60'' Epiq or Classic 78

[Fast LT1]

Well i need a bigger box, my gladiator box that i purchased at sears last year is just crammed. I'm a tech at firestone and i'm still going to college for Auto Technology and HVAC. So i'm eligible for snap on's SEP program where i am allowed to purchase a Classic 78 for $2200. Good deal, but my dealer has a 60 inch epic in lime green that i've been drooling over for the past couple weeks. I don't have near enough tools to fill the epig though. I think the classic series would fit all my tools comfortably, but eventually i think i will have to buy a bigger box. If i get the Classic 78 I'll be paying cash and wont have any debt, if i buy the Epiq I'm going to have to finance about $3000 of it. I have $3500 cash to buy a box or put down on one.

What do you guys think?

60 inch epiq ($6500)or Classic 78 ($2200)

 

[transittech]

At least a 60" epic. However, you could get the Classic 78 and trade it in on a BIG Epic in a few years on the rock and roll truck.

 

[twincam00]

Get the classic 78 now and down the road when you have more cash trade it in for a bigger epiq

 

[chadster1]

Obviously, the Epiq is a bigger and more heavy duty box than the classic 78. If you buy the Epiq, it will be a longer time before you need to upgrade but you have spent more money up front and you will have a payment which will cut into your tool purchasing for the near future.

The Classic 78 you will be purchasing at a school discount and you should be able to get what you paid for it in a couple of years when you do need to trade it in on a bigger box. Plus, it will leave your money free to purchase more tools when you start working and find out what you need to do your job better and faster.

My advice would be to buy the Classic 78.

 

[transittech]

I'm changing my advise. (did you just add the part about your finances??) Buy the Classic 78 off SEP and buy as many of your tools as you can off SEP. You prolly can't trade a HF box in for anything much, but you can with the classic 78.

 

[themiller]

Classic. No reason to go into debt for a box that you don't need at this time.

 

[twincam00]

You might also want to consider the "SS" boxes (KRA2422) that you can get through the SEP program, you get 2 full-width drawers for $2,295

And its availible in extreme green

 

[PT Doc]

No brainer: pay cash and have no debt.

 

[Akfrostbyte]

Classic. No reason to go into debt for a box that you don't need at this time.

I agree, take advantage of the SEP program while you can and get into the Classic 78.

 

[Fast LT1]

You might also want to consider the "SS" boxes (KRA2422) that you can get through the SEP program, you get 2 full-width drawers for $2,295

And its availible in extreme green

That is the box i will be ordering.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Why not a KRL series? IMO, the Epiq's are not any better - just more frills / expense.

 

[Fast LT1]

I don't like the master series, i like the look of epiq's more.

 

[chris6278]

I have a black classic 78 top and bottom at work and love it so that would be my choice

 

[t100]

why not buy used 78? tons of them out there.

 

[OEXL16B]

That'd be an easy choice for me. I'd get the Epiq 60'' no doubt.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I'll second not ruling out the used route. There are tons of quality boxes out there at a fracton of their original cost.

 

[lwlobo]

Should you:

1) Buy an awesome toolbox that will: meet your current and near-future needs, be paid off, be able to resell and recoup all or nearly all your money in the future, and leave a little cash in your pocket.

Or

2) Buy a more awesome toolbox that will: meet your current and mid-future needs, wipe out your cash and be a debt load, and will be impossible to resell and recoup more than 60% of your money.

Keep in mind the epic option will always be there, but your access to the student discount will go away.

This should be a very easy decision.

 

[Fast LT1]

I've been looking for months for used boxes and I can't find anything cheaper than the classic 78

 

[Farmrod]

I've been in your shoes and I have the epiq to show for it but if I had it to do again id go to sears or hf and buy a cheap box and while I had the ability to buy tools at your discounted rate I'd stock up remember that discount will go away the gain on purchasing tools cannot be overlooked... Just my opinion but id spend my money on tools then when I was sure this is what I want to do forever id buy a huge box and put all my very fancy half price tools in it

Chris

 

[Tomato]

I bought a 60 inch Epiq and I love it but I have no debt. I also bought the max amount of sep tools allowed as well.

