Armstrong tool boxes

[lincwelder225]

Looking to upgrade my old Craftsman professional 41" cabinet and chest. Came across Armstrong top and bottoms... More pricey than the Craftsman boxes (the newer style I've seen in Sears feels cheap) but more affordable than a Snap On box. Does anyone here own or use one? I was looking at their "Industrial series". Thanks!


http://www.armstrongtools.com/Magen...e5fb8d27136e95/A/R/ARM_16-790_FRNT_MAIN_2.jpg

http://www.armstrongtools.com/Magen...7136e95/A/R/ARM_16-888_16-790_FRNT_MAIN_2.jpg

 

[lincwelder225]

They are both U.S. made which is a huge plus, at least for me.

 

[PureLeaf]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-T...041860?hash=item5b04a67584:g:nlsAAOSw-jhT~zQV

 

[lincwelder225]

I saw that... Have you used one? I wanted to know if they were high quality or not. Thanks for spying on my browsing history

 

[PureLeaf]

Never used or seen an Armstrong box in person. Proto also does nice USA boxes.

Cripe has had that box forever trying to unload it.

 

[6PTsocket]

I don't know how much of a consideration it is for you but Armstrong no longer exists. It was shut down by it's parent company, Apex. If you ever need a part that might be a problem.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[lincwelder225]

PureLeaf- I know they've had it awhile... I've been looking at it for some time. Wonder if they would negotiate on the price?

6PTsocket- I was aware that they were going out... Sad actually. I did think about getting slides, casters etc for it down the road if and when it is needed. I wonder if another make/brand would be compatible. I heard that the Armstrong boxes are made where the Matco ones are... Thanks for the heads up!

 

[bobcatdan]

Same thing as a matco, just not as fancy.

 

[shockwave]

Same thing as a matco, just not as fancy.

No these are different matco only makes tool boxes


To Armstrong boxes look good but you will have issues replacing slides years to come

 

[bobcatdan]

No these are different matco only makes tool boxes


To Armstrong boxes look good but you will have issues replacing slides years to come

The big Armstrong boxes are older matco designes that were made in the same plant as matco boxes from when both companies were under the same ownership. Up until the new revel boxes, minus visual tweaks, matco boxes really hadn't changed in 20 years.Any Armstrong box for sale now is NOS. Proto and mac boxes are basically the same as well.

 

[6PTsocket]

PureLeaf- I know they've had it awhile... I've been looking at it for some time. Wonder if they would negotiate on the price?

6PTsocket- I was aware that they were going out... Sad actually. I did think about getting slides, casters etc for it down the road if and when it is needed. I wonder if another make/brand would be compatible. I heard that the Armstrong boxes are made where the Matco ones are... Thanks for the heads up!

Matco is owned by Fortive. It was sold off by Danaher. Danaher also owned Armstrong that eventually ended up as part of Apex. My point is that they started out as divisions of the same company and the box was probably made by one division to supply another. If Apex has no parts, I would guess Matco won't either. I could be very wrong.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[bobcatdan]

I would think the slides are fairly common, brand name accu-ride slides and if the need for replacement ever came up would probably easy to source.

 

[lincwelder225]

To bobcatdan and anyone else-
You seem to know a bit about toolboxes, I don't know much about their construction. Can you or someone translate this into layman terms or tell me what the construction is, compared to something like a snap on vs craftsman box? Here's what their website says:

Made in the USA - Quality and Availability
Industrial Series is Designed for the Heaviest Industrial Use / Largest Capacity
Unibody Design Maintains Squareness and Allows for Extra Load Strength
Double Wall Construction with internal “L” Channels for Increased Drawer Support
Weight Bearing Corner Post Design with “U” Beam Floor Panel for increased Rigidity
Scratch Resistant, Durable Powder Coat Finish
6" X 2" Casters for a Load Rating of 3,600 lb. per Cabinet
Full Extension 75 lb. Rated Ball Bearing Slides
Double Slides on Selected drawers
Includes Drawer Liners with a Thick Rubber Top Mat

 

[SuperCat]

That looks like a great box, however I have a question:
How can they describe that as "Designed for Heaviest Industrial Use" when the slides are only rated to 75 lb.?
Even the much cheaper $1000 Home Depot Husky brand 56" combo box set has 100 lb. full extension slides.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-56...t-Textured-Black-Matte-HOTC5623BB1S/206842294

I am not recommending the Husky box because I don't have one, I just wanted to make a comparison of the slides.

(Also, the Armstrong box is much larger, it is longer at ~74" and deeper at ~25", versus the Husky combo box set at 56" by 20" deep. The Armstrong box total weight capacity is 3600 lbs. versus Husky combo set at 2500 lbs.)

Hope this helps, did not want to derail the thread with a discussion of another brand of toolbox.

 

[lincwelder225]

Supercat- thanks for your input. You're not derailing anything, thats a great point you bring up about the drawer max weight/ slide weight rating.

 

[WittHay]

What I do is compare 2 or 3 tool boxes of the same dimensions. Check how much each box weighs. Heavier box, more metal should be stronger. Then the drawer configuration, will it work for your tool collection Then how are the drawer pulls, entirely personal, doesn't matter how well the box is built, if you hate pulling on stiff drawer detentes, you will get tired of it

The boxes listed below are around 73 x 25 the common size is 73 x 30

The US made Armstrong 16-790 weighs 820 lbs
The Canada made International SRB-7321 weighs 770 lbs
The US made Proto J557843-20 weighs 875 lbs

The Harbor Freight US General 72" box weighs 528 lbs

 

[lincwelder225]

What I do is compare 2 or 3 tool boxes of the same dimensions. Check how much each box weighs. Heavier box, more metal should be stronger. Then the drawer configuration, will it work for your tool collection Then how are the drawer pulls, entirely personal, doesn't matter how well the box is built, if you hate pulling on stiff drawer detentes, you will get tired of it

The boxes listed below are around 73 x 25 the common size is 73 x 30

The US made Armstrong 16-790 weighs 820 lbs
The Canada made International SRB-7321 weighs 770 lbs
The US made Proto J557843-20 weighs 875 lbs

The Harbor Freight US General 72" box weighs 528 lbs

Genius! As to feeling how the drawers slide, I'm gonna buy this without actually seeing it in person.. I know, taking a big risk and all that. Hence my post.. Checking the box weight is an excellent idea! I should call Apex/Armstrong and see if they can tell me what gauge steel that the box/drawers are made from. Thanks again!

 

[lincwelder225]

There is almost 300 lb difference between the US general harbor freight box and the Armstrong.... Thats a lot of steel!

 

[lincwelder225]

Went ahead and ordered the bottom box... I have to call tomorrow and approve the shipping.... I'm super stoked and can't wait to get it! Thanks to everyone for their advice and help!

 

[Kaline74]

@lincwelder225 how did this Armstrong tool box work for you?