What makes the boxes sold by the truck brands so expensive? I am in the market for a single bay roll cab/top box combo and I cannot convince myself that I need to spend $5000 on one. Is there any reason why a single bay, ball bearing Cman box would not do and an SO, Mac, Matco, etc box would? I only ask out of ignorance as one of the best techs I know in my city uses a Cman BB top on both of his roll cabs and apparently has no complaints with them.
Ignorant Question
- Thread starter tyreguy25
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MechanicNamedJohn
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They are built better, look better, and could withstand a **** ton of weight. But, it's all over kill. Who needs a drawer that can hold up 600lbs? The C-Man box will be fine. I mean they both hold tools; correct? Unless you have some really heavy screwdrivers, a drawer rated at 250lbs should be fine.
Packard V8
Well-known member
One of the best techs I know uses a Craftsman box and drives a beat-to-$hit fifteen-year-old compact off-shore pickup.
Some here have new top-of-the-line Snap-on and Lista boxes in their home garage, along with BMWs and Porsches and don't even change their own oil.
You will probably be somewhere in-between. Look at other's boxes. Open the drawers, feel the action, check the gauge of the metal.
I have six or eight Snap-on boxes I bought used for about the same price as a new Craftsman. On one deal, I bought a Snap-on bottom box which had been forced open, slightly bending some drawers. Along with it, I got new Craftsman top, middle and bottom. The Craftsman set went on craigslist the same day for enough more to pay for the Snap-on. I straightened a couple of drawer fronts, dinged it out a bit. You can still see it had a bit of violence, but like a small scar on a beautiful woman, it just adds to the mystique.
jack vines
Some here have new top-of-the-line Snap-on and Lista boxes in their home garage, along with BMWs and Porsches and don't even change their own oil.
You will probably be somewhere in-between. Look at other's boxes. Open the drawers, feel the action, check the gauge of the metal.
I have six or eight Snap-on boxes I bought used for about the same price as a new Craftsman. On one deal, I bought a Snap-on bottom box which had been forced open, slightly bending some drawers. Along with it, I got new Craftsman top, middle and bottom. The Craftsman set went on craigslist the same day for enough more to pay for the Snap-on. I straightened a couple of drawer fronts, dinged it out a bit. You can still see it had a bit of violence, but like a small scar on a beautiful woman, it just adds to the mystique.
jack vines
The name on the front.
cheap bastard
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Quality of build, strength of material and the most inefficient business model possible probably covers it. You then receive (at least in my experience) unmatched customer service, quality of box that can last generations and yes, 600 lb drawer capability. I have put over 300 lbs in one drawer, so that is something to appreciate.
sko
Active member
craftsman box should be fine, they have lifetime warranty. if you find that you need something more heavy duty check out a proto box, that's what i've got, also has lifetime warranty, and still way less than a snap on or mac.
bmxr4life87
Well-known member
Image... Its like playing dress up when your a little kid! Last time I checked the only job a toolbox served was to hold your tools! I will admit we would all love to have mr big at our house filled up but reality is the less we spend on our box the more we can spend on tools to fill the box! Lista cabinets I dont feel should be classified with truck brands because no other boxes offer such large storage capacities
Teken
Well-known member
Some of the main line tool vendors also give you the opportunity to customize the drawer configurations should that be important to you.
If you're a week end warrior than any of the after market box's are fine for those with a budget.
At some point when your collection of tools are amassed and adequate, you may be ready for a main line tool box.
In my time as a mech I decided to focus and spend my money on tools. Later on as funds became available I purchased a nice main line tool box.
Was it worth the costs compared to the other after market brands? For me yes as it provided me with custom drawers which met my needs, and also met the security factor which was a prime importance for me.
If you're a week end warrior than any of the after market box's are fine for those with a budget.
At some point when your collection of tools are amassed and adequate, you may be ready for a main line tool box.
In my time as a mech I decided to focus and spend my money on tools. Later on as funds became available I purchased a nice main line tool box.
