Posted: 6/3/2014 7:32:13 AM EDT
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Reorganizing my shop for a big new contract I got. We have a lot of tools and currently they're jammed into an old, small Craftsman chest/box combo. I want to get a fairly large box in order to make sure everything fits. It doesn't have to be really heavy duty, as it won't see any abuse. My business is automation/machine building, so we don't use tools every single day. However, I want something decent that will last and will be able to roll around easily. My budget is up to $2,000 or so. I have a Craftsman box at home and I hate it (flimsy drawers, shitty casters, etc.). Other than that, I don't know jack about tool chests. Here's an example of one I was looking at:  Looks nice, but I'd maybe like something even bigger, and I don't know if Husky boxes are good or not. Suggestions? |
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I have a used snap-on box and one of the Kobalt SS boxes from Lowe's.
I like the Kobalt box, the snap-on is definitely heavier-duty but given my usage the Kobalt will probably last a lifetime anyway. I got a really great deal on the snap-on though, you can find them really cheap if you're willing to put a little time into them to get them in shape, mine needed new sliders for two drawers and I have $500 and a weekend into a box that retails for $3500. |
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I picked up my monster Snap On from a guy moving to Florida well over a decade ago........cheap price because he had to unload it. It was well over a decade old then, and it's still going strong now.
Therefore I concur with Craigslist shopping. Deals are to be had. |
back when I changed to supervisor.
| Yep, Craigslist or something like it is where two large will go farthest. Any of the home center, Craftsman or Hazard Fraught boxes are about the same. They may be ok for home use or very light industrial but if you like to load them up the drawers usually give out. |
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Thanks for the replies. I started going through Craigslist in my area. Anyone know about Clarke boxes? This one looks nice (and big!)  From looking around, this combo would cost around $2700 new.
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Any opinions on KOBALT boxes. Seems like the reviews I've read are very positive. Here's the one they have in stock at my local Lowes: |
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I've been on the hunt for a Snap On Classic 78 box. Have found 3 on Craigslist a short distance from me. Each one was less than $1500.
By the time I get my trailer hooked up to the truck, swing by the bank to withdraw the cash, the seller calls me back and says someone else just hauled it away. |
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Of all the things harbor freight sells, their boxes aren't that bad. Definitely are a step up from craftsman, which coincidentally is also made in china anyways.
I have a 44" HF roller, and its a fairly decent box. Not MATCO or Strapon quality but definitely decent. My only complaint is the locking system could be a little better. I think MATCO makes the most innovative boxes, and IIRC it's one of the few things MATCO actually produces themselves. I'd rather spend money on nice tools than a nice box. The box doesn't make you money like the tools do. |
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Quoted: Cornwell canopy boxes are fucking tits, if you can find a used one jump on it. http://d28mt5n9lkji5m.cloudfront.net/x/V99FFeQqJAi.jpg |
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Quoted:
Cornwell canopy boxes are fucking tits, if you can find a used one jump on it. http://d28mt5n9lkji5m.cloudfront.net/x/V99FFeQqJAi.jpg I've never seen a Cornwell box in person, how to they compare with Snap On in quality? |
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I just went through the same thing. I got a HF 44" bottom for $369 using a coupon in my American Rifleman magazine. I am pleasantly surprised. I don't need the top, but it can be had pretty reasonably. The whole set can be had for under $600.
