Need a new tool box for work, it gets used a lot every day and I was wondering if the Master force, HF, Extreme, Montezuma boxes would last very long. Right now I have an old Snap On and I am just about ready to pull the trigger on a new Matco 5s 56 inch two bank but still wondering how long the cheaper ones could last. I've had my Snappy for 20 years and it is time to go and I know that the Matco would last just as long or longer but getting ten years out of a $1000 box don't sound bad either. Right now Matco is the only truck box I would consider due to the personalites of the other truck salesmen.
Master force , HF, Xtreme, box ?
- Thread starter 53chevy5
- Start date
vartz04
Well-known member
Masterforce or harbor freight out of that choice. I would also look at the high end international boxes
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
kctyphoon
Banned
The HF boxes are the most for the money, esp the 56" model cause you get the deeper drawers.. You can upgrade them as much as you want or need with lockers and drawer units, and the drawer unit can even combine bottom chests to make a long work surface or a wall filled with tools.. If you can get past the peer pressure (I'm not a mechanic but I couldn't care less what other people think of what I buy) you leave yourself a lot of money left over for tools, a vacation, a house..
I'd much rather have a HF toolbox and lease a new car for the next few years with the money spent on a "pro" box.. But that's just me.. I have the 44 top and bottom with a locker and I love mine. If I had room for the tool cart I'd buy that too in a heartbeat.
You could prob sell your snap on and pay for a new 56" HF with some left over if it's in decent shape.
I'd much rather have a HF toolbox and lease a new car for the next few years with the money spent on a "pro" box.. But that's just me.. I have the 44 top and bottom with a locker and I love mine. If I had room for the tool cart I'd buy that too in a heartbeat.
You could prob sell your snap on and pay for a new 56" HF with some left over if it's in decent shape.
Last edited:
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
I agree with Kctyphoon, I have the 72 inch harbor freight box, I also own two snap on boxes. There is nothing wrong with the harbor freight box. If the name tag bothers you, remove it. and leave it unbranded...
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I use a Montezuma cart at work (bigger than some other guys boxes). It's head and shoulders above HF.
Better slides, wheels, casters, locks, liners, everything.
Better slides, wheels, casters, locks, liners, everything.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
I have Masterforce and have had them for a number of years now. Some of my drawers are loaded down with steel and quite a bit of weight. I have three rollers and two top boxes. I would recommend them. If you do a search, there are a couple of threads on GJ about Masterforce boxes.
jerseykat1
Well-known member
i sold my Snap-on 40" KRA for 450 bucks (it was pretty banged up) to put toward my purchase of the HF 56".. I am very happy with my HF 56" box. I am a PRO and i don't care what the people in debt to there ToolBox think.
You can check out my review here
If i had to do it over again. I would have just ponied up a few hundred more and got the 72" as i am almost full on my 56" and my little side Cman box. I will be getting some side boxes soon.
jerseykat1
Well-known member
I did just buy the bottom half of this Box for $169 today for my Home Garage as I needed something quick and cheap. This box is flimsy and not good for anything but occasional home use the HF boxes are built Better (except the black one). I am probably going to pick up a few more of these to stick under my work bench.
oh man, this is awful. I really thought I was going to be told to go with the Matco. I really wish that I could see a Montezuma in person, their latch system looks identical to the Master Force so I just assumed it was the same box. I can drive to HF and check theirs out again, its been awhile since I've seen them. Matco's 25% off ends this week and he is giving me $1800 for my $700 Snappy so I can get into a 56 inch 5s for $3,300. Or I could do a near even swap for a HF, MF, or Montz.
jerseykat1
Well-known member
oh man, this is awful. I really thought I was going to be told to go with the Matco. I really wish that I could see a Montezuma in person, their latch system looks identical to the Master Force so I just assumed it was the same box. I can drive to HF and check theirs out again, its been awhile since I've seen them. Matco's 25% off ends this week and he is giving me $1800 for my $700 Snappy so I can get into a 56 inch 5s for $3,300. Or I could do a near even swap for a HF, MF, or Montz.
The only thing that wears out on Toolboxes are the slides. Slides are not very expensive to buy and it takes a LOT of use over a long period of time before they start to wear out.
That's just something to consider.
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Mf 72
Two Door
Well-known member
As far as I have been able to determine, MasterForce *is* Montezuma.
