A good craftsman always has a lot of tools at hand. He has an excellent understanding of what a particular device is suitable for and where it is located. Boxes on wheels are a great tool storage tool.
The design usually consists of several large boxes stacked on top of each other. Due to the large capacity, the weight of the boxes also increases, which is why wheels are installed - for convenience and speed of movement. Let's look at the main models of such boxes and figure out how to choose the right one?
Types of tool boxes
All existing tool boxes can be divided according to several parameters at once.
According to their purpose, these boxes will be divided into boxes for:
- Hand tools;
- Power tools;
- Tools and small parts;
In terms of their own design, boxes are divided into:
- Traditional boxes with a standard set of tools;
- Cases and organizers designed for specific tools related to special equipment;
- Trays and carts.
Each design type should be considered in a little more detail.
BOSCH SystemBox (1600A016CT)
- Case material – ABS plastic.
- The material of the locks is ABS plastic.
- Maximum load – 15 kg.
- Dimensions – 392x351x121 mm.
- Weight – 1.49 kg.
The first item in today's review is the BOSCH SystemBox tool case (1600A016CT). It is designed for transportation and storage of hand-held electric tools and various fastening materials.
The case body is made of ABS plastic, resistant to mechanical damage and color loss. Its use as the main material made it possible to reduce the weight of the product, and the high-quality fit of the materials ensures reliable protection of the contents from the penetration of dust and moisture into the box. The single-section internal space allows you to place almost any power tool inside.
For ease of transportation, it is equipped with two ergonomic plastic handles, with which you can carry the case both vertically and horizontally.
The design feature of the case allows it to be combined into a single system for easy storage and transportation. In addition, transparent containers for storing various hardware can be attached to the outside of the lid.
Traditional hand tool box
This is usually a rectangular box made of a rigid material that is highly durable (it can be metal or particularly durable plastic). Its frame is formed by connecting the bottom and walls, and the removable lid is attached to the body with special locks. In some models, the lid is represented by a sliding section.
All departments of this box usually contain separate tools that are stored separately in it.
It is best to transport such a box only over short distances, due to its actual unsuitability for manual transportation (despite the fact that such a box is usually accompanied by the presence of a handle or handles on it).
Important decisions
However, on the market you will find a huge number of models made of various materials, branded and non-branded, large and compact. So how do you choose the one that suits you best?
Case or organizer
Usually the case is a small flat suitcase in which both sides have full meaning. It is thanks to this design that it is easy to carry, but it also has a significant disadvantage: it has an extremely small capacity, and carrying a large tool in it is impossible.
- And the organizer is practically the same case, but it is much larger in size, and is usually a bedside table with pull-out compartments.
- The jumpers between the departments in the organizer are removable, which makes it possible to change the shape and capacity of the sections.
- Usually, an organizer can be especially useful not only for masters, but also for fishermen.
KETER Gear Toolbox (17200382)
- Case material – PP5 plastic.
- Usable space volume – 36 liters.
- Dimensions – 310x564x350 mm.
- Weight – 4.35 kg.
Next on our review is KETER Gear Toolbox (17200382) - a spacious case for storing and carrying tools.
The body is made of polypropylene - a plastic that is characterized by increased strength, lightness and wear resistance. Thick walls combined with stiffening ribs allow you to safely carry even very heavy tools. The box lid is mounted on plastic canopies, reinforced with metal inserts. To secure the lid in the open position, there is a metal loop on the back wall of the case. Along the rim of the lid there is a silicone insert that prevents dust and moisture from entering the box.
The fairly spacious interior space of 36 liters is horizontally divided into two compartments. The top one is made in the form of a removable shelf for storing small tools and fastening materials. To move the case, a comfortable handle with a corrugated surface is used. In addition, at the ends of the lid there are two additional metal handles with rubber inserts. They allow you to conveniently carry a case with a heavy tool inside.
Tool tray
It is an open container, similar to a box without a lid or a tray with small compartments. Its main advantage is the visual sorting of available tools in the required sequence, providing the ability to quickly get to each of them if necessary.
A tray with a handle can be easily transported from one place to another, although it is much more suitable for storing stationary tools or for carrying over extremely short distances.
A tool cart is essentially a “big tray.” This is a wheeled platform with a whole set of standard boxes. Thanks to its size, it attaches directly to the car and follows it. It is covered with a tarpaulin on top so as not to lose small parts or tools along the way.
Video description
Stanley Expert Cantilever Box.
