My International Tool Box Comments

[Greatwhitewing]

Just arrived yesterday was my 42 inch with two side cabinets making it 72 inches wide. Shipping was a bit of a pain. Local carrier took a week to go the last 40 miles.. Made it in 3 days from Canada to Chicago to local carrier and then it sat for a week (not cool). manufacturer took 5 days to ship it out the door.

Was packaged okay, nothing extraordinary. Separate keys for each of the 4 locks, a pain but tolerable.

Mine is blue

First of all I wouldn't say this is NOT up to the heavy duty use of a full time professional but for a homeowner like myself it's a good choice over the Craftsman or Harbor Freight. I find the detents holding the drawers in a little on the stiff side. Closing can "rearrange" your tools without paying attention.

It has a lot of room over what I had which is an easy goal LOL

I am a satisfied customer who would recommend this to a friend for the less stressing use of a typical homeowner.

The other box I considered was the Montezuma which I assume is a marginally better made box but I saved enough to round out some missing sockets and wrenches with the difference.

 

[68-camaro]

Looks nice, enjoy! Now you have to fill it which is the fun part. I noticed the drawers on the bottom chest looks narrow, normally the drawers get smaller to the bottom.

 

[chris fresh]

if your using it as a home owner/ weekend wrench turner,it will probably be great for you.i have a similar craftsman box,top,bottom,and one side cabinet that i bought almost 20 years ago,i don't turn a wrench for a living,but i do my share.for what i paid then (about 1000 for all three pieces) it has been a great box.

i did the smart thing,i spent a 1000 on my box and 5000 on tool's,because a box doesn't make you money.

congrats on the new purchase,hopefully 20 years from now you will still have it and be happy with the decision you made now.

 

[Jawn]

I know what you mean about the detents. I have the same top box (only), and the drawers with lighter loads tend to get the tools pushed all the way to the back. At least they don't feel like they'll come open accidently.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

i did the smart thing,i spent a 1000 on my box and 5000 on tool's,because a box doesn't make you money.

i disagree. A well made and roomy box works wonders. First u can SEE the tools 2nd is there wont be any digging. You also get a workspace on top and are just more organized in general which avoids losing things etc.

 

[ibedayank]

Sears also sells the international boxes... also has rebrand with craftman logo of said boxes...

 

[TheCarbideRat]

btw i have an International SRB4205 and it rocks. This fukn box saved my soul lol. I have that and 2 Kennedy 40 inchers its alot of room but i have alot of bones. Ive spent many weeks reorganizing so im a bit OCD maybe, maybe not but i can locate any tool i have in a few seconds.

 

[kippieland]

I am a DIY'er and I just got an International 42" box. I tottally agree with everyone on this. I think they are step up from the high prices Craftsman tin boxes. I think they are comparable to the HF 42" (the powder coating makes it look/feel thicker then it is.) But these are no where near a SO and truck brand boxes....but I didn't want to spend that kinda of money even for used one. I do feel like I scored with the price. I got it from Sears.com for $359 and now they want $550. Also, I have seen the Craftsman boxes that brought down from Canada online....they are WAY more then the regular International boxes....leave it to Sears!

 

[TheCarbideRat]

the SRB/SHDs are comparable to snapon. Mine weighs 400+ lbs. and cost 1300 bux. Double wall heavy gauge structurally reinforced and 4 bearing slides per drawer.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Be better if you could post some actual pics of the box, not the stock photo from the website.

 

[Jawn]

I got it from Sears.com for $359 and now they want $550.

That deserves a YOU ****! I was about to pounce, then they raised the price. Now it's back down to 465. If it dips closer to the $300s again I'll pounce.

the SRB/SHDs are comparable to snapon. Mine weighs 400+ lbs. and cost 1300 bux. Double wall heavy gauge structurally reinforced and 4 bearing slides per drawer.

I haven't seen much in the way of reviews / personal accounts about those online, but just from looking at the website they're tempting.

 

[chris fresh]

i disagree. A well made and roomy box works wonders. First u can SEE the tools 2nd is there wont be any digging. You also get a workspace on top and are just more organized in general which avoids losing things etc.

you can disagree all you want,i've had mine for 20 years,every drawer is full,everything has a spot,and i can get to anything by opening a drawer and grabbing it.i don't dig for anything in my box.there is only one other way i would go,and that would be a 3 bay roller.for two reasons, (1) is that i would have a full width drawer ( something i really want) and (2) i would have a big work surface up top.

it's simple fact,a box doesn't make you money,you can be just as organized if the box was made out of cardboard.are all the truck brands nice?,sure.would i spend 8 grand on a box,nope!. not when i could buy a lesser brand for 2000,and fill it full of better tools.

 

[zruvalcaba]

Thanks for sharing. I have 2 42" International boxes on the way. Courier called and said they'd be here Monday morning!

 

[TheCarbideRat]

isn t it against some kind of mechanics law that one cant bring a montezuma 72 inch box into a shop?

