Proto, Stanley Black & Decker’s industrial and aerospace-focused line of professional hand tools, makes some very nice tools. I’ve bought quite a few Proto tools in recent years, mainly ratcheting wrenches, pliers, ratchets, and some minor mechanics tools and accessories.
A word of warning – this is a long straight-from-my-head post. I went down at 5:30am last night (this morning?), and was up at 7:15am. This isn’t so much a review as an unfiltered “everything I have to say about this product” mind dump. A more structured review will come. If you make it to the end, do you like the “rawness” of posts like this?
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I talk a little about Proto in my 5 USA-made Wrenches, Ratchets, and Sockets post, and here are my past Proto tool reviews and discussions.
A few months ago, I had been wondering about some differences between 2 lines of Proto tool cabinets, and after some begging, nudging, and nagging (maybe I’m exaggerating), they sent over a Proto 550S 34″ tool cabinet for testing.
I still don’t have my garage workspace set up to my liking, so different tools have been going in and out of this box. I think it’s almost how I like it, and I’ll be sure to take some photos for a full review at that point.
I freakin’ love this thing.
Before I go into the why’s and how’s, let me first tell you why it’s at the top of my mind. It all started a few days ago, when I saw that certain NewAge Pro Series garage cabinets went on sale. I’ve been curious about their Pro line, and whether they’re heavy duty enough for enthusiast users’ demands.
So I started going back and forth between the garage, my tape measure, my phone, and my computer.
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My workshop has been in limbo. It needs more shelving, more cabinets, and more stuff put away. In a perfect world, everything will be enclosed and tidy, aside from some equipment on mobile bases that will be stowed… somewhere.
Some heavy duty garage cabinets seem to be in order, hence my interest in NewAge and their Pro line, made from thicker-gauge steel and some bells and whistles such as soft-close doors and drawers.
So I was measuring just one more time, and then I thought about where the Proto test unit would go. It’s pretty big, with a ~41″ top height (I haven’t added a wood worktop yet), 34″ width, and ~25″ depth. Its casters are wonderfully monsterous.
I’m not in the mood to crawl on the floor to check, but I remember reading a label on the casters and finding them to be made by a USA maker. They’re top-notch and are the kind of product you can’t exactly order from Amazon, or any other public-facing website.
The Proto arrived with one of the top corners bent in from shipping damage, and it took a bit of elbow grease to straighten it out.
It’s quite heavy too. Even with its drawers removed, it’s a bear to move up even 3 stairs.
I also tried to remove the drawer slides to shed some more weight, but I could only get one or two out easily. The rest could probably be persuaded out with a mallet, and while it’s good to know the slides will be user-replaceable if needed, I wasn’t about to risk damaging them.
It’s a beautifully sturdy tool cabinet that almost makes me want to recycle my Craftsman tool cabinets. Heck, it even puts my much-loved Beta tool cabinet to shame.
Even the keys are overbuilt! I broke one of my Beta tool box’s keys when I left it in the lock and banged into it. That seems highly impossible with Proto’s key.
The drawers slide out with minimal effort, and pop in with a satisfying snap. A fantastic amount of effort must have been put into designing the draw retention just right.
I love that the drawers and their handle pulls are fully recessed. I’ve scratched myself on Craftsman, Husky, and Milwaukee drawer pulls, but not on these!
So when I was measuring for the potential NewAge garage cabinets purchase, I had the idea that I could buy some Proto units instead. They’re made in the USA, and would give me added configuration options.
When I started to look up pricing, I learned something – the drawers have adjustable retention strength! Would quick turns of knobs on either side, I could set the drawers to be harder to open!
Boy did I get excited about this.
My son, nearly 3 now, likes to open up tool box drawers. When he’s in my office workspace, I’m right there will him. Eventually I’ll design some kind of lock bar or electronic lock for my DIY cabinet, documented most recently here.
But in the garage, he likes to watch me work. Not all of my tools are properly organized yet, and I find him sneaking to a tool box to peer into its drawers. Maybe this came about because I closely examine new tool cabinets when I come across them in stores.
If I upgraded to Proto tool boxes to hold more of my tools, and used some of the long-term Husky and Milwaukee test samples to instead hold equipment, it might be safer.
