Tool boxes

[Jrainman]

I need to upgrade my tool boxes ,my tool storage is out of control , I need to know whats decent as far as quality and price , Yes I know you get what you pay for ,but is there any quality with good price point boxes out there . I am looking for 72'' x 20 '' ,but not at the Snap on price point .

[A1971Blazer]

I'm not a professional mechanic...so like you, I have no desire to owe my soul to SnapOn...not bashing them...they are top of the line....but as a DIY guy..I found that the red boxes from Harbor Freight work just fine for me...nice finish, ball bearing drawers...etc....I have several of them.....just my 2¢...

[Killer Bee]

speaking of Snap-on snobs...

I worked out of my box as a professional heavy junk mechanic and enjoyed the benefits of their construction and tool load capacity..

being not too shabby at my trade, I managed to buy ALL of my Snap-on with cash and never carried a balance on a truck..

now this box is nearly 20 years old and a luxury item for a home garage but entirely paid for so I'm keeping it!


for a home use box that will be sturdy, long lasting, and hold up to a reasonable tool load and use, Craftsman..

their professional series are economical and always going on sale for one reason or another..

I bought my first three bay from a Sears that had a scratch and dent aisle and saved like 60%, may be an outlet store near you if they still exist..

they have a good selection of sizes and shapes and you can expand with matching components..

things to look at; replaceable ball bearing slides, doubles on deep drawers, drawer latches, cube space and drawer bottom surface area, etc.

maybe something like this $1300 list Craftsman 75 in. 15-Drawer Ball Bearing Slides Roller Cabinet, Black



or this in Pro series for $2000 list Craftsman PRO 75" 17-Drawer Cabinet with Integrated Latch System - Blue



good luck!

I'll part with a little tool porn

[Jrainman]

I would say 60-65 % of my tools Are Snap on ,I worked in a service station back in the 70s and the Snap on truck rolled in once a week, So over a 6 year period I worked there I bought a lot of snap on , but over the years after that it became a mix of all brands Some good, some not so good.

As far as tool boxes, I also bought a scratch and dent Craftsman upper and lower box back then, That still works well , Bought another Craftman in the late 90s, and another about 2010 , and the quality sure has gone down hill .In there defense they are over packed with tools ,but they still dont handle like the older Craftsman I have from the 70s.

I have looked at the big box store s and HF . and I feel the quality is no better then what I have already sure they do have some nice updated design changes to some of them .

As of now I have narrowed my search down to a tool storage company called
Extreme , the have 24 inch deep draws witch is a big plus for me and all the reviews look really good , They are a little more money but , not Snap on /Mac / Matco money. Just would like to see one in person or here from someone that has laid there hands on a Extreme Tool chest /box /cart .

[Killer Bee]

ya got me there, that KRL1003 above was the last box I purchased ~18 years ago for $4500 + older craftsman trade-in..

they've gone up considerably, this is similar from quick search;
72" 22 Drawer Triple Bank Masters Series Roll Cab $12,630.00 USD Item: KRL1023DPM


this may not contain the brand you're considering, but one of many tool box reviews I've ran across in my interweb travels..

Tool chest review - Sears, Tractor Supply, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight

probably others on the garage journal, or may have to google specific terms with 'review'

good luck!

[Kim57]

I have a Waterloo box that has to be 35 years old that still works fine and a 48" HF that my brother bought for me about 5 years that for a home mechanic works great.
Kim

[Jrainman]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

ya got me there, that KRL1003 above was the last box I purchased ~18 years ago for $4500 + older craftsman trade-in..

they've gone up considerably, this is similar from quick search;
72" 22 Drawer Triple Bank Masters Series Roll Cab $12,630.00 USD Item: KRL1023DPM


this may not contain the brand you're considering, but one of many tool box reviews I've ran across in my interweb travels..

Tool chest review - Sears, Tractor Supply, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor Freight

probably others on the garage journal, or may have to google specific terms with 'review'

good luck!

Looks like a good read ,I will have to check it out thank you

[Jrainman]

Originally Posted by Kim57

I have a Waterloo box that has to be 35 years old that still works fine and a 48" HF that my brother bought for me about 5 years that for a home mechanic works great.
Kim

Im sure the waterloo is a decent box . Waterloo made craftsman boxes back in the day my old Craftman is a Waterloo. I dont know if they still make boxes for craftsman though.

My problem with HF and Kobolt is that there boxes are 18'' depth meaning less then 18'' draw width , while doing resarch i am finding that draw width is key to storage . So I am opting for at least 24'' maybe even 30.

[Bigdav160]

Like Killer Bee I have (2) Snap On KLR1003's. Mine are Black/Blue (intimidator) instead of Maroon. I purchased them for ~$6500 each in 1996. Don't let anyone tell you there hasn't been inflation since then. I really wanted a 4 bay Matco box but the dealer wouldn't make me a deal. I thought they were better built.

I think the best deals are used professional level boxes on Craigslist. Trouble is you have to know what you're buying

[Killer Bee]

^ absolutely! I've seen some screaming deals in the ads before.. completely forgot about that.. and most professional boxes are well used but not abused..

about 8 years ago I was kicking the idea around for a second box and found an older 1003 for $2k locally.. my dumbass changed my mind and let it go

indeed, need to know your box model numbers too.. some good deals out there but also a lot of dreamers..

those intimidators were popular, I know a couple of guys that have those, very nice! I picked cranberry just to be different

[Jrainman]

I do agree that Pro boxes Snap on / Matco / Mac make a box that is second to none , As I do my research I am fininding out a lot.

For instance that Craftman box Killer posted is made by a Canadian company called SPG International and they make a lot of boxes for many companys , They even make the Snap on boxes that are stamped made in Canada I think they are the KRS series ,Not sure though, Like you guys Said you have to know your Box models to catch that good deal on CL .

Here is a example I called about this box the guy has no Idea of the model , dimentions or build date on this box ,it may be a good deal or not ,and on top of that the condidtion needs to be taken in to consideration . Maybe you could give me insight on this Snap-on box