Snap On KR Toolbox

[agdodge4x4]

I am looking at potentially buying a KR series box. I am told it is...

KR 537 A 1978
KR 537 B 1978
KR 274 A 1980

Are these good boxes? Are they all ball bearing? Anything I need to know before looking at it in person? What would a good price be for this set? Is $1000 too much? It is in good shape, but says some parts have been repainted and there is a dent on the top of one of the boxes that doesn't look like it will cause trouble.

 

[iajonesy]

Condition is everything when looking at a KR purchase. The drawers are ball bearing but at that age the bearings may be shot, but they are replaceable. How much are you looking to spend ? That vintage of box should not cost over $500-$800. E-bay has a lot of them.

Mike

 

[jetlag]

Top and bottom box combo with a side box? If its on a roll cabinet, the bottom box should be a 557.

The value is 100% dependant on condition, as well as what your local market generally gets. 1k seems like TOP dollar for that combination. Here (Seattle/Portland area), I'd guess 500-650 if in very good condition. If its rough, 350-500. I don't know that I'd go to 1k for that combination, unless it was mint.

If you have a grand to spend, call your local Snap on guy. They are always taking in trades. I've found them very easy to work with, too.

I always liked the flip top 537. Its got a classic look. have an older KR 761/791 combo, and I never felt the need to sell it for something different. The KR became the KRL series, they're generally the "better" boxes, compared to the KRA series.

 

[Mr_B]

Top and bottom box combo with a side box? If its on a roll cabinet, the bottom box should be a 557.

The value is 100% dependant on condition, as well as what your local market generally gets. 1k seems like TOP dollar for that combination. Here (Seattle/Portland area), I'd guess 500-650 if in very good condition. If its rough, 350-500. I don't know that I'd go to 1k for that combination, unless it was mint.

+1 on these points .
In proper nice condition it probably worth 1K to someone who really wants one .
If it is the complete stack of top box, roll cabinet and side cabinet it is fair bit of storage space .
They well made but a beat up rough example won't be a pleasure use/own or worth the 1K asking price .
I had one of these top boxes years ago and used it mobile in a truck for years, held up real good .

 

[charger 73]

Those boxes would be slide not ball bearing.

 

[txvwnut]

I had a KR537 of that era and it was friction slides. I'm not sure when exactly they got ball bearing slides but I would suspect late 80's as my KR660 is all ball bearing slides and I bought it in '89.

 

[Mr_B]

Yes early friction slides and then went to ball bearings in 80's
My 537 was friction slides .
Friction slides perfectly fine on boxes like this with smaller dimension drawers .
Main issue with friction slides is not as easy repair as swapping out a ball bearing slide .
You certainly would want inspect all drawer slide condition and more so at 1K asking price.
Would expect a way above average box condition at that price .

 

[jetlag]

I've got several boxes with friction slides, and they work just fine. The only box I had with friction slides that completely failed was a VERY inexpensive Craftsman box that I picked up really cheap at auction. The slides had failed because the inner slide mounts were stamped out of 20ga sheetmetal, and any weight in the drawers would just tweak the inner slide mounts, and the drawers would bind.

I bought the box just for the contents, but instead of throwing it away, I stripped all the friction slides out, built up the insides of the box with plywood, and installed ball bearing slides. I think the slides cost me about 5 bucks per pair, so total cost to convert, including mounting hardware and steel strip material to stiffen up the insides of the drawers, was about 25 bucks. (I know, off topic...). But the point is, friction slides aren't necessarily bad, just depends on how well the box was built. It's boxes like this old Craftsman that gave friction slides a bad name. I wouldn't suggest that you attempt this conversion with a vintage Snap On box, but if you have a crappy old throwaway, it's worth a shot.

 

[agdodge4x4]

OK, Here are some pics of the thing. No, I don't have 1000 to spend. I don't want to spend more than about 300-500 for something that is 42" wide. The issue is i NEED a box to clean up my shop. I bought a Mac Tool MB197 service cart for 200 and it is built like a tank. I am very very happy with the build quality. I think it was made by Sunex.

Anyway, I want something from the more commercial side like Snap On, or Mac. I do have a 27" top chest from US General, and it's OK, but its not quite as stout feeling as my Mac Tools stuff. It will serve the purpose. I need access to it weekly and sometimes daily. Needs to hold my hammers and heavy stuff too.

Anyway, these are the pics. I don't want to offer 500 and insult the guy unless it's actually a fair price. So these are friction slides? Are they going to work smoothly on big drawers with heavy stuff like hammers, dead blows, and sledges? It has a lot of places to store and drawers, but the price seemed stout. The seller seems like a cool dude, but I don't want to low ball him either. He says it has had some repaints but I can't see where. Harbor Freight has the 42" USGeneral about to be on sale for 450. Sometimes I want to throw my hands up and just get that because most other stuff in that size is 600-2500. But, i can be patient.

 

[rallenc]

Those are nice boxes; definitely slides. Not sure if replacement slides are readily available if need be. I have similar vintage boxes and biggest problem I have are the built in drawer dividers; never in the right place.

To the right person probably $7-$800. Depending on how long they have been on the market $500 could get it but unlikely.

Good luck

 

[rust in the eye]

My $.02
Those boxes, from here, look to be in really good shape. They are old and friction slides for sure but if all are moving smoothly would be very serviceable and could last another generation, especially in home use. Equivalent new "import" boxes will cost a bunch more, are unlikely to be around as long as the ones in question have and, if it matters, will depreciate rapidly.