Soft-close drawers are wonderfully convenient, but post a hazard to small fingers and hands that can pull a drawer partially open before snapping closed. So when everything is set up and I’m working in the garage more, soft-close drawers will be locked. The Proto test sample will be adjusted so that the drawers require adult-level strength.
When looking at some of the pricing for a couple of more Proto tool cabinets to join my test sample, my thoughts drifted – if I’m spending this kind of money, and would seek to build a stationary base for some units using aluminum, steel, and leveling feet, maybe I should turn my attention to Lista.
I’ve been dreaming about Lista cabinets for so long, and their 24″ x 24″ drawers with 440 lb load ratings. There are also some wider and shallower units, and also benchtop-height units, and somewhat pricey mobile boxes with configurations I don’t really find appealing.
Lista, now opened by Stanley Black & Decker, builds a safety feature into their cabinets where only one drawer can be opened at a time. Their incredibly high storage density would allow me to load up drawers with hardware and parts, and I would be less worried of having a cabinet or row of cabinets tumble.
So here I am now, thinking of saving up and splurging on a few garage cabinets, a Proto tool box or two, and some Lista cabinets. If I can buy the garage cabinets on sale, or downgrade to a lesser line, snag a Proto tool box or two from MSC during a coupon savings event, and be on the lookout for used or scratched and dented Lista boxes, maybe I can actually afford this.
Sorry, I went off on a tangent there, didn’t I?
Here’s my point – I am so thoroughly impressed with the Proto tool cabinet that I now plan to buy more. Unless of course someone at Stanley Black & Decker is reading this and wants to throw some overstock units my way for long term testing (hint, hint, nudge, nudge).
Proto tool boxes are made in the USA, using global materials, but made in the USA nonetheless. It arrived with a quality control checklist.
I didn’t bring up the smushed corner with my contacts at Proto because 1) it was shipping damage I thought to be outside their control, and 2) it was easily fixed with some Knipex parallel pliers and some elbow grease. The metal lip has been straightened and is ready to accept a wood top, although there’s some damage to the powder coat. Once I have a top on it, you’d be hard pressed to find the damage if I didn’t point it out.
Yes, this box costs quite a bit more than what you can buy from Kobalt, Craftsman, Husky, Milwaukee, and Dewalt. So you don’t get quite as high bang for the buck. But you get greater capabilities, nicer drawer slides, greater capacity per drawer, and superior quality.
The inside of the box is powder coated, and the last I checked flawlessly too.
The casters are just crazy smooth, and with huge locking and unlocking levers.
Previously, I had dreamed of Lista but was determined to eventually compromise and go with a Strictly ToolBoxes Tool Vault. The hell with that. Even if it means scrimping and saving to grow my tool budget, I need more of these Proto cabinets.
Lista? Eh, that can wait. I’m nowhere near ready to organize the years of small fasteners, parts, and misc. supplies that I have bought and accumulated for various projects. Right now most are in organizers, small industrial bins, small totes, or large tote boxes.
For tools, I want to work out of Proto tool boxes.
I’m also considering buying some Proto 540S tool boxes for the basement storage space. It’s hard getting tool cabinets or cabinets of any kind down there, due to the narrow staircase and small ceiling. My 26″ Craftsman cabinets were about the most that could be safely taken down there. Proto’s lower line of 540S cabinets are narrower (27″ vs. 34″), shallower (18″ vs. ~25″), and a lot lighter than the 550S sample I’ve been testing. They cost a lot less, and so I might buy a few of those once I’m ready to organize my lesser used tools and parts. They’re still somewhat pricey though, so maybe this will be something I try to budget for 5 years from now.
The Proto test box really has me spoiled. I have been testing Husky, Milwaukee, and Dewalt tool storage products, and have been working out of my Beta box. They’re all great units, but crummy in comparison. Some Husky drawers don’t open as fluidly as I’d like, one Milwaukee drawer rubs when it closes, another Husky drawer only closes most of the way and stick out enough hairs for me to notice.
Not that I was so perfectly in love with the Proto when it first showed up. I was impressed with its quality and construction, but wasn’t so thrilled with the 2-textured paint/powder coat job. I have the red and grey sample, with the red being glossy and the grey being very textured.
