Did I get a counterfeit or fake Snap On tool box?

[Kid B]

picked this up on facebook marketplace used yesterday. The ad said it was snap on and it looks like it is. I figured I would get it home, clean it up, and use it in the garage under my work bench. However, when I got it home next to my other SO tool box, I noticed how thin the steel gauge is on this box. And when I mounted the work bench top on it, it started to lean a little to one side. In fact, the bottom drawer sticks a little when you open it.

I noticed the gauge of steel is pretty thin compared to my other box, the steel is super wavy around the edges, and there are bolts or fasteners on the outside of the box whereas my current box has none.

I'm thinking that either SO makes a line of boxes with thin steel, or this is a knock off. No tags or stickers to prove either way. What do you guys think?

 

[Kid B]

I got it for $100, by the way.

 

[mike93lx]

That's in rough shape. Wouldn't have gotten a c note out of my wallet, sorry

 

[CN Spots]

I don't think they EVER bolted any of their boxes/cabinets together. Every one I've ever seen was welded.

Here's a similar Snap-on:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-tools-USA-6-Drawer-Toolbox-Rollaway-with-KEY-KRA-307D-/264457332784

 

[Showkey]

Those counterfeiters really went the extra mile with the patina and aging.

 

[Bent Handle]

Doesn’t look like a Snap On box to me. They stamp the model and date on the back of their boxes.

 

[XJSuperman]

Im no expert, but that doesn't look like SnapOn to me. Pretty close to my cheapo Craftsman actually. Im guessing it could be anything, but if it really was snapon, there should be a sticker or a stamping somewhere. Check the drawers and the back.

 

[T VETTE]

Actually looks like it could be very old snap on to me. Likely the screws or bolts were put in because the welds and joints got week. Don't think they had any kind of marking stickers on rear back then. Not bad for $100, better than $2000 for an old box to put under a bench!

 

[Lassen Forge]

It does look like a red over red (or painted) C'man box, I run a 70's c'man 26" stack as my shop cart, and it takes abuse pretty well without warping. Even the casters look like c'man...

Look for the stamped serial number on the back. If it's not there, then look for the date code (c'man) on the (iirc) right riser in front...

My opinion... It's either really, really, really old or it's really, really really not an SO box.

 

[Kid B]

I think it's red. Aren't Snap-on boxes red?

Is it a $100 toolbox to you, as is, without any brand? That should be the decision point, not whether it is Snap-on.

For context, in my search for the perfect toolbox for my garage, I have come across some smoking deals on boxes, carts, and cabinets that haven't been exactly what I'm looking for. I'll try them out, and when I realize they're not what I'm looking for, I'll sell them (for a reasonable price) and profit anywhere from $100-$300. The more I do this, the more the Facebook Marketplace, Offer Up, and Let Go algorithms put these items in my feed. Plus, it's fun.

So when this popped up saying "Snap On toolbox, $100," I thought I'll clean it, use it, and/or sell it for $300-$400. I sent the money via Venmo right away based on one pic because I know a beat up Snap On is still a really useful box and I didn't want the good deal to slip away. However, when I got it home I started noticing the differences between this box and the real deal.

I'm not mad about it. When you pay people in advance you risk being ripped off, but I have found some GREAT deals this way.

Just wanted to get you guys' expertise before I let the guy know that it wasn't a Snap On that he sold me. Who knows, maybe I'll get a refund.

 

[Mikes82GT]

I think what matters is, does it do what you want it to do?
If you're hung up on the brand then your best bet would be to keep searching.

 

[Kid B]

I think what matters is, does it do what you want it to do?
If you're hung up on the brand then your best bet would be to keep searching.

That is the question. I don't care about the brand. The brand is only important to me because I know that SO makes quality products I can potentially pass down to my kids. I'm just looking for quality.

