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There are a lot of DIY enthusiasts, vehicle owners, carpenters, and homeowners who love to repair and build things on their own.
For this, they have a variety of tools that they store at their home or work station. Professional repairmen usually have a toolbox that is ready on the go to serve them.
But how about people who store these tools at home and work with them as a hobby? For this purpose, a tool chest is the perfect piece of storage equipment. This chest can accommodate a huge collection of gadgets and instruments.
In case you are wondering what some of the tool chests under $500 is, then read this review ahead to know more!
Types of Tool Boxes & Chest
Anybody who loves to work with electronics, metalworking or woodworking has to possess a tool box in the garage or in front of you if you’re a professional. There are several types of tool boxes available in the market catering to a large selection of users. Below are some of the popular types.
Stationary Tool Box
One of the most common type of tool boxes is the stationary ones. They come mostly in small sizes but you can get them in large sizes. They are kept on the workbench or below it for quick access.
Drawer Tool Box and Roller Cabinet
Professional workers love to have the Drawer Tool box system with a roller cabinet. These are big and strong with lots of drawers and a cabinet for storing big tools.
Drawer Workbench with Tool Box Cabinet
Most semi-professional DIY workers use this type of tool box due to the convenience it provides. You have a suitable workbench and a tool box cabinet under it. As you can guess, with this type of go tool box, accessing and storing the tools whenever you need them becomes much easier.
Stool and Tool Box
These are small and compact tool boxes with drawers that you can sit on! This is great for jobs where you have to work on for a long time. You can just sit and do your thing and your tools are just below you!
Hand-Carry Tool Box
Most professionals have this type of portable tool boxes with them all the time. These have handles for carrying and they open up nicely revealing all the toolsets in different compartments.
Why Do I Need a Tool Chest?
In this age of DIY (Do It Yourself), having a tool chest with lots of tools has become an important issue. Why wouldn’t it be? If you can do it in your garage, why should you go to a professional for that, right? There are a few points that seem to establish the fact of having tool chests in your home.
Emergencies
There are some emergencies when you can’t just wait for the contractor to come in the morning and fix it. Like when the tubing breaks or the electric circuit gives up for some reason. You can’t wait all night.
If you have a tool chest with the right tools you can easily give a make-do repairing to it until the professionals come to fix it.
Repairing Home Appliances
You know those moments where you recognize what busted up the blender or the oven but you don’t have the tools to fix it? Yeah, in those moments you need a tool chest.
Changing the batteries or replacing busted-up components of your PC is some of the regular occurrences that bring up the need of having a tool chest filled with the necessary toolsets.
Home Improvements
The man of the house is always called up whenever the house needs some fixing whether it’s inside the house or on the outside. Fixing the roof is a constant occurrence as well as the electric routings and circuits. Drill machines, screwdrivers, and other tools are necessary for these jobs.
10 Best Tool Chest Under $500 – Review
Since you are reading this article to find out what our top 10 picks are, we won’t make you wait any longer. Read below to know in details about the best chest tools available out there:
Keter Modular Locking and Rolling Tool Chest
A sleek looking chest tool that will enhance the aesthetics of your workstation is the locking and rolling chest from Keter Modular.
This special furniture has a unique design that makes it safe storage for all your hardware and instrument.
It is available in black color with a perfect size for preserving a wide array of tools. Having a height of 23.5 inches and a width of 22.1 inches, you can store this equipment anywhere.
The chest is made from polypropylene resin plastic that further enhances its durability. This material keeps the tools inside in pristine condition.
The material is also safe from rusting, rotting, and denting. Thus the chest looks as good as new even after prolonged use.
Besides, in case you have kids at your home who might sneak in to play with the tools and injure themselves, the chest also comes with a locking mechanism. Therefore, you have the flexibility to lock each drawer after use.
The chest consists of five separate drawers, each of which are well equipped to store any sort of tools starting from your gardening hardware to a car repairing kit. Moreover, this equipment is portable and easy to carry.
Therefore, you can use this instead of a toolbox in case you need to carry a lot of instruments that a toolbox cannot accommodate.
Lastly, the chest also contains a set of 16 removable bins and dividers that you can organize according to your requirements.
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CRAFTSMAN Tool Chest (CMST82765BK)
CRAFTSMAN is a well-known manufacturer of handy tools and equipment that serve a great value for their customers.
Not deviating from this norm, their product range also includes exceptional tool chests that are made while keeping customer satisfaction in mind.
