Kennedy tool cabinets

[Dividing Creek]

Hello I'm looking at possibly picking up some old 7 drawer Kennedy cabinets sight unseen 2 states away. Are these a quality item ? Price is right but sight unseen is spooky

 

[idoine in toronto]

Kennedy is a high quality maker, but IIRC specialized in chests for machinists and many of their boxes have shallow drawer depths, so you may want to clarify that these will be deep enough to meet your needs.

http://www.kennedymfg.com/Kennedy/Products/

 

[Dividing Creek]

Thanks. I had checked out their website but google doesn't turn up much else. Looking @ 6 of these to use as tool storage. Plan would be to bolt them together and put a work top across the top. Local salvage place has some bowling alley floor that would make a great work top.

 

[Kent Skinner]

Great boxes. My grandfather, father and I all have (or had one in grandpa's case) them. They are very high quality.

However, as IIT said, you need to figure out the model number, and see if the drawer configuration works for you. The top box tends to have very shallow drawers - made for calipers, micrometers, etc. You wouldn't use them for regular hand tools. They top box is also usually very narrow.

The mid and bottom boxes then to have taller drawers, but still not as deep as a large roll away box. The drawers are heavy duty, but they do not have ball bearing slides, so loading them with heavy items can make them a bit sticky.

If it's a good deal, and big enough for you, go for it. And since you're on the east coast, two states away probably isn't too far. Here, it's at least 800 miles.

 

[koditten]

Thats what I got. Quality vs. snap on? I have no clue. Never been around the snap on boxes that seem to be in high demand. I've had the Kennedy's for over 30 years and no problems. I have no idea what model I have, but it looks to be the same set up as any other tool chests. A random array of various depth drawers. I got mine used too. Who knows what kind of environment it lived in before me? All I do know, is I don't treat mine nice. I often chuck 4" c-clams from across the bay into the open drawer.

By ther way, chances are that I have a key. My boxes at home use the same key as older ones I have at work.

KO

 

[JimVonBaden]

From what I have seen they are close to Craftsman, maybe slightly better. Good, not great, but certainly solid!

Jim

 

[240sxguy]

From what I have seen they are close to Craftsman, maybe slightly better. Good, not great, but certainly solid!

Jim

I have a craftsman BB box and a Kennedy box. The Kennedy is definitely superior.

 

[Zrexxer]

Craftsman - at least their current offerings - can't hold a candle to Kennedy. Several like this one of mine would make excellent drawer pedestals for a bench application.

 

[jamesemery728]

Great boxes. My grandfather, father and I all have (or had one in grandpa's case) them. They are very high quality.

However, as IIT said, you need to figure out the model number, and see if the drawer configuration works for you.

This is the key right here. You need to get the model numbers for the boxes. Some models are only suitable for machinist tools and have very shallow drawers. These drawers would not be large enough for mechanic's tools. Probably the most popular machinist box is #520, great for small machinist tools, unsuitable for mechanics wrenches, ratchets, hammers, etc. very shallow drawers. Just get the model numbers and check Kennedy's website, some of the boxes they make would be fine for mechanics tools.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I have a craftsman BB box and a Kennedy box. The Kennedy is definitely superior.

Do they have various levels of build quality? I have a 4 year old Ball Bearing Craftsman set, and saw a Kenedy roller similar to it the other day new. It didn't seem to be any significant amount better, but I am no expert. It was only about $399 too.

Jim

 

[Dividing Creek]

Craftsman - at least their current offerings - can't hold a candle to Kennedy. Several like this one of mine would make excellent drawer pedestals for a bench application.

they look identical to this one in red. From what I can tell on Kennedy's website these are the industrial series cabinets and were offered with friction slides or bearings. Going to hope for bearings but assume friction slides.

 

[Dividing Creek]

Great boxes. My grandfather, father and I all have (or had one in grandpa's case) them. They are very high quality.

However, as IIT said, you need to figure out the model number, and see if the drawer configuration works for you. The top box tends to have very shallow drawers - made for calipers, micrometers, etc. You wouldn't use them for regular hand tools. They top box is also usually very narrow.

The mid and bottom boxes then to have taller drawers, but still not as deep as a large roll away box. The drawers are heavy duty, but they do not have ball bearing slides, so loading them with heavy items can make them a bit sticky.

If it's a good deal, and big enough for you, go for it. And since you're on the east coast, two states away probably isn't too far. Here, it's at least 800 miles.

yep, only 365 miles

 

[koditten]

I come across lots of Kennedy boxes here at work. I have never come across one that is friction slides.

 

[stout1]

Older Kennedy's are often friction slide just like other brands. New models can be bought both ways and are priced accordingly. Also they sell machinists style & mechanics style.
I'm a machinist by trade, and I own 4 different Kennedy boxes in addition to a Husky, Craftsman & Snap-on. My oldest Kennedy (approx. 20 yrs. old) has alot of steel jigs & fixtures in it. I've changed jobs several times and to this day have not had a single problem with it or any of my Kennedy boxes.

 

[Rickster]

I've had both friction sliders and roller bearing slides in different Kennedy toolboxes. Both were mechanics style with the larger drawers. The friction slides are the best on the market. I have had Snap-on, Mac, Craftsman and Kennedy friction slide toolboxes and the Kennedy's are hands down the THE BEST friction slides for drawers. The more weight you pile in them the better they operate. The Kennedy toolbox line are common for industrial applications. When I worked in the test lab they outfitted all the techs with Kennedy boxes. This company is the most under-rated toolbox company ever. I would not hesitate to buy one of their products.

 

[ihredo4]

+100 on the above. Kennedy friction slid vs Snap On ball bearing slid I would take the Kennedy every time.

 

[oldgoat]

I have a Kennedy roll away that I bought in 74 and is similar to the one in the picture except it is red and instead of one top drawer has two drawers, which I prefer. It has the friction slides, but I have to admit that the bottom drawer that I put all the heavy stuff in has been used so much that it wore through the metal a inch or two from the end on one side. In fairness though it has had a hard life and for many years was more of a community tool box at work. Don't know how good the new ones are, but for me the old ones were hard to beat.

 

[1948]

ill put it this way, i have a kennedy machinist box for my machinist type tools and measuring devices, its from the 1960s or so, and is still working great! but drive 2 states over? im not sure its worth the gas, you cant find one locally?

 

[rburke65]

In this day and age why would anyone travel that far without a picture? Digital cameras, email....you should be able to get a picture. I don't own a Kennedy but when I worked at GM, and that's what they bought the Skilled Trades Apprentices.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If they look like this box and you're getting 7 of them, I'd think you'll have plenty of room for tool storage.

If you feel it's a good deal go get them and make a day of it. Take the wife, if you're married, stop for a good breakfast and have a nice dinner somewhere on the way back. As long as she doesn't try to "help" negoiate the price, I've found it's one of the best ways to get her to support you in your hobby.

 

[butcherted]

Here are a couple of old Kennedy I have had for years, still work great.