Lista vs Snap On krl

[WESTOF7]

Which in your opinion is better and why?

its between this

http://www.listabox.com/model-1050/triple-bank/specs.php

and the comparable krl for me.

**** paying 10 grand for an epiq lol

 

[reptilezs]

if those lista's are built like their stationary cabinets i would take the lista. work has quite a few different brands of industrial storage. stanley/vidmar, equipto, and lista. the lista is the smoothest one, then the stanley. equipto is strong but doesnt roll as smooth.

 

[kythri]

That Lista is only 28.5" deep.

I think you can get the "comparable" KRL 30" deep.

Then again, the Lista appears to be a bit longer than the KRL you'd likely compare it to (72").

What's the Lista price?

 

[MoToys]

The deep krl's are 29". I'd also like to know the price of theta lista.

Correction 29 1/8"

 

[yjWrangler]

The deep krl's are 29". I'd also like to know the price of theta lista.

Correction 29 1/8"

Says on the configuration page. Around $6000

 

[MoToys]

Thanks

 

[dwm]

I like Lista's stuff, a lot. I'd pick the Lista if buying new. The drawers will hold a tremendous amount of weight, dividers in the wide drawers let you keep things organized however you'd like (and are easily reconfigured), and there are many matching cabinets when you need to buy another. You can also customize your drawer configuration (heights) if desired. The fact that the price is a lot lower than Snap-On is just a significant bonus.

Given that the drawer dividers work well, you might consider a pair of DW single-bank models instead. The 1050 is 53" tall, making the top not very useful for workspace. For garage purposes, I also don't find the MP width drawers as useful as having full-width drawers that I can just reconfigure with dividers as my needs change. Your needs may be different, of course, but I'd prefer a pair of DW750 over a triple-bank 1050.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

Buying new vs. new I'd probably get the Lista box. A comparable KRL will be north of 10k unless you can work a deal with your dealer and in my experience the lista boxes are every bit as strong. Only thing the Snap-On box really has going for it (IMO) is the ease of warranty if something breaks.

Buying used I'd probably get a KRL, only because I can usually find a box that size for under $3k and the lista boxes simply don't seem to show up on the used market.

 

[canuckian]

I do like Listas and would love to own one. My problem is that I've never seen one in person and for that big of a purchase, I need to be able to see it up close. Im not worried about the quality as from what ive read, its industrial quality but what id look for is the subtle things(latch movement, cater smoothness, etc). With the snappy boxes, I have that option as I have a truck guy that carries boxes on his truck and I can go into just about any shop around and I'll find the model box I'm interested in and ask the owner some questions ( did this for both my current KRL box and the new box I have on order). Ease of warranty is another factor for sure.

 

[robertwhite]

Man, that's a simple decision. Pay for the name (Snap On), or pay for the quality (Lista).

Not saying that SO is not a quality box, but having owned various Snap On boxes for well over 30 years, and recently coming across and buying a used Lista rolling cabinet and some wall units (in which drawers will interchange with the roller if need be), I can EASILY say that Lista is hands down a better quality box. Period.

Lista drawers are made to carry 450lbs. Think about that. 2 large male adults can sit on an open drawer. Think a Snap On drawer can do that? The steel is heavy gauge in the Lista and the things are built like tanks. Drawer are super smooth, yet with very minimal clearances (which helps in the weight carry).

Now that Stanley has bought Lista, who knows what will come a few years from now, but current and former stuff is solid as you will find.

 

[Flash21]

If buying brand new, Lista

used, Snap-On (Lista is not very common on the 2nd hand market) Snap-on can be pikced up on a pretty decent price relative to new prices.

 

[afazz]

I made this decision a few months back and chose Snap-on KRL. I use Lista boxes at work, we have models from the 1980s until 2011 and every year in between. The newest boxes are really nice, our old ones are all broken down junk.

Lista benefits:
-The drawers roll very smooth, they're much smoother than Snap-on.
-The load ratings, per drawer, are higher than Snap-on KRL
-I would say the boxes themselves are sturdier than Snap-on. The steel might not be thicker, but the design is better so the drawers are stiffer.
-Their drawer organizers are very nice. Every drawer has slots for the organizers already built in, and they're very flexible.
-The list price is cheaper.

