Is a rolling workbench/toolchest for garage worth it?

[Fru-Gal]

I always like those shiny red Milwaukee rolling table/tool chests with the butcher block top. They are pricey, however, and I also *don’t* like taking up floor space in my clutter-free garage. Are they a good buy or not worth it? Is pegboard better? I have an out-of-sight, very large closet/cubby in the crawlspace where most tools go… that is if they make it there. Mostly they end up either on the floor just inside the crawlspace (i.e. not in the appropriate tool chest/basket/shelf/box)or on the floor of the garage until I clean everything up every 6 months.

[lthenderson]

It really depends on what you use your garage for and how much time you spend there. I have a fancy red toolbox on wheels with a butcher block top I rarely use it for anything other than a collection surface for miscellaneous stuff. But I’m a woodworker and most of my tools don’t fit in the thin drawers. What do fit slide around and become cluttered. I have a rolling workbench I made with deeper customized drawers for each tool that gets much more use. Likewise, I dislike pegboard. The holders aren’t customizable to my tools, fall out and everything is exposed and perpetually covered in sawdust. I custom built cabinets with doors and made customized holders that attach to my wall using French cleats.

But both may be very practical and desirable for others who use their garage for different things.

[GilesMM]

I have a stainless steel rolling workbench which I like as a work surface.  I can move it where I need it otherwise it is in the garage.  Stainless is sturdy and clean but not ideal for, say, woodworking.  Doesn't store tools really but the lower shelf could house a toolbox.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016DNAZ3O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

[tyrannostache]

I gave my husband a bit of a hard time for buying a shiny multi-drawer rolling toolchest.

But I have since completely eaten my words. It has made home projects significantly easier. No more digging through boxes and bins on the shelf to find the right tool, or remembering where you were that the last time you used that particular item. Everything has a place, and it's easy to see it. And, more importantly, it is much easier to put things away in the right place. This is one spendy purchase I fully endorse

[GuitarStv]

Having an organized space in the garage with a sizable flat tabletop has massively increased the speed at which I can get projects done.  I would previously spend hours and hours trying to locate misplaced tools every time that I was working on renovations or fixes to stuff.  Then I'd often do crappy quality trying to balance stuff I was working on on milk crates or our recycling bin.

FWIW, I actually built my own workbench.  Bunch of shelves and flat scrap wood tabletop, with permanently mounted clamp on one end.  Pop some roller wheels underneath it and bob's your uncle.

[Sibley]

Having storage and organization that is actually used and works for what you're doing will absolutely be worth it. The rolling cabinet may or may not be that. Personally, I find kitchen-cupboard sized drawers more helpful.

[FINate]

I have a smaller off-brand rolling tool chest. It's great. I know right where to find every tool and everything is easily accessible. It works just as well as the expensive brand at a fraction of the price. The more expensive one may be worth it if you're using it all day every day, like in a professional setting. But it's a waste of money for most people.

[sonofsven]

I'm looking at  Harbor Freight to replace my junky old Craftsman boxes, so I would say it's worth it, but I haven't bought them yet because I'm thrifty, AKA cheap.
Organization is a dream but is difficult to maintain as I always have too many projects at once, and every flat surface gets piled on.
Check out HF though, they have lots of sales, I looked at the boxes in person and they looked good.

[Just Joe]

I've purchased about x6 rolling toolboxes from HF. Two for my house and several for my employer. I rate them as good.

They have three lines of tool boxes. Yukon for the budget conscious, US General is slightly better and Icon is their best toolbox.

Mine are all US General. I have one Yukon at work. Its fine. I prefer the US General.

You can always buy a flattop toolbox from Harbor Freight and then a 3/4" thick slab of butcher block wood from a big box hardware store and cut to size. 

Lowe's Hardware also sells toolboxes. All of them are made in China too. Kobalt in their store brand. I'm pretty sure Craftsman toolboxes are made in China.

I'd love to have a big Made in America Snap-On toolbox. They are very nice but for my needs, wholly not necessary.

[Dancin'Dog]

Most shops require a variety of storage types.  Tool carts & boxes are good for small hand tools.  Cabinets & shelves are good for larger bulky shaped tools & supplies.  Repurposed kitchen bases & upper cabinets are handy in the shop.  File cabinets have deep drawers that can be quite useful too. 


No matter what type of storage you have it only works if you actually take the time to utilize it.  I have several junky clutter collecting zones, where everything seems to pile up.  I enjoy sifting through it when I'm feeling unproductive, it reminds me of all the projects that I have recently completed.  :~)

[Dicey]

DH has a really nice upright old-school Craftsman tool chest that he got at an Estate Sale. He also sold one when we moved, so they do come up occasionally. They're worth keeping an eye out for.

[Just Joe]

Also - FB Marketplace or Craigslist. Someone will be downsizing or clearing an estate and a toolbox will be for sale sometimes full of tools even.

I know someone who bought a machinist's toolbox with all the machinist's precision tools inside. Friend is a machinist so... ;)