I will just leave this here


 
I have one on our 22" kettle (OTP). I have the cast iron insert that I use with it, get good grill marks from it. It's not too bad to clean, I don't think, but it depends on what you are cooking. I like to use it without the center insert with the vortex so it doesn't overheat the grate. I like the hinged side panels for adding wood chunks or packets when not using the vortex. I have the plated version, which will eventually flake off and rust like all the plated grates. SS would be much better if you can find one.
 
I have a work tool box that is similar, bought from Costco about 15 years ago. It's a decent box overall. I like the narrow 18" width, although mine is longer and I have a pair of wheels in the center, which really helped with maneuvering it around on the crowded shop floor. It doesn't take up much space in the garage now. The drawer slides, however, leave a lot to be desired. I have a latch on one side of the drawers to prevent them from opening when turning the box. I made the mistake of leaving one drawer unlatched and the drawer swung open as I turned and permanently damaged the slides...that drawer no longer has the side-to-side rigidity that it once had. Another drawer I overloaded with tools, damaged the drawer/slide mechanism...even lightly loaded now, it is difficult to open and close. The sheetmetal is pretty thin on the drawers so be careful of how much weight you put into the drawers. I pop-riveted a strengthening strip along the back of the once-overloaded drawer to straighten and keep the sheetmetal from buckling, but it made no difference. Lightly loading the drawers, and remembering to completely close and latch the drawers before moving the box, this should be fine for your intended purpose. I put a piece of sheetmetal, bent in a L-shaped, around 3 sides of the top, to prevent stuff I had on the top work surface from rolling off if I needed to move it with stuff on top.

1736641681285.png

EDIT: the reason I cut the top of this photo off when I took it...I wanted a picture of the wheels. My buddy had a toolbox that was super easy to roll around and he was out sick for a few days. I photoshopped a wheel swap with his toolbox and emailed it to him to cheer him up. I'll see if I can find the picture...it's really funny (I think!)
 
Ed P said:
I have a work tool box that is similar, bought from Costco about 15 years ago. It's a decent box overall. I like the narrow 18" width, although mine is longer and I have a pair of wheels in the center, which really helped with maneuvering it around on the crowded shop floor. It doesn't take up much space in the garage now. The drawer slides, however, leave a lot to be desired. I have a latch on one side of the drawers to prevent them from opening when turning the box. I made the mistake of leaving one drawer unlatched and the drawer swung open as I turned and permanently damaged the slides...that drawer no longer has the side-to-side rigidity that it once had. Another drawer I overloaded with tools, damaged the drawer/slide mechanism...even lightly loaded now, it is difficult to open and close. The sheetmetal is pretty thin on the drawers so be careful of how much weight you put into the drawers. I pop-riveted a strengthening strip along the back of the once-overloaded drawer to straighten and keep the sheetmetal from buckling, but it made no difference. Lightly loading the drawers, and remembering to completely close and latch the drawers before moving the box, this should be fine for your intended purpose. I put a piece of sheetmetal, bent in a L-shaped, around 3 sides of the top, to prevent stuff I had on the top work surface from rolling off if I needed to move it with stuff on top.

View attachment 106435
Click to expand...
Thanks Ed I deleted my first post because I found a better one already for the same price. This one has soft close drawers so I think the drawers would be good.
I can see what Costco currently has available.
This wouldn't be for work. Just for tinkering on barbecue Restorations and some other small projects. I don't have room for a permanent workbench and I currently only have two small carts that I work off of and a tailgate. This might be nice for storage of grill parts and a little bit of tools and a nicer working surface without breaking the bank? If there's a better option I'm open to it?
My other option is just keep an eye on the used market but so far use prices are sometimes higher than new on a beat up toolbox/cart but I'm sure if I wait long enough the right one will come along.

www.homedepot.com

Husky Tool Storage 46 in. W x 18 in. D 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench Cabinet in Gloss Black H46X18MWC9BLK - The Home Depot

Handle a wide range of heavy duty projects effortlessly with this 9-Drawer, Deep Tool Chest Mobile Workbench in Gloss Black with Hardwood Top from Husky.
www.homedepot.com

