Lynn sent in a tip (thanks!) that Craftsman has come out with new ball bearing tool storage products, so I took a closer look.
Craftsman regularly updates their tool storage lineup with new sizes and configurations, but it’s been a while since we looked at their latest offerings.
The last I checked, Craftsman was still king of the consumer ball bearing tool storage market. These new styles don’t look much different from past Craftsman models, but their configurations and pricing seem like they could be responsive to market trends.
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See Also: New Milwaukee Mobile Tool Cabinet, Porter Cable Ball Bearing Combo, Husky Workbench
All of the top chests and bottom rolling cabinets are available separately.
Craftsman 41″ Combo, Budget
For those looking for large tool storage on a budget, there’s this new 41″ 4-drawer chest and 8-drawer cabinet.
Both units have 75 lb-rated drawer slides, and narrower drawer pulls compared to Craftsman’s more premium offerings.
I’m not a fan of the drawer sizes, but I also don’t think there are many other solutions that can store a similar amount of tools at the same $500 price.
Buy Now: 6-Drawer Chest ($200 on sale), 8-Drawer Cabinet ($300 on sale)
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Craftsman 41″ Combo, Premium
For a little more money, you get a chest that’s built for power tool users.
There’s a huge top compartment, complete with gas struts, and a power strip with 6 outlets and 2 USB charging ports. From the photo, it looks like there’s a full-width handle built into the lid.
It also has soft-close drawers that won’t slam, with the ball bearing slides being rated for 100 lb loads.
Buy Now: 6-Drawer Chest ($240 on sale)
The chest pairs with a new 10-drawer cabinet, and I like this configuration a lot better than the lesser priced cabinet.
Buy Now: 10-Drawer Cabinet ($360 on sale)
Buy Now: 10-Drawer Cabinet in Black
See Also: This Craftsman 42″ Combo has More Drawers
Craftsman 52″ Combo
As with the 41″ chest, the new 52″ model has a huge top compartment, for charging and storing power tools, gas struts, and 100 lb soft-close ball bearing drawers.
If you don’t like the top compartment, Craftsman does offer shorter 52″ chests that *might* be compatible with the same roller cabinet, but the cost more and don’t offer much more drawer space.
Both the chest and roller cabinet have approximately half-width drawers and symmetrical layouts.
Interestingly, the left and right sides of the lower cabinet have independent locks.
Buy Now: 8-Drawer Chest ($290 on sale), 10-Drawer Cabinet ($410 on sale)
In addition to Craftsman-traditional red and black, the 52″ chest and cabinet are both also available in black.
Buy Now: 8-Drawer Chest, 10-Drawer Cabinet in black
Craftsman Edge 68″ Workbench
Let me just start by saying that these 68-inch workbenches aren’t the largest tool storage products Craftsman makes. There’s also a 75″ roller cabinet.
These Craftsman Edge-series workbenches have 17 drawers, 6 wheels, large Griplatch-style drawer retention pulls, 100 lb ball bearing drawer slides, and a stainless steel top.
I really wish that Sears stores would carry these higher-priced tool storage products in store. Is the stainless steel top sturdy? Is the massive unit easy to move around? Do the drawers flex? It’s impossible to answer these things without first seeing the cabinet in person.
Buy Now: 68-inch Workbench in Red ($1100), 68-inch Workbench in Black ($1100), 68-inch Workbench in Blue ($1150)
Craftsman Edge 26″ Combo
Craftsman’s Edge series ball bearing tool storage products aren’t very new, but they also aren’t very publicized. These new chests and cabinets were recently listed, and look to offer high density tool storage.
The top compartment has gas struts, but lacks the cavernous power tool-friendly space of some of the other models discussed above.
Buy Now: 6-Drawer Edge Chest ($250 on sale)
Some people love tall roller cabinets, others not so much.
You probably couldn’t use the top of this cabinet as a worktop, but if it’s flat and sturdy enough to support a heavy tool chest, it might serve well for other equipment storage needs.
Buy Now: 8-Drawer Edge Cabinet ($350 on sale)
Tom
I have a Craftsman Edge 41 inch top and bottom. It has been pretty good so far, although the upper needed some fine tuning when it came in. I think that the 26 inch has been around for a while, but just in black and blue. The red might be the new part.
When I got my boxes, there was no COO information anywhere on the box or in the materials that came with it. Rumor is that the Edge series may be made in the USA.
Travis
Aren’t most if not all Craftsman tool boxes made by Waterloo?
Stuart
Most, yes.
I have also seen some made by International.
I don’t believe the Edge series ones are made by Waterloo.
Correction: Maybe they are? I do see some Waterloo design similarities.
Toolfreak
I think the premium and Edge boxes are still made by Waterloo, since they look exactly like rebaged Waterloo boxes. The Edge boxes with the wider drawer pulls came out not too longer after Waterloo had those same wider pulls on their own higher end boxes.