The second pick on our list is one such tool chest. It comes with a set of 4 drawers, each of which has ample space to accommodate your wide array of tools.
The construction material of this chest is strong and stout steel, which makes this equipment extremely durable and long-lasting.
Not only this, but the steel also keeps it safe from rust and dents. The dimension of this steel is 20-24 gauge, which speaks volumes of its high quality. Moreover, the overall chest is capable of supporting 500 lb. of weight.
To eliminate the problem of sticky drawers, the chest is equipped with ball-bearing extensions that allow the drawers to be opened and closed smoothly. Moreover, each drawer is capable of supporting 50 lb of weight.
The chest is also completely portable due to its wheels. And lastly, it also contains casters and two locks to keep the tools stored inside safe and secured.
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Seville Classics UltraHD Rolling Storage Cabinet (UHD20205B)
The third pick on our list is an exquisite looking chest drawer that can camouflage easily as a piece of elegant furniture. Its appearance is such a stylish look that guests might mistake it to be a very expensive item.
However, that is not the case as this pick is completely worth its value. Although the chest weighs 109 lbs, it is equipped with wheels that makes it portable and easy to move.
To start off on its features, the dimensions of the equipment stands at the height of 34.5 inches while having a depth of 20 inches. It is 28 inches wide. From this alone, you can tell that the chest is quite spacious.
On top of this, the chest comes with a set of 3 drawers and a cabinet shelf. Each drawer is about 17.5 inches deep and 11.75 inches wide. Therefore, you can store a variety of tools in there.
The chest is made up of heavy-duty stainless steel that adds to its durability. Moreover, the door is equipped with a lock and key security system that keeps the internal items safe from unwanted intrusion.
In addition, the cabinet shelf is adjustable. And the top surface of the chest is made of hardwood that gives it an elegant look.
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Seville Classics UltraHD 6-Drawer Rolling Cabinet
If the third pick on our list impressed you, then prepare to be amazed even more. This one is another masterpiece from Seville that also has the same elegant look as its predecessors.
However, the difference between this model and the previous one is its size and capacity. This model is larger and has a greater amount of space to store bigger tools.
Serving the same exquisite appearance, this model, too has a surface made of hardwood. But instead of 3, this one has 6 drawers, each of which is cushion lined.
Moreover, the front side of these drawers is made up of stainless steel that enhances their durability. The dimensions of the overall chest are also bigger. Its height is 34.5 inches while its width and depth is 28 inches and 18 inches, respectively.
Furthermore, the overall body of the equipment is made up of powder-coated steel, which protects it from dents and rust. On top of this, it also comes with a shelf with an adjustable height.
Chest is fully portable due to its heavy-duty 5-inch caster wheels. And you have the choice of locking the wheels into its place. Despite being bigger in size, the chest weighs 105 lbs, which is even lesser than the previous model.
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High Capacity Rolling Tool Chest With Wheels and Drawers
If you are someone who owns a mountain of handy tools and hardware, then this particular tool chest is the one for you. It comes with eight drawers, each of which is larger than the other.
As a result, you are able to store items of all shapes and sizes. Hence, this chest is called the high capacity rolling tool chest. It is made up of stainless steel and coated with anti-rust powder to prevent rust and increase its durability.
Other than being strong and tough, the steel also protects the chest from scratches and dents. It is nearly impossible to break into its drawers due to the locking mechanism.
Moreover, there is a toolbox located on the top of this equipment. In addition, there is also a rolling cabinet on the bottom of the chest.
To ensure smooth mobility, the chest comes with two fixed casters and two swivel ones. It is also equipped with a handle to ensure easy maneuverability.
The bottom drawer contains ample space for storing large tools. It is also quite easy to open and close the drawers due to their ball bearing slides. In addition, each drawer is equipped with a non-slip handle that ensures easy opening.
You can lock the wheels of the chest anytime to prevent it from moving around from its place. Moreover, it also contains a work surface that gives you the space to do your craftwork right above the chest.
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Husky 27 in. 5-Drawer Roller Cabinet Tool Chest in Textured Black
Even though this particular tool chest might look like a simpleton at first glance, it is not so at all if you focus on its long list of features.
Coming from the well-known manufacturer Husky, this tool chest ensures proper storage and security of your favorite set of tools and hardware items.
Although this chest weighs only 120 pounds, it contains five drawers large enough to accommodate your wide array of tools. It is 27 inches long and also contains a rolling tool cabinet.
