Kennedy Quality?

[Garage_Mahal]

What is the general consensus on the quality of Kennedy toolboxes? I may have a chance to get a smokin' deal on my choice of any Kennedy box, through work. Nearly 50% off.

 

[Bolster]

I second that question. I see lots of them at flea markets.

 

[Elroy]

Elroy had a chance to visit the Kennedy factory once in Van Wert, Ohio. They have a "store front" retail outlet stocked with seconds. The flaw were not that obvious and we got a good deal on a couple of portables.

There's also a reason they use wrinkle paint. (not all of their line)

Kennedy's are fine. They are a major manufacturer and have been in business at least a week and half. May even twelve days.

Go for it.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

Yah, I hate the krinkle paint, but if the price is right . . .

 

[JohnK007]

I think you'll find the machinist crowd love them. I have a three drawer Kennedy chest and I think it's pretty good quality. I'd say go for it if it fits your needs especially at 50% off!

 

[wyndycity]

I think Kennedy's are nice looking boxes. They are big with machinists and at my work, Kennedy boxes are all over the place in the shops.

I've been keeping my eyes out for a Kennedy score....hopefully that'll come soon with flea market season picking up.

 

[-B-]

The only isuue is the weight rating of the draws remember they are not ment to be loaded to the gills with heavy steel tools.

 

[back2class]

Decent quality. Not fancy or advanced but solid like something from the mid 20th century

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

You can't go wrong with Kennedy. They make good quality toolboxes.

 

[Vulturej]

There tool boxes are good quality, you can buy them without the wrinkle finish. Their modular cabinets are tanks and are just as good as Vidmar & Lista.

http://www.kennedymfg.com/KenCatrev32708.pdf

 

[Packard V8]

I can't really address the long term durability of Kennedy chests; the four #526 Machinist's Chests on my workbench have only been in service for thirty-six years. The good thing about the brown wrinkle finish is no one is going to be able to put any fu<[*ing stickers on them!

thnx, jack vines

 

[Bolster]

There's also a reason they use wrinkle paint.

What is Elroy implying?

 

[Merkava_4]

Decent quality. Not fancy or advanced but solid like something from the mid 20th century

"Decent quality?"

I've owned a Kennedy 3407X, a MAC MB1500A, and presently, a Snap-on KRL1056A. The Kennedy was a heavier built box hands down. I know because I've had the drawers out of all of them. Those little Kennedy drawers are heavier to hold than the larger Snap-on drawers.

 

[Elroy]

What is Elroy implying?

It covers the flaws better than a smooth paint.

 

[wyndycity]

Those little Kennedy drawers are heavier to hold than the larger Snap-on drawers.

Probably part of the reason so many machine shop guys like 'em; the heavier the better...less likely someone will walk off with your box without notice.

 

[Merkava_4]

Yah, I hate the krinkle paint, but if the price is right . . .

They come in smooth red as well as yellow and blue; you don't have to get the brown winkle. . .

 

[Kevin54]

I don't think there is hardly a machinist that didn't have a Kennedy at one time or another. Other than a Kennedy he stepped up to a Gerstner. They make good boxes and always have.

Hey Elroy...

They have a "store front" retail outlet stocked with seconds. The flaw were not that obvious and we got a good deal on a couple

That has pretty much went by the wayside as far as the "good" deals. Scratch and dents normally will net you 10% off now. I have seen guys in the past with complete setups of machinist boxes, Top, middle, and bottom boxes, and not have more than a buck and a quarter in them all.

 

[RRmech]

I've owned my Kennedy roll cab for 19 years.
It's solid and well-built.
I got mine heavily discounted too.....roughly Craftman cab priced.
But it is FAR better than any Craftsman cab I've ever seen!?
Well worth the $$$ if the price is right!!

Steve

 

[jeep44]

In the plant I worked in for 30 years, The Tradesmen all had Kennedys-top and bottom. There were just a few guys with Craftsman boxes. My original 30-year old bottom box is out in my garage now-it served me both as a Diemaker and a Pipefitter. My topbox, and another kennedy bottom box,are in my son's garage now.

 

[Rickster]

Kennedy tool boxes are the most under-rated tool boxes on the market. They are good quality boxes. I have a bottom chest and top box in regular red and another top box in krinkle finish brown. I.ve replaced the friction sliders with roller slides I purchased off the Kennedy website and since it's the modular system I was able to reposition all the drawers. I have them loaded down with tools and they hold up fine.

 

[jkherd]

I like the kennedy boxes for keeping micrometers, calipers all my more delicate measuring tools in for protection and all my other tools in my snap on and craftsman boxes

 

[Garage_Mahal]

Thanks for the long-timers chiming in about Kennedy quality, but are today's boxes built to the same standard?

BTW, most of the mechanics at my workplace have the red crinkle finish. Nicer than brown, but still not my cup of tea.

 

[Merkava_4]

BTW, most of the mechanics at my workplace have the red crinkle finish. Nicer than brown, but still not my cup of tea.

Have you downloaded the PDF yet? They've got smooth black, smooth burgundy, smooth blue, smooth yellow, smooth red, as well as their traditional brown winkle and red winkle.

 

[vssjim]

Yes the new ones are built very well I have a top and bottom box both in Cornwell blue powder coat finiash and they are just perfect and heavy duty on top of that.

 

[rhandwor]

I would suggest the ones with ball bearing drawer slides.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

Have you downloaded the PDF yet? They've got smooth black, smooth burgundy, smooth blue, smooth yellow, smooth red, as well as their traditional brown winkle and red winkle.

Hey Merk, BTW means "By the way" meaning it is just a little tidbit of info that is possibly not even related to the topic.

Yes, I saw the catalog. I love the smooth burgundy and the smooth blue. Now I need to see if the deal pans out . . .

 

[brockstar]

Kennedy fan here!

They were the box to have at the machine shop!

I searched Craigslist and finally found a 7 drawer roll cab for $140. It doesnt have ball bearing slides, but with some weight in the drawers, they slide very smoothly.

The full extension slides are nice to have. This box is a vast improvement over my old Craftsman box.

 

[mhm993]

Don't know about modern Kennedy, but my 25 yr old machinist box is the the cat's meow. The brown crinkle looks brand new.