I purchased a chest and cabinet combo about 6 years ago which was the quiet glide set, I think I paid about $169 for it. I just picked up a basic ball bearing setup (cabinet, chest, and intermediate) for 229, which was 50% off for their sale. I set the new one up in the garage next to my old one and am amazed by how much sears is cutting cost. The aluminum door trim is now like aluminum foil. The drawers have about half as many bends and folds to strengthen the metal. The new unit isnt perfectly leveled like my old one, and even the metal feels thinner. It didnt come with the internal locking system, it now has a bar system to lock the drawers. The chest isnt even thick metal like the bottom two, so you can bend it out if you wanted to, and it scratches itself everytime you remove the drawer. I thought I got a good deal when I bought it, but I'm having seriously second thoughts. The only thing going for it, is its black, and I dont think I can get another box that cheap anytime soon, and my original box is ready to throw up if I put any more tools in in it. I've always been a big believer and supporter of craftsman, but after seeing this, I'm having my doubts.
Man, Sears is really cutting costs
- Thread starter kdr78
- Start date
Need4racin
Banned
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
Pics of the chest? I wonder if it's the same one I paid almost $380 for when it was 50% off.
Pics of the chest? I wonder if it's the same one I paid almost $380 for when it was 50% off.
dankicksass
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
The ball bearing box set with the outside lock bar only holds 25lbs per drawer. That's half of what their Quiet Glide drawers are rated for. When it came out a couple years ago, it was on sale for about $129 for a stack. I bought the center piece (2 drawers) for about $35 and riveted it to a basic service cart. It serves that purpose well, but I wouldn't want to do much more with it.
The ball bearing box set with the outside lock bar only holds 25lbs per drawer. That's half of what their Quiet Glide drawers are rated for. When it came out a couple years ago, it was on sale for about $129 for a stack. I bought the center piece (2 drawers) for about $35 and riveted it to a basic service cart. It serves that purpose well, but I wouldn't want to do much more with it.
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shoturtle
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
The basic boxes has gotten allot cheaper in build, and that is reflexed in the price. Also you need to factor in that the dollar has drop so much value, and the wuan and euro and other currency has go up. So sear's supplier to keep cost low, will need to skip on the build and material.
I added 2 craftsman quite glide 3 drawer mid box today, for 48.93 each, after all my discounts I walked out at 40 dollars each. They are with internal lock, but no ball bearing. But I can not complain they add allot of storage to my 2 tool cars, for being super cheap. And the metal is consumer grade. Was not expecting matco quality in a 40 dollar box.
The basic boxes has gotten allot cheaper in build, and that is reflexed in the price. Also you need to factor in that the dollar has drop so much value, and the wuan and euro and other currency has go up. So sear's supplier to keep cost low, will need to skip on the build and material.
I added 2 craftsman quite glide 3 drawer mid box today, for 48.93 each, after all my discounts I walked out at 40 dollars each. They are with internal lock, but no ball bearing. But I can not complain they add allot of storage to my 2 tool cars, for being super cheap. And the metal is consumer grade. Was not expecting matco quality in a 40 dollar box.
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
If I keep it, it will be just light duty, but almost forgot that was the other thing, they switched from metal handles to plastic on the chests, and no longer have a handle on the side of the cabinet. When I bought the original one, I was under the impression that quiet glide was 1 step up from the bottom and ball bearing slides were the premium. It almost makes me think with this set that the money is all in the slides and nothing else. I'll post some pictures tommorrow.
If I keep it, it will be just light duty, but almost forgot that was the other thing, they switched from metal handles to plastic on the chests, and no longer have a handle on the side of the cabinet. When I bought the original one, I was under the impression that quiet glide was 1 step up from the bottom and ball bearing slides were the premium. It almost makes me think with this set that the money is all in the slides and nothing else. I'll post some pictures tommorrow.
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shoturtle
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
Which chest did you get, there is the basic, then the basic ball bearing, then quite glide, quite glide ball bearing. These are their consumer grade boxes form low to high.
