Debating toolboxes. Help me.

[nathank]

I need a new, nicer toolbox. I currently have a small Craftsman box.

I'm debating the Harbor Freight top and bottom US General box at this point since both can be had for around $600.

Does anyone sell the CSPS stainless boxes anymore? My local Sam's doesn't carry them anymore.

 

[Flathead Red]

I was in desperate need of a new toolbox this past XMas and got a super deal on a 52" top and bottom CMan griplatch for $700 normally $1400. If you don't need it right now, wait for them to go on sale. If you need it now, I would go to Craigslist first. There are always boxes for sale and you can haggle. Plus you can sell your old box off after you get your new one. Never underestimate used.

Red

 

[nathank]

You're right. There was a snap-on heritage for 1k on CL the other day, but I didn't get to it in time.

 

[Indy_500]

Hf boxes are kick ****!

 

[onewaydave]

Menards sels Masterforce, or something like that that I am very pleased with.

 

[KEH]

NAPA sells a box-top chest combo for about the same price as the HF and it is a nicer box. It's also made in China.

KEH

 

[cheap bastard]

For an inexpensive box, the Masterforce units are hard to beat. They are built of fairly heavy gauge steel, the slides work well and the finish looks good. The drawers are deep in the ones Iv'e seen at the local Menards. I don't know the COO. Stack-on makes a decent box for a fair price if you care about American job retention. The best deals though, are on CL or some other calssifieds. I have seen some cheap truck brand boxes latley on CL. I picked up a 26" wide 70s era Mac top box for $120 just a few months ago. I passed on a $200 bottom that matched as there is no need for it in my shop.

 

[chopper1]

Lowes sells a stainless Kobalt box. I got mine about a month ago. Last I saw [last week] they were on sale for just over $900 for both pieces.

 

[Ryland]

I was looking in HF today at the 11 drawer black combo set and the quality seemed fairly crappy. The drawer guides were flimsy and the drawers didn't seem to close correctly. How are the HD and Lowes ones (or Craftsman for that matter)?

 

[chopper1]

How are the HD and Lowes ones (or Craftsman for that matter)?

I like the Kobalt, but can only compare it to the old Craftsmas triple I have. It is well built, heavy and the drawers are very smooth and are pretty sturdy. The only thing I'm not crazy about is that the drawers are self closing.

 

[rechromed2]

I just purchased the Montesuma 41" from Shannon at Strictly Tool Boxes that I found out about through this website. I am not an online order kinda guy but I am glad I did. Been super busy lately but I am going to write a review as the one that NissanCrawler wrote talked me into buying mine, so I figured I'd return the favor to others. If you are looking at spending 1k on a Kobalt or something else in that price range, definitely look at the Montezuma and Extreme tool boxes. I was going to be super excited and spend my money on a Craftsman, but I am glad I didn't. This box is sweet. Heavy duty and much more sturdy drawers than anything else I have seen in its price range.
Mason

 

[Jack Olsen]

I was looking in HF today at the 11 drawer black combo set and the quality seemed fairly crappy. The drawer guides were flimsy and the drawers didn't seem to close correctly. How are the HD and Lowes ones (or Craftsman for that matter)?

HF has two lines of boxes. One has a black crinkle finish and is exactly the kind of cheap nonsense you might expect from a discount Chinese tool importer. The other is 'US General' branded, with a red or black smooth finish, and is much better. The US General units aren't as good as Snap-On or Mac, but are better than most of what Craftsman is selling now.

 

[Kevin54]

Menards sels Masterforce, or something like that that I am very pleased with.

Ditto on the MasterForce boxes. I have the 46" top and bottom, then bought another bottom and a side box to go with it. Green might not be everyones favorite color (certainly not mine) but the box is well built and Menards has sales on them on a pretty regular basis. I think I had right at $600 for my top and bottom. Something like $373 for the bottom and $245 for the top. Not quite positive on the price though

 

[sammerdog]

fwiw -

Was in Costco yesterday grabbing a vacuum for the Mrs for Mother's Day.

They had a red 56" CSPS box that they were setting up to put on display. Wood butcher-block top, plastic grip latches, approx 40" of drawer on the left, 12" or so on the right. No matching top box on display. Only 18" deep, looked awkward. Ball bearing slides felt decent. $470.

Steel felt about like a entry level Cman, and a bit lighter than the red HF 42 incher. Quite a bit lighter than the Menard's Master Force like Kevin54 has (those are a great box for the buck)

 

[torqueman2002]

My vote is for CL.
I picked up mint condition upper, middle, lower, side, and tray for $900 -- Models KR537, KR547, KR557, KR274A and ??

 

[Eldogg]

I have a Snap-On KRL1001 and I love it, but I really want a couple of the Harbor Freight boxes too. Buy what you can afford. The tools in the box are what make money, the box doesn't.

 

[Indy_500]

I have a Snap-On KRL1001 and I love it, but I really want a couple of the Harbor Freight boxes too. Buy what you can afford. The tools in the box are what make money, the box doesn't.

x50000000!

 

[Fudge0514]

I think the red US General boxes from Harbor Freight are the best out there, for the money. I had been eyeing these things since February or so, and just picked one up yesterday. If I had known about these boxes back in December, I would have bought one instead of the Cman 14 drawer ball bearing that cost me $499.

The normal price of the US General box is $599 for the bottom piece, and its currently on sale for $399. They mark them down as low as $339, so if you are patient, wait it out. They have a parking lot sale coming up in a few weeks. Plus, combine that with one of their 20% off coupons and you can get yourself a steal of a deal!!

Of course, there are some really good deals on craigslist, if you can find them in time.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you already have a box now that you've outgrown, make sure you buy a decent size one next time. Don't buy something you can't afford though, but maybe one that you can grow into, or add on to.