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Motronic posted:My direct and recent experience tells me you're wrong here about the Icons. So I'd suggest taking a stumble through harbor freight again in close proximity to a time you can get near tool truck boxes, as well a literally just looking underneath the drawers of a US General and then an Icon. And then looking at the sheet metal gauges. There is no mistaking one for the other in any way shape or form. I know this because I just went through this decision making matrix, where I concluded that for my needs US General was going to be fine and then scored a 54" open box/floor model top and bottom during their parking lot sale for under $1k. I would have had to spend about $4k to get the same thing in the Icon series. And while very nice, it is also very unnecessary for a static toolbox that will never be moved loaded nor counted on as a secure storage container in some space I don't control access to. Thanks, that's some good insight. I haven't gone after the HF toolboxes with a mic so I can't say that I have good firsthand experience of their construction, and I probably will do that before I buy anything. Getting access to the truck products is harder, which is mostly why I'm asking here. The school has a couple of old Snap-On boxes in the shop, but I don't know anyone who sells or uses Mac or Matco to be able to check them out for myself. I'm going to try to contact trucks in my area and see if any of them work on the weekends, but until I find someone who'll let me check out the product I only have other people's opinions and public information to go off of.
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Sep 6, 2023 15:38
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fatman1683 posted:Thanks, that's helpful. Do you know if the Matco or Mac lines I can buy are better than the Snap-On Classic? A co-worker had a Macsimizer, that’s the only other brand box I’ve seen as far as tool truck boxes go. Matco hasn’t shown up in probably 5 years at this point. The Mac boxes are fine, not as nice as Snap on but still more than good enough for home use. I don’t know if the lower end Mac stuff is rebranded from a different Stanley/black & decker subsidiaries though. I had a Matco low profile flex head as my first “good” ratchet and it was awesome until I broke it. I’d get one of those or a comparable snap-on, they’re one of the few tool truck tools that are worth it.
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Sep 6, 2023 16:35
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Hadlock posted:I've always wondered if you could just make your own with a used 42" sheet metal brake and then buy the drawer slides and drawer pulls. Really time consuming but sheet metal is basically free, sheet metal boxes are dead simple to construct and you can resell the brake for close to what you paid for it. Those massive snap-on tool boxes seem like a really efficient way to go multiple $10,000s in debt pretty much instantly. Drug dealer seems like an apt comparison You just bought that metal shear didn't you? That's pretty much half way there. Just get a brake and a spot welder.
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Sep 6, 2023 18:09
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Hadlock posted:I've always wondered if you could just make your own with a used 42" sheet metal brake and then buy the drawer slides and drawer pulls. Really time consuming but sheet metal is basically free, sheet metal boxes are dead simple to construct and you can resell the brake for close to what you paid for it. Those massive snap-on tool boxes seem like a really efficient way to go multiple $10,000s in debt pretty much instantly. Drug dealer seems like an apt comparison "People keep saying
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Sep 6, 2023 18:15
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Cat Hatter posted:"People keep saying LOL, exactly right. If he builds a toolbox and I start picking up gig work until I can buy one in cash, even accounting for wear and loss to my assets due to wear I'll have a much nicer toolbox in less time.
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Sep 6, 2023 18:22
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Even if your materials were free just the amount of time to paint it all and have it look decent is insane
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Sep 6, 2023 18:29
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Who said anything about "looking decent"
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Sep 6, 2023 18:34
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Ambassadorofsodomy posted:You just bought that metal shear didn't you? That's pretty much half way there. Just get a brake and a spot welder. Upvoted. How hard can it be?
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Sep 6, 2023 18:49
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Hadlock posted:I've always wondered if you could just make your own with a used 42" sheet metal brake and then buy the drawer slides and drawer pulls. Really time consuming but sheet metal is basically free, sheet metal boxes are dead simple to construct and you can resell the brake for close to what you paid for it.  I have debated the same thing and ultimately decided not to bother or post about it, which should give you some hint of how foolhardy an idea it is given the things I do do and post about Even buying cheap imported drawer slides you are spending a significant fraction of the cost of a real toolbox And sheet metal fab is absolutely not as easy as you think it is if you care about it being remotely square or plumb enough to use as a toolbox, but by all means, do this, I want to watch and laugh. I say this as the guy who custom fabricated every single non-COTS sheet metal item in an entire house worth of rigid HVAC ducting.
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Sep 6, 2023 20:59
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That reminds me my 3003 sheet aluminum came in last Friday I need to go Yeah I have no desire to build my own. When we get the shop built I'll pick up two units from harbor freight like everyone else. It just blows my mind to see someone burn up $30k or whatever buying a top end snap-on mega chest
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Sep 6, 2023 21:15
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Hadlock posted:
BOOOOOUUUURRRNNNSSS!!!!!
