Let's see your toolbox.

[Snapped-off]

I read somewhere once that Masterforce boxes were produced by Montezuma. I can't for the life of me remember where I read that and I probably can't find the source again.

The same company makes/made both. Can't remember their name though.

 

[2001ZR2]

The Masterforce boxes were made by Quality Craft which also makes the Montezuma boxes as well. Not sure who makes the new series but I have a 56" top and bottom Masterforce in the Gun Metal Gray. Have had the bottom since 2019 and got one the tops that they were on clearance in October. My birthday, Christmas and Anniversary gift were the funds to make up the difference between the rebate and the clearance price from my wife. Almost forgot have the 16" side cabinet.

 

[Outlawmws]

According to the Quality Craft Website, Montezuma is one of their brands.

 

[BikeShop168]

Snap on 68 Epiq Iris

 

[BSAschields]

Flame if you must. I like it.

Looks like a nice OIF Triumph there. Late 70's is my guess??? And I like the yellow tool box. Id probably have it covered in stickers by now

 

[rharman]

A few weeks old set of boxes. HF US General Series 3 in slate gray. A 42" top/bottom combo with a 56" top/bottom combo.

Blocking them to the same height made a world of difference in the overall look.

That color is really sharp.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Blocking them to the same height made a world of difference in the overall look.

That color is really sharp.

Thanks. I'm already considering an addition.


EDIT: Anyone wanting to see the inside of the boxes can see it here.

Garage Refurb®

I’m sure you’re figure out something to store underneath the box. If not, that spring or screw that went flying will end up underneath it. Heck, you should have seen the dust I swept up from the under the old boxes. I did consider doing something to trim out the underneath.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[PhantomEB]

which one. I have been vocal for Christmas I want either Home Depot or Canadian Tire GCs.

If HD then I can put it towards a red rolling tool box to put that lone (albeit my original gearhead box) on top of, but also intermediate boxes to make those 27s taller. then the lower box and a half with its side box will get a top put on it.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

New 42” from TSC. Thanks to y’all I’ve outgrown my little CMan Homeowners with an added 3 drawer middle and my 3 drawer Rally box. I now have more room than tools for a little while anyways. Still figuring out how I want the drawers laid out. Except the full length which has all my socket sets. The boxes take up room but the 1/2 drive and 1/4 drive sets were Dad’s. 1st pic is 10 yr old CMan with Performax center. 2nd is new box with new magnetic shelves and paper towel holder 3rd is socket drawer that was three different drawers in old setup.

 

[MWEric]

I read somewhere once that Masterforce boxes were produced by Montezuma. I can't for the life of me remember where I read that and I probably can't find the source again.

Quality Craft is the manufacturer. Yes Montezuma is under their umbrella.

 

[Brett in KS]

Speaking of Montezumas here is my main toolbox. Its always on my truck.

 

[AJHD]

Speaking of Montezumas here is my main toolbox. Its always on my truck.

Nice. I really do like the design and features of Montezuma boxes the more and more I see them "in action".

I hope to be in a position to buy one at some point in the future.

 

[Outlawmws]

Speaking of Montezumas here is my main toolbox. I

Is that the 30 or 36"

I want a 36 on top of a decent roller (36 roller? hard to find!) with GOOD casters as my "everyday" box. not that I'm wrenching professionally but I love that all the commonly used tools are RIGHT THERE!

No "Sockets in Drawer No. 1, ratchets and extensions in Drawer No. 2, and the holding wrench is in Drawer No. 3!

 

[Brett in KS]

Is that the 30 or 36"

I want a 36 on top of a decent roller (36 roller? hard to find!) with GOOD casters as my "everyday" box. not that I'm wrenching professionally but I love that all the commonly used tools are RIGHT THERE!

No "Sockets in Drawer No. 1, ratchets and extensions in Drawer No. 2, and the holding wrench is in Drawer No. 3!

Its the 30x19" LA400

 

[hobie18]

Access. I wanted one to improve access. Have all tools right at hand. Hmmm. Does it work for my setup?
Can it hold all my tools. The most used? Location in regard to what I am working on? Truck mountable, and built to keep water and dust out. But I do not need that. A big sale and I might put one to use

 

[Tynee]

Looks like there are some 50% off deals on Motezuma's website right now. May be worth checking out if somebody was looking at a purchase on one of these.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Speaking of Montezumas here is my main toolbox. Its always on my truck.

I always liked those boxes as a truck box for someone who worked out of it. It seems like a ton of storage in a small space.


Someone did right designing the box

 

[Outlawmws]

A big sale and I might put one to use

Check the website - they have sales and free shipping on now for most - but not the 36"

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks. I'm already considering an addition.

It followed me home.

