In a lot of ways, your shop tool cabinet needs to be more than just another storage device. Not only does it need to make sure that the equipment you need is always within arm’s reach, but it also needs to be a productivity tool and a security asset – all at the same time. If you’re in the market for a new shop tool cabinet, there are a few key features any purchase MUST have to prove its worth again and again.
Unparalleled Versatility
Any tool cabinet that you buy needs to be versatile in a few different ways to prove itself as a worthy addition to your shop. Always look for a solution that includes drawers with various depths and configurations to match the tools that you’re trying to store – you should be able to bend it to meet your needs from the point of purchase. You shouldn’t have to bend your needs to meet the restrictions of the cabinet you’re actually working with.
Likewise, look for a shop tool cabinet with adequate liners that will not only protect the drawers themselves during periods of heavy use, but the tools you’re storing in the first place. Quality liners will help make sure that both the cabinet and the tools themselves don’t get damaged over long periods of time.
Caster Considerations
Most modern day shop tool cabinets come with casters, but this too requires you to keep a few key things in mind. It goes without saying that the casters themselves need to be heavy duty to adequately hold the combined weight of all your tools, but they also need to be lockable – giving you the ability to move the cabinet at ease but to also safely keep it in one place when you’re not using it.
For the best results, you should also be able to replace the casters yourself if necessary. Make sure you’re buying a unit both with removable casters and that the provider you’re working with has replacement parts that are very easy to order should the need arise. You’d be surprised by how inconvenient it can be when a tool cabinet is suddenly stationary and you can’t really do anything about it.
Other Factors
Once your actual storage needs are accounted for, you can start to think about any additional value-added features that may come in handy in your environment. Some modern day shop tool cabinets come with built-in lights, for example – a perfect safety feature for shops that don’t necessarily have the best lighting. You can even find cabinets with built-in clocks or even electronic devices like MP3 or CD players.
You’ve made sure that the solution you’ve chosen actually provides the storage you need, now you can start to think about all of these additional features that will allow the cabinet to serve you well in other ways beyond acting as a simple storage device.