Which chest did you get, there is the basic, then the basic ball bearing, then quite glide, quite glide ball bearing. These are their consumer grade boxes form low to high.
lowbucktruck
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
In my humble opinion, these new Craftsman toolboxes feel about as "solid" as my old 1983 Toyota pickup... like a Coors beer can. That's why I look for the vintage tool boxes... better steel content.
In my humble opinion, these new Craftsman toolboxes feel about as "solid" as my old 1983 Toyota pickup... like a Coors beer can. That's why I look for the vintage tool boxes... better steel content.
shoturtle
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
There are higher grade steel in craftsman pro boxes. But they cost way more. But if you factor the increase of inflations. The craftsman box of yesteryear would be a higher cost mid to pro box, not the basic consumer line boxes.
Also their is allot more low price box options out there. So keep price down requires lower cost production.
There are higher grade steel in craftsman pro boxes. But they cost way more. But if you factor the increase of inflations. The craftsman box of yesteryear would be a higher cost mid to pro box, not the basic consumer line boxes.
Also their is allot more low price box options out there. So keep price down requires lower cost production.
softailgarage
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
I think I got the same thing 3 days ago. I went in to Sears trying to get a billing problem straightened out (this is how F-up Sears is).... last March 2011 I ordered a combo deal drill, get a right angle tool(dont even remember what it was) free. Deal was $110.00, and I set it up for pickup @ store. Next day my girlfriends son ends up in the hospital for over a month, forgot all about it. Now, flash forward 6 months... I order something else for store pick up. I check in and out comes the guy with....the drill combo! They had it there for 6 months waiting to be picked up. At this point I say return it, go thru all the b.s. with the secretary and figure my card has been credited. Last week, 8 months later, I get an email....my drill combo is ready to be picked up! Jesus. I waited 2 days before going to sears. I then go to print the pick up papers and now it says the package was picked up yesterday(the day before). So off I go to Sear's , with plenty of patience, cause I knowe this is going to be a complete ***********. I wont even go into what Sears Credit said when the manager called trying to verify if my card had been credited (which it hadn't, but wont know till they send a copy of my history 10 days later). So, 2 hours later they finally decide to give me In Store credit for the full amount. WHEW. Then I go up to tools, cause it's Craftsman Week and I spot the boxes. Their deal was buy the top box for full price and get $30.00 off on the intermediate box PLUS a gift card for $40.00, which can be used toward the intermediate. SWEET, done. I paid out of pocket $70.00 for both boxes. Then the sale's lady tells me I've got $35.00 rewards money for getting both boxes. Sorry not trying to hijack. Thursday night I go and get a 7" buffer on sale and it cost me $2.36 after rewards money. On the way in I see sockets marked down to .97 each
Aaaand, thats how I ended up with these. I also have the quiet glide boxes bought about the same time, same price as yours. Yes, quality has gone to ****. I pretty much got what I paid for. The steels too thin, drawers to loose, sounds like a beer can on wheels
And, like you said, cheap bars. It just gets worse and worse with Sears....Fricken sad. 