They have a larger set also. Don't remember the length. |
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Quoted:
Garagejournal.com is the arfcom of the garage hobbyist world, and they're surprisingly postive about the Harbor Freight boxes. I'd rather spend money on tools and guns.... There's a weird thing going on at GJ with cheap Chinese tools. I don't use that place as a reference for quality. |
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Quoted:
I've been on the hunt for a Snap On Classic 78 box. Have found 3 on Craigslist a short distance from me. Each one was less than $1500. By the time I get my trailer hooked up to the truck, swing by the bank to withdraw the cash, the seller calls me back and says someone else just hauled it away. I currently don't have the space for one, but someday I'd like to pick one up and restore it, do a neat paint job on it. |
| Instead of a box look at getting a larger service cart. Sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, and pry bars all in the top and drawers to store the rest. You would be suprised how much you can fit and its all nicely organized. Also a lot easier to roll to where you need it and store it out of the way when not in use. |
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http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/
Extreme and Montezuma both make a pretty darn good tool box. |
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Quoted:
Of all the things harbor freight sells, their boxes aren't that bad. Definitely are a step up from craftsman, which coincidentally is also made in china anyways. I have a 44" HF roller, and its a fairly decent box. Not MATCO or Strapon quality but definitely decent. My only complaint is the locking system could be a little better. I think MATCO makes the most innovative boxes, and IIRC it's one of the few things MATCO actually produces themselves. I'd rather spend money on nice tools than a nice box. The box doesn't make you money like the tools do. These are the boxes my boss bought for the maintenance shop I work in. I was skeptical at first, but after we got them unpacked I was surprised. My only complaint is the depth of the drawers. OP, you should go check these out. |
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Quoted:
I've never seen a Cornwell box in person, how to they compare with Snap On in quality? Most of the guys at work, myself included, use Snap On KRL series boxes. I work as a heavy truck mechanic. Sometimes we get new guys that have Cornwell boxes. There is no comparison in quality. The Cornwells have some of the worst drawer slides I've ever seen or felt. The Snap On drawers open easily when loaded; the Cornwell slides get worse the more they're loaded. The Cornwells are made of lighter gauge steel, and in general feel chintzy. A Mac or Matco box would be a much better choice over a Cornwell, in my experience. The final trouble with Cornwell tools in general is the relative lack of distributor support. It isn't difficult to find a Snap On or Mac dealer, but Cornwell dealers are much more difficult to find; a real problem when you need replacement parts. That said, Cornwell boxes might be just fine for a home mechanic, or in a shop that doesn't use it frequently. Once again, my personal experience is the Cornwell just doesn't stand up very well to heavy use. |
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As said above, look for used tool boxes. I can't believe the amount of money some mechanics spend on something that you put your tools in. I've had a Craftsman toolbox for a couple of decades and it still holds my tools just fine.
I know mechanics (airline aircraft maintenance) that have thousands into their tool boxes. Yes, they are built tougher and have nicer casters and smoother opening drawers but in the end all it does is hold your tools. It's your money, spend it as you choose. |
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I have two vidmar cabinets with a wood top work bench, and a cornwell roll cart.
I've owned less expensive boxes in the past, and they were a waste of money when the sliders get funky and the drawer falls off and your tools are all over the ground(bluepoint did that to me) http://www.stanleyvidmar.com/products Buy once cry once.. |
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Quoted:
Most of the guys at work, myself included, use Snap On KRL series boxes. I work as a heavy truck mechanic. Sometimes we get new guys that have Cornwell boxes. There is no comparison in quality. The Cornwells have some of the worst drawer slides I've ever seen or felt. The Snap On drawers open easily when loaded; the Cornwell slides get worse the more they're loaded. The Cornwells are made of lighter gauge steel, and in general feel chintzy. A Mac or Matco box would be a much better choice over a Cornwell, in my experience. The final trouble with Cornwell tools in general is the relative lack of distributor support. It isn't difficult to find a Snap On or Mac dealer, but Cornwell dealers are much more difficult to find; a real problem when you need replacement parts. That said, Cornwell boxes might be just fine for a home mechanic, or in a shop that doesn't use it frequently. Once again, my personal experience is the Cornwell just doesn't stand up very well to heavy use. Quoted:
Quoted:
I've never seen a Cornwell box in person, how to they compare with Snap On in quality? Most of the guys at work, myself included, use Snap On KRL series boxes. I work as a heavy truck mechanic. Sometimes we get new guys that have Cornwell boxes. There is no comparison in quality. The Cornwells have some of the worst drawer slides I've ever seen or felt. The Snap On drawers open easily when loaded; the Cornwell slides get worse the more they're loaded. The Cornwells are made of lighter gauge steel, and in general feel chintzy. A Mac or Matco box would be a much better choice over a Cornwell, in my experience. The final trouble with Cornwell tools in general is the relative lack of distributor support. It isn't difficult to find a Snap On or Mac dealer, but Cornwell dealers are much more difficult to find; a real problem when you need replacement parts. That said, Cornwell boxes might be just fine for a home mechanic, or in a shop that doesn't use it frequently. Once again, my personal experience is the Cornwell just doesn't stand up very well to heavy use. I've had both snappy and Cornwell in the past. Cornwell drawers so not like being overloaded. You can pack 20lbs of shit in a 5lbs drawer if it says Snaps, and they only thing that will happen is your tools with bang into each other and get dirty, with Cornwell you have to keep that load limit it mind, which forces you to be more organized and encourages you to buy more boxes. And it will last forever as long as you don't overload it. Cornwell is quality stuff, but it isn't quite as rough and tumble as Snap's or Mac, but their stuff works and it feels good to work with. But like all the pro brands, if you don't have a dealer coming by once a week they may not be the company you want to buy ratchets from. I'm out of the game now so I traded or sold off my big name boxes and tools. I have a couple of Kennedy boxes now stuffed with mostly Allen brand tools because I can replace them same day if I need to. |
