Lista vs. The Truck Tool Boxes

[carder69]

I am considering buying some used Lista (eye level 64" tall) modular cabinets for tool storage. They are in good condition and have up to 17 drawers for about $1K per cabinet. I could buy two for a little less than $2K (hopefully), but I am not certain it is the best purchase.

I have no doubts that a SO/MAC box and the Lista are both high quality, but have concerns about the pros and cons.

If you had $2K would you look for a used toolbox on CL or go for the used cabinets. I know I will get more space per $ on the cabinets, but the trade off for mobility is a concern as well as resale value.

I appreciate any comments or suggestions.

ec

 

[Merkava_4]

Lista vs. The Truck Tool Boxes

= Armored Bank Truck vs. Hyundai Elantra

 

[Merkava_4]

=

 

[irisservice]

i like the comparison lol...

 

[Eds_tls]

I've worked in manufacturing for the last 12 years of my life. Of the 4 companines I've worked at, they all used Lista cabinets almost 100% of the time.

We routinely have them loaded with heavy tool steel and even heavier carbide bushings and many of them are opened and closed dozens of times a day.

I don't think I've ever seen one being replaced or scrapped. Ever

 

[Mickey O]

Lista cabinets are excellent, they actually make tool box units with wheels on them (there is a deal on one signed by Tony Pedregon and Cruz Pedregon on the Rockford craig's list that has been tempting me for awhile now, link). Their capacity is 3.5 to 7 times the truck brand boxes. The downside is that they are quite heavy, usually very expensive and a pain to move but if you are keeping it stationary they are top notch.

 

[jkeyser14]

I would take any used beat up and rusted Lista over a tool truck box with no regrets.

 

[Thedroid]

As an owner of a snap on krl, I can say that there really is no comparison. A Lista is far more durable than any toolbox. If your just using it as a toolbox, than either option will last a lifetime. If you plan on storing heavy items, than the Lista will blow any toolbox away. We used Lyon cabinets which are similar to Listas, and we loaded the drawers with 100's of lbs of parts. These cabinets were manhandled daily and stood up to the abuse. My Kelly wouldn't have lasted a year in that place.

 

[Thedroid]

You can also build a frame with some casters if mobility is a concern

 

[jah304]

The drawers have awesome bearings, we have some in our shop loaded. Some are load with some weight, I believe the drawers have a 400lb rating.

 

[TheGrooveking]

=

Everytime I see that picture of that garage I just, well just, you know....

TheGrooveking

 

[carder69]

Thanks for the quick replies. I was already leaning toward the Lista so as soon as I strike a deal I will post pics.

 

[ihredo4]

Lista is what I went with and am very happy I did. I wouldnt even think of a truck brand tool box unless it was an extremely low priced one.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Lista is the proverbial brick *********. They are insanely sturdy, in a way you can't even compare. Are they dolled up? NO. They're designed with getting the job done in mind.

Truck boxes are strong, but can't even be spoken of in the same sense as lista, but they are prettier.

It's all in what you prefer. Lista gets you high end strength with decent looks. Truck boxes get you decent strength with high end looks.

Personally, I believe a tool box is there to hold ****, with looks being secondary, and lista is best at it. Dollar for dollar, I would take a lista every time.

If mobility is a concern, it wouldn't take much time or money to weld up a base with wheels.

 

[trythis]

Do the lista's / vidmars, etc. have drawer detents that would prevent them from opening if your moving them around? I am always hoping to find some, and would keep a pallet or blocks under them so I could move them with a pallet jack until I put wheels on them.

 

[Merkava_4]

Do the lista's / vidmars, etc. have drawer detents that would prevent them from opening if your moving them around?

They have a latch on each drawer and the cabinet will only let you open one drawer at a time.

 

[bmwpower]

Do the lista's / vidmars, etc. have drawer detents that would prevent them from opening if your moving them around? I am always hoping to find some, and would keep a pallet or blocks under them so I could move them with a pallet jack until I put wheels on them.

They make pallet truck bases specifically for this.

 

[Merkava_4]

Can your toolbox drawer hold a stack of brake rotors?

