Lista work station vs my Snap On Epiq

[jeeper93436]

so i just got a new job at a Mercedes Benz dealership and they are redoing the shop. we are all getting new Lista work stations to match the dealer colors. so the first thing i did was opened the drawers and they felt like i was opening my old Mac tool box, not impressed. drawer had a lot of play side by side and up and down. the drawer fellt like its not has sturdy has my Epiq tool box. like the metal is not has thick has my Epiq. the side locker on the Lista felt flimsy too compare to me Epiq locker. i havent moved into the Lista box but this was my first impressions. im not sure if theres different quality models of Lista tool boxes but the ones the dealer got are definately not even close to my Epiq. just felt like writing this because before i purchased my tool box a was looking at other brands and i can tell a big difference in quality between my Epiq box and the Lista boxes my dealer got.

 

[gagreen]

you're going from a mercedes to a very nice buick....

 

[MattPersman]

Defiantly not as nice as the epic. You lose your individuality with the dealers that supply the boxes. But after a little while you really aren't as careful as you would be with your own, oh this has a stainless top we can hammer on it lol. The liners are so crappy and you end up pulling them out. But on the bright side they can hire a bunch of people with no tools and no box for less money and you can fix there come backs.

 

[JoeMA]

Does it have the 440lb capacity drawers?

In my experience/opinion, those Lista boxes are better built (and better value) than any of the tool truck boxes.

 

[Nanashi]

Does it have the 440lb capacity drawers?

In my experience/opinion, those Lista boxes are better built (and better value) than any of the tool truck boxes.

If nuclear fallout should accure id hide in my epiq.

 

[wmartin]

Does it have the 440lb capacity drawers?

In my experience/opinion, those Lista boxes are better built (and better value) than any of the tool truck boxes.

This thread got me curious, I thought that it would be interesting to compare overall weight of the things.

This:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=allll&item_ID=649432&group_ID=682930&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

looks roughly comparable to these:

http://www.listabox.com/model-900/double-bank/config.php

The Snap-on box weighs 774 lbs (shipped...does this include the packaging?) and the Lista boxes range from 667-735 lbs (box only I gather from the page)...also, the Lista boxes are 1.5" shallower and about 3" less wide. I don't know if the price differences matter as I have no clue how meaningful list price is.

 

[warmpancakes]

Lista boxes are nice, but they dont compare to a epiq, Ive had lista boxes and their major issue support for the end user getting parts is a pain if you can get them once the box is 4-5 years old good luck. If you can get them even simple things take 2-3 months to get. I need a poart for a mid 80 kr555 it was at my door in 2 days, Snop is designed for the tech Lista is designed for the parts department (filter pushers). Yes the snap on has a Higher list price (no body pays list)

 

[PCMusicGuy]

I thought Lista was the authority on shop cabinets and storage, not specifically toolboxes.

 

[bobcatdan]

I laugh every time somebody brings up the 440 lbs capacity of the lista. Add double slide to a krl or an epiq and it will push their drawers to over 450 lbs. Unless you are storing lead, I don't know why you need a 30x 36 area to store that much weight. My heaviest drawer which is full to the brim of heavy ****, opens fine with a single set of slides.

 

[Mastermind]

but now you get to have the epic at home in the garage....

 

[warmpancakes]

opens and closes with one finger

 

[Mastermind]

hows the detents on yours pancakes? my big drawer esp. has stiff detents, after jarring the whole box past them it rolls nice and smooth one finger

 

[warmpancakes]

I had my driver swap them for the softer ones, because its a home box that never rolls I dont need the stiff ones, My 9 year old can open the drawer easily (he uses the drawers as a steps to get to the candy on the top shelf)

 

[Mastermind]

Nice. so there is different grades of detents? I was hoping there was an adjustment. my current driver doesn't seem to want to do much but take my money. (he's not the one I bought the box from)

 

[Trey T]

So does Lista make different class of cabinet like SO does?

 

[warmpancakes]

Nice. so there is different grades of detents? I was hoping there was an adjustment. my current driver doesn't seem to want to do much but take my money. (he's not the one I bought the box from)

clear and black IIRC let me dig for the part number, they are cheap too

 

[larryq]

I'm surprised as well. Always thought Lista/Vidmar were the gold standard on boxes. Of course, I've never seen an Epiq so I'm ready to stand corrected. This place is a continuing education.