Not only this, but it also contains drawers of different dimensions to allow equipment of various sizes. For example, there are three small drawers, 1 medium-sized one and one large one.
The overall color of the chest is black, which gives it a rough but attractive look. The total capacity of the drawers stands at 8,586 cubic inches, which is large enough to hold small to medium-sized tools.
Moreover, the drawers are ball bearing and, therefore, can be opened and closed easily. The overall load capacity of the chest is 1000 lbs. Not only this, but it is also equipped with wheels that give it portability.
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Kennedy Manufacturing 620B 20” 3-Drawer Machinists
If you are someone who likes old school things and antique furniture and love to decorate your home with such antiquities, then this chest tool is the most suitable match for you.
It comes from Kennedy Manufacturing, and the design of this particular model is about 100 years old. That is why, at first glance, you will feel like you are looking at vintage and elegant piece of furniture.
Besides its attractive appearance of elegance and vintage sophistication, the tool chest is made up of durable steel. It is also painted brown to give it a look of wooden furniture.
This ensures the durability of the material and protects it from dents and scratches. Moreover, you can get the chest at variations of 7, 8, to 11 drawers according to its sizes.
All the drawers are well equipped with tubular locks that secure the items inside them. As a result, kids and pets cannot intrude in and cause a commotion.
On top of this, in case guests are visiting, you can conceal the drawers by using its drop front panel. Each drawer is divided into four adjustable dividers and lined with felt.
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Grizzly Industrial H5653-3 Drawer Full Depth
As you can tell by its name, this chest tool is suitable for storing industrial tools and likely has a similar appearance that gives one a rough vibe.
Available in the signature grizzly green color, the overall chest is made up of metal. Thus its durability and longevity are ensured.
However, there is no ball bearing sliding mechanism to support the drawers. This can lead to the drawers not opening smoothly.
Not only this, but there is also a coating of powder painted on top of the metallic body that resists rust. It also protects the chest from scratches.
The overall weight of the chest is 59.75 lbs that makes it quite light compared to some of the other picks of the list. However, the downside of this equipment is the absence of casters to ensure easy mobility.
This makes it a burden to carry it around from one place to another.
In order to change the position of this equipment, you have to carry it on your own. So make sure to store it somewhere, which would not require any moving.
This will save you from the trouble of carrying its heavyweight and getting back pain.
Apart from this, there are three drawers on this chest, each of which has locks and keys.
This will keep your tools safe from the prying eyes of kids. Moreover, the drawers have a length of 22.5 inches and a depth of 16 inches, which makes them spacious enough.
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TANKSTORM Heavy Duty Cart Steel Rolling Tool Box 5 Drawer Cart (TZ35 Blue)
For people who love funky colors and items, TANKSTORM brings its very own heavy-duty toolbox. The reason why we called it funky is because of its appearance. Available in color bright blue, it is equipped with big swiveling casters.
There are four such wheels available in total, two of which have brakes, and the other two, don’t. The wheels help in the easy mobility of the chest. Moreover, the overall toolbox is made up of cold-rolled steel. On top of this, a coating of anti-rust powder is added.
This enhances the durability of the chest and also protects it from rusts. The powder coating prevents fading due to various other chemical reactions and scratches. Not only this, but the chest also has five big drawers in total that are capable of storing various tools and instruments.
Each of the drawers is equipped with a lock, which ensures the security of the tools inside. Apart from this, the chest weighs only 52.1 lbs, which makes it very light.
Thus maximum portability is ensured owing to its wheels and weight. The chest itself is large enough, having dimensions of 24 inches lengthwise and 30 inches height-wise. This gives its user ample space to preserve his valuable collection of tools.
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Gerstner International GI-T24 Red Oak 11-Drawer Top Chest
This product from Gerstner International is, although the last product on our list, it is in no way less than the predecessors mentioned before. In fact, it is also loaded with features that make it equally desirable, if not more.
Gerstner International is renowned for its wooden products, and this chest tool is no exception.
Unlike the other picks on this list, it is made of hardwood, which enhances its protection against moisture.
Since the product is made up of wood, you don’t have to worry about rusting. Moreover, the hardwood gives it a rustic but elegant appearance that makes it look like an expensive piece of furniture. In addition to this, the overall hardware is plated with chrome.
This increases its durability and sustainability. The chest is 15.7 inches tall. However, the only downside of buying this chest is its lack of portability. It does not contain any wheels to help it in moving.
