Tools Storage Discussion Board

replacement key

BigMike4511 — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:22:44 GMT

If your box is currently unlocked, take the lock out and take it to a locksmith. They can make a key for it easily.

If it is locked, a good locksmith can open it in a few minutes, but you would have to pay for a service call, unless the box is small enough to carry to the shop.

replacement key

teardown — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:08:07 GMT

I still own a craftsman toolbox I bought back in 1987. I am looking for a replacement key #3023 for it. A sales person at Sears informed me that they no longer have replacement keys for it. The replacement locks they showed me were an assorted package of 5 or 6 locks, none looked exactly like mine clerk was not sure i one would work, and I only need one replacement key perferably or one replacement lock.

craftsman 430 stainless steel

protoolguy — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:41:38 GMT

Actually it does make a difference in many areas of use. I throw my tools on top of my box and also use the box as a table top for tasks. I know that screws, drill bits and recip saws touch, not abuse my box. Also the food industry and medical industry will not accept any coating no matter what the claim. A chemical coating can not only flake but the chemical coating could possibly leak into food that is ingested into humans. If the coating can peal because of abuse then what do you think workers in a industrial environment do they work and are abusive. Companies that use real 304 don’t have to worry about customer abuse. Not to mention the coating is on the outside of the box so if water leaks to the inside the product could be corroded from the inside out. Why is every stainless steel kitchen sink, dishwasher, refridgerator, island counter top sold by every manufacturer in the world use 304 stainless steel without a coating? What items in a home would benefit more from enhanced cleanability and stain resistance than the items stated above. Could everyone else be wrong or is this coating just a means to sell a less expensive product with the look of a product that consumers want. This is not differentiation. Lastly, my guess is that we won't be seeing this space aged coating on very many items in the future. It's a ripoff.

craftsman 430 stainless steel

BlueCrewGuyInMA — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 04:04:04 GMT

The point of the coating is to make the chest resistant to staining, easy to clean, and maintain a high sheen. The grade of the stainless steel doesn't matter when it's completely coated, because it cannot pit or rust with that coating over it, which is why the grade of stainless steel isn't mentioned. No manufacturer of stainless steel products uses 304 in conjunction with a protective finish, because the finish does what the higher grade does at a lower price point.

With 430, the price can be lower and offer a product with enhanced cleanability and stain resistance. Notice the price of the Craftsman stainless steel chest versus the Viper chest. For around $300 less, you can get the Craftsman set with a heavy protective coating. Or, we could charge $300 more for a chest with a higher grade of stainless steel with no coating.

If your chest's coating is chipping, perhaps the chest is being physically abused. You might want to consider the Craftsman Professional line in that case, which offers a yellow automotive finish for the ultimate in protection and a distinctive look.

But, simply put, it's called differentiation. Offering a product different than the competition that has a benefit the competitor's products don't have. Or, we could just do what everyone else does, and there'd be nothing to differentiate Craftsman products from anyone else's. That doesn't seem like as good an approach, though.

craftsman 430 stainless steel

protoolguy — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 22:15:31 GMT

why is the craftsman line of stainless steel made of 430 with some kind of top coat that peels off instead of true 304 stainless steel as found in all of the Viper Tool Storage products sold by sears. More important is why is the Craftsman brand hiding this information from Sears customers and selling an inferior product

Toolbox inside dimensions

Red-Rocks — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:28:28 GMT

Arrrgh! That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for checking & posting the measurments.

Toolbox inside dimensions

AdamO — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:15:54 GMT

Sorry.

The top compartment is limited the 7-3/4 inch in depth.

Length and height are alright.

But, your tray is not going to fit in this box.

Toolbox inside dimensions

Red-Rocks — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:49:20 GMT

Thanks, I appreciate that. The nearest Sears store is about 200 miles one way!

Toolbox inside dimensions

AdamO — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:11:28 GMT

Gotta visit the store for that one.

I'll post back.

Toolbox inside dimensions

Red-Rocks — Tue, 04 May 2010 13:08:40 GMT

I am looking at Model #65628, 3-Drawer Plastic Portable Chest to replace an old worn out portable box. The deal-breaker is the inside dimensions of the top compartment (under the lid) of the box. I have a 12"(w) x 9"(d) x 2"(h) socket tray that must fit in the space under the lid. Replacing the tray with something else is not an option. I WILL find a box that my socket tray will fit! Is this THE box???

40/401/2 top top storage boxes

AdamO — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:56:07 GMT

Good to know.

I also found some brown-wrinkle finish (former Machinist) storage units in the new Tool Headquarters catalog.

I gotta look into whether the tool storage can be delivered to a local store, for free shipping, customer pickup.

Assembling Tool Chest combo

AdamO — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:52:34 GMT

There this taper-tool called an alignment punch, that is designed to help line up holes, before the little package of sheet metal screws is opened and contents used to hold the components together.

The sheet-metal may have to be flexed to align the holes.

Nails can be used as "place holders", after the alignment tool has got a set of holes lined up.

Eventually the sheet-metal self-threading screws (from the kit or a hardware store) will hold everything together and in alignment.

Good luck.

Remember, this assembly only happens the one-time.

Assembling Tool Chest combo

BlueCrewGuyInMA — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:35:37 GMT

Did you check the manual?

Assembling Tool Chest combo

pogmahoney — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 03:35:09 GMT

I am trying to attach the top chest to the bottome cart of the combo I just purchased as a set. There are a few holes but they don't line up. There also doesnt appear to be any hardware included for this purpose.

Can someone tell me what to do before I get drill happy?

U.S. Storage

AdamO — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:26:29 GMT

Great news!

Sears sells made in the U.S. of A. Stack-On multi-compartment plastic storage trays - that I keep lots of small parts in.

And, a sleeper Plano storage system, that is more commonly used to bait and tackle storage for fishers.

But, boy howdy do those units, available in multiple sizes from individual little boxes, to medium sized trays to the Sears and Kmart sold "systems" of multiple trays - held in a vertical storage chest, with a large lidded compartment.

Both makers MAKE the storage HERE!

It's a MIRACLE!

Now.

Everyone go out and BUY some of that there storage!

You promised... to buy American.

40/401/2 top top storage boxes

Firsttractor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:23:55 GMT

Craftsman now sells three 8 drawer 401/2" top storage boxes.

For $249 you get a box with quiet glide rails.

For $299 you get the same box, but with ball bearing rails.

For $329 you get a better box (a bit more refined finish in assembly detail) with reinforced angled front lid, better (somewhat stronger/different design) locking system.

The $249 and $299 boxes are fine for in-home boxes. As such, it's kind of a waste to have locks, as the locks are designed as an afterthought--the locking system could easily be overpowered.

The $399 box's locking system is nothing to brag about even if it is heads above the $249 and $299 box's system. What you do get is a better finish in construction (a bit more rugged) for about $30 dollars more and to get anything better will set you back at least $100 more.

None of the systems are the type needed for use in a commercial shop, but then none cost $550-800 dollars.