We previously posted about in parts 1 through 3 about some of the main staples of any auto shop. Air compressors, car lifts, floor jacks, wheel balancers and tire changers. This post will dive deeper into the shop equipment essentials wish list.
A Tool Box, Tool Cabinet, tool chest is vital to any technician. Most technicians can get by just fine with a moderate sized top tool box with a matching bottom tool cabinet with wheels. Some of the more experienced techs end up getting additional accessories,like a side locker to add to their cabinet. Of course, the box set up you get depends on your needs for storage. If you have a wide selection of tools, you’re going to get a larger box and cabinet combo.
Some recommendations for getting a quality box include –
Check the load capacity rating on the box. A good minimum capacity rating should be about 1200 lbs.
The drawers should be able to handle at least 75 lbs. each.
The drawer slides should slide with ball bearings. Keep looking if the box doesn’t have ball bearing drawer slides.
The box should be constructed of thick gauge steel with double wall construction, or better.
We carry Waterloo tool boxes. They are one of the largest and finest tool box manufacturers in the industry.
There are many fine tool box manufacturers out there. But there are plenty of inferior box manufacturers as well. So do your homework and don’t get burned.
