Masterforce vs Montezuma 56"- 1'st post

[Greatwhitewing]

Hello, good forum with knowledgeable people. Enjoyed reading so far.

Looking for my first big tool box. Reading here (mostly) I have it narrowed down to a Menards Masterforce 56" wide or the Montezuma 56" wide from strictlytoolboxes dot com.

Can someone describe the relative differences between the two please. I read the published specs.

Also since I live in new England Menards doesn't seem to have any stores and can't seem to find how to order online if it's even possible.

Was leaning towards the Monty but a $500 difference is something to investigate.

This is for home use in a garage with poor weather protection.

Thanks

 

[JASTECH]

My hands on delegates me to Mr. Monty, as it will fair better in humidity ect. then Master. Also, in time like a few years you will still be enjoying the quality of Mr. Monty while it's distant cousin from China is broke down so bad it's owners are useing cardboard box's.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Entertaining reply. Thanks, it's what I expected but worth asking.

Why would Mr. Monty tolerate moisture better than Master Force? Both are powder coated?

My hands on delegates me to Mr. Monty, as it will fair better in humidity ect. then Master. Also, in time like a few years you will still be enjoying the quality of Mr. Monty while it's distant cousin from China is broke down so bad it's owners are useing cardboard box's.

 

[SMKS]

Also, in time like a few years you will still be enjoying the quality of Mr. Monty while it's distant cousin from China is broke down so bad it's owners are useing cardboard box's.

The Montezuma boxes are not made in the US. They are imported, just like the Menards and HF boxes.

Here's one for sale at Grainger. It says the country of origin is China.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MONTEZUMA-Cabinet-Toolbox-6XFW6?Pid=search

 

[ishiboo]

Hello, good forum with knowledgeable people. Enjoyed reading so far.

Looking for my first big tool box. Reading here (mostly) I have it narrowed down to a Menards Masterforce 56" wide or the Montezuma 56" wide from strictlytoolboxes dot com.

Can someone describe the relative differences between the two please. I read the published specs.

Also since I live in new England Menards doesn't seem to have any stores and can't seem to find how to order online if it's even possible.

Was leaning towards the Monty but a $500 difference is something to investigate.

This is for home use in a garage with poor weather protection.

Thanks

The Monty is probably a better quality box, but the Masterforce's seem great from my hands on pawing. I'd own one if it wasn't that ugly puke green. Menards won't ship though.

You can use a 10% Lowes coupon at Menards if the toolbox is not currently on sale. Some let it slip by even if its on sale as well.

 

[PT Doc]

Sears now has a line of the Montezuma boxes. Not the same quality as the 72" but my quick look makes me think it'd nicer than the cm boxes.

 

[jhelrey]

I own the Masterforce 56 inch box. I love it! It is hell of a lot nicer than Craftsman and it is up there with Snap On, Mac. The only difference between the Mac/SO and this is the drawers are not as deep. I work at a shop and a lot of friends have the Mac/SO box and I prefer my Masterforce for price.

 

[kythri]

What's the depth of the Masterforce?

The Montezuma says it's 20", but also lists a 29,954ci capacity, whereas the MasterForce is 37,600ci.

That's quite a difference, and would seem to suggest the MasterForce is a deeper box.

 

[tbobbo]

I had looked at both.......seems so close to me, i almost bought the masterforce, but i could not get over that color. I got the 56 strickley toolboxes one made by montezuma. I like it fine. It serves me well. I would not say its any better than the menards box, but nicer than a hf or craftsman. Make no mistake, they are not snap on quality, but they will do the job just fine

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Holy smokes. Thanks for all the replies so quickly and on a Sunday...

Isn't anyone watching football? lol

Really appreciate all the feedback.

 

[JASTECH]

I think Mr. Monty Elite have a higher quality powder coat, so will not rust as soon. I didn't know the Elite was China? If so then I will not go that route I was thinking of but instead start looking at Lista boxs' again! I just can't support China, sorry for my error! I have mant SO and the like still in plastic conrainers and cardboard until the funds are there for a box I can be proud of owning. Again, sorry for the error, I shall not intensionally misslead anybody!

 

[onewaydave]

Humm, my "in time like a few years you will still be enjoying the quality of Mr. Monty while it's distant cousin from China is broke down so bad it's owners are useing cardboard box's." is just fine.

I have a big one at the house and a small one at the shop. I tolerate the "puke" green over every color SO makes, except red. And that is just because tool boxes are supposed to be red.

The only thing I don't care for is the shelf. Rarely use it as just as soon as I get into something on it, I need something out of the drawer it is blocking. Its just a waste.

Dave.

 

[kythri]

Menard's in Fon du Lac was kind enough to measure the depth for me, and said it's 20".

Didn't think to get the height measurements, but given the same drawer count between the two, it seems the MasterForce might end up being a bit taller overall, or they've got a math error in calculating cubic inches...

I was kinda digging the box, especially thinking it might be a deeper setup. No clue how I would have gotten one home, closest Menard's to me is in Wyoming, apparently. D

 

[gatewaysysop]

Must admit those boxes are eerily similar in the pictures. Unfortunately there aren't as detailed specs for the Masterforce box as there are for the Montezuma, so it's hard to directly compare without seeing first hand.

I will say that in all the boxes I've fondled at Sears and the other big box stores (we don't have Menard's here), I find that my Montezuma is worlds apart from them in terms of quality and capacity for the money. I would not hesitate to buy from them again and Shannon was great to deal with (he's also a member here on Garage Journal).

Part of the reason I bought my Monty' was the representation and reputation here on the GJ, how happy people have been with them and the fact that Shannon was a participant here and accessible. Better to deal with a person than a storefront where you're just a number.

Again, can't speak to the detailed differences in those boxes, but I have nothing but good stuff to say about my Montezuma purchase and have never regretted my decision.

