Types of Toolboxes

Modern toolboxes are predominantly metal or plastic. Wooden boxes built today are primarily intended for specialized craftsmanship, as machinist, tool an die makers, jewelers and other craftsmen. Many wooden toolboxes were created in the early 1800s but were discontinued in the last 20 years. A modern carpenters' toolbox is composed of a base, a pivotally-mounted top cover, and usually a rack-mounted inside for convenient access. The stereotypical toolbox is usually red in color. Many toolboxes, and chests from a variety of trades can be seen at the Smithsonian Museum of American History

ToolBoxes commonly a hinged cover for a top with a handle for carrying, and one or more latches securing the cover to the box. Open smaller compartments are typically located inside, but larger toolboxes will often have a removable tote tray sitting on a flange inside the lip of the box, with a single larger compartment below.

ToolChests commonly use slide out drawers in lieu of the voluminous open space of the previously mentioned design. It is less common for these Tool storage containers to have a tote tray, although they typically have a hinged top chest storage compartment. Tool chests are primarily made of metal, though some expensive models are made of hardwoods. Often they are sold as a set of a rolling bottom chest with a second, stepped in chest resting above. (Top Chest) Although Tool Chests are designed typically with wheels they are not considered portable because of their massive weight and size

ToolCarts commonly used in the transportation industry for maintenance and repair of vehicles on location. Used as portable work stations, some of the larger types are self powered and propelled as example in automotive racing Pit Carts.

Material

Design

The simple box with tote tray can be effective, but becomes less so as more tools are added. The tote tray helps in organizing, and some totes have dividers for segregating small tools. Some toolboxes even have compartments built into the lid for storing supplies such as nails and screws. Yet many tools still must be stored in the compartment below the tote. The large volume of space in this compartment makes this type of box easy to overfill, in terms of both weight and clutter. In addition to the trouble of finding things, there is a risk of heavier items damaging more delicate ones as the toolbox is moved around.

Hence the advantage of tool chests with drawers: heavy pliers and wrenches, for example, can be segregated from the magnifying lens and multimeter. Unfortunately, adding drawers adds weight. Tool chests with three or more drawers may be only semi-portable because of their weight when full. Some may not even have a carrying handle and may be intended to sit atop a rollaround tool cabinet.