Craftsman tool chest combo, great deal?

[badgcoupe]

Hey guys (and gals?),
Long time lurker and first time poster.

I just picked up this combo from Sears, it is my first foray into the world of tool chests and from what my research has shown (months of searching for the right combo) this is really hard to beat...

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00962023000P Top Chest
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-26in...l/p-00962024000P?sid=IAx20050830x000545&aff=Y Bottom chest

Here's why, please tell me if I am missing something here:

• The drawers are rated at 75 lbs each, from what I've seen usually this price point means 25 lbs. per drawer

• Ball bearing drawers, isnt the Craftsman price point usually around $250+ when you step up to ball bearing as well?

• If you look at the fine print (specifications tab) this is considered a Craftsman professional line, cross reference that with this page

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/nb_10155_12602_NB_CSwarranty#point21 it states

Professional Tool Storage FOR AS LONG AS IT IS USED by the original owner, this product is warranted against any defects in material or workmanship. With proof of purchase, a defective part will be replaced free of charge. If a replacement part is unavailable, the product will be replaced with one of equal value.
This warranty does not apply to a product that is damaged or altered through misuse, abuse, accident, neglect, modification or mishandling.

WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty coverage, return the product to the retailer from which it was purchased for free repair or replacement if repair is unavailable.

• It comes with free drawer liners

So I turn to you pro's, is this as great of a deal as it seems? In my extremely limited experience it seems great but wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks!

 

[HaroRider]

Doesnt seem like a bad deal.

I paid around $500 for a 3 teir a few years ago. Also ball bearing draws. I didnt opt for the grip latch as they were alot more money.

 

[Matt018]

personally I would return it, and pick up this

http://www.harborfreight.com/26-8-drawer-roller-cabinet-with-8-drawer-top-chest-67831.html

I bought it and it is worlds better than the craftsmans I looked at in the store, Also allot more drawer space.

That craftsman might work ok for you, but i think it will wear out pretty quick after you start to load up the drawers.

 

[chris6278]

I have a craftsman box similiar to that home and to be honest im starting to hate it. I knew when i first got it it wasnt gonna be near as good as my snap on box at work but im really disappointed in how fast its starting to wear out. Im bout to get one of the montezuma boxes to replace it. They are great for the money

 

[badgcoupe]

Thanks for the replies all! What wears out exactly?

 

[Matt018]

Usually the slides get beat up, Drawers dont roll out as smoothly, Then makes your tools slam around when closing drawers and all mixed up, Depending how cheap the metal is ive seen drawers bow out.

 

[pfctblu]

I actually went to buy this around July 4th but wound up passing on it. Instead, I picked up the other version sku is 112209. Things I didnt like about this limited edition were that the drawers dont close all the way -- they stay protruded open just slightly inviting dust. Also thought it just sounded tinny compared to the one i picked up.

The guy telling you to go to harbor freight is giving good advise. I also have the HF 42 but this little crafty box is in my basement bike shop.

FYI: You can score the 112209 for under $150 if you time it right. Use your discover card and its even less. Tax tip and gift, I landed mine for $137 after all the dust settled.

 

[Matt018]

I bought it and love it. Built like a brick house. I do tractor, truck and bus repair. This box stands up to it just fine.

It always amazes me how two people can buy the same thing and have such different opinions on it.

Yeah, its all opinion, I bought the harbor box and i really do love it. If that craftsman works fine the power too ya

 

[bobcatdan]

As long as that is not one of the chicom boxes which I don't think it is, it should be ok. I have a ball bearing six drawer chest that has road around for the last 6 or so years in the back of my truck. It is packed right tight and bearly liftable. No failures. Slides are fine, no cracks and the locking system all work fine. I don't own the rollaway so I can't speak for their quailty, but the chest has passed the test in my book. If this is going to be a home box, I do not see why it will not serve you until you find a nice truck box dirt cheap on CL.

 

[bobemmerich]

I personally wouldn't buy it, but I DON'T need any more boxes.... I played around with this one in the store and it seemed like a pretty good unit. If you compare it to some of the others on the floor, it's a good deal for the $$$.

 

[jmm]

Aren't most craftsman boxes ball bearing now? I got a cheap little one for chemical storage a few months ago. It doesn't have the sticker, and it wasn't priced like it had a sticker on it, but it definitely has ball bearing slides.

 

[TinKnocker]

i bought this box about a month ago. i bought the top box for one reason, its 16" deep. i had no intention on buying the bottom until it went on clearance for the current price. i have only one issue, and its how the drawers close. i can look past that for the price, i just close them with care (it will probably prolong the life of the box!)

 

[bart1]

I bought that bottom roll cab yesterday. It's nothing fancy or impressively stout, but pretty good deal for $150. I couldn't find any COO stickers on it or packaging, but based on what I've read, it's made in the US.

I also bought a 3/8 raised panel ratchet and it's a Chinese one. It's going back. Also have a set of SAE raised panel wrenches. Il take them back if they are Chinese.

 

[TinKnocker]

I bought that bottom roll cab yesterday. It's nothing fancy or impressively stout, but pretty good deal for $150. I couldn't find any COO stickers on it or packaging, but based on what I've read, it's made in the US.

I also bought a 3/8 raised panel ratchet and it's a Chinese one. It's going back. Also have a set of SAE raised panel wrenches. Il take them back if they are Chinese.

the RP ratchets off the shelf are taiwan, RP wrenches and all chrome sockets are stull USA, for the time being. some one will correct me if im wrong.

on another note, mine had NO COO anywhere. i probably dont want to know! i hope and pray its not chinese!

 

[bart1]

My ratchet clearly says made in china. Looks nice but I didn't even take it out of the package.

 

[mikeatrpi]

I also have one of these limited edition lower rollers. Only gripe I have, like others, is the "self closing" drawers. They close abruptly and shake around all the stuff in the drawer. The heavier its loaded, the less effect it has. Its an acceptable trade off considering the low price and other positive features in my opinion.

 

[pipsters]

At that price you can probably sell it from close to what you paid for it quickly on CL. Contrast that with the 56" box I picked up used, $950 new 10 months later he sold to me @ $550, that is a $400 loss in under a year...

If you outgrow it, just sell it.

As far as the Craftsman stuff goes, I always liked the griplatch setup, but it's too bad the boxes it came on were built so crappy. I haven't felt this "limited edition" box at all though. For the $$ I don't think you did bad, but if you have the room I would seriously consider the Harbor Freight 44" tool box. MUCH better quality box, coupon for $359.

FWIW I've never liked the detents on drawers, that's why I preferred the griplatch boxes at Sears.

Looks like you got a smoking deal though, none available in my area anymore.

Before getting my 56" box one thing I really liked about the smaller box is I could roll it over to where I was working. With that tool box you can do the same.