International Tool Boxes

[ThreeBay]

Has anyone had any experience with International tool boxes. My son is an auto tech apprentice and is quickly outgrowing his Crafstman roll around. He doesn't want a life time of debt to the Snappy or Matco guy. The Matco guy said he could get him an International roll around for a lot less Money.

I looked on the internet and they are for sale at all the "cheap" places. Has anyone had any experience with them.

Thanks

 

[kartracer55]

Canadian guys oughta know. Just be careful, as they have an imported line and they have a canadian made line.


Where in NJ are you?

 

[wythors]

I have this one and have been very happy with it.

It's Canadian-made and is of better quality than my Cornwell rollaway. Mac Tools sold it last year as a special edition in their catalog. I got mine from a friend that runs a NAPA store. They had my Mustang box, a Camaro box and an American Muscle box. I've got some of the drawers loaded up pretty heavily with air tools and such and they still slide smoothly. The two big full width, extra deep drawers are a great feature. I'd recommend it highly for the price.

 

[iiibdsiil]

You could also look into used tool boxes in your paper and on ebay. I've seen plenty of Snapon ones go for cheap enough to put on most credit cards.

 

[71Datsun510Wagon]

The roller that wythors has looks very nice. The only International tool cabinets/boxes that I have seen in person I was not impressed with at all.

That said... wythors cabinet looks -nothing- like what I have seen.

I have seen some International boxes at 'Princess Auto' here in Canada. Princess Auto is to Canada, what I imagine Harbour Freight is to the USA (lots of mostly Chinese-made 'stuff' of dubious quality).

The International line that my local Princess Auto carries are overpriced and not very good quality.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I wish I remembered the model number, but International makes one in Canada, that is rebranded as a Snap~on, and sold for more money. They actually make several for Snap, but I only knew the one model number.
Then they have an imported line that normally goes for under $800 for the three pieces.

 

[ThreeBay]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Now I'm just as confused as when I started. That's what always seems to happen with this type of question.

I've been searching for used toolboxes locally for quite a while. I have never seen anything worthwhile. Our local papers don't have much of anything used for sale ... except bedroom sets and dinettes. The ToolTruck guys want way too much money for used stuff. To pay $3K for a used box you have to accept the fact that it was worth $6K in the first place ... at 35% interest.

I don't question that they provide a service and that mechanics might not be the best credit risk but I do think they get a bit carried away.

The Matco guy seems to be pretty nice so maybe I need to be more trusting ... too much time in the NYC area.

KartRacer - I'm in South Plainfield ... a bit north of you.


Thanks for the help ... any additional info would be appreciated.

 

[iiibdsiil]

The Matco boxes are a little cheaper $$$ wise. VERY good boxes. I wish you would have started this post 2 months ago as I was still under my Votech Program with Matco and got tool boxes for 50% off.

Do you guys have Bargain Trader up there? Craigslist.com maybe will yield you something nice. Or, ebay.

Also, do a search on here on the stainless steel toolboxes as they are supposed to be pretty nice construction. A friend has one, and it is definely nicer then another friends Craftsman one. And it costs less too.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/tls/196131740.html

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/tls/188065213.html

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/tls/188190881.html

Not sure what your budget is, or if you have a way to finance it yourselves, but there's some options.

Wish ya luck!

 

[justinmc]

The Matco boxes are a little cheaper $$$ wise. VERY good boxes. I wish you would have started this post 2 months ago as I was still under my Votech Program with Matco and got tool boxes for 50% off.
QUOTE]


Ditto the Matco boxes... I have a Matco box thats about 5 years old at this point. Been a great box. I do have one detent that needs replacing as it doesn't "lock" the drawer anymore but the overall size of the drawers and gauge of the metal is great. I see similar boxes used for $1-2K depending on condition and such. Used Snap-On pieces always command such a crazy price even for used.. the new markup on a box has to be insane. Its great quality stuff (I have an older 26" piece as well) but the price is hard to justify for a used box sometimes. Whatever you get try to get something less than 5 years old. The newer boxes have alot better ball bearing slides and such than early/previous models. I'm sure if you hit up ebay and search within a 100-200 mile radius of your location you'll find a TON of boxes.

http://www.garage-jdm.com/garage/garagemay5.jpg

 

[ThreeBay]

Thanks for the ideas iiibdsiil. I always forget about Craigs list.