- DeWALT DS150 Tough System. The modern and stylish device is designed for use by professionals who often have to carry many work tools. To ensure that the product copes well with loads, it is made of durable plastic, and reinforced handles are also added. The weight of such a box is only 4 kg.
Drawer DeWALT DS150 Tough System Source icover.ru
- BOSCH Toolbox PRO 42.7×23.2×19.5 cm. Unlike previous models, this device belongs to the budget category, so it is perfect for use at home. A universal product allows you to store any materials, but their sorting must be done very carefully so that they do not mix with each other. The permissible load for the box is 20 kg.
BOSCH Toolbox PRO Source prom.ua
Organizers:
- JetTools JT1602318 34x32.5x14 cm. This option is ideal for storing electric tools, is made of plastic and has cold-resistant locks.
Organizer JetTools JT1602318 Source m.vseinstrumenti.ru
- Sibrteh 90805 43×23.5×25 cm. An inexpensive box from a Russian manufacturer, which was created for storing small parts and fasteners. Despite the plastic body, the device can withstand significant loads.
Organizer Sibrtech 90805 Source m.onlinetrade.ru
- Stels 90713 56x28x23.5 cm. Budget option with medium capacity, has a removable tray.
Organizer Stels 90713 Source m.onlinetrade.ru
Trolley boxes:
- KETER Gear Cart (17200383) 56.4×46.5×48 cm;
- DeWALT Toughsystem DWST1-75668 54x46x62 cm;
- BISON Professional (38133-24) 61.6×37.8×41.5 cm.
Choosing a Tool Box
The size of any box - thanks to this indicator, its actual suitability for certain tools is determined, taking into account their length and overall size. The overall dimensions of any box are usually indicated in millimeters, on three sides.
To make the right choice of box, you should take into account the length of all the tools that need to be placed in it. To assess the suitability of the box, you should collect all the tools planned to be placed in it and measure them.
Based on the number of compartments that exist in the box, the main thing to consider is the type of container. A standard box can have up to 20 compartments, while an organizer can have more than 30. The more compartments, the better you can place various small items in it.
- Drawer Sections – To determine the ideal drawer option, you should look at the concept of drawer sections.
- The main goal of each section is to turn the container into the most compact container that can be moved from place to place.
- When folded, the container is an easy-to-carry container; when unfolded, it provides direct access to its contents.
Sliding sections are especially common in ordinary tool boxes, and sliding sections are found in more advanced ones, such as a cart or organizer.
Preferred Material
You can choose any material, however, you should remember that it is best to give preference to wear-resistant products, so that their weight does not exceed one kilogram, but this point is taken into account based on the size.
Unlike large boxes, bags are made of nylon. The material has good strength properties and is able to withstand high loads with minimal consequences.
Some containers or organizers may be made of aluminum or metal-plastic. There are also models that consist entirely of steel or wood. However, you should not buy them for the sake of a beautiful appearance, as they are demanding to care for, which will create more problems. In addition, steel structures have a large mass, which negatively affects transportation, and this is one of the main selection criteria.
Drawer organizer concept
Not only the type of box can be called this way. Some standard boxes have a built-in organizer, which no longer gives them the right to be called standard tool boxes.
- The box can be especially convenient if an organizer consisting of small cells is built into its lid.
- The number of these cells will vary depending on the number of partitions installed in the built-in organizer.
Accordingly, there is a simple rule that is recommended to be remembered: the smaller the cells in the built-in organizer, the greater their number can be present in it and vice versa.
Storage system rating
Before purchasing a product, it is important to determine its type and characteristics. A rating of the best tool boxes can help you make the right decision.
The most popular standard devices:
- STANLEY Expert Cantilever 1-94-738 45×20.8×20.8 cm. This box is of good quality, which fully justifies the rather high price. The design is made of durable metal, has a convenient hinged lid and has 5 compartments for storing work accessories. The product is adapted to increased loads and allows for easy and quick maintenance.
STANLEY Expert Cantilever Box Source m.onlinetrade.ru
Removable additional tray
It happens that the design of a tool box contains an additional tray that is not secured in any way. It is simply placed in a box, which is closed with a lid, or taken out of it when work is required.
Typically, such a tray contains the tools most often used in work, because... The presence of such a tray implies quick use of the most necessary tools.
JetTools JT1602319
- Case material – ABS plastic.
- The material of the locks is ABS plastic.
- Maximum load – 8 kg.
- Dimensions – 340x325x140 mm.
- Weight – 0.734 kg.
JetTools JT1602319 is the most compact and cheapest model of the tool case presented in today’s review. It is made in a horizontal form factor and is designed for storing and carrying various hand tools.
