Craftsman AXS or used Snap On?

[spencerian]

There is a local pawn shop that has a Snap On toolbox.
It's a KRA3800A and KRA3810A.

The box is not in excellent shape, but it is in fair condition.
They are asking $1200 for it. Bottom Dollar.

I have always liked the AXS from Craftsman and can get one for about the same price.

The difference is:
AXS has ball bearing drawers, LED lighting, and is new.

What do the Garage gods say?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Snap-on...

 

[cb450r]

I'll second the Snap-on box, Besides a being a better built box with out all the fancy smancy useless **** they have attached to it you will get more storage room for tools instead of radio's, neon lights and other useless ****. IMHO of course

 

[Stanger]

Snap On. Might as well lock this thread now. No one is going to recommend the Axis over the Snap-On.

 

[dps]

No one is going to recommend the Axis over the Snap-On.

Sure someone will. Or at least, might. What are you buying a box for? I don't ask to be facetious, but for you to determine what's important. If it's JUST to store tools, why spend $1200? Surely there is a less expensive way to keep them organized/convenient/protected than either of those two choices.

If appearance is important, and you like the looks of the AXS, buy it. To me, appearance will always be important, not just for a box, but for the tools that go in it, the garage it sits in, etc. For others that's secondary.

If you think you're going to sell it someday, the SO is probably the better choice, though I pretty much can guarantee the previous owner has taken a deep bath if he was hoping to fall back on that "logic".

If you decide to buy one of these two options, which one is gonna make you feel better each time you open and close a drawer?

 

[spencerian]

Change of plans....
I have a chance to get a Matco MB7535 for about $2000.
The Matco is 76 inches wide....

 

[MarkH]

For those unfamiliar with the AXS, on the ones I have seen, the top box does not have an opening lid the gizmos go there. So if it is the top box it has a huge loss of space vs just about any other box. At least I know I put a lot of stuff up there and from what I have seen most of the rest of the people I know do also.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I'll second the Snap-on box, Besides a being a better built box with out all the fancy smancy useless **** they have attached to it you will get more storage room for tools instead of radio's, neon lights and other useless ****. IMHO of course

HE NAILED IT!

Snap On. Might as well lock this thread now. No one is going to recommend the Axis over the Snap-On.

NUTHER ONE THAT NAILED IT!

Change of plans....
I have a chance to get a Matco MB7535 for about $2000.
The Matco is 76 inches wide....

GOOD SHOW, IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT BRAND (INCLUDING HF) YOU SELECT IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN THE AXS!

To my thinking I would choose an old plastic 5 gallon bucket before spending a dime on that AXS thing Sears has been pushing. I think that thing is aimed at the kind of guy that is impressed with lights glowing under a car, a big over sized spoiler that sets on the trunk of a car that is not capable of going fast enough to need one in the first place and unfortunately the young/dumb enough to look at that repulsive hoax and think they are buying a mechanics combo set when in reality the only guy that would be caught dead with that would be a poser and a wanna be. No self respecting mechanic be it professional or shade tree would be caught dead with that POS in his garage, let alone holding his tools!

THE SAD REALITY IS THAT THING IS AIMED AT YOUNG GUYS WHO HAVE NO DAD OR OLD GUY AROUND TO PUT THEM WISE THAT THE THING IS A POS! OR AT OLD GUYS TO IGNORANT TO KNOW BETTER!

 

[Fedwrench]

I wouldn't recommend the AXS over anything. In fact, I'd tell you to buy a Harbor Freight set up before the AXS. The AXS has too many gimmicks and too much plastic to be a durable unit that can withstand abuse.
You don't have to buy Snap on. I would recommend buying a used name brand set ( Any tool truck, waterloo, craftsman, Proto, etc) that has the drawer set up that you like, has alot of room for you to grow into (probably the most important feature), and the price is right. I would also recommed roller bearing drawers if you can swing it. Stick to the basics of steel and more steel.