Was it worth the costs compared to the other after market brands? For me yes as it provided me with custom drawers which met my needs, and also met the security factor which was a prime importance for me.
There is a ton more than just the name as the difference. However, is it a 5x or 10x the value difference? Hard to say. The way I look at it is that its probably 5x as much work to get a box 2x as good as a craftsman, so thats why they cost so much.
If you go the value route, don't just look at craftsman. Personally I think they've turned to **** in the last 10 years. Take a look at the Harbor Freight boxes and boxes at rural king. They've got some pretty nice stuff for the money. I look at the craftsmans every time I go by sears and always shake my head when I see the junk.
If you go the value route, don't just look at craftsman. Personally I think they've turned to **** in the last 10 years. Take a look at the Harbor Freight boxes and boxes at rural king. They've got some pretty nice stuff for the money. I look at the craftsmans every time I go by sears and always shake my head when I see the junk.
impulse922
Well-known member
look into the montezuma pros for a box with out a huge name but a pretty good reputation
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65017&highlight=strictlytoolboxes
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65017&highlight=strictlytoolboxes
Keep
Well-known member
Beat me to it. I was going to suggest you go look at www.strictlytoolboxes.com give you a better look at things. Though I am pretty sure they are off shore boxes.
Indy_500
Well-known member
he's not lookin for a big box though. The monty's small boxes aren't as much of a "deal" as the big ones.
billymade
Well-known member
No, Craftsman boxes do not all have a lifetime warranty; only the professional series top end line does... these competing with the Mac, Matco and Snap-On boxes. Their prices reflect this; the newest boxes, look very close to Snap-On KRL series boxes!
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/nb_10155_12602_NB_custom+toolbox
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/nb_10155_12602_NB_custom+toolbox
The only time I would spend that kind of money is if you're one of those guys who has so many tools in his drawers that you can't see the bottom, or if you're a machinist. Chucks, parallels, tooling, etc. can get extremely heavy.
ANY decently built ball bearing box should hold up fine as long as you don't over load or lean on the drawers.
ANY decently built ball bearing box should hold up fine as long as you don't over load or lean on the drawers.
crewchief888
Well-known member
i have a set of friction slide kr550/555 SO that i bought new in '85, and several other SO boxes that are even older than that, and some that are newer.
with the exception of one set of slides nothng has been replaced on any of my SO boxes, ive had several CM boxes that went to the scrap pile since '77.
with the exception of one set of slides nothng has been replaced on any of my SO boxes, ive had several CM boxes that went to the scrap pile since '77.
Griff93
Well-known member
Lista stuff isn't cheap if you're buying new either. I've seen drawer slides break and drawers collapse on Cman boxes. They will also sag and rub the next drawer down. This is of course when they are overloaded. That said, I have a Cman friction slide 26" stack that has served me pretty well. The bottom drawer drags but that's because I have to much weight in it. On the other hand, I have two snap on boxes. They will hold up to a lot more than the Cman. I stand on the bottom drawer regularly to see in the top of my top box. I'm just a bit over 200 lbs. For something that is going to see everyday use, all day long I'd go with the SO or equivalent. For home occasional use I'd go with something else. I have two lista/vidmar boxes that would make nice home tool boxes. They can be had for a pretty reasonable price used and are pretty damn tough. If I had to do it all over again for a home box I'd find a couple of used list boxes. The only downside is they are setup in a 26" square drawer layout so long tools don't fit.
Yep, like I was saying just about anything will work if you don't overload it.
I have a friction slide here at home, and I have each drawer lightly loaded; it's been working great for years and no sign of quitting. I would NEVER use it in a professional environment though.
kythri
Well-known member
I've got a couple of Craftsman 26" top/middle/bottom combos, and while they're pretty decent boxes, every upgrade makes a big difference.
One box has the "compound action" slides, the other has the "Quiet Glide". Both seem the same. Both work, and don't jam/bind up, but ball-bearing slides are way nicer. WAY nicer.
