Need help finding a toolbox for work

[dieselfuelonly]

Hi guys,

I'm looking on here mainly to get information about a box, but any recommendations about tools

I am apprenticing at a truck repair shop and am in need of a toolbox. I can't afford a high-dollar box so I'm looking for something good enough to last me a couple years and that when I'm ready to replace it with something nicer, I can bring it home and continue to use it there. I figure that for now money is better spent on filling the toolbox with decent tools than pouring it into an expensive toolbox and filling it with cheapo tools.

Right now I work on everything from triaxle flatbed crane trucks to pickup trucks and small utility trailers, so I need a bit of space, but not a ton either.

I decided to purchase a new collection of tools for work so I can keep all my current stuff at home for my own projects.

The guy I'm apprenticing under with the shop has been great at letting me use his tools, so I've been looking closely at what tools of his that I use a lot and basing what tools I start with off of that.

I've already started off with a 582 piece set from Sears that should have the majority of wrenches/sockets etc. covered:

http://www.sears.ca/product/craftsman-md-582-pc-standard-metric-mechanics-tool-set/609-44582-44582

For air tools I'm probably going to go with Ingersoll-Rand:

2135TiMAX 1/2" Air Impact
http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-2135timax.aspx

1105MAXD2 1/4" Air Ratchet
http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-1105max-d2.aspx

1207MAXD3 3/8" Air Ratchet
http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-1207max-d3.aspx

3102 1/4" Die Grinder
http://www.tooltopia.com/ingersoll-rand-3102.aspx

As time goes on I plan to replace some of the Craftsman stuff with a little higher-quality tools, like these Matco locking 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4 in. ratchets:

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CFR178LFT/1-2-17IN-88TH-LOCK-FLEX-RATCHE/
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CFR178LFT/1-2-17IN-88TH-LOCK-FLEX-RATCHE/
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CFR178LFT/1-2-17IN-88TH-LOCK-FLEX-RATCHE/

Anyway, that brings me to where I am now - without a Toolbox. I've looked around at several places and so far the Craftsman boxes seem to have a good price point, especially with the deals they offer this time of year.

I was looking at what I believe was this set here at Sears today:

http://www.sears.ca/product/craftsm...paign=rr_catalog-L2_RecentHistoricalItems_0_0

If that is the actual set I saw in the store, for 480 bucks that seems hard to beat. I know its not much, but I feel that would at least be a good start.

Does anyone have this set or any opinions on what other boxes to check out?

Thanks a lot.

 

[TheFarmer]

Not sure your location but check out the 56" Harbor Freight box. It's a good box for the price.

 

[tyndall]

Little confused about where you are. You're linking to Sears Canada but also mentioning Matco (I've never seen Matco in Canada).

If you're buying up north, check the newest Canadian Tire Euro boxes. They are better than anything Sears has. The 47 inch goes on sale every few months and is a decent box. If you can buy from the US, my first choice would be the 53" Masterforce from Menards, followed closely by the Harbor Freight units.

Also, get the ratchets as soon as you can. I wouldn't trust them for what you're doing.

 

[dieselfuelonly]

Thanks for the tips so far, I live in Canada but am very close to the border so shopping on either side is an option.

 

[ElasDray]

It's good to hear your being smart about buying tools. It's sad to see how far in debt some people get trying to be a mechanic/tech.

 

[Wes28376]

As mentioned above the 56" box from Harbor Freight is a great box.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...1-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html

If that's out of your budget range right now here is something a little smaller. This box gets rave reviews on this site. I personally have one and love it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html

 

[FastKat]

I would definitely consider buying used - even if you're going to buy a Craftsman box like the one in your link. Check craigslist or other online classified ad sites for used boxes - you can consistently find things at about half of retail, sometimes less.

For instance, on craigslist I bought a never-used 40" $2,600 Snap-On bottom box for $1,000. It was worth every penny. From what I understand, tech school students get super deals on some Snap-On boxes (like mine) and then wind up selling them for whatever reason. That's why there is a bunch of them out there at steep discounts.

Let us know what you decide on!

 

[Wes28376]

I would definitely consider buying used - even if you're going to buy a Craftsman box like the one in your link. Check craigslist or other online classified ad sites for used boxes - you can consistently find things at about half of retail, sometimes less.

For instance, on craigslist I bought a never-used 40" $2,600 Snap-On bottom box for $1,000. It was worth every penny. From what I understand, tech school students get super deals on some Snap-On boxes (like mine) and then wind up selling them for whatever reason. That's why there is a bunch of them out there at steep discounts.

Let us know what you decide on!

I agree if you are going to buy a truck brand box to look at craigslist and buy used but I wouldn't recommend a used Craftsman box over either of the HF boxes. I actually sold my Craftsman box which is similar to the link the OP listed but with the middle box as well for $350. Then I turned around and bought the HF box for $379. The quality of the HF box blows away the Craftsman box.

 

[wannab20hatch]

In your situation I would recommend the hf box. Its a great box for the money. If your looking at used truck boxes definitely call your local dealer to have him check the serial number. Ive seen a couple guys buy used boxes thinking they got a crazy deal and when they had warranty issues or wanted to order something for the box they had them repo'd because the previous owners owed money and SO was looking for the box. Big truck boxes are secured loans so the seller cant actually sell the box until they pay it off or you take over payments through SO.

 

[bhclark]

I'll also recommend the HF box. The best bang for the buck and will serve you many years.

That 582 piece Sears kit is one helluva start!

 

[daveblank]

Little confused about where you are. You're linking to Sears Canada but also mentioning Matco (I've never seen Matco in Canada).

Yes, there are Matco distributors in Canada.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Like the others, the HF box has a good review with guys here. You've already learned to fill it with good stuff and buy a better box later. It should give ample room to start with along with a work area on top.

As far as die grinders go, you may want to start with this set from Sears, they are IR but china made. They have served me well so far.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00919559000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

 

[ishiboo]

As mentioned above the 56" box from Harbor Freight is a great box.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...1-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html

If that's out of your budget range right now here is something a little smaller. This box gets rave reviews on this site. I personally have one and love it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html

That's $699 or less with ITC coupon right now.

 

[furbis]

I'll also recommend the HF box I have the 42" cabinet and the 5 drawer cart, they're much better than craftsman boxes and I'm a craftsman guy most of my hand tools are craftsman.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Yes, there are Matco distributors in Canada.

Definitely are, I see the local Matco truck around town all the time. One of these days I'll be able to afford a custom toolbox.

 

[LGMechanical]

I started working at Western Star (Dixie/Eglinton in Mississauga) when I was 18. Was there for 3 years and worked out of a 26" Mastercraft tool box that my dad gave me. It fit what I had at the time. Several years later my tool collection expanded and I moved into a 42" Westward combo. Now my current box is a SO Classic 96 73" wide monster

What I'm getting at is stick with a small Mastercraft or similar box for now. Years later, if you are financially secure and are still in the trade, then you may consider something fancy.