(Part 2) Best tool chests & cabinets according to redditors

It's a Festool Systainer with the brand name removed.

Strap in, this got kind of long! I hope it's useful to someone.

I too have the "need a lot of bins and boxes and whatnot" situation because of my and my partner's hobbies. I sew and crochet and embroider and work with leather, and he works with electronics and 3d printers and so on. We share a small (10' x 10') room for our workspace and all of our most commonly accessed supplies.

Being someone who gets fixated on ideas frequently, I suggest that you open up your search to other options other than interlocking boxes. The reason I say this is that I am surrounded by bins and have been working with various sized bins to access things for a long time and I am tired of them. The problem is similar to what many other posters have mentioned: Getting items out of the boxes (even if they are small) is an Ordeal, especially if you have multiple boxes out, or if the box is very full and hard to put back together.


In general, a rule of thumb is to think about how you'll put your item away rather than how you'll access it. When we want access to something, it doesn't seem like a big deal to undo bins, bags, boxes, slide heavy things around, etc. because we get a reward at the end (yay, it's the thing! shiny!). After that, the idea of undoing all that stuff seems like a pain in the arse, and we just don't want to do it? (and what if we might need another thing from that bin? So, consider how you'll put it away, rather than how you'll get it out when designing a storage solution.


So, I am now moving away from the lidded box approach and encouraging my partner to do the same. Having watched Adam Savage's video describing first order retrievability, I am moving in that direction (although not yet to his ninjery level). Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWQAYfGxsPE.


I suggest the following types of storage for smaller objects. Bins still work OK for larger objects but someday I'd like to move away from that too.

• Akro-Mills Parts organization drawers. They come in many different sizes and types. They are durable, versatile, come with their own drawer dividers, they are wall mountable or usable on a desktop surface. We use these for all of the objects we reach for frequently for different applications (memory cards, bulldog clips, popsicle sticks, magnets, command hooks). https://www.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-10144-20-Inch-16-Inch-Hardware/dp/B003P2UOCO
  
  
• Stanley Organizer boxes. These boxes are extremely useful when you have a lot of tiny objects of different sizes to sort (like nuts, bolts and hardware or amigurumi eyes). There are bins in each storage thing that are fully re-arrangeable and removable - you can get several of these and customize each one to your needs and then pull out just the little bins you're interested in to work on. These have their place, but are best used as 'project' or 'many of one type' oriented storage https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-25-Removable-Compartment-Professional-Organizer/dp/B00005QWYF
  
  
• This video on using plastic bins as drawers. I did this for my two 4' workbenches and I love it. This allows me to quickly swap out project specific bins if I need to, and I now have the ease of access of drawers with the containerized pleasure of bins. I use these drawers every day for things like webbing and elastic storage, crochet hook storage, sewing machine accessories, sewing patterns, etc. I have currently taken to reserving one bin per workbench as a trash can and omg is that useful to have an in-table trash can - I'm thinking of drilling a hole in my benchtop so I can just swipe bits and pieces directly into the trash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjyg6RWDlZw
  
  
• Pegboard / slat wall. I personally like the metal Wall Control brand because I have a love affair with magnets. I use this for thread storage (I can thread my machine directly from the wall, without moving spools around!), bobbin storage, clips, pins, tape that gets used daily (painters, duct, electrical, etc), instant access tools are mounted on magnetic bars attached to the board. I also stuck magnets on the back of a bunch of stuff (empty soup cans, plastic bins from the stanley boxes, thread locker, sewing machine oil, etc) and now I can just kind of throw those items at the board and they stick. Extremely efficient and functional. The various hooks and things are also highly useful. Comes in many different sizes and shapes (and colors!) with accessory kits optimized for different situations. https://www.amazon.com/Wall-Control-30-WGL-200GVB-Galvanized-Organizer/dp/B002LZSWFW
  
  
• A tool chest (even if you don't have "normal tools"). We use this for hand tools - it is really nice to have screw drivers, wrenches, utility knives and tape measures at our finger tips. Ours holds a ton of stuff, fits on our metro wire shelving perfectly, and has held up like a champ in the 3 years we have it. Also it's metal, so I can stick things to it with magnets. We have this one: https://www.amazon.com/Excel-TB2105X-Blue-26-Inch-Steel-Chest/dp/B002BETIQA

Shit I just saw this in the "Customers who bought this, also bought this" section and as a girl who comes from a full mechanic family....OMG I wants!!!! This and all the accessories lol

Amazon link for those who are wondering! $88-$208 depending on color.

This is what we use at work: https://www.amazon.com/Tools-00-11-01-Universal/dp/B00DEMWGVC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1484749901&sr=8-2&keywords=cross+key+knipex

Different stuff behind different locks, so general stuff gets a square, plumbing is behind one size triangle, HV electrical has the circle one with the little tabs on it, etc...

