Hey guys, I was thinking of getting my dad a decent setup for all of his random tools/accessories. Thing is I dont really know how to look and compare these. I figure some of you car guys have some pretty nice storage options so I maybe you could fill me in on a couple things.

1. For handyman type use what level of drawer slides are needed? So far I see:
-- Compound Action
-- Quiet Glide
-- Ball Bearings

2. Looking to spend around $300 for this. I want to get a chest and cabinet combo and I see items priced for that but I also see similar looking items selling for $600. Are these cheaper options even worth it? Should I just get 1 nice chest this year and a nice cabinet next year?

Here is an example of what im talking about: http://tinyurl.com/vbl7z

12/1/2006 10:07:44 PM

Ball Bearings.............must have

12/1/2006 10:10:56 PM

true

12/1/2006 10:17:36 PM

Thanks. I guess i'll just go with the bottom part for now.

12/1/2006 11:11:53 PM

I got that quiet glide shiat from Craftsman. It's about the best thing you're going to find for around $300. The drawers are smooth with no binding. Very close to ball bearing operation. How it will be in 10 or 15 years I don't know, but I'm happy with it for now.

12/2/2006 1:45:48 AM

the quiet glide crap is the best you're going to find for $300, that said...

Quote :

"Ball Bearings.............must have"

i love my ball bearing box

12/2/2006 2:11:46 AM

Igor got some deal from lowes it is ball bearing not sure of the brand but it was cheap and is a decent box.

12/2/2006 2:25:49 AM

yeah i got a kobalt tower chest (6 drawer with a plastic "workbench" top), for 275 i beleive. ballbearing and all. the only complaint i have against mine is that the drawers do not come out all the way (about 1.5-2 in short of it). i think they fixed that issue now, they still sell em at lowes. craftsman has a couple ball-bearing boxes at under or right around $300 these days. if you want a ball bearing set with the top chest, you prolly looking at 450 or more. i never felt the need for the chest though.


http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=205775-56096-TRXK6183&lpage=none

this is what i have. i guess they are more expensive now. or maybe i got it on sale

12/2/2006 9:08:43 AM

i got a husky box with ball bearings for the mid 300 range

[Edited on December 2, 2006 at 11:27 AM. Reason : chest only]

12/2/2006 11:27:26 AM

I got a 12 pack for 5.89 of busch

12/2/2006 4:27:56 PM

^^^ I got that one about 2 months ago for $275.

I love it. came with Liners for all the drawers and label magnets.

12/2/2006 5:45:56 PM

yeah i had to buy the liners separately, but that was a couple years ago. new ones comes with all that stuff

12/2/2006 6:09:27 PM

quiet glide is junk. i've got 2 boxes as part of the slide out setup in my truck bed, and they're about to fall apart after ~2 years. granted, they see alot of use day in and day out, but still. even if you have to spend a little more, go ball bearing.

12/3/2006 1:46:40 AM

Definately decided to go ball bearing. Its down to these two choices:

Husky: http://tinyurl.com/y6cze5
Craftsman: http://tinyurl.com/y9y328

Pretty sure im going to go ahead and picky up the husky tower this weekend. It has about 2,000 cubic inch more storage space and just seemed sturdy.

12/4/2006 3:13:24 PM

COSTCO BOX FTW

1/19/2007 3:49:43 AM

i got my boxes from Grizzley Industrial

http://www.grizzly.com/products/category.aspx?key=32

shipping would be to a trucking terminal. I had to pick mine up in durham off of club blvd.

1/19/2007 9:21:34 AM

bought a craftsman box combo today, they have a few good sales going on at the moment

1/27/2007 9:47:21 PM

The only way i would buy a craftsman box is if they were on sale, because the only ones they have that are worth having are the black professional series. Anything less just will not do.

My bottom box is one of the Husky boxes, basically same as the kobalt ones, and I've been very pleased with it. Fairly thick metal construction, ball bearings, and some seriously good detents that hold the drawers shut when you close them. 4" casters, and a black powdercoat finish. Best bang for the buck. I paid 350 for mine, but they've got them for about 300 right now. Buy that first, and then get the top box to match later on. You can't lose with that combo.

1/28/2007 1:37:49 AM

i need a box. all of my junk is just strewn everywhere or piled onto shelves. the ancient hand me down i had bit the dust years ago.

1/28/2007 1:41:10 AM

Look on craigslist.

1/28/2007 2:48:13 AM

yeah, i keep an eye on there. i'm a cheap bastard when it comes to stuff like that though. i'd rather spend the money on tools or vehicle parts or something.

1/28/2007 2:51:54 AM

walmart has a small ball bearing box for $100

I think it looked similar to this, so it wasn't the greatest thing in the world.
http://www.amazon.com/26-5Wx14Dx41-5-Drawer-Combination-Tool-Center/dp/B0002YPBLC/sr=1-17/qid=1170002111/ref=sr_1_17/102-2041814-6659322?ie=UTF8&s=hi

1/28/2007 11:36:49 AM

id have bought a craftsman box myself if i didnt get a retarded good deal on the snap-on one that i ended up with...nothing like paying about 33% of what stuff is worth...

[Edited on January 28, 2007 at 1:19 PM. Reason : spellcheck]

1/28/2007 1:19:19 PM