 

[Red89gt]

Quality craft is parent manufacturing contractor for both last I read. I have been watching fb marketplace for months for a good 72” chest with no luck. Probably end up with masterforce chest.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Quality craft is parent manufacturing contractor for both last I read. I have been watching fb marketplace for months for a good 72” chest with no luck. Probably end up with masterforce chest.

Might as well step up and get a HF US Gen 72" box this Black Friday. $400 off. If need be and you're capable of doing it, no peer pressure, apply and put it on a HF card and split the payment up over 24 months.

 

[craftsman creep]

Alright, last December I got this craftsman toolbox and figured it last a few years well it’s pretty darn full and tbh it junk like some of the drawers slides are starting to go out already and do all kinds of weird things so any way. What should be my next toolbox be I was leaning toward a u.s general 56inch bottom and if the have to in the future I could get the top. But I wanted some of your guys opinions
Thanks
-Preston wow my shop hasn’t been thing clean since this picture last December

 

[Outlawmws]

What should be my next toolbox be I was leaning toward a u.s general 56inch bottom

Get a smaller roller, and the biggest Montezuma slant box you can manage.

 

[Shelbylex]

Depending on your budget, may be a used Snap On box? If you have time and do not mind few scratches, you can get a good price

 

[mellowdave]

Alright, last December I got this craftsman toolbox and figured it last a few years well it’s pretty darn full and tbh it junk like some of the drawers slides are starting to go out already and do all kinds of weird things so any way. What should be my next toolbox be I was leaning toward a u.s general 56inch bottom and if the have to in the future I could get the top. But I wanted some of your guys opinions
Thanks
-Preston wow my shop hasn’t been thing clean since this picture last December

HF has the 56" on sale right now; I think you can coupon stack too. That would be pretty tempting. The local store manager tells me there will be similar deals after the holidays as well.

 

[slik560]

I hope they have some deals after Jan 1. I've apparently been living under the proverbial rock, as I went online tool box shopping for a 52-56" roller with drawers. Complete sticker shock. Maybe I don't need to consolidate the three smaller tools chests that I have.

 

[NUTTSGT]

HF has the 56" on sale right now; I think you can coupon stack too. That would be pretty tempting. The local store manager tells me there will be similar deals after the holidays as well.

$300 off on December 23rd.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

What's the big word...eclectic?

72" US General - Pic from our old hose - currently in storage until pole barn is done


Craftsman top, middle and bottom I have had forever - Pic is also from our old hose - It too is currently in storage until pole barn is done


Got tired of digging for tools out of mover's boxes while remodeling the house so I went and bought this 5 drawer cart. It will also go in the pole barn when it's done.



Once we were settled back home in the Midwest and the pole barn was underway, I got the idea of finding the same Snap-On box I had back when I was young and in the bodywork trade. As it turned out the local Snap-On dealer had a pristine 1980's era KR set of boxes. He is storing them for me until the pole barn is done.

 

[Steve_P]

^ That Snap On box is a phenomenal blast to the past that looks to be in new condition. Do you know the story on it?

I ask because it must've been used in a home shop to be in that good of shape after 40 years.

Of course, since it may not have ball bearing slides, it's junk and you need a HF one instead

 

[SouthernIllinois]

^ That Snap On box is a phenomenal blast to the past that looks to be in new condition. Do you know the story on it?

I ask because it must've been used in a home shop to be in that good of shape after 40 years.

Of course, since it may not have ball bearing slides, it's junk and you need a HF one instead

Long story as short as I can make it.

Before joining the Navy, I worked in the bodywork trade.
When I got a KR set of boxes, I thought I was king sh*t. ... lol

Now that I am retired and building a hobby shop, I wanted another set of those boxes.

After looking on FB Market Place and Craigs List for over a year and only finding beat up, overpriced boxes, I had all but given up.

On a whim, I emailed the local Snap-On dealer and told him I was looking for a 1980's KR set.

As it turns out the current dealer is the son of the man who was my dealer back in the 1980s and he saw my email and remembered me.

He happened to have a pristine set that he said he really didn't want to sell because some kid would just tear it up and then trade it in on a new, more modern box but asked me if I wanted to come look at it anyway.

It had belonged to an aircraft mechanic who traded it in. It was in such nice shape, the Dad wanted to hang on to it out of nostalgia.

After a bit of haggling and a promise I would take good care of it, he agreed to sell it to me.

They are storing it for me until the interior of the barn is done and the doors are on,

 

[Toold_up]

I really like that Snap-on box you have there @SouthernIllinois !

 

[Steve_P]

That box is AWESOME. What a fantastic find. I worked with guys in the 1980s that had similar Mac boxes- but not with the side cabinet.

Aircraft mechanic makes sense; that's one step down from used in a medical application . It's not being banged into every day like in a cramped auto shop, being covered with grinding dust.... Fantastic find, and obviously you'll take great care of it.

