New Craftsman Pro Series GripLatch?

[Toold_up]

Hey Flyordie, whats the deal? Are you our inside guy?

https://garagespot.com/craftmans-new-pro-series-tool-storage-w-bluetooth-locks/

Id love to see the return of griplatch!

 

[bubinga]

l have one, Nice Box. The older one, not this one.
Those look nice!

 

[Flyordie]

Not really an inside guy, but I do have the internal emails for the plants upper management at Sedalia, MO. (No I don't give those out)

From what I have been told, this is Sears stuff. Won't see it in Lowes etc.. They made these during the DeWalt production run basically.

 

[Toold_up]

Made at Waterloo?

 

[USAMatt]

If these are Waterloo/Craftsman (I've always viewed them as the same company), then I don't understand Stanley. This is the type of stuff us Craftsman guys want and want to see at Lowe's. Sears is gone in most areas and most likely dead. Where's the Pro/Industrial stuff at Lowe's? Tool boxes, power tools, hand tools, air tools.. And there's no cheap looking stickers on these boxes either. Craftsman is actually stamped into the metal on the lid. The stickers on these new boxes look terrible. The Craftsman sticker and Made in USA sticker both. Why not stamp Craftsman like this on all of them for a professional look? Why not make a nice USA badge to put on there? I don't get it.

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't think these are new. I think these were in some Sears stores at least a year or two ago before the mass store closings. I think these were the last hurrah of Craftsman tool storage before darkness overtook the Sears stores.

The only problem with Sears' griplatch system was that the latch was on the inside of the drawer. if something like a socket was located under the latch, it wouldn't open. Kennedy for one, uses the same system but, with the latch on the outside of the drawer side.

as I write this, there aren't any professional type items from SBD's craftsman. That might change in the future but, i'm really unimpressed with SBD craftsman and don't think they will have a top tier selection.

 

[bobcatdan]

Those boxes aren't really new, they have been out a few years. Not sure they are even still available since those are "Sears" craftsman boxes. While they are probably made by Waterloo, I haven't seen any Waterloo boxes that look like those. Not even sure the Waterloo branded boxes are really around anymore. Kind of under the impression is since Stanley bought them, the name is slowly being retired and focusing on their brand names. Otherwise craftsman's top boxes are the 3000 series at Lowe's. If they had a decent drawer arrangement they would be nice boxes, pretty much the same box as the mac edge series.

 

[Flyordie]

I don't think these are new. I think these were in some Sears stores at least a year or two ago before the mass store closings. I think these were the last hurrah of Craftsman tool storage before darkness overtook the Sears stores.

The only problem with Sears' griplatch system was that the latch was on the inside of the drawer. if something like a socket was located under the latch, it wouldn't open. Kennedy for one, uses the same system but, with the latch on the outside of the drawer side.

as I write this, there aren't any professional type items from SBD's craftsman. That might change in the future but, i'm really unimpressed with SBD craftsman and don't think they will have a top tier selection.

DeWalt is their "pro line" supposedly.

Yes, these are made by Waterloo.

EDIT- Added content
Yea, but it never really bothered me as the latch is thin enough to avoid that issue 99.99% of the time. As you can see in mine, yes, it would affect it if you stacked sockets like I have but I don't have that many to worry about it impacting it. I just like the fact the drawers lock shut and I KNOW they are latched. If they incorporate Posi-Latch with their "locking lever" like they have on the open-till style boxes.. It'll be a winner box imho.

 

[Toold_up]

DeWalt is their "pro line" supposedly.

Yes, these are made by Waterloo.

Hot dog! I'm debating a new tool box purchase and if they bring back the griplatch i'll wait.

 

[Fedwrench]

Yes, these are made by Waterloo.

Is it possible that Waterloo made these prior its sale to SBD in July 2017?

I visited the waterloo website today, and it's nothing like it once was. The Magnum series is nowhere to be found

 

[zkling]

And the big question...can they compete with US General?

 

[1982fxr]

I don't think these are new. I think these were in some Sears stores at least a year or two ago before the mass store closings. I think these were the last hurrah of Craftsman tool storage before darkness overtook the Sears stores.

The only problem with Sears' griplatch system was that the latch was on the inside of the drawer. if something like a socket was located under the latch, it wouldn't open. Kennedy for one, uses the same system but, with the latch on the outside of the drawer side.

as I write this, there aren't any professional type items from SBD's craftsman. That might change in the future but, i'm really unimpressed with SBD craftsman and don't think they will have a top tier selection.

What Kennedy boxes have that system?

 

[Fedwrench]

What Kennedy boxes have that system?

The ones they made for Cornwell and their large mechanics cart that isn't listed anywhere anymore.