The Workshop
Craftsman 2000 Series
26" Wide x 36.5" High
Model #CMST98268RB
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This is a somewhat exciting day for me. Not as exciting as the birth of a child or grandchild, or anything like that, but exciting nonetheless! For today, I bought my first Craftsman tool chest. Because of my sentimental attachment to Craftsman tools, I've always wanted one of their rolling tool boxes, the problem was - I already had two tool chests and in my mind I could never justify a third. But things change and here we have it!
So What Got in the Way?
One of the things that got in the way of me getting a Craftsman tool chest was my Popular Mechanics tool chest. That's right - Popular Mechanics! A buddy of mine got it for me as a Christmas gift back in 1998 or '99. I've taken really good care of this tool chest, even waxing it once or twice a year, so it's in near-mint condition!
The other thing that inhibited an earlier Craftsman purchase was this beast:
It began its life as a crash cart in the hospital I worked at. For years it carried all kinds of equipment for managing Code Blues - IV fluids, needles, medications, defibrillator, all kinds of stuff. Then one day, as I was leaving work, I went out the back way, past the loading dock and they had maybe a dozen of these lined up. I asked the facilities chief what was going on. He said they were all being replaced. Dear lord! My mind soared! I asked if I could take one and he said take as many as you want! So I got my old pickup truck...
Why Now?
In the summer of 2021, I hauled the old tools chest out to the back yard. I thought I'd restore it and I wanted to paint it red, you know - to match my Popular Mechanics tool chest.
I didn't get very far before I noticed that most of the drawer slides had rusted out, explaining why I was have a little difficulty aligning and closing the drawers in the past couple years. I knew right then that the gig was up. I closed up shop and hauled it back to the workshop. From there it was just a matter of time. I should probably mention - I found what appeared to be a date code on this tool chest, and if it was, the chest was made in August 1973!
Features and Specifications
So today, it was finally time. Off to Lowes I went! From Lowes' website: Taller than most comparable tool cabinets, the high-endurance S2000 26-in 5-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet packs plenty of storage space without using much floor space. The cabinet's soft-close drawers gently close and will not slam shut, helping preserve it's life and keeping your tools in place. Each heavy-duty drawer can support up to 100-lbs and glides smoothly on ball-bearing slides while the 5-in x 2-in casters support up to 1500-lbs total.
- FULL EXTENSION DRAWER SLIDES: Support 100-lbs of product
- EMBOSSED TOP MAT FOR SURFACE PROTECTION with drawer liners under the lid and in every drawer
- EXPANSIVE STOWING SPACE: 9,266 cubic inches of storage
- SAFEGUARD YOUR TOOLS with over-mold key and internal locking system
- HIGH DURABILITY AND STRENGTH: 1,500-lb load rating with 5-in x 2-in casters with toe-locking brakes and reinforced mounting casters
- BUILT TO LAST: 18-20 Ga. steel I-Frame® construction and top bumpers
- PROFESSIONAL-GRADE MOBILITY: Full-grip, tubular side handle
- MADE IN THE USA WITH GLOBAL MATERIALS: Forged in Sedalia, Missouri
- (5) Drawer Liners for every drawer(1) Top Mat for the Tool Cabinet Surface(1) Set of Keys(1) Caster Set
Its Natural Habitat
The workshop at 173 isn't real big so there weren't a lot of options for placement of the new tool chest. But I like where the old one was anyway, so it kind of works out!
I remember the cool, varnished smoothness of the rake's wooden handle -- always a Craftsman brand rake, bought at Sears. Always buy Craftsman tools, Dad said, because if it ever broke -- ever -- you could take it back and they'd replace it. Guaranteed for life. That was a profound thought, to a 12-year-old. - Frank Ahrens in The Washington Post, October 29, 1995
And here she is, in her natural habitat at 173! And there's the old Gerstner, a perfect pairing!
I remember the cool, varnished smoothness of the rake's wooden handle -- always a Craftsman brand rake, bought at Sears. Always buy Craftsman tools, Dad said, because if it ever broke -- ever -- you could take it back and they'd replace it. Guaranteed for life. That was a profound thought, to a 12-year-old. - Frank Ahrens in The Washington Post, October 29, 1995
Thanks for stopping by - see you next time!
