Over at Amazon, this CAT 3-drawer portable metal tool box is listed as a deal, with a $54.69 price tag. It’s “was” price is listed as $72.99.
I used to have Craftsman tool boxes of this style, and they were quite handy. One was a 2-drawer tool box, and the other a 3-drawer, just like this one. There’s a good chance that the tool boxes were made by the same OEM.
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The drawer slides are rated to 25 lbs, which isn’t unreasonable for a box this size. The tool box measures 20.5″ L x 8.6″ D x 11.8″ H.
I didn’t show it here, because the available image isn’t that good, but there’s a top handle, sized for one hand. While the box can get heavy when fully loaded, I like the absence of side handles; in my experience, the smooth sides makes the tool box a little easier to store.
There’s a very similar Waterloo model that’s priced at $63. Compared to the Waterloo, this CAT tool box has an added cantilever tool tray in the top lid compartment. My guess is that this is made by Waterloo, and the upper tray and color scheme are CAT-specific.
My Craftsman tool chest, which I gave to my father when my needs changed, was able to hold a good amount of hand tools. The drawers are shallow and small, so there are no illusions that this can hold ALL of one’s tools. It’s more of a roadbox or suitable for a portable tool kit.
I suppose that this could be your only tool box, if you’re just starting out.
Price: $55
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The yeti
Id buy that over a lot of the stuff i see.
Be nice if they made it with an open front and let u add drawers of various height.
fred
This style box might be better for specialized tools rather than for general storage.
No longer needing (probably never did with only 3 kids) five bedrooms – my wife turned one of them into a sewing and craft room. I built her some cabinets and benches/worktops – and then bought her a pair of 26 inch-11 drawer Kennedy machinist’s chests for some of her sewing notions and crafting tools. She likes the brown finish on the Kennedy’s. The only thing wrong with them was they cost more than a wee bit more than $54.69 even when Amazon had a great half-price deal on them last year.
Cody
Cat also has a really nice 52 inch tool chest with top. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HF3K50Y/
John
I’d have to select the gift wrap option on that just to see what they come up with.
Stuart
Yep! I mentioned that combo in yesterday’s “New Amazon Tool Deals that Don’t Suck” post – https://toolguyd.com/amazon-tool-deals-120617/ . It has some interesting features.
FishStick
Reminds me of my Craftsman crinkle black rally box 4 drawer. Mixed feelings always on the top tray, sure it holds stuff but also prevents bigger items in the top.
Toolfreak
Yeah, this is basicaly the 3-drawer Rally Box with a paint job.
They actually did make 3-drawer Craftsman Rally Boxes for awhile along with the 4-drawer, but only for a short while. They were in at least one Craftsman catalog.
I liked the idea of the tray but skipped it for the regular 3-drawer because as you say, it made for more room in the top.
Brian
I put screwdrivers in the tray and then small cases in the top, Tekton allen key set fits perfectly under the tray. I like the Rally boxes a lot, they’re perfect for a bench top box, they don’t take a lot of room off your work surface…and you have a decent amount of tools at your fingertips instead of turning around and walking to the big tool box.
z2w
The dimensions are actually 8.6”x20.5”x11.6”. Looks like Stuart made a typo!
Stuart
That was… um… uh… a test! Yes, a test! You get a gold star!
Thanks! You’d be surprised how often a mistake might last until I discover it or someone points it out. Much appreciated!
Bill
Well, the Waterloo says that it is made in the USA while information on the CAT seems to indicate made in China, if that is important to you.
Toolfreak
I think the recent Waterloo stuff is made in Mexico unless there is old stock or they are making just the 3-drawer boxes here. Every single Waterloo hand box I’ve seen since they stopped USA production years ago has been made in Mexico. The new stuff made in China uses the Waterloo designs but seems to just be made by another company, possibly contracted by Waterloo to make their stuff even cheaper for greater profit.
Bill
Product features
Designed, engineered and assembled in the USA
Full-extension 25 lb. Friction drawer slides
Top tray for additional storage
Full-width piano hinge pins for trouble-free opening and closing
1 year limited warranty protects against defects
I guess Amazon is giving shoppers the wrong information then.
pete
Curse you! I do NOT need this but i want this lol. If i buy it than i’ll have to buy more tools to fill it up lol.
Toolfreak
3 drawers is actually enough for an entire socket set with 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drives, plus a wrench set and all the ratchets, extensions, and accessories in the top.
If you don’t want/need the cantilever tray and like red, you can get the Craftsman 3-drawer for around $40 on sale at Sears, or the 4-drawer for a little more.
Joanne
Do the drawers lock on this?
Stuart
Yes, there’s a lock.