A few of Craftsman’s AXS tool storage units were on sale about a year ago during a massive Sears’ tool storage sale, and I remember that many of the accessories were on clearance as well. Sometime a few weeks ago, I realized that the AXS units weren’t featured in the most recent Sears/Craftsman tool catalog.
Today, a quick search of Sears.com shows that only 2 models are available with only 3 units in stock between them.
The AXS chests and rollaways were actually very solid units, once you forget about the unnecessary “blingy” aspects. I checked out the AXS drawers a few times in-store, and they were buttery smooth and solidly built. A lot of people had problem with the few plastic components, but to be honest this didn’t really bother me.
These storage units had premium prices which set them above most DIYer’s budgets, and the pros I spoke with complained about the AXS’s looks.
It will be interesting to see what Craftsman comes up with next. Looking back at the original press releases, the AXS was developed in conjunction with Waterloo and was introduced in Sept. 2007. What I’m wondering is what has Craftsmand and Waterloo been working on since then?
The gimmicks didn’t turn me off nearly as much as the construction did. Honestly, I’d buy a box with doodads if it did something quasi-useful. A clock and thermometer, sure. Good for telling you when to pack it in and get out. A stereo, absolutely. I don’t know any experienced tech without one in his hutch. Pull-out lighting, why not, if you’re storing thousands in hand tools, show it off. The plastic, though, all your coolness evaporates the moment someone says, “That’s great, how long before it bows or cracks?”. If you told me someone offered a snap-in drawer for a top-tier tool chest that was a stereo/clock/thermometer/motion-sensing alarm/bottle opener/pull-out magnifier lamp, I’d think about it. I’m sure there are younger techs out there who wouldn’t even think about it before buying. “Wait, it has a cooling mist fan for when you stand in front of your toolbox? How many can I fit?”
The drawers great. Cost questionable. I use the top of the toolbox too much. That was why I made another choice. Too much tool storage space lost.
If they had an opening top. It may have sold better and still be with us.
That’s a good point, I also use my chests’ top compartments quite a bit too. I’m okay without one, though, as long as there isn’t much wasted space above the topmost drawer.