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Quoted:
As said above, look for used tool boxes. I can't believe the amount of money some mechanics spend on something that you put your tools in. I've had a Craftsman toolbox for a couple of decades and it still holds my tools just fine. I know mechanics (airline aircraft maintenance) that have thousands into their tool boxes. Yes, they are built tougher and have nicer casters and smoother opening drawers but in the end all it does is hold your tools. It's your money, spend it as you choose. The reason is efficiency and quality. The purpose of a box isn't to hold your tools. It is keep your tools in the proper place and allow you easy access. Quality ballbearing slides mean less effort to open and that your tools don't rattle around and jump out of place. Heavy castors mean easy mobility without causing your tools to jump around. Heavy construction means you can use the top as a workbench without fucking up your box. The drawers are sized and laid out for organization, the materials and design help promote and maintain that organization. So that when you need a tool it is in the right place, no searching required. When you buy a high end box you are saving time that can be better spent spinning a wrench. You get paid to work not look for it clean your tools. |
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Quoted:
I have two vidmar cabinets with a wood top work bench, and a cornwell roll cart. I've owned less expensive boxes in the past, and they were a waste of money when the sliders get funky and the drawer falls off and your tools are all over the ground(bluepoint did that to me) http://www.stanleyvidmar.com/products Buy once cry once.. Dayums! That had to fucking suck. I've never seen a BP do that. How badly was the bottom sagging and what did you have in there? Pics? |
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Harbor Freight US General Pro Series 56" roller. Use the other thousand and a quarter bucks on something else... or buy three... I own 7 of the US General boxes. One is 3 of them in one unit, two of the rollers and two of the black carts. They are the best value for tool boxes there is, unless you find something used at a steal. |
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Quoted: Any opinions on KOBALT boxes. Seems like the reviews I've read are very positive. Here's the one they have in stock at my local Lowes: They have one like that at Lowes but it has premium sound and a mini fridge on it.
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Quoted:
Dayums! That had to fucking suck. I've never seen a BP do that. How badly was the bottom sagging and what did you have in there? Pics? Quoted:
Quoted:
I have two vidmar cabinets with a wood top work bench, and a cornwell roll cart. I've owned less expensive boxes in the past, and they were a waste of money when the sliders get funky and the drawer falls off and your tools are all over the ground(bluepoint did that to me) http://www.stanleyvidmar.com/products Buy once cry once.. Dayums! That had to fucking suck. I've never seen a BP do that. How badly was the bottom sagging and what did you have in there? Pics? It was on a cart, the third drawer down, all I had in it was two sets or wrenches on a oranizer. pulled it open, one side didn't roll as smoothly, and the drawer just fell off. it wasn't over loaded, the sliders were just too poorly designed. I upgraded to a cornwell cart after that. thing is a TANK in comparison. some of their handtools aren't the greatest, but the boxes are really well built and pretty reasonably priced. the MSRP is way above street price,I paid like $1800, but I do a good bit of business with them (should add that). 
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTBMM800BK-%252d-Mobile-Work-Center%2C-Black# for OP's use it would be a fine tool box. |
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Quoted: These are the boxes my boss bought for the maintenance shop I work in. I was skeptical at first, but after we got them unpacked I was surprised. My only complaint is the depth of the drawers. OP, you should go check these out. Quoted: Quoted: Of all the things harbor freight sells, their boxes aren't that bad. Definitely are a step up from craftsman, which coincidentally is also made in china anyways. I have a 44" HF roller, and its a fairly decent box. Not MATCO or Strapon quality but definitely decent. My only complaint is the locking system could be a little better. I think MATCO makes the most innovative boxes, and IIRC it's one of the few things MATCO actually produces themselves. I'd rather spend money on nice tools than a nice box. The box doesn't make you money like the tools do. These are the boxes my boss bought for the maintenance shop I work in. I was skeptical at first, but after we got them unpacked I was surprised. My only complaint is the depth of the drawers. OP, you should go check these out. Thanks everyone for the replies and recommendations.  |
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Quoted: Instead of a box look at getting a larger service cart. Sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, and pry bars all in the top and drawers to store the rest. You would be suprised how much you can fit and its all nicely organized. Also a lot easier to roll to where you need it and store it out of the way when not in use. All the common stuff needed day-to-day on a cart , the rest into the chest . And the last box I bought was a PROTO . Field service is very hard on boxes as they get loaded and unloaded and trucked around the country . Over 13 years of doing it , Ive watched many boxes get destroyed , The PROTO I bought about 6 years ago and it's still kicking and doing it's job . In a traditional shop I'd imagine it would last every bit as long as a Snap On , Mac or Matco . |
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