 

[bobcatdan]

I have never stored tools in a Lista or a vidmar, but we have at work in the parts department. They are awesome in parts. The amount of stock you can fit in one and organize just so is great. They are 10 if 100 times better then any shelves or other cabinets we use. That said there is nothing about their build quality that makes me look down on my KRL. They both have jobs to do and both do it well. Would I use my tool box to store parts, no. Lista and vidmars are overgrown filing cabinets, that is how they are built. I'm not trying to knock these cabinets, if I had a large part stock at home, I'd want one.

 

[willhollin]

What's the price difference between this Lista model and your Epiq?

 

[warmpancakes]

What's the price difference between this Lista model and your Epiq?

Mine? are we talikng list or real world pricing? At list Snap on is twice as much as a lista thats close to its size, real world pricing, Snap on was cheaper by about 1500

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I think the only threads worse then the "Buy a 44" HF" threads are the SO vs Lista threads.

IMHO, even free is too much for a lista. Not saying they aren't good boxes, but they like to change out parts and make it so entire cabinet assemblies are unserviceable...Cant buy suspension/slides for the old BB style, gotta retrofit to the new PLASTIC slides, but only if the box was made on a Wednesday and after 2013..etc..
That's a byproduct of Lista's intended market being corporations and purchasing depts. and not people. People would cry foul if they had to buy a 7k box new because one drawer is junk....Just the cost of doing business in industry.

I know you aren't looking to BUY one or the other, but if I were to setup fixed storage like a Lista, without a doubt the only choice I would have to make is what color should I buy my KRS's.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Lista boxes are nice, but they dont compare to a epiq, Ive had lista boxes and their major issue support for the end user getting parts is a pain if you can get them once the box is 4-5 years old good luck. If you can get them even simple things take 2-3 months to get. I need a poart for a mid 80 kr555 it was at my door in 2 days, Snop is designed for the tech Lista is designed for the parts department (filter pushers). Yes the snap on has a Higher list price (no body pays list)

Yeah - no trouble getting some parts (for free under warranty, BTW) for my 1980's KR series box I bought used last year.
SO stuff is supported better for the working techs -- but if the company is buying boxes to standardize the shop, then I'd happily use whatever they gave me....and when there is any issue with that box, the MGR can figure out where to get parts or buy another box.

but now you get to have the epic at home in the garage....

That'd be nice

I think the only threads worse then the "Buy a 44" HF" threads are the SO vs Lista threads..

My first thought before I even opened this thread

 

[JoeMA]

I laugh every time somebody brings up the 440 lbs capacity of the lista.

Lista has some products with lower drawer ratings. My question to the OP was whether he has the 440lb drawers or other.

Unless you are storing lead, I don't know why you need a 30x 36 area to store that much weight. My heaviest drawer which is full to the brim of heavy ****, opens fine with a single set of slides.

I prefer to have things overbuilt to handle abuse and for longevity. I won't put 90 ft lbs into a 1/4 ratchet, but I am glad that my T72 is that strong.

There are numerous threads on Lista and Lista vs others. The OP will find some good info in those.

 

[rhastings80]

I have both a Lista and Vidmar and think they are great. I do agree that trying to get parts is not easy. I see these cabinets go for a lot of money used at auctions that are all beat up and have worn out bearings or carriages. I wonder who is buying them and why. If you can't get parts easy or they are are super expensive what's the point of buying a used one that's all beat up? On the older Vidmar's I have its a pain to clean out the ball bearings when the grease has hardened. I have cleaned like half of them but it takes about hour per drawer. I bought mine used but checked them out in person first and got killer deals on them.

 

[Nanashi]

What's the price difference between this Lista model and your Epiq?

My 68" epiq cost me $5088 said and done. It doesn't have the power top though. My draw up top is filled with sockets and such. I have sat on the thing and bounced with the draw fully extended to prove a point. The point being it didn't tip. Once i did that with the top extended and two other drawers half open. Lol if it enter tipped I'd be a crushed idiot.

 

[Wamsutta]

I had my driver swap them for the softer ones, because its a home box that never rolls I dont need the stiff ones, My 9 year old can open the drawer easily (he uses the drawers as a steps to get to the candy on the top shelf)

An Epiq has detents? I thought they had drawer latches like a KRL but only a different design.

 

[warmpancakes]

Not sure what they are called little rubber pieces the drawer "latches" onto

 

[jeeper93436]

i dont know what rating drawers are on the lista. i guess my expectations were too high from what i had read on this site about Lista. i have to agree with the people saying that Lista is more for warehouse or has shelves. all the drawers have cut out slots to put deviders. has far has customer service they forgot to ship a few parts and its been over a week and havent recieved anything, misc bolts and hinges for keyboards. my first post was my initial impression about the boxes. i can read how good or bad something is but i wont believe it until i can prove it and it is what it is.

