KRA vs KRL, if you have owned both...

[Heavymetalmechanic]

If you have owned AND worked out of both, what are your thoughts on each?

I have changed jobs from one where my 56" Torin top/bottom chest rarely moved from my work station to a shop where I may change bays 2-5 times in a shift. My chest is large enough for what I have now but I will be needing to buy another 4 large deep drawers of tools over the next few months due to the greater variety of equipment I am now working on. (John Deere construction). I am just about finished building a frame to replace the castors and lower the hight of the chest while widening it's foot print, with improved castors, but it's a short term fix to improve its mobility. For the $1000 I paid for the Torin combo it was perfect for the 6 years I have been working out of it, but my needs are different now.

I have been offered a fair price on a new KRA 96" Stock #: KRA2432PDG. It is more along my budget then KRL in the same size. I would prefer the KRL for it's deeper drawers and heavier slides and castors but it's out of my price range at this point.

I have looked at used options in my area and they are not the drawer pattern I need. I have considered the options on Strictly Toolboxes, but again, not the layout I need, and the closest options are within 25% of the price I have been offered by my SO Rep.

I will be moving my torin bottom home and setting the topchest on the SO for the time being. Which will give me a huge increase in storage and an improvement in mobility. My coworkers have let me try rolling theirs around (KRA and KRL) and the KRL is much easier, even with a heavier load. But both are WAY easier to move and more stable then my Torin.

I guess my real question is this, do you regret going with the KRA? Is that why you moved to the KRL, or did you just step up as you were financially able to?

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

So after taking a number of measurements I think I will be happy with my choice, it is about 30% more usable space then my current setup and will allow me to upgrade my top chest when I need more space down the road.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I've never owned a KRA, but there are a couple in the shops next to mine. For the price of 'em, I'm really not particularly impressed. For curiosity's sake, what's the damage on the KRA you're looking at?

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the doublewide bank boxes, although if you're going for sockets in the top drawer and wrenches in the 2nd drawer, you probably don't need the 4" 2nd drawer of a KRL for that.

Also, are you wanting to keep a top chest, or get something big enough to just have the roll cab? The latter is my preference, and I bought a KRL722 because a 10-series seemed too deep and too tall to me. I still like the 24" depth, but after my boss got an old KRL1001, I wish I had the extra height and extra 4" deep drawers. Having stepped up from an 18" deep box, the extra depth makes a huge difference in how you can set it up, and the 30" depth also makes a big difference.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have owned a 4107/4114 combo with matching locker. Traded in on a krl1022. I also own a classic 60 so outside of an epiq I have owned every grade of SO boxes. The 40" wide kra are the best built box that size, the lack of love for them here is weird in my book. The classic 60 is built pretty much along the same lines, good solid box. Is there a night and day difference in everyday use between either those KRA's and my 1022, not really. The big thing is rolling ease of the box when loaded. All my boxes have always been way over full. The 4107 combo rolled pretty good when needed. My krl, you can tell it is heavy, but rolls alright once you get it moving. My classic 60 rolls good, but it is a smallest overall set up of the three. The biggest problem with the classics is they use the same casters as the smaller 40". 2400lbs total load is fine for a 40" combo, but lacking on a classi 96. I use to work for a Deere ag dealer. Mechanic next to me had a 96 with a 36" road chest on top with a smaller locker on it. His box was full and I mean not another 1/4" socket would fit in it full. That box had no interest in moving and was quight a task to do so. So with that said, if the box had to be mobile, buy a krl.

 

[Toolhorder]

I have owned both. I currently work out of a KRL but I had a KRA for the first 10 years or so working as a tech. The KRA worked ok for me but after buying tools forever it got to the point I would open a drawer and tools would jump out it seemed like. I bought my KRL combo with locker and it quickly filled up in 3-4 yrs. and now I'm back in the same position as before. I have another KRL722 at home as well. The combo at work is an older KRL761/791 w/locker.

The biggest diff. to me were the drawer/slide capacity. The drawers seem stronger on the KRL. The whole box seems beefy compared the the KRA. I wouldn't buy another KRA I think they are great for beginning techs though.

