Considering buying a Waterloo roll cab..

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Well, I've been looking for a nice roll cab for work. I roll my cab around ALOT.. and I think its the best way to go.. roll my tools around with me. Keep bigger and special tools in the back in a different box. So, I need something not so big, not too little. Easy to roll, has a anti accidental drawer opening system, My current roll cab is a c-man grip latch and its getting worn out. Anyway.. I think this is the best one I've found, Waterloo:

http://www.waterlooindustries.com/productdetail.asp?UnitNumberID=MG3608BK

Looks like I can get it shipped to me for around 1K or 1.1K. I do wish I could look at one in person before buying.. 36" wide would be just right.. I think 41" would be too wide for me to roll around. 21" depth would be better than I have and nice. 6x2" casters sounds to be the best for these size roll cabs. I am wondering what exactly is their "Posi-latch drawer system" ?

Has anyone seen these in person ? or any of their magnum series boxes(their heaviest duty boxes) ? Know where I can get the best deal on one of these ?

 

[rsanter]

that is the same as the Cman pro series box
look at the one at sears and see if you like it

bob

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

that is the same as the Cman pro series box
look at the one at sears and see if you like it

bob

You are right.. I found it on sears website.. but I could not find a store that carries it.. or at least not anywhere remotely near me. I looked online at the c-man version of that waterloo box.. It says:

"Dimensions 36W x 21D x 42-1/2H in. Features the Griplatch® drawer latching system 16-gauge steel internal cage and shell/drawers constructed of 18-gauge steel for durability. Specs: Item Weight: 268.0 lbs. Capacity cu. in.: 17,153 cu. in."

Waterloo's website says this box weighs 295lb and has 17,058 cu in capacity.

So, I wonder.. if they are not so identical ? the 18gauge drawers dont sound good to me. Waterloo does not say what gauge their boxes are built with.

 

[Merkava_4]

Yeah I liked that box much better BEFORE they went to the grip latch system.

 

[kythri]

What's wrong with the GripLatch stuff?

I played with it at my local Sears, and kinda dig it...

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

What's wrong with the GripLatch stuff?

I played with it at my local Sears, and kinda dig it...

I dunno why Merkava_4 does not like grip latch AT ALL, but since I've owned a grip latch roll cab, I do see some negative things about it. One thing is, if a tool rolls under the grip latch "latch", you will not be able to open the drawer if the tool is blocking the path of the latch. The fix is.. go MAD, jiggle, wiggle, shake your box. and then sigh with tremendous relief after it opens up.

Is 18g sheetmetal suitable for 36" wide drawers ? I just want a heavier duty box than I have now, and rolls around better.

I also have my eye on a Kennedy box, the 3900MP. It does not seem to have a system to prevent accidental drawer opening. Also the box weighs only 225lbs and is bigger than the waterloo.. it must be made out of thinner gauge metal ?

 

[Merkava_4]

I also have my eye on a Kennedy box, the 3900MP. It does not seem to have a system to prevent accidental drawer opening.

Yes it does; it's called a "slide detent."

The Kennedy will also have 16 gage steel for the drawers.

The Kennedy 3900MP is the best box for that size and expenditure.

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

I cant find anywhere in Kennedys pdf catalog about the slide detent. How did you know about it and what gauge steel the drawers are made out of ? Have you seen one of these 3900MP's in person ?

Yes it does; it's called a "slide detent."

The Kennedy will also have 16 gage steel for the drawers.

The Kennedy 3900MP is the best box for that size and expenditure.

 

[eschoendorff]

I cant find anywhere in Kennedys pdf catalog about the slide detent. How did you know about it and what gauge steel the drawers are made out of ? Have you seen one of these 3900MP's in person ?

This is one of those areas where Merkava's word can be considered law. He may be a little odd, but he knows his ****!

Oh great... now I kinda want a Kennedy box!

 

[rsanter]

I like the box you are looking at, I think its a nice box. I will have to agree that I liked it better before the griplatch. I have seen several of the griplatch boxes selling at discount after bieng retirned because the griplatch bar has come off the drawer. just does not look like its a long life thing

bob

 

[chad s]

Keep an eye out on cragislist, you can find a used KRA series snap on box of that size for the same money if your patient.

 

[Merkava_4]

I cant find anywhere in Kennedys pdf catalog about the slide detent. How did you know about it and what gauge steel the drawers are made out of ? Have you seen one of these 3900MP's in person ?

You want a freaking picture?

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

You want a freaking picture?

Thanks for the pictures. I take it that you have a Kennedy box ?

Keep an eye out on cragislist, you can find a used KRA series snap on box of that size for the same money if your patient.

Excellent idea. I always check craiglist.. but I dont see nicer smaller sized snapon boxes.. always some BIG one and older smaller ones. Prices are not always that great either.