 

[billymade]

The AXS top/bottom box in our store is facing the walk through traffic in the tool department and people do stop and look at it; some guys are like "oohh, nice box!" and women are attracted to it too. It seems to be a box designed by a marketing group as it really doesn't have much "substance" to it and is high on the "bling" factor; all show and no go. You can spend less money for the other Craftsman boxes, get more storage room and better quality boxes for less money. I usually try to steer people away from that box to the heavy duty and cheaper ones. Many people are attracted to this box at the store, go figure! I have yet to see a customer actually buy one, however!

 

[paramudduck]

Buy the AXS fill it with Nascar and Harley tools.

Now buy the Matco and put it in the corner and use it. One for display and one to actually do something with.

 

[Bacchus]

AXS has to be a marketing bomb. Does anyone actually buy them? I'd have to say someone should get fired over that fiasco.

 

[philw]

Reminds me of that VW commercial.

"time to unpimp z auto"

Someone needs to "unpimp z axs"

 

[spencerian]

Ok, I realize the Matco is a good deal, but wonder about the Snap On.
It is 38" wide and made in Canada.

So focusing on the Snap On alone, is it a good deal?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Ok, I realize the Matco is a good deal, but wonder about the Snap On.
It is 38" wide and made in Canada.

So focusing on the Snap On alone, is it a good deal?

Everyone here is telling you the same thing, focus on any brand you like, all are high quality compared to the AXS which is nothing more than a marketing gimmick and a joke!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Buy the Snap-on, don't look back.

 

[Stuey]

I previously mentioned that I thought that AXS was a huge gimmick with an inflated pricetag. For the most part, I don't know anyone that thinks it's a good buy.

BUT there have been newer versions released. There is a new top-box without the LCD, temperature sensor, timer, and all that nonsense, for several hundred dollars less than the initial release model. I believe that it's only advertised in the catalog.

A few weeks after I wrote the Hot or Not piece, I went back to my nearest Sears to reevaluate the AXS system. I concluded that it is not a total write-off, but that perhaps a second generation could be a lot better. There is a (relatively) significant amount of plastic on the box. However, it feels rigid, sturdy, and well, quite frankly, decent. The AXS drawers can support the same load as the Craftsman Grip Latch drawers. The AXS is pretty deep and has a good amount of storage space. The accent lighting is an accessory, but then again, Snap-On offers toolbox neon lighting now as well!!

I also liked the drawers on the AXS - they lock very securely. Craftsman ball bearing drawers lock with a jolt and open with a jerk. I have a few of those intermediates and a top-box, and I never close them for that reason. The Grip-Latch are okay, though.

The LED lighting on the AXS is work-top lighting, which imho is a good idea for something marketed as a project center. The slide-out worktop isn't a bad idea either.

For the most part, I do think that the AXS marketing has been mismanaged. It has many good features, but not without an almost equal number of setbacks. The problem is that Waterloo and Craftsman spent too much time focusing on the accessories and add-on functions. If the no-frills version was offered at stores, more people might go for it.

I think that the AXS is a quality box, but built to an inconvenient pricepoint. It seems to be very well made but is double the cost of a Grip-Latch setup (albeit of smaller capacity). Most consumers don't spend that much on a box, and pros seem to spend a lot more.

Okay, so I am not endorsing the AXS, but I am defending it. I just think that a lot of people look at it snobbily without ever considering that it could be a quality box.

I would NOT recommend either the AXS or the Snap-On. Why? I hate used equipment. The no-frills AXS might be something to consider (once it hits clearance and a 50% discount), in addition to a Craftsman or Kobalt steel ball bearing setup.

Then again, I'm an atypical GarageJournal guy. I don't think Snap-On is worth it for most things, and I don't like used tools. Then again, I do not earn a living with my tools. My philosophy is that the price of a box should not be much greater than the value of tools inside of it.

Get the most for your money, and TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. That means go to your local Sears, put some heavy tools in different drawers and see if you like the AXS vs. the other options. Then weigh whether you'll do better with a Cman setup vs. used Snap-On. Would you rather spend $1200 on a box, or $500 on a box of the same size plus $700 in tool additions or upgrades? If you plan on using the box everyday and make a living with your tools, go for the S-O.

Comparison:
5 drawer Grip-Latch (plus top opening compartment): $270.
6 drawer no-frills AXS: $400.