The Craftsman boxes are lightweight, and I'm sure could be munged up by trying to overload them.
Do they work? Yes. Are they cheap? Yes. I've owned mine for about 3 years now, and had no issues with them, save that 26" boxes are small.
Do I want a Snap-On or Matco box? Yup.
Will I settle for a Montezuma or Extreme? Yup.
As nice as the truck-brand boxes are, I just can't justify that price. Unless I were to find a super deal on a used one, I'll probably end up buying something from http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ - the deals they have right now are phenomenal.
One box has the "compound action" slides, the other has the "Quiet Glide". Both seem the same. Both work, and don't jam/bind up, but ball-bearing slides are way nicer. WAY nicer.
The Craftsman boxes are lightweight, and I'm sure could be munged up by trying to overload them.
Do they work? Yes. Are they cheap? Yes. I've owned mine for about 3 years now, and had no issues with them, save that 26" boxes are small.
Do I want a Snap-On or Matco box? Yup.
Will I settle for a Montezuma or Extreme? Yup.
As nice as the truck-brand boxes are, I just can't justify that price. Unless I were to find a super deal on a used one, I'll probably end up buying something from http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ - the deals they have right now are phenomenal.
Your right Lista still isn't cheap, but it isn't ridiculous either.
This
http://www.toolboxesandmore.com/byo/add_to_cart
47" wide X 28.5" deep X 45" high
or
This
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20546&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Taller, wider, deeper, stronger, for less money. Tough decision.
kythri
Well-known member
Your Lista link doesn't work.
Ooops.... It does for me. I'll see what I can do.
Well anyway the link isn't important. There are no pictures just the layout.
The box is 47" wide x 28.5" deep x 45" high (without casters)
The layout I created had 11 full width drawers.
6 at 2"
2 at 3"
2 at 4"
and
1 at 5"
Costing a little under $2500.
Last edited:
chadster1
Well-known member
I have a Snap-on top and bottom box in my garage that was made in 1968. I have a roll cab that was made in 1977.
Griff93
Well-known member
While we're talking about it, I have a KR650A that is still in daily use sitting on top of my KRL1022. It was bought in 91 and is a friction slide that is still going strong. It has been in daily use for all but about two years.
Griff93
Well-known member
I didn't realize lista made any boxes other than the square layout. That's all I had run across. Thanks for the heads up.
tatra
Well-known member
i would go lista......don't care for vidmar........got a waterloo don't really care for and a stainless from costco that's probably going to become storage for fasteners..........
Yep they have several configurations going from 18 inches wide up to 56 inches wide in their standard configurations and even wider than that in there combination layouts. All available in 22 or 28" depth.
Griff93
Well-known member
Why do you dislike Vidmar? Is it because of Stanley? The reason I ask is I have both a Lista and Vidmar cabinet and the Vidmar seems to be a bit better constructed.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You'll get a different answer from each person you ask this question of. For me it's three things, quality, selection, and truck to you service. However, I view a tool box as a house for your tools. Most units are pushed into place and never move until you switch jobs or out grow it. Just like cars, there's no real reason to buy new as the depreciation can be steep. Will a lesser brand box serve you well? Absolutely! Before I forked over $5k for a box, I would have gotten every possible tool needed to make money first. A box will help you make money in the sense that if you are organized and can find your tools quicker, you'll be more productive. lastly, don't try to keep up with the Jones and Buy used..
One thing I didnt see mentioned was the storage capacity. You would not believe how much more the higher end boxes hold over a craftsman box of similar size. I remember when I first upgraded from 2 craftsman cabs with a chest on top to what I now consider a small roll around single bay box like this. nevermind the price someones a retard.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORN...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item19bddd064d
If this isnt being used at a shop on a regular basis though, i dont see the point. Daily use will take its toll on a cheapy tool box
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORN...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item19bddd064d
If this isnt being used at a shop on a regular basis though, i dont see the point. Daily use will take its toll on a cheapy tool box