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Sep 6, 2023 21:24
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Hadlock posted:I've always wondered if you could just make your own with a used 42" sheet metal brake and then buy the drawer slides and drawer pulls. Really time consuming but sheet metal is basically free, sheet metal boxes are dead simple to construct and you can resell the brake for close to what you paid for it. Those massive snap-on tool boxes seem like a really efficient way to go multiple $10,000s in debt pretty much instantly. Drug dealer seems like an apt comparison (X) Stainless Sheet Metal (X) Tools (X) Welder (X) Drawer Slides ( - ) Time Always missing one of those requirements, the overstuffed upper chest has been putting in a lot of work. There is a big pile of tools where the drawers would go in the lower frame. For a multimeter look around for a used Fluke, two of mine somehow fell in the pile to get calibrated at work and were still perfectly accurate.
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Sep 6, 2023 22:26
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I'm using a 1960sish matco machinists box with friction slides loaded down to about half a ton. It's outlived at least a dozen other boxes from all walks of quality and cost. I've been meaning to find the matching lower for several years now. No way in hell would I take on such an endeavor to make my own box with blackjack and hookers.
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Sep 6, 2023 22:33
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ULjt29GIoA Oh here's a video even Good luck even matching a lovely tool chest
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Sep 7, 2023 10:52
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server rack toolchest looking like a great idea (because i have a spare rack on wheels)
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Sep 7, 2023 11:57
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Hadlock posted:I've always wondered if you could just make your own with a used 42" sheet metal brake and then buy the drawer slides and drawer pulls. Really time consuming but sheet metal is basically free, sheet metal boxes are dead simple to construct and you can resell the brake for close to what you paid for it. Those massive snap-on tool boxes seem like a really efficient way to go multiple $10,000s in debt pretty much instantly. Drug dealer seems like an apt comparison You know what's far cheaper than a used metal break? A brand new 52" stacked rolling tool chest from Home Depot. Those even come with a warranty. Hell, the prices I see on used metal brand on CL in my area a new MAC Tools tool chest might even be cheaper. You doing need to spend thousands on a tool chest to get a half way decent one. Unless your aim is too impress other people, then I can't help you.
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Sep 7, 2023 13:02
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if you wish to make a toolbox, you must first invent the universe
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Sep 7, 2023 13:21
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For awhile now I've been eyeballing a menards tool chests. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with those? They seem to be decently solid, have latching drawer handles, and the drawer sizes seem like they would accommodate stuff like battery tools much better than my 80s craftsman chest and old cubicle furniture
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Sep 7, 2023 14:16
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MrChips posted:if you wish to make a toolbox, you must first invent the universe Which has been widely regarded as a mistake.
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Sep 7, 2023 15:38
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nadmonk posted:You know what's far cheaper than a used metal break? A brand new 52" stacked rolling tool chest from Home Depot. Those even come with a warranty.
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Sep 7, 2023 15:41
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Spending 30000 hours of your free time to save $10,000 on a $15,000 tool!
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Sep 7, 2023 16:03
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StormDrain posted:Spending 30000 hours of your free time to save $10,000 on a $15,000 tool! Spending 30000 hours of your free time to save $10,000 on a $15,000 box to store $5,000 worth of tools!
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Sep 7, 2023 16:14
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stealie72 posted:Not that I roll it around much, but I've had a 52" husky (the older version of this one) for almost a decade and it still looks and works like new. This is similar to what I have and I'm pretty happy with it. It was about $800 when I bought it a few years back and there was nothing in that size that was as nice that I could find.
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Sep 7, 2023 16:15
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Suburban Dad posted:This is similar to what I have and I'm pretty happy with it. It was about $800 when I bought it a few years back and there was nothing in that size that was as nice that I could find.
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Sep 7, 2023 16:17
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CAT INTERCEPTOR posted:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ULjt29GIoA in glorious 360p, even!
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Sep 7, 2023 16:21
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Obviously fake vid. No wonder they used potato camera. More than a lovely used sheet metal brake being utilized just to obfuscate people so they don't do it on their own.
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Sep 7, 2023 16:31
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In a similar vein since we are all thinkin' about thos boxes; I'm considering the 24" deep and 42" long (or maybe the 52" version) Husky Mobile Workbench. Seems like a pretty good value at $500 or less depending on when it's on sale. Ideally I think if it popped up for $400 I'd have it, but that seems unlikely.
