Tool Box - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Eckwitte · 06-10-2009, 05:32 PM

What kind of tool box will last more than a year? I mean (Main tool box) I just broke the stanley 24" inch model with the straight aluminum handle. that one lasted me under a year...Seems that HD doesnt offer anything really Heavy duty and other local shops don't sell tool boxes at all. Any suggestions? Anybody have a really good one?

Here's the Stanley one I broke
Tip dont stand on it

HandyHails · 06-10-2009, 06:56 PM

ToolBox

Lasts//////////////////...............................mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmmp;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;

Forever

dkillianjr · 06-10-2009, 07:03 PM

I have the same problem with tool boxes. They always break from being in my truck espessially on a real cold day they are so brittle and I may be a little rough too

I have mostly switched over to tool bags. Although you can't stand on them or cut a piece of wood or pipe on the bags. They seem to be holding up real well. I think only one of mine has a little tear in the side, but that was from me pulling an old 2x4 with nails out of the truck.

Dave

tonyeastern · 06-10-2009, 07:09 PM

I use the bags more now for general stuff so it's not flying around inside the truck. I have a steel box for wrenches but one of my guys has the waterproof fat max that seams to be lasting better than I would have thought.

Tony

Five Star · 06-10-2009, 07:15 PM

VETO-PRO

http://www.vetopropac.com/

Warren · 06-10-2009, 07:28 PM

Been using the bags also. Have gotten several with some cordless combo kits and use them for hand tools only. Can really hold a lot of stuff and pockets on the outside are handy if you can actually get people to PUT THE TOOLS BACK IN THEM AFTER USING THEM!!!!!!

JLTrim · 06-10-2009, 07:37 PM

I have the same box Eckwitte and it's junk. I looked at those Veto pro-pac bags at Woodcraft but ended buying a cheap knock-off, of course it's falling apart now too. I'll probably get Veto next time. Those rolling Craftsman boxes look pretty nice too, but way overpriced. Picture doesn't show it, but inside it has fold-out tool storage slots, mostly geared toward mechanic's tools though.

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_101...+%26+Portables

Eckwitte · 06-10-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five Star

VETO-PRO

vetopropac

Wow Those look really good, the one i was looking at costs 4 times as much as my tool box therefore should last at least 4 times longer. I couldnt see the bag lasting 4 years...how long have you had yours?

Eckwitte · 06-10-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLTrim

I have the same box Eckwitte and it's junk. I looked at those Veto pro-pac bags at Woodcraft but ended buying a cheap knock-off, of course it's falling apart now too. I'll probably get Veto next time. Those rolling Craftsman boxes look pretty nice too, but way overpriced. Picture doesn't show it, but inside it has fold-out tool storage slots, mostly geared toward mechanic's tools though.

Yeah, the bag would work great for an electrician but i need something solid with a bin in the bottom to put general stuff like: wrecking bar, hammer, chalk line, drywall saw, 2 foot level, channel locks, adjustables, caulking gun, super wonder bar...
A buddy of mine has an IRWIN box thats at least 3 years old (plastic) and still going strong except the yellow plastic compartments at the top (but they always break) I think it holds up because the plastic is much thicker than any Stanley box ive seen

katoman · 06-10-2009, 07:54 PM

I build all my own usually from 1/2" birch ply. Make each one to suit the tool or tools going into it. Paint them Tremclad Brown, put those brass corners on them. Now, on the job site, I can see and tell immediately which boxes are mine. No confusion. And I can stand on a couple of the larger ones, but I usually use a two or three step DW bench for that.

dkillianjr · 06-10-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eckwitte

A buddy of mine has an IRWIN box thats at least 3 years old (plastic) and still going strong except the yellow plastic compartments at the top (but they always break) I think it holds up because the plastic is much thicker than any Stanley box ive seen

I forgot about that box! I have that blue irwin tool box man that thing has been in my truck for years and has held up real well. The latches are real nice too they are all metal and even the plastic around them is un breakable. If you are going to stay with boxes I would deffinetly look at that one.

