International Pro Series vs Tool Vault

[Pig_Pen]

Hello, first post. I getting ready to buy a tool box but without being able to see them in person it's difficult making a decision. I was originally leaning toward the Husky version of the 56" International tech series but after reading mixed reviews I've decided maybe I can get a better box for not much more budget. I'm not a pro, this will be in my home garage but I don't want to find myself wanting something better in a few years. I'd rather buy once and cry once.

Can anybody offer real world pros and cons to the International Pro 5412 and the 56" Tool Vault? I like the fact that the International is made in North America and it's also a little cheaper but I wonder how useful the top full width drawer is. The Tool Vault has a little more depth, a little more width and a better drawer layout but as well as being more expensive it's also made in China.


ETA: I did search quite a bit but couldn't find too much info on International's pro series, mostly just he tech/value series.

 

[Greg85mcss]

First, welcome. I haven't seen either in person but looked at both before I bought mine & it really comes down to your needs. I would have bought a tool vault if they were deeper. For your use 20" might be good & I heard something on a thread here about deeper ones coming out. I didn't like the drawer layout of the international as I have long seldom used specialty tools I didn't want in the top drawer. I worked with a guy that had the cheaper one & I would have bought that for home use but was a little iffy about it lasting in a professional environment.


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[Trey T]

The big difference to me is the depth of the cabinet ... 24" vs 20", but I think you got it backward ... perhaps I randomly clicked on the wrong one.

If you got the space, go w/ the ~30" depth cabinet as they provide more efficient square-footage ... more tool space. I believe these will hold its value much better than the 20" or 24" depth because they're quite rare ... only truck brand such as Snap-On or heavy duty brand such as Lista makes 30" depth.

 

[Jake C]

The big difference to me is the depth of the cabinet ... 24" vs 20", but I think you got it backward ... perhaps I randomly clicked on the wrong one.

If you got the space, go w/ the ~30" depth cabinet as they provide more efficient square-footage ... more tool space. I believe these will hold its value much better than the 20" or 24" depth because they're quite rare ... only truck brand such as Snap-On or heavy duty brand such as Lista makes 30" depth.

Tool vault also makes a 30 in deep box, along with montezuma and extreme tools, however, they are only in the larger size boxes like the 72 inch width.

 

[Jake C]

I really like the Tool Vault boxes. I have one personally, the 72 inch is what I have but If I ever go to buy a better box for home, I'll end up with the 56 inch tool vault

 

[Trey T]

yeah I meant to say to get the 30" from http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ ... because he mentioned TV already.

 

[Pig_Pen]

The International box I'm looking at is 18-3/4 deep. A 24" or 30" box would be nice, especially for the bigger work surface, but I've only got a two car garage and it has two boats in it so a 20" deep box is better. The plan is for one of the boats to be gone soon but it will be replaced with a car.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/international-54-in-12-drawer-roller-cabinet-blue

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I can't comment on the tool vault, but I use a 42" wide international pro series as my work toolbox and I'm in and out of it all day. So far I've been very happy with it, even more so with their customer service. My boss tagged it with the fork lift and dented the handles, I emailed international asking about purchasing new handles and my boss would reimburse me, they sent me new handles free of charge.

 

[exmaxima1]

The International box I'm looking at is 18-3/4 deep. A 24" or 30" box would be nice, especially for the bigger work surface, but I've only got a two car garage and it has two boats in it so a 20" deep box is better. The plan is for one of the boats to be gone soon but it will be replaced with a car.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/international-54-in-12-drawer-roller-cabinet-blue

At that price point you might also consider the Craftsman Edge Series chest. I have the similar Premium Heavy Duty version (same except for the trim and the top drawer) and I like it alot for my garage shop. BTW, if you remove the casters, the height is 35.5", which makes a great bench size.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-edge-series-52-in-11-drawer-premium/p-00940773000P?rrec=true

Or buy TWO of the 40" cabinets for even less $$

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40-i...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[Jake C]

yeah I meant to say to get the 30" from http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ ... because he mentioned TV already.

Yeah, now I gotcha. Makes total sense

 

[Pig_Pen]

At that price point you might also consider the Craftsman Edge Series chest. I have the similar Premium Heavy Duty version (same except for the trim and the top drawer) and I like it alot for my garage shop. BTW, if you remove the casters, the height is 35.5", which makes a great bench size.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-edge-series-52-in-11-drawer-premium/p-00940773000P?rrec=true

Or buy TWO of the 40" cabinets for even less $$

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40-i...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I looked at those. They look nice but I wish they had more, shallower drawers instead of fewer deep drawers.

 

[brooksdr]

Have you looked at the Waterloo Pro Boxes they look pretty good and are reasonable.

