Mr Big, used good value or not?

[aventino68]

Hunting through used 84” Epiqs with 30” lockers and for the same 144” of storage space the occasional 84” + 60” Epiq Mr Big turns up. And they go for a bit less than the 84” with two lockers. Is there a downside to these toolboxes? They seem to have plenty of storage space next to an 84” though often missing a power drawer but with a power top.

 

[Wamsutta]

Is there a downside to these toolboxes?

The location of that second caster from the left looks out of place.

 

[aventino68]

The location of that second caster from the left looks out of place.

Now that you mention it, the join between the two boxes means a set of casters under the end of one box is unnecessary but it does look a little unbalanced.

 

[Fedwrench]

A box that size isn't really meant to moved often when loaded.

Many shops don't even have enough space to support that much real estate.

Another problem with that box is that, I'm assuming you're buying it blind off of the internet so, you can't examine the build quality until you've already purchased it. Then there's the resale value, I'm not sure what the depreciation rate is on a Mr Big Box.

 

[seber]

Resale is pretty much nonexistant. It is a very rare shop that can use a box that long. Even Snap-on only makes them to order. If you are looking for one, what are the odds that one of the used ones for sale is near you. Same for selling. Wat are the odds, someone looking for one is near the seller.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I’ve only seen one of those in a shop in 13 years of auto service consulting across many states.

There was one old guy in Phoenix that had a box to rule all others, I don’t remember the brand, but all said and done his setup was about 16’ wide and 10’ tall. He was trying to sell it loaded with a career’s worth of tools for $250K, said the box cost him $100K. He had a step ladder to get to anything in the upper cabinets.

 

[Wamsutta]

Now that you mention it, the join between the two boxes means a set of casters under the end of one box is unnecessary but it does look a little unbalanced.

My brain keeps seeing two boxes stuck together; a KRL1023 and a KRL1022. I keep wanting to separate the two boxes and then move that one caster over to where it should be.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Id buy one used for my own shop in a heartbeat. They go cheap used. Most shops aren't going to allow you 12-14' of real estate to set up that monstrosity. No way would I buy one new, even though I own my own shop.... I built my own "Mr big" with two KRL1022's and an an end cab to join them together with lockers on each end. bought everything used except my first 1022 and have less money in it that I would have if I'd have bought a new 84" epic..

 

[matt_i]

What happens to that when the floor isn't flat? Does it just flex the connected sidewalls? Are there bolts/screws between which could be released to separate it or is it spot-welded or other more permanent construction?

It seems like it would need 2 drivers to move it with all of the swivels.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I would think those are spring casters that could deal with a floor imperfection.

 

[Lassen Forge]

The biggie is it's size. I see them for sale (tho people want a ****** fortune for them) once in a while, and while sure they're big, and, well, big... unless you own a huge shop, where are you going to put it?

It's like those "service walls" they used to have in dealership (and some independent) shops... Yeah, they're nice, but unless you got the real estate to put it, it's tough. Plus, back to back, they're 5' plus - so between service bays, you're cramping your workspace.

And finally - unless they're in a color you (or worse, your service manager) can look at for the next 10+ years, you're stuck with it as a permanent fixture. Want to sell it? Good luck. The shop decides that bright green doesn't go with their "brand"? Mmmm.... could be an issue.

 

[Wamsutta]

What happens to that when the floor isn't flat? Does it just flex the connected sidewalls? Are there bolts/screws between which could be released to separate it or is it spot-welded or other more permanent construction?

It seems like it would need 2 drivers to move it with all of the swivels.

The spring loaded casters can compensate for an uneven floor.

 

[bob15]

Here is a Mr Big, one a town over from me for sale f-book marketplace. No thanks....

 

[Wamsutta]

^
White with orange drawer handles. Interesting.

 

[mike93lx]

Here is a Mr Big, one a town over from me for sale f-book marketplace. No thanks....

imagine spending so much on a toolbox that you leave the wrapping on the top so you don't scratch it.

what a waste

 

[lugnut71]

To each there own , I would prefer two epiqs side by side

 

[2ndGearRubber]

To each there own , I would prefer two epiqs side by side

That's my preference. Two 84s would be bigger than a mr-big anyways, or two triple bank KRLs. I personally don't care for the layouts of mr-bigs, too many small drawers. I might be going lista/vidmar for my next addition due to this.