Screenshot_20250111_162805_Chrome.jpg
 
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Josh Dekubber said:
Thanks Ed I deleted my first post because I found a better one already for the same price. This one has soft close drawers so I think the drawers would be good.
I can see what Costco currently has available.
This wouldn't be for work. Just for tinkering on barbecue Restorations and some other small projects. I don't have room for a permanent workbench and I currently only have two small carts that I work off of and a tailgate. This might be nice for storage of grill parts and a little bit of tools and a nicer working surface without breaking the bank? If there's a better option I'm open to it?
My other option is just keep an eye on the used market but so far use prices are sometimes higher than new on a beat up toolbox/cart but I'm sure if I wait long enough the right one will come along.

www.homedepot.com

Husky Tool Storage 46 in. W x 18 in. D 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench Cabinet in Gloss Black H46X18MWC9BLK - The Home Depot

Handle a wide range of heavy duty projects effortlessly with this 9-Drawer, Deep Tool Chest Mobile Workbench in Gloss Black with Hardwood Top from Husky.
www.homedepot.com

View attachment 106436
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if Costco has toolboxes any more. I have a Kennedy machinist setup that I bought in 1977 and I got tired of one of my co-workers hounding me about how full my toolbox was, so I bought that one at Costco.

The Kennedy doesn't have the ball-bearing drawer slides that the other box has. That is worth having, I think, but the cheaper boxes are made...cheaply. As long as you keep that in mind, you'll be OK. If you want to buy a lifetime box, go with an old Craftsman or Kennedy. This is my buddy's box...it's been through the wringer, weighs a ton, but still rolls around so easy and the drawers...chock full and still glide smoothly. Of course, this isn't the workbench style like you are after. There's also Snap-On...a lot of the jet engine mechanics had those, I think it was a prestige thing, there was even one guy who had two of them, back to back. One side was a dedicated audiophile stereo system!

1736643213666.png
 
Ed P said:
I'm not sure if Costco has toolboxes any more. I have a Kennedy machinist setup that I bought in 1977 and I got tired of one of my co-workers hounding me about how full my toolbox was, so I bought that one at Costco.

The Kennedy doesn't have the ball-bearing drawer slides that the other box has. That is worth having, I think, but the cheaper boxes are made...cheaply. As long as you keep that in mind, you'll be OK. If you want to buy a lifetime box, go with an old Craftsman or Kennedy. This is my buddy's box...it's been through the wringer, weighs a ton, but still rolls around so easy and the drawers...chock full and still glide smoothly. Of course, this isn't the workbench style like you are after. There's also Snap-On...a lot of the jet engine mechanics had those, I think it was a prestige thing, there was even one guy who had two of them, back to back. One side was a dedicated audiophile stereo system!

View attachment 106437
Click to expand...
 
Costco has a pretty nice one on sale IIRC for about $300. I can't find it online to link it though. I have a decent Craftsmen cabinet/bench with steel top but it does not have casters on it.. And I REALLY want one with casters. I may see if I can find a way to put casters on the one I have. It's not fancy. Soft close or such but it's solid.
 
LMichaels said:
Costco has a pretty nice one on sale IIRC for about $300. I can't find it online to link it though. I have a decent Craftsmen cabinet/bench with steel top but it does not have casters on it.. And I REALLY want one with casters. I may see if I can find a way to put casters on the one I have. It's not fancy. Soft close or such but it's solid.
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I can't find that one at Costco that you're talking about. The closest equivalent is $850 with $150 rebate at least that I can find at Costco online. I did just come across some very nice casters for a decent price. I can see if I can still find them.
 
Cody Bratton said:
A lot of independent Matco, Snap-On and Mac dealers have re-po or trade in boxes at bargain prices. That’s always worth looking into. A friend of mine got a really nice double bay snap on for $750 a couple months ago.
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That's a really good deal for a Snap-On! I just want to emphasize that I'm not a mechanic and I'm not using this for my income or profession. It's just for tinkering on barbecues and small projects in the garage in my spare time. I am a firm believer in buying high quality stuff that lasts when it's necessary. Seems to me that Husky box would be quality enough for my purpose but I am extremely open to others suggestions. If a Snap-on is necessary for my needs I have no problem spending the money. I just can't be wasteful if that makes sense. I'm not saying that a Snap-On is the wrong option just trying to explain my use case.
I appreciate all the suggestions.
 
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I think you'd be happy with the Husky or the Harbor Freight box, just be aware that the ball-bearing drawer slides and thin sheetmetal are where the economy comes in. Take care of that and you won't have any problem. With Costco, I think they offer a lifetime satisfaction guarantee, but I'm not sure...I've only ever returned one thing to Costco, an unused security camera system.
 
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