Tool box

[thal0119]

Hello everyone,

I am a auto tech student. I will be buying my tools soon (through Mac) but am struggling to decide on a box. I was going to go with the Mac Edge series 54'' 11 drawer but found out today they are on backorder for 10 weeks. So now I am exploring other options so I don't have to wait so long. I'm considering US General's 56'' box but am worried it might be too cheaply made to be used in a professional setting. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Or any suggestions for a decent box that won't break the bank?

 

[greg13]

If you are already dealing with Mac, look at the Tech series. Not top shelf but very well built, should last you for years.

 

[jochute]

used snap on.

 

[Patrick Marquardt]

This tool box was left in my garage and I'm moving and looking for a new home. I'm not aware of the value but was told Proto are great high end tool boxes. I live in the Toledo Ohio area

 

[shalamo]

If you have an idea what you could take for them I would be interested, I could pick up . I’m just outside Cleveland.

 

[Lucid Moments]

US General boxes generally get pretty good reviews on here. I have a 72" box that I bought recently and am very happy with it. It replaced (among other things) a series 1 44" box that I was also very happy with it just wasn't big enough. I am not a pro though so I don't work them nearly as hard as you will.

 

[ssdave]

I prefer better boxes, but in this case, I think the US General would be a decent choice, if the drawer configuration works for you.

I wouldn't look at it as a long term box, but a 2 to 4 year interim solution. Gets you into a usable box for a low price now, you can resell for probably $200 less than you paid in 2 years, and will do the job.

In the mean time, I'd keep looking for a good deal on a professional level box. Either a good deal from the dealer, or a used box. The amount you save on a discounted box will more than pay for the US general you buy right now.

 

[Cryptic1911]

strictlytoolboxes.com sells reasonably priced nice quality boxes. I have an 84" toolvault from them and it's quite nice. They have all the typical sizes and colors

 

[Cryptic1911]

also, if you can swing one with 30" depth, do it.. much more usable space

 

[tonyciambrone]

Hello everyone,

I am a auto tech student. I will be buying my tools soon (through Mac) but am struggling to decide on a box. I was going to go with the Mac Edge series 54'' 11 drawer but found out today they are on backorder for 10 weeks. So now I am exploring other options so I don't have to wait so long. I'm considering US General's 56'' box but am worried it might be too cheaply made to be used in a professional setting. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Or any suggestions for a decent box that won't break the bank?

I worked with a few professional techs that used U.S general boxes. one guy had the 44 inch top and bottom, one the 56 top and bottom. I have low dollar Husky, Kobalt, Milwaukee and Masterforce toolboxes, and a Snap On box at work. Pretty hard to justify the price difference if you ask me...there's also no shortage of people who buy the Snap-On starter kit, and a box, get to school, get out of school, find out that they hate working on cars for money, and quit, sell it all for 60% of what they paid (maybe.) and end up a couple of $20,000 lighter than when they started.

My advice to you is wait. Wait until you know for sure that you are going to be a full time tech in a pro shop.
If you haven't already, go get a job changing oil and filters or swapping tires. Figure out if you really want to do automotive work 8+ hrs a day. If so, go through school if you like.

 

[unslow1]

Like Tony says definitely wait. There are a load of threads on here with advice for those in or just coming out of tech school. Read up on those and you will understand a very high percentage of mechanics don't stay in the field very long. That would include myself and most of the guys I know. Don't run up a lot of debt before you have been in the actual shop for a while and decide it's for you.

 

[GMCGarage]

im happy with the box I got from Costco. Goes on sale too every once and a while.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have the US General 72 inch top and bottom. I am a professional mechanic and it works great I’ve had it since I was in school and it has held up nicely the carts are also nice too.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I am a former auto body tech who went to a tech college and purchased the Snap On box because it was cheaper. I got a great deal on it but I can tell you now that even though I spent 11 years in the business full time and still use it, I would have gone HF if it was available at the time. Use your money for tools and even then spend carefully in case you don't like it.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

This tool box was left in my garage and I'm moving and looking for a new home. I'm not aware of the value but was told Proto are great high end tool boxes. I live in the Toledo Ohio area

If I did not have a pick-up, rent a trailer and grab this offer, price is right for just starting out. Nice gesture for sure.

 

[nadogail]

WHEN I WAS A KID, I asked an “old timer” what size tool box should I buy. He told me “Buy the biggest tool box you can afford, you will fill it up eventually”. That advice was given to me more than 60 years ago, but IMHO, it is still valid.

 

[Certified Drunk]

I have to laugh at some of the used prices of Snap on boxes on Craigslist..
Some people pay full retail, then try to sell it for more than a new one.

 

[PWC Repair]

I wrench full time in my own shop. I have a HF 56" bottom with two of the 26" tops. I didn't like the layout of any of the large top boxes.

 

[onewheat]

I bought the 3-drawer wide (I'm not sure on the width) Mac Tech 1000 box when I started. That was almost 17 years ago. It's a damn good box for the money.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

US General are great me and a couple other guys at my shop have them. I am a professional mechanic and they have worked great for me I have the top and bottom with the side cabinet and extra set of drawers it is great quality I feel I compared it to my coworkers Snap-on and it felt about the same and it hasn’t failed on me at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[jdsac]

If you are going to be the only one working out of it, The Harbor boxes will do fine. You won't be slamming the drawers etc, because it's yours- if you care for your stuff
The box never fixed a car- save your money for tools. By the way, Harbor now has an in house credit card if you need to put it on the ez pay - "0" interest-
don't miss or be late on a payment , interest kicks in & it's high, but if you pay on time or before it's a good deal. By using this you can get a better box .

https://www.harborfreight.com/credit


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=32&v=eFto-InuhxE&feature=emb_logo