Before using this site please read the site disclaimer. Also please note that any links provided may be part of an affiliate programme (viz. eBay, Amazon) which helps support the site as I will earn a commission when visitors make a qualifying purchase.
Today I am reviewing a Kincrome K7848 Bluesteel extra wide tool chest or top tool box. This particular Blue Steel toolbox is a Bunnings exclusive.
Kincrome list the features as:
The load capacity is 35kg per drawer. This compares favourably to the more expensive Kincrome Contour range, which is rated to 30kg per drawer for both it's regular width and extra wide variants. Taking into account the toolbox weight - 55kg - if you loaded all the drawers fully the box would weigh 335kg. I'm not sure how much you are supposed to be able to load into the top of the cabinet - there's no mention of a limit there.
The toolbox measures 1025mm wide, 435mm deep and 490mm high. Between the width and weight it's going to be easier for most people as a two-person lift. The handles are comfortable and lock at 90 degrees of lift, which certainly helps with lifting. Replacement handles are part number K7788-7.
The drawers are deeper at 390mm deep than the standard Bluesteel lineup - which is 270mm.
Lowering the lid locks all of the drawers in place, and the main lock prevents the lid from lifting - so holding all of the drawers in place. You get four keys in total with the toolbox - two for the main lock and two for the privacy drawer.
Speaking of the lid, it's held up by a pair of gas struts - part number K7848-7.
Five long drawers, three narrower and deep drawers. The four shallow and wide drawers are 565mm wide, 390mm deep and 35mm high - part number K7848-4. There's one deeper drawer beneath those that's 100mm high instead - part number K7848-5. All of the drawers come with a cut-to-fit EVA liner - the part number for a replacement set of liners is K7848-6.
The three drawers on the right are all 300mm wide, 390mm deep and 95mm high - part number K7848-3. The top one has a lock on it that is a separate key to the rest of the cabinet - that's the "Lockable Privacy Drawer".
Not a feature that I'm likely to make use of but if you're in a multi-person work environment where others need access to the rest of your tools I can see how it would be helpful. The keys are described as being "snap lock" - to prevent key or lock damage if bumped while inserted.
The drawer slides are ball bearing, as opposed to the now-less-seen friction slides. There's eight pairs of slides, which are part number K7788-4. They are long enough to allow the drawers to extend fully.
The drawers feature an automatic return system, which Kincrome call the ADRS - the automatic drawer retention system.
It feels like a bit of a bump about 30mm from the full closure point which, after you push it over it, means that the drawer closes the rest of the way on it's own.
As far as maintenance goes, Kincrome suggest "periodically" tightening all hardware, lubricating the slides twice a year and annually lubricating the locks with graphite. You can change the feel of the slides significantly depending on which lubricant you use - a light oil gives a very light, fast slide whereas a grease will provide a smoother feeling, slower slide movement - progressively slower as you move up the NLGI grades.
Kincrome state that this toolchest is not suitable for mounting in vehicles.
A comparable tool chest is made by Sidchrome in the SCMT50218 - while it shares the gas lift lid and general dimensions (it's 40mm wider, 55mm deeper and 31mm shorter and weighs in at 63kg with four handles instead of two) it's $749 as opposed to the Kincrome's $599. The drawer setup is slightly different - four wide drawers of 595mm width, 400mm deep and 60mm high - as opposed to the Kincrome's four slightly shallower and a fifth deeper drawer. The Sidchrome has four narrower drawers that are 35mm wider, 10mm deeper and 40mm shorter than the Kincrome narrower drawers. Which drawer configuration works better for you is going to very much depend on what you put in there - I don't have any pics or info on how the top section is laid out on the Sidchrome but the lid looks to have less of a bevel at the edge than the Kincrome so it's possible that the storage extends closer to the front.
For my tool usage the Kincrome drawer setup overall is better, in particular the left side - I use the single wide and tall drawers for tall sockets, while the other wider drawers don't need to be any taller than the wrenches/ratchet wrenches/pliers, so 60mm isn't a lot more helpful than 38mm. Like I said, though, your mileage will vary depending on what you want to put in there and whether you can make use of the different drawer arrangement. Oh, and want to pay the extra $750.
I'll do another article comparing the overall Kincrome Contour and Blue Steel lines. In itself, though, this particular Bluesteel tool chest represents pretty good value for the size toolbox it is and it seems to be made well. The drawers have some twist in them - they're not as rigid or as heavy gauge as the Contour offerings or from a company like Snap On, but given that the Blue Steel toolchests are a fraction of the price that seems fair. The fit and finish is also reasonably good - the powder coating is smooth and largely consistent and there is not a lot of slop in the fit of the drawer slides.
If you need a toolchest/top box that is approx. 40-42" or just over a meter wide this Kincrome offering is well worth considering.
Check out some of my other Kincrome tool reviews here!
In 2019 the server has had to double in capacity to support the growing site... please consider dropping the site a donation to help cover the costs! Check out our Patreon for support options, buy a shirt, buy our apps, use my NordVPN affiliate link to sign up to their service or donate via Paypal:
| Paypal $5 link ->> | |
| Paypal $10 link ->> |