Milwaukee Took Chest vs Snap-On

[closetoreality]

Not in the industry anymore, sold my box...swore to myself I would never sell a single tool. Too much invested.

So I'm at a crossroads. I have no box at home, everything is stuffed in metal Home Depot wheeled tool totes.

So I did the traditional thing I'm use to and began searching CL and even talking to my old SO rep......been a month still looking taking my time. Got in the mindset that I would be probably sinking 5k or less into a toolbox.

Then I start seeing these Milwaukee tool chests both worktop ones and stackables.....and it started turning my gears on am I just looking at SO boxes because I'm drinking the Kool-aid......or is it the box to have if I want it for a lifetime?

 

[fordnut85]

Snap on makes a top of the line box, no question there. But the real question is do you actually NEED that kind of box? I decided I didn't and bought from strictly toolboxes.com. And got a 72" roll cab, hutch and locker shipped to my door for well below your budget and the quality is much better than any of the Milwaukee boxes and the like.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[crewchief888]

IF i ever sold my good boxes.... (i wont)

i'd have a storage "shortfall" if i ever had to go back working in a shop again, (i operate out of a service truck)

i'd toss all my stuff in HF boxes and be done with it.

5 or 6 HF 44's would probably suffice....

 

[lilxtra]

I've heard great things about the strictly toolboxes stuff

 

[kythri]

If you REALLY want a Snap-on box, then buy a Snap-on. I know there's some people that will always be second-guessing their decision not to buy a truck-brand box.

That said, if you're looking for comparable quality that will last quite a while (probably a lifetime or three), the big stuff that Strictly Toolboxes sells is good stuff. I've got a Tool Vault Elite 72"x30", which is identical to their Montezuma Elite, save for drawer retention (TV = detents, Montezuma = lift-latches).

It's a tank. I'm not a "pro" but this thing would certainly last in a "pro" environment. It's built for heavy use.

They also have Extreme which I believe are a slight step-up from the TV/Montezuma stuff (heavier slides, etc.) - but the TV/Montezuma is no slouch whatsoever.

From their inventory, it appears they're getting out of the Montezuma stuff - looks like a lot less stuff than there used to be.

 

[txvwnut]

I’ve got one SO box that is thirty years old been moved four times fully loaded and the drawers still slide like new. Your not drinking the kool-aid your just familiar with quality. That said the harbor freight boxes get great reviews on here and I have a friend that’s has a couple and is quite pleased with them. So there’s another one to look at if your wanting to work inside of a budget.

 

[Mr_B]

I would consider looking for used matco 75 or 85 series as proper quality and can be found pretty cheap . I prefer 2 56" over a 72" as far easier move/transport and they more rigid plus extra worktop length a bonus and smaller 56" sizes come up more used .
If purely home use look at Homak RS Pro 72" or the 24" deep offerings from menards, wouldn't bother with the milwaukee as they too flimsy for anyone use to better .
Sinking 5K into a snappy box for home use not great, 2K or under in new or used will do nicely, used better as retains pretty much same value as you paid out but can be time consuming find right box and right deal ...

 

[fordgasm]

I looked at the Milwaukee boxes at Home Depot when I was in the market for new tool storage. They are nice but for my needs were too small, wouldn't hold all my tools. I ended up going with a HF 56" top & bottom and couldn't be more happy. Its not snap on quality but for under $1000 it was a steal IMO.

 

[JohnDeere1]

Look into a HF box like the 72" they are very heavy duty made way better than Milwaukee or husky or any other store bought box I looked at them all andthe only one that 2as not flimsy was HF i have the 44" and have enough tools crammed in it to fill 3 of them and it holds them great.

 

[earlthegoat2]

You swore you weren't going to sell your tools.....except the biggest one.....

My toolbox struggles started with a 5 drawer service cart from HF. It filled a void at the time but I quickly outgrew it. No regrets. Paid about 150 for it new.

That got replaced with a NAPA/Homak full drawer service cart. This box was almost good in many ways. The top tray was not quite deep enough. The drawers were not quite wide enough. The casters kind of sucked. The drawers would not stay closed even though it had a safety catch on it that only one drawer could be opened at a time. Paid 450 new.

Then I got a Snap On KRA4106. I thought I had the mac daddy there. I was a step up from the Homak. 20" deep was awesome. The thing that made this box better than most other non Snappys out there was the Lock N Roll drawer retention. I really like that system. Casters were kind of crunchy but did the job. They were not broken either, just not smooth. Paid 900 used for the top and bottom box but I only ever used the roll cab at work. Kept the top box at home.

In the meantime I bought a HF 44" for the house as I was doing some reorganizing and they had good reviews on here. I could never warm up to this box. It was too tall. Too shallow at only 18" and it never wanted to roll right. Once again, it was always just barely too small for most stuff. Like all my sockets and accessories would not fit in the top drawer. My 36" pry bar also had to go in the top drawer because it would not fit nicely anywhere else. Little stuff like that which added up. It filled the void at the home shop which was needed though. Paid 375 new.

Then I got the 52" Husky to supplement the 44 HF. The Husky was nice because it was shorter. The top drawer was big enough for all my sockets and such. It rolled crappy just like most of them do. But the construction on it is pitiful. If it was built like the HF 44 it would be an ideal home box for me. Paid 349 new.

My last and final box was another I now have at work.

Now, I have a recent acquisition and I finally know what people are talking about when they say KRL Snap On boxes really are the Cadillac. It is a KRL756 so it is the little roll cab. 36 wide and 24 deep. It has similar cubic inches to the KRA4106 but it just seems like it holds more with those deep drawers. Rolls around the shop beautifully. Drawer retention is spot on. Very smooth slides.

