Are all KRL boxes the same build quality?

[tsonka]

I have a question about KRL boxes.

I have a KRL761 which I bought when I was a tech and had the mindset that my box was a tool to hold my other tools that made my paycheck. I bought the size I needed to fit my needs, not my ego.

I then got burnout as a tech and thanks to good CSI and people skills was able to move into a management level.

Now I am am over my burn out after 10 years and seeing my tools / garage / tinkering as fun again.

My question is:

With the different KLR boxes, aside from casters and load rating, is there a quality difference between the different KRL models? Im thinking metal gauge thickness, slide quality (not number which can be added), fit and finish quality ... not size and load.

I have the thinking that the different KRL’s are the same quality, just different capacity (drawers and depth) and the different load ratings are due to better quality casters on some models.

 

[CWP1616L]

All the KRL models have the same build quality. The previous KR models were built better with thicker steel than the current KRL models.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

All the KRL models have the same build quality. The previous KR models were built better with thicker steel than the current KRL models.

Sounds like KRL = KR Light

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

All the KRL models have the same build quality. The previous KR models were built better with thicker steel than the current KRL models.

Is that opinion or do you have spec sheet to back it up?
Not trying to be a jerk, I'm honestly interested since I have had my share of KRL's and only just this week bought my first used KR box for my home workshop. I haven't had time to do more than look through the drawers and then put it away when I got home with it, but it sure didn't seem noticeably better / heavier built than a KRL.

 

[Murphy4570]

All the KRL models have the same build quality. The previous KR models were built better with thicker steel than the current KRL models.

I dunno about that.

I have a couple KR side boxes, and they are indeed built heavy, but don't seem to be any heavier gauge steel or better quality than the KRL stuff.

 

[CWP1616L]

Is that opinion or do you have spec sheet to back it up?

That's just my opinion based on the KRL box I have and being in contact with other people's KR boxes in the past. The KR boxes have a more solid feel and the drawer bottoms don't "oil can" like my KRL box does.

 

[ianguilly]

I own a kr box and have messed with a few KRL'S on the snappy truck and the KR just feels way more heavey duty. The KRLs feel closer to KRA standards than KR series.

 

[CWP1616L]

The KRLs feel closer to KRA standards than KR series.

Yep, the bottom of the drawer will "trampoline" if there's no weight on it. It takes some thin steel to be able to do that.

 

[Octarine]

So how many of your tools have fallen through the bottom of your drawers, CWP? Gimme a long enough span I can make 1/4" sheet steel flex, doesn't mean it's going to tear like tissue paper.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

So how many of your tools have fallen through the bottom of your drawers, CWP? Gimme a long enough span I can make 1/4" sheet steel flex, doesn't mean it's going to tear like tissue paper.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

So how many of your tools have fallen through the bottom of your drawers, CWP? Gimme a long enough span I can make 1/4" sheet steel flex, doesn't mean it's going to tear like tissue paper.

True..
I've often wondered why the MFG's dont roll a couple Beads across the bottom of the drawers...would stiffen it a great amount.

 

[Octarine]

The new krl's do have stiffener u channel on the wider drawers. That said, I have never seen or heard of a SO drawer failing in anny manner that could be linked to the oil can effect described. The failure mode would be cracking of the steel at the bottom bend to the drawer walls or tearout.

It's a condition of the drawer, not an inherent defect. In fact, upon further thought, the ability to give under a load up to a certain point might actually improve the performance.

Think about an unloaded straight trailer. If you push down on it, it will deform as well. Granted the forces (along with the scales) are greater but the analogy holds up imho.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Yep -- bottom of this drawer with about 200lbs of **** in it (I know from when we emptied it to move the shop) is bowed down under the load almost to the point of touching the drawer bellow it -- it has been that way since we bought the box in 95. I don't think it a crappy box or the thickness of steel / oil canning thing is a problem.

Here's a drawer of my 2 year old 1022 -- not as heavy, maybe 100 pounds - bowed bottom just enough to notice that it is so. Appears to be off the same design / quality as the KRL from 95.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Yep -- bottom of this drawer with about 200lbs of **** in it (I know from when we emptied it to move the shop) is bowed down under the load almost to the point of touching the drawer bellow it -- it has been that way since we bought the box in 95. I don't think it a crappy box or the thickness of steel / oil canning thing is a problem.