Why I chose Snap-on:
-The KRL drawers come with liners and they're awesome, Lista boxes are bare metal.
-The Lista drawer rollers are plastic wheels. The old ones where I work are all blown out, and they're riveted in place so they can't be changed easily. You can possibly replace the whole slide though. Snap-on KRL slides are warrantied for life, or you can buy new ones for about $60 per pair.
-The bottoms of the KRL drawers are smooth. If your drawers are full and a tool gets kicked up, it won't get stuck on the bottom of the drawer above it. The older Listas had a bar under the drawers, the newer ones have holes, ribs, and the screws from the organizers.
-The Snap-on KRL will allow you to open more than one drawer at a time. The Lista boxes are designed for the dumbest guy in the entire factory, so he can't open 2 heavy drawers and topple the box. If I want to open my drill bits drawer and then open my calipers drawer to measure a bit, I can. Lista owners can't.
-Snap-on KRL boxes go on sale. I got my KRL722/791 combo brand new on the truck for around 45% off of list price. It took some luck and waiting around for sales, but even the average guy can probably negotiate 10-20% off on a $6k purchase. Who are you going to ask for a discount on the Lista? The industrial sales rep who just sold $300k worth of boxes to the local GM plant?
-Resale value. When I was shopping, none of my friends had hear of Lista and they're machinists. My mom recognizes Snap-on! A KRL box will sell itself if you hit hard times or want to upgrade in the future, a Lista will not.
-Used accessory availability. If you want to buy a locker or top chest, there are KRL versions on ebay and craigslist every day. Lista boxes are extremely rare on the used market, and there are so many options that finding a matching piece would be impossible.
-The Snap-on KRL lock'n'roll mechanism is the full width of the drawer. The Lista rolling boxes only have a small tab on the right side of the drawer. The Harbor Freight 56" box and 5-drawer cart have copied this design, I hate the HF version and I hate the Lista version. This is especially important on the wide drawers, where it makes sense to pull them from the center but the latch is all the way on the right.
http://www.harborfreight.com/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html

If I had to make the choice again, I would choose KRL every time That said, Lista makes a very nice box and you will be very happy either way.

 

[Monte]

Lista drawers are made to carry 450lbs. Think about that. 2 large male adults can sit on an open drawer.

How often do people store 2 male adults in one drawer

 

[robertwhite]

How often do people store 2 male adults in one drawer

Well, if you part 'em out carefully and dehydrate them with some soy sauce, you could easily fit 2 people's worth of jerky in a drawer.

 

[The Dutchman]

I was looking for a roll cab 50-60" long to fill out my work area here at the garage. It was down to the Proto J45030 - 60"Wx27.75"Dx39"H 6-Drawer Gold Work Station (single bay), or the Lista TSDW750-0621-M - DW750 6 Drawer Single Bank Toolbox 56.5W x 28.5D x 33.5H.

I had checked out the Snappy catalog and gone into sticker shock, but today, just for jollies I asked my Snap On dealer if there were any promos going, re tool box trade ins. He said, sure, & scoped out my 47 year old, small, rusty, but intact Snap On roll cab. The box he was offering was a KRL7022 roll cab he had just picked up. After his phone call later that evening I was in whatever state you'd call the opposite of "sticker shock". I got $2800 trade in value for the little roll cab that might have fetched $75 on Ebay! Then a $250 rebate since he's a "Platinum" dealer. Then, to sweeten the deal, he gave me $400 toward any future tool purchases on my truck account.

To my mind, the bottom line is I'm paying $3800 for a brand new box that normally goes for $7435.

Bottom line, the Proto would have been $3225 & the Lista about $2900.

I'm not positive I'll buy the Snap On, but it sure looks that way, esp since I don't have a work bench & it seems you can abuse the heck out of the top surface of the
KRL7022 w/o distorting the structure.

The point here is, if you have a good rapport w/a Snap On dealer, it's incredible how much you can save occasionally!

