i've just started looking at tool boxes, .....

[xwarp]

and WHOA do they get pricey.

trying to limit my budget on one, but i spotted this unit for 200.00

opinions?

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

While I wouldn't want that in a shop environment, there's nothing wrong with it for home/hobby use.

Though some will try to convince you otherwise, there is ZERO justification for a thousand dollar box at home.

 

[Toolhorder]

You could get a Snappy box for $200 if you wait and be patient.

 

[cowboy73]

For home use, that will serve you a long time. I got this at Walmart about 20 years ago for less than $200.

View media item 7626
It's not the nicest tool box. But it has held my tools just fine.

 

[crewchief888]

and WHOA do they get pricey.

trying to limit my budget on one, but i spotted this unit for 200.00

opinions?

assuming it's used, i'd offer $100 and go from there.

 

[kythri]

Though some will try to convince you otherwise, there is ZERO justification for a thousand dollar box at home.

Other than capacity and not wanting multiple sub-$1000 boxes, y'know...

 

[Skin]

You could get a Snappy box for $200 if you wait and be patient.

I'd argue that wouldnt be the best idea. I have an older friction glide snap-on cabinet and i usually close the lower drawers with my foot. They arent overloaded either, just a few larger air tools. The craftsman box i got a couple years ago is certainly more flimsy but has far superior drawer movement.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

If you are using that at home it is a good box. if it is for work i'd do a little more looking.

 

[xwarp]

seller won't budge below 200.

just got an american legion magazine that has a coupon for one of those us general boxes for 149.00

 

[mopar66]

I have that same top box I bought it new in the 80's. At the time I was excited to have a Craftsman tool box. It sereved me well at home all these years. I upgraded years ago. But I still use it on my bench in the basement. I think it is a good choice for home use.

 

[rickairmedic]

seller won't budge below 200.

just got an american legion magazine that has a coupon for one of those us general boxes for 149.00

I will say if it is the tall black " I think 11 drawer " one your would be better off with the craftsman . Either that or save up another $200.00 and go for the 41" HF box that everybody seems to love . I have a 14 drawer Craftsman stack with the quiet glide drawers that I have been very happy with . I also have a " homeowners grade " Craftsman 5 drawer cabinet I gave to SWMBO as the drawers on it absolutely ****. The one you posted looks like at least a quiet glide unit as I dont see the tell tale homeowner line " hole next to the lock " that a bar would fit into to keep the drawers locked .


I paid less than $350.00 for my 14 drawer stack new on sale with the Craftsman club.

Rick

 

[Shipfittin]

Absolutely nothing wrong with that box at home. I'd play with the drawers though, some of the cheaper boxes, their drawers annoy the **** out of me the way they open and close.

 

[Slip_Kid]

If the drawers open and close smoothly then it's a good deal. Do you need all those drawers? If not I would look into the HF tool cart, the big one. What are you going to use it for, do you need that much storage.

 

[j.c.whitney]

In the early 1960's we went to the Bike Shop to pick out a brand new Schwinn Stingray which I rode proudly through grade school. The Schwinn was the envy of the other kids in the neighborhood who rode Huffy's, Monarchs, and other brands. That Chicago Schwinn had high quality metalflake paint, gleaming chrome rims, sprockets, and fenders, and a frame and fork that didn't break, ever. If you hang out on Garage Journal long enough you'll find lots of Huffy, Monarch, and Schwinn owners too. Nothing wrong with the Craftsman box but eventually a Snap On box will come up for sale and you'll feel like a Chicago Schwinn owner when you roll it into your Garage. I know I did.

 

[ezover]

200.00 seems high (from the picture, it looks like a low end sears box), you should shop the sears stores and look for scratch and dents, returns, or find out when new box styles come out, you can find some good deals.

 

[onewaydave]

Monitor colors are hard to discern. If that is more grey than black, I think it is Cmans lowest quality box. If so, I think you can get it new for near or under that.

On the lower grade boxes one test I like is to pull out a drawer to full extension and try to twist the drawer. After doing this on several grades of boxes you will begin to get a feel for "cheap" or not.

I tried to look up some examples on their site but Cman has got to be the squirreliest site on the entire internet.



There are some Cman boxes I still like. Usually red or red and black. Grey and red in the older models. There are some Cman Pro that came in all black that are good also.

Dave, hope this helps.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Though some will try to convince you otherwise, there is ZERO justification for a thousand dollar box at home.

So you're speaking on behalf of everyone, everywhere? How kind of you.