 

[Deafautotech]

Thanks for the pictures. I take it that you have a Kennedy box ?



Excellent idea. I always check craiglist.. but I dont see nicer smaller sized snapon boxes.. always some BIG one and older smaller ones. Prices are not always that great either.

No, Merkava_4 own KRL1056 as it is one bay toolbox...

The craiglist where i bought the KRL1203 for 450 dollars!!!! i have it at my work as mounted on my KRL1003...

 

[Merkava_4]

Thanks for the pictures. I take it that you have a Kennedy box ?

Used to have. I used to have a Kennedy 3407X that I sold to a coworker. He then sold it to another coworker. That coworker traded it into the MAC dealer who then sold the box to a guy at Clovis Transmission AS A NEW box.

I thought I needed a bigger box but I really didn't. I have a Snap-On box now and I'm disappointed in the box in comparison to my previous Kennedy.

The Kennedy just felt heftier. I've had the drawers out of both boxes and the Kennedy's drawers feel heavier even though they're smaller.

The Kennedy box had better casters too. They were a soft rubber on a hard rubber core; very smooth and quiet.

My Snap-On box has hard plastic wheels that will make you hear every single grain of sand it runs over.

 

[tatra]

slide detents?.......these are the rubber catches that keep the drawer from opening?............if so these **** in cold weather...........heated shops ok i guess but prefer mechanical latches myself........

 

[Deafautotech]

slide detents?.......these are the rubber catches that keep the drawer from opening?............if so these **** in cold weather...........heated shops ok i guess but prefer mechanical latches myself........

That reason why i have snap on KRL1203 and KRL1003 that have lock n roll... it is best for me...

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

slide detents?.......these are the rubber catches that keep the drawer from opening?............if so these **** in cold weather...........heated shops ok i guess but prefer mechanical latches myself........

hrm.. 60 deg ok ?

I found the snapon equivalent of the kennedy 3900MP:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=3461&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

It's got lock'n roll

 

[eschoendorff]

You want a freaking picture?

What did I tell you about Merkava??? Did anyone actually read post #9????

 

[dps]

Those Kennedy slide detents are virtually identical to the ones used by Craftsman (Waterloo) in their Ball Bearing line of cabinets. They are cheaply done and a pain in the *** to use because of the large resistance you must overcome each time you open a drawer and the corresponding hard shove needed to close it. I don't roll my cabinets and so removed one half of the detents and shaved the remaining ones down until just enough resistance to hold the drawers closed.

 

[Merkava_4]

Those Kennedy slide detents are virtually identical to the ones used by Craftsman (Waterloo) in their Ball Bearing line of cabinets. They are cheaply done and a pain in the *** to use because of the large resistance you must overcome each time you open a drawer and the corresponding hard shove needed to close it.

The gray detents make for a firm drawer, but the black detents are much easier to open the drawer with. Most of these slides are supplied by Accuride.

Why do you say they're "cheaply done?"

 

[dps]

I say cheaply done because it's a one cent solution for Accuride. It's not adjustable and therefore almost has to be designed to hold a heavily loaded drawer shut as it rolls across a rough surface (the lowest common denominator). You can hear and feel the tools within rattle each time you open and close it, and a lightly loaded drawer will have your tools rolling around on each open/close.

A better method would be something adjustable for intended weight and usage. I don't roll mine at all, and could use a very light detent or "latch" to keep drawers from drifting open as others are opened and closed. Others may only roll theirs across a polished concrete or VCT floor and require a "medium" strength detent.

It wouldn't be that expensive to incorporate a spring-loaded roller catch (similar to what Accuride already uses on their tv swivels) or adjustable spring loaded bullet (ball) catches commonly used in cabinetmaking applications where tension can be controlled. One of you guys wanna invent it and make millions?

Finally, if a detent of the current style is deemed necessary, it might be almost as handy to have a hold-OUT detent as well to keep drawers open since the box might not be level. These are already available on various slides and would only add another few cents to offer, I would think.

In the meantime, I prefer the GripLatch method as offering positive closure that is easily adjustable.

 

[Fedwrench]

The Waterloo Magnum carts are a good choice. They hold alot, are durable, and roll smoothly. The only drawback to the griplatch system is if you place a rack of deep sockets in the drawer (or something else of similiar height), that prevents the griplatch from disenganging, you're screwed when you try to open the drawer. Aside from that, it's a long lasting unit that you can get cheaply if you shop around. The Craftsman versions used to come with a lifetime warranty and still may. I knew guys that got new drawer slides and struts over the years. These are my experiences, your results may vary.

 

[Lightning]

I have a Waterloo Magnum tool chest and I am very satisfied with the quality. The other cheaper model Waterloo tool chests are not worth buying though.

 

[Merkava_4]

Waterloo used to be a nice box until they went and ruined it with that GripLatch setup.