 

[GW Butch]

What's the big word...eclectic?

72" US General - Pic from our old hose - currently in storage until pole barn is done


Craftsman top, middle and bottom I have had forever - Pic is also from our old hose - It too is currently in storage until pole barn is done


Got tired of digging for tools out of mover's boxes while remodeling the house so I went and bought this 5 drawer cart. It will also go in the pole barn when it's done.



Once we were settled back home in the Midwest and the pole barn was underway, I got the idea of finding the same Snap-On box I had back when I was young and in the bodywork trade. As it turned out the local Snap-On dealer had a pristine 1980's era KR set of boxes. He is storing them for me until the pole barn is done.

I had that same setup in my home for 35 years or so, plus the KR 547 3-drawer center box. I traded it 5 years ago (in central IL) for a KRL1023.

 

[fishwatcher]

Long story as short as I can make it.

Before joining the Navy, I worked in the bodywork trade.
When I got a KR set of boxes, I thought I was king sh*t. ... lol

Now that I am retired and building a hobby shop, I wanted another set of those boxes.

After looking on FB Market Place and Craigs List for over a year and only finding beat up, overpriced boxes, I had all but given up.

On a whim, I emailed the local Snap-On dealer and told him I was looking for a 1980's KR set.

As it turns out the current dealer is the son of the man who was my dealer back in the 1980s and he saw my email and remembered me.

He happened to have a pristine set that he said he really didn't want to sell because some kid would just tear it up and then trade it in on a new, more modern box but asked me if I wanted to come look at it anyway.

It had belonged to an aircraft mechanic who traded it in. It was in such nice shape, the Dad wanted to hang on to it out of nostalgia.

After a bit of haggling and a promise I would take good care of it, he agreed to sell it to me.

They are storing it for me until the interior of the barn is done and the doors are on,

Great story and awesome find!

 

[930dreamer]

A mix of old and older!

 

[slik560]

This thread and a couple of related ones saved me at least $600 this week. I was all set with the coupon to head to Harbor Freight to nab one of the 56" boxes [as shown in the coupon posted above]. I spent that morning re-reading a lot of this thread and others and realized that with a little more organization and a new socket rack for one particular drawer, I was able to arrange things in the boxes that I have into a very workable configuration --- with a little room left over for the tools I can get with the money I just "saved".

Thanks again GJ!

Pictures when I'm done

 

[bhound]

Updated pics. I’m still of the opinion that Masterforce boxes are the best going for box stores. No problems in 6 years of ownership. Casters are aftermarket but not because the original failed. To be honest I don’t remember why I replaced them.

like that crow foot cresent wrench

 

[Kaervak]

My tool box for the last ten or so years has been the first generation US General 56” box as seen here:

Let's see your toolbox.

Not sure on the exact model. I'm guessing it's a KRL722 with the matching top box.

www.garagejournal.com

Great box, but it was showing it’s age after a decade. I was going to get the 72” third generation US General box, however I was offered a trade. My old 218k mile Forester I was selling for a SnapOn box. Well, it was an easy decision. I didn’t gain or lose space, but got a much better layout and a much much nicer box than the HF one. It’s a KCP1422 in Arctic Silver with blue trim.

 

[rbahr]

Long story as short as I can make it.

Before joining the Navy, I worked in the bodywork trade.
When I got a KR set of boxes, I thought I was king sh*t. ... lol

Now that I am retired and building a hobby shop, I wanted another set of those boxes.

After looking on FB Market Place and Craigs List for over a year and only finding beat up, overpriced boxes, I had all but given up.

On a whim, I emailed the local Snap-On dealer and told him I was looking for a 1980's KR set.

As it turns out the current dealer is the son of the man who was my dealer back in the 1980s and he saw my email and remembered me.

He happened to have a pristine set that he said he really didn't want to sell because some kid would just tear it up and then trade it in on a new, more modern box but asked me if I wanted to come look at it anyway.

It had belonged to an aircraft mechanic who traded it in. It was in such nice shape, the Dad wanted to hang on to it out of nostalgia.

After a bit of haggling and a promise I would take good care of it, he agreed to sell it to me.

They are storing it for me until the interior of the barn is done and the doors are on,

Those seem to be the best Snapon boxes ever made. My main boxes are a KR1000, (2) KR1010, KR1100. 29" deep drawers, ball bearing slides. I have it set up so that the two end boxes are on either end of the main box, More storage than I need. I replaced everything including the casters when I 1st got the boxes. No dents, rust... I have had a couple of other SO boxes and none felt as well made as this, also currently have the SO KRSC430, still not as well made.

 

[afazz]

I haven’t posted mine in a while. Here is the box and a few drawers, I just made an updated toolbox tour video showing the rest.