Dave

Eckwitte · 06-10-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkillianjr

I forgot about that box! I have that blue irwin tool box man that thing has been in my truck for years and has held up real well. The latches are real nice too they are all metal and even the plastic around them is un breakable. If you are going to stay with boxes I would deffinetly look at that one.

Dave

I was going to buy it and then i saw this:

IRWIN Professional 26" Toolbox # 410-001

Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Proposition 65 warning

Attention California Residents:
California's Proposition 65 entitles California consumers to special warnings for products that contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm if those products expose consumers to such chemicals above certain threshold levels. We care about our customers' safety and hope that the information below helps with your buying decisions

wtf??

Caution this box may contain cancer...hahaha

dkillianjr · 06-10-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eckwitte

I was going to buy it and then i saw this:

IRWIN Professional 26" Toolbox # 410-001

Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Proposition 65 warning

Attention California Residents:
California's Proposition 65 entitles California consumers to special warnings for products that contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm if those products expose consumers to such chemicals above certain threshold levels. We care about our customers' safety and hope that the information below helps with your buying decisions

wtf??

Caution this box may contain cancer...hahaha

They probly relized they built it to good and had to get rid of it!

Dave

BobsLandscaping · 06-10-2009, 08:44 PM

Knaack.

KillerToiletSpider · 06-10-2009, 08:48 PM

I bought one of these when I first started out twenty some years ago, it is still in the back of my truck with all my super specialty tools in it, like my stuff for wiping lead water pipe joints.

**Teetorbilt** · 06-10-2009, 09:03 PM

katoman has it right! I'm still using one that Dad built 43 yrs ago and my son will end up with it.

I have updated the design somewhat going to SS piano hinges with countersunk washers/nuts and through-bolting them as opposed to the two brass hinges. I also use a rabbit joint and Gorilla glue instead of butt and Elmers, also rabbit the lid to box joint against water intrusion. Added stops to the lid (prevents hinge stress) and lid storage, more tools in a smaller package.

Eckwitte · 06-10-2009, 09:11 PM

The snap on and Knaack boxes are 27lbs empty...

Five Star · 06-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eckwitte

Wow Those look really good, the one i was looking at costs 4 times as much as my tool box therefore should last at least 4 times longer. I couldnt see the bag lasting 4 years...how long have you had yours?

I have the veto pro XXL the older one that closes, for about 2 yrs i use it for my pry bars and cats paws,siding tools and misc wrenches for decks ! it gets abused daily in the truck! STILL LOOKS BRAND NEW I GET LAUGHED AT

Then i have the new veto pro XL open mouth which i use for finish carpentry and Cab installs! thats only about 1.5 yrs old!

i like to buy these things once i dont mind spending the $!!

and they hold there value, like occidental leather tool bags!

i just sold mine pro framer on e-ebay all worn out for $95 including shipping! I paid $110<> 15 yrs ago!! its better than stock market>>

Five Star · 06-10-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eckwitte

Yeah, the bag would work great for an electrician but i need something solid with a bin in the bottom to put general stuff like: wrecking bar, hammer, chalk line, drywall saw, 2 foot level, channel locks, adjustables, caulking gun, super wonder bar...
A buddy of mine has an IRWIN box thats at least 3 years old (plastic) and still going strong except the yellow plastic compartments at the top (but they always break) I think it holds up because the plastic is much thicker than any Stanley box ive seen

Veto pro bags are solid at the bottoms!

the new open mouth are solid all around

i keep all my flat bars,shark puller,you name it, its in there

in them!!

mnjconstruction · 06-11-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoman

I build all my own usually from 1/2" birch ply. Make each one to suit the tool or tools going into it. Paint them Tremclad Brown, put those brass corners on them. Now, on the job site, I can see and tell immediately which boxes are mine. No confusion. And I can stand on a couple of the larger ones, but I usually use a two or three step DW bench for that.

lets see some pictures!