International Toolboxs - Standard Vs. HD - Looking for thoughts

[Wangstang]

The standard model:

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/International-4221-VRS4201

Includes Bottom Roller Cabinet, Top Chest, and Full Height Side Locker with 2 Shelves

11 Drawer Bottom Roller Cabinet (41.3" W, 18.3" D x 39.7" H, 225 lbs.)
10 Drawer Top Chest (40.7" W x 16" D x 19.2" H, 131 lbs.)

19 Gauge Steel
Specifications

Made in Canada

High gloss powder coated paint

Ball Bearing Slides

Full width drawers for longer tools

Non skid drawer liners are included

5" x 2" casters

Gas Struts in lid for opening/closing ease

Heavy duty 14 gauge undercarriage to help support heavy loads
42" platform chest/cabinet is one of the most popular combination sold

The HD model:


http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/International-4207-PRB4215-CRS5600

Include Drawer Liners!

Includes:

7-Drawer Top Chest: 40.5" W x 17.8" D x 20.5" H, 145 lbs.
15 Drawer Bottom Box: 41.5" H x 18.75" D x 42.4" H, 255 lbs.
Full Height Side Locker: 17.75" W x 18.75" D x 57" H

Specifications

All Ball Bearing Slides
Double Wall Construction
High gloss powder coated paint
Two full width drawers for longer tools
5" x 2" casters for easy mobility
Gas struts in lid for opening/closing ease
Heavy duty 14 gauge undercarriage to help support heavy loads

Other than moving a few drawers around on the top and bottom, what's the difference in the construction? Looks like the HD model uses double wall, but no mention of what gauge metal.

These sets look a heck of a lot like the stuff from Harbor Freight, but the website says made in Canada.

I'd be curious to see the experinces and thoughts from those here at GJ.

Thanks
Wes

 

[otis66]

I'd buy the one made in Canada. That's a nice box for thar price.

 

[pipsters]

I have the 56" value series "standard" International. It indeed is made in Canada. I had the 42" Harbor Freight box prior to it. The Harbor Freight box is an excellent box. I would have to say more rigid and better built than the International value series.

If you have the money the HD is the way to go long term, but the value series is an ok tool box. Honestly the biggest issue is the detents. They are similar to the HF 42" detents - they will wear out ($5 each to replace). The bigger HF box (56") is a better buy and it's a quality tool box with the spring loaded opening closing drawers. The *only* downsides are that it doesn't have a full length drawer and for me it was made in China.

I bought my 56" Value series 10 months old used for $550. I wouldn't spend retail on it, IIRC it's around $1k for it.

This is the one I have:
http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/International-5610

 

[David W]

I have the budget 56" by 24" bottom roller cabinet for my home use. I even got it from quality tools for less. No problems at all. I don't know how well it would last in a shop though.

 

[vartz04]

I have the 27" Standard model. Perfect box for the home user. Made in Canada, better than the crapsman boxes. id say its pretty much on par with the HF box. I paid $299 for mine shipped through sears when they were having a free shipping deal and using a few coupon codes.

Works great for me size wise is good too now that I have my own garage and can use cabinets to store a lot of stuff. Only mechanics hand tools go in it and for what I have I still have room to expand.

 

[bobcatdan]

Always buy the best box you can afford, go for the HD. Internationals seem to in general fall in the not bad, not great box catagory.

 

[buco]

The shd series is made in Canada. Don't know about the others. Sears regularly has 20% off sales on them. Maybe wait for that if you can.

 

[Wangstang]

So where do the Homak pro series boxes fit in that you can buy at Northern Tool?

Thanks
Wes

 

[Jawn]

I notice the "Pro" model (the one that site is calling "heavy duty", not to be confused with International's SHD line which is a model line above that) is a bit heavier than the "Value" model. I suspect both models are Canadian made... their older "Value" series apparently were not, but are now.

 

[Wangstang]

So the rep at qualitytoolsforless contacted International tools and got the specs for the SHD model for me:

Very kind of him to do that.