The interior of this chest is coated with green felt that adds some cushioning. As a result, the tools stored inside remain in pristine condition. Not only this, but a front lid also prevents the drawers from falling off when they remain in the opened state.
In addition, a total of 11 drawers are provided with this chest. Six of these are medium-sized, while two are narrow, and the remaining are full width. This gives you a lot of space to store your valuable tools.
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What to Look for Before Buying?
There are certain elements and features that should be inspected within a tool chest before buying it. They might look the same, but certain key features can differentiate between a high-quality tool chest and an average one. So here are the features to look for before making the purchase:
Space for Storage
Higher space and capacity in a tool chest is very vital. If anybody has a rising number of tool collections over time, then that person must pay heed to the storage capacity of that particular tool chest.
But if you own a limited number of tools, then these are quite compatible with ordinary storage capacities.
Sturdy Build
Tools can be really heavy and difficult to carry. A collection of multiple tools can be very difficult for the user to carry through a tool chest because of its weight. That is why, alongside the volume capacity, it is important to pay importance to the loading capacity.
It is necessary to understand whether the chest is strong, durable, and sturdy enough. Double-wall construction tool chests will give a sturdier build than single wall constructions.
Capacity and Specification of Drawers
Drawers are important elements in a tool chest. They help in the storage and organization of the tools. It is important to notice whether they’re easy to open and durable enough.
Furthermore, the drawers also have to be designed meticulously in order to save space. The heaviest tools are usually placed in the stamped drawer bottom, so they need to be the most durable of the lot.
Slides
Two kinds of drawer slide designs dominate the modern tool chest market.
Friction Slide
Friction slides are the unsophisticated and simple kind of slide among the two. They function on the physics of the kinetic energy.
They have an advantage in the context of pricing. And they only require minimal lubrication and are absolutely not prone to failure. They are simple and easy to arrange, as well.
Ball Bearing Slide
The ball-bearing slides, on the other hand, help drawers to be opened faster and more efficiently.
Special observation has to be given on the loading capacity of these slides. Maximum extendibility is also a feature that must be considered among these ball bearing slides.
Locking Mechanism
Tool chests are bought for safeguarding and organizing tools. Locks are the elements that help in safeguarding.
The locking mechanism of a tool chest has to be really perfect in order for it to be an effective and quality tool chest. Moreover, the tubular lock system is very popular and seen among most designs.
It requires the locking or unlocking of a single drawer to lock or unlock the rest. There are more conventional padlock eyelets for inserting a traditional padlock. It is very important to choose the design with the most effective security system.
Wheels
Casters or wheels are not a common feature in most Tool chests. However, if there are wheels present, it is important to note whether they are made from appropriate heavy-duty materials.
They should also be attached with rubber coatings to help improve gripping abilities and traction and, at the same time, dampen rolling noise.
A higher degree of safety, stability, and maneuverability can be obtained through casters with locking and swiveling mechanism.
Wheels greatly improve the mobility of the storage solution, so they are a good feature not to miss out on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually, most tool chests are designed in such a way that locking one drawer automatically locks the others. The same goes for the unlocking procedure.
Most tool chests are provided with spare locks. In order to replace it, you have to remove the top drawer, exterior nut and lock bar.
Then you will gain access to the old lock and be able to remove it by following the instruction manual provided with the tool chest.
Ball bearing slides help in opening and closing the drawers smoothly. Thus, the drawers don’t get unnecessarily stuck.
The name caster might sound unfamiliar to you, but it simply is the other name of swiveling wheels. These help in easy maneuverability of the chest and increases its portability.
Each part of the chest needs to be cleaned differently. For example, you can clean the body of the chest and the interior of the drawers with detergent and water.
You can also apply car wax of the exterior body to maintain the shine. In order to clean the casters, and the slides, you can apply grease to maintain their maneuverability.
Conclusion
A tool chest is any craftsman’s best friend. This helps to preserve and protect all of his precious tools in a pristine condition. It is bigger than a toolbox and has ample space to store a huge collection of instruments.
Therefore, if you are a DIY enthusiast, you might be interested in buying one. Hence, you are in this article. And our job is to assist you.
For which, we have listed down the ten tool chest. Choosing any of the items mentioned on this list won’t leave you disappointed.
References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl4XeXNnLYc
https://www.creativesafetysupply.com/content/education-research/101-tool-foam-organizer-hacks/index.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toolbox