I'm looking to get a box that I can grow into for the forseeable future. I don't make a living with my tools, but love collecting and growing my collection. Some of the things i'm looking for are at least 1 wide and deep drawer towards the top of the box to put all of my sockets in, and i really want a deeper box than the somewhat standard 18" ones. I'd like to add a top cabinet if needed sooner or later but i'd like to keep the bottom around the $1300 mark. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, pictures and/or links to get me pointed in the right direction.
Best toolbox for $1300 or less
- Thread starter Cdm624
- Start date
jmscollinsiii
Well-known member
Check Craigslist you should be able to find a nice snap on classic in that price range or if you dont want to spend weeks to months searching cl you should check out strictlytoolboxes.com. i believe garage journal members get a discount.
looking for anyone with any "real" experience with any of the boxes in this price range. I'm thinking Montezuma or International 50+ roller cabinet. Unless I come across an amazing deal on a used one, I think i'd rather go new just so its "my" box.
Don't get the International. Somebody on here has a picture of one and the casters are fastened on with sheet metal screws. How cheesy can you get?
Damian
Well-known member
If you've got cash, watch Craigslist like a hawk. You'll be amazed at what you'll find. I once snatched up a Matco 4s 2-bay with matching hutch for $500....Sold it to my tool truck guy for $2500 about 18 months later.
If you need or have to buy a box quickly, look into the HF 56" box. It's not nearly as solid as the Snap-on/Matco stuff, but it's a HELLUVA lot of box for $800.
http://www.harborfreight.com/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html
If you need or have to buy a box quickly, look into the HF 56" box. It's not nearly as solid as the Snap-on/Matco stuff, but it's a HELLUVA lot of box for $800.
http://www.harborfreight.com/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html
This . Always gets good reviews .
Well, for $1300 here are my thoughts.
Searching Craigslist/Ebay/Local Pawn shop for boxes. You might find something in your range that works that is a decent quality box. Here is a local ad near me http://frederick.craigslist.org/pts/3539337004.html and here http://smd.craigslist.org/pts/3521151323.html but you are still gonna spend some serious coin even for a used box. Most are in the $2500+ range like this one http://baltimore.craigslist.org/tls/3444405284.html
Now, you can pickup new boxes new for alittle more than what you're looking to spend. Brands like Waterloo, Kennedy, and Montezume just to name a few are a good value at their price point.
If you're dead set on a brand name box then that's about it. If manufacture doesn't matter then I would seriously consider a Harbor Freight 56" cabinet. There isn't a matching top piece that I know of, but a 56" box is slightly deeper than your standard 18" box (box itself is 22" drawers are 19 1/2") so it has alot of storage in it. I have the 44" version with a side cabinet and I haven't 100% filled it to the point where I have to get a topper/another side cabinet and I have alot of tools like bearing race installers, tap and die sets, nearly 1 1/2 full socket sets from 4mm all the way up to 27mm plus all the SAE stuff you collect working half domestic half mexican/canadian vehicles. The 56" box and the 44" box are probably to two real gems that store has. It has a bunch of decent stuff inbetween the various garbage but these boxes are pretty good for as much as you spend. http://www.harborfreight.com/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html
Those are my thoughts
Searching Craigslist/Ebay/Local Pawn shop for boxes. You might find something in your range that works that is a decent quality box. Here is a local ad near me http://frederick.craigslist.org/pts/3539337004.html and here http://smd.craigslist.org/pts/3521151323.html but you are still gonna spend some serious coin even for a used box. Most are in the $2500+ range like this one http://baltimore.craigslist.org/tls/3444405284.html
Now, you can pickup new boxes new for alittle more than what you're looking to spend. Brands like Waterloo, Kennedy, and Montezume just to name a few are a good value at their price point.
If you're dead set on a brand name box then that's about it. If manufacture doesn't matter then I would seriously consider a Harbor Freight 56" cabinet. There isn't a matching top piece that I know of, but a 56" box is slightly deeper than your standard 18" box (box itself is 22" drawers are 19 1/2") so it has alot of storage in it. I have the 44" version with a side cabinet and I haven't 100% filled it to the point where I have to get a topper/another side cabinet and I have alot of tools like bearing race installers, tap and die sets, nearly 1 1/2 full socket sets from 4mm all the way up to 27mm plus all the SAE stuff you collect working half domestic half mexican/canadian vehicles. The 56" box and the 44" box are probably to two real gems that store has. It has a bunch of decent stuff inbetween the various garbage but these boxes are pretty good for as much as you spend. http://www.harborfreight.com/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html
Those are my thoughts
Here's a Craftsman Industrial 36" wide x 21 deep x 42-1/2 height for $1130. And it does have industrial specs. Not the typical Craftsman/Waterloo box.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-36inch-wide-industrial-grade-tool-cart/p-00981338000P?prdNo=2
But if you're patient, you might score one of the truck brands used.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-36inch-wide-industrial-grade-tool-cart/p-00981338000P?prdNo=2
But if you're patient, you might score one of the truck brands used.
Cedge
Well-known member
The recent $699.99 HF super coupon netted me 2 of their 56" boxes for only $100 bucks more, total, than your specified budget number. Excellent value for the surprisingly high quality you get. I'm rather impressed with mine.
I went and checked our the HF boxes yesterday and was impressed but not in love. I can't stand the draw retainer clip you have to press in for each drawer to open. Other than that I liked it, except for the red color I'd prefer blue or black. The Montezuma boxes are intriguing too, wish I could see one in person.
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For $1300 you could get two of them! That's a lot of box.
Are you sure we are talking about the same box? If so, that would be a smoking good deal considering its build quality is far and above the boxes on the floor at your local Sears.
NathanC
Well-known member
That may have been the cheap ones. International makes a great box, they also make "snap on industrial brands" boxes and some of craftsman's line. plus they are made in canada so no cheap Chinese ****!
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Find someone listing a nice classic snap on for anything under 2k. Go see it and show them 1000-1200 cash money and one time out of three they'll take it. Can't do any better.
If you need new I'd check out the montezuma.
If you want to upgrade later, go for the HF. If you keep it nice I bet you could resell it for most of its original price. I wouldn't waste my time though.
If your even a little patient, ther are plenty of CL deals to be had on top quality boxes
If you need new I'd check out the montezuma.
If you want to upgrade later, go for the HF. If you keep it nice I bet you could resell it for most of its original price. I wouldn't waste my time though.
If your even a little patient, ther are plenty of CL deals to be had on top quality boxes
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