I think I got the same thing 3 days ago. I went in to Sears trying to get a billing problem straightened out (this is how F-up Sears is).... last March 2011 I ordered a combo deal drill, get a right angle tool(dont even remember what it was) free. Deal was $110.00, and I set it up for pickup @ store. Next day my girlfriends son ends up in the hospital for over a month, forgot all about it. Now, flash forward 6 months... I order something else for store pick up. I check in and out comes the guy with....the drill combo! They had it there for 6 months waiting to be picked up. At this point I say return it, go thru all the b.s. with the secretary and figure my card has been credited. Last week, 8 months later, I get an email....my drill combo is ready to be picked up! Jesus. I waited 2 days before going to sears. I then go to print the pick up papers and now it says the package was picked up yesterday(the day before). So off I go to Sear's , with plenty of patience, cause I knowe this is going to be a complete ***********. I wont even go into what Sears Credit said when the manager called trying to verify if my card had been credited (which it hadn't, but wont know till they send a copy of my history 10 days later). So, 2 hours later they finally decide to give me In Store credit for the full amount. WHEW. Then I go up to tools, cause it's Craftsman Week and I spot the boxes. Their deal was buy the top box for full price and get $30.00 off on the intermediate box PLUS a gift card for $40.00, which can be used toward the intermediate. SWEET, done. I paid out of pocket $70.00 for both boxes. Then the sale's lady tells me I've got $35.00 rewards money for getting both boxes. Sorry not trying to hijack. Thursday night I go and get a 7" buffer on sale and it cost me $2.36 after rewards money. On the way in I see sockets marked down to .97 each
Aaaand, thats how I ended up with these. I also have the quiet glide boxes bought about the same time, same price as yours. Yes, quality has gone to ****. I pretty much got what I paid for. The steels too thin, drawers to loose, sounds like a beer can on wheels And, like you said, cheap bars. It just gets worse and worse with Sears....Fricken sad. Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
Yes my first box from '01 was a quiet glide I believe. I outgrew it and being in a 1 car garage I didn't have room to keep it when I upgraded. I looked at sears first but wow how the mighty have fallen. Ended up with a nice, tall Mac setup and will not look back.
I'll never again recommend a craftsman toolbox. Except maybe a USED craftsman toolbox. I'd rather have one 30 years old than 30 days old.
Used "pro" is the way to go. You definitely get what you pay for at retail places. I'm in metal fabrication and if I had to make and sell a quality box it would cost 20x what a sears box costs. In my perspective, that makes the professional boxes a bargain.
Yes my first box from '01 was a quiet glide I believe. I outgrew it and being in a 1 car garage I didn't have room to keep it when I upgraded. I looked at sears first but wow how the mighty have fallen. Ended up with a nice, tall Mac setup and will not look back.
I'll never again recommend a craftsman toolbox. Except maybe a USED craftsman toolbox. I'd rather have one 30 years old than 30 days old.
Used "pro" is the way to go. You definitely get what you pay for at retail places. I'm in metal fabrication and if I had to make and sell a quality box it would cost 20x what a sears box costs. In my perspective, that makes the professional boxes a bargain.
maxspeed96ct
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2012
- Messages
- 379
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
like someone mentioned above sears has several diffrent chest types and qualities.
When I got mine last christmass I was amazed how many they had, and online they all look the same . It was when I went to the store in person I was able to see why one was 500 and another was 169 with the same amount of drawers.
bottom line , you cant expect to have the quality of a $500 box for $169.
And sears has no shame selling this stuff because they have to compete with stores lowes and Harbor freight.
I like my sears chest, but after seeing my buddies stainless kobalt chest from lowes I kind of wish I got one too. It was alot cheaper and just seems alot more soild .
like someone mentioned above sears has several diffrent chest types and qualities.
When I got mine last christmass I was amazed how many they had, and online they all look the same . It was when I went to the store in person I was able to see why one was 500 and another was 169 with the same amount of drawers.
bottom line , you cant expect to have the quality of a $500 box for $169.
And sears has no shame selling this stuff because they have to compete with stores lowes and Harbor freight.
I like my sears chest, but after seeing my buddies stainless kobalt chest from lowes I kind of wish I got one too. It was alot cheaper and just seems alot more soild .
woody 73
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
Hi GJ'ers
Eddie Lampert here, say how dou think I can afford my new 40 million dollar home and my nice tan in Mexico?
What next...Hey I bet the good folks at the GJ would like to buy my latest invention the Drive speeder ratchet(where the handles rotates and then extends to a crank) I got that idea while I was in India having a beer on the beach. I sure hope it does not fall apart too soon.
Your good friend.
Eddie.
Hi GJ'ers
Eddie Lampert here, say how dou think I can afford my new 40 million dollar home and my nice tan in Mexico?