 

[bmwpower]

They will take any of Merk's big boobed babes without issues.

 

[Davefr]

Can your toolbox drawer hold a stack of brake rotors?

That is pretty impressive!!!

 

[fatfillup]

I have newer lista, an older Vidmar, a large Stanley Vidmar and a smaller don't know lista style cabinet.

Newer Lista, very nice and smooth

older Vidmar, best of the bunch

Stanley Vidmar, certainly ok, older one is nicer

No name, old and worn, still usable.

Compared to Snap-on KR1000 I had, the Lista and Vidmar are probably better made but that KR1000 was a tough and smooth working box. Newer KRL's I had, I prefer the LIsta.

The only problem with the Lista's is drawer depth. I would need some deeper drawers for some tools so watch drawer configuration, they do vary.

Merk, that one pic with the brake rotors was awesome. I often stood in the bottom drawer of my KR1000 and I go 225lbs and had some tools in it and the slides still operated smoothly.

 

[Crizzle]

Speaking of Lista, anyone in central IN should check this out..

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/1579345973.html

 

[Flash21]

I have newer lista, an older Vidmar, a large Stanley Vidmar and a smaller don't know lista style cabinet.

Newer Lista, very nice and smooth

older Vidmar, best of the bunch

Stanley Vidmar, certainly ok, older one is nicer

No name, old and worn, still usable.

Compared to Snap-on KR1000 I had, the Lista and Vidmar are probably better made but that KR1000 was a tough and smooth working box. Newer KRL's I had, I prefer the LIsta.

The only problem with the Lista's is drawer depth. I would need some deeper drawers for some tools so watch drawer configuration, they do vary.

Merk, that one pic with the brake rotors was awesome. I often stood in the bottom drawer of my KR1000 and I go 225lbs and had some tools in it and the slides still operated smoothly.

Sounds like you have a nicely rounded experience with different boxes. I pay attention to people have have actually have long-term use on a bunch of brands.

So, you would rank them like this in terms of durability / build construction? (where #1 is the best)?

1: Older Vidmar
2: Lista
3: Stanley Vidmar
4: KR1000
5: Newer KRLs

I will say that Merk has always said the KR1000 had a better build quality / thicker steel than new KRLs.

 

[fatfillup]

Sounds like you have a nicely rounded experience with different boxes. I pay attention to people have have actually have long-term use on a bunch of brands.

So, you would rank them like this in terms of durability / build construction? (where #1 is the best)?

1: Older Vidmar
2: Lista
3: Stanley Vidmar
4: KR1000
5: Newer KRLs

I will say that Merk has always said the KR1000 had a better build quality / thicker steel than new KRLs.

My experience is not long term. I use the Lista styles as display boxes for used tools in my showroom and the KR1000 was also used for that purpose till it got sold. All were purchased used except the no name which I traded a service call for.

The older Vidmar is the best IMHO because is its first life it was full of drill bits, is I'm guessing at least 15 years old and still works flawlessly. I get a lot of compliments on the drawer smoothness.

Next would be the Lista, which was unused but had some damage when I got it, Box was racked and a couple of drawers were rough closing but a few minutes with the protapower solved that problem.

Kr1000 is next. Great slides, good paint for a 20 year old box and nice drawer sizes.

I think I'd put the newer Krl's here. I've had 2, but only for several months. The one only had 6 months use and the drawers seemed stiff. Maybe needed more use to break in. I and my customers really like the full length top drawer or drawers depending on model. Don't know if Lista has that option.

The Stanley Vidmar is about 60 inches wide by about 50 tall and 28 deep. The drawers are deep, 3 and 4 inches, 10 drawers total. There seems to be some wasted height between the drawers. It is not made as well as the Vidmar or Lista, but it may have been designed for different purpose. The drawers work well, just not as nice as the ones above.

If you can get the right drawer configuration, Lista or Vidmars are very nice. Krl's are georgous and will probably resell easier.

Any will hold up well and last a long time. If the deal is right, I would and have bought any of them.