Greg85mcss
Well-known member
Look a few pages back in the let's see your toolbox thread. There's a member (jake c iirc) that posted a new tool vault 72 that looks pretty sweet & is the same as the montezuma without drawer latches. He's got videos on YouTube also. I got a good deal on a triple bank Mac but had been looking at the same ones you are. Main thing that drew me away from some is they're only 20" deep with 17.5" drawers limiting drawer configuration. No menards in my area so they're out & I like the latches on my hf cart because it moves around all day but think they'd get old on one of the big boxes. I went a little over budget but mine is the perfect size for my spot in the shop & my needs. Just a few things to think about. Best of luck.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
lilxtra
Well-known member
I haven't seen them in person but I haven't read ANYTHING bad on the strictlytoolboxes.com stuff. When I upgrade HF & Masterforce won't be on the list, I've seen them in person several times & they seem to **ME** to have very flimsy drawers and thin sheet metal. Just my $.02
Greg85mcss
Well-known member
^^^ this at least for the top drawer on the hf 72". I'd have one if I could get past how unsure that made me.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
johndeereman
Well-known member
Masterforce all the way. I have a couple of 41' rollers and when i upgrade in the near future i will probably be going to the mf 72.
Well, here is how it stands as of now, thanks to all the info on here I was torn between the Matco and the Masterforce. Harbor Freight is out because of lack of parts if needed and I just can't get past the drawer latches only on the far right side of the drawer. Masterforce and Montezuma are the same tool box as I checked into that a little more and I really like the drawer latches and being told it is a better box than HF by more than one person. As for Strictly toolboxes,I've looked at them a lot, they may have some good stuff, but I'd have to see it in person b/f buying.
I almost had my mind made up to try the Masterforce and then I asked my wife again what I should do, she said " Just go and buy the Matco and be done with it ! " Any one else have a good wife like mine
I almost had my mind made up to try the Masterforce and then I asked my wife again what I should do, she said " Just go and buy the Matco and be done with it ! " Any one else have a good wife like mine
oldldh
Well-known member
Yep, I do...
But if you want to save some money...
And...
If your budget can stand it...
The Extreme 55" Professional from www.strictlytoolboxes.com should float your boat...
30" deep drawers, 300 and 600 pound drawer capacity, built like a tank...
What's not to like...
I really wanted one, until my wife bought me a HF 56" for Christmas...
If she hadn't done that --- I'd have one...
But if you want to save some money...
And...
If your budget can stand it...
The Extreme 55" Professional from www.strictlytoolboxes.com should float your boat...
30" deep drawers, 300 and 600 pound drawer capacity, built like a tank...
What's not to like...
I really wanted one, until my wife bought me a HF 56" for Christmas...
If she hadn't done that --- I'd have one...
Attachments
kctyphoon
Banned
The sad part is, you could STILL buy the 72" and be well under what anything else would have cost you for BOTH.. BUT - you could easily buy the 72" and still make back most of the money you spent on the 56" if you sold it used.. Being a cheaper brand it appeals to a much larger scope of people that look on Craigslist for something to get for home or work.. I'll NEVER undertand why kids starting out will either spend the equivalent of a house down payment or buy a 10-20 year old snap on box over a brand new HF model.. That is seriously just people drilling it into their head that it's "snap on or nothing" and that simply isn't the case.. I mean, it's nice that these compaies can make a tool box that you can drop from 20 feet, and park a truck on - but it's the equivalent of using a harpoon to kill a cockroach.
The fleet mechanics at my company work on everything from Honda civics to f750 bucket trucks and freightliner/international cab digger derricks.. It is probably the most abused fleet of vehicles you could imagine - most of which are running for 7 hours a day or more, everyday - with people constantly trying to make them do things beyond what they were designed.. Our fleet mechanics have extreme boxes with mostly gearwrench hand tools, Milwaukee power tools and sunex impact sockets.. I've never once heard them complain about anything not working, - just instead about how they have a $65,000 tool collection that they no longer need since everything is company provided.
Last edited:
Ya no matter what the wife says, I hate payments. Thanks for the link to the extreme pro, That thing is built like a tank! It is about a grand cheaper than Matco and it comes with a stainless top. This is not helping my flip flopping!
smittyjones
Well-known member
It's all in their sales pitch. They'll sell these new kids these nice big toolboxes, and they'll take payments. The new kid who doesn't have a dime to his name can't save the $400 or $800 for a new harbor freight box, but he needs tools, and he needs somewhere to store them. Along come the trucks, and they'll take just $30 a week.
Also look at their ToolVault line, user Jake C on here has their Elite, and nothing but praises. I can't really find anything that anyone says negative about them anywhere. Here, youtube, reviews on their site, other forums. I've personally asked about 20 people about them and they all gave rave reviews. I really wish I could put my hands on one to check it out though. Gettin' my save on, and wife willing, I should have my money in hand by April. They are a little thinner gauge steel than the big names they are sized to compete with, but at about 1/4 of the price... whatever.
Compared to others, they offer depth (30" on the elite) and add ons (like a top chest, hutch, side locker, etc) to expand your storage, whereas Masterforce only has a top chest I think. HF only offers a 22" deep box, which just won't cut it for most folks. They're also taller than anyone else, which was what really drew me to them in the first place. But those are quite a bit more than a MF or HF box. You're up near $3000 for one of those.