 

[GTA Matt]

Looking at their boxes online, it appears the boxes are 28" deep, but the drawers are only 24". Is that right? After having deep drawers, I don't think I could ever go back. It would be pretty sweet to have your epiq at home though...

 

[Bull]

I think if you were to buy your Lista products from Motorhead Extraordinaire, he would go above and beyond to take care of any customer service needs.

We've all seen the pics of Listas in service, loaded to the top with brake rotors. I'm sure they can hold all the wrenches, sockets, pullers and pliers you can throw at them.

For an Average Joe on a budget, Listas and Vidmars can be had for very cheap when compared to Snap-on. Everyone knows Snappy; every seller wants Snappy prices; those sellers often get those prices. Fewer people know the industrial brands, so the demand is less, and the prices are lower.

If it weren't for Lista, Vidmar and Equipto, my only way to get out of a 26" Craftsman roller would have been to go to HF for the 44".

I am not disparaging SO in any way. I am stating certain facts I have acquired from experience.

 

[Skin]

Ive had lista boxes and their major issue support for the end user getting parts is a pain if you can get them once the box is 4-5 years old good luck.

Since Lista NA is now owned by Stanley i'd think this would improve. As much as people hate on them, namely for being a giant and manufacturing abroad, Stanley in general is very good with regards to customer service and support.

 

[jeeper93436]

the drawers are shallow. is it possible that the older lista boxes were sturdier. i swear the only nice thing about them is the rollers everything else looks cheap. i wouldnt doubt it that they are making them cheaper than before just like other companies. a good way to put it is like a husky toolbox with nicer rollers.

 

[Wamsutta]

is it possible that the older lista boxes were sturdier?

That's a real good possibility. There was a time when Snap-on boxes were built sturdier too.

 

[Bull]

a good way to put it is like a husky toolbox with nicer rollers.

This is unfathomable. I hope Joe from ME chimes in to say whether construction quality has changed.

There is about as much similarity between my big Lista and a Husky as between a steel plate and a sheet of foil.

 

[jeeper93436]

This is unfathomable. I hope Joe from ME chimes in to say whether construction quality has changed.

There is about as much similarity between my big Lista and a Husky as between a steel plate and a sheet of foil.

i personally dont think that the Lista boxes we got are not much better than a husky tool box.

 

[Bull]

i personally dont think that the Lista boxes we got are not much better than a husky tool box.

I know, that's what I was responding to above. I want to hear from someone in the industry about whether Lista construction methods have changed. I own an older Lista, and I have handled Husky boxes. Absolutely no comparison.

 

[woodstockva]

This is unfathomable. I hope Joe from ME chimes in to say whether construction quality has changed.

There is about as much similarity between my big Lista and a Husky as between a steel plate and a sheet of foil.

I have a Vidmar and a Lista. I think the Lista/Vidmar critics have never seen one in person. There is a reason machine shops, the military, NASA, and heavy duty industrial users prefer them....they hold over 400lbs per drawer and open EASIER when fully loaded.

I would not trade mine for any normal toolbox.

The only complaint I have would be the drawer width.

 

[skylinegtr20]

Mercedes dealer I worked at had built in SO and they were color matched... So your dealer saying they had to go Lista cause of color is BS, its probably just cheaper. This was 9 years ago but I cant see that changing.

I will say though, our entire selection of special tools (alot for mercedes lol) and parts room used the Vidmar cabinets and they were outstanding.

 

[Bull]

I have a Vidmar and a Lista. I think the Lista/Vidmar critics have never seen one in person. There is a reason machine shops, the military, NASA, and heavy duty industrial users prefer them....they hold over 400lbs per drawer and open EASIER when fully loaded.

I would not trade mine for any normal toolbox.

The only complaint I have would be the drawer width.

But here we have a fellow who has apparently handled a new Lista, and he believes they are no better than a Husky!

I'm baffled.

 

[jeeper93436]

Mercedes dealer I worked at had built in SO and they were color matched... So your dealer saying they had to go Lista cause of color is BS, its probably just cheaper. This was 9 years ago but I cant see that changing.

I will say though, our entire selection of special tools (alot for mercedes lol) and parts room used the Vidmar cabinets and they were outstanding.

i dont know why they chose Lista. but i wouldnt doubt they went with Lista for their price. they are redoing the entire MB department so im sure they are getting a deal with the tool boxes and parts department.