 

[TheCarbideRat]

@Jawn the srb4205 seems to be a rare bird but it can nicely fill a niche if you already have all the shallow drawers you need. The griplatches have been flawless and the casters are rubbery shock dampening, not hard rattle makers. I have every socket, ratchet, extension, drive accesory, breaker and tork wrench i own in the top 2 drawers, one metric the other SAE. the other 3 drawers have most of my bulky tools (sledge, morgan knocker, wheel chocks, pipes, big wrenches, wood blocks etc.). No ergonomic issues at all and its nice to have all my deep sockets stored upright. Only cons are the no frills mdf top (i rino'd mine) and light foam drawer inserts.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Maybe soon, I was busy filling it on Friday and had to work Saturday.

Be better if you could post some actual pics of the box, not the stock photo from the website.

 

[jvitez]

Which model did you buy? For those unfamiliar, they go as follows, best to basic: Super Heavy Duty, Professional Series, Value Series, and Classic Series.

I'd be all over an SPG International Wall Tower if it had deeper drawers.

 

[pipsters]

I own the value series box, a 56" VRB model. It's a half step above Craftsman. Although the most annoying thing about it is in the top drawer, there is a center support that runs IN the drawer, not below. WTF. You can't set anything down flat forward to back in the drawer. WTF they did that I have no idea.

Detents are blown on 3 drawers after 10 months of pro use.

Would not buy @ retail, I'm working on a 'Griplatch/spring loaded unlock' like modification to it and getting rid of all the detents. I bought used for $550 it's $950 shipped, so I'm happy with what I have into it.

It's possible their better boxes are a little better, but I would like to feel them up close before buying.

 

[dieselmike]

gotta have grip latch! im tellin ya guys.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I think it's a value series but not certain.

Which model did you buy? For those unfamiliar, they go as follows, best to basic: Super Heavy Duty, Professional Series, Value Series, and Classic Series.

I'd be all over an SPG International Wall Tower if it had deeper drawers.

 

[kippieland]

the SRB/SHDs are comparable to snapon. Mine weighs 400+ lbs. and cost 1300 bux. Double wall heavy gauge structurally reinforced and 4 bearing slides per drawer.

I would like to see the higher models...They better be more like SO because they are a LOT more money.

Mine is a Value level

 

[TheCarbideRat]

id do a pictorial review but cant right now. How much a box weighs is a good rough guide though.

 

[Porcupine]

I have the 35 inch wide Super Heavy Duty series of their roll cab and it seems quite sturdy. The deep drawers have two pairs of 120 LB ball bearing slides on each side. It is true that the detents can "move" wrenches and stuff a bit around in the box, even though I use their stock drawer liners that came with the unit. If I remember correctly, the gauge of metal used in the construction is similar to that of Snap On's Heritage series.

At the time I debated between any of the Craftsman line (made by SPG International here in Canada), the Cdn Tire Mastercraft line and those offered by Gray Tools. I decided on the one by SPG and have not regretted my decision. Actually, I only regret not getting the top matching tool chest.

Maybe Santa will bring me one!

 

[TheCarbideRat]

I would like to see the higher models...They better be more like SO because they are a LOT more money.

Mine is a Value level

Here are some pics, i can take more for you.

 

[rmsg0040]

Those SHD series boxes are very nice and strong, only thing I didnt like was the grip latch drawers, I guess it would be something that you would have to get use to.

 

[Bullet_101]

My journeyman has a rebadged one labeled Craftsman that he bought at sears. It's a great box. I think he paid a little too much for it (he paid a grand just for the bottom. I've seen International marked ones top and bottom for 800). We have it in the back of the truck with his snap-on top and it takes a beating way better than the snap on box does. The bottom support of the Snap-on one collapsed on him a few years ago and seeing as we don't get a tool truck by the shop I don't think it'll get warrantied.

 

[lutter94]

First of all I wouldn't say this is NOT up to the heavy duty use of a full time professional but for a homeowner like myself it's a good choice over the Craftsman or Harbor Freight. I find the detents holding the drawers in a little on the stiff side. Closing can "rearrange" your tools without paying attention.
.

This is confusing. You said "I wouldn't say this is NOT up to the heavy duty use of a pro". Getting rid of the double negative makes it "I would say this is up to the heavy duty use of a pro". So is it high quality or not? lol.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

I like made in Canada better than made in PRC.

Support North 'Merica!

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Yeh, mine has a maple leaf on the side.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

Those SHD series boxes are very nice and strong, only thing I didnt like was the grip latch drawers, I guess it would be something that you would have to get use to.

[in Schwarzenegger accent] You WILL like it

 

[rmsg0040]

^^ haha, I had a international box with drawer detents, got so use to it. Then I sold it got a snap on box with lock and roll, took some adjusting.

 

[kippieland]

I have found some of my detents are really loosing with time, which I am happy about. Other then that, just need good tool organizers to prevent tool movement.

 

[kippieland]

Here are some pics, i can take more for you.

Looks good!

 

[kippieland]

I like made in Canada better than made in PRC.

Support North 'Merica!

Reason I got mine...plus I got them cheaper then the thing craftsman boxes. Double bonus!