Craftsman S2000 Series Rolling Tool Box

[Burn1]

Looking for secondary small rolling box and checked Home Depot's Husky brand & several floor models were damaged(paint issues, dents, or frame bending where it clearly it was dropped). Not one or two, but several had one issue or another. Get they are a couple hundred bucks, but people buy them with issues from the get go? No tool box scratch and dent specials going on at my local store.

Went to Lowes for a few project supplies running across the Craftsman S2000 series 26” wide rolling box.
Their 26” wide on display looks dropped as one corner/ outer frame has started to buckle. Have seen this several different units on both the Husky’s and Craftsman in the box store models.

Question:
Is there something between these thin gauge entry level Husky/Craftsman boxes and Snap-On entry level Heritage series?

Own a vintage MBC roller w/tambour roll up door as primary serving me very well over the years and rock solid.
Don’t mind dropping good money on a a pro model as a primary tool box, but short term looking for a new secondary box for tools not being used very often.

 

[Etchase]

Floor models get beat. My craftsmen box was packed very well and had silicon like spacers at all potential rub spots around the lid. Got it out of the box defect free. The draws are less than 23” wide by less than 17” deep, so the 100 pound slides are generally adequate. I’m happy with mine 2 years in. They have a premium version with 2000 pound casters instead of 1500, and 6 inches instead of 5. Probably smart if you’re moving it a lot.

 

[mike93lx]

I'd take a look at harbor freight's 26" chest before considering a craftsman or husky

 

[Toold_up]

Floor models get beat. My craftsmen box was packed very well and had silicon like spacers at all potential rub spots around the lid. Got it out of the box defect free. The draws are less than 23” wide by less than 17” deep, so the 100 pound slides are generally adequate. I’m happy with mine 2 years in. They have a premium version with 2000 pound casters instead of 1500, and 6 inches instead of 5. Probably smart if you’re moving it a lot.

^ I have the 2000 lb casters on my S2000 box and it's okay. You could add better casters and be happier.

The drawers are all fine. I probably need to spray some lube on the slides but they still soft close when I give em a shove. I haven't over loaded it, so it works just fine for it's intended use... Actually I may have overloaded the deep drawers. I have a few boxes in there that probably weigh over 100 lbs.

I'll snap a picture of my stack when I get out to the garage next and post it here.

 

[m6z]

US General, Homak RS Pro/Carlyle and the Craftsman 3000 are all better built boxes than the 2000 series.

The US General full bank cart is worth a look too. Lot of space for $500-600.

 

[Toold_up]

 

[Toold_up]

More pictures

 

[Toold_up]

I have about $500 in that stack. There was a sale at Lowes where you got the chest and cabinet for $300. Military discount + box damaged in shipping I got both for ~$275. I got the middle box from Menards for $200.

 

[Etchase]

10 year warranty on the Craftsman, always in stock, and the US employees at the Waterloo factory in Missouri that’s been making tool boxes forever will thank you. Not sure what would make HF or Homak better. Craftsman has put more effort into packaging than others, especially the US general offerings.

 

[mike93lx]

10 year warranty on the Craftsman, always in stock, and the US employees at the Waterloo factory in Missouri that’s been making tool boxes forever will thank you. Not sure what would make HF or Homak better. Craftsman has put more effort into packaging than others, especially the US general offerings.

Those things are good, for sure, but don't make the box better. If they are more important to you and you like the box, absolutely go for it. No one is saying you can't

 

[Etchase]

Those things are good, for sure, but don't make the box better. If they are more important to you and you like the box, absolutely go for it. No one is saying you can't

The US general may be the same gauge, but it is sometimes reported as 19 gauge over 18 gauge. Also the HF working load is specified at 1000lbs, vs the minimum of 1500lbs. The HF is deeper which is good if you have the room. If depth is important that would sway the decision.

 

[teagueo]

These sets look awesome, almost like an aircraft mechanic set with the shadow board foam. Really cool design on those ratchets too.

@Toold_up 's pic

 

[Toold_up]

These sets look awesome, almost like an aircraft mechanic set with the shadow board foam. Really cool design on those ratchets too.

@Toold_up 's pic

Armstrong Eliminator also the Matco Special Forces. These remind me of the anvil on your ratchet.

 

[1982fxr]

Depending on your area, could look for used tool truck carts. Full bank or not.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Nobody leaves depot or bLowes with floor models they should fetch one in a sealed box.

I bought a 5 drawer roller in December 2020 and it's been fine. Zero complaints. Same as pictured above with the deep drawer... walmart plastic ammo boxes fit perfect in there.