I have suggested the stainless boxes they have at Costco but he doesn't want to have the only stainless box in the shop.

I would like to keep the budget less than $2K and it is possible for the Bank Of Dad to provide financing although sometimes the Controller (Mom) gives me a hard time. She just doesn't understand the importance of quality tools, hot rod motors, etc.

 

[l_bilyk]

We sell them @ NAPA

They're not bad, but a little on the expensive side

They do make cheaper, friction slide boxes that 71Datsun510Wagon saw at princess auto, and they are relatively expensive. This is because they are made in canada, as opposed to the current canadian tire boxes that come from taiwan.

On the up-side, if you ever need a new drawer or new slides, they will be available.

Their high end boxes are quite nice, for example:

 

[milly]

If your son wants to buy a box that will last as long as he'll be turning wrenchs, save up a Snap-On, Blue Point, Mac Tools, or Matco box. I know 6 techs that have been in the business over 15 years and still use thier original boxes from these manufacturers. If you're looking for bang for the buck that may or maynot last that long, look into Craftsman or Husky tool boxes. Both have Pro series boxes that have ball bearing draws. Waterloo makes a good box too. I think I read somewhere that they make boxes for Craftsman or Husky, or some other brand. Shop around, you never know what you might find.

 

[iiibdsiil]

My Snap-on guy had some great deals on boxes, that's where I got my big one from.

He was always doing trade-in on them, people upgrading to bigger and better things. His prices were especially great on the Mac and Matco boxes though, as I think him being the Snap-on guy made it hard for his customers to really buy a different box.

I have yet to find a ANY tool guy as cool as my first Snap-on guy.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

If your son wants to buy a box that will last as long as he'll be turning wrenchs, save up a Snap-On, Blue Point, Mac Tools, or Matco box. I know 6 techs that have been in the business over 15 years and still use thier original boxes from these manufacturers. If you're looking for bang for the buck that may or maynot last that long, look into Craftsman or Husky tool boxes. Both have Pro series boxes that have ball bearing draws. Waterloo makes a good box too. I think I read somewhere that they make boxes for Craftsman or Husky, or some other brand. Shop around, you never know what you might find.

Snap~On isn't the manufacturer, the retail/rebrand International boxes. In fact, the bottom one of the top posted, is sold for around $5000 new as a Snap, and a LOT less as an International. SAME BOX.

 

[Luckydevil]

Keep your eyes peeled on ebay also. I have seen some really nice boxes sell very cheap just because the seller will only allow local pickup.

 

[SM Racing]

Snap On does not offically rebadge anyone elses tool boxes. For a while I thought Kennedy made Snap On boxes but I have since found out that is not true.

I bought a HF box and am pleased with it. I don't like the finish but it is a good box otherwise. It is heavier than the equivalent Husky, Kobalt, Crapsman, etc. Always buy tool boxes based on weight.

Husky, Kobalt, Crapsman are all made by Waterloo. They are all the same with different names. The Costco box is pretty nice, but I don't like the lack of a full width drawer and I am not big on stainless. Too hard to keep clean.

If you have never used a Snap On or MATCO box you can't say anything about the quality. They are very well built boxes. They feel much better than the other brands. They use much heavier materials and better qualtity parts.

 

[ThreeBay]

Thank you all very much for the advice and suggestions. He ordered an International box from the Matco guy today. It looks exactly like the box that Wythors shows in his picture and it is supposed to be made in Canada.
I bid on a Matco Tech 1000 on e-bay last night. AT the last minute it went for ~$2,800.00. A good price for the box but more than he wanted to spend.

I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. I do believe in buying first class tools and equipment but I also don't want to see my son way over his head in debt to the tool man. As it is I think they charge obscene interest rates ... on top of very high prices. Yes, I understand all the reasons;from their perspective; but I don't agree.

I think he did the right thing ... he bought the best he could afford.

