Craftsman Toolboxes: Professional vs. Homeowner

[rcsec]

I'm looking at some Craftsman rolls a rounds on Craigslist. Are there distinct differences between the professional and homeowner line of toolboxes? I assume the friction drawer slides were for the homeowner while ball bearing slides were on the professional line. Is the metal any thicker on the professional line?
Thanks,
Ray

 

[zkling]

Yes, for the most part. Heavily dependent on model though.

 

[stage20]

Even ball bearing can be homeowner grade

 

[Toyota mechanic]

The Professional were the top, Grip Latch were the best non-pro boxes. I am quite happy with my Grip Latch box. Happy hunting

 

[n8n]

There is a big difference in the maximum drawer weight between the low and high end boxes. I think the homeowner ones are only 30 lbs/drawer which really isn't sufficient; the higher end ones are 75 lbs or more which is what you want/need for any kind of serious use.

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

 

[thooks]

This past weekend, I finally was able to buy a HF 44" roll-around bottom. I proudly took the 44" Craftsman friction-slide top box out of it's cardboard box for the first time (It's been sitting in storage for 4 years) and put it on top. Proud, I was, that I finally had a "big tool box set".


The Craftsman is absolute garbage compared to the HF. Garbage. I hate it. Pure junk. The sheet metal is thin and flimsy, the slides **** and I have to cut the drawer liners for every drawer. Did I mention I hate it? I am thinking about putting it on CL and trying to get $200 for it....and head straight to HF.

My point....don't waste your time looking on CL for anything Craftsman...vintage "good" stuff or not.

I really hate that I:

1. Bought that piece of **** Craftsman box to begin with...thinking it was a 'good' deal at an outlet, on clearance, about 1/2 price of original. Glad I didn't buy it at a mall store...

2. Let it sit and take up space for 4 years.

 

[oldldh]

The 56" HF roller cabinet is on sale for $ 699.99...through the middle of January...


I've got one and I love it!!!


L to R---HF 44" roller...(Sale price $ 349.99)...HF 56" roller...(Sale price $ 699.99), and the HF 5 drawer tool cart...(Sale price $ 149.99)...You will be happy with any of these...

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

While I will never get rid of my older 26" c-man stack, I love my harbor fright 44" and will probably never buy another c-man again.

If I was going to buy a used tool box I would look for an older pro box like a mac or snap-on that was in good condition for a fair price.

Just my 2 cents

 

[mrvm]

I proudly took the 44" Craftsman friction-slide top box out of it's cardboard box for the first time (It's been sitting in storage for 4 years) and put it on top. Proud, I was, that I finally had a "big tool box set".
The Craftsman is absolute garbage compared to the HF. Garbage. I hate it. Pure junk. The sheet metal is thin and flimsy, the slides **** and I have to cut the drawer liners for every drawer

*Friction-slide from 4 years ago sounds like the lower end CM which is tough to compare to BB slides
*Cutting the ez to cut drawer liners should make the thing move easier on CL
*At least the red color slightly matches

 

[Cato]

Go to the Craftsman website. Their boxes come in Homeowner, Standard, Heavy Duty, Premium Heavy Duty, and Pro, I believe. The higher models are heavier and had better made. However, even the Homeowner's grade is good enough.

 

[indyokie]

I think that "Professional and "industrial" were used ( interchanged) over some years to describe the series units that are 24" deep, which I know were a more heavy duty unit than the traditional series of 18" deep -homeowner / heavy-duty Ball Bearing / Griplatch Ball Bearing. I never saw a huge difference between the metal construction of any of Craftsman 18" deep product - just changes in drawer glides and upgrade to Griplatch.
That said my last 52" Griplatch ( I have 3 ) sure feels lighter all the way around.