When I set it up under the bench and saw how warped it was under the weight of two 2x12s (and no tools!), I realized it's not going to work for me. So I'm back to the drawing board.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Perhaps this will help-

https://itstillruns.com/identify-snapon-tool-boxes-7784113.html

 

[MrSurly]

You just took his word that it was a Snap On brand box. You could've at least asked for some proof. It isn't counterfeit, it isn't fake. It was simply misrepresented as a Snap On and you BIT. You were suckered. You lost this round. Move on.

 

[driftpin]

The random distribution of the phillips screws in the corners, the light-duty-appearing wheels, the wavy sheetmetal, it doesn't look like anything Snap-On to me. I'm no Snappy Expert, but I wouldn't have given $50 for it, but that's just-me. I like my stuff to be in better shape to begin-with, but I'm not-really in the market for anything except something to flip. Those lightweight casters look suspiciously-new to me, I suspect someone used their 20%-off HFT coupon on those, to get the beat-up box movable, into someone else's inventory.

 

[greg13]

I seem to remember a STACK on brand that looked close.
No way that is a snap-on. May still be worth $100 cleaned up.

 

[Wrench97]

The drawers look like a early/mid 60's box but lock does not.

 

[Robbie B]

Doesn’t look like a snap on to me either. And I know they’re replaceable but that’s the wrong lock for that old of a box.

 

[Earp69]

There's a sucker born every day

 

[nadogail]

Caveat emptor

 

[toolchaser]

I don`t think the corner fasteners are original since 1 lower corner has 1 screw & the other has 2. Kinda looks like an older M.B.C. maybe?

 

[driftpin]

I think I'd spend $100 on this brand-new 26-1/2" Craftsman ball-bearing storage system instead of that battered Whatzit?

https://slickdeals.net/f/14100896-c...bearing-tool-center-100-for-ace-reward-member

Proudly made in the USA! Sedalia MO

Made in the USA with global materials
30 lb. ball-bearing slides
Tumbler lock with reversible over-molded keys
External lock bars for additional security
Cover support holds chest lid in open position
9,916 cubic inches of storage
Four 2 in. casters support up to 500 lb. loads
Bulk storage area
Non-slip weave top mat
Craftsman decal included

 

[Kid B]

Update: The seller is going to let me return it for a refund. However, he still insists it's a Snap-On. I'm still pretty new in my tool collection but won't get fooled again.

 

[58Yeoman]

Good for you, and good on him for letting you return it.

 

[Kevin54]

Looks like a beat up Husky box to me. You should have shown what the slides were like. Anyways....glad you got your money back.

As for the ones saying "well it's a $100 toolbox". I bet if anyone of you were to buy it as a SNAP-ON and it wasn't you'd all be pitching a *****.

 

[Bretny]

I think what matters is, does it do what you want it to do?
If you're hung up on the brand then your best bet would be to keep searching.

Bingo!

Does it hold tools? Do the drawers work? Wheels roll? It's a tool so use it as such.

If it was a Cman would you snub your nose and only offer $25?

 

[mrpizza]

But, you don't hit any home runs if you don't ever swing. You just strike out without even trying.

Actually, sometimes you get walked and take first base.

 

[Pziddy29]

Doesnt look like a snap on box. I think all their stuff is 16 gauge steel on the drawers and 14 gauge steel on the frame. Looks like some one misrepresented the box to you. Looks either really old or beat up for for $100 I guess its not a bad deal. Depending on what it actually is. Snap on stamps all their cabinets on the back. Check for any markings.

 

[budget76]

Genuine question for those on here that tend to buy and use the old toolboxes, why? Mainly thinking the drawer performance. Are the 20+ year old slides on a high end box really still that good compared to what you can buy similarly priced with bearing slides?

I have no basis except some older Husky and Craftsman boxes with slides and I could never go back from my 46" HF combo. The drawer slides on the older boxes drove me nuts.

 

[PelicanPines]

Make up a story about getting an ultra rare Snap on prototype toolbox for 100bucks... then return it.

I would have bought it, cleaned it and put tools in it.

