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Montezuma vs Extreme Tool Box

NewShockerGuy

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Joined
Oct 12, 2010
Messages
2,481
Location
Northern Virginia / DC
My take on the differences is its mostly cosmetic - but when I 'm paying this much for a box and expect it to last the next 30 years for me that mattered.

No spot welds on the drawer fronts, Extreme's welds are on the side and there are gussets on the inside.

The drawer fronts are straight down on the Extreme - a little bevel out at the bottom from what I can tell from pictures on the Montezuma.

The gauge of the drawer fronts on the top box is heavier on the Extreme than the Montezuma.

The drawer pulls are solid aluminum on the Extreme vs an extension of the drawer front wrapped in aluminum on the Montezuma

A little higher gloss black on the Extreme.

From my research and talking with vendors - Both boxes are built in China - probably at the same plant and just built for different companies in the US.

Also found out the RXE Extreme is the same box as the Menards box - just a different color - black or blue vs green for the Menards boxes. it's not the box I got - but I did consider it - it's a good bit less expensive but a little less bling and lighter gauge metal in the drawers and sides and less drawers on top in exchange for the pull out work surface.

They are both great boxes I am sure - just spent another $160 to get the Extreme vs the same size combo from Montezuma for the cosmetic differences.

I got the box today, and pushing it off the pallet a little to mount the wheels worked great! No need to flip it on it's back. I did end up having a friend help me put the top box on instead of using the Cherry picker - let me just say though - Don't try this by hand without a few guys to help if your back isn't in good shape, its very heavy and a long lift. I used the plastic packing to cover the lower box sides at the top before we set it on there to make sure we didn't scratch anything up - then just lifted one end up and pulled that side's plastic out, then the same on the other side.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow - spent an hour or so moving some tools over from my old box to the new one tonight - i'm going to have to get some wrench holders to get it organized - my other ones are in the old box and adhesive back stuck to the drawer bottoms. Going to try to get some that are magnetic that will hold through the drawer liners.

Overall, very happy with the box and the service from Tool-Xpress - it's a nice piece and a good price.


Glad I found this:

You say it's a lot of cosmetics between the two... I've been looking at the 56"

Is $1695:

http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/al...xes-21-drawer-tool-cabinet-and-top-chest.html


Is $1995

http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/al...xes-56-21-drawer-tool-cabinet-tool-chest.html

I want to get the side box attachment with 5 more shelves and that's like another $500... is there REALLY a $300 difference between the two... if not I could take that money and get some nice tools, or even put that towards the box.

I'm upgrading from my craftsman that is just too small now... This will last me honestly probably for at least 10-15 years or until I build my dream garage, then I am buying my Matco of my dreams...

Just looking for input..

Just realized the Extreme box is bigger. Going with that has it has more CU inches. Can't wait!

-Nigel
 
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global72

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Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
365
Location
Gainesville Florida
Glad I found this:

You say it's a lot of cosmetics between the two... I've been looking at the 56"

Is $1695:

http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/al...xes-21-drawer-tool-cabinet-and-top-chest.html


Is $1995

http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/al...xes-56-21-drawer-tool-cabinet-tool-chest.html

I want to get the side box attachment with 5 more shelves and that's like another $500... is there REALLY a $300 difference between the two... if not I could take that money and get some nice tools, or even put that towards the box.

I'm upgrading from my craftsman that is just too small now... This will last me honestly probably for at least 10-15 years or until I build my dream garage, then I am buying my Matco of my dreams...

Just looking for input..

Just realized the Extreme box is bigger. Going with that has it has more CU inches. Can't wait!

-Nigel

With either box you cannot go wrong we sell a lot of both of them trouble free. At this time we do not carry the Extreme RXE series box. Larry from Extreme has been working hard on getting us to carry it again so we may be adding it back into our line up later this week.
 
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Red89gt

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Joined
Jun 23, 2011
Messages
302
Location
Albany, OH
Nigel,
Please post up once you get the extreme box and get it loaded with your thoughts and review. It would help me out as well since I am considering replacing my 41" Costco csps stainless box. I am on the fence of getting the 56" extreme or holding out to see if I can locate a truck brand used box via Craigslist. Just not sure how they will compare if I will be happy with the extreme. It will be for my home garage use only.
 

036.6turbo

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
149
Nigel,
Please post up once you get the extreme box and get it loaded with your thoughts and review. It would help me out as well since I am considering replacing my 41" Costco csps stainless box. I am on the fence of getting the 56" extreme or holding out to see if I can locate a truck brand used box via Craigslist. Just not sure how they will compare if I will be happy with the extreme. It will be for my home garage use only.

Well I'm not Nigel, bought we bought the 56" Montezuma 21 drawer combo and (2) additional 56" Montezuma base cabs. I have a Lista at work, and have had Craftsman, Proto and Homak at home, so I have some experience with other brands.

I could not be more pleased with the purchase of the Montezumas. The customer service @ stricklytoolboxes is top notch. No regrets on my Montes:beer::beer:
 
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alan camby

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2011
Messages
1,566
Location
South of Indianapolis, Indiana
Nigel,
Please post up once you get the extreme box and get it loaded with your thoughts and review. It would help me out as well since I am considering replacing my 41" Costco csps stainless box. I am on the fence of getting the 56" extreme or holding out to see if I can locate a truck brand used box via Craigslist. Just not sure how they will compare if I will be happy with the extreme. It will be for my home garage use only.

I am happy with my Extreme box.
If you live close to Naperville,IL I would give Extreme a call and see if you can see one of their boxes in person.
http://www.extremetools.net/index.html
 

FXDawg

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2012
Messages
322
Location
Rehoboth, MA
Glad I found this:

You say it's a lot of cosmetics between the two... I've been looking at the 56"


-Nigel

Have a look at this setup:

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=8

Or This:

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=510

The most noticeable difference is 4 more inches of depth in the International.

The weight of the international seems a little lighter though. They all weigh about the same and the international has a larger volume in that extra 4". So, I think the extreme or Montezuma are probably a step up... I just ordered an international. I can tell you more in a few weeks when it arrives. Of course that is international's "value" series they make a "pro" series for a little more that is 53"x18"

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=511

And a super heavy duty for a lot more. But still not tool truck pricing.

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=630

There is some info on a super heavy duty 35" box on here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89644&highlight=international+super&page=2

I think the deeper box will have a lot more space. Of course I'm DIYer just looking get all my tools in one place and I don't roll it around at all.
 
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NewShockerGuy

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 12, 2010
Messages
2,481
Location
Northern Virginia / DC
Have a look at this setup:

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=8

Or This:

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=510

The most noticeable difference is 4 more inches of depth in the International.

The weight of the international seems a little lighter though. They all weigh about the same and the international has a larger volume in that extra 4". So, I think the extreme or Montezuma are probably a step up... I just ordered an international. I can tell you more in a few weeks when it arrives. Of course that is international's "value" series they make a "pro" series for a little more that is 53"x18"

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=511

And a super heavy duty for a lot more. But still not tool truck pricing.

http://www.qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=630

There is some info on a super heavy duty 35" box on here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89644&highlight=international+super&page=2

I think the deeper box will have a lot more space. Of course I'm DIYer just looking get all my tools in one place and I don't roll it around at all.


The first two are right on money!!! Wow and it's cheaper! I've never heard of this brand though... Is the entire thing made in canada?

I'm super excited, as the second link is pretty much what I am going for PLUS it has more colors!!!

Any thoughts on these? Do you have this box? The only thing that worries me is the drawer hight... it seems that there at a lot of smaller height drawers than with the extreme.

-Nigel
 
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