cornwell toolbox = bad experience

[fordbroncodave]

dad traded in his 65" cornwell toolbox in 2 years ago and "upgraded" to a 67" toolbox

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTB6712BRG-%2d-67"-Cabinet,-Orange

and all he has is problems with drawer bearing slides. 12 pairs replaced and it needs 2 more pairs but no local cornwell dealer will come and look at it and customer service told him it is neglect and abuse. the drawers sag and warp the slides and results in drawer binding. there is not alot of tools in the box, since most of the standard tools came home (works on metric vehicles).

He does nothing to hurt the toolbox and all it is doing is being a pain in the rear right now.

anyone have a similar experience. even the dealer that sold it to him was slow at ordering slides to take care of the problem. hesitant in a way.

all I can say is my 1987 snap on KR1000 still works like the day it was new and is far more plump full of tools then that cornwell

 

[nicksnothereman]

dad traded in his 65" cornwell toolbox in 2 years ago and "upgraded" to a 67" toolbox

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTB6712BRG-%2d-67"-Cabinet,-Orange

and all he has is problems with drawer bearing slides. 12 pairs replaced and it needs 2 more pairs but no local cornwell dealer will come and look at it and customer service told him it is neglect and abuse. the drawers sag and warp the slides and results in drawer binding. there is not alot of tools in the box, since most of the standard tools came home (works on metric vehicles).

He does nothing to hurt the toolbox and all it is doing is being a pain in the rear right now.

anyone have a similar experience. even the dealer that sold it to him was slow at ordering slides to take care of the problem. hesitant in a way.

all I can say is my 1987 snap on KR1000 still works like the day it was new and is far more plump full of tools then that cornwell

Yeah well...apparently they got their money and they're pretty much done. A lot of companies are like that.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've read complaints before about Cornwell slides. That *****.

Why won't a local dealer come take a look at it?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bet they would change their mind if you made a video of the slide failure and uploaded it to Youtube.

Cornwell tools are a rarity in this area, there's not too many guys that have them, let alone their boxes.

 

[fatfillup]

That *****. Does he by chance work in a body shop. I ask cause body dust will kill slides. I assume his old Cornwell held up just fine and that's why he bought another.

Your old KR1000 is one of the best boxes ever made IMO. I have bought and sold 3 of them and they all worked just fine, all being about 20 years old.

 

[Stuey]

I bet they would change their mind if you made a video of the slide failure and uploaded it to Youtube.

Cornwell tools are a rarity in this area, there's not too many guys that have them, let alone their boxes.

If he does that, I'll be sure to share the story on TG as well.

 

[bobcatdan]

Stories like this is the main reason the only truck box I buy is SO. I have seen guys given the run around for slides a couple times from Mac. Also, SO is alway the easiest to get a hold of, mac, matco and cornwell dealers alway have ended being a flash in the pan before they go belly up in my experince. I have had zero issuse getting any problem resolve quick with any of my boxes threw the years. I was even able to get a lock replaced under warranty on my 1963 kr300.

 

[atfulldraw]

Cornwell, in general, has an attitude that their poop doesn't stink.

But everyone else can smell it.

I'm not impressed.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I like our Cornwell dealer and their tools, but they do seem to hem haw around about warranting their products. Kinda why I only buy tools from Cornwell that I dont use all the time but they are nice to have around.

 

[bobcatdan]

When I had cornwell dealers, I never had an issue getting stuff warranty. Last time I broke a ratchet, I stopped by a park truck and the dealer I did not know gladly repaired for me. It was funny as hell to watch, he must have been new or something, that 1/4" ratchet kicked his *** for a good 20 minutes.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Cornwell is up against the ropes with increasing loss of market share in tools sales.

Harbor Freight is taking their market share......

 

[MG44]

I never have a problem with warranties on my Cornwell tools, but it might help I am 30 minutes from their corporate office

 

[Hyster Gareth]

I'm sorry to hear that. I had an issue with a set of sockets which was never resolved. Since then I sold all the rest of my Cornwell and will not touch there stuff again!

 

[chrisa7164]

I've never been a fan of Cornwell. In the 20 yrs I worked in dealerships we had 2 different dealers over the years. I collect shot glasses and they had a set in their monthly flier. When I asked about them he told me he was a tool dealer not a barroom supply. I told him not to bother coming back to the shop again. If he wasn't interested in making a sale I can only imagine what it would be like trying to warranty something.

 

[sumner52000]

I bought a used Cornwell box in 2006 from my dealer. I'm sure I have it overloaded and never a problem.

 

[MJB24]

I've never been a fan of Cornwell. In the 20 yrs I worked in dealerships we had 2 different dealers over the years. I collect shot glasses and they had a set in their monthly flier. When I asked about them he told me he was a tool dealer not a barroom supply. I told him not to bother coming back to the shop again. If he wasn't interested in making a sale I can only imagine what it would be like trying to warranty something.