I would not go into debt for the Epiq if I were in your shoes. I have no idea on the payments though, if it seems like you can handle the payment easy you may want to spring for it.

Just make sure you get all the sep tools you can!

 

[Snapped-off]

Unless you can't get it through the program, I would suggest the KRA2422 "SS" box.

 

[crewchief888]

Classic. No reason to go into debt for a box that you don't need at this time.

and may not need in the future....

plans and priorities change when you're young

 

[Fast LT1]

I've decided to ditch the epiq and go with the KRA SS with the two full width drawers in extreme green. I will however be ordering a lot of tools through the SEP.

I plan on ordering
Tool box
Metric Flank Drive wrenches (already have standard)
SAE 3/8th socket set deep and shallow (already have metric)
Screwdriver set
pry bar set
carbon scrapers
Digital 1/2 inch torque wrench
3/8th 325 impact and impact socket sets

and some other stuff.

 

[vwsaabvt]

See what your dealer would give you towards trade in on the new classic. 3 guys I work with traded theirs in that they bought through Sep and ended up getting more than they paid for them

 

[richfinn]

I,ve been a mechanic for nearly 30 years and still only have a $1500 toolbox (thats how much it was 20 years ago).

I dont see how a trainee/apprentice would ever need a $6500 toolbox

Cant you put the money into specialist training or to pay your college fees or something, maybe even save it towards your own business one day. Why do you need a status symbol toolbox??

The half price deal on tools sounds great though, fill your boots.

But a metal bench with drawers and wheels, I dont really get it

 

[twincam00]

I've decided to ditch the epiq and go with the KRA SS with the two full width drawers in extreme green. I will however be ordering a lot of tools through the SEP.

I plan on ordering
Tool box
Metric Flank Drive wrenches (already have standard)
SAE 3/8th socket set deep and shallow (already have metric)
Screwdriver set
pry bar set
carbon scrapers
Digital 1/2 inch torque wrench
3/8th 325 impact and impact socket sets

and some other stuff.

consider getting the flank drive plus, theres not much of a difference in price with the discount

 

[t100]

I've decided to ditch the epiq and go with the KRA SS with the two full width drawers in extreme green. I will however be ordering a lot of tools through the SEP.

I plan on ordering
Tool box
Metric Flank Drive wrenches (already have standard)
SAE 3/8th socket set deep and shallow (already have metric)
Screwdriver set
pry bar set
carbon scrapers
Digital 1/2 inch torque wrench
3/8th 325 impact and impact socket sets

and some other stuff.

Honestly I don't know about the 1/2" digital torque wrench. I have the 3/8" digital and I like the split beam much better.

I would sub that with the extra long High-Performance double box offset wrenches.

how come you don't have any hammer in your list, the SO dead blow is the shitz.

 

[Fast LT1]

Honestly I don't know about the 1/2" digital torque wrench. I have the 3/8" digital and I like the split beam much better.

I would sub that with the extra long High-Performance double box offset wrenches.

how come you don't have any hammer in your list, the SO dead blow is the shitz.

Already have the hammers. I will look at the double box offset wrenches though. I plan on spending $3500 or so this year and another $3500 next march. I figure between $7,000 and the $5500 i've already bought, i'd be set for a long time.

 

[t100]

wooo, I didn't expect that:

 

[Woodward_Dreams]

Get the 78. Its what I have and is the perfect box for the first few years in this industry. The tools make you money, NOT the box. I would get a decent box and buy as many tools as possible right now.

I regret not buying more tools when i had the student discount. You can always finance a box later....

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

Here's how I did it. I went through an auto program as well and had the discounts. My first box was a craftsman 41" top and bottom, which for the most part stayed at home. When school was almost over I purchased the classic 78 extreme green.... very nice... Now at work i have my craftsman, and at home I keep the snap on.

I just put in my order for a 68" epiq. for the longest time I didn't have the need for a bigger box, so I stayed with the craftsman. If you don't need the room right now, go with the smaller box whether it be the SS or 78 and as long as you can use the discount you'll probably get right around, if not more then what you paid for it in the future towards a trade in. Also, as a full time tech for the last 2 years, I think that a 60 would be too small for me, hence the 68.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I gotta say 60'' EPIQ just cause I have one and love it.