One thing that people learn about being into home improvement and working with tools is that tools are expensive.
The problem is that the expenses don’t stop there.
In addition to tools being expensive, it is also expensive to put these tools in a toolbox.
Regardless of the type of toolbox you are trying to purchase, you have probably seen that the pricing can be quite high.
Let’s look at a few of these reasons toolboxes are so expensive and ways you may be able to save some money as well.
Why Are Toolboxes So Expensive?
1. Portability
If you are purchasing a toolbox that travels with you or is attached to your truck, it has to be built for portability.
Portable toolboxes are expensive because they allow you to bring them with you, and they are built with enough strength and durability to last even when you leave your workplace.
A portable toolbox is sometimes going to have certain features that help it to be easier to work with.
For instance, you may find that the toolbox will have wheels or a handle to help you move it around.
These additional features are going to certainly add to the total cost of the toolbox.
For some people, the portability of a toolbox is a must.
Since not all jobs are going to be located in your shop or garage, it is essential to choose a toolbox that is made for portability.
Remember that toolboxes, in general, are quite heavy, so if you don’t have the ability to lift quite a bit of weight, be careful with the size of your portable toolbox.
2. Stability
For standalone toolboxes and tool chests, stability is quite important.
When you start filling these toolboxes with tools, you will notice that the cheaper ones will become very unstable.
Only the stable, heavy duty toolboxes will be able to accommodate and withstand the weight of your tools.
Of course, in order to make a toolbox stable, it needs to have plenty of additional balancing and design features to allow this to happen.
You will see that the toolbox’s overall base needs to be quite wide, and that will add to the stability.
In addition, some of these toolboxes will not be able to be extremely tall.
Sometimes two toolboxes will have to be stacked on top of each other, only adding to the price that you must pay.
These types of toolboxes should also be tethered to the wall to prevent any injuries from them falling over.
For smaller toolboxes, stability is not quite as important.
However, a toolbox should have enough stability that it does not fall over when placed on the ground.
When the boxes tip, the tools inside can suffer some damage.
The stable construction and high-quality components add to the overall cost of these toolboxes.
3. Drawers and Organization
Another primary reason toolboxes are so expensive are the drawers and organizational components.
The drawers of the toolbox help to make it more functional.
Some toolboxes are going to have areas inside that will fold open and allow for individualized storage.
Toolboxes come in many different types, and you may find one that is built specifically for whatever your trade is.
A typical basic toolbox will have a tray on the top that can be removed.
The tray will come off and reveal lots of additional storage underneath.
Just as we see when we look at kitchen cabinets, when you add more drawers and features to a product, the overall price will increase.
This is one of those things that you will want to pay for when it comes to toolboxes.
Not having organization inside the toolbox really makes it like carrying around a bucket of tools.
This bucket of tools will not help you to keep your tools from getting damaged or worn down.
In addition, if you want to complete a job quickly, you will need access to everything within a matter of seconds.
4. Durable
Durability is another factor that adds to the overall cost of a toolbox.
If a toolbox is not durable, it is not going to last.
Think about the things you are going to store in a toolbox.
Most will be made with metal and will be rough and sharp.
If a toolbox is not durable, it is not going to last.
Of course, there are some brand names that are known for being more durable than others.
They will have products that are built to withstand different types of weather conditions and to keep the toolbox in great shape with a lifetime warranty.
Other brands won’t offer this, and you will quickly see how their toolboxes start to deteriorate.
Take, for instance, a mechanic who needs to go in and out of their toolbox many times a day.
The drawers are being opened and closed continuously, and the hands of the mechanic are not always clean.
Durability becomes very important and almost essential for the longevity of the toolbox.
Although durability is partly what makes the toolboxes so expensive, you will find it to be worth the price that you pay.
5. High Quality Materials
Have you noticed that the best quality toolboxes are made out of steel?
The steel is then probably treated with anti-corrosion and anti-rust products to make sure that it stays in great shape for years to come.
Any locks or sliding mechanisms used on the toolbox are also probably constructed with stainless steel.
The problem with something like a wood toolbox or even a plastic one is that the materials will not last as long as you might need them to.
Eventually, something will crack or split, and it will cause part or all of the toolbox to become unusable.
If you are concerned about the long-term functionality of your toolbox, it is important to choose something that is stainless steel, heavy, and corrosion free.
If this ends up costing you a bit extra, it will be worth it in the end because of the number of years you will get out of the toolbox.
Now, if you are a new homeowner and simply need a toolbox to hold a hammer or screwdriver for the occasional picture hanging, don’t worry so much about these high-quality materials.
