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had to get a small tool box

Old_Me

Old_Me

SAINT
yeah, the time has finally come, that i take out the ole ATM debit card, mosey on over to Lowes, and buy me a tool box. not a big one, only 3 drawers (on ball bearings) and space on top. got the liner material as well. loaded it up with all of my "gun" repair tools, but still waiting for a "fine" file set from Brownells coming this Friday.

i was storing the tools for the guns, anywhere i could, and i hated that. i wanted them separated from my mechanics tools. made my gun cleaning tote tray heavier too.

pics when the files arrive.

i'd would have liked a nice classic real wood tool box, like a machinist would have......but the cost.....i got this Craftsman for like $77.00

not only that, but everything is in the basement, and even with a dehumidifier, i'd not want to chance a real nice wooden tool box.
 
Wannabewoodsman said:
Harbor freight has a machinist's chest that I have my eyes on for my own gunsmithing. I seriously looked at one and the quality looks to be really good

www.harborfreight.com

8 Drawer Wood Tool Chest

Amazing deals on this 8 Drawer Wood Tool Chest at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
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i cannot really zoom in to take a look at the drawers. but the appear to be "mortised" and to me not being on rails, not even ball bearing at that, is a no go for me. i'd not trust the longevity of the drawers working for many years.
 
i just did some googling...i cannot find the wooden tool box i had seen, with steel drawer runners (inserts) . maybe it was a one off, maybe a customized box, i cannot say. all i can say is that what i am seeing is that the drawers on a wooden tool box are "mortised", and with the constant use, for a lower priced box, i'd not buy it. the higher dollar one's like the ones OVER $500, i'd think would be of a better/higher quality wood, that'll take years of opening/closing of the drawers.
 
Kodiak Cowboy said:
Harbor freight? 👎👎 HF is a step above the dollar store IMOP. Just say'n
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some things i'd buy from HF, like i bought a 25 pound box of walnut media.

last year, i bought a "pancake" air compressor, hose and blow gun all for under (i think) $130.00.

i use the air compressor to blow out my guns, when i spray liquid cleaner into the frame, every once in a while.

some stuff is ok, other stuff, i'd spend more money and buy else where's.

like if i were back in my mechanic days?

i'd buy a Craftsman tool chest/cabinet, before i buy a HF.

HF tool boxes/cabinets are made in China

Verdict: Are U.S. General Tool Boxes Made in the USA?​

No, U.S. General tool boxes are not made in the USA – they are made in China. It doesn’t matter what series or model you are looking at, pretty much all of their tool storage options are made in China, which we confirmed with the Harbor Freight team.
 
Old_Me said:
some things i'd buy from HF, like i bought a 25 pound box of walnut media.

last year, i bought a "pancake" air compressor, hose and blow gun all for under (i think) $130.00.

i use the air compressor to blow out my guns, when i spray liquid cleaner into the frame, every once in a while.

some stuff is ok, other stuff, i'd spend more money and buy else where's.

like if i were back in my mechanic days?

i'd buy a Craftsman tool chest/cabinet, before i buy a HF.

HF tool boxes/cabinets are made in China

Verdict: Are U.S. General Tool Boxes Made in the USA?​

No, U.S. General tool boxes are not made in the USA – they are made in China. It doesn’t matter what series or model you are looking at, pretty much all of their tool storage options are made in China, which we confirmed with the Harbor Freight team.
Click to expand...
I have one or two items in my shop from HF, but nothing I use that often or expect to last a lifetime.
 
Kodiak Cowboy said:
Harbor freight? 👎👎 HF is a step above the dollar store IMOP. Just say'n
Click to expand...
Depends on the object. The toolboxes they sell are top notch. The people who make them (somewhere in Iowa, where I live) also make the Snap on and other higher quality name brand boxes. Most of their cutting tools are too soft for my taste but can get the job done and do it well. Haven't had much of an issue with their hand tools like wrenches but the tolerances seem looser on their lower end brands. I have heard good things about their mini lathes and milling machines as well. The welders are great especially the vulcan brand. This is coming from a guy wh is picky about his tools, too.

Basically, the smaller, cheaper tools like the picks and dremel bits really aren't all that great but a lot of their stuff is pretty good, espically considering places like snap on are outsourcing their work to countries like China.
 
Old_Me said:
i cannot really zoom in to take a look at the drawers. but the appear to be "mortised" and to me not being on rails, not even ball bearing at that, is a no go for me. i'd not trust the longevity of the drawers working for many years.
Click to expand...
This kind of box is to hold smaller tools that you don't want to get banged up like files, micrometers etc. Not meant to hold anything large. This is a chest that sits on one's work bench
 
Addison3 said:
When it comes down to one’s wallet some of us buy what the need calls for. Myself I have bought several tools from H/F with very good results. If I had to make a living using them, my opinion might be different.
just my observations.
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That's a pretty comprehensive way of looking at it ........... I would not buy anything I had to depend on to make a living, but things that are either one time/seldom used or consumable are fine.