I know some shops are small, but how limited are you guys on room? I'm currently at 15' plus easily with my 1033 and locker, single bay top/bottom, and my two cabinets. IMO management should be thrilled a tech would have a box that size, as it usually means it's full of tools.


If someone every told me my setup was two big, I'd be happy to take some of it home. They can then supply the stuff I took home themselves!

 

[aventino68]

That’s what I thought, all the used 84 Epiq with lockers go really fast but any time I see a Mr Big that has the tops and is basically the same cubic area for storage it gathers dust.

 

[m6z]

12' of toolbox is impressive. If only I had the room and the cash to spend..

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[SS5150]

imagine spending so much on a toolbox that you leave the wrapping on the top so you don't scratch it.

what a waste

I left the wrapping on mine as long as I could (the top itself). I wanted it to look nice as long as it could.

 

[fatfillup]

I too am in and out of many shops and Mr. Bigs are far and few between. I also buy and sell tools and boxes and selling one is tough, market is small. With patience, you will find what you want at the price you like. If they are askig too much, make your offer and follow up in 2 weeks.

 

[Mr_B]

Yeh they absolute pain in the ****, they only boxes factory joined together anyway and by doing so a complete **** to transport or even roll when loaded, make the same size out of 3bays 2bays and hangons and you get more options on overall size, easy transportation, easier expansion and resale options plus easier layout in a shop area as more flexible in final layout . Snapon milked a lot cash from a mr big emblem lol .

 

[BDT/NWMN]

What happens to that when the floor isn't flat? Does it just flex the connected sidewalls? Are there bolts/screws between which could be released to separate it or is it spot-welded or other more permanent construction?

It seems like it would need 2 drivers to move it with all of the swivels.

I would guess 5 drivers would be needed to move that monster fully loaded, and hope all 5 are pushing in the same direction

 

[xj31]

He was trying to sell it loaded with a career’s worth of tools for $250K.

Yea how'd that work out for him?

 

[BroncoAZ]

Yea how'd that work out for him?

I think we all know the answer to that question.

 

[04chase]

mr big is basically a 60 and 84 bolted together. nothing special there IMO

people always say i bet that cost alot and i say yes it did. the tools to fill it though

i dont have the top boxes, but with the lockers ,hutch and top box adjacent to hutch its about 50k if you build it online.

i paid about half that , under 30k for the complete box. I traded in a krl 3 bank and locker i had for only a year and got what i paid for it toward the new box. I bought Mr Big new , it helped that i am good friends with my dealer ( actually work on his truck when the dealer cant fix it correctly) . the key for me was I got it when they had a big rebate going on and bought the hutch,lockers and top when the next round of rebates came in. took a bit longer to make it complete but saved a bunch. was able to write it all off when i started my business.

to fill it , thats where the big cost is and its near full but never all the way . the sockets and wrenches cost as much as the box if not more. (all snap on and sockets in 1/4,3/8 and 1/2 ) most i have shallow,deep and mid , 6 and 12 point on 1/4 and 3/8 etc.

wrenches i have up to 2" in the offset angled and 1 1/2 flank drive . the reversables in flank drive plus in all sizes and ratchet bluepoints in the bigger sizes.

I also keep other consumable stuff in it, like tape or all types, electrical wiring , fab tools that fit (not many do) but it can always be re-arranged to hold a bit more .

I dont use it as much since my everyday tool box is powered by a cummins and weighs 20k lbs in a 5500 ram . it has the same amount of tools plus much more.

its my forever box, the hutch can be used as my coffin. Its the masterpiece in my shop and dont regret buying it one bit.

 

[Wamsutta]

What I find the most impressive is a low cost box loaded up with high end USA made professional tools. Usually the aircraft mechanics are like that.

 

[AngryBeaver]

What I find the most impressive is a low cost box loaded up with high end USA made professional tools. Usually the aircraft mechanics are like that.

I know people that live in trailer parks too.....

 

[Davefr]

What I find the most impressive is a low cost box loaded up with high end USA made professional tools. Usually the aircraft mechanics are like that.

Maybe they realize it's the tools that make $$$'s and the box is overhead.