Waterloo Vs CM box

[senor fozz]

I was looking at waterloo carry boxes, and thought it looked strangely similar to the craftsman box i want to replace. So I searched for more boxes and determined that the only difference to a waterloo 40" and my 40" is the badges and stamping on the lid. Does anyone know if waterloo has dropped in quality as the CM boxes have? Or does waterloo license CM to build their design in China? Or some other scenario, i was under the impression that waterloo boxes had USA for their COO.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Thought Waterloo made the majority of the CMan boxes?

 

[bobcatdan]

Waterloo do tend to be better built then comparable CM. Most waterloo stuff is made in Mexico, but I have heard some USA manufacturing is coming back. All said and done I can't say a new waterloo box would be heads and tails better. You want better, buy Kennedy.

 

[senor fozz]

Kennedy was on my list, but they seem to hold their value better where I live compared to the rest of country. Buy once cry once but I don't like to blow my nose.

 

[zkling]

What type of box are you looking for exactly? Something for one handed carry or just a box that has handles on it. Given the chance I would much prefer to purchase a used box. Kennedy, Snap On, Old craftsman all make good carry boxes.

Waterloo has different lines and thus quality. Majority, if not all of the craftsman boxes are made by Waterloo. They make alot of boxes both past and present for many other tool companies. The older boxes were good and much heavier then their newer models, especially their current DIY / home owner boxes.

What does your local Craigslist look like?

 

[senor fozz]

What type of box are you looking for exactly? Something for one handed carry or just a box that has handles on it. Given the chance I would much prefer to purchase a used box. Kennedy, Snap On, Old craftsman all make good carry boxes.

Waterloo has different lines and thus quality. Majority, if not all of the craftsman boxes are made by Waterloo. They make alot of boxes both past and present for many other tool companies. The older boxes were good and much heavier then their newer models, especially their current DIY / home owner boxes.

What does your local Craigslist look like?

I got my question answered. I have an idea of what I want to do now. Craigslist here ***** for carry boxes(quality at least) or they claim its vintage and demand 50 bones a box for something that has just a box and tray, roll cabs are too easy to find. I was looking for a old SO top chest with folding lid but people here see Snap on and just assume big money even though the market isn't there for them cheapest i have been able to talk someone down is 300 and it didn't have ball bearing slides.

 

[zkling]

I got my question answered.

So what did you decide to do? What part of the country are you in?
Carry boxes are usually a dime a dozen at garage sales and the like. Nearly every home has one.

 

[senor fozz]

I do a lot of mobile work and am tired of tool boxes in my front seats of my pick up. Refuse to use a bed box because of fear of theft and loss of bed space. So I haven't had many calls on my 40" CM box. I'm going to put the top box in my extended cab. I'm in Phoenix so things don't get surface rust that easily to knock the price down on used boxes.