Proto offers the 550S line with your choice of 2-texture or glossy finish. If you want blue or red, you can only go glossy. If you want “safety red and gray” as shown above, or “dual gray,” you can only go 2-texture. You can go either way if you want an all-black box.
Despite all the praise I’m throwing at this Proto tool box, let me just say this – you don’t need one. I’m sure you can get by with something less. I sure can.
If you’re an enthusiast that works with tools a lot, you might be able to justify purchasing one or two. (Proto also makes top boxes, if you were wondering, but with limited configuration choice.)
Me? Working with tools has become my business. I’m evaluating and testing things out constantly, and even more so now that my workspace is coming together nicely. And once I can my workshop storage and organization under control, I’ll be working on more projects. It’ll be nice to be able to spend more time working on a project than hunting down tools that I haven’t unpacked or organized yet.
But that tool organizational problem, that’s complicated and because of several things. We moved somewhat recently, we had another baby, we had some remodeling done, I had my workspace emptied and updated, and I have been having a tough time adjusting to a new schedule. I’m finally checking off things on my to-do list.
And now my attention comes back to tool and parts storage. My goal is to save time and effort, without spending an unjustifiable amount of money. I am in and out of my tool boxes on a daily basis, and some drawers are either loaded with heavy tools, or they will be.
Higher-end consumer tool storage has been working for me just fine, but I’m at a time where I need more storage and I have different needs. If my son is watching me work on something, or helping, but wanders to a drawer, will he open it and access something dangerous? Since I’m in and out of boxes all the time, locking and unlocking them is not the best option.
Side note – Lista somewhat recently came out with keypad locks and retrofit kits for their cabinets, but they’re likely pricey.
So that’s what’s been on my mind last night and today.
I’ve been evaluating what I could and should budget for, and will spend some more time seeing if I can balance my needs and wants with a reasonable budget, even if it means purchasing things in stages.
Just talking about this Proto 550S 34″ 8-drawer box, and not even talking about their other configurations or sizes, it can hold more than other tool boxes that come close to its size, and in some cases each drawer can hold a LOT more.
Maybe you don’t want that. I sometimes work better with shallower drawers. In a drawer this deep (I have to measure it again, but with the outer depth being ~25″, it’s safe to figure 22″), some tools can get lost in the space.
Once I have things the way I like it, I might make one drawer for screwdrivers, sectioned left to right or perhaps front to back, and another for all my hex tools. Lower down, wrenches, then ratchets drive tools and sockets. One drawer might be for pliers, another for locking pliers, c-clamps, and bar clamps.
I think that top drawer will eventually hold all of my utility knives, precision knives, misc. blades, center punches, picks, probes, hooks, and all kinds of sharp stuff. And then I’ll dial the drawer retention adjustment to MAX.
Thank you to Proto for sending over this review sample unconditionally. *Shakes fist* at giving me a taste of superb quality. How can I go back to anything else?
I never considered a professional tool storage cabinet, such as from Snap-on, Matco, or Mac, because of their cost, but also their inaccessibility. I can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve seen a Snap-on truck in the past few years.
(Remember when I saw a Snap-on truck parked at Home Depot during on Black Friday a few years ago!? Hehe, even Snap-on drivers like a good deal.)
I find Proto to be an accessible brand, and that makes these boxes even more tempting.
When I say that I need to balance my needs and wants with my budget, I’m really saying that I KNOW another Proto 550S box or two will serve my tool storage needs. But spending a couple thousand dollars on tool storage? I don’t want to jump into that too hastily. Buying something like this is a big commitment.
On the bright side, I’m very pleased to say that the price is the only hesitation I have.
The Proto 550S is an excellent product, with no compromises that I can find.
Specs As Configured
- 15,134 cu in storage capacity
- 8 drawers
- Made from 14, 16, 18 gauge steel
- 125 lb load rating per drawer
- Adjustable detent strength for drawer retention
- Heavy duty tubular locks
- Recessed aluminum drawer pulls
- Full extension drawers
- Vinyl top liner and drawer liners are included
- Poly casters are 6″ x 2″, with 900 lb load rating EACH
Model: J553441-8SG
Street Price: $1725+, less for other color options and fewer drawers
(I’ve seen other colors for ~$1500, and the one I ordered following this post came to $1150 after coupon at Zoro.)