Good luck either way, I'm sure you'll enjoy having a nice box and all that room. I know I did!

 

[JASTECH]

I own the Masterforce 56 inch box. I love it! It is hell of a lot nicer than Craftsman and it is up there with Snap On, Mac. The only difference between the Mac/SO and this is the drawers are not as deep. I work at a shop and a lot of friends have the Mac/SO box and I prefer my Masterforce for price.

I have went into Menards out here with my Dad and we have messed with all the MasterForce boxs', green and the black ones. The drawers are thin steel/tin and cheaply made. They are NOT even close to my Snap-On rollaway, Mac chest, Kennedy chests' or my old Craftsman. So if funds are limited and you need the boxs' now, I would personally check Ebay and CL for really nice used boxs' from the afor mentioned brands and Lista.

 

[onewaydave]

OK, I'll eat my words,
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97311

Post #167 shows SO "puke" green screw driver handles. They'd look good in my "puke" green Masterforce box.

I know jastech is just giving his opinion, but I disagree on the comment that the green Masterforce boxes are "thin steel/tin". That is just not true. The black Menards boxes are on the same scale as the new Cman. But the green boxes in my garage are much heavier than the Cman and Kennedys sitting right beside them. They are on par with Mac, SO and are far and away better than anything Cman ever made.

Dave.

 

[global72]

What's the depth of the Masterforce?

The Montezuma says it's 20", but also lists a 29,954ci capacity, whereas the MasterForce is 37,600ci.

That's quite a difference, and would seem to suggest the MasterForce is a deeper box.

I am not certain how they are measuring the box to come up with 37,600ci. The drawer configuration for the 2 boxes is very close and the cabinet measurements are almost identical.

We measure each the interior of the drawer the length x width x height and add the totals. 56” Montezuma Drawer Chart

 

[bobemmerich]

I can see the value in both, but if Menards doesn't ship, then it makes a difference. Have you tried this guy:

http://www.devildogtools.com/in56toboxcor.html

A little more pricey, but you also get free shipping and the side box.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I did look at the International just today. It looks to be a solid choice that I can get for about $100 less but I think with several senior members here with Montezuma positive results I think I will go that way.

According to my calculations the International has 11,855 sq in and the Montezuma has 9,155 sq in of drawer area even though the Monty has more drawers. That 4" extra depth helps that. Seeing I am coming from a crowded 3,000 sq in I have plenty of room in either for quite a while.

I heard Menards doesn't ship and they never answered my question directly so that's a mark against them too.

I can see the value in both, but if Menards doesn't ship, then it makes a difference. Have you tried this guy:

http://www.devildogtools.com/in56toboxcor.html

A little more pricey, but you also get free shipping and the side box.

 

[vssjim]

Montezuma only makes the road Boxes they sell they do tell you the big size boxes they import and resell. They are open with people about this but the boxes they do make are very well made .

 

[tbobbo]

I still vote for strickleytoolboxes............the shipping is cheap and the service is great. The box is a steal for the price. Yeah you can cruise the used stuff, but you may need a box now like I did. I will say that some people will say these cheaper boxes are as good as snap on, matco...........not at all true. I had a classic 96 snap on that i had to sell, this isnt that quality, but its impossible to beat for the price.

 

[scott37300]

I recently bought a masterforce 36" top chest from menards. It is very well built. It is not snap on quality but it also doesn't cost as much as a new car. I will be getting one or two roll aways when the money comes along. They are way better then harbor freight and craftsman. I was in sears the other day and saw a "viper" line of boxes that looked REALLY similar to the masterforce boxes but cost a lot more. I can't compare the two brands you listed because I don't have experience with the other one but I can tell you that the masterforce boxes are worth the money.

 

[PowderKeg]

I've got a 36" Menards set that is all but identical to a Monty at the local Orschelns.

The top chest is the same except for:
a) vertical aluminum strips on the outside face of the Monty
b) a stouter barrel key lock on the Monty versus a normal key lock on the Menards.

The bottom cabinet differs slightly in:
a) one extra drawer on the Menards which I prefer anyway.
b) the deepest drawer on the Monty had double slides - the Menards doesn't have a drawer that deep, but all the drawers have single slides (the couple deep drawers have holes for a second set) - don't remember if the second deepest drawers on the Monty had doubles installed or not.
c) the same aluminum strips and barrel lock as the top chest
and maybe d) slightly different casters on the Menards versus the Monty, don't really remember, although there's nothing bad or cheap that I can see about the Menards casters.

Otherwise, the boxes appear to be of the same manufacture - seem to be the same metal thickness/gauge, same overall size and appearance (except for the Monty's aluminum strip decor), identical full width drawer pulls, same smooth feel when opening/closing drawers, and I believe even the same drawer liners.

While both sets are imports (unfortunately) from Chi... Chi... Chi... ah, "overseas", they are several levels above anything I've seen from Crapsman, Lowes, Husky, Homak, Horror Freight, you-name-it in a big box store, up until you hit the truck boxes.

Oh, and one last difference I can recall, besides the obvious color one - the Monty was $700+ the one time I saw it on sale at Orschelns, while my Menards cost $600 (sale price) out the door with 12 months no interest on the Menards card, and they seem to go on sale fairly regularly. The sale price on the 41" is probably in the neighborhood of $250 less (and the holiday sales are coming....)

 

[Tool_Fool]

The Masterforce tool chests & cabinets are made by the same factory as the Montezuma tool chests & cabinets. Here's a link to the sourcing company selling to both of them. http://www.qualitycraft.com/directory/tool-storage/tool-boxes/portable-tool-storage There's just some slight differences for obvious reasons. Can't go wrong with either, it just depends on how much you are willing to pay for a brand name.