How hard is it to push around a 53" or 40" toolbox?

[s2kenny]

I'm buying myself a larger toolbox soon and one of my concerns was mobility. I have to be able to push the entire box around the shop (decently smooth epoxy covered concrete, no grade or angle). In one day I probably move my tool cart across a the shop 5 times, it's maybe 50-100 feet each way.

How hard is it to push a decently loaded tool box around?

I'm debating between a Snap-on KRA2411PC which is 53x24 and a Snap-on KRA4813DPC which is 40x19 long. I'd guess maybe 600-700 pounds after my tools are loaded up. I can deal with the smaller box if the bigger one is too hefty to move.

I remember seeing a gentlemen nearly rip the handle off his snap-on box trying to yank it around.


Thanks

 

[chadster1]

You shouldnt have a problem moving either one of them around. The handles are mounted securely in the side of the box so I doubt that you will have any problems.

 

[RLYoung]

If you're looking at the KRA4813DPC check this out:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=23865&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog


I have one, and I absolutely enjoy it. Rolls very smooth. Cheaper than a comparable heritage series to boot and I'm pretty sure their construction is very similar. Unless you must have the 13-drawer setup I think the KRSC46 is an outstanding deal.

 

[PT Doc]

Depends on how much wright you have in it but large casters will made going over bumps a bit easier. I wouldn't want to regularly move a loaded box of that size. If you do then get a cart.

 

[larry_g]

I had to do a lot of moving of my cart when I worked. I got some high end roller bearing urethane tired steel wheels. It rolled very easy. The secret is in the wheels and tires.

Something like this http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRI...d=16558Pstoreid=1040626Ppagenumber=3274Pmode=

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Altec]

Time for a B&S 5HP, and a simple steering setup!

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I really can't move mine around

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

A box that size will be pretty easy to move, especially if it's under 1k pounds loaded.

The most important thing is having enough free floorspace to easily manuver the box.

 

[s2kenny]

You shouldnt have a problem moving either one of them around. The handles are mounted securely in the side of the box so I doubt that you will have any problems.

Great, do you have any insight about the difference between the Master, Heritage, and Classic series? Besides the depth, I'm curious if there is a difference in quality.

If you're looking at the KRA4813DPC check this out:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=23865&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog


I have one, and I absolutely enjoy it. Rolls very smooth. Cheaper than a comparable heritage series to boot and I'm pretty sure their construction is very similar. Unless you must have the 13-drawer setup I think the KRSC46 is an outstanding deal.

I was taking a look at one of those also, the only thing I don't like as much is that I would prefer a non-opening top since I like a flat workspace to use on top of the cart.

 

[scotte]

buy a used upper level box krl,macsimizer,etc

with spring loaded casters!

i had a brand new classic 96 and it was harder to push empty than the 10 year old macsimizer was fully loaded

(not trying to be mac>snapon just spring casters>regular casters)

 

[s2kenny]

I would like to buy a krl, but the only reason I specified those 2 boxes is because I am in the student program with snapon. The 53" I get for $2100, and they throw in a $400 gift card. The 40" is only $1200

 

[Farmrod]

buy a KRL they roll so much easier than a KRA

 

[jjjrmx5]

If you're not in ultra-tight quarters, a 40" with no top box can be moved around a production floor easily all day long and the top is big enough to be used as a work surface.

Any of our floor guys that have a box over 40" basically uses them as a main box and storage and uses a lift lid or open top service for rolling around from vehicle to vehicle or task to task. Problem with that in a small area is that's 2x the box count and floor footprint usage and things can get crowded.

Portability vs. storage room is always as odds with with each other, so buy what best fits your needs and rules at your place of employment or fits within your structure if at home.

 

[canuckian]

I agree with the people above that mentioned spring loaded casters. I love my KRL722 but the rigid casters even make it a pain in the *** to move around in my little 24x24 shop. Even the smallest pieces of dirt on the floor make the box vibrate like crazy when moving it around. That, and if the floor has a little dip or imperfection, the box won't sit level or stay still as only 3 wheels will have full contact to the floor. I tried pulling a fully loaded KRL with Iso-Ride casters across a buddy's garage to compare. Both mine and his box are comparatively loaded and the difference was night and day. so, if you can get one with those casters, get it. you won't regret it.

 

[s2kenny]

I might have to just upgrade the casters sometime down the line.

There's plenty of floor space in the shop, it's a big aircraft hanger so maneuvering won't be a problem, this box would probably be my main storage unit also, I like to have as much as possible close to me to make my work faster/more efficient.

 

[WVBrady]

The only thing I would add is that I would either lock the drawers or strap them shut before I moved it. My box upset on me when the drawers started coming open.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Its all in the casters. Will roll easy with the right ones, impossible with the wrong ones.

My box at work weighs over 1100 lbs (it was 1098 when I weighed it on the loading dock scale and I've added a 3/4 drive set and some other stuff since then) It rolls wonderfully with the aluminum wheels with a fairly hard polyurethane surface on them. With the softer wheels I had previously, I really hated to push the box any distance at all, it was a struggle.

Charles

 

[usdemt]

I actually load and unload my 41 inch Homak box into a trailer quite frequently. Its a drop deck enclosed trailer and its a pain by myself, but doable, and easy with another hand.

 

[diesel research]

I was taking a look at one of those also, the only thing I don't like as much is that I would prefer a non-opening top since I like a flat workspace to use on top of the cart.

Making this harder than it needs to be.

No one said you can't have all 3 especially considering you have copious floor space.

Keep the main box somewhat stationary. You will find you end up with a bunch of bulk/specialty items you don't need on a regular basis anyways. No need to make extra trouble on yourself and wear and tear on nice first box with excess "miles" (could be literal)

Get you a drawered service cart for your typical hand/air tools, maybe even a prybar box hanging off the end, or a folding little table if you want. Still need more place to set parts and tools? Put em on top of that other cart. I'd rather roll both of them as opposed to one longer wheel based unit.

You are going to keep your "expensive" box looking/working a lot nicer/a lot longer by minimizing it's use.

 

[csmitty]

I would def. go with the classic you listed. Granted it won't be as easy to push around as the heritage. But I would get as much box as you can while you get a good deal. Maybe get a service cart later as you get better at knowing what you need. Can you get a discount on KRL's?

 

[4x4gearhead]

My personal preference is that my main rollcab doesnt move but maybe once a year (to clean all the **** that falls behind it) and a service cart can be used for all of your simple every day hand tools, youll find that sometimes, moving your toolbox around all the time is the worst thing for it.

 

[TheGrooveking]

+1, I agree with having a cart, when trying to roll something 1,000 pounds can be physically straining. We have some large carts at work that we roll 2,800 pound loads on, and each of those have 10" hard casters on them and you can push them with one hand, once they are rolling. The other issue is stopping a load that size...I personally hate having to walk for tools and believe everything should be in the box I have with me, that MAC tool box that an engineer designed and built a radio control steering / drive / braking system for was the cat's *** IMO.

TheGrooveking