What next...Hey I bet the good folks at the GJ would like to buy my latest invention the Drive speeder ratchet(where the handles rotates and then extends to a crank) I got that idea while I was in India having a beer on the beach. I sure hope it does not fall apart too soon.
Your good friend.
Eddie.
osborn.ozzy
Banned
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
I Have this one from my grandpa, has to be 30 years old. its built a tank.
I Have this one from my grandpa, has to be 30 years old. its built a tank.
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
Years ago, people would buy something cheap like a Stack-On box and it would be flimsy. They would upgrade and buy a regular Cman quiet glide box and be done, it would last them forever, unless they were a member here.
Now people buy the Cman box and upgrade to a HF box. Sad how times change.
Years ago, people would buy something cheap like a Stack-On box and it would be flimsy. They would upgrade and buy a regular Cman quiet glide box and be done, it would last them forever, unless they were a member here.
Now people buy the Cman box and upgrade to a HF box. Sad how times change.
Thomas Carey
New member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2012
- Messages
- 2
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
Honestly ever since K mart basically took over Sears I think their quality has been on a down ward slide and I wonder how long both much longer both companies with their aging stores etc will be around.
Honestly ever since K mart basically took over Sears I think their quality has been on a down ward slide and I wonder how long both much longer both companies with their aging stores etc will be around.
bob15
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
Guys, there are different Craftsman toolbox grades. When Craftsman re-introduced the ball bearing drawer tools boxes around 1992-93, I bought a top and bottom. I paid $700 for 20 years ago. Remember the Pro-2000 box which sold for over a grand and it didn't even have ball bearing drawers. You are complaining about the metal being thinner on top, mid and bottom box for $229 (or full price $460)? What do you expect?
You pay for what you get. You're bitching about how cheap it is made, but like how inexpensive it was to buy it. You cannot have both a Snap-On quality (thick steel, nice finish, well made) box and expect to buy for under 300 bucks, and then on top of that, expect it to be American made. it doesn't work that way, sorry.
bob
Guys, there are different Craftsman toolbox grades. When Craftsman re-introduced the ball bearing drawer tools boxes around 1992-93, I bought a top and bottom. I paid $700 for 20 years ago. Remember the Pro-2000 box which sold for over a grand and it didn't even have ball bearing drawers. You are complaining about the metal being thinner on top, mid and bottom box for $229 (or full price $460)? What do you expect?
You pay for what you get. You're bitching about how cheap it is made, but like how inexpensive it was to buy it. You cannot have both a Snap-On quality (thick steel, nice finish, well made) box and expect to buy for under 300 bucks, and then on top of that, expect it to be American made. it doesn't work that way, sorry.
bob
dieselmike
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
you also got their cheapest box. if you got the ball bearing grip latch, youd get a nice box, you get what you pay for.
edit: what he said ^^^
you also got their cheapest box. if you got the ball bearing grip latch, youd get a nice box, you get what you pay for.
edit: what he said ^^^
nyrapscalion
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
I was tempted...almost talked myself into a craftsman box....couldn't see spending the $ on something that feels like an empty beer can. A box should have some heft to it. At work I have a snap on box from 1964. I have a difficult time picking it up & it's only a top box. At home, craftsman date coded 1977...real solid.
Saving for a Montezuma or SK box. Amazon sells the Montezuma...SK would be a direct buy from the company.
I will need to move at some point, running out of space for tools.
Sears will be on my route home tonight...the curiosity is killing me as to what will be marked down.
I was tempted...almost talked myself into a craftsman box....couldn't see spending the $ on something that feels like an empty beer can. A box should have some heft to it. At work I have a snap on box from 1964. I have a difficult time picking it up & it's only a top box. At home, craftsman date coded 1977...real solid.
Saving for a Montezuma or SK box. Amazon sells the Montezuma...SK would be a direct buy from the company.
I will need to move at some point, running out of space for tools.
