Is There A Difference Between A Tool Box And A Tool Chest?

For those working in the trades, along with DIYers and hobbyists, tools are critical. Many people involved in those jobs and interests maintain massive tool collections to help them accomplish daily tasks. However, owning tools and knowing how to use them are only one part of the equation. Because tools are so necessary, and due to the typically high prices attached to many of these devices, it's also vital that we store and protect our tools properly.

When it comes to storing tools securely, we have lots of different options, including everything from totes and bags to portable tool boxes and massive stationary chests and cabinets. Of those options, many are extremely similar and only differ in a few areas. Tool boxes and tool chests are two such storage solutions that may seem like the same thing. While it's true that you can use the terms interchangeably, there are some technical differences between them. For example, tool chests tend to be much larger than tool boxes. If you're interested in learning more about the differences between a tool chest and a tool box, stick around. Here's what you need to know.

At their core, tool boxes and tool chests are both designed to store tools and other related devices safely, and most likely, no one is going to call you out for using one term over the other. However, if you want to get extremely technical, there are some differences between the two storage solutions.

First of all, tool box is more of a general umbrella term than tool chest. For instance, you can refer to basically anything you use as a tool repository as a tool box, whether it's a plastic container of screwdrivers and wrenches or a mechanic's cart full of diverse gadgets. More specifically, tool boxes tend to be smaller and more mobile than tool chests. A traditional tool box can take many forms, but when many of us imagine these devices, we think of those smaller metal boxes, frequently painted red, that tradespeople carry in various TV shows and movies.

In comparison, a tool chest tends to be a larger unit. According to Craftsman, a tool chest is usually the top portion of a bigger box or cabinet. Tool chests may offer more versatility in the form of organization, including things like drawers, while a small tool box may simply open from the top and feature a large open space for placing tools. Tool chests can be mobile, and some come with casters. However, even in these cases, the chest is usually substantially larger than a traditional tool box — making its mobility more suited for moving around a shop than traveling from jobsite to jobsite — and tends to come with multiple drawers and, potentially, a work surface.