I think something like this would be awesome, especially because it locks.
http://www.amazon.com/Viper-Tool-Storage-V218MCTL-2-Drawer/dp/B008CM2ZT2/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1419895307&sr=1-2&keywords=viper+box+teal

Link spam - go!


https://www.amazon.com/Nicesh-Storage-Organizer-Medicine-Emergency/dp/B01G3CEE2S


https://www.amazon.com/Qsbon-Storage-Container-Medicine-Organizer/dp/B07R5SXP9P


https://www.amazon.com/Flexzion-Removable-Separated-Compartments-Prescriptions/dp/B07KQ4C6L6


https://www.amazon.com/Seahorse-Protective-Case-Without-Orange/dp/B001A1TR1Q


https://www.amazon.com/Flambeau-Medical-First-Medium-Empty/dp/B001B9XTNY


https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Plus-Medication-Organizer-Emergency/dp/B07LH4KMCX


https://www.amazon.com/Durham-535-43-Cold-Rolled-Industrial-Cabinet/dp/B006WQO6EW


https://www.amazon.com/Wobe-Rectangular-Containers-4-5x3-3x0-9-Organizer/dp/B07CBQN9QH (posting these for my own purposes)


https://www.amazon.com/RotopaX-RX-72-EMPTY-First-Preparedness-Pack/dp/B008S9QOT6

I actually use four that look like these for my storage at the moment:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-12015-30-Part-Organiser-Cabinet/dp/B0038XQZZK/ref=pd_bxgy_60_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7W2ZSGF24N66X5W4D38S

But I really need a good set of transparent larger drawers for some type of bricks, plates and larger molds.

Here's one for $350 shipped

Kennedy Manufacturing 52611B 11-Drawer Machinist's Chest with Friction Slides, Brown Wrinkle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XNYONE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0B8aAbZ9GCNJT

My dad had one very similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Kennedy-Manufacturing-1022B-Hand-Carry-Cantilever/dp/B01NBLC9OS/ref=sr_1_25?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1495918805&sr=1-25&keywords=toolbox&th=1

There's this, too: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XNYN9Y/ref=twister_B01N4MY5J5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Oh and the Viper is a tad smaller with deeper drawers on the bottom that I like

https://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/tool-vault-56-11-drawer-tool-cabinet.html

This is a nice entry level pro-grade box. Not sure how much shipping will be to UK, but probably still cheaper than buying Snapon.

There's a lot on this site, they are all professional grade. Also consider Homak, or maybe even a nice full drawer service cart that will be usefull for your entire career.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-8057-Premium-Drawer-Service/dp/B00D7ALLNK/ref=pd_sbs_469_4/136-6821094-5403867?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00D7ALLNK&pd_rd_r=3583803d-4da0-47a3-8308-8e06c662351a&pd_rd_w=1Vix6&pd_rd_wg=Wt2TW&pf_rd_p=52b7592c-2dc9-4ac6-84d4-4bda6360045e&pf_rd_r=CDSEX43EY8RTAMQM27RP&psc=1&refRID=CDSEX43EY8RTAMQM27RP

I'm a senior master mechanic, and I run a Homak service cart to this day, in addition to my toolbox. Wish I had just started with it and not had to pay twice.


I use this:

https://www.amazon.com/35-Inch-Professional-4-Drawer-Slide-Top-BK06043500/dp/B00BJ2CEJ8/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=homak+service+cart&qid=1572380849&s=hi&sr=1-2

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CAO6R2Y/ref=psdc_322567011_t3_B00167XE90

This is what I've been using for my tools. Big enough for all my tools. 3 drawers lets me keep things seperate like 1 drawer is cutting/beveling/stitching, next is stamping/tooling, next is hardware/zippers. The top I keep thread and clamps. I keep my dyes seperate though because the fiebings bottles leak. Not sure if it fulfills your need.


These are "made" by a few companies so you can find them cheaper. Craftsman made one, waterloo, and like 2-3 other generic brands.

I have a Remline 56-inch toolbox and side cabinet. So far its 10 years old and I have only replaced 2 roller slides and added reinforcement slides to my socket and air tool drawers (direct fit from Amazon, $20).

http://www.amazon.com/Remline-12056-12956-DS-56-Inch-Cabinet/dp/B002WJIFPO

I would never consider buying a new Snap-on full size toolbox, they are extremely poor value for just holding bulk tools.
However, I paid $400 for a 1 year old tool cart to hold my most commonly used basic tools.

Yeah I debated the cost before I picked it up, my rational was its the cost of 2 or three nice model kits. That is just a cheap chinese tool chest, i'm sure you could get a similar model in the US for ~$150. ebay and amazon would be my first stops.

edit: something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Drawer-Homeowner-Center-Cabinet/dp/B00G1AWG9Q

The riser in the middle says spray booth to me.

Not exactly a low profile option but I keep mine in this:

Craftsman 26 In. 3-drawer Chest Heavy-duty Ball Bearing Middle Chest -Red Tool Box Backed By 6-year Limited Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K1Y6216/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BNv0DbXTH4W4N

There are Henrys and Georges and a few other types. Henry is a dry vacuum, George is able to dry and wet vacuum. I think the commercial model of Henry is sufficient for your vacuum needs but you should probably get a different head, the one which is specially made for carpets, I think that will be more successful in your war against the fur.

Commerical Henry: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NUMATIC-NRV200-11-Commercial-Vacuum-Black/dp/B00MUTUI0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1519205492&sr=1-1&keywords=commercial+henry

You can add on the Red Airo Power HiPro Brush there too.

I also recommend those little red hoover deodorants that smell like melon and getting a reusable bag. Unlike the Dysons and Mieles (Miele is a good brand, but overrated) if you look at the reviews you'll see right the people who use these are professional cleaners - that's a clue right there.

There are a bunch of 'ratings' some entities give to hoovers, their power use, their 'suckability', you should ignore those - the rating systems are gamed, the Numatic is superior (average over a long period that is) but is never going to be at the top because the competition games those rating systems. It's just like how Toyota is a great reliable brand but somehow didn't pass emissions tests in Europe (because everybody else was cheating the rating systems).

I think Toyota and Numatic are in some way honest companies, or more honest than their competitors, and if you examine the second hand markets you'll notice right away that blue collar workers always bid up these models - that's another clue about quality.