Once, someone on here said the KRA series was more for a homeowner and the KRL was for the pro. I had a KRA at the time and just thought they were some Snappy elitist. I can say they are at least partially right. The KRL is heavier, smoother in every way. Your probably thinking, where is he going to put that 36" pry bar in that box? I don't have a 36" pry bar at work. I have a 6 ft pry bar I keep in the corner. Paid 500 used.

For this whole time which is over the better part of 8 years I was always looking for tool box deals. I don't think I can bring myself to buy another HF box when you can find really good used Snappys out there. I see KRL 722s around for 1500-2500. If I wanted a bigger box, that is what I would be getting.

 

[3jakes]

Buy used.... & also... Buy used.
I've had several boxes in my shed in the last 2 years.
KRA is ok, (had a classic 96) but was definitely more lightweight in attitude than the KRL.
Right now I'm looking at a 3 bank Matco that is 10 years old & works fine.
But my favorite box to just open up, is a 30 year old MAC.
The more **** I put in the drawer, the easier the drawers roll.
And since I only have 500 bucks in it, I can scratch it up & it really doesn't hurt my feelings.
Take your time, the deals are out there & if I didn't already mention it...buy top of the line used for 20 cents on the dollar.

 

[kythri]

I really wish I knew where these $1500 KRL722's were at, because I'd have 5 of them by now. That's just not a common deal most places.

Typically, our "deals" are something like this, or worse:

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/d/snap-on-classic-78-toolbox/6410106719.html

(In case the link expires, it's a KRA2411POT for $3000)

Here's the more typical KRL722 "deal":

https://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-roll-cab-double-bank/6411347275.html

(KRL722BPJJ for $4500, which is probably what he paid for it off the truck.)

 

[closetoreality]

Guy has a KRL1032 blue near me he just got 6 months ago he's asking 5200.

 

[Mr_B]

Matco is the used box bargain brand, I had 7525 for 600bucks but needed flatting and painting with epoxy and 2K as externally was tatty and had overspray and chemical stains but that more time over material cost put right . Had a second one for 1k which for condition was more than liked to pay, I prefer 2 56" over 72" boxes, you get over 30" more storage plus don't have sell a box when want expand plus more 56" boxes on used market as people going to 3 bays but 2 56" is a 4 bay for small money ...
Deals are out there but it it months to find them and lot of running about . Took me well over 18months find the second 7525 .
Snappy nice but these days used the prices too crazy, Matco tends be the better price and they equal quality in my opinion, replacement parts service not equal so be sure all slides good if going used matco . castors and locks not an issue as easily fitted with generic parts .
never really loose money with used boxes .

 

[WhiffySpark]

I really wish I knew where these $1500 KRL722's were at, because I'd have 5 of them by now. That's just not a common deal most places.

Typically, our "deals" are something like this, or worse:

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/d/snap-on-classic-78-toolbox/6410106719.html

(In case the link expires, it's a KRA2411POT for $3000)

Here's the more typical KRL722 "deal":

https://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-roll-cab-double-bank/6411347275.html

(KRL722BPJJ for $4500, which is probably what he paid for it off the truck.)

Those are basically new prices

I paid 5500 for a new 68 epiq with power top and freebies lol

 

[kythri]

Those are basically new prices

I paid 5500 for a new 68 epiq with power top and freebies lol

Oh, I'm well aware of that. I've discussed new box pricing with a dealer, and know that nobody pays retail for a Snap-on box off the truck, no matter how much smoke Craigslist morons try to blow up my posterior.

My favorites are the auto-tech dropouts from community college shop just up the road for me.

The college charges $990 for three terms (so, $2970) during the first year of the two year program. If you pass all your stuff in that first year and get your certificate, then you can choose a couple different Snap-on tool combos that "retail" slightly over $6000.

I see these combos pop up on the local CL every year, with the insistence of the seller that they paid full retail, so them offering you this combo kit for $5000 is already hurting them, so don't try to low-ball them.

Clowns.

 

[closetoreality]

So a little update.

I decided to pass on a truck box (for the next year or so atleast).....and instead grab something from HD for 400-500 and instead put the cash towards continuing to buy quality tools from my local SO rep.

So I guess for me anyway quality tools>box.

Cheers.

 

[ishiboo]

I think that's a solid choice.

Milwaukee's boxes are very much in the "good value decent box" Chinese box category that are shared with a lot of others. Masterforce (Menards), Harbor Freights red boxes, some of the more expensive Husky boxes like the 52", etc. So don't necessarily be sold in Milwaukee. I

 

[RH2]

I agree about the Milwaukee. Especially that new, deeper box. I've looked at it at Home Depot, and I really like it. It's got a lot of nice design elements that most boxes don't have. I believe they might also be coming out with a line of accessories for it.

I think it might actually be better for most home owners as it is heavy duty enough and has some really useful design elements.

 

[Mr_B]

I don't rate the milwaukee, I think the husky 60" 62" 66" at 24" depth are pretty nice at offer prices .

 

[sk farmer]

why do people refuse to believe that not every town has a prograde box for peanut prices?

there are barely any used pro grade boxes in my area. those that are for sale are at 90% of new price or mercilessly beat to **** for slightly less. there is very little heavy mfg nearby, small numbers of large shops and very low unemployment. all things that i think lead to a surplus of boxes at lower prices.

a few years back i ran a taco wagon to a crazy price at an auction. the guy who bought it had a large check from his insurance company to replace the tools he had lost in a fire. he had been searching for a large used box at decent price for a long time and was tired of looking, this one was going home with him. i still look but i have little hope. buy a mid line box that fits your needs and forget about it.