Also, it really looks like the MF boxes are Montezuma boxes. They look absolutely identical.
It all really comes down to how much space you need. 30" deep is a HUGE difference compared to 22" or 24", but if you don't have that many tools, no real need for it. And if you don't have nearly 60" of clearance in front of a vehicle, you'll have trouble getting your tools out because you can't open the drawers all the way!
Last edited:
I have had my hands on the Montezuma box that Menards sells under the Masterforce brand. They are VERY well build boxes, as you have said, the drawer latch is very nice and the slides work great. The drawers are ALMOST full extension as there is still about 3/4" from opening all the way. They are also the same box Strictly Toolboxes sell under the Tool Vault name.
I am in the same boat as you are right now and I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices off the tool truck so I have set my eye on the Masterforce unit just as soon as I can verify they are the same colors as the tool vault so I can get a hutch that matches since Menards does not carry a top chest or hutch for them as far as I have found.
I am in the same boat as you are right now and I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices off the tool truck so I have set my eye on the Masterforce unit just as soon as I can verify they are the same colors as the tool vault so I can get a hutch that matches since Menards does not carry a top chest or hutch for them as far as I have found.
I went with the HF 56". After buying the Milwaukee box, loving it, but hating the drawer setup, sold it, and almost bought a Snap On.
Glad i bought the HF. High quality, great amount of space. And even better pricing, and the ability to expand!
Glad i bought the HF. High quality, great amount of space. And even better pricing, and the ability to expand!
kythri
Well-known member
The Tool Vault Elite box absolutely rules.
It's made by Montezuma.
Check out http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com
It's made by Montezuma.
Check out http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com
oldldh
Well-known member
Us "Old Bastards" try to provide Adult Supervision...
When we can...
I'm a big fan of the "Mostest for the Leastest"...
r_olson_06
Well-known member
Still kicking myself for not buying the MF 72 when they were 1k. I thought they would run it again once a year
Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk
cliftonbros89
Well-known member
Also, John Deere. But, while the looks are the same, the quality of materials used varies.
LOLUs "Old Bastards" try to provide Adult Supervision...
When we can...
I'm a big fan of the "Mostest for the Leastest"...
That box does look very impressive. Me personally I'd spend the extra few hundred and get a Lista that you can basically configure the drawers however you want.
For a triple bank that price can't be beat. I'd still love a Lista, but for a comparable one it'd cost 50% more.
If I had the money I'd most definitely take a hard look at the Tool Vault Elite.
kythri
Well-known member
I'm sad they stopped selling the orange one. Now I'll never be able to get a second one to match.
Matco is stopping by wed and going to see what he can do for price. I checked out the mf and while it is really good ,the matco is built tons heavier but it also shows with over double the cost. Now it's between the heavy duty ones on strictly toolboxes and matco . I'll see if he can close the gap a bit more. Right now there is 2200 dollar gap for apples to apples.
Jake C
Well-known member
I had looked at all my options and done research for nearly a year before pulling the trigger on a new set up. Got a quote from My Matco guy and the cheapest he could go with the set up I was looking for was over 15k. Got a quote on just the bottom box with very similar specs to the Tool Vault I ended up getting and it was about 1500 more. They load rating of the drawers is a big one too, the tool vault elite has 250 lbs. per set and 500 lbs. per double set which is nice, the only Matco box with load ratings that high is the 6s series. Which was far more than I wanted to spend. Another thing To keep in mind if you want to add on say a Hutch or anything is dimensions. I'm glad I went with the Tool Vault cause from what I could find out it turns out that with Matco and Snap-On the tallest hutch is 25 inches, where as the Tool Vault Is slightly under 30 inches. I'm 6ft tall and didn't want to be wackin my head on my hutch. Haha plus Shannon with Strictly Tool Boxes was willing to work with me a little on price. Good luck with your choice! And If you have any questions about the tool vault let me know!
Last edited:
If I had to pay full price for the Masterforce 72 then I'd just spend the extra money and get the Tool Vault 72. Ultimately, I want to buy the Masterforce 72 and then upgrade the slides for the top drawer. I wouldn't benefit from the extra weight capacity of the Tool Vault.
jerseykat1
Well-known member
30" deep drawers wow that's impressive. Those are nice boxes!
smittyjones
Well-known member
I'll vouch for that, 6'2" and was severely disappointed when my work neighbor bought a KRL box with hutch, and it's only 66" to the top. I can rest my chin on the top of the box, flat footed. The top of the opening is just below my collarbone with the door open.
How'd you get a discount? Can't exactly be like "well, this guy is cheaper, soo..."
kythri
Well-known member
Why can't you?
This is my favorite comment in this thread. If I worked, professionally, out of a toolbox every day, I would want a hutch that was tall enough to use. A top shelf that was actually tall enough to put manuals on… I think every mechanic should have a hutch because it is his own personal space.