Matco vs Craftsman which box should I keep???

[zkling]

Looking for a second or multiple opinion on which tool box to keep. I have hit critical mass with room in the shop and need to get rid of one tool box. Both have the same storage capacity.

1.) Craftsman top box, 6 full length drawers 26" wide, 12" deep top. Mid 80's solid box, none of the quiet glide B.S. Good condition, sturdy box.

2.) Matco MB310 (yea strange, I think I have one of the few in existence) top box. 10 drawer, like a shallow MB510, 26" wide, 12" deep, maybe a bit better condition than the craftsman.

Which one would you keep or sell? Trying to avoid selling one and then regretting it.

Thanks.

 

[ianguilly]

Pics?

 

[Super Sport]

I'm sure the Matco is a better box, but if you don't keep much in it or get into it often then the extra money it will fetch might be nice.

I'd keep whichever one you like better, be it for looks, drawer layout, or whatever. I've personally been a fan of those older boxes like the Matco simply because you don't see them everyday. IMO they have a bit more character than a run of the mill Craftsman box.

 

[crewchief888]

option E

keep them both.

i'd find someplace to store one of them.

i've bought a lot of new boxes, traded in a lot of them over the past 35 years, and given a couple away...
i sold a SO roller and matching side box about 10 years ago, i still regret it today.

i have a mismatched 26" wide stack, (CM top, lyons mid, SO roller) stored in my basement right now.

 

[zkling]

Pics?

Good idea, images added. Thanks.

Note, those are not my boxes, but same drawer layout and size.
My craftsman is one of the older heavy steel slides, not quiet glides

The matco, according to the internet, matco never made a MB310. It is the same box as a MB510, but only 12" deep instead of the 15" of the MB510

 

[bobemmerich]

I voted to keep the Matco. However, if you go to sell, the Matco will bring more $$. Ultimately it's your decision, but my vote would be ditch the C-Man.

 

[smothers33]

i like the layout of the matco. but it would defintely fetch more money if you sold it. if you dont need the smaller seperate compartements or really care about brand name boxes id probably sell the matco.

 

[rusty65]

I would keep the Matco box it's not only better built but should hold its resale value better then the craftsman. The Matco box is just overall better in my opinion .

 

[Boog]

I have the Matco (larger version) top middle and bottom. Wouldn't trade it for anything...you're going to end up wanting the matching middle and bottom boxes. Just a prediction. They're around, you just have to keep an eye out.
Go with the Matco

Boog

 

[blackz26]

You need two more options. Sell both, keep both. If I had to keep one, Id ditch the Matco. That drawer layout is obnoxious to me. But then again, I don't see use of 12" deep space. So maybe my opinion is skewed..

 

[MikeF2316]

option E

keep them both.

i'd find someplace to store one of them.

i've bought a lot of new boxes, traded in a lot of them over the past 35 years, and given a couple away...
i sold a SO roller and matching side box about 10 years ago, i still regret it today.

i have a mismatched 26" wide stack, (CM top, lyons mid, SO roller) stored in my basement right now.

x2 on this. There will be a need to have both sometime in the future.

 

[zkling]

Dang it, you all have a good points!!! As much as I would like to keep both, I don't have the need, nor room to keep them. Plus the extra cash would be nice.

Right now

Craftsman pros
-full length drawers
-full length drawer pulls
-older, built much better than craftsman's current 6 drawer offering

Craftsman cons
-Top section is divided
-Not as heavily built as the matco
-Poor resale value

Matco Pros
-Much sturdier box, the drawer slides are like 2x the size of the craftsman's
-Rather rare?
-Good condition
-Trunk style handles
-Higher resale value
-Top does not have dividers, easier to organize things

Matco Cons
-I don't like split drawers, especially that deep middle drawer
-I don't really like single drawer handles

Keep the opinions coming guys!!! Funny, a few months ago I sold what would be a matching matco (MB520) bottom because I didn't think I would ever find a top for it

 

[Eric Nordstrom]

I owned the 33" version of that box.(matco) Sold it. bin kickin my own **** ever since.
Very well built box. But it's your's-do what you think is best. If it was mine,
It would be mine for ever!
Eric

 

[zkling]

Gosh, you guys are a terrible addiction support group. Now I am trying to figure out how I can keep both boxes. Maybe I can loan it to a friend.

I owned the 33" version of that box.(matco) Sold it. bin kickin my own **** ever since.
Very well built box. But it's your's-do what you think is best. If it was mine,
It would be mine for ever!
Eric

Funny you say, that is how I ended up with the Matco top in question. Guy had an ad listed with no picture for a top and bottom matco tool box stated 33" wide, 8 drawer bottom, 10 drawer top. So I figured they both were 33" wide, well only the bottom was. He didn't want to separate the top and bottom and I really wanted that bottom box. Gave me a price I couldn't refuse, which brings me to my current dilemma.

That 8 drawer 33" wide bottom box is awesome!!! I really like it. I keep searching for info on the little top box, but vintage matco info seems difficult to find. I think matco liked to keep with a theme. They made a MB310, MB510, MB910; all 10 drawers, same layout, just scaled up a bit each time

 

[cookefab]

Keep the Cman...sell Matco to me. (Just what I need - another top box)

I like those older multiple drawer top boxes...that one is cool!