Hey GJ so ive got a question for all of you im trying to decide if I should take the plung and grab up a a massive box for a sweet deal. To give u some background im a lube tech at a pepboys in colorado just getting started in the industry I actually start school next week. When we were having our orientation I got a matco flyer with a deal on a 4s box 72 inchs long by 2 ft deep for about $2700 the box could be mine. Now I mentioned this my snap on dealer at work and needless to say he not to happy about it, but being the cool guy he is he wanted to make a deal to get me a snappy box of the same size, specifically the kra2423! Hes going to a snap dealer expo next weekend and will see if he can come close to the price that I can get the matco box for. So back to my delima am I to fresh the indusrty to go balls out on a massive box? I can no where near fill the thing but for the price how can I pass up such an awsome box that will last me for at least the next 10 years. Please give me your thoughts I have only a few days to decide! Sorry for such a long post and thanks in advance for any advice!
BIG BOX decision
- Thread starter 92integra
- Start date
I bought my matco double bay 4s 7 years ago or so the same way when I was in school. It's been a great box.....that said I ordered blue and got black, got no mounting hardware for the handle and the chrome plated plastic handles flake real bad after a year or so. For the money though its a great deal. I would honestly say if your serious about being a tech invest in the tools not the box get a decent box like the Hf 44 inch and its side can and get good tools they make the money not the box.
kenfain
Well-known member
You'll be wishin you had a bigger box, no matter which way you go. So if you go big at the beginning, you'll not have regrets. The tools will come along. I say go big, but only if you're sure you can swing the price.
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volvo92906
Well-known member
I am all for people buying bigger boxes, and I support the big brands like Snap-On and Matco... 90% of my tools are those brands, but I also go to HF and Sears for usable tools.
However... Unless you know you want to do this for a living, and you can afford it, I would hold off and use a 26" box or even something slightly larger as a lube tech. You can always take home the smaller box and have your larger box at work when the time comes.
I worked at a truck stop part time while going through school and interning at CAT. I bought a Husky 2 piece combo on sale for less that 200.00. They laughed at me when I brought my box in, which was full of high quality tools. The majority of them had huge boxes with hutches and they were empty, or full of food, and those guys were always trying to borrow from me.
The tool deals will be around the whole time youre in school.. And as the guys on this site have proven, if youre patient enough, you can find the deals.
However... Unless you know you want to do this for a living, and you can afford it, I would hold off and use a 26" box or even something slightly larger as a lube tech. You can always take home the smaller box and have your larger box at work when the time comes.
I worked at a truck stop part time while going through school and interning at CAT. I bought a Husky 2 piece combo on sale for less that 200.00. They laughed at me when I brought my box in, which was full of high quality tools. The majority of them had huge boxes with hutches and they were empty, or full of food, and those guys were always trying to borrow from me.
The tool deals will be around the whole time youre in school.. And as the guys on this site have proven, if youre patient enough, you can find the deals.
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JJThrasher
Well-known member
If you're going to school, you qualify for SO and Matco's student discounts which will get you about 50% off tools, and some boxes. SO can definitely get you a similar deal.
alinc100
Well-known member
Buy the biggest box you can afford.Key here is what can you afford.
The tools make the money not the box.Being organized and efficient is important as well.
There are many toolboxes on the used market which you may find a bargain and trade up as your needs grow.
It's not always a bad thing to start with the largest you can afford and fill as needed.It might actually be cheaper in the long run than moving up incrementally.
I am interested in what the others will say.
Andy
The tools make the money not the box.Being organized and efficient is important as well.
There are many toolboxes on the used market which you may find a bargain and trade up as your needs grow.
It's not always a bad thing to start with the largest you can afford and fill as needed.It might actually be cheaper in the long run than moving up incrementally.
I am interested in what the others will say.
Andy
Greatwhitewing
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2011
- Messages
- 531
Can NEVER NEVER NEVER have too much tool box. It will fill up easily..