Not a pro mechanic but I'm in there nearly everyday for something.. I specifically wanted it vs the US gen because of the deeper drawers. Less $$ and USA didn't hurt either.

Guys on this forum talk all the time about used snappy boxes for $500... not where I live. And when I went to Napa & asked about Homek they looked at me like I tried to order a cheeseburger.

 

[Toold_up]

Nobody leaves depot or bLowes with floor models they should fetch one in a sealed box.

I ordered mine online and had it shipped to the local store. They didn't have what I wanted in store.

When they wheeled out the cardboard box I immediately saw it was damaged. They offered a discount before I even opened the box.

We found some scratches and if I remember correctly a dent. Nothing that compromised the function of the toolbox. They disposed of all the cardboard and styrofoam and I left happy.

 

[Skellyii]

I bought the 52" Craftsman stack back in January from the local Lowes on clearance. The department manager was able to price match a lower price from another store. He had assembled it himself, no dents, no scratches, and the drawer slides were properly lubed. He even helped me load it in my pickup truck.

I also ordered a middle box for my Craftsman 26" stack (mid 1980s build) last month. It was very well packaged.

 

[MarvinBerry]

My cab was in stock at the local bLowes. Only drama was finding someone who was authorized to drive the freight lift & willing to pluck it from the heavens... then finding a lift that worked...

But the box they pulled down showed no damage, I loaded up myself dragged it home & cut away the cardboard to reveal one immaculate 5 drawer roll cab. Bolt casters load tools get to work!

Nearly the same process at Depot last year when mom Berry bought a cart... saw the floor model & that store couldn't find one. Went home & ordered for store pickup, hauled back a sealed crate.

 

[DanO.]

Looking for secondary small rolling box and checked Home Depot's Husky brand & several floor models were damaged(paint issues, dents, or frame bending where it clearly it was dropped). Not one or two, but several had one issue or another. Get they are a couple hundred bucks, but people buy them with issues from the get go? No tool box scratch and dent specials going on at my local store.

Went to Lowes for a few project supplies running across the Craftsman S2000 series 26” wide rolling box.
Their 26” wide on display looks dropped as one corner/ outer frame has started to buckle. Have seen this several different units on both the Husky’s and Craftsman in the box store models.

Question:
Is there something between these thin gauge entry level Husky/Craftsman boxes and Snap-On entry level Heritage series?

Own a vintage MBC roller w/tambour roll up door as primary serving me very well over the years and rock solid.
Don’t mind dropping good money on a a pro model as a primary tool box, but short term looking for a new secondary box for tools not being used very often.

I honestly don’t know how to
post here. Just registered today.

Any help would be appreciated.

Has anyone scrapped a box or something that would have this logo I could buy?
I wiped over it by accident with a rag that had a harsh chemical on, and it took off the white paint on the lettering.

My wife is not happy with me. It was from a family member.

It took the white coloring right off.

 

[Burn1]

Go get some enamel testers white paint at hobby store or use enamel spray paint into a cup(away from anything you don’t want overspray getting on).
Use a small paint (foam brush) the cheap throw away ones at box store and dab the paint on top of your logo logo. Don’t get stupid and try to saturate the paint and have it drip down or all over your logo. Lightly dab with foam applicator the white paint on the top surface. Don’t try to get it perfect the first application. Maybe wait a few days for the first coat to cure(read the paint for dry time) and apply a second coat to build up the paint and evenness.
You want to sneak up on coverage.
Don’t get aggressive and lather on the paint or it will look worse.

 

[finn]

I bought a damaged “yellow tag” Craftsman lower box at Lowe’s for the Az. garage for something less than half price. $125 or less, from memory.

The damage is on the back, and doesn’t affect functionality.

Likewise, I have a Kobalt and a Husky open box floor display lower in Mi, and still have the Craftsman hand box I bought “as is” from Sears in Oakbrook Il for $20 in 1974, when I was right out of college. It was the second thing we bought with my first paycheck, right after the scratch and dent Kenmore refrigerator from the Glen Ellyn Sears store.

 

[CGarage]

The “new” made in USA with global components Craftsman boxes are inferior to the older Kobalt boxes made by Waterloo that Lowe’s used to carry in the US. I can’t believe how flimsy the new Craftsman boxes feel. I think US General is built better, too.

My .02 cents.

 

[Jerseyfirefighter]

i picked up a used snap on lower box from a pawn shop for cheaper than a new craftsman box