Sears will be on my route home tonight...the curiosity is killing me as to what will be marked down.
osborn.ozzy
Banned
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
What about the evolv boxes
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_...2P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1#reviewsWrap
I saw one at kmart but it was in the box
What about the evolv boxes
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_...2P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1#reviewsWrap
I saw one at kmart but it was in the box
shoturtle
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
That is their basic box, either the ball baring one or not. That is why it is so cheap. It you want a more solid box, you need to move up to their quiet glide series, but they are 2-4x the price of what you paid for yours.
I think I got the same thing 3 days ago. I went in to Sears trying to get a billing problem straightened out (this is how F-up Sears is).... last March 2011 I ordered a combo deal drill, get a right angle tool(dont even remember what it was) free. Deal was $110.00, and I set it up for pickup @ store. Next day my girlfriends son ends up in the hospital for over a month, forgot all about it. Now, flash forward 6 months... I order something else for store pick up. I check in and out comes the guy with....the drill combo! They had it there for 6 months waiting to be picked up. At this point I say return it, go thru all the b.s. with the secretary and figure my card has been credited. Last week, 8 months later, I get an email....my drill combo is ready to be picked up! Jesus. I waited 2 days before going to sears. I then go to print the pick up papers and now it says the package was picked up yesterday(the day before). So off I go to Sear's , with plenty of patience, cause I knowe this is going to be a complete ***********. I wont even go into what Sears Credit said when the manager called trying to verify if my card had been credited (which it hadn't, but wont know till they send a copy of my history 10 days later). So, 2 hours later they finally decide to give me In Store credit for the full amount. WHEW. Then I go up to tools, cause it's Craftsman Week and I spot the boxes. Their deal was buy the top box for full price and get $30.00 off on the intermediate box PLUS a gift card for $40.00, which can be used toward the intermediate. SWEET, done. I paid out of pocket $70.00 for both boxes. Then the sale's lady tells me I've got $35.00 rewards money for getting both boxes. Sorry not trying to hijack. Thursday night I go and get a 7" buffer on sale and it cost me $2.36 after rewards money. On the way in I see sockets marked down to .97 each
That is their basic box, either the ball baring one or not. That is why it is so cheap. It you want a more solid box, you need to move up to their quiet glide series, but they are 2-4x the price of what you paid for yours.
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shoturtle
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
That is the same one lowes sell from task force. I will take the basic craftsman for 2x more then that thing
What about the evolv boxes
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_...2P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1#reviewsWrap
I saw one at kmart but it was in the box
That is the same one lowes sell from task force. I will take the basic craftsman for 2x more then that thing
Ign
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
That's what I thought.... anything w the bar for the drawer lock is bottom of the line.
However when I've felt the new Griplatch stuff in stores, it seems cheaper. The Griplatch mechanism does not feel nearly as positive or fluid as my Griplatch box from ~2003.
That's what I thought.... anything w the bar for the drawer lock is bottom of the line.
However when I've felt the new Griplatch stuff in stores, it seems cheaper. The Griplatch mechanism does not feel nearly as positive or fluid as my Griplatch box from ~2003.
ChrisF250
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
Go to harbor freight and buy the cheapest box there then compare it to the craftsman you bought.
Go to harbor freight and buy the cheapest box there then compare it to the craftsman you bought.
Ign
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
I agree used pro (generally translates to baby-on-the-way deals) is the way to go. But I disagree retail prices on tool truck boxes are anywhere near what they're truly worth.
With a nice CNC press brake these are NOT hard to make once you get your process down for production. I bet a 72" lower cabinet could go together start to finish in under 2 hours not including paint. Total steel cost assuming a mixture of 14, 16 and 18ga maybe $300 if you're buying in bulk. Drawer slides maybe $300 total. Casters $100-$150 in bulk. Paint, rivets, you're still under $1k to build it...........put it on the tool truck for $10k retail.
The margins are huge IMO. Compare to a new, manual vertical mill which will cost you less than $10k and has 200x the number of pcs, takes far longer to assemble, is more difficult to transport, and most all components are machined within .0001 to .002".
A mill has a plethora of different moving parts while a box has drawer slides (all the same more or less) and 4 casters (all identical).