For example, I won't trust wrenches and/or sockets to earn a living or a use where I must absolutely depend on it, but I will use their welding wire, grinding discs, soap stones, chipping hammers, etc. Or most anything that is a seldom use item like tape measures, levels, bevel squares, safety glasses, lenses, face shields, etc.

In general their line of Vulcan welding equipment and supplies are perfectly fine. And even their new line of Hercules (and some Bauer) power tools are far better than the old brands of Chicago Electric. They all use the same or similar plastic housings and bearings, the differences is in the motor windings. Check for the amp ratings and the higher the rating, generally the better the tool.

They also carry some handyman stuff like Maquiers auto products and Krylon spray paints. I certainly don't recommend everything in the store, but then neither will I recommend everything in every store/truck, including Snap-On. A quality craftsman will know a quality tool or piece of consumable equipment ...... and those are the pieces one should consider buying regardless of the store.

At my age I don't buy very many tools anymore, I've acquired most of what I'll ever need for the rest of my days over many years. I always bought the best quality I could afford at the time, upgraded when possible and as needed, always took care of them, and they have and still serve me well.
 
My gunsmithing tools started occupying their own box a few years back. I don't buy too much from Harbor Freight, but there is one thing I highly recommend to anyone starting their gunsmithing tool collection. It is best to use hollow-ground screwdrivers on guns, but almost nobody makes them anymore. The only options are either to use interchangeable bits from a kit, or buy very expensive screwdrivers specifically made for gunsmithing.

Harbor Freight has two different sets of Electricians' Screwdrivers from Pittsburgh Tools that have the exact same hollow-ground tapers as gunsmithing sets that cost over $100. Harbor Freight sells the large set for $9.99 and the small set for $8.99. I'm almost always willing to pay more for quality gear, but the Electrician's screwdrivers do an excellent job for about 10% of the price of the name-brand guys.
 
wmg1299 said:
My gunsmithing tools started occupying their own box a few years back. I don't buy too much from Harbor Freight, but there is one thing I highly recommend to anyone starting their gunsmithing tool collection. It is best to use hollow-ground screwdrivers on guns, but almost nobody makes them anymore. The only options are either to use interchangeable bits from a kit, or buy very expensive screwdrivers specifically made for gunsmithing.

Harbor Freight has two different sets of Electricians' Screwdrivers from Pittsburgh Tools that have the exact same hollow-ground tapers as gunsmithing sets that cost over $100. Harbor Freight sells the large set for $9.99 and the small set for $8.99. I'm almost always willing to pay more for quality gear, but the Electrician's screwdrivers do an excellent job for about 10% of the price of the name-brand guys.
Click to expand...
that's what i had to do, bought a set of hollow ground tips and driver, from Midway (if i recall). but then too, coming in a small case, takes up little room, compared to my mechanic days, and 1 whole drawer dedicated to the various screw driver sets known to the repair world.

i recently as yesterday, took delivery from Brownell's, a "fine" file set of 6, diamond coated. i'd not want the coarse set, as to not take off too much metal. as it is, i may never really use these files, but again, as a former mechanic/truck driver, there are times when the tool is needed....

that, and "Tim the Toolman Taylor", was my hero.........we both cannot ever go into a store that sells tools, and come out empty handed.

that's just BLASPHAMY........!!!!!!!

but in the end, there are those of us that are "hobbyists", and those us, that make a living with tools, and we get what we can currently afford, and/or need.
 
wmg1299 said:
My gunsmithing tools started occupying their own box a few years back. I don't buy too much from Harbor Freight, but there is one thing I highly recommend to anyone starting their gunsmithing tool collection. It is best to use hollow-ground screwdrivers on guns, but almost nobody makes them anymore. The only options are either to use interchangeable bits from a kit, or buy very expensive screwdrivers specifically made for gunsmithing.

Harbor Freight has two different sets of Electricians' Screwdrivers from Pittsburgh Tools that have the exact same hollow-ground tapers as gunsmithing sets that cost over $100. Harbor Freight sells the large set for $9.99 and the small set for $8.99. I'm almost always willing to pay more for quality gear, but the Electrician's screwdrivers do an excellent job for about 10% of the price of the name-brand guys.
Click to expand...
I've got the wheeler set and have no complaints. Even odd ball bits like like 1911 grips Ruger-Weaver, Mauser.. I may never need them but you never know!
 
Addison3 said:
When it comes down to one’s wallet some of us buy what the need calls for. Myself I have bought several tools from H/F with very good results. If I had to make a living using them, my opinion might be different.
just my observations.
Click to expand...
I totally understand. I'm no rich man by any means! Far from it. I'm just you average blue collar American. HF tools definitely have their place. Like you said. If one was making a living with their tools well that's another story. My friends and I have both experienced good and bad with HF products. Would I go through HF again? I Probably would. It just depends on what tool I need at the time I guess.
 
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