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Any man who takes great care of his household should have a steel tool box. Even if you are not quite a handyman, you need a couple of screwdrivers, pliers, a hammer, and a few other tools for quick repairs.
A good tool box helps you keep them all in one place to avoid scrambling for the tool you need when an emergency hits.
There are many different tool boxes you can choose from. The plastic ones are most common, but they don’t have the same look and feel as steel tool boxes.
Steel tool boxes are, in most cases, built to last. They can take more beating and there are even people who pass them down as heirloom together with the tools inside. So you can’t go wrong with a steel tool box.
To help you choose the best steel tool box, we have selected the top 5 currently available. They differ in sizes, prices, and styles so don’t hesitate to check out our reviews to find the best one for you.
If you are looking for a beautifully designed, yet affordable steel tool box, the Excel TB102-Red may be the thing for you. Even though this is the least expensive 16” tool box of the ones we like, it doesn’t compromise features or anything else to reach that affordability. The TB102 is built to last and can be considered a premium affordable toolbox.
The Excel TB102 is very compact and portable. It measures 16.1 x 6.1 x 3.7 inches and weighs only 2.6 pounds which makes it only a hair heavier than the Jssmst Portable Steel Tool Box (featured in the last review).
The compact design and low profile make it ideal for hobbyists and people who need a box to store the tools lying around the house. But even if you are a professional, the TB102 may be a good solution for the tools that you always need by your side.
This tool box has a red powder-coated finish. This finish is scratch and chemical resistant, adding to the overall durability of the box. The TB102 features a full-length piano hinge and a metal latch. In addition, the hinge has a padlock eye, so you won’t have any problems closing the box even after using and owning it for a while. However, it would have been nice if the box included a tool tray.
The Stack-On SHB-16 is a metal tool box from top to bottom. However, it comes with a plastic tool tray, though the plastic feels heavy-duty and durable. You should find this toolbox useful if you need to store more tools or require a tool tray. The SHB-16 is in the lower price range on our list, so you should be getting the optimal value for your money.
The SHB-16 is a bit bigger than the Excel TB102, measuring 16 x 7 x 7.5 inches. Also, it is quite a bit heavier at 5.15 pounds. But these measurements don’t make this box less portable. And you will be able to store a few more tools inside, compared to the Excel TB102.
This steel tool box is sturdy and well-built, which should make it perfect for professionals and hobbyists. The SHB-16 has a piano black baked epoxy finish with a metal latch and handle. The finish is rust and chemical resistant but might be prone to chipping. The SHB-16 hinge feels solid and durable and features a padlock eye.
However, the metal handle might cause you some trouble. Although it looks very nice, this handle is also very slim, which may affect your grip, especially if you have big hands. Also, when the box is fully loaded the handle could feel uncomfortable and put extra pressure on your hand.
The tool box features staked piano hinge and reinforced bolts to handle heavier loads. Overall, this tool box should provide you with years of heavy use.
The Homak Industrial Steel Toolbox comes from one of the most renowned manufacturers in the industry. The company has been in business since 1947 and has become well-known for its lineup of handheld tool boxes. Due to excellent build quality and durability, we may consider the Homak Steel Toolbox as the mother of all tool boxes – but, this quality comes at a price.
If you want to get the best steel tool box, Homak is one you should check out. However, you need to be prepared to invest some money because this is the priciest toolbox on our list. But, it is a larger 20-inch tool box and probably the best one we have reviewed.
The tool box is quite large and heavy. It measures 20.2 x 8.7 x 9.8 inches and weighs 13 pounds. This makes it the heaviest tool box on our list with a slightly greater volume than The Original Pink Box (which you’ll see in the next review). But, this weight-to-size ratio adds to the overall sturdiness and durability of the box.
The Homak is constructed from 8mm industrial steel and it has a powder-coated brown finish. Unlike any other tool box on our list, the Homak includes a steel tool tray. This tool box also features triple metal latch and the middle latch has a padlock eye.
The metal handle is large and ergonomic. It sits comfortably in your hand, even if you have bigger hands. Also, you shouldn’t feel the extra pressure on your hands even when the tool box is fully loaded.
The Original Pink box is a funky-looking tool box. You might think that the manufacturer is targeting the female audience, but the truth is hot pink has become a hot color for everybody. This toolbox also has more than 1,000 cubic inch of capacity. So if you want a large tool box that will stand out from the rest, don’t hesitate to check this one out.
The Original Pink Box is one of the biggest tool boxes on our list, measuring 20 x 9 x 9 inches. But it is lightweight at 6.35 pounds. The low weight is achieved by the combination of metal and plastic. And this is the only tool box on the list with such construction.
The body and top lid are made of steel, but the bottom, side skirts, and handle are made of plastic. The Pink Box has two metal latches and a plastic padlock tab. The latches feel durable, but it would have been nice if the padlock tab was better reinforced.
Overall, this is a cool large tool box with a nice ergonomic handle.
Jssmst is another well-known manufacturer with more than 25 years of experience. Their products are trademarked and the company pays close attention to construction and build quality. This is why the Jssmst R-151345 is, overall, the best steel tool box on our list.
The Jssmst is also the most compact tool box on our list, but the premium materials and construction make it one of the sturdiest. The steel tool box measures 14 x 6.7 x 3.7 inches and weighs only 2.53 pounds. This should make it ideal for home use or by professionals who are always on the go.
This tool box is completely made of metal with reinforced bolts which can support heavier loads. The metal is industrial-grade and the black powder-coated finish makes the box rust resistant and durable.
The handle is big and ergonomic, providing a very comfortable grip even when the box is fully loaded. The latch gives a tight seal and, as is with most other models on the list, features a padlock eye. Also, the manufacturer offers a 60-day money back guarantee and a 12-month warranty.
Our recommendation for the best steel tool box of 2018 is the Jssmst Steel Tool Box R-151345. The combination of premium build quality, powder-coated finish, and durability make this tool box our top choice.
What’s more, it comes at a very affordable price. But, if you need a bigger one, you can’t go wrong with any of our other picks as well.
