i need tool box buying help!

[shift_slide242]

so, this being my first post and all. I've learned tons from you guys and this is why i come for advice. I got a job at an international shop/dealer in there body shop. I've accumulated a decent set of snap-on tools and always wanted a box to match, problem is my budget is around 1500 and i don't want to have to buy another box for a couple years if i can help it. I've been looking at the us general box at harbor freight. I know i know, horror putting my truck tools in a discount box but its in the right price for features category. So long story short, what can the wise crowd tell me? I need your assistance!

 

[RobertMo1988]

try to find like a kr1000 or something its big, not sure if you are looking for something that big, but its 29" deep and like 4 ft + in length, i see them on craigslist all day for around 1200-1500, and it has ball bearing slides

 

[Wes28376]

I'm not a professional but use my tools a lot. I have the US General 41" tool chest and it is good quality. I have no problem putting my Snap On tools in the US General box.

 

[boostedgt]

buy the us general, take the horrible emblems off

 

[shift_slide242]

i already have the us general 4 drawer service cart and its not bad. i was hoping to find something deeper. though i know my budget is small and my aspirations are high

 

[diesel research]

Snap on KRSC46 or Matco JSC750

 

[binkcat16]

i would hunt craigslist for a used snapon box

 

[tbobbo]

Hey now, there is no shame in having good tools in a cheaper box! A toolbox is like a garage...........it's never big enough and someone will always have a nicer one. Buy what you can afford, don't go into debt and be tool poor. Enough people have had the us general boxes to know they are good enough to get you by.

 

[1983Camperspecial]

don't waste your time and money on a snap on box, for your budget you could buy 2 Big HF ones and not have to worry about en not being deep enough.

 

[diesel research]

Not enough wide drawers for a lot of diesel tools.....

Homak Pro has some new stuff you may be interested in

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've been looking at the us general box at harbor freight. I know i know, horror putting my truck tools in a discount box but its in the right price for features category. So long story short, what can the wise crowd tell me? I need your assistance!

The search feature

 

[greasemonkey44]

personally i didnt like the 13 drawer 42" red box everyone on here loves
its got a **** finish and imo the drawers dont go deep enough; its plenty sturdy just all wrong for what i want
i bought a used matco 4s for 1500$; havent filled up much at all and its huge and perfect

 

[ibedayank]

better to have $10,000 worth of tools in a $1000 box then have $1000 worth of tools in a $10,000 box....
Box does not make you money the tools in it do

 

[Jagmandave]

Less than $1K at your local Costco or Sam's club - I have one and love it! All Stainless construction, great drawer slides, heavy construction and well made.

Here's a pic of mine to give you an idea of scale.....

 

[wannab20hatch]

so, this being my first post and all. I've learned tons from you guys and this is why i come for advice. I got a job at an international shop/dealer in there body shop. I've accumulated a decent set of snap-on tools and always wanted a box to match, problem is my budget is around 1500 and i don't want to have to buy another box for a couple years if i can help it. I've been looking at the us general box at harbor freight. I know i know, horror putting my truck tools in a discount box but its in the right price for features category. So long story short, what can the wise crowd tell me? I need your assistance!

First of congrats on the job. Secondly i work in a body shop myself and i have a nice new shiny snap on dust collector. Myself and practically every other guy there work out of our roll carts most of the time. My tool box does nothing except organize flag sheets/estimates and larger tools i dont use very often. I say search c/l or even let your SO dealer know you have cash to spend and see if he has any trade ins for a decent price.

 

[tbobbo]

I like the idea of waiting for the good used deal to pop up, but i was in great need of a box quick. I live in a boom area, we dont have broke mechanics in need of money. The only used stuff i have seen in 3 years is craftsman boxes that are overpriced. So if you need a box now, i recommend what i did..........
Strickley toolboxes.com
I bought a 56 wide top and bottom for under 1700.00 shipped to my shop. I feel its a bit better quality than the hf boxes, but its alittle more money (not much)

 

[shift_slide242]

Thank you all so much for your advice! i really appreciate it. id love a snap on box but i would rather spend all the money on tools since i need them way more than i need a shiny box. harbor freight here i come!

 

[metal1313]

when i have a shop to put it in(tiny garage here) i will more than likely be getting a box from strictlytoolboxes. either that or a used truck brand box if i can get a deal

i never understood how some guys think they have to buy a 10k toolbox in the first few years, let alone few weeks. i know i kid, hes 19 and thinks hes the best mechanic ever who bought something like 37k in SO stuff in under a year. i dont think he makes that much each year, and the dumbazz has 2 kids he's paying childsupport for.

note; he is also dumber than a bag of rocks, failed out of HS the works, got kicked out of his parents house for stupid stuff, and comes from a pretty well off family but cant get his act together

 

[JLee1469]

I wouldn't judge you based on the label on your box. Then again, I'm not a pro. There are good values to be had that fully serve their purpose and the HF boxes do. I commend you on setting a budget.

 

[ibedayank]

a mark of a real pro is to make something by hand that looks like a machine ran by cnc with nothing more than a couple hand files and sandpaper....fancy tools only make it easier

 

[jkruger54]

I have a Snap-on KR1000 AE that I would like to get rid of. It is the 70th anniversary edition in very nice shape for being 22 yrs old. I was hoping for a trade into a smaller box with some cash to boot. Where are you located? I am near San Diego.