I just don't get when people with that kind of attitude decide its a good reason to open there own business. One heavily built around service as well. I hope the free market took care of the guy.

 

[Brownsfan]

I was a big Cornwell fan. Then my dealer went out of business. I almost bought a 67" in black same style as the OP dads. Glad I didn't. I will be buying a 68" epiq or 72" krl. I have a bunch of their tools and really like them and have had no issues. Just can't buy more now that my guy is gone. Next closest guy is 45min away.

 

[Skin]

Stories like this is the main reason the only truck box I buy is SO. I have seen guys given the run around for slides a couple times from Mac. Also, SO is alway the easiest to get a hold of, mac, matco and cornwell dealers alway have ended being a flash in the pan before they go belly up in my experince. I have had zero issuse getting any problem resolve quick with any of my boxes threw the years. I was even able to get a lock replaced under warranty on my 1963 kr300.

They're all a **** shoot when it comes to getting issues resolved. Just depends on how personable your dealer and DM are.

Personally I wouldn't buy an ultra expensive Cornwell cabinet mainly because they don't make them, Waterloo does. This causes problems with replacement components down the road where as the other 3 all manufacture in house so they can support all their products for however long they want to.

 

[bobcatdan]

Cornwell has switch suppliers a couple times. For a long time the boxes were Kennedys. I have seen a few post here where members with Kennedy made boxes got the run around, cornwell says call kennedy, kennedy says call cornwell.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I just don't get when people with that kind of attitude decide its a good reason to open there own business. One heavily built around service as well. I hope the free market took care of the guy.

I suppose its a byproduct of marketing your franchises to people who are not "business types".. Just like not every technician can run their own independent shop...I've seen even the best mechanic I know go out on his own and crash & burn hard...put him back in a dealership shop and he's right back on top..
The way of attracting new franchises when you look at the monthly sale flyers the feeling you get is "Sick of working for da man? Come live it up with us"
Where the reality is self-employed = 18 hour days, 8 days a week...No sick time, no days off, etc..

 

[CWP1616L]

the drawers sag and warp the slides and results in drawer binding.

Why do the drawers sag? Have you looked into the reason behind that?

 

[bobemmerich]

I have never used a cornwell tool, mainly because they're not around in our area. I can sympathize with the OP, but if I were spending that kind of cash on a box, I'd expect EXCELLENT and fast customer service.

 

[devoncoolman]

Waterloo makes cornwell boxes now. They change their supplyers more often then they should. If i wanted a waterloo box i would buy one. Imho buy snap-on. Or matco/mac whatever floats ur boat. Snap-on supports their boxes for a long time.

 

[Farmall450]

I bet they would change their mind if you made a video of the slide failure and uploaded it to Youtube.

Cornwell tools are a rarity in this area, there's not too many guys that have them, let alone their boxes.

This

 

[fordbroncodave]

Why do the drawers sag? Have you looked into the reason behind that?

I am thinking its just because the weight of the drawer to size of slides ratio. with those long and deep drawers the flex is greater due to support loss down the middle.


I guarantee you these drawers are no where near capacity. the side channels are probably bowed.

video will come for sure. I made a video a while back of a snap on dual 80 hot off the truck with a **** pawl. problem was resolved the following week when the dealer stopped in again.

 

[srmofo]

I've got 3 Cornwell boxes. Never a single issue with them. All the drawers are heavily loaded. If I'm not mistaken doesn't a similar SO box cost nearly twice as much?

 

[sloppy]

I've got 3 Cornwell boxes. Never a single issue with them. All the drawers are heavily loaded. If I'm not mistaken doesn't a similar SO box cost nearly twice as much?

Pretty sure half a SO box cost twice as much.

I have 2 cornwell box's and I have no issue's either and the one is very overloaded..

 

[fordbroncodave]

pictures of drawer contents (even less tools now, a few more came home and went in my KR1000 since they do not ever get used)

 

[fordbroncodave]

more pictures

 

[fordbroncodave]

more pictures and another pile of drawer slides

box under the front of the toolbox is all drawer slides and the box on the right on the floor is more slides

 

[CWP1616L]

So, are you replacing all the slides?

 

[fordbroncodave]

So, are you replacing all the slides?

they have all been replaced and the same problem with the first slides is occurring again. you can pull the drawer out and it will stop 3/4 of the way out and then you need to tug on it to open it all the way. also the drawer latches are rubbing on top of each other and its starting to wear the paint thin on the drawer handles.

 

[Cornwelltoolman]

sorry to hear you are having problems with you dads tool box the 67 is a great tool box I have sold quite a few over the years with few if any problems

I have a couple questions for you

1 After you pull the drawer all the way out close it and open it does it open all the way the second time

2 have the drawers been adjusted since the slides were replaced