Montezuma 72" roller cabinet/top chest review

[tvmango]

The top drawer is deeper than snap ons and the other 2 large drawers rock for pliers wrenches an screwdrivers. The stuff you use the most. It's sweet man. Buy it.

 

[Atlascycle]

The one thing that is keeping me from pulling the trigger on this is I have told myself that I will not purchase another work tool box that doesn't have individual latches on the drawers, ie griplatch or the lock and roll style. There has been many additions to our building and lots of uneven floor transitions and I have seen way too many tipped over tool boxes because of the drawers coming open.

Jason

 

[9GUY9]

The one thing that is keeping me from pulling the trigger on this is I have told myself that I will not purchase another work tool box that doesn't have individual latches on the drawers, ie griplatch or the lock and roll style. There has been many additions to our building and lots of uneven floor transitions and I have seen way too many tipped over tool boxes because of the drawers coming open.

Jason

This is my reason for holding out as well. In the past the box's I have owned that used detents to hold drawers shut always bothered me when all the tools in the drawer slid back and forth. I really like the latch system on my current snap on box because it doesn't require jarring the drawer to use.

Otherwise I like everything else I am seeing and reading about the Montezuma chest.

 

[Picoman]

I agree with you on the detents. The nice thing about Montezuma boxes is that they come with 2 sets of detents. The original ones were pretty stiff so I put the weaker ones in and they work great. Also I accidently locked some of my keys in my box right after I received my box. I called Shannon that day and that next day he sent me another set of keys and a free hat, at no cost. I can't say enough about the service. Mike.

 

[9GUY9]

I ended up buying the Extreme Pro 72" box. It came with a second set of detents, but I was under the impression they were stiffer than the installed pieces. I have had it less than a week so far, so time will tell how I adjust to the detents. I will say i have been very impressed by how well built the box is, and Shanon and strictlytoolsboxs.com were a pleasure to deal with.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I ended up buying the Extreme Pro 72" box. It came with a second set of detents, but I was under the impression they were stiffer than the installed pieces. I have had it less than a week so far, so time will tell how I adjust to the detents. I will say i have been very impressed by how well built the box is, and Shanon and strictlytoolsboxs.com were a pleasure to deal with.

This was my experience as well, the softer detents were installed originally and second set that was indeed the stiffer ones. So far I haven't had the need to switch out to the stiffer ones, especially in the Arizona summer heat. In the winter, since my garage is unheated, I could tell the detents had stiffened up a bit but it wasn't anything major. The only place you'll really, really notice it is on the top drawer where you've got four of them to contend with, and that's only if it gets really cold.

You definitely don't want the stiffer detents on during the winter, trust me on that one. When I first got mine and things stiffened up, I thought I'd try what I thought were the softer ones. Put them on one small drawer and because of the cold I could barely get it back open. Good thing I tested on one drawer!

Lovin' the box(I have the 72" classic in orange), best money I ever spent.

 

[Lil Toe]

After following nissancrawler here and on pirate and everyone else's experience with these I had to order one too.

I picked up my EliteCombo2 this weekend and the worst part of all of it, the wait, I wonder how many Shannon could sell if he had them in stock all the time.

Anyway, I couldn't wait til Monday for it to arrive so I went to Fedex on Saturday morning to pick it up. Crating was in perfect condition so I didn't/couldn't tear down the crating (I was glad as I didn't want to have to worry about strapping it down on the trailer without it):

I cheated, we used my brother's Bobcat to put it together:

I put the bottom's top on the very top like nissan did though I didn't countersink the bolts, I did add a little railing setup (cut up a stainless truck bed side cover) to hold misc cans of stuff:

Couple of obligatory tool pron shots:

These plier racks aren't too bad:

The "if I can't fix it with something from this drawer, it ain't getting fixed":

Montezuma does supply the washers for the top hold down bolts now that nissancrawler mentioned adding. My only neutral comment are the handles. I can't even really complain as they work great and I can move it around fine, it just looks/feels kind of cheesy. Again, it functions great, maybe's it's the fact it is so big it looks like a towel rack

All in all, I'm very happy with it and am looking forward to getting after a couple of projects and working out of it.

 

[tmleadr03]

I want one of these so bad I can taste it. Hopefully after the first of the year.

 

[redman333]

I have a question for you guys. Do these have an option to have one of those lockable drawers. As in when you pull open the drawer there is a lockable shelf so to speak. Also I'd like to have a half side cabinet, the height of just the bottom chest and not the full height ones, do they make those also.

 

[Hollywood728]

After talking to Shannon on the phone, he directed me to this site. I signed up and really dig all the posts on here. Thanks for the in depth review and all of the photos. Anyone have any negatives about the box? How long was the wait time once the box was ordered? Looking forwad to placing my order in a couple of weeks!

 

[Lil Toe]

No negatives from me and I forgot to update this thread when I added my lockers:

 

[haggard8604]

Have you had any issues with the drawer detents being weak and drawers not closing tight. I have had the same box for a little over a year and had to order stiffer detents that helped a little bit but i still dont like how sloppy the drawers feel

 

[Mathelo]

Waking this thread up.

I'm looking to buy a Montezuma. I've never had a tool box like this before. Couple of small handheld boxes and tools in cabinets and the rest scattered about. Quite a mess really. I've been upgrading my tools and I've decided I need a proper tool chest and the Montezuma fits the bill.

What I can't decide on is configuration and I imagine you really don't know what is best until you've lived with it for awhile but by then it is too late.

I like the idea of the cabinet with a working surface on top but it looks like most of you go with the top chest. The hutch looks interesting as well.

So I'd like to hear some views on preferred configurations with the Montezuma and why.

Thanks a bunch.

Louis

 

[9GUY9]

Waking this thread up.

I'm looking to buy a Montezuma. I've never had a tool box like this before. Couple of small handheld boxes and tools in cabinets and the rest scattered about. Quite a mess really. I've been upgrading my tools and I've decided I need a proper tool chest and the Montezuma fits the bill.

What I can't decide on is configuration and I imagine you really don't know what is best until you've lived with it for awhile but by then it is too late.

I like the idea of the cabinet with a working surface on top but it looks like most of you go with the top chest. The hutch looks interesting as well.

So I'd like to hear some views on preferred configurations with the Montezuma and why.

Thanks a bunch.

Louis

How well organized is your current tool box? If you like every thing neat and organized you need surface area, which means more smaller drawers. If you prefer to fill a drawer with tools and not worry about organization you may prefer fewer, but deeper drawers.

People who have hutch's generally are professionals who want to be able to shut the cover and be able to lock every thing in it at night. It also is a nice personal space in a shop enviroment. If you have the amount of tools that you require a top chest, well you need a top chest.

At both home and work I have a stainless top on my tool box and use the top as a work surface. I dont not have a hutch on either. It would be nice at work, but I have a hard time justifying the cost. I have zero desire to have a hutch at home.

I am a fan of buy the biggest bottom box you can, have storage and a work bench. A stainless top is worth the cost.

 

[Lil Toe]

I have benches to work on in my shop and I've added onto mine again though with Snappy this time:

You can scroll through my folder on photobucket to see how mine is organized, some stuff has changed, it's still an evolving process:

http://s192.photobucket.com/albums/z20/LilToe01/Shop/?start=all

 

[Mathelo]

How well organized is your current tool box? If you like every thing neat and organized you need surface area, which means more smaller drawers. If you prefer to fill a drawer with tools and not worry about organization you may prefer fewer, but deeper drawers.

People who have hutch's generally are professionals who want to be able to shut the cover and be able to lock every thing in it at night. It also is a nice personal space in a shop enviroment. If you have the amount of tools that you require a top chest, well you need a top chest.

At both home and work I have a stainless top on my tool box and use the top as a work surface. I dont not have a hutch on either. It would be nice at work, but I have a hard time justifying the cost. I have zero desire to have a hutch at home.

I am a fan of buy the biggest bottom box you can, have storage and a work bench. A stainless top is worth the cost.

Well, my current tool boxes / cabinets / work bench could hardly be called organized but I'd like them to be. I really don't like a drawer full of tools. I'd prefer they be visible and available in a nice orderly manner. Nothing more frustrating then trying to find the wrench or socket that isn't where you expect to find it.

I should make it clear that I'm not a profesional. This is for use in my home garage.

I like the idea of the SS top for working on. I could always get a top cabinet later if I decided I needed it.

Louis

 

[hawk293]

no one has asked this that i saw does the box have a drawer retention system?

 

[gatewaysysop]

no one has asked this that i saw does the box have a drawer retention system?

There has been discussion of drawer detents in at least several posts on the same page as your question, and probably elsewhere in the rest of the thread.

What in particular are you looking for that hasn't been covered? Maybe someone can chime in if it hasn't been covered, but you should probably be more specific.

 

[user]

Why do you buy a tool box? to keep your tools safe right?

I've been wrenching for about 10 years mostly on motorcycles I started out with a medium snap on top and bottom box. I just recently upgraded to the 72 motezuma that was at the local farm and fleet store and owned it for about a month. These blow the name brand out of the water! I really like the fact that all draws have to be closed just to lock it. ****-on and mac boxes can lock with 1 draw missed and this flaw can allow access to every other draw!!! try it lock you box up with one draw out pull on another or 2 as you shut the the that you missed in the first place and watch them pop open. You will not be disappointed with your motezuma purchase Don't waist your money buy a box that actually does its job!