Well alot of u guys are aiming at what i can afford and I get by pretty well right now about 200 dollars to spend on tool per paycheck and I have taken a student loan for 5500 so that will be my spending limit for 2 years or hopefully sooner but the loan was the best way to get money for what I need and I will pay it back before it grows any intrest. So how much would you all afford the box out of 5500 if I can get it for 2700 that would be half of my spending limit
box
Well-known member
I thought this was a thread about me......
redwrench60
Well-known member
Ouch, Joe recomends the HF box over a Matco box. Doesn't speak well for matco.
If I were in your shoes, I would get the tools first with the discount. If you have enough left to get the big name box, go for it, if not, go for the harbor freight 44" top and bottom along with the side draw and side cabinet
Lol redwrench don't get me wrong my box has been great for the price but if I had paid retail I would have been very disappointed. I'd love to have a krl722 and a side locker to replace it though. If I was starting out agin like 7 years ago I'd have got the Hf box and a side cab on both sides for half the price of what I paid that's all.
Bikes&Bowties
Well-known member
If you are borrowing money. You can't afford a box right now... Coming from a 19 year old with a triple bank box.
jmscollinsiii
Well-known member
I'd look at the krsc46. I think its a great starter box (even though its a cart). If u decide to trade it in down the road you will proble get more in trade in then what you will spend on it through the student program. Then spend the rest you have budgeted on tools!!! U won't find that stuff half off without spending a lot of time searching. U will out grow either of the two boxes above in a year or two and big boxes can be had at a reasonable price if u look. The rock and roll cab (snap ons toolbox truck) had a krl 1033 with ss top and. Hutch for $5,000 two months ago when I was on there. Big boxes will come in time.
rsanter
Well-known member
Can you afford it?
How long will it take to pay it off?
Start with those questions
Bob
How long will it take to pay it off?
Start with those questions
Bob
Alright guys thanks alot ill settle for the 44 hf box and some really nice stuff to fill it. wait untill im making good money untill I get a big box. Lol a mr big since most you think a full triple bank could happen in a few years. Thanks alot to everyone! look for me in the toolbox thread in a few weeks to show hf box and some new tools!
biscuit141
Well-known member
I agree with this. However, watch your spending and don't borrow money to spend on tools. Use your loan to pay off school and pay the loan off ASAP. Use your own money and pay cash for your tools.
I would say getting the cheap box to start would be the way to go. All the big tool companys charge crazy prices for their boxes at full price, then when you ask what you could get on trade in, or they have a deal come around it seems like its too good to pass up. Trick is I don't think anyone but the wealthiest pay full price on these things. I bought a Macsimizer box under the same pretenses and now after a while seeing how these trucks work I see that I was a little mislead. When guys say deals come and go all the time on these they aren't kidding.
Plus there is the whole "the box don't make you money" train of thought, and if I had to choose I would pick my tools with a ****** box rather than my beautiful box with ****** tools.
Plus there is the whole "the box don't make you money" train of thought, and if I had to choose I would pick my tools with a ****** box rather than my beautiful box with ****** tools.
Moose97
Well-known member
That's the way to go. Get that student loan paid off ASAP. Cash for those tools and go with the cheap box for now. Outside of a home mortgage and your education, cash for everything and you'll be better off in the long run.
oldldh
Well-known member
Don't forget that you're really starting a small business...
Buy the tools you need to do your job, and the HF 44 box will do for the foreseeable future, and when it's time to go bigger, you can sell it for damn near what you have in it...
Deals on big, flashy boxes are always coming along...
Keep your expenses down at "Small Business Start Up", is the SMART long term way to go...
You've got a lot of time...don't get in a rush...
Buy the tools you need to do your job, and the HF 44 box will do for the foreseeable future, and when it's time to go bigger, you can sell it for damn near what you have in it...
Deals on big, flashy boxes are always coming along...
Keep your expenses down at "Small Business Start Up", is the SMART long term way to go...
You've got a lot of time...don't get in a rush...
redwrench60
Well-known member
It's hard to ignore the value of the HF box for a starting tech.