 

[back2class]

I am no pro, but had this kra for a while. What a piece of shi...t. Was only a very slight upgrade from the average Craftsman stuff. I can't believe some idiot paid something like 4k for it. I sold it for $1,200 and that would be a fair price new IMHO. I am more impressed with the better HF boxes. Buy a used krl or older kr series or don't buy a SO kra unless it is used and a steal. With that line it was a $800 box with a $3200 badge. Or at least with this model I owned.

 

[Smokenarrow]

I have a kra now and I am contemplating on jumping up to a krl. For one, like you mentioned the casters are much better on the krl, also the load capacity and drawer space is better. Krl drawers are 30" deep and kra drawers are 24" deep. Dosent seem like much until you work from one and use one daily. I bought my kra a little over a year ago and it is overfilled now. My driver is actually giving me $300 more than what I paid for it ($2600) so it is making the upgrade a little easier to swallow. The kra is a good box but krl is definitely better. The drawer slides seem to be the same on both. The latches are the same on both I think. The main differences are deepness of the drawers and the overall height of the box along with the casters. Good luck

 

[abvw]

I have a kra now and I am contemplating on jumping up to a krl. For one, like you mentioned the casters are much better on the krl, also the load capacity and drawer space is better. Krl drawers are 30" deep and kra drawers are 24" deep. Dosent seem like much until you work from one and use one daily. I bought my kra a little over a year ago and it is overfilled now. My driver is actually giving me $300 more than what I paid for it ($2600) so it is making the upgrade a little easier to swallow. The kra is a good box but krl is definitely better. The drawer slides seem to be the same on both. The latches are the same on both I think. The main differences are deepness of the drawers and the overall height of the box along with the casters. Good luck

No, theres two depth options on the KRA. Current offerings are Heritage (19", badge on drawer) and Classic (22", badge on box frame). I think they share the same casters, draw slides are rated the same but the Classics are longer.

The old KRL are 22" deep (and the current 722, 756) like the current Classic KRA (without the side aluminum trim). The new KRLs are 27" deep.

The EPIQs are 30" deep and uses a latch system instead of the plastic Lock-n-Roll inserts.

 

[metalhead212121]

I've owned both. One big difference I think is the thickness of the sheet metal used to build them. I'm pretty confident that the KRL uses thicker sheet metal than the KRA.

When I bought my KRA I honestly said to myself that it was the last box I'd ever buy. Biggest load of horseshit I ever told myself. Took a while to outgrow it being that I now only work on cars in my garage. I had to temporary move my KRA into storage. Ive seen on tool boxes a sticker that has "PUSH DON'T PULL". Of course my attitude toward that was "yeah yeah yeah whatever." Of course when I was putting my loaded KRA into storage I I was pulling it and guess what.... IT CAUSED A DENT IN IT! The sheet metal actually bowed out and caused a dent! Do I think the same thing could happen with a loaded KRL? Possibly but I don't think so. Will I make that mistake again? HELL NO!

If you're gonna be in this business for the long haul and can swing the money for the KRL go for it.

Just my .02.

 

[Vinko]

I don’t move my box (KRA -- Classic 78) but I have been super impressed by the drawers on the KRL. Don’t open and shut the KRA drawers as much anymore (using a smaller box for my main box) but I really like the KRL drawers. That said, it wasn’t worth it for me. Though the KRA drawers do leave something to be desired I think. Another (very minor difference) that KRL drawer liner is pretty bad *** I think. And I think you can only get it with the KRL. I tried to hunt it down through SO OEM channels and couldn’t get it. I bought my Classic 78 used and unless I found a KRL used for the right price, don’t think I’d upgrade. Way out of room though

 

[Skin]

I've owned both. One big difference I think is the thickness of the sheet metal used to build them. I'm pretty confident that the KRL uses thicker sheet metal than the KRA.

Nope. Snap-On uses 16 gauge for the frame and 18 gauge for the drawers for Classic, Masters, and Epiq series alike. Masters and Epiq are braced better in the frame but that's a given since they also get significantly larger. Only the base model Heritage boxes use thinner steel on certain parts.