For an extra $130, what do you get? Plastic and a slightly more "fashionable" design. To some people it's worth it, but c'mon... $130 in new tools > $130 in aesthetics which serve no functional purpose.

 

[Abodyracer]

The AXS top/bottom box in our store is facing the walk through traffic in the tool department and people do stop and look at it; some guys are like "oohh, nice box!" and women are attracted to it too. It seems to be a box designed by a marketing group as it really doesn't have much "substance" to it and is high on the "bling" factor; all show and no go. You can spend less money for the other Craftsman boxes, get more storage room and better quality boxes for less money. I usually try to steer people away from that box to the heavy duty and cheaper ones. Many people are attracted to this box at the store, go figure! I have yet to see a customer actually buy one, however!

I've actually sold 2 AXS units and a couple of other sales associates at our store have sold one as well (4 total). All were sold to guys who were after the "Bragging Rights of The Neighborhood" issue.


Spencerian-I think for 2K I'd go with the Matco as long as it were in good shape. I.E. Not beat to hell, paint in good shape, all dwares working like a charm. Its also twice as big as the other two giving you plenty of room for future growth.

 

[spencerian]

I've actually sold 2 AXS units and a couple of other sales associates at our store have sold one as well (4 total). All were sold to guys who were after the "Bragging Rights of The Neighborhood" issue.


Spencerian-I think for 2K I'd go with the Matco as long as it were in good shape. I.E. Not beat to hell, paint in good shape, all dwares working like a charm. Its also twice as big as the other two giving you plenty of room for future growth.

That's what I'm leaning toward.

 

[rsanter]

the Cman AXS looks like junk
you can see them go on ebay for cheap

bob

 

[eschoendorff]

Lemme put it this way... I catch **** for wearing pink slippers on this board and even I wouldn't own an AXS box.

 

[Jokeman]

Im pissed, I missed an AXS box at my local sears that was on clearance for 100 bucks since someone returned it. I would have hawked it right on ebay!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Im pissed, I missed an AXS box at my local sears that was on clearance for 100 bucks since someone returned it. I would have hawked it right on ebay!

I would have been afraid I would not be able to find anyone stupid enough to buy it and I would have been hung with it!

 

[Stuey]

Yikes, you guys sound pretty shallow. FOr $100 each, I'd use one as a filing cabinet, one to hold bathroom/beauty supplies, and another in the kitchen for baking tools and general purpose tools.

 

[rsanter]

for a $100 I would buy it and I can use it to store small parts
at that price its worth it. at the sears price, no thank you
I have seen several of the bottom and top boxed go on ebay for the $125-$140 each range

bob

 

[dps]

...yeah, I'm kinda wonderin' about the vehemence on this AXS thing. Is it
a) appearance
b) quality
c) price?

I've only seen them in the catalog, and they aren't to my taste personally, but neither are suburban McMansions or the Oakland Raiders, but that doesn't mean a lot of other people can't like them. Maybe the OP specifically liked them because they DIDN'T look like the stuff his dad might have had.

From the couple of posters on the thread it doesn't sound like the quality is any different from their ball bearing series, and plastic parts can hardly be a put-down; the stuff is plenty strong and won't dent.

There are complaints about its storage capacities, but what does that have to do with anything? On a price per cubic inch of storage there are plenty of things priced higher, sometimes WAY higher.

As the owner of his own version of tool storage, I am still surprised at how much "non-tool storage" stuff some people pour into their boxes and their opinions of other people's boxes.

 

[eschoendorff]

...yeah, I'm kinda wonderin' about the vehemence on this AXS thing. Is it
a) appearance
b) quality
c) price?

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

The AXS appeals to a much different demographic... most of those people hang out on other forums...

 

[Uncle Buck]

...yeah, I'm kinda wonderin' about the vehemence on this AXS thing. Is it
a) appearance
b) quality
c) price?

I've only seen them in the catalog, and they aren't to my taste personally, but neither are suburban McMansions or the Oakland Raiders, but that doesn't mean a lot of other people can't like them. Maybe the OP specifically liked them because they DIDN'T look like the stuff his dad might have had.

From the couple of posters on the thread it doesn't sound like the quality is any different from their ball bearing series, and plastic parts can hardly be a put-down; the stuff is plenty strong and won't dent.

