ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (New for 2019!)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Best Multi-Bit Screwdrivers
    • Best Cordless Impact Drivers (2015)
    • Best Cordless Circular Saws
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Cordless Oscillating Tools
    • Best EDC Gear
    • Best Multimeter
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Modular Tool Boxes
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee NPS19 Tools
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Storage & Organization > So I Bought a Craftsman Heavy Duty Ball Bearing Storage Cabinet…
DEWALT 20V MAX Green Laser GIVEAWAY! - Learn More!

So I Bought a Craftsman Heavy Duty Ball Bearing Storage Cabinet…

Jul 12, 2013 Stuart 8 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Craftsman Red Griplatch DynaGlide Ball Bearing Rolling Storage

Remember that Craftsman Griplatch heavy duty ball bearing tool storage cabinet that’s on sale through tomorrow (7/13/13)? I ordered one from Sears for in-store pickup and just bought it home.

Order & Pickup Process: A+ for Sears

Advertisement

My local Sears location had 2 in stock, so I went ahead and ordered one for in-store pickup. I received a ready for pickup email in slightly under 20 minutes, and was out the door shortly after. I printed up my pickup slip, drove to Sears, waited maybe 3 minutes, and 90 seconds later I was on my way home.

This was seriously the smoothest in-store pickup transaction I can remember.

Initial Impressions

Packing is quite good, no damage.

Made in USA with US and global components. *Thumbs up.*

Pushing the bulky 100 lb package up 3 flights of stairs is slow and sweaty, but doable. An older neighbor walking his dog kindly offered to help, but I was worried someone would get hurt. These boxes could really benefit from reinforced cut-out handles.

The assembly process was relatively quick and easy, but not painless. I sliced my pinky finger on a sharp edge on the bottom, and my thumb on a sharp edge on either the bottom or side. I also tore two holes in my t-shirt when I used it to wipe a drop of sweat off the bottom near a caster. Grr.

The new “stylized casters” are made in China. One of the swivel casters does not swivel easily due to a defective brake. Eventually the brake will shave off enough of the plastic wheels that they’ll be smoother, but I’ll fire off an email to Sears to see if I can get a replacement wheel set.

Seemingly better casters are available on Craftsman’s premium units. For a rolling tool cabinet at this price point, I’m actually not upset. The minor defect is livable.

The Griplatch DynaGlide drawers seem to be smoother than my other Griplatch and Craftsman ball bearing storage units, but also noisier. The Griplatch locking mechanism seems to have been tweaked slightly compared to those on my older Griplatch chest. Or maybe not, it’s hard to say.

Overall, not bad for under $200 with tax.

Buy Now(via Sears)

Remember: the $185 Craftsman Club pricing ends tomorrow, 7/13/13. Hopefully it will be a repeat sale item, it’s a great buy at this price. Unfortunately, coupon codes don’t stack. “SAVE15” is supposed to take $15 off $75+ orders, but it won’t work on this because of the special Craftsman Club pricing.

Related posts:

No related posts.

Sections: Storage & Organization, Tool Reviews More from: Craftsman

« So I Contacted Craftsman About a Damaged Ball Bearing Drawer Slide…
Plastic Scoring Knife – the Best Way to Cut Sheet Materials »

8 Comments

  1. John S

    Jul 12, 2013

    thanks for the writeup!

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Jul 14, 2013

      Glad you liked it! =)

      Reply
  2. Colin

    Jul 13, 2013

    What’s the difference between this and 113410?

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Jul 14, 2013

      Model 113410 and this one, 113669, look to have the same basic I-frame shell. The casters are the same size (4.5″ x 1.5″), bit the ones on this one have a new look and slightly greater weight capacity (650 lbs vs 600 lbs).

      The drawer configuration is the same – 1x 4-1/8″ deep and 3x 6-3/8″ deep.

      Both have Griplatch closing mechanisms.

      This one has 75-lb drawer load ratings and new “DynaGlide” ball bearing slides. 113410 has 50-lb drawer load ratings and last-generation slides. 113410 is also a limited edition model that’s on clearance, so availability is uncertain.

      This one also has slightly deeper and easier to grab drawer pulls.

      I believe older Griplatch drawer slides had 70 lb ratings, and then for a short stint some of the models like the 13410 limited edition had lighter duty slides.

      Reply
  3. Steve R.