I didn't start with the box I have now.....not even close. Spend the money on tools for now and upgrade your tool storage as needed.
I didn't start with the box I have now.....not even close. Spend the money on tools for now and upgrade your tool storage as needed.
Debt is bad, mmm'kay? When I was your age... man, did I F up.
You live in the golden age of great deals on used stuff. Ebay, CL, GJ. Shop hard, be patient, buy used, pay cash.
Plus, of course, HF. Better good tools in a cheap box.
Interest adds up. Monthly payments blow. Long term, it's a much better feeling to have no bills and money in the bank.
You live in the golden age of great deals on used stuff. Ebay, CL, GJ. Shop hard, be patient, buy used, pay cash.
Plus, of course, HF. Better good tools in a cheap box.
Interest adds up. Monthly payments blow. Long term, it's a much better feeling to have no bills and money in the bank.
devilsnight
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2012
- Messages
- 181
Its all about Wants and NEEDS! Do you Want it, or NEED it? lol. I put in in almost 10 years as a fleet mechanic before I bought a nice box for myself (half the size of what you are talking about buying). I have everything I need in my 40" box. We have guys/entry level techs with 3 to 4 times what I have that can't accomplish much of anything.
Really you need to look at it long term. One of our techs is fresh out of UTI, He bought a triple bay classic and a whole bunch of tools from SO on discount. Only problem is hes paying something like 25% interest on all of it. So the $2500 box becomes a $5000 box when all is said and done. Worth it? As stated earlier, If you have to borrow the money to make it happen it's not worth it!
Really you need to look at it long term. One of our techs is fresh out of UTI, He bought a triple bay classic and a whole bunch of tools from SO on discount. Only problem is hes paying something like 25% interest on all of it. So the $2500 box becomes a $5000 box when all is said and done. Worth it? As stated earlier, If you have to borrow the money to make it happen it's not worth it!
firebox40dash5
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2012
- Messages
- 4,185
Both very true.
We had a friend's box that got repo'd in here a few months ago. Triple bank KRL, chock full of HF and Craftsman Evolv. WTF. Buy something cheap that you can live with for a while, upgrade later when you've got most of your tools. IMO even $2700 for a bottom of the line Matco is pretty bad, especially if you finance and pay interest on it... from what I've seen on CL their resale is even worse than Snap On.
fatfillup
Well-known member
I would buy used. A little patience and time on CL and you will find a box if you are in a populated area. If you are in the sticks, its much harder. I buy a box off CL every month or so I know it can be done. Note I buy to resell, so I have to buy cheap enough to make a profit so they are out there. Yes you will look at 50 ads for boxes before one is in the ball park.
As others have stated, keep your payments to a minimum, especially any that are charging interest. And that goes to all areas of your life. Buy all the tools you can pay for at the student discount, you will never get that deal again. And don't overlook used tools from some of the old American manufacturers.
As others have stated, keep your payments to a minimum, especially any that are charging interest. And that goes to all areas of your life. Buy all the tools you can pay for at the student discount, you will never get that deal again. And don't overlook used tools from some of the old American manufacturers.
warmpancakes
Well-known member
watch the tech deals on the matco website, they do that same 4s with a free cart for 2700 all the time
RickJennings
Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2013
- Messages
- 6
Tools and a big tool box don't make the mechanic, with that said buy a decent sized box maybe even a cart,while your in school. I have seen kids go to school and then for some reason decide its not what they want to do and then have to sell those big brand boxes at a loss. Just my opinion
ckblum
Well-known member
I've been debating getting a big brand box for a while now. Was looking at the Matco Tech Series, either an MB8800 or Tech 1000, or the Snap On KRSC46 "cart".
More and more I'm just leaning towards the HF "44" box, Add the full length locker and maybe build a hutch in the future. I just have such a hard time biting the bullet on those name brand boxes, even after my student discount. I don't feel like I'm getting $1000 more value in the big brand boxes compared to the HF stuff.