 

[Monte]

Well, if you part 'em out carefully and dehydrate them with some soy sauce, you could easily fit 2 people's worth of jerky in a drawer.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

didn't lista get bought out by dollar store stanley ?
Stanley has acquired Lista NA

 

[Linda@Lista]

I do like Listas and would love to own one. My problem is that I've never seen one in person and for that big of a purchase, I need to be able to see it up close. Im not worried about the quality as from what ive read, its industrial quality but what id look for is the subtle things(latch movement, cater smoothness, etc). With the snappy boxes, I have that option as I have a truck guy that carries boxes on his truck and I can go into just about any shop around and I'll find the model box I'm interested in and ask the owner some questions ( did this for both my current KRL box and the new box I have on order). Ease of warranty is another factor for sure.

Hello there canuckian,

I completely understand you wanting to see the products up close. If you live in the Toronto area, we will be at next month's Canadian International Farm Show. I can also throw some pictures up on this thread if you'd like, but I get that you'd want to touch and feel the stuff for yourself...

Linda@Lista

 

[Linda@Lista]

Now that Stanley has bought Lista, who knows what will come a few years from now, but current and former stuff is solid as you will find.

Do not worry my friends, we will not be compromising our quality.
Linda@Lista

 

[Flash21]

Thanks for posting Linda@Lista, keep us informed of updates!!

 

[canuckian]

Hello there canuckian,

I completely understand you wanting to see the products up close. If you live in the Toronto area, we will be at next month's Canadian International Farm Show. I can also throw some pictures up on this thread if you'd like, but I get that you'd want to touch and feel the stuff for yourself...

Linda@Lista

Hi Linda...unfortunately, Toronto is a bit out of the way for me (15-20 hours) so I probably won't be at that show. It's probably closer for me to visit your head office (Mass. right?) but thats still a crazy amount of driving to open the drawer of a toolbox and roll it across the floor. I totally understand that your company's bread and butter is industrial applications but it is too bad that Joe Consumer doesn't have better physical access to your products. Nevertheless, I still believe you guys have a great product and i do aim to own a Lista in some shape or form one of those days - your desks and tables interest me so it may be along that line. Just hope I can get one in orange! lol. Good luck in the Stanley merger and I hope you're right when you say that it won't compromise your product or where it's made. thanks for the reply.

 

[Linda@Lista]

Hello canuckian,
I wonder if there is an auto dealer or soemthing along those lines near you that might have our products which you might be able to touch and feel. I have to tell you that even the toolboxes are quite hefty. Would you like me to look into finding out what dealer might be around you?
Linda

 

[canuckian]

Hello canuckian,
I wonder if there is an auto dealer or soemthing along those lines near you that might have our products which you might be able to touch and feel. I have to tell you that even the toolboxes are quite hefty. Would you like me to look into finding out what dealer might be around you?
Linda

I've looked without success but you may have better luck. I'm fairly central to all 3 maritime provinces and spend time in all 3 frequently. So, if you can find any dealers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island, I'd love to go see them.

many thanks

 

[bsaint]

I think Amada or Finn-Power turret punches come with Lista tooling storage units. Or maybe that International boxes...

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

sam's club ?

 

[Linda@Lista]

I've looked without success but you may have better luck. I'm fairly central to all 3 maritime provinces and spend time in all 3 frequently. So, if you can find any dealers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island, I'd love to go see them.

many thanks

You are in luck! Our regional sales manager, Dennis Renaud, says that he has a distributor in Dartmouth Nova Scotia called Mill Supply. They have our storage wall set up in their showroom, and are probably the best place to go. If you are interested I'll send you some contact info in a private message.
Linda@Lista

 

[canuckian]

You are in luck! Our regional sales manager, Dennis Renaud, says that he has a distributor in Dartmouth Nova Scotia called Mill Supply. They have our storage wall set up in their showroom, and are probably the best place to go. If you are interested I'll send you some contact info in a private message.
Linda@Lista

yes, please!!! didn't realize there was a distributor so close (less than an hour away!) thanks a million!!

 

[Linda@Lista]

yes, please!!! didn't realize there was a distributor so close (less than an hour away!) thanks a million!!

Not a problem! I'm real happy that I could help! Have a great weekend.
Linda