeper cabinets then some of the huskys I was looking at

https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-...lue-64031.html

[nickwm21]

Get a plastic drawer cart from Sterilite or Rubbermaid if you’re concerned about cost and weight.


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[upallnight]

Get a plastic drawer cart from Sterilite or Rubbermaid if you’re concerned about cost and weight.


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Like, is there NO middle ground?

4# or 200#?

$15 and $500 - $3,500? :-)

[upallnight]

Because they're big fucking boxes made out of fucking steel. And yes... steel is expensive. But since you originally linked a $3700 Snap On tool cabinet I figured a $450 Husky would seem affordable?

Anyway the Husky one someone else linked was the "heavy duty" one which is, you know, heavy duty. The one I have in my garage is this one:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-46...9V18/318819159
The tabletops on them are actually pretty nice - nicer than setting a board on sawhorses, that's for sure. But attaching a ski vise will take some creativity.
The 46" for me is the right size for a basic set of bike tools, a basic set of ski tuning tools, and a few other random things.

Then out in my shop I have a big stacker US General (top and bottom chest) that has all my shit for working on cars and such. It weighs well north of 1000lbs loaded and I moved it twice across the state last year. That was fun.

In any case if you want cheaper options:
-buy a steel tool chest, but smaller
-buy a "tool cart" type product: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-28...2DMC/205884053 yep, less storage, that's why they're cheaper
-get some pegboard and hang your shit on the wall
-buy a big box ready to assemble kitchen cabinet with drawers and some drawer organizers, slap a piece of plywood on the top and bottom, then attach some casters to the bottom.

Fair. I did link that $3,500 just as an illustration of the insanity for *home* needs. Does one need a full steel box? No aluminum that is cheaper/lighter/beefy enough for home use?

I see what you are saying about the tabletops, however.... I already have the boards/sawhorses setup — easy to take down if I need to, and a couple turns of the screw makes the boards pretty stable... at least for any basic shop activities (ski tuning, drilling, etc). Don't need something rooted to the earth for that, esp renting/moving.

here ya go.

people love them on the harbor freight reddit. Also they may have deeper cabinets then some of the huskys I was looking at

https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-...lue-64031.html

Thank you! Looks great, but the top-loading top shelf is suboptimal for under-the-workbench storage.

[snowaddict91]

I think $500 is the middle ground. I also have the Husky Eluder linked, having a benchtop that rolls around can be pretty nice depending on your situation.

I moved mine full of tools from UT to CO a few years ago, don't think it was any worse than moving any of my furniture, I mean, it has wheels.

[toast2266]

Fair. I did link that $3,500 just as an illustration of the insanity for *home* needs. Does one need a full steel box? No aluminum that is cheaper/lighter/beefy enough for home use?

Aluminum would be way more expensive.

150-200 lbs doesn't really strike me as being all that heavy for a big metal box. The wood top on some of those cabinets probably weighs 60lbs by itself. And once it's loaded up with wrenches and tools, the whole thing could easily weigh 4-500lbs.

It had just never occurred to me to even look at the weight of a rolling tool chest. Are you planning on regularly lifting it or something?