FWIW my own set up consists of a late 70's KRL Snap On top chest with friction slides. Some are now a bit stiff even after clean/lube but still functional. A newer KRA roller chest with ball bearing drawer glides that is now about 15 years old and working like new. Also an inherited 1980's Mac big roller cabinet with ball bearing glides that looks to have been beaten with chains but the drawers still work smooth as silk. It's doubtful I will ever need to replace any of these boxes. Speaking of doubts I don't think someone will be writing a similar story about some 2020 something import box's durability in 2060 or 2070.

If shiny stuff is more important than functionality the good folks from any of the big box stores will happy to take your money. If you want something that will serve well and last at a bargain price it's tough to beat a good condition pro box.
$1k is perhaps top dollar for those you are interested in but only because the imports have lowered the tide. If those Snappys are in good nick they are well worth $1K for utility value. I'm not saying I wouldn't try to negotiate a lower price but you aren't getting hurt at the ask, provided all is well. Bum drawer slides are a whole different ball game. IF available need to be factored in and will likely be a deal killer.
OH! Drawer liners. You're looking at well north of a hundred to replace those. This set's, again from here, look to be recent and not original type.

 

[agdodge4x4]

I'm worried about the friction slides. I have a rusty old friction slide file cabinet I use for nuts and bolts, and with 30 lbs of stuff in them. They cannot be opened with one hand. For lack of a better word, they are a ***** to open, sometimes requiring two hands. So, I am worried that these are going to be hard to open when they are full and loaded.

I don't mind the US General boxes for my small chests that have but a few things in them, but for my daily driver, with heavy stuff, I am wiling to pay more for good used, but again, kind of scared of that friction slide.

BTW, thank you all for the assistance. I love having folks that know what's what. It's more appreciated than you know.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

537, 557 and 274. In good shape, drawers slide well Not a big demand for boxes like these nowadays. I have a couple 537s, a 547 (mid box w/3 drawers) a 557 and 562 (taco box). I like them and they're stout, but require some muscle to close a packed drawer for sure. As long as they're well lubed, not really an issue. Snap On still carries the friction slides.

By way of comparison, the 637s have ball bearing slides for the larger drawers. And not as many small drawers, 5 vs 7.

You don't have your location on your profile so that limits valuation a bit. But personally I wouldn't go over $750 tops for that setup.

 

[Mr_B]

friction slides on mine were fine heavily loaded, not a problem if condition good and they kept clean and lubed with paraffin wax .
You never going enjoy a cheap import brand box as much but important thing buying old used snapon is condition got be proper good .
pictures lie & you can waste hours looking at them while 15 minutes viewing/inspecting it will answer all questions .
1K is unrealistic, would want be perfect and have good complete drawer liners to even get close to that,600/ 700 possibly but you only really know what willing pay when see it, repaint could be junk and lot of slides could be worn and damaged then it worth very little ...

 

[tool_scrounge]

I've got several boxes with friction slides, and they work just fine. The only box I had with friction slides that completely failed was a VERY inexpensive Craftsman box that I picked up really cheap at auction. The slides had failed because the inner slide mounts were stamped out of 20ga sheetmetal, and any weight in the drawers would just tweak the inner slide mounts, and the drawers would bind.

with enough abuse, even Snap-on drawer slides can fail.

I was able to fix it. But what a pain.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...he-drawer-slide-rides-in.439790/#post-8268744


As previously mentioned, cleaning off the old grease and rubbing the drawer slides with Paraffin wax makes a huge difference in in reducing drawer pull force.

 

[joel63]

I had a KR537 of that era and it was friction slides. I'm not sure when exactly they got ball bearing slides but I would suspect late 80's as my KR660 is all ball bearing slides and I bought it in '89.

The 637 had ball bearings slides except for the small side drawers.


Edited for missing word.

 

[seber]

Around here $800 would be the normal asking price. They may sell for less depending on how long they stay on the market. My old boxes with friction slides are loaded to the max with no problem. But be sure to check the condition of the slides They can get pricey if you need a lot of them.

 

[agdodge4x4]

Around here $800 would be the normal asking price. They may sell for less depending on how long they stay on the market. My old boxes with friction slides are loaded to the max with no problem. But be sure to check the condition of the slides They can get pricey if you need a lot of them.

What am I looking for to check them?

 

[FJ 432]

IMHO what you're looking at is a well cared for set given its' condition. I don't think you need to worry about the slide's condition but you'll need to check. Condition is everything on friction slides but you can tell a lot about boxes on how they look.

I've bought that pair without the side cabinet before. I didn't care for the small drawers on the top box but to each his own. I did not hang onto this pair.

In fairness I have bought and sold over 50 pairings in the last 10-15 years. I am now extremely picky. I would not pay that for those boxes in their condition. 800 would be fair for both parties.

 

[jetlag]

A good friend of mine has the 537/557 set (minus the side box), and it's given him good service for several decades. He bought it new back when he was a Cadillac tech, and never upgraded it. I've been in and out of his boxes dozens of times, and it always felt like a quality toolbox.

I have a double bank Snap On roll cabinet with a top box, and if I had to do it over again, I'd get a triple bank roll cabinet, no top box. Having a top box gives you more storage, at the expense of a work surface. Most guys don't have the floor space for a huge box, so a double bank roll cabinet is generally a good tradeoff size.

I'd think that 750-800 would be a fair price for both parties.

 

[rust in the eye]

What am I looking for to check them?

The slides. Put some downward force on them and operate each drawer as if it were loaded.
I see new liners and what looks like a few drawers with beat up bottoms from not having liners, perhaps indicative of neglect. Seller mentioned paint touch ups too. These need a good close up looking over to be sure they aren't polished up turds.

 

[charger 73]

Friction slides should be available on the 537 for sure , I replaced most of mine 3 years ago.
the bottom drawer slides took a month. the rest a few days, shipped by customer service.