More Info(via Proto)
I very highly recommend the Proto 550S product line. It’s so amazing I’m preparing to buy more.
Questions? I’ll try to also field those not related to this size or configuration, as I have read just about every ounce of literature Proto published about the 550S lineup.
Thank you to Proto for supplying the review sample unconditionally.
chris parker
thank you so much for this post..i have been looking for the same thing…almost got the stainless steel one from Sams but i was worried about strength, due to the heavy butcher block top i just finished for my workbench i am building..i’ll have to re-read this super long brain dump again to see the best place to get them..lol..thanks again.
Mrkoolio
Buy themmused!
chris parker
just saw the price..never could i ever come near to affording this…oh well..still a great post.
Stuart
Different colors price better at certain retailers.
All the other colors are priced at $1530 at one retailer. This one, for some reason, is more than $200 pricier there.
Wait for a 25% promo, and the price drops to $1150. Still a lot of money, but not unreasonable for what you get.
I might test out their other tiers to get a feel for any differences.
Just for giggles, I looked up a relatively new Craftsman 41″ rolling cabinet. It’s around $545 and boats 12,500 cubic
feetinches of storage capacity, just shy of what this one is spec’d to.That Craftsman has a handle style I don’t like because I’ve found them to be weak, its drawers are rated to just 50 lbs. How can they say it’s “Built for Serious Work and Solid Storage” when the drawer slides are so weak?
Years ago, Craftsman QuietGlide was good enough for me. Now, my needs have evolved and I simply need better solutions.
Not everyone needs something this sturdy and featured.
In fact, there are plenty of less costly solutions for hobbyists, enthusiasts, DIYers, and even pros with demanding needs and wants.
I remember reading guy and gear magazines, and scoffing at the $500 pants, $800 shirts, $600 shoes, and other high-priced clothes.
So it’s not lightly that I post about premium-priced tools and equipment. I try to make it a point to buy or test tools at all price levels so as to maintain proper context.
It’s not a lot of fun to read about super-pricy not-for-me tools or products of any kind.
On the other hand, a lot of the people looking to buy something like this might not have any other place for user feedback. There are some exceptions – there are enthusiast forums where you can learn more about premium knives, flashlights, or Festool tools, but tool storage is one of those areas where I’ve had to dig deep for any kind of non-marketing commentary about lots of different types of products.
A storage cabinet from Sam’s Club is also on my to-test list, but despite a whole post talking about my wanting to buy more Proto cabinets, I don’t have much space to accommodate a Seville tester at this time.
Justin
“12,500 cubic feet of storage capacity”
We’re going to need a bigger garage.
Stuart
Lol, whoops! Thanks, fixed it!
Hang Fire
Stuart, this would be a closer Sears equivalent to the Proto. It is rated at 100lbs per drawer. I have predecessor, which differs only in that the drawer grips are narrower and grooved, and it is a good box. The overblown “Premium Heavy-Duty” means it’s box construction with all ball-bearing, and the thickest sheet metal short of the “Professional” boxes.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-edge-series-8-drawer-premium-heavy-duty/p-00940763000P
At the moment it’s on sale for $349.99 which is a screaming good deal. Storage is 10,088 cubic inches.
Stuart
The depth is only 18″, that style of drawer handle has sharp edges, there are 2x 2″ drawers, 2x 3″ drawers, and 4x drawers that are 4″ or deeper.
I find that I have a lot more small stuff than deep stuff.
I’ve been pretty happy with my Craftsman tool storage products, but I don’t think there’s anything in their product lineup to meet my current needs.
The Proto 540S units I ordered are smaller than these, but not too much more expensive – $450 each after discount, and made in the USA.
Nick
I just got an eBay steal on a proto 544123-12DB for $350. I paid a bit for shipping as well but screw it. I looked it up and I think that model is discontinued but the comparable box is around 1600 to 2000 bucks new! So I think if you look for the 540 models, you can find a deal. It’s kinda like looking for an anvil. One will pop up. Probably right after you buy an overpriced crap competitor of what your looking for. Take my advice, take back the garbage and go for the steal when it pops up. You will not be disappointed.