I'd be curious see how that stacks up with the HF 44 model. Several people have thrown around 17 gauge metal as a spec for the HF 44 but I wonder if that's for he entire unit or just parts.

Wes

 

[Hiball]

Lots of good info there... One thing to remember is that you only get a 90 day warranty with the Hf model and a full 3 years with the international.

 

[Jawn]

So the rep at qualitytoolsforless contacted International tools and got the specs for the SHD model for me:

I think you mean Pro model, not SHD.

Top three lines of their boxes are as follows:

SHD
Pro
Value
(others below value line)

 

[pipsters]

The International value series only carries a 1 year warranty.

 

[Hiball]

The International value series only carries a 1 year warranty.

Confused... Is the standard line also considered the value line? One site shows the value line as the small 27" boxes.

All International Tool Boxes have a 3 year warranty from the date of purchase.
Made in Canada.

Is the value line made in Canada?

 

[Jawn]

Confused... Is the standard line also considered the value line? One site shows the value line as the small 27" boxes.

They do not have a "standard" line. The Value line comes in 27", 42", 56", and 75". They also have a "Classic" line (below the Value line?), a "Pro" line (one step above value line), and a SHD line (two steps above value)

http://www.spginternational.com/en/Our-products.aspx

See the complete catalog here:
http://www.spginternational.com/client/uploads/catalogue/english/pdf/spg2012.pdf

All International Tool Boxes have a 3 year warranty from the date of purchase.
Made in Canada.

Oddly, I don't see warranty info on their site... am I blind? Might be worth contacting them about it.

Is the value line made in Canada?

Yes, but apparently it used to be asian based on some older posts on here. Look for a review by Nissan Crawler of his 56" box. My 42" top box (Value series, model VRT-4210) is Canadian made. No idea how long ago it was manufactured - I got it off Craigslist about a year ago... but it was new/unused at the time (damaged goods).

 

[Hiball]

Yeah, I thumbed thru that PDF earlier. It's kinda a confusing lineup, there v series is deemed "Standard duty" with ball bearings versus the economy <---- which look Asian to me.

 

[ndoran]

I have the 42 inch top and bottom boxes with the made in canada labels. I have the draws heavily loaded and they have held up without problems. I put a home made frame under mine and then added four 2100 lb casters to it plus sideboxes. My top box is friction slides that are very smooth. I would say the older top box is made from a heavier gauge steel

 

[kippieland]

I have the same 42 as most of the members hear have. I haven't had any problems with the boxes themselves, however, my biggest problem is the "environmentally friendly" shipping box they come in. I had to send mine back many times to amazon before I got one that was OK in my book. Mine is a Value series and are fairly thin but no more so then the HF boxes. I have played with the Pro series and they are much thicker then the value. I am a DIYER so the Value is fine for me. Also, it has made in Canada all over it.

 

[Porcupine]

Hey,

I have the SHD 35 inch matching top and bottom pieces.

The bottom box came in flawlessly a couple years ago and I have never had any issues with it. Two common complaints are that the drawers are "harder" to open because of the detent on the sliders (they get better with age). The other thing is the small black plastic trim pieces on the ends of the drawers themselves. I've had a few fall off (they are cosmetic only).

Now, the top box was another story. First box came in "warped". A small framing square confirmed this, and the top box never sat properly on the bottom box. The shipping box was in perfect condition, so it was a manufactured "reject" by the look of it. Oh, the drawer slides did not feel the same as the bottom box. They felt "cheaper". When I did get a replacement top box, it still was not "perfect". One of the drawer slides was out of whack and needed a bit of "adjusting" to get it to work like the others. One of the drawers had a noticable small dent near the corner on the front (like someone dropped it before painting it, etc). Aside from it being a huge inconvenience (arranging for exchange, taking three weeks, etc, I was not impressed by the quality control - or lack thereof) in this instance. Maybe my standards were set too high, I don't know. Other than those issues, I have not had any more with either top or bottom box.

I am sure regardless of the brands, there are stories similar to the one above.

I bought them because they are made in Canada and are spec'd out better than Gray Tools Canada boxes.

Here's to hoping they last!