need help deciding what box

[edy]

hello all, just joined and i like it very usefull topics
i am on the market for a new box but i am stuck between two boxes, the box currently in costo under the name of torin.
or a box under the name of us pro tools, found over ebay, the 42" top and bottom box with 1 side cabinet.
any info on helping me decide would be greatly appriciated.

cheers all

 

[Chris Adams]

Hi, welcome to the mad house
What area are you in?
What size box is at Costco?
I have seen small Torin boxes up to the 56 inch there over the years.

I have a Torin box, a 42 inch top and bottom and it's a decent box. Not as nice as Mac/Matco/Snap-On/Cornwell but better than many others including the CSPS that is usually at Costco. Much better than that off brand from Vietnam that they have been selling locally at Costco.
You might look at the General at Harbor Freight, a half dozen members here have bought them and been pretty happy.
Shipping boxes is a chancy thing, if you can inspect one before buying you are in better shape.

Craig's list has lots of boxes but you have to move fast to get them if they are a good deal.

If you are buying an unkown brand it pays to do a little inspection of a box. Check for roller smoothness, look at thickness of the metal used in the drawers and sides. Inspect the locks. All indicators of overall quality. You have to look at different brands before you have a benchmark to compare.
Do stop at Sears and look at all the different levels of box they offer, to give you more of a feel for what to look for.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

edy,

I have the 41" Torin top and bottom boxes (black from Northern Tool) and the side cabinet (black onyx color by General) from Harbor Freight. They are made by the same company, bolt together just fine, look great and work great for the money.

The only problem that I have is keeping them clean. The rough "crinkle" style of paint looks good but it takes a soft brush to keep them looking nice.

They are not a nice as the KRL 1023 that I picked up not long ago but then again, they didn't cost near as much either. If you wrenching for a living, I would go after another box but for the weekend warrior or racer, they will do a very good job and allow you to spend the money saved on tools or guns.... That is what money is for isn't it???

 

[edy]

cheers both, the torin one is the same as this one (belive this image is off this site so thanks to whos this is)

i like it but i notice the us pro box, although is only a 41" (with sidebox 58") there is more draws which i no i would find more usefull.
the us pro tool one is like this
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p173/edy_029/1e12_1.jpg

never heard of harbour freight or general? i am in Enland though, is it america only?
cheers

 

[Chris Adams]

cheers both, the torin one is the same as this one (belive this image is off this site so thanks to whos this is)

i like it but i notice the us pro box, although is only a 41" (with sidebox 58") there is more draws which i no i would find more usefull.
the us pro tool one is like this
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p173/edy_029/1e12_1.jpg

never heard of harbour freight or general? i am in Enland though, is it america only?
cheers

And you have Costco?

That box in the picture with the two large square 'hammer' drawers was on close out here for 800 bucks.
At 949 regular price I never got around to buying it and when it closed out at 800, well I just have too many boxes. Way too many at that time.
It is a good solid box, lots of long drawers. The two square drawers I found less than useful but would have bought it anyway if there were any place to put it.
That box is not like the Torin 41 inch or CSPS boxes, it is full size, full strength, adequate for pro use.
Don't know the other box in the pictures with all the drawers.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

The box that you have linked to on photobucket IS the same box as I have here. You can get them at Cosco, Harbor Freight or Northern Tools.

This is a picture of mine:

 

[PCW]

I have a Harbor Freight by my house and went to go look at the US General. They are built with higher gauge steel. My only issue with them is the finish, hard to clean. I am going with the Extreme 41 box from Strictly. Powder coated will clean up much better.

PCW

 

[forceyoda]

Craigslist is how I got my snap on combo cheaper than anything at harbor freight or other discount boxes. Check it every day and you have to act fast when one comes up but you can get smoking deals on used boxes.

 

[edy]

cheers all. yes we have a cosco (i think we only have about two) but i am lucky enough to live just round the corner from one of them.

so GeorgiaHybrid you would say there a good box to have in your experience of it?

cheers

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I haven't had any problems with it. Double roller slides on the large drawers, Heavy steel, good welds (a lot better than most Craftsman) and plenty good enough for a home DIY'r. I was very happy with mine (and still am) but I needed a little more storage capacity and bought a used KRL1023. It got to the point where every time I opened a drawer, the wife would ask "where did that wrench come from?" or "How long have you had those screwdrivers?".

It is easier to spread tools around in the new box and with the drawers not so full now, she believes that I sold some to pay for the new box.

She thinks that I am selling it but more than likely I will take it to work, hide it for a year or so and give it to my future son-in-law when he becomes part of the family. Assuming that he learns to keep his mouth shut about tool and gun buys that is.....

 

[edy]

ahh good to hear, i feel it would be more usefull to me with it having more draws etc.
hey, a little white lie never hurt anyone

new son-in-law, congratulations. yep you must teach him to keep his mouth shut, hopefully in his first year of marrage he shall learn that

 

[carsounds_dan]

I've been looking at getting a new box, and snooping around on eBay I recon I can get a 40" 8 draw snap-on top box for the price of a lesser made chinesse crappy. I'm going to make a cart out of 1" square and mount the box ontop, making a nice little tool trolly.