Mikhail
Why is the “Tooguyd” Logos hammer facing the wrong way? Does anyone else see it
Tony
Ha. I never thought of that before. If the hammer is about to be used to remove a nail (although there isn’t a nail in the logo), one could argue that it’s actually facing the right way. 🙂
Maybe it symbolizes that ToolGuyd helps remove obstacles when making purchasing decisions.
Stuart
There is no right or wrong, just hammer and nail. =)
Short answer, yes it’s backwards. This is the way it was done when I worked with a graphic designer to come up with a logo, and it looked better than with the hammer flipped back around.
Or maybe the holder is prying some nails.
John Hooper
Those ceiling nails are quite tricky to get out!
Benjamen
I always thought of it as a tongue in cheek joke. Not to take this site (or any other tool site for that matter) too seriously.
Maybe now it’s more of a comment on Stuart’s sleep deprived state :>)
Stuart
It could be. =)
I’m too attached to the logo to “correct” it. Besides, that is how you hold a hammer to remove nails. Kind of.
Or maybe it’s me/ToolGuyd passing a new tool into a reader’s hand.
“Here’s your new hammer.”
Sort of like ToolGuyd being a Tool Guide, to guide your hand to the tool you need or want to know more about.
The logo hand isn’t using the hammer, they’re passing it to the reader.
Whoa. I mean, that was always the meaning… =P
firefly
Or you could be passing the tool to us literally *hint *hint 😀
Phenom
I have several tool boxes and chests, 9 drawer Craftsman (1988) box, a Rigid gangbox, Harbor freight tool cart ( Same ball bearing drawers as the husky tool boxes), and a 9 drawer Husky (limited edition ooh painted casters) combo. I’d love a Vidmar, or Proto box. I couldn’t justify the means of the price. Really good review none the less. Keep up the good work.
Thom
15,134 cu ft storage capacity?
Stuart is it a Toolbox or a warehouse!
Stuart
Argh!
I mean, err… I got the Tardis model. Last one, sorry.
(Thanks, fixed!)
fred
We had Lista in one shop and Vidmar in another. W had acquired the shop with the Vidamar – while we had spec’d out our Lista arrangements. My take was that we liked the Lista stuff better – but maybe that’s because we chose stuff and a design we wanted. No real issue with either. For my home shop – no one was giving me any samples to try out when I was remodeling about 35 years ago. Back then I bought Kennedy – and while none of it has any of the modern bells and whistles – I expect that it will outlive me.
fred
I thought to compare the Proto to a modern Kennedy. I couldn’t exactly do it – but gave up when I saw that their 8-drawer 38-inch K2400 (#38018) is listed at $2645.50. Zoro and Grainger caries some of their line – and while Zoro does have some good (20 to 30% off sales) who knows if any Kennedy cabinet would be included. The 38018 isn’t listed at Zoro or Grainger
Stuart
I have not heard good things about Kennedy lately. Looking at feedback and discussions on forums has been discouraging.
Adam
My dad’s main ‘portable’ toolbox is a thirty-plus-year-old Kennedy cantilever model. I’ve looked at getting him a new one, but the reviews just aren’t that good, especially considering the cost. And the dividers are plastic, which just seems like a recipe for failure.
garrett
Great timing on this post! I’m waiting for the last bit of cash to plunk down on my own 550-series box. I downloaded the old flying-lady Proto logo and had it enlarged and made into a very large decal – this will be adorning the back of the box when I get it.
Cart before the horse? Frequently!
Silly? Maybe…
Stuart
I placed my order through Zoro, taking advantage of a coupon.
The larger units are very reasonably priced. I almost bought a 67″ with free shipping for $2100 plus tax. Its $2800 and change for blue and certain other colors.
I might still buy one if the price holds and I can clean up enough space. I’d take the casters off and build a base for it, maybe with other units at corners for a nice U-shaped bench.
The units are 41″ with casters, or 34″ without. I’m hoping I can make a low profile base and add a top for 38″ benchtop height.