 

[RoarkIndustrialSolutions]

Guess who owns Vidmar in Europe? Lista. As a Lista distributor for more than 7 years now, I can tell you it's absolutely the Ferrari/tank of that industry.

If you find it used, jump all over it. If you need accessories or replacement components, let me know. I'll help in anyway I can.

Best of luck.

 

[Paullew]

I live about 25 minutes from Lista in Mass. Would anyone happen to know if they ever have scratch and dent items? or possible canceled orders?

 

[ultgar]

The only problem with the Lista's is drawer depth. I would need some deeper drawers for some tools so watch drawer configuration, they do vary.

There is no price advantage to buying a new pre-configured cabinet from Lista. The price will be equal to the cost of the drawers, housing, base and top. As such, you can configure the cabinet to meet your storage needs, from 2" depth (I never use the 1" deep drawer) up to 13" depth. Anything deeper than that, consider a pull out tray or shallow drawer to hold and secure taller items...see below.

 

[arkangel06]

Lista makes some GREAT products Built like a brick *********!

 

[fatfillup]

There is no price advantage to buying a new pre-configured cabinet from Lista. The price will be equal to the cost of the drawers, housing, base and top. As such, you can configure the cabinet to meet your storage needs, from 2" depth (I never use the 1" deep drawer) up to 13" depth. Anything deeper than that, consider a pull out tray or shallow drawer to hold and secure taller items...see below.

Thanks for the info, I figured Lista would build them anyway you wanted but wasn't sure. I was referring to used cabinets when I said look at drawer configuration.

 

[skeletonizer]

Aren't the top line PROTO boxes the same as the rolling Lista's just red or black instead of that gawdawful blue?

 

[glenmore]

Oy. Just another name to constantly search CL for.

 

[Thedroid]

I don't think the rolling Lista's are built as heavy as the storage cabinets. Built more like a toolbox. Of the three I've used, Lista, Vidmar, and Lyon. I think The Lyon was the toughest. With the Lista and Vidmar being even.

 

[Merkava_4]

I don't think the rolling Lista's are built as heavy as the storage cabinets.

They're the same exact cabinets with wheels attached.

 

[ultgar]

They're the same exact cabinets with wheels attached.

Its actually a heavy duty framed base with wheels....Lista gets $200-400 for a mobile cabinet base with a mix of fixed and swivel casters (I prefer the 4 swivel caster setup). SD

 

[Merkava_4]

Its actually a heavy duty framed base with wheels....

Yes I know that -- I was trying to keep it simple for the dude above.

 

[ultgar]

Yes I know that -- I was trying to keep it simple for the dude above.

I only mention it because people have questioned me on the pricing over the years, assuming that Lista was charging them $200+ to mount (4) $10.00 casters on the bottom of their cabinet. The IDL's (drawer latches) are a no charge option on mobile cabinets...important so the drawers don't come sliding out when the cabinet is moved.

SD

 

[scooby074]

as others have said Listas are in another league. Not pretty but super tough. Tougher than truck brands for sure. Aimed at a industrial market. In previous jobs ive seen them loaded with hundred of pounds of cutting tools and parts. Built like tanks.

They also come with sweet divider drawers that you can configure for various layouts. Great for cutting tools and drills. or screwdrivers etc.

 

[TejasBimmer]

I have both cabinets and a roller.
LISTA of course.

If you are looking for good used ones, check out CL, eBay and of course govt auction sites.

 

[Jack90210]

Very informative thread. I had no idea just how robust the Lista products were.

 

[carder69]

Speaking of Lista, anyone in central IN should check this out..

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/1579345973.html

I was going to post the CL link after I picked them up, but you beat me to it. I purchased 2 cabinets today from these guys. They banded the drawers and were very helpful and easy to deal with. I purchased the 17 and 12 drawer units. They were a handful to get them off my truck, but they are in their new home. Can't wait to clean them up and get them full.

He has several more as the CL post says and they were from Borg Warner plant that closed in Muncie.

Paid $1650 for both. If you go there tell them Eric sent you and he might give me one of Lyon's as a kickback