 

[speed bump]

Waterloo used to be a nice box until they went and ruined it with that GripLatch setup.

Why is that? I have used both the Griplatch and the SO slide latch and I find the griplatch seems to be a much nicer non plastic system.

 

[Merkava_4]

Why is that?

I tried one at the Sears store one day: I opened the drawer one time and closed it; that was it; I couldn't take it anymore; I ran out of the store and into the parking lot, jumped in the car and hightailed it out of there.

 

[dps]

I tried one at the Sears store one day: I opened the drawer one time and closed it; that was it; I couldn't take it anymore; I ran out of the store and into the parking lot, jumped in the car and hightailed it out of there.

It seems a shame you would pronounce firm and final judgment based upon a single example of a drawer that may not have been adjusted properly and may not have had any weight in it whatsoever. Don't you feel it de-values your opinion on this subject?

 

[OldCarGuy]

I have a Waterloo Traxx 5200 roller cabinet set with the Posi_Latch drawer system. At first I was rather skeptical about the latching system. But soon learned that they are a good feature and work great.

 

[Merkava_4]

It seems a shame you would pronounce firm and final judgment based upon a single example of a drawer that may not have been adjusted properly and may not have had any weight in it whatsoever. Don't you feel it de-values your opinion on this subject?

The drawer pull (handle) pivots up when you pull on it; correct? And you have to lift up on the drawer pull to close the drawer; correct? Freaking nasty!

 

[dps]

The drawer pull (handle) pivots up when you pull on it; correct? And you have to lift up on the drawer pull to close the drawer; correct? Freaking nasty!

Obviously you don't know how it operates. The handle does not pivot when you pull; the drawer will stay closed. With a slight lift on the handle (I'd say about 1/8") the drawer will slide out. To close the drawer you just push it shut, no need to touch the pull, it will slide in with a satisfying gentle click and no resistance; far superior to the plastic detents.

 

[Deafautotech]

I tried one at the Sears store one day: I opened the drawer one time and closed it; that was it; I couldn't take it anymore; I ran out of the store and into the parking lot, jumped in the car and hightailed it out of there.

I always playing around in sears tool stores... i like Griplatch as i own 40 in wide chest and i love it... sometime i have to shake the chest when it wont open drawer because tool stuck under latch... oops... but what i do with KRL1203 and KRL1003 as i just act like normal and pull the plastic latch little then drawer come out easy like butter!!!

 

[JeepsAreBuilt]

Well.. I cant decide which I like better now.. the waterloo or the kennedy box.

I think I need to look at other things besides the drawer systems. Waterloo drawers are made out of 18 gauge sheetmetal and kennedy is made out of 16 gauge ? To me, thats a big plus for Kennedy. I also like the casters the Kennedy box has.. "polypropylene tread molded to a polypropylene core" Waterloo just say they have heavy duty 6x2 casters. Could these casters be changed out for a diffrent type if I wanted to ?

Another thing thats has me wondering is the total weight of each cart, because I figure.. the heavier cart, the better built it is. . The waterloo cart is at 295 according to waterloo. The 3900MP is 225lbs according to Kennedy. Thats a 70lb diffrence.. and Kennedy has heavier drawers and bigger ? Perhaps the Waterloo has a better and stronger "cage" or frame structure ?

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

wow , a lot of time and effort
you should buy a box that begins with KR........

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

wow , a lot of time and effort
you should buy a box that begins with KR........

Oooooo, Kracker Jack..............

What is the suprise inside?

 

[eschoendorff]

Oooooo, Kracker Jack..............

What is the suprise inside?

The surprise is the fact taht you are now $6k poorer...

 

[Merkava_4]

Well.. I cant decide which I like better now.. the waterloo or the kennedy box.

I wish all my decisions were that easy.

 

[JimH]

I bought that same Waterloo box about 2 years ago and was a little skeptical about the Griplatch. After it was loaded with a few tools it actually works much better. Just pull on the handle to open and push the drawer to close it, you don't hardly notice it at all.

Now I have the three piece set and I don't roll it around, so I can't help you there, but I love this box.

By the way I bought mine off Craigslist (opened but never used) and if I told you what I paid for it you would probably hate me.

 

[eschoendorff]

I bought that same Waterloo box about 2 years ago and was a little skeptical about the Griplatch. After it was loaded with a few tools it actually works much better. Just pull on the handle to open and push the drawer to close it, you don't hardly notice it at all.

Now I have the three piece set and I don't roll it around, so I can't help you there, but I love this box.

By the way I bought mine off Craigslist (opened but never used) and if I told you what I paid for it you would probably hate me.

Aww, come on... tell us! We won't get mad...

Well, Merkava might...

 

[Flash21]

Is Waterloo Magnum the same box as Craftsman Professional?