More and more I'm just leaning towards the HF "44" box, Add the full length locker and maybe build a hutch in the future. I just have such a hard time biting the bullet on those name brand boxes, even after my student discount. I don't feel like I'm getting $1000 more value in the big brand boxes compared to the HF stuff.
crewchief888
Well-known member
heres my $0.02
take it for what it's worth...
start out with a less expensive (not cheap) box.
buy your more "specialized" & daily used tools off the truck.
buy good ratchets, torx and allen bits (you'll thank yourself)
when your smaller, less expensive boxes fill up, add on a side cab or 2.
after you finish school, and have a full time job, buy your additional tools "as needed"
by now you'll probably really be out of room in your smaller boxes.
upgrade your boxes, upgrade your "starter" tools (if you need to), and take the starter tools and boxes home.
you'll have 2 sets of tools, the home boxes may not be as complete, nor as shiney as your work tools, but you'll never regret having tools at home to make a few needed/wanted repairs.
i've been doing it for 30 years...
the boxes i started with are now long gone, those have been replaced by a few "vintage" boxes.
some were bought new, and quite a few used.
who i am kiddin',
all my boxes are vintage
take it for what it's worth...
start out with a less expensive (not cheap) box.
buy your more "specialized" & daily used tools off the truck.
buy good ratchets, torx and allen bits (you'll thank yourself)
when your smaller, less expensive boxes fill up, add on a side cab or 2.
after you finish school, and have a full time job, buy your additional tools "as needed"
by now you'll probably really be out of room in your smaller boxes.
upgrade your boxes, upgrade your "starter" tools (if you need to), and take the starter tools and boxes home.
you'll have 2 sets of tools, the home boxes may not be as complete, nor as shiney as your work tools, but you'll never regret having tools at home to make a few needed/wanted repairs.
i've been doing it for 30 years...
the boxes i started with are now long gone, those have been replaced by a few "vintage" boxes.
some were bought new, and quite a few used.
who i am kiddin',
all my boxes are vintage
well there it is I settled for a used box but got a hell of a deal tho it was my old masertechs trade in to snap on dealer my dealers a cool guy could have sold the box for 500 easy but instead he sold it for 300 to me on the condition that I buy more stuff of the truck so spent another 300 on some tools I needed and yeah im super happy cant wait to fill it up now my cart has room to actually work thanks for all the advice everyone!
crewchief888
Well-known member
for $300 ya did good
619DioFan
Well-known member
Very nice score ! 300.00 is a sweet price.
Turbo_Prop
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2012
- Messages
- 297
well there it is I settled for a used box but got a hell of a deal tho it was my old masertechs trade in to snap on dealer my dealers a cool guy could have sold the box for 500 easy but instead he sold it for 300 to me on the condition that I buy more stuff of the truck so spent another 300 on some tools I needed and yeah im super happy cant wait to fill it up now my cart has room to actually work thanks for all the advice everyone!
This qualifies you for a YOU ****!
ckblum
Well-known member
That's real sweet! I just scored my Waterloo 41" 14 drawer for $300, pic in my own tool box thread, was just missing the keys. That's a sweet deal you got there though, nice box and I like the drawer layout!
Screw buying more than you need, honestly. Save money. What it really came down to for me was this. I'd rather upgrade my dirt bike, my Tacoma, buy the gf a bike or something fun than spend more than I need to on work. They already get a third of my young life.
Screw buying more than you need, honestly. Save money. What it really came down to for me was this. I'd rather upgrade my dirt bike, my Tacoma, buy the gf a bike or something fun than spend more than I need to on work. They already get a third of my young life.
Moose97
Well-known member
Good looking box and a smart decision!!! You're already on a path to success. Good luck!
You're already on a path to success. Good luck!FarmerPete
Well-known member
Now, think of how many tools you can buy with the $2500 you saved! That's like what, 10 snap-on sockets? Oh wait, you get the student discount....20 sockets.
devoncoolman
Well-known member
U should be happy u didnt spend that $2700 on the box. The tools make u the money. Better spent there.
Murphy4570
Well-known member
Thats a great financial decision. Good older box too. Those old matco boxes are strong.