 

[klhitman]

i bought the HF 13 drawer for 349. i think it great for home use. i have thought about taking it to work and bringing home my C-man box but other issues have came up on that.

you can buy that box and in 6 months you will be looking for a bigger one. i would just spend the money and goto HF and get the 13 drawer.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

So you're speaking on behalf of everyone, everywhere? How kind of you.

I'm only speaking on behalf of people on a budget, as the OP is looking for something reasonably priced. You can't possibly justify $1,000 on a 26" KRA2005 rollaway for home use when you can get a comparable Craftsman for $200 and change.

And I AM someone who used to have well over $5,000 worth of a shrine to the Mac gods occupying half of my single car garage.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I'm only speaking on behalf of people on a budget, as the OP is looking for something reasonably priced. You can't possibly justify $1,000 on a 26" KRA2005 rollaway for home use when you can get a comparable Craftsman for $200 and change.

Problem with the box the OP is interested in is that he can outgrow that in a hurry. I'm all for buying used tool truck brand boxes and getting a good deal on them. You always have a use for those kind of boxes.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

True on outgrowing - I'm making the assumption that he selected that model based on his own needs. I could fit all of my home mechanical tools in that with no problem, as could many others. Hell, after I thinned out the stuff I'll never use again, I went from my aircraft carrier sized Mac to a HF 4 drawer cart.

Realistically, you aren't going to find any more capacity in a used truck brand box for a comparable price tag unless it's a complete POS or it looks like it was just pulled from a demilitarized zone.

 

[xwarp]

if i recall correctly, this box pictured in the original post seemed heavier than it appears. the lid on the top box seemed heavier than i expected. all the drawers open and closed smoothly.

as far as outgrowing, i have enough tools to fill up the 2 kennedy boxes i have, but, i do keep a few of my tools with me in my truck.

these are the two i have, and HOLY ****, they are expensive. the two i have came from where i work. they were "cleaning house" one year and let employees take boxes home.

the 149.00 hf coupon i was referring to is for this box:

 

[TWX]

I agree with going to look at scratch-and-dent and clearance boxes that are otherwise new. One three-unit stack I bought new for $300, and the other stack was all scratch-and-dent. The original set is all the same dark blue, but they're "quiet glide" drawer slides, while the other set is orange for the bottom, grey for the middle, and black for the top, but are all ball-bearing. Color doesn't really matter to me, and the tools I use more often are in the ball bearing set. I probably have $250 in that set all told.

If you really don't care about color, go this route.

Oh, I have a top box on the blue stack, I actually wish that I had just another mid box. I don't like having to open the lid to let the drawers open.

 

[kythri]

I'm only speaking on behalf of people on a budget, as the OP is looking for something reasonably priced. You can't possibly justify $1,000 on a 26" KRA2005 rollaway for home use when you can get a comparable Craftsman for $200 and change.

Except that's not what you said before.

You said "there is ZERO justification for a thousand dollar box at home."

You didn't say "there is ZERO justification for this very specific example of an expensive box of the same dimensions and capacity as a significantly cheaper box."

 

[xwarp]

i'll tell you. since i have picked up this 85 truck, i've learned again the value of decent tools, not to mention the fact that it seems i am the go to guy for helping friends do brake jobs and stuff like that.

having seen some decent boxes, i am tempted to sell a couple of firearms to help fund a truck brand box.

what i could really use is a box where i can store my hand tools, obviously, but have space across the top for working on small stuff such electronics as i also do that kind of stuff.

i have multiple soldering stations and a wide variety of pretty pricey test equipment.

anyways......

 

[rickairmedic]

Thats the HF box I figured you were refering to . I think you would be much happier with the Cman you posted originally . I am pretty sure it isnt a " homeowners box" as I dont see the slit next to the lock on the bottom box that the " locking bar " would go into . I would bet that it is either a quiet glide or maybe even ball bearing box . I also noticed the 100th anniversery tag on the corner of the box .

Rick

 

[greasemonkey44]

Except that's not what you said before.

You said "there is ZERO justification for a thousand dollar box at home."

You didn't say "there is ZERO justification for this very specific example of an expensive box of the same dimensions and capacity as a significantly cheaper box."

^play nice man, im sure he felt like i do. the normal homeowner doesnt need an epiq with top chest, and that its usually over kill

 

[kythri]

^play nice man, im sure he felt like i do. the normal homeowner doesnt need an epiq with top chest, and that its usually over kill

Except nobody's talking about Epiq. It's well and good to advise someone that a lower-end box is perfectly servicable. That's totally cool.

It's not the advice that's the issue, it's the way the advice is phrased to folks.

 

[USMCdodge]

Thats an awesome garage box. I have the same one but with a few less drawers. Its not like your going to be using it as much as you would at a 9-5 job. I would snag it.