 

[Wrench97]

Genuine question for those on here that tend to buy and use the old toolboxes, why? Mainly thinking the drawer performance. Are the 20+ year old slides on a high end box really still that good compared to what you can buy similarly priced with bearing slides?

I have no basis except some older Husky and Craftsman boxes with slides and I could never go back from my 46" HF combo. The drawer slides on the older boxes drove me nuts.

I've traded old Snap On boxes because the drawer slides/drawers were worn out.........................

 

[Ralf11]

you said "counterfeit" and "facebook marketplace" in the same post

 

[Kid B]

Make up a story about getting an ultra rare Snap on prototype toolbox for 100bucks... then return it.

I would have bought it, cleaned it and put tools in it.

I tried to make it work, but when I got it home and put my bench top on it (two short 12x2s), the box leaned so hard the bottom draw was stuck shut. Didn't even get a single tool into it. I would hate to see what it would do under the weight of my tools.

Took it back today and learned a good lesson.

 

[Kid B]

But, you don't hit any home runs if you don't ever swing. You just strike out without even trying.

I understand what the OP did, and why, and he probably comes out ahead most of the time. And, breaks even or loses a little on times like this, and learns something for a pretty cheap price.

It's still a toolbox, and the "bigger idiot principle" will probably save him. That is: If you're somewhat smart, and make a mistake buying something, if you put it back out for sale at what you paid for it, a bigger idiot will probably come along and bail you out.

You're right that it's totally on me. I'm willing to accept that when I operate this way, I'm going to strike out sometimes. But over all I've come out waaaay ahead. In the last 2 weeks I've flipped:

2 $15 Craftsman tool chests for $60 each
a $10 no name tool cabinet for $80
a $50 craftsman cabinet and top for $250
a $150 craftsman cab, top, and tools for $500
a $380 Mac Tools Macsimiser cart for $600

My goal is to find the ideal set up for my garage, but if I find a good deal along the way, I'll jump on it before someone else does. Sometimes that means committing to paying for it before you see it. I'll vet the facebook profile to see if they seem honest. By doing this, I found a SO heritage series KRA4107 for $300 that I'm keeping. Just need a smaller roll cart, and a top for the KRA and I'll be set.

Would I do it again, probably so. But maybe just a little more cautiously.

 

[SloMango]

I don’t get the hype of snap on and I have a 10k dollar box from them I got on a really good trade deal on.....I have maybe $3500 in it and still don’t think it’s worth that.

 

[Kid B]

Update: I went and picked up a Snap-On KRA 59C and a KRA 380. Night and day difference between the one I originally posted about. Just ordered new slides for both (bottom drawer slides are no longer available) and I'll have them filled with tools in no time. Will post a pic when I get back home.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

....I can potentially pass down to my kids...

Just like almost everyone here, your kids/heirs will have a lot of things to throw away when you pass...

 

[brihvac]

That is a old Stack On toobox. No doubt. Look up pictures on the net. It is identical

 

[Greenlawnracing]

You're right that it's totally on me. I'm willing to accept that when I operate this way, I'm going to strike out sometimes. But over all I've come out waaaay ahead. In the last 2 weeks I've flipped:

2 $15 Craftsman tool chests for $60 each
a $10 no name tool cabinet for $80
a $50 craftsman cabinet and top for $250
a $150 craftsman cab, top, and tools for $500
a $380 Mac Tools Macsimiser cart for $600

My goal is to find the ideal set up for my garage, but if I find a good deal along the way, I'll jump on it before someone else does. Sometimes that means committing to paying for it before you see it. I'll vet the facebook profile to see if they seem honest. By doing this, I found a SO heritage series KRA4107 for $300 that I'm keeping. Just need a smaller roll cart, and a top for the KRA and I'll be set.

Would I do it again, probably so. But maybe just a little more cautiously.

Hot damn you’ve done well. Educate us!

 

[Kid B]

Just like almost everyone here, your kids/heirs will have a lot of things to throw away when you pass...

Indeed!!