I’m a little hesitant about shipping and delivery of such a unit, though. That seems like a 2 or 3 person unpacking job just to check for damage.
Phi Nguyen
OMG, I read the whole post!!! ??? I don’t know which way you’re leaning, but if you’re still interested in the NewAge products, I would suggest the Pro Series 100 percent! The Bold series is just too thin and flimsy to be useful to a power user.
Overstock.com has great prices on NewAge Products, and a couple times a year, they have 17-20 percent off coupons for email subscribers.
Big Dan
More of a blog vs. a tool review (which you said was still to come and would rightly belong here then) – maybe either a new section of the site or a new forum section. Sort of like “Shower Thoughts” on Reddit but without the stupidity lol. Maybe even a different ‘category’ in the stream of main page articles that would be filtered out when someone goes to the reviews tab at the top? Just some thoughts, it IS your site and didn’t bother me.
Stuart
Well, technically all of ToolGuyd is a blog.
I thought I’d consider this Part 1 of the review. There’s a lot of hands-on impressions, so it’s still a review, albeit a less conventional one.
I just ordered (2) more 34″ units in glossy blue, and (2) 540S 27″ wide 18″ deep units.
I’m still pining for Lista, and might spring for Lista once I’m done with current mobile workbench test samples. But Lista are meant for level floors or you need the “wet clean” base frame with leveling feet. If you want mobility, that’s separate too.
The 550S has a beefy underside, and I plan to build a small 80/20 platform with leveling feet to get them solid on the floor and level. Right now, where the test sample is, one caster spins freely.
The Lista comes with different base choices. I like to change things around every so often, and these Proto units seem to allow for that a little better.
I almost ordered a 67″ unit and 50″ unit, but the 50″ unit is 50% bigger than the 34″, but 67% more expensive. The 67″ unit was at a great price, but is essentially built with a middle 34″ bay and 1/2-size bays at the sides. I favor the size of the 34″ drawers instead. So I ordered another 8-drawer unit, and a 7-drawer unit that leans towards larger drawer sizes.
It’s wonderful to open a drawer and have around 27-28″ width and 22+” depth. That’s around 600 square inches per drawer. My Craftsman cabinets, in comparison, with ~22.5″ width and 16″ depth, had about 360 square inches. That was my cabinet. The top chest had 14″ depths, for 315 square inches.
It might be awkward to start having everything laid out in the same drawer, but the included drawer liners are super-grippy.
I emptied 2 cantilever tool boxes into the 550S sample today, filling 2 drawers with my Sherline lathe accessories and other machining tools.
I love 2″ and 3″ drawers, and these units have plenty. The more 2″ drawers, the better.
The short-style 540S units I ordered are similar in configuration as the taller units I was interested in, but with one less 2″ drawer and one less 3″ drawer, for 40% less cost. They were $600 and change before 25% discount.
I might use one for supplies, and the other possibly as a drill press or small milling machine cart. Or maybe just around-the-shop portable tools, with a complete set of my most commonly used tools.
The 540S was out of need for a smaller box I could potentially bring to my upstairs workspace. It’s becoming clear to me that I’m not going to build the third, fourth, and fifth sets of drawers anytime soon.
Sorry, I digressed a lot. Time to finally hit the hay. Before that…
Why glossy blue? The 50″ and 67″ units I had been looking at are vastly less expensive in certain colors, and so I settled on glossy blue. I guess that preference carried over.
The rough texture of the test unit’s grey areas grew on me, but I think I would personally like blue over red and grey, all-black, or all-grey. The 540S units I ordered are dual-black because of cost.
Emma
So I was looking for a good toolbox and ended up with something slightly different. i got a Lyon parts cabinet used (there are a couple other manufacturers of these style). They come in all different configurations. Mine has about 13 drawers that are 25″x25″x3.5″. The drawers extend fully out and support several hundred pounds. Built like a tank.
Downsides are its not portable, has no casters, and I don’t think I would ever want to add any because fully loaded this might be several thousand pounds. Its several hundred unloaded. I don’t need the portability though as I never intended to move it around.
http://www.lyonworkspace.com/product-category/eye-level-59-14high-standard-30-wide/
firefly
Thanks Emma, that look like an very compelling option as well. Thanks for introducing the another great option to us. As far as mobility, does it have a place or otpion for forklift or pallet jack?