He already had a nice Craftsman BB roll around set that I bought him for his birthday and Christmas. Now if I buy that from him for my own use how much did I actually pay for those boxes?

Thanks again for your input. This is a great board

 

[l_bilyk]

One thing that surprises me, is tha the husky boxes I have been seeing as of late have become very good. They had one for about a grand, a 1 1/2 width box, roller bearings, gas charged lifts and very solid draws.

 

[Ign]

What are people seeing for prices at Napa? My local Napa told me $2500 for the 41" combo, which is TWICE what I can get it for in link in post #3

 

[SM Racing]

The Husky boxes don't feel any better than the Crapsman boxes. They are made by the same people.

 

[wythors]

What are people seeing for prices at Napa? My local Napa told me $2500 for the 41" combo, which is TWICE what I can get it for in link in post #3

I paid about the same as the internet place. Try a different NAPA.

 

[Rickster]

You've got to check out the Kennedy's. These are the most forgotten and underrated tool boxes around. Great quality and reasonable price.

http://www.toolstoragewarehouse.com/index.asp?PageAction=MFGSEARCH&ManfID=3&Page=1

 

[NoBars]

I bought a pretty nice rollaround for work (machinist) recently, Torin brand name.

I like it more than the craftsman boxes that were $200 more

 

[wythors]

Torin stuff is Chinese-made.

 

[jmauld]

CARQUEST has decent deals on the ITB boxes on occasion.

If it has the ITB2 logo, it's an import box. If it has the "International" logo, it's the Canadian made box.

http://www.carquest.com/promotions/tools_equipment/pages/Page-05.jpg

 

[tylerk]

does anyone know about the 56" "Value Line"? I am considering buying a new box, i have a 40" craftsman now, and want something bigger. I will not buy a snap on or matco or mac, and yes i realize they are better, but i refuse to spend that much on a tool box. So if anyone has seen or owns one of these, I would really appreciate any input! thanks a lot!!

 

[chavist93]

does anyone know about the 56" "Value Line"? I am considering buying a new box, i have a 40" craftsman now, and want something bigger. I will not buy a snap on or matco or mac, and yes i realize they are better, but i refuse to spend that much on a tool box. So if anyone has seen or owns one of these, I would really appreciate any input! thanks a lot!!

Dont overlook proto. My 41" proto top and bottom was only $1238 and I feel is much better quality that the $3000 Craftsman Professional box I saw on display at sears yesterday.

 

[tylerk]

what is the proto box? i have the "standard" ball bearing 40" craftsman box, top and bottom was about 1000. just wondering what is meant by proto. thanks a lot for the input, it's much appreciated!

 

[chavist93]

what is the proto box? i have the "standard" ball bearing 40" craftsman box, top and bottom was about 1000. just wondering what is meant by proto. thanks a lot for the input, it's much appreciated!

Proto is the brand. Proto tools.

 

[l_bilyk]

who makes the proto boxes?

 

[helgrind]

who makes the proto boxes?

Proto. They were recently bought out by stanley

 

[chavist93]

Yep, im pretty sure proto makes them. Mine was made in Canada.

 

[mulepackin]

Yep, im pretty sure proto makes them. Mine was made in Canada.

I know you already posted this (I think) on the thread about this specific box, but do you mind telling the cost? It looks like a great setup.

 

[l_bilyk]

Yep, im pretty sure proto makes them. Mine was made in Canada.

I dunno about that... i'm pretty sure there is no PROTO box factory... usually tools boxes would be made by another manufacturer to proto specs
If it came from canada, there's a good chance it's made by international

 

[strizzy]

Yep, im pretty sure proto makes them. Mine was made in Canada.

Like I said in the other thread, looks like a Husky Pro Box (or the husky looks like a proto)...

 

[chavist93]

I know you already posted this (I think) on the thread about this specific box, but do you mind telling the cost? It looks like a great setup.

Not at all. The total with tax otd was $1238.**. I talked to the lady at proto before I bought it and she said "their" factory that made that box was in Canada. The box was also marked made in Canada. I didnt ask if anyone else made them for proto though. It shouldnt be anything like the husky box because protos complete tooxbox line was just redesigned and released early this year. Feb. I think?