Keep in mind that a lot of Waterloo’s boxes are now made in Mexico.
I also suspect Waterloo aggressively pursued the Craftsman metal storage contract with Sears after they lost the new plastic storage boxes to Keter.
Stuart
I updated my comment after seeing your previous post, and right when you were submitting this one.
I agree that there are some Waterloo-esque features in the Edge series, making me rethink my doubt as to whether or not Waterloo was the manufacturer.
It’s the I-frame bottom cabinet design that might be the big giveaway.
Craftsman and Waterloo have a long history together, and I wish they would try new things more often. Some of their collaborations have been flops, but I hope it hasn’t discouraged them too much.
Toolfreak
I’ve found myself liking the Craftsman version of Waterloo’s offerings more than Waterloo’s own stuff, simply because or minor tweaks the Craftsman versions had.
It’s really going to be bad for Waterloo when Sears goes out of business, unless maybe they can keep the Craftsman tool box contract with whoever buys the brand.
Nathan
Back in the day they were rebranded slightly cheaper waterloo products – not so sure today.
they look good I’d have to go check one out – but I already have my rollaround needs covered.
BigDan
This looks similar to the dewalt and gladiator models I have (the premium 41″ combos) wouldn’t be surprised if it were the same manufacturer with a different paint job. But they are good models and these might have better rollers than the gladiators.
Would like to see ones better suited to using corded/cordless tools in the garage and their accessories, rather than a shelf or a large junk drawer of them all mashed in together.
I’ve seen setups with pvc online a lot where they cut out for the drills but it looks too tacky for my tastes and would like to see someone make a clean cut option.
Bosch could integrate that with their wireless charging option for a kickass storage system. Would be an enticing entry into the storage market that the other vendors seem to be trying to get into.
/ramble
RC WARD
Looks like they are made by the same people that make the DeWalt and Milwaukee boxes. Except Sears is going out of business.
Stuart
I can all but guarantee that Milwaukee and Dewalt boxes are made at different factories. Dewalt might not even use an external OEM.
Anton
So you guys think this 52″ combo would be better or worse then the Husky 52″? I kinda like the husky layout better and it s $100 less but Sears might have better sales at some point and these do have “soft close” drawers.
Toolfreak
I’m glad I grabbed my Craftsman Griplatch 26″ boxes when I did, right when they were discontinued. The new Edge boxes seem to be made by Waterloo like the older ones were, and though they use 100lb-rated slides, larger casters, and bigger drawer pulls, the overall feel just doesn’t seem to be the same. They are still a very nice box for the price as many Craftsman boxes are, but the older boxes seemed to compliment the USA-made tools very well, these newer ones seem about on the level of the China-made tools. They will get the job done, but you can tell something is “off” about them if you’re used to the older stuff.
Still, I’d be pressed to suggest anything better for the price when Sears has these at 50% off plus points and coupons and offers. I know a lot of people suggest the HF boxes, but I can’t stand the stench of that stuff and would never want the rest of my tools or shop smelling like that. The Dewalt/Milwaukee/Porter Cable boxes seem like a good bargain if you need storage volume without high weight capacity for mechanics tools, but if you want to store a lot of wrenches and sockets, you’re going to want those 100lb rated slides and heavier gauge sheet metal.
Lynyrd (Lynn)
In all due respect to everyone, yes Waterloo made the Craftsman Professional and Industrial tool boxes, which were no longer offered after 2013/14. A couple versions remain in stock on the Sears.com site.
The Craftsman Premium, Edge, and Heavy Duty boxes are produced by SPG International out of Canada, who makes some boxes in Canada and some in China.
They are very good boxes, but not the heavy gauge of Waterloo’s Made in the USA.
Further confusing the issue is that Waterloo and International did partner on some overseas boxes, so similarities do exist.
Dennis
Wish the Edge 40″ lower was at a lower price… $719 is a lot to swallow as you can get the HF bottom and top for less than that…
James Ruiz
So SPG make the 52′ premium craftsman box…in Canada or usa?
Rudy
Help! I remember seeing one of your old post about a craftsman tool box and how a slide wasn’t functioning properly. I just purchased the black and red 52″ tool box and the inside ball bearing slide broke. Little ball bearings everywhere. I’m out of town and have my box and I have replacement parts. But the slides inside the box look like they have rivets. I don’t wanna damage anything. Did you drill your rivets out?
Stuart
My older box had slides that weren’t riveted.
When I last spoke to Craftsman tool storage product managers, they said that the rivets were added to decrease side-to-side play.
You *should* be able to drill out the rivet, remove it, replace the slide, and either leave it as-is or refasten the connection with another pop rivet or maybe low profile fasteners. You’d be the first person I’ve heard from to attempt this.