There are complaints about its storage capacities, but what does that have to do with anything? On a price per cubic inch of storage there are plenty of things priced higher, sometimes WAY higher.

As the owner of his own version of tool storage, I am still surprised at how much "non-tool storage" stuff some people pour into their boxes and their opinions of other people's boxes.

I think the biggest thing the AXS has against it is the fact that the exterior is all plastic. I guess you will find two kinds of opinions regarding that 1) Oh yea the quality is just fine, or 2) You can keep plastic tool boxes, I really do not need to try one and yes, I do think a plastic tool box is inferior to a metal box, and no I do not care that metal will rust and plastic will not and metal will dent and plastic will not. If I wanted a plastic tool box I would get mine at the same place I got my sons................Toys R Us!

 

[Stuey]

Hmm, is it plastic or metal? I mean, there are many different color options available - are they painted, poweder coated, or dyed surfaces?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Hmm, is it plastic or metal? I mean, there are many different color options available - are they painted, poweder coated, or dyed surfaces?

The exterior surfaces of the AXS series boxes are plastic. When you open the drawers they are metal linings, but to my mind it is a glorified plastic box, ie Fisher Price!

 

[dps]

but to my mind it is a glorified plastic box...

You mean, like a Corvette?

 

[Uncle Buck]

You mean, like a Corvette?

For some reason that thought never occured to me!

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Hmm, is it plastic or metal? I mean, there are many different color options available - are they painted, poweder coated, or dyed surfaces?

When I played with one at Sears, the "box" of the tool box is metal, just like other Waterloo/Craftsman boxes. The trays were sheet metal as well, just like the other tool boxes. There is a plastic bezel top, and plastic bezels on the front of each drawer.

Overall it is mainly standard Craftsman/Waterloo sheet metal but to make it "techy", the put on shiny plastic bezels along with the other gizmos on it. They also styled the metal a bit differently as far as the contour goes.

 

[Stuey]

I don't think that the box is similar to that of an ordinary Waterloo box. This probably contributes to the significantly higher cost. I too am now having doubts as to how much of the systen is made of metal. I really don't see it as a negative though. Regular boxes tend to have some "rattle" to them, and I'm not a fan of aluminum drawer pulls.

I just hope that if/when there is a 2nd generation AXS, Waterloo and Cman find a focus group to help with the design. Like someone previosuly mentioned, it looks like they had too much input from the marketing dept.

I honestly do think that the AXS has many merits to it, but I don't think that the current models are ever going to attract much positive attention. What they need to do is trim the price down significantly. If all they had done was take the standard sheet metal design and dress it up a bit, many more people would seriously consider it, probably because it wouldn't be double the price.

 

[Thumper]

AXS.......them things are as ugly as homemade ****.

 

[dps]

Part of their problem, I would guess, is perception. I've designed, and sell a couple of artist's easels made of traditional wood construction. These are used in the studio, and the wood works just fine because weight and volume are not considerations.

But I'm working on a field (outdoor portable) easel which have also been traditionally made of wood with brass hardware. There are a couple of aluminum versions out there, and artists will accept them because they can still feel like they are artists using a nicely crafted piece of equipment. But the best alternative by far would be to make them of plastic. Weight is a large factor because of the portability, and they must be strong because they're subjected to rough treatment and dropping. Wood splits and metal dents (to the point of non-functionality); the plastic would be strong, light, and just bounce on contact. Development, and especially manufacturing costs would be very reasonable compared to the other materials. So for function, plastic would be superior.

But I don't believe it would sell well because of the artist's perception of newfangled, cheap, plastic. I think most of us have the idea that plastic is ****. One of the big compliments on the new Cadillac CTS's is that their interior doesn't look like plastic (even though of course it is). And I get in many new cars and am turned off by the huge sheet of plastic that is the dashboard, wishing for the return of metal, wood, and leather (vinyl).

Sorry to drift off topic...

 

[eschoendorff]

You mean, like a Corvette?

Hey! It's sheet-molded composite!

 

[Stuey]

Hey! It's sheet-molded composite!

At first I read that as "Holy sheet"...