 

[48548]

I can't say much but like my tool vault. This drawer is way overloaded... those are 1 inch snap on ratchet adapters in the lower bottom and they are heavy.

 

[cliftonbros89]

This is my 72" John Deere box. It's made by QCI. They also makes boxes for Montezuma, Tool Vault, Extreme Tools, and Masterforce (Menard's).

From what I've gathered from talking to QCI those brand boxes, especially when you get to the larger sizes, range pretty close in quality. However, there are some differences. Some are slightly heavier, higher load casters, things like that.

I can say I really like the quality of my JD box. Granted it's not quite Snap On quality. But it way better than the likes of Craftsman, Kobalt, Homack, and other similar brands. So I'd say the Tool Vault would probably be a good investment. I know I've seen several of them throughout GJ.


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[brooksdr]

I like the John Deere Box. What something like that cost? If you don't mind me asking?

 

[48548]

I like that green.... Nice

 

[cliftonbros89]

I like the John Deere Box. What something like that cost? If you don't mind me asking?

With the 72" box, which comes with drawer liners and a stainless top, and the 72" hutch. It was a little under $3,000. I ordered it a week that my dealer was having a sale. So I saved a little bit and got free delivery. The hutch came in within about a week. But the box took about 3 months to get in. But all round it was well worth it. I had $1,100 wrapped up in a 41" stainless Craftsman box. It doesn't compare to this JD box. However, as of right now there aren't any side boxes or lockers available through JD. They used to have a side box (the same as available from Masterforce and a few other brands) but it's no longer available. It was in a line of boxes they no longer make. The only side boxes QCI says is available is something from one of their other brands. Even then I wouldn't be able to order it in a matching JD green.


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[Greg85mcss]

The International box I'm looking at is 18-3/4 deep. A 24" or 30" box would be nice, especially for the bigger work surface, but I've only got a two car garage and it has two boats in it so a 20" deep box is better. The plan is for one of the boats to be gone soon but it will be replaced with a car.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/international-54-in-12-drawer-roller-cabinet-blue

After reading your first post I googled international 5412. Got a different box at Home Depot that was 24 or 25" deep. That one was over 2 grand so I was a little confused when you said it was cheaper.

 

[Pig_Pen]

After reading your first post I googled international 5412. Got a different box at Home Depot that was 24 or 25" deep. That one was over 2 grand so I was a little confused when you said it was cheaper.

I apologize, I couldn't remember the model number prefix when I posted that. I was thinking Tractor Supply offered free shipping to the store but they don't. When you add freight and taxes it's about a wash, maybe even a little more for the International.

At the risk of sounding like a tightwad, has anybody ever seen Tool Vaults go on sale or Strictly Tool Boxes ever offer any discounts? Day after Thanksgiving maybe?

 

[lightning02]

I really like the Tool Vault boxes. I have one personally, the 72 inch is what I have but If I ever go to buy a better box for home, I'll end up with the 56 inch tool vault

i have the 56inch tool vault. id stick with the deeper 72 like you have.

i wanted the 72in with 30in deep drawers but they gave me such a crazy stupid deal on the 3pc 56in combo i couldn't say no to it plus it was shipped to my house. it was cheaper then the 2pc 56in HF and i had to pick it up. so bc of that deal i don't regret not getting the 72in but i wish i had it lol

 

[Jake C]

i have the 56inch tool vault. id stick with the deeper 72 like you have.



i wanted the 72in with 30in deep drawers but they gave me such a crazy stupid deal on the 3pc 56in combo i couldn't say no to it plus it was shipped to my house. it was cheaper then the 2pc 56in HF and i had to pick it up. so bc of that deal i don't regret not getting the 72in but i wish i had it lol

Nice! Thats awesome. Yeah I have my bigger box at work. But I do like those set ups like what you have.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Hello, first post. I getting ready to buy a tool box but without being able to see them in person it's difficult making a decision. I was originally leaning toward the Husky version of the 56" International tech series but after reading mixed reviews I've decided maybe I can get a better box for not much more budget. I'm not a pro, this will be in my home garage but I don't want to find myself wanting something better in a few years. I'd rather buy once and cry once.

Can anybody offer real world pros and cons to the International Pro 5412 and the 56" Tool Vault? I like the fact that the International is made in North America and it's also a little cheaper but I wonder how useful the top full width drawer is. The Tool Vault has a little more depth, a little more width and a better drawer layout but as well as being more expensive it's also made in China.


ETA: I did search quite a bit but couldn't find too much info on International's pro series, mostly just he tech/value series.

The top full width drawer is going to be entirely up to you to decide if it's useful. For me it was actually one of the selling points for buying the box. But being a tool and die maker I have a ton of tools that are in thin cases that filled that drawer beautifully.