Brian
Based on the pricing mentioned, assuming that it a realistic purchase price, not MSRP, I would also look at anything in the Vidmar line that is labeled as ‘readyship’, as you can usually get those at a reasonable discount from dealers. Considering that Vidmar and Lista are now both owned by Stanley, I think of them as being almost equal with Vidmar being SAE and Lista being metric.
I recently purchased 3 Vidmar cabinets at workbench height totaling 10 linear feet as bases for my workbench. I spent in total just over 5000 including freight.
Just a thought
Stuart
It’s been a while since I looked at Vidmar. I had long-ago determined that, for my own uses, Lista would be the end-goal. Their products seemed to be more accessible to small businesses and personal users, with Vidmar being more strictly industrial-focused.
I had considered Lista for what I just ordered 2 more Proto 550S cabinets for, but I figured the Proto would be more flexible in going from mobile to stationary and potentially back to mobile again.
I will likely still go with Lista at some point, once I have things fully setup and everything in proper places. I’m waiting on new machinery too – a larger lathe and benchtop mill, which I can’t buy until I have more storage fixtures in place. Only then, when the floor’s clear of non-permanent footprints will I know what can be accommodated.
Julian Tracy
You never mention whether you get to keep this sample unit. I’d be pretty hyped about a free $1500 tool box as well.
fred
I would assume that Stuart declares the fair market value of the test samples that he gets to keep as miscellaneous income
Stuart
I don’t consider samples as income. Partly because that would color a lot things, and because I strive to pass everything through.
Some reviewers sell tool samples for money, and that’s a line I won’t ever cross.
My goal is for every non-consumable test sample to be given away or donated for free.
Stuart
Nobody asked for it back yet, but I would say I quite consider it “for keeps.”
It will eventually go to a new home.
I’m still very excited to have had the opportunity to check it it risk-free, but I like to think I’m capable of complete objectivity.
Part of the “hype” is because I am very particular about storage products, and am always trying to find the “perfect” solution for me.
While this isn’t quite perfection, it comes pretty darned close. Close enough that I just ordered 2 550S units for personal/ToolGuyd use.
Stuart
Update: I cancelled the 2x 550S boxes from my order from last night.
I have limited space, and have decided that I will instead look to outfit the same space with 2 Lista cabinets. It’ll cost a little more, but the Lista cabinets offer keypad locks and the anti-tip drawer feature.
If I change my mind again, I’ll reorder the next time Zoro runs a coupon code. I’ve kept my order for the 540S series cabinets, which I still intend to be tooling or parts carts.
firefly
I feel your pain…
firefly
Sound like a very solid option for anyone looking for an upgrade to their Husky/Milwaukee tool cabinet. I said Milwaukee/Husky because I believe they offer the best bang for your buck as far as far as consumer grade tool cabinet go. I have personally found them a notch above the rest.
After a lot of pondering between a set of the Husky 52″ and 56″ textured black vs the Milwaukee 46″ and 30″ sets, I ended up getting the two Milwaukee sets. The primary reason for the pondering is because I am not a fan of the red Milwaukee. I much much prefer the textured black on the Husky. However both the 52″ and 56″ set have 3 row of casters (because they are larger). But that also mean they are harder to get into position. Husky doesn’t offer the textured black set in smaller side. I have personally found that the textured Husky cabinet are a notch above the smooth Husky cabinets. So far I have been very happy with the two Milwaukee sets. One of the drawer on the 30″ set is a little bit hard to close. By mean hard to close I mean I have to either push it in manually so I am guessing there is a slight rub somewhere. It’s not bad at all.
T
Welcome to the world of true professional tool storage. Maybe some people will now understand why, when the virtues are eloquently explained above, some of us spend mega $$$ on caninets/chests/rollers/et al… Nice unit that Proto is indeed.
Mike Lorett
The left hand side rail for the top drawer on the Proto #540S was not install correctly we cannot figure out how to fix it.
Stuart
Your best bet would be to contact Proto. Without more details, I couldn’t even attempt to help you.