I feel your pain...thats the whole reason I'm looking to upgrade my Crapsman...the bottom 2 drawers are loaded somewhat like yours, but on mine the bottoms of the drawers ARE Rubbing the drawer/frame below it. Have been for some time, and I'm only adding to my tool pile, not thinning it out...

 

[CWP1616L]

I feel your pain...thats the whole reason I'm looking to upgrade my Crapsman...the bottom 2 drawers are loaded somewhat like yours, but on mine the bottoms of the drawers ARE Rubbing the drawer/frame below it. Have been for some time, and I'm only adding to my tool pile, not thinning it out...

If I put enough 3/4 inch steel plate in the bottom drawer, I can make the drawer bottom sag and rub on the bottom of the cabinet as I'm pulling the drawer open. That same scenario would not be happening with a Lista or Stanley-Vidmar box.

 

[afazz]

That's simply not true. Lista boxes are strong, but its not like they are made from 1/4" plate. When comparing the old KR boxes, also keep in mind that the largest KR box is smaller than the smallest KRL box. A 21" deep drawer is going to be stiffer than a 30" deep drawer of similar construction. Lista drawers are smaller than KRL drawers too.

 

[CWP1616L]

That's simply not true. Lista boxes are strong, but its not like they are made from 1/4" plate.

Try doing that with a KRL box. I'll tell you right now my KRL1056 will not support that load. But in my opinion, for the amount of money Snap-on charges for their boxes, they should be able to. The boxes should be made out of a minimum of 12 gage steel for that money.

 

[redwrench60]

Try doing that with a KRL box. I'll tell you right now my KRL1056 will not support that load. But in my opinion, for the amount of money Snap-on charges for their boxes, they should be able to. The boxes should be made out of a minimum of 12 gage steel for that money.

I'll take your bet. Deep drawers with dual slides on Snap-On KRLs are rated at 450 lbs each. In your pic I can count 22 rotors on that drawer, so let's say an average brake rotor weighs 20 lbs. each (some not even that much) that's 440 lbs. total. Still well within specs.

Now I will say that I think all KRL boxes should come equipped with dual slides on ALL the deep drawers instead of just some of them but I understand why they don't, If you have dual slides on a lightly loaded drawer it makes it hard to open/close. My shits loaded so I added the second set of slides to all my roll cab drawers.

 

[Murphy4570]

The argument about Snap-On versus Lista is rather disingenuous. They are both made for different target markets, and set to different standards.

I fill my toolbox with tools, not brake rotors. That **** gets stacked on the floor until I use them.

 

[Flash21]

IIRC, Chadster1, a dealer who has seen all kinds of SO boxes, has commented in the past that the KR series was built the heaviest.

 

[CWP1616L]

I'll take your bet. Deep drawers with dual slides on Snap-On KRLs are rated at 450 lbs each. In your pic I can count 22 rotors on that drawer, so let's say an average brake rotor weighs 20 lbs. each (some not even that much) that's 440 lbs. total. Still well within specs.

Now I will say that I think all KRL boxes should come equipped with dual slides on ALL the deep drawers instead of just some of them but I understand why they don't, If you have dual slides on a lightly loaded drawer it makes it hard to open/close. My shits loaded so I added the second set of slides to all my roll cab drawers.

How is the extra set of slides going to keep the thin sheet metal in the bottom of the drawer from sagging? I'd buy the extra set of slides if I thought for one second they would enable the bottom drawer to support 400 lbs.

 

[CWP1616L]

The argument about Snap-On versus Lista is rather disingenuous. They are both made for different target markets, and set to different standards.

What you're saying is the truck brand boxes are not built to withstand the kind of weight found in the drawer of a Lista cabinet in an industrial supply room. But if that's the case, then why do truck brand boxes cost twice as much?

 

[bobcatdan]

I will say this regarding kr's being heavier. Older kr are have more shallow drawers. Take a kr 1000 vs a krl 1001. 15 drawer vs 12. More drawers equal weighing more. Also many kr's had welded drawer deviders that will stiffen a drawer up considerably. There have been a good number of design changes in the what, 35 year lifespan of this series.

 

[redwrench60]

How is the extra set of slides going to keep the thin sheet metal in the bottom of the drawer from sagging? I'd buy the extra set of slides if I thought for one second they would enable the bottom drawer to support 400 lbs.

Obviously you haven't been on that Snap On mobile toolbox display truck. They have KRLs and Epics with 450lbs of free weights in the top drawer and it doesn't rub or sag and opens smoothly.