US General Full Bank Cart vs 42 x 22 Roll Cabinet: Which Tool Storage Wins?

Introduction

If you have been comparing tool storage options lately, these two units are easy to confuse. The US General full bank cart and the 42 in x 22 in roll cabinet are nearly the same box in different orientations, and choosing between them comes down almost entirely to how you work.

After living with the full bank cart for around six months and loading it with sockets, ratchets, pliers, wrenches, and more, the trade-offs between the two have become very clear. Here is how they compare.

Evaluation Criteria

The comparison comes down to a handful of practical factors: usable storage volume, whether you get a work surface, drawer organization, mobility, locking, and color choices. Both units are from the same brand and are priced closely, so small differences matter more than usual.

US General Full Bank Cart: Six Drawers of Vertical Storage

The full bank cart packs six drawers into a footprint of roughly 34 by 23 inches, plus an optional side table attachment. The claimed storage volume is 18,700 cubic inches. Its standout feature is the very deep top compartment under the lid, which swallows a surprising amount of gear, though retrieving tools buried at the bottom can be awkward.

In practice, the top compartment works best for bulk items rather than frequently used tools. The drawers themselves organize well: one setup included screwdrivers and pliers in the first drawer, wrenches in the second, a catch-all socket drawer, a drawer for torque wrenches and hex keys, and a bottom junk drawer.

The vertical layout is also ideal for magnetic accessories on the sides. Magnetic trays and holders work well on the flat steel panels, keeping everyday items within reach. Some magnetic holders feel better built than others, but the concept works.

US General 42 in x 22 in Roll Cabinet: A Real Work Surface

The roll cabinet holds around 14,000 cubic inches of storage, slightly less on paper than the full bank cart. But here is the interesting part: divide storage by size and the numbers come out nearly identical, around 0.035 cubic inches per unit of cost for the cabinet versus roughly 0.033 for the cart. In terms of usable storage, it is essentially a tie.

What the cabinet gives you instead is a dedicated work surface on top with a genuinely nice rubber mat. It is premium-feeling material, and it makes a real difference when laying out parts and tools mid-job. A top box can also be added later for expandability, something the cart’s open top compartment does not offer.

Which One Fits Your Workflow?

The cart is the right pick if you already have work surface area in your shop and just need optimized tool storage in the most compact footprint possible. It also suits anyone who wants to leave it open and work straight out of the drawers without closing up between tasks.

The cabinet is the better choice if you want to shut and lock everything at the end of the day, need a work surface, or want the option to stack a top box later. If compartmentalizing tools matters more, the cabinet’s dual banks plus a long drawer and a skinny second drawer give more dedicated separation.

Mobility and Locking Differences

The full bank cart rolls on four casters that all swivel 360 degrees, with two of them locking. That makes it easy to reposition in tight spaces.

The roll cabinet uses a more traditional arrangement: two swiveling casters and two fixed ones, in a typical shopping-cart style. It rolls fine in straight lines but is less nimble in tight quarters.

Color is another differentiator. The roll cabinet comes in eight colors including red, gray, black, blue, green, and white, but not the bright purple shade that cart buyers can get. The cart, meanwhile, is available in that standout purple along with other finishes.

Buying Advice

Both units deliver essentially the same usable storage for very similar money, with the cart at $600. Ask yourself three questions. Do you already have a workbench? Then the cart’s compact vertical footprint wins. Do you want to lock things up or stack a top box? The cabinet wins. Is vertical access with magnets and open-lid workflow your style? Again, the cart.

There is no wrong answer here, only the one that matches how you move through a job from start to finish.

Conclusion

The US General full bank cart and the 42 in x 22 in roll cabinet are closer in value than their different shapes suggest. Pick the cart for compact, always-open tool access in an existing workspace, and the roll cabinet for a lockable box with a premium work surface and expandability.