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How would you rate truck boxes?

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Aklass

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Jan 15, 2011
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Between the 4 tool trucks, everyone has their own opinion, GJ seems to love SO boxes, but others seem to hate them. I've seen some say they'd rather buy a Matco than a SO, some say Matco makes the best box, others say the
Macsimizer is the best you can get. So between Mac, Matco, Cornwell, and Snap-on rate put them in order from 1-4 in what you think they deserve to be in.
 
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back2class

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I don't have too much experience in a shop to try others boxes. I have owned some boxes though and I will share my personal experience with them. The old Mac boxes made by Lyon were top shelf as are my current boxes which are 20 year old Snap-On KR. I owned an almost brand new KRA and it was kind of junky, 10% better than Craftsman at 13 times the price. Big suprise how poor the quality was for the insane price. I own a big Cornwell 7 drawer cart and it is ok. About the same as the KRA snap-ons. I like my KR boxes pretty well. I think the older MAC Lyon units were better quality though. My father in law has a Mac tech 1000 and it is nice. Clearly better than the KRA boxes but I have not worked out of it much. I have also have a little experience with the better Matco boxes and they are a cut above the Cornwell I have owned and KRA. Can't beat that Snap-On warranty though.
 
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AZ_Catskinner

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Morenci, AZ
I can only comment on three of the four from personal experience, so here goes:

1) Mac - Love 'em. If I were to buy a new big box, it'd be one of the newer Tech series.

2) Snapon - Nice boxes to be sure, but the cost per cubic inch puts Mac ahead.

3) Matco - competitive price, but the ones I have seen lag behind SO and Mac for fit and finish.

4) Cornwell - Never seen one in person. I hear that Elvis and the Loch Ness monster both have extensive Cornwell collections on the UFO.
 
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Aklass

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I see what you mean, at our shop, I got myself a KRSC46 as a starter box and the build quality isn't what I expected from Snap-On, one of the older guys at the shop has an old master series box from SO and it feels alot more heavy duty than mine. The MAC guy even said that the new SO boxes are made of thinner metal and that he would have gotten a Matco before a SO
 
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SS5150

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Nov 22, 2009
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NE IL
Had a Macsimzer, traded for an Epiq. Macsimizer was a very good box (I bought it new) but I like the Epiq (also new) better. Never had a KRL or Matco, but the KRL's seemed 'light'. Had a Tech 1000 back in the day that I worked out of for 6 yrs that was real good too.

My 84" Epiq w/powertop was cheaper than an 88" Macsimizer without any top.....not sure why my Mac dealer wouldn't step up after I had two Mac boxes before.
 
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daveblank

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That's like asking if a Dodge, Chevy, or Ford is best. It's a personal opinion. To be 100% honest, they are all good boxes. Each manufacturer can do a smoke & mirror show on how theirs is better than the competition just like a vehicle manufacturer can. Go with the one that is the size/layout that works best for you & you'll be happy.
 
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Toolhorder

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1. Snap-on

2. Matco

3. Mac (wasn't a GJ member on his second Mac box with split welds and they wouldn't fix it?)

4. Cornwell


It's a no brainer that SO has the best box. I don't see another company with anything better at this time. I'll gladly pay for quality, I wouldn't buy something inferior to save $1000.
 
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canuckian

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East coast of Canaaada
the only truck brand I've had personal experience with is Snap On (KRL722) and the quality is amazing (except for the solid casters) but I have worked out of a friend's Mac tech series box and they seem really well built. Really can't comment on Matco and Cornwell as they're not available north of the border and I'm not paying to ship one!!
 
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chadster1

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Aug 25, 2009
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Terrell, Texas
daveblank said:
That's like asking if a Dodge, Chevy, or Ford is best. It's a personal opinion. To be 100% honest, they are all good boxes. Each manufacturer can do a smoke & mirror show on how theirs is better than the competition just like a vehicle manufacturer can. Go with the one that is the size/layout that works best for you & you'll be happy.
Click to expand...

I gotta go with Dave on this one except that the Cornwell boxes that I have seen personally, I have not been impressed with.
 
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Davefr

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You really need to compare specific models vs. making general rankings of the brands.

(ex: SO KRL's are top shelf IMHO but I'd put KRA's way down on the list and just slightly better then Craftsman, HF and the other home center boxes.)
 
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Moose-LandTran

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The Brink of Insanity (England)
Davefr said:
(ex: SO KRL's are top shelf IMHO but I'd put KRA's way down on the list and just slightly better then Craftsman, HF and the other home center boxes.)
Click to expand...

Very true. I have a KRA and i need to get a bunch of bracing welded into it because it can't handle the weight loaded into it. The floor of the box has buckled. I'd buy a KRL but can't afford one. :(
 
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Stick

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Toolhorder said:
It's a no brainer that SO has the best box. I don't see another company with anything better at this time. I'll gladly pay for quality, I would buy something inferior to save $1000.
Click to expand...
Hardly.

Having owned a two bay KRL, and currently owning a 1900 series Macsimizer and a 6s Matco, I'd put them both above Snap-On for overall quality.

If you were talking Tech series Mac boxes, or 4s/5s Matco boxes, it might be a different story, it really depends on exactly what models you are comparing.
 