    Jul 14, 2013

    Stuart–You mention that the ball bearing slides on your new unit are”smoother than my other Griplatch….” “…but also noisier”. I would have thought if they were smoother, they would, by definition, be quieter. In any event, have you oiled them to see if that quiets them any? One thing I used after I bought my 26″ Craftsman SS rollaway (Model 706.595190) four years ago was a lubricant called Militec-1, which is an oil used by gunowners. I don’t own a gun, but the stuff is super-slippery, so I put some on the ball bearing slides. This made them glide in and out smoothly; multiple applications are better than a single one. You might try it to see if it improves the action further and/or quiets the slides.

    I was at Sears the other day and noticed the ball bearings slides don’t seem to move very smoothly on their floor models. In fact, they seemed no better than standard friction slides, as they had to be pushed all the way in. There were weights in the drawers, though not 30 lbs. plus, which would be a better test of how smoothly they would roll at home. I don’t believe there was any oil on the slides, so that probably made a difference.

    One other comment I have about Sears tool storage units: DO NOT leave the store until you have opened the box to check for damage. They often drop or hit them with the forks of a lift in the warehouse, causing unacceptable damage, so buyer beware. I did not think to do this on the first one, so I had to return it. Two weeks later we opened the second one at the store and it, too, was damaged. After another two-week wait the third one was okay, so I accepted it.

    Reply
  4. Stuart

    Jul 15, 2013

    I should have sound *louder* and not *noisier*. Ball bearings can be smooth without being silent. Sound typically means frictional energy losses, but I don’t really feel any friction. It just sounds like the balls are rolling around in the slides.

    I can’t really see what’s going on in the slides, and don’t feel like taking them apart at the moment, but the greater loudness could simply result from a greater number of ball bearings in the slide.

    As of now, I don’t think anything is necessary to improve the quality of the sliding motion.

    I was at another local Sears the other day as well, and also played around with – err… *tested* – the floor models. Some of them handled well, others did not, but the problems I saw were likely attributed to forced drawers and slammed locks.

    Here’s my policy about buying ball bearing storage at Sears. If it’s a locally-stocked item and I can manage the weight, I buy it in-store or for in-store pickup. If it’s a catalog item, I order it for home delivery. Most of the time the products are UPS-shippable, so I wait until there’s a free shipping promo.

    My feeling is that regularly stocked items arrive in a group with like-products, while special orders are sent with whatever else is headed to the store that week. *Knock on wood* I haven’t encountered many instances of warehouse-damaged products yet.

    Reply
  5. Carol

    Dec 17, 2013

    I am trying to get the drawers that go on top out of the bottom and cannot do it.
    Yes, I am challenged!

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Dec 18, 2013

      I’m not exactly sure what you’re trying to do, but it can be tricky to remove the drawers and slides. If you can further describe the issue you’re having I might be able to walk you through possibly remedies.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Hans on New Milwaukee Flex-Head Ratcheting Wrenches: “European standard has 10mm, 11mm and 13mm sizes. Japanese standard has 10mm, 12mm and 14mm sizes. You are right about…”
  • Mac on Giveaway: DEWALT 20V MAX* Green Laser Level and 12V MAX* XTREME Combo Kit: “Fine adjust, green laser so I can see it and a very competitive price.”
  • Clayton on ISOtunes Link Bluetooth Earmuffs Review: “Are they am/fm also? I use the 3m am/fm headphones but have been disappointed in the sound / volume quality…”
  • Matt the Hoople on New Milwaukee Flex-Head Ratcheting Wrenches: “If they make a reversible version, I might give them a try. Until then, they are a no-go for me.…”
  • aerodawg on New Milwaukee Flex-Head Ratcheting Wrenches: “I want that toolbox wrench organizer. Can’t say I’ve ever seen one quite like that, aligned on one side.”
  • Diego on Giveaway: DEWALT 20V MAX* Green Laser Level and 12V MAX* XTREME Combo Kit: “I think the most important feature to me would be the cross compatibility with other tools’ power source. I hate…”

Recent Posts

  • New Milwaukee Flex-Head Ratcheting Wrenches
  • Hot Deal: Skil 20V Cordless Angle Grinder Kit for $70
  • ISOtunes Link Bluetooth Earmuffs Review
  • New Harbor Freight ICON Ratchet is Covered in Gold
  • Metric Combination Tap Drills
  • New Kobalt Workbench and Garage Storage Products
  • New Olight April 2021 LED Flashlight Sale
  • Combination Tap Drills - Pros and Cons?
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Cordless Impact Drivers
  • Best Cordless Multi-Tools
  • Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Modular Tool Storage Systems
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure