T&E Tool storage?

[mo2872]

Saw a box combo today at a Steves Wholesale Tool, from T&E Tools.....anybody have these, thoughts on them? Of the "budget" boxes I've seen, this seems to be some of the better quality.

http://www.tetools.com

Their website is somewhat cumbersome. Unit I'm looking at is TE4108CH and TE4111RC, price was 875 at the store.....quite a bit more in the catalog.....

Thoughts? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[Mickey O]

I think the shipping cost from Australia would be rather expensive, I'd look closer to home for a tool box.

 

[mo2872]

Yeah, the box is available at a LOCAL store.......top/bottom combo for 875, wouldn't have to have it shipped.

 

[Fudge0514]

I'm gonna go to Steve's today and look at those boxes, but they seem overpriced. That's almost a Craftsman price there. I'm still holding out for a HF one.

 

[Mickey O]

Yeah, the box is available at a LOCAL store.......top/bottom combo for 875, wouldn't have to have it shipped.

What the hell is an Australian tool box doing in OK? There are a few Australian members here maybe do a search and shoot one a PM and see if they are familiar with the box.

Well since it's already here have a good look at it, find out the COO. You don't want to buy a Chinese tool box shipped to Australia and then here, if that were the case it's probably a $75 dollar box and $800 for all the shipping. Maybe see if the size is the same as the boxes here if you plan to expand. Ask the place selling them how they came across the box, will they be carrying the line or was it a sample, will parts be available if needed, etc.

If it was an exceptional box for the price I'd buy it, they may also be willing to deal on the price.

 

[mo2872]

Here is a pic of what I was looking at:

"Felt" smoother/sturdier than any Craftsman or HF I've looked at.....still digging into it, tho. Will go back by there today and quiz the store on the who/what/where/etc.....

 

[TheGrooveking]

Looks like the boxes available through Greg Smith Equipment, I think the COO is China.

TheGrooveking

 

[78Bird]

From the pic it looks exctly like the HF box, but in blue.
Compare:


If you don't mind red, it's half that at HF...

 

[mo2872]

Looks similar, yes, but the slides/drawers felt much stronger, IMO.....who knows......I'll probably just keep plugging away for a deal on CL or ebay.

 

[BigK600]

A local hardware store here sells some random T&E tools, including that box for $1000 give or take $100. Seems very similar to the Harbor Freight box, however nicer paint. For that price I'd jump on it. Other T&E tools look and feel pretty nice for being made China, prices are a little higher.

 

[Fudge0514]

After checking out the box at Steve's, although it is nice, it isn't $875 nice. You can actually get a ball bearing Craftsman for just about the same price. Or you can get the one from HF for cheaper, and you can get it significantly cheaper if you wait for it to go on sale AND use their 20% off coupon. Personally, I like the HF ones and I'm going to hold out for one.

At HF they are $399 ($319+tax w/ coupon) for the bottom right now:
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html

And the top is $299 ($239+tax w/coupon):
http://www.harborfreight.com/red-roller-cabinet-top-chest-92099.html

HF is better. No brainer to me.

 

[mo2872]

You really thought the HF was better? I checked the HF before going to Steves, and it just seemed so much flimsier. Perhaps it sees more traffic/drawer action than the TE one at Steves.....or maybe it's just the crinkle paint that turns me off of it. Dunno, but in my mind, the TE was definitely better quality, more "solid".

 

[Fudge0514]

You really thought the HF was better? I checked the HF before going to Steves, and it just seemed so much flimsier. Perhaps it sees more traffic/drawer action than the TE one at Steves.....or maybe it's just the crinkle paint that turns me off of it. Dunno, but in my mind, the TE was definitely better quality, more "solid".

Which HF did you go to? OKC or Norman? The one in OKC (west side of town) had the drawers locked yesterday, and I think they keep them that way. However, one of my good friends has the same red US General drawer in his garage and it gets used and still slides as new. Maybe I just have my heart set on the HF box, but I think its the one to get.

I wouldn't mind the TE in my garage, I just wouldn't drop $875 on one.

Did you see the guy from Yukon on craigslist selling one? He was selling the 13 drawer bottom along with the 7 drawer end piece for $499 (not a great price). I called him yesterday and it was gone.

In the end, get what you want! It's going to be in your garage and used by you!

 

[mo2872]

Which HF did you go to? OKC or Norman? The one in OKC (west side of town) had the drawers locked yesterday, and I think they keep them that way. However, one of my good friends has the same red US General drawer in his garage and it gets used and still slides as new. Maybe I just have my heart set on the HF box, but I think its the one to get.

I wouldn't mind the TE in my garage, I just wouldn't drop $875 on one.

Did you see the guy from Yukon on craigslist selling one? He was selling the 13 drawer bottom along with the 7 drawer end piece for $499 (not a great price). I called him yesterday and it was gone.

In the end, get what you want! It's going to be in your garage and used by you!

I'm in the Tulsa area, so went to the HF here. The drawers are open all the time, so I imagine it sees a ton of "heavy-handed" tire-kickers. Didn't see the Yukon guy. I did just hear back from a buddy from another forum in Oz, and the TE boxes ARE China made. He said that they are pretty popular there.

I've kinda been kicking around a "built in" type unit now, with some quality bearing slides. Anyone done that?

 

[78Bird]

I know my drawers slide well, and some of them have quite a bit of weight in them. No issues.

 

[sk farmer]

A local hardware store here sells some random T&E tools, including that box for $1000 give or take $100. Seems very similar to the Harbor Freight box, however nicer paint. For that price I'd jump on it. Other T&E tools look and feel pretty nice for being made China, prices are a little higher.

been to mac's lately?

 

[BigK600]

been to mac's lately?

Yup.

 

[stltikn]

Unless you absolutely have to have a brand new box, why not try the used
Snap-On, Matco and even older Mac market. Right here, Ebay and Craigslist have lots of really nice boxes for just a hair more than these.

 

[Fudge0514]

All of the SnapOn, Matco, Mac, etc boxes on craigslist still command a high price, at least here in Oklahoma City. $2K and up for anything 41".

 

[mo2872]

All of the SnapOn, Matco, Mac, etc boxes on craigslist still command a high price, at least here in Oklahoma City. $2K and up for anything 41".

Ditto here in the Tulsa area. We had a mech. here at work pass away recently, and he had a brand-spankin' new 3-bay Snap-on/Mac/Maatco type box......widow wants 2500 for it, but I REALLY don't want to spend that kind of coin, considering my use is just for personal/home type stuff. I just can't justify it.

 

[1320stang]

The best Steve's to go to is the one on S. Robinson, just south of the river, the next best one would be southside in Moore. The one on 39th is just too small of a building.

 

[Fudge0514]

The best Steve's to go to is the one on S. Robinson, just south of the river, the next best one would be southside in Moore. The one on 39th is just too small of a building.

I have been to the one in Moore, that one seems good. But I usually go to the one in Midwest City. If I want cheap tools though I'd rather head over to HF. Some of the stuff at Steve's almost seems like full price, rather than discount. Might as well get it from Ace or Sears.

 

[jeremy42087]

is anyone still liked to this thread?

 

[Bib Overalls]

Ditto here in the Tulsa area. We had a mech. here at work pass away recently, and he had a brand-spankin' new 3-bay Snap-on/Mac/Maatco type box......widow wants 2500 for it, but I REALLY don't want to spend that kind of coin, considering my use is just for personal/home type stuff. I just can't justify it.

On the other hand, it will always be worth $2,500.