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crewchief888

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NW indiana
i havent bought a new toolbox since 99 ( and that was a CM top)

all my truck box experience is very (out)dated
1 snap on
2 matco
3 mac

matco and mac's boxes had a paint problem, the damn things turned orange :shocking:

mac's boxes never impressed me at all, crappy paint, weak frames, and horrible distributors.

at the time, given the choice between a mac/matco and CM i woulda bought a CM, i'd expect it to self destruct...


:beer:
 
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earlthegoat2

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SE GA
Cornwell makes the best service carts bar none.

Snap On and Macsimizer are a wash as far as I is concerned. Id take either one of them as long as the drawer setup is to my liking.

Matcos drawer setups are always funky.
 
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Toolhorder

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earlthegoat2 said:
Cornwell makes the best service carts bar none.

Snap On and Macsimizer are a wash as far as I is concerned. Id take either one of them as long as the drawer setup is to my liking.

Matcos drawer setups are always funky.
Click to expand...


Huh? Cornwell's carts are rebadged and are the same carts Mac/Matco sell.
 
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GoBlue

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Under a car...swearing
I think Mac, Snappy, and Matco are all top tier and would proudly own any of them myself. Go for the best deal and what catches your fancy. For me...its Snappy.
 
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Roots

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Oct 31, 2010
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daveblank said:
That's like asking if a Dodge, Chevy, or Ford is best. It's a personal opinion. To be 100% honest, they are all good boxes. Each manufacturer can do a smoke & mirror show on how theirs is better than the competition just like a vehicle manufacturer can. Go with the one that is the size/layout that works best for you & you'll be happy.
Click to expand...

chadster1 said:
I gotta go with Dave on this one except that the Cornwell boxes that I have seen personally, I have not been impressed with.
Click to expand...

Seconding, they're all high end boxes, to each their own.

I'm absolutely thrilled with my current Matco and was thrilled with my previous Snap On. Not so much, with my Craftsman and Kobalt boxes before those.

I would really like to see a Snap On Epiq in person though, I'm really liking the 84", 14 Drawer, White, Power Bank, KERP843B0PU If they ever go on sale again, I might be in trouble!
 
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blacK20

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Mar 19, 2011
Messages
652
I like how that video does the stress test on the frames in the end and the snapon didn't even show a scratch. Whereas every other box was literally all crushed in. I think KRL's are great, but give me a break...
 
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Lt CHEG

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Feb 20, 2011
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Location
Upstate NY
I just bought a used Matco and I am very pleased with it. Based upon what I saw I would tend to rank the Matco 4S higher than the SnapOn KRA which is priced comparably to it. I really only looked at SnapOn and Matco because I think that all the truck boxes are high quality and more than capable of doing what I wanted them to do, but SnapOn and Matco have by far the best dealer support in this area. I like both my SnapOn guy and my Matco guy and even though I'm just a small time non professional purchaser both of them are glad to have my business and treat me like I matter. I would personally probably rank the SnapOn Epiq with a slight edge over the Matco 6S, rate the Matco 5S and SnapOn KRL as equal and give the Matco 4S series an edge over the SnapOn KRA series.
 
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tankboy_taylor

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Apr 13, 2009
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Location
Revere,Ma.
Imo Snap On is the clear cut number one no doubt about it. One of my boxes is an 20+ year old KR top before krl and it still works and looks great also it is still warrantied.

Snap On Boxes look better than the rest, there tops work sufaces are the best imo and no one can dispute the resale value is much better than the other three. I see used SO on other tool guys trucks often my SO guy never has one of the competitors on his.

I think all four make a quality product but if I was judging it would be

1. SO KRL Series
2. Matco
3. Mac
4. Cornwell

Although Imo 2-4 could be interchangable as I would only buy a new Snap ON Box being a professional by trade.
 
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earlthegoat2

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Jun 11, 2011
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SE GA
Toolhorder said:
Huh? Cornwell's carts are rebadged and are the same carts Mac/Matco sell.
Click to expand...

This is the Corny cart I am mostly referring to and I have yet to see another company sell one quite like it. They sell ones that look like it, yes. But it is not the same thing. I dont see one like this on Mac or Matcos sites either. THey dont have full drawer carts at all I dont think. Cornwell's carts have an excellent layout as well for the top tray with better laid out holes for prybars and screwdrivers than from other companies.

Really though I can concede it is probably a wash between this one and the full bank that Snap On makes. I would take the Cornwell though.

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTBMM700BK-%2d-7-Drive-Black-Cart
 
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daveblank

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earlthegoat2 said:
This is the Corny cart I am mostly referring to and I have yet to see another company sell one quite like it. They sell ones that look like it, yes. But it is not the same thing. I dont see one like this on Mac or Matcos sites either. THey dont have full drawer carts at all I dont think. Cornwell's carts have an excellent layout as well for the top tray with better laid out holes for prybars and screwdrivers than from other companies.

Really though I can concede it is probably a wash between this one and the full bank that Snap On makes. I would take the Cornwell though.

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTBMM700BK-%2d-7-Drive-Black-Cart
Click to expand...

Those are made by Sunex & Matco now has them.
 
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Ingram306

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Mar 6, 2011
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I have a craftsman that fell off the back of a truck, does that count? Haha
 
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