Posts
4218
Joined
10/5/2017
Location
FL
US
Edited Date/Time
1/13/2021 7:00pm
Looking to branch out and get my own home box finally. I've been using my dads stuff forever and figured it would be nice to organize a box the way I want it. I was going to get the harbor freight 5 drawer pictured below. I'm going with the basics for every toolbox as well as some moto specialty stuff like fork tools and such. Anyone have a similar cart with any pictures for layout? Or even drop pictures of whatever box you have! Any tools you're really happy you got specifically for bikes? 
The Shop
The depth of the top drawer to be able to stand up sockets is sweet!
The width of the box enables me to have all my metric/standard wrenches in the same drawer.
Favorite specialty tool is a Pit Posse spoke torque wrench set. Works great, no complaints.
I’d go with a bigger box if I were you, you’ll fill that up in no time.
Picks! Make sure you get some. You’ll use them more than you’d think.
keep an eye on ebay. I’ve bought a ton of Blue Point and Snap On stuff way cheaper than off the truck. Couple good tool traders on there that deal with the “high end” tools. Not saying Craftsman won’t work as I like some of their stuff. A price tag doesn’t mean it’s better all the time.
You can get a cheap metal filing cabinet for specialty tools (fork disassembly, motor disassembly) and the box will be plenty for everyday bike tools.
Pit Row
Buy good torque wrenches. Check out the Motion Pro website for MX specific tools, that's pure porn for a tool guy.
72 inch Husky rolling cabinet. I’m impressed with the quality and value of this toolbox. Holds all of my tools plus riding gear in the large bottom drawers. My only regret is not getting one sooner. I’ll probably add the 56 inch toolbox at some point in the future.
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Non-Moto,21/Team-Harbor-Freight,1380391
If you are thinking of just the basics and mobility, the box in your first pic is hard to beat for the price. They seem to be a really good bang for the buck. My general rule is this. If the box feels flimsy at the store, it will only get worse. Premium boxes have always had a premium price until recently. You can now get a really good tool box and not have a car payment sized bill every week at the Snap On truck.
These are things that I check when looking at tool boxes new or used.
1. Is there a lot of movement in the drawers, when they are out?
2. Bearings or slides on the drawers
3. How thick of a gauge is the metal?
What about craiglist? Buy used and then if you find it’s not the right size for you, sell it, and then put you’re money into something that you KNOW is a proper fit, and also better decide what kind of quality if worth it for you.
I got an old Craftsman roller from my bro-in-law and it works fine for my needs. It is rusty and creaky, and doesn’t roll well at all, but I found that with my garage set-up, that I don’t really move it around. I though I would roll it everywhere, but I parked it in one spot and it works for me.
I have a few smaller toolboxes to take to the track, etc.
Also, I never filled the roller. I have bigger items in a cabinet and file drawer cabinet.
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