MAC tool boxes

[Gergify]

First off, Greetings everyone!

So I'm a A&P Student and I'm in the market for a bigger better tool box (to replace my single cab Master Force). I have discounts for Snap-on, Matco, Proto and MAC.

I'm really interested in the MAC (Because being slightly cheaper than Matco and Snap-on and frankily I want something different than the usual)

Does anyone know the price for this particular model? I called but their not open till monday.

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-328969-11-drawer-work-station-orange.aspx

 

[bimmer630]

If you think MAC is going to be cheap(er).. think again.

I think Matco would probably be a better deal on a box these days. I could be wrong though

 

[crewchief888]

FWIW

before you buy that mac box,
theres a recent thread about drawers bending and twisting, and broken welds on mac boxes.

 

[Outlawmws]

The trucks aren't the only good box makers:

http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/home/56-inch-toolboxes/strictly-tool-boxes-57-12-drawer-tool-cabinet.html

Storage Capacity

Drawer Capacity
250lbs/500lbs
Total Square Inches
7,076
Total Cubic Inches
26,363

 

[j.c.whitney]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139471

 

[Gergify]

Well thats a shame! I guess I'll continue to consider my options

Hows StrictlyToolboxes.com / Montezuma? I've never heard of them. How do they compare to the leading brands?

 

[bobcatdan]

If you like Mac, look at Proto, same boxes. Proto even has some different drawer layoutsfor the same box where Mac will have one. I don't know what your discounts amount to, but Protos can be had for a lot cheaper then a Mac anyday.

 

[Outlawmws]

I like the drawer layout of the Strictly tool boxes roller I posted over most others, as there is a definite lack of overly deep drawers that wind up wasting the cubic inches. One large deep drawer (good for deep sockets and long extensions/ratchets where you need the depth and width) and most of the other drawers are reasonably shallow but will still take wrench racks.

A couple of the side drawers are a bit deeper, but if you put pliers in racks, then the depth can be justified.

I have not had one in my hands, but the specs speak for themselves, good heavy gauge drawers and frame, and the people that have bought them have had good things to say about them.

 

[Gergify]

I've looked at Proto, but I wasn't too impressed (felt 'cheap').

Montezuma looks interesting, but I'm in a field where either you buy one of the big brand names (Snap-on, matco and etc) or else you have bought '****'. How does Montezuma match up in turns of quality?

 

[bhalv]

what's up greg?

First off, Greetings everyone!

So I'm a A&P Student and I'm in the market for a bigger better tool box (to replace my single cab Master Force). I have discounts for Snap-on, Matco, Proto and MAC.

I'm really interested in the MAC (Because being slightly cheaper than Matco and Snap-on and frankily I want something different than the usual)

Does anyone know the price for this particular model? I called but their not open till monday.

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-328969-11-drawer-work-station-orange.aspx

 

[Gergify]

what's up greg?

Haha Brent is that you??

 

[bhalv]

Haha Brent is that you??

yeah man

 

[Outlawmws]

I've looked at Proto, but I wasn't too impressed (felt 'cheap').

Montezuma looks interesting, but I'm in a field where either you buy one of the big brand names (Snap-on, matco and etc) or else you have bought '****'. How does Montezuma match up in turns of quality?

Note that Proto has three levels of box, so which one were you looking at?

My base "weathergage" for toolbox quality is weight (Since very few still publish what gauge steel was used where; Most use "heavy gauge" as a reference... ). Find the comparable boxes in size and drawer count and see if they are close in weight. If so, then at least the metal is there. Cheap boxes use thinner gauge metal and won't last.

Is it perfect? No, because box design and construction also affect the box's strength. (Witness the MAC thread with a failure on one of their boxes. does that mean Mac makes **** boxes? No; does it even mean that model is ****? Again. No; not on a sample of one...)

As to the other people you work with and their opinions on what is "****" If I let everyone else' opinion affect my decision's, I'd never make one for myself, because you can ask three people for an opinion and get four or more answers...


As for anyone that equates cost as the only measure of quality, well, anyone that ignorant, I couldn't care less what they think...


If the box is good, its good. if it's not, it shows pretty quickly. I have no use for brand snobbery... (NO ONE does everything better than everyone else...)

Back on topic, another excellent brand most in the automotive trades ignore is Kennedy. They have been making top quality tool boxes for longer than most, and it is their primary focus...

 

[bobcatdan]

I agree with Outlaw, look at Kennedy. We where just discussing Kennedy boxes in Deeretech's tread regarding toolboxes. I don't know if he bought it, but was looking at a Kennedy Benchmark series which if I remember is about 46" wide and maybe 24" deep. I think the box was recently update to two full width drawers on the top also.

