Skinny (Tool) Chests

Hey All,

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a gen-you-wine rolling tool chest and top box that doesn't cost the Gross National Product of Botswana.  The Harbor Freight (US General) boxes would do just fine except they are too deep.  Not philosophically really, but physically.  The maximum depth I can play with is 19" (I'm in a small two-car garage under and the footing steps out four inches).  It would be nice to park the second car in there when not using the future "shop" portion of the garage. 

I already own a Yukon mobile storage cab that I bought from my job for cheap as it was surplus to their needs.  I've looked at a lot of used stuff but it's all either the wrong size or bombed into the stone age.  Currently, I have a couple choices.  One is a Craftsman Series 2000 setup from Lowe's in either the 41" or 52" width (I'm getting the matching top box too).  The other is a Shopmax 41" or 52" from Tractor Supply (same deal).  They are both around 18" deep.

I gotta tell ya, I'm not all that enamored with the Craftsman box.  It's a little cheesy and they often get damaged in shipping.  The only place I can find Shopmax in this area is Tractor Supply.  The closest store is in Newhall and they don't display one so that would be a wasted trip.  I'm a little leery about buying a box without seeing it in person.

First question:  Does anyone in the hive have any experience with the Shopmax boxes? 

Second question:  Is there something else I should be considering?

If I do go with the Craftsman boxes, I will choose Lowe's free assembly offer.  That way, they get to deal with any shipping damage before I take it home.  Neither of these choices is something I would put in a professional environment but I will most likely be the only one opening and closing them. So howitzer-round durability may not be necessary but it would be nice if they didn't dent that easily and the drawers had good integrity.

Thanks for the input,

Jerry

Can't comment on either of the options listed but I'm pretty happy with my 18" deep Husky.

Is a second Yukon roll cab a viable option?

Alternatively. are you open to tossing a top box on the current Yukon cabinet?

I bought one of the HF versions and when empty it felt too wide and not deep enough - almost like it's kind of tipsy.  When full it's better.

Good luck.

In reply to Racingsnake :

Husky has one 18" top box/combo that's 46" wide for less than 500 bucks.  I'd really want to see it first.  Everything else they make other than the bench top line is 24" deep or deeper.  I try to avoid mainland Chinese products if at all possible so I'll check on that as well.

EDIT:  The Craftsman is assembled in the US from "global" materials.  The Shopmax is from Mexico.

EDIT EDIT:  The Husky is made in Thailand.

In reply to DarkMonohue :

Yes I have thought about a second Yukon, considering the one I own is the more open cabinet version rather than the drawer version.  I'd need 92" of room and I still need a larger workbench.  I'm looking to go vertically and 52" of width is about my limit.  A top box could be done but I wonder about weight limits.  I'm liking the 46" of countertop too.

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

Was it 18" deep or the current 22-24"?

Jerry From LA said:

The Craftsman is assembled in the US from "global" materials. 

My dad used more tools than the average home user, but didn't need the really pro pricey SnapOn, or similar. So I grew up on '60s craftsman. Sadly, craftsman, is no longer good quality

And when Craftsman still meant guaranteed for life, sears did not consider tool boxes tools, so, tough luck. But they didn't tell ya that when ya bought it. 
I have not thrown any of my older craftsman tools a way, but I also do not support them. 
And , SOME of their boxes are assembled here, with global materials. They hapen to look exactly like the ones that are not! But there propaganda... I mean marketing... dept. is good!

I have two of the Crafstman 2000 top boxes, one 52" and one 41".  I bought the 52" for use in my trailer, and cut the top off to fit on the bench under the overhead cabinets.  The way the top was constructed made it uniquely fit my needs in that regard.  The 41" I use as a workbench box for gunsmithing/cleaning tools and gear, and for that use the 16" depth was a factor.  Honestly, the Craftsman boxes are not up to the quality of HF US General stuff, but I haven't had any issues with mine.  I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if it fit my needs for something.  One of mine did have shipping damage, but it was part of what I removed on the 52" so it didn't matter.  The Yukon rollers are good quality, I use mine more than I expected to, and it's nice to be able to roll the work table up to the job if you have the space.

In reply to Rodan :

Nice!

In reply to 03Panther :

The Craftsman box on display at Lowe's had a manufacturer sticker affixed to it that said, "Assembled in USA from global materials."  So I will take them at their word.

Jerry From LA said:

<snip>

... The maximum depth I can play with is 19" (I'm in a small two-car garage under and the footing steps out four inches).  It would be nice to park the second car in there when not using the future "shop" portion of the garage. ...

How tall is the footing?  that is, could you block up a box so the bottom clears the footing and slides back to the wall?  Non-starter if you want to roll the box around, of course.

Jerry From LA said:

In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :

Was it 18" deep or the current 22-24"?

18" x 42"

In reply to Jerry From LA :

I don't give marketing propaganda the benefit of doubt of honesty. 
Especially since (even if true - and it does not have to be) it's is completely meaningless info. Bottom line, made cheap - sold expensiveive. 

In reply to eedavis :

The footing extends two feet above the garage floor. I've considered placing the box on the back wall of the garage but I need that wall for a bench.