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Sep 7, 2023 16:35
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StormDrain posted:In a similar vein since we are all thinkin' about thos boxes; I'm considering the 24" deep and 42" long (or maybe the 52" version) Husky Mobile Workbench. Seems like a pretty good value at $500 or less depending on when it's on sale. Ideally I think if it popped up for $400 I'd have it, but that seems unlikely. I ended up at Home Depot to kill time and one I like is actually selling for $400. Sons of bitches.
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Sep 7, 2023 18:54
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Sounds like you can't afford not to buy it.
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Sep 7, 2023 19:30
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I built my own tool box once.  
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Sep 7, 2023 21:17
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Catatron Prime posted:For awhile now I've been eyeballing a menards tool chests. Anyone have any thoughts or experience with those? A couple friends have other models of theirs, and I’ve been impressed. That one looks like a good box to me too. I’d cross shop US General, but that’s probably pretty competitive. Get that 11% rebate and fill it up.
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Sep 7, 2023 22:05
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Uthor posted:I built my own tool box once.
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Sep 7, 2023 22:15
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I think that's homemade entirely from scratch. I've made most of the furniture, drawers and poo poo in my shop myself, granted from wood, some metal like a welding table and I built my own break too which has been handy more than once? I now also spent three years building another small shed / now becoming another shop by myself from scratch, so maybe that says something about me. But I think they work fine and where cheap as hell and I learned a lot doing it. I don't have a rolling tool box because I prefer tool walls but I have fixed tool drawers on my work benches. I know they aren't as good, with their wooden glides, as the professional cart we got at work. But I don't feel they are a hindrance either.
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Sep 8, 2023 06:25
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His Divine Shadow posted:I think that's homemade entirely from scratch. Yeah, I was learning wood working, figured a cabinet would be good practice. Something in the shop would mean I wouldn't feel bad if I messed it up! It was in a rental, so small and on wheels was a requirement. In the process of buying a house. Hopefully going to be making more stuff next year...
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Sep 8, 2023 10:23
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I love my 73" Icon from Harbor Freight. My only gripe is that I need to stand on my tippy toes to see in the topmost chest drawers, and I'm 6' tall. Could probably solve this with smaller wheels. Anyways, I can stand on any of the drawers fully extended. And they don't wobble side to side either. I think they really are the best value...compared to a $20,000+ Snap-on combo
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Sep 8, 2023 15:09
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Try a step stool. Stepping on a drawer of that box is not a risk I would take.
nitsuga fucked around with this message at 21:22 on Sep 8, 2023 |
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Sep 8, 2023 17:52
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I have an older mastercraft (Canadian tire brand) box, chest + cabinet that's kinda skinny and tall compared to the newer styles that are wide and short. I needed more space and found a middle box that fit perfectly on sale for 99 bucks but now I need longer legs to see stuff at the top which is where I've been keeping sockets for the last 25 or so years. My solution, whenever I get around to it will be to put the sockets in a lower drawer and the very top will probably be for either things that I rarely use, or maybe something like power tools and batteries, so I can reach up and find what I want by feel alone. I just need to figure out how to mount my sockets. Currently have the rails screwed in to sone thin pieces of plywood, but that's too tall for any of the drawers in the top two sections. I might rivet the rails to some pieces of sheet metal. That would take care of everything except for my deep impact sockets. So like uhh, if you've got things you don't use too often or can identify by feel, maybe put that stuff at the top. wesleywillis fucked around with this message at 20:47 on Sep 8, 2023 |
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Sep 8, 2023 20:44
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Pump went out on my cheap0 pressure washer so now im in the market for a new one. Im willing to spend up to 500 bucks if that gets me a decent one that won't die as soon as Biden is out of office. Gotta be electric and normal use cases are cleaning cars and washing windows on my house. No need to blast off concrete or wood so super high PSI isn't a big deal.
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Sep 22, 2023 00:48
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High psi isn't so much about being able to write your name in cement as it is about making the work go faster. More pressure means you can switch to a wider tip or move the wand further away and still be able to clean. I haven't sold pressure washers in years, so I can't recommend anything in particular, but try to get something with a triplex pump if possible. And winterize it at the end of the season if it's going to get cold. A can of pressure washer antifreeze is about  and can be used twice.
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Sep 22, 2023 04:05
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I've had a workbench at home ever since I moved into my current place, but I only bought a vise for it today (it's a pretty sweet old brand name German thing in good condition I found used for little money for what it is so I'm happy). Anyways, I think I want to drill holes for it in two different places in the bench so I can move it around, depending - the best most solid place for it is right in the middle where the bench is fully supported from below but the vise would get in the way when I want to work on long things. Does there exist some kind of "speed lock" I could use instead of m14 nuts and bolts so it would be easier and faster to move? I'm thinking of something with cams, akin to bicycle axles you can remove without tools, only much beefier, or something like that.
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Sep 23, 2023 19:40
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