 

[Gergify]

Kennedy's look interesting. I've heard of them before, but I thought they were geared towards machinists (shallower drawers). However that Benchmark series looks decent (although I could find little info on it), I wonder if Kennedy would give me some kind of student discount...

 

[el tanque prohibido]

The Kennedy 3900MP would be an excellent box for an A&P technician.

 

[Obie]

Mac, Snap-On, and Matco all make great boxes. But they are very expensive. And then add on another 25% if you finance, because that's pretty much the only rate you're getting. Used boxes can be had for a great price too, if you want to look that way.

Another brand to check out is Lista. They make a lot of industrial store, but also have their Technician Series toolboxes in a huuuuuuuuuuuge variety of configurations. Built like tanks too, and 440lb capacity per drawer.

And its hard to go wrong with Montezuma. Fantastic, I still miss the 26" Crossover Combo I sold to the new guy in the shop. Just be aware that they are chinese. I'm not really a fan of imports, but at least they keep their QC very, very high.

 

[38D]

Another brand to check out is Lista. They make a lot of industrial store, but also have their Technician Series toolboxes in a huuuuuuuuuuuge variety of configurations. Built like tanks too, and 440lb capacity per drawer.

Rousseau is another brand of the same high quality. I have Rousseau cabinets with drawers and they are insanely strong.

 

[GoBlue]

IMHO i think Snap on, Matco, and Lista are of a higher quality than the others listed. With student discounts i dont think you can get half off on a KRL or a 6 series Matco unless im mistaken. As opposed to buying a cheaper box with an expensive name on it, look into the used market or look towords one of the alt. brands listed as they are on par with the classic series Snap ons etc...

 

[sdguy55]

Montezuma boxes arent bad. Me personally i would switch out the drawer padding. But i LOVE their roadboxes. Tough as fricken nails and can hold a heck of alot more than what you think

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Like others have said, I too have seen MAC box's welds fail a lot. That was one of the reasons I bought a snap on that and its hard to find a MAC dealer anywhere, sadly we do not have a MATCO dealer or I would have bought one from him.

I have had zero issues with my Snap On KRL1023, I roll it around uneven bumpy floors chords etc and its loaded right up and opens and shuts a hundred times a day for 4 years.

The only real reason I like MATCO box's a little more it you can get nicer colors and trim Kennedy makes nice box's but there small and you will out grow them fast same with the Proto.

I would stay away from the off brand stuff IMO.

 

[otis66]

Don't cheap out on your box. Snap On may cost a little more but it will be worth it in the long run. You will regret buying a MAC tool box.

 

[battlegraduate09]

i like my mac boxes, but was going to go with matco till i got the deal i did on mine

 

[LawnDart79]

My Opinion

1st place - Snap-on (you won't regret it trust me)
2nd place - Mac
3rd place - Matco (I always thought Matco boxes were ugly as sin, but that's just personal opinion)

Back when I was in tech school, a guy could get a Mac Tech 1000 (similar to the OPs link) for $900 with student discount. I'd bet it's more than doubled now. I wish I would've bought one back then, but I didn't have the money and I wasn't going to finance something silly like a toolbox.

 

[crewchief888]

FWIW

back in the mid 80's i bought both mac and matco 3 drawer mid boxes, and wasnt impressed with either one. crappy finish, that turned orange
another guy bought a mac top box that literally fell apart 3 months after he bought it, cracked welds, and drawer slides falling apart.

i bought SO boxes after that, both used and new. never saw a cracked weld, and only replaced 1 set of friction slides in over 25 years.

i have a friend of mine that swears by mac boxes, but he trades in every 3 or 4 years.

 

[packt]

I've liked mine so far.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I've liked mine so far.

But look how clean it is, you don't use that you only wax it and eat dinner on it

 

[crewchief888]

But look how clean it is, you don't use that you only wax it and eat dinner on it

 

[kippieland]

I have a close friend who is an A&P for a major N.W. airline...he uses a Craftsman box. Flat says "I can't afford those type of boxes." Just FYI.

 

[Squints]

I've had a Mac tech 1000 for the last 6 years and only recently upgraded to a Krl due to space issues.

The tech 1000 was a fantastic box. I'm a pro tech and it was used with no troubles.
At my last job I had to put my tool box in a lockup cage every night. The box was moved, fully loaded (I mean FULL) twice everyday sometimes over a rough floor... Never had an issue.

The only issue I did have was the original drawer pulls were plastic with a chrome plating on them and the chrome was peeling off of pretty much every drawer. But Mac replaced all of them with aluminum ones under warranty.