Always consider the circumstances and what makes the most sense for your needs.
6. Brand Name
There are some brands that are well known when it comes to toolboxes.
Companies like SnapOn or Craftsman are known for the high-quality construction, design, and functionality of their toolboxes.
When you purchase one of these types of products, you are going to pay more simply because of the brand name.
Of course, the brand name is not the only thing that you should be considering, but it can usually mean that there is a very good warranty in place.
Most of the time, if a company has made it for more than 15 or 20 years, chances are they are doing something right.
Craftsman and SnapOn are very common names among those looking for tool storage, and that is partly because of their reputations.
Although you end up paying for this brand name, it could be worth the money that you pay.
Brands have high overhead and marketing costs, and they spend quite a bit of money to maintain their position in the market.
This, of course, will add to the end user’s costs.
7. People Will Pay
One reason that toolboxes are expensive, which is not so obvious, is that people are willing to pay for them.
People tend to care very much about their tools, and they want to keep them protected and organized.
People also realize how important it is to make sure that they are fully prepared for a job.
If you can’t find your tools or are not even sure if they are in working condition, you will be much less efficient at completing a project.
All of these factors lead to the point that people will pay for a high quality toolbox.
For commercial tradesmen, having a high quality brand name toolbox also presents an image of success.
Having a neat, organized, and professional shop will make people want to come back and support the shop.
Without these toolboxes, the tools can end up on the floor or tossed into corners, and they will get lost and damaged.
This is no way to represent a business or to take care of your owner’s personal tools.
People see toolboxes as a great solution, and therefore, they are willing to pay for them.
Until a better solution comes along, you probably won’t see the cost of the toolboxes start to go down.
8. Protecting Components
A toolbox is designed to protect the components that it holds.
Inside the toolbox, some features will help to keep tools from bumping into each other and vibrating when the toolbox is in motion.
This is very important for those types of toolboxes that are attached to trucks and will be moved from one location to the next.
Inside the toolbox, there are probably rubber mats that will act as a way for the tools to stick to the box.
Of course, the box is durable and strong on the outside, and that will help protect against anything that could damage the tools from the outside.
We pay a lot of money for tools, and if they are not going to be protected by a toolbox, the box itself will not be worth it.
Choosing a toolbox that protects and keeps tools safe is expensive, but it will be worth the extra money paid.
Look for toolboxes that help to keep tools from sliding, clanging, and vibrating when drawers are opened and closed or when the box is transported from one location to the next.
9. Security
Some toolboxes come with a way to keep the tools inside locked.
When you think about the price of the tools that are in the box, it can often make sense to lock the toolbox.
Tools are expensive, and if they are not properly taken care of, they can easily get stolen.
Tools are some of the more common items to steal.
They are stolen because they are easy to carry, and they hold a very high dollar value.
The locking devices add to the overall cost of the toolbox.
Make sure that you pay attention to the type of locking device the toolbox has and whether or not it will work with your particular setup and situation.
For homeowners putting a toolbox in the garage, the locking mechanism can be used as a safety feature, especially when dealing with young children.
Some professionals work in a shared workplace and need to keep their tools separate and safe from one day to the next.
This is where a locking mechanism comes into play.
Of course, these add to the cost, but the good ones will be very difficult to break or tamper with.
If you need a locking toolbox, be prepared to pay extra for it.
10. Sealing Devices
Finally, there are some features that certain toolboxes have to keep moisture and water out of the box.
With so many tools being made of metal, the potential for rusting is quite high.
Luckily, there are some toolboxes that will create a watertight and humidity resistant seal around the tools that are inside the box.
This great feature will certainly add to your toolbox’s price, but in some climates, it may also be a necessity.
The poor weather can make it difficult to maintain a great looking set of tools.
Keeping the tools protected from damage and the elements can seem much more complicated than it is.
The best way to ensure the longevity of your tools is to simply purchase a great toolbox.
Although you will pay more, remember that, in the long run, it is cheaper than replacing all of your tools.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we have helped you to see why toolboxes are so expensive.
As unfortunate as it is that these toolboxes are so expensive, they are also quite helpful and easy to use.
Investing in a toolbox can be a tough decision, but if you purchase a great one, it is not something you will shop for often.
If you purchase a new toolbox, take the time to choose one that is going to have all of the features that you need.
Many of these high quality toolboxes come with a warranty, and therefore, they will last for many years.
Don’t feel pressured to purchase a very large toolbox right from the start.
You can add to these storage systems over time and choose options that have interconnecting parts and pieces.
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