How's a piece of sheetmetal with some bends in it so expensive again? Oh that's right, you gotta add $9k for the badge that says "Snap On" or "Matco."
I agree used pro (generally translates to baby-on-the-way deals) is the way to go. But I disagree retail prices on tool truck boxes are anywhere near what they're truly worth.
With a nice CNC press brake these are NOT hard to make once you get your process down for production. I bet a 72" lower cabinet could go together start to finish in under 2 hours not including paint. Total steel cost assuming a mixture of 14, 16 and 18ga maybe $300 if you're buying in bulk. Drawer slides maybe $300 total. Casters $100-$150 in bulk. Paint, rivets, you're still under $1k to build it...........put it on the tool truck for $10k retail.
The margins are huge IMO. Compare to a new, manual vertical mill which will cost you less than $10k and has 200x the number of pcs, takes far longer to assemble, is more difficult to transport, and most all components are machined within .0001 to .002".
A mill has a plethora of different moving parts while a box has drawer slides (all the same more or less) and 4 casters (all identical).
How's a piece of sheetmetal with some bends in it so expensive again? Oh that's right, you gotta add $9k for the badge that says "Snap On" or "Matco."
shoturtle
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
The us general are not to bad from hf. About the same quality as the quiet glide from cman. But they have some cheap stuff, that are pretty low grade.
The us general are not to bad from hf. About the same quality as the quiet glide from cman. But they have some cheap stuff, that are pretty low grade.
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purplezr2
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
That is material cost. What about profit margin for snap on, profit margin for the dealer. You have the cost of engineering. You have workers, the plant, and tools that are used to build them. You have the cost of research and development. You have the cost of crating, and shipping. Also remember the life time warranty, have to build that cost in also. I'm not saying they aren't expensive or even overpriced but I think people try to simplify the cost of a product sometimes.
That is material cost. What about profit margin for snap on, profit margin for the dealer. You have the cost of engineering. You have workers, the plant, and tools that are used to build them. You have the cost of research and development. You have the cost of crating, and shipping. Also remember the life time warranty, have to build that cost in also. I'm not saying they aren't expensive or even overpriced but I think people try to simplify the cost of a product sometimes.
ChrisF250
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
I'm talking the store house 3 tier not the more expensive generals. That thing is a POS I'd say the basic craftsmans are better quality
I'm talking the store house 3 tier not the more expensive generals. That thing is a POS I'd say the basic craftsmans are better quality
ChrisF250
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
You get that Vidmar in Palmer?
You get that Vidmar in Palmer?
ChrisF250
Well-known member
Yeah I went and checked it out a couple weeks ago before the picture was online and decided I had no use for it. Catch and release
Thank goodness! Give me a head's-up on the passed deals, my man!
Was it on CL that long ago, or did you find out about it through other means?
ChrisF250
Well-known member
Ha sorry I forgot to shoot you a message and I feel like everyday some one starts a thread about a box for sale. It's probably been on for a month or so but it was listed poorly without a picture. When I went to see it I started laughing, 29 inches deep and with the drawer layout I knew it wasn't for me. I thought about buying and reselling it but seemed like an adventure considering its size and weight. How'd you move that thing? Next time il be sure to pass the word.
My old C-man boxes are like 18 inches deep, so 29 makes me feel like big pimpin'!
Do you live out this way permanently, or just going to school here?
Guys I realize the cost of steel and other metals have gone up in the last few years, however I was simply stating how surprised I was that there was that much cost cutting to the point where a $460 box felt cheaper than a 6 year old $170 box by the same company. I'm not a professional in that I need a pro box. I work on helicopters for a living and my job (military) provides my tools. Because of my job I move around a lot, and two 26" set ups make more sense to me for weight and portability than a 50"+ box.
metaldad
Well-known member
Re: Man sears is really cutting costs
looked at that one today........... again.
nice box. getting closer to pulling the trigger
looked at that one today........... again.
nice box. getting closer to pulling the trigger