 

[scissorman]

Bringing this back from the dead.

I've been eyeballing the 72" Montezuma Elite box for the last year and i'm real close to pulling the trigger. I have seen that the newest box now features a lift and release style drawer which I do prefer over a detent latch. I would love to have a hutch as well but can't afford one at the same time. If a person where to purchase a roll cabinet today and then say a year later purchase a hutch can a matching lock set still be had?

Anybody know what or if there is a difference between the Tool Vault box versus the Montezuma box in the 17 drawer 72" model other than the Tool Vault box being a detent drawer and the Montezuma being a lift and release drawer?

 

[global72]

Scissorman

All you need to do to get the matching locks is call us with the lock code of the base cabinet and we would ship a matching lock for the hutch.

Montezuma builds the ToolVault line for us. The current ToolVault is the old style Montezuma.

The difference: ToolVault has side trim, stainless steel top and uses detents on the drawer slides.

Montezuma added Raise and Release drawer handles dropped the side trim and stainless top.

 

[scissorman]

Thanks, after I posted I discovered I was able to do a compare and verified the differences.

The boxes are on backorder and I'm just curious about how long a wait it is currently?

 

[stage20]

wow thats how a top box should be made. love the layout with the long drawer for the top box. i havent seen one like that.

 

[scissorman]

How is the trim attached to the Tool Vault box? Can the side trim be removed from the Tool Vault box without leaving any holes in the box?

 

[Caroline]

nice thread, thanks

 

[global72]

The side trim is just held on with a double sided tape and can be removed

 

[zilla68]

I just ordered my 56" and double lockers today from you guys Shannon, can't wait!!

 

[PT Doc]

I love my 72" roller. I got from stb.com and Shannon was great with helping me get new drawers to make them almost all single height. This box will serve anyone at home super well. Tremendous bang for the buck. I would buy another if I refer needed it. Spring casters and stainless top are overkill,in my opinion and will bring the cost down quite if you pass on those.

 

[scissorman]

The side trim is just held on with a double sided tape and can be removed

That's good to know. Now another question, can the drawers be reconfigured if one wanted to? Let's say down the road someone wanted to remove a deeper drawer and install two shallower drawers or vice versa can that be done or is it not possible do to the construction of the box.

 

[global72]

On the 72" it is possible. But it is time consuming. We no longer stock extra drawers so from the date the drawers are ordered it can be 3 -4 months before they deliver.

 

[scissorman]

On the 72" it is possible. But it is time consuming. We no longer stock extra drawers so from the date the drawers are ordered it can be 3 -4 months before they deliver.

This is also good info for me (and maybe others as well). At least the configuration can be changed without needing any parts.

 

[scissorman]

Last question, I can't remember if I read it here or elsewhere but do the drawers have stiffeners INSIDE the drawers or under them? Basically want to know if the inside of the drawers are flat across the length of the drawers.

 

[global72]

On our boxes the drawers that have stiffeners have them under the drawer not in them.

The inside bottom of the drawer is flat.

 

[scissorman]

On our boxes the drawers that have stiffeners have them under the drawer not in them.

The inside bottom of the drawer is flat.

SWEET. Shannon, when I'm ready to make the purchase should I call and ask for you?

 

[PT Doc]

Shannon, does the montezuma 36" roller have firmer detent options? Mine barely holds on, I much prefer the firmness of the 72" detent engagement. Thanks

 

[global72]

The 36" box is a much lighter detent than the 72". We can ship you new detents just let me know how many you need and we can get them out today.

 

[PT Doc]

The 36" box is a much lighter detent than the 72". We can ship you new detents just let me know how many you need and we can get them out today.

Would these detents be stiffer than the factory ones? Thanks

 

[jptbay]

Shannon:

I want to purchase a 72"x30" deep roller cab soon. When will you have orange in stock again?

Or could I order for delivery some months down the road?

Thanks.

 

[PT Doc]

This is also good info for me (and maybe others as well). At least the configuration can be changed without needing any parts.

I replaced a bunch of drawers on my 72 roller. Slide replacement is pretty easy and the drawers were a perfect match. It's a great way to customize the box and gain square inches of storage space if you don't need the taller drawers. Now what to do will all the original drawers? I think I'll have some holes punches in some sheet and make another storage center.

I think you will,be really happy. For the money, it's such a super deal.

 

[scissorman]

I couldn't wait any longer, I made the order this afternoon.

So PT Doc, you have "extra" drawers kicking around, what color?