The case body is made of plastic that is resistant to temperature changes and mechanical damage. To close the lid, two frost-resistant plastic locks are used, ensuring its secure fixation. A single internal space provides convenient placement and storage of tools. The use of high-quality materials in manufacturing and good fit of parts prevents moisture and dust from entering the box, and also ensures a long period of its operation.
The case is transported using a comfortable plastic handle with a corrugated surface for better fixation in the user’s hand. Special eyelets located at the ends of the tool box allow you to fix a belt in them for more comfortable movement of the case.
Photos of the best models of tool boxes
STANLEY Mobile Work Center 1-93-968
- Case material – plastic.
- The material of the locks is metal.
- The volume of internal space is 25 l.
- Maximum load – 15.5 kg.
- Dimensions – 473x302x627 mm.
- Weight – 3 kg.
STANLEY Mobile Work Center 1-93-968 – universal tool case. The modular design allows for maximum optimization of tool storage and transfer. The internal space is divided into several segments, interconnected by reliable metal locks. The single-section lower part has no partitions or shelves and is perfect for storing large construction tools. The upper module is divided into two halves by a removable shelf. In addition, on its outside there is a carousel-type organizer, with which you can conveniently store small fasteners. For more optimal storage of things, there are two boxes in the lid.
To transport the assembled case, wide rubber-coated wheels and a solid plastic handle are used. The upper module is moved using an ergonomic handle. The design of the case allows for the use of padlocks for safe storage of tools.
Type of shell
You should think in advance and measure where the chest doors and handle options will be located. The design can be open or closed to accommodate large items. This could be a large box with compartments or a designer piece of art.
Interior decoration
The model can be simple for storing various small items or multifunctional: a separate row with holes for various screwdrivers, pencils, glue, pliers, etc.
Drawers on several levels are convenient; they can be inserted into each other or pulled out. The main thing is to achieve maximum order in the arrangement of parts, so that there are nails, screws, tape measure, power tools, etc. separately.
When manufacturing a specific model, it is necessary to take into account the operating conditions:
- storage location (apartment, basement or garage);
- humidity level;
- temperature;
- frequency of use of devices and devices (professional activities or for home).
How to do it yourself?
The tool organizers presented in stores do not always correspond to the desired sizes and contents. For those who have not found a suitable drawer, the solution to the problem will be to make an organizer with your own hands. Let's look at an example of how to assemble a wooden tool box with a lid.
Preparatory stage
To work you will need:
pine board (inexpensive, easy-to-process material);- wood glue;
- metal corners (8 pcs.);
- self-tapping screws;
- furniture hinges (2 pcs.);
- lock - latch (2 pcs.);
- hacksaw, drill, clamp;
- sandpaper.
Then, according to the drawing below, the elements of the future organizer are cut out of the boards using a hacksaw.
Assembly
The box body and lid are assembled first. The necessary elements, the edges of which are pre-coated with wood glue, are connected and fixed with self-tapping screws. The removable tray is assembled in the same way. To make it convenient to remove it from a large box, a handle is fixed at the top. The third element is the lid.
After all the elements have been assembled, the wood must be thoroughly sanded and coated with a protective varnish or stain.
The final stage of assembly is the installation of furniture hinges (connecting the lid to the box) and latches - locks. Additionally, the corners of the organizer are decorated with metal protective corners, and a handle is fixed to the lid. Your DIY tool box is ready!
The video will show you how to make a tool box with your own hands:
Comparison table of characteristics
We have compiled a general table in which we have included the main characteristics of the products discussed above.
| Model | Dimensions | Weight | Material | Pen | Purpose |
| STANLEY Modular Rolling Workshop 1-79-206 | 488×348x866 mm | 10.2 kg | plastic | metal | hand tool |
| Keter Sliding Tool Chest 18 17191709 24″ | 616×378x415 mm | 6 kg | polypropylene | metal | hand tool |
| Zarges 41815 | 960x400x455 mm | 9.5 kg | aluminum | metal | universal |
| QBRICK 149998 | 765x585x438 mm | 10 kg | plastic | metal | hand tool |
| NEO 84-116 | 710x400x360 mm | 4.5 kg | plastic | metal | hand tool |
| PATROL GROUP QBRICK SYSTEM CART PRO (SKRWQCPROCZAPG002) | 590x190x390 mm | 7.9 kg | plastic | metal | universal |
| DEWALT DWST1-73598 | 630x400x420 mm | 5.6 kg | plastic | metal | universal |