With a Classic and KRL the main differences you'll feel (beyond any obvious dimensional differences) are higher quality casters, and the drawer slides go from 120lb to 230lb limits. There are also some cosmetic differences in trim, drawer liners, and of course the Epiq latching system.

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

Thanks everyone! The comments pretty much agree with the sentiments of the guys in my shop. With the current promotions on now I would be looking at about $4200 CDN for the KRA, and closer to $10,000 for the KRL. The KRL is out of the question at this point. I am starting to lean towards just hanging another side cab on my current set up and keep saving for the KRL. The extra width and hight of the KRL is pretty much what I want to end up with, and I can not really justify buying the KRA with the intention of eventually upgrading to the KRL. This will be a once a lifetime purchase.

 

[MattPersman]

Have you considered a large cart to put your most used tools in considering you move around a lot. Like a KRSC46. I know people push around these big boxes but I am not sure why they like to.

If you have to have a "box" to push around then get the best you can afford KRL or EPIC.

 

[bobcatdan]

Food for thought here, you said you where looking at a classic 96. Overall storage capacity is closer to krl 1022 double bank with a triple being much larger. See what deal you can get on a 1022.

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

So I went and did it, this is getting dropped off Thursday, with a stainless top.

http://store.snapon.com/KRA2432-Cla...lassic-96-12-Drawers-Gloss-Black-P645481.aspx

The price was great, and he is willing to take it back on trade, 100% of what I paid, if I decide to upgrade to the KRL in the next year, which is likely if work stays busy.

I am really looking forward to the extra space, both at work and at home in the garage. This is a 'two birds...' purchase. I have been needing drawer space in my garage for a while and bringing my older bottom chest home will really help.

Thank you all for your input, it really helped to consolidate my thoughts.

 

[MattPersman]

Oh nice! I like the drawer lay out good choice. At the year end you could evaluate that box and decide if you wanted to pop on a KRL or epic.

 

[hagfan72]

I know I have to wait until my 100th post, but I am trying to sell my KRL761. It's been an awesome box for me, but now that I am out of the business professionally, it's a shame for it to sit in my garage

 

[ianguilly]

I've had my kra 2432 for close to 3 years now, no complaints. Love the lay out and love the drawer lock slides. I've had a lot of my drawers overloaded and never had an issue. I have a friend who has the same model as me for 6 years and had no issues. I'll probably eventually upgrade to a krl but right now I have no regrets.

 

[Bullitt427]

I worked John Deere Yellow for 13 years and I know exactly what you're talking about with moving around.

However, I recommend keeping a larger box stationary and using a large tool cart or a simple 26" stack for moving around. Lighter and quicker than dealing with a large cabinet.

Now being in fabrication full time I sold off my MAC and Matco boxes and now use HF 44" cabinets at work and at home. I know that wasn't in your list of options, just throwing out my current experience.

Josh

 

[kybjanszen]

I have another KRL722 at home as well. The combo at work is an older KRL761/791 w/locker.

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

Thank you for the input, I am really enjoying being back with JD Yellow! I use a tool bag if I know the task is straight forward, but most of what I'm working on requires a wide assortment of tools that would not fit in a service cart. Yes, yes, I know I could do the task with a considerably smaller tool collection, but if I can do it easier and faster with a specialized tool then it is better for the shop and for me.

I have been very happy with my choice of box, and appreciate all the help and opinions.

 

[gagreen]

in the last year and a half i've gone from a bluepoint cart to a kra 2422 then a krl 1022 and now a 68" epiq. I'm in a hangar and use my toolbox as a toolcart, workbench and it moves to my job wherever it is around the hangar. The Epiq is the best suited for moving to a job rather than parking and leaving. All 4 casters swivel, of course you lock 2 to push but then unlock them and park it anywhere. My driver has given me 100% trade in value on all of my toolboxes and gave me a really good deal on the epiq. If I were doing it again tho I would have skipped the krl 1022 all together. Moving my tools from box to box gets old quick. I would highly suggest getting an epiq or aiming for one if you are saving towards an upgrade in the future.