need so advise on tool storage

[TDWendt]

I currently own a matco 2 drawer service cart i purchased new off the truck almost 5years ago. I was out of industry for a while so i didnt think much of needing space as i have another craftsman at home for what ever i didnt want in my cart.Well i am now back in a shop that requires me to have my own tools again ......im running out of room! So I've been looking at my options as far as storage goes.

I cant afford to spend thousands on a box at this time, ive considered a bigger service cart like the one i have but more drawers. Even considering the u.s. General box at hf.

Ideally i want either a matco 5s 2bay or a krl 2bay, those will have to wait.

There is a local person selling a snap-on classic 60 roll cab(bottom only 7 drawer,). Asking 800 dollars i believe. Would this be an upgrade? Worth going from my cart to a single bay(36in wide, 24in deep 39in tall)and sell my cart.

Asked my snapon driver about them and he wasnt very helpful,as hes never sold one let alone seen a classic 60. He did look up the list price and the rollcab retails for 2750. So i think its a great price for a used box if it isnt beat to hell. Hopefully going to look at it this week.

 

[TheTurk]

get an us general toolbox for 350 or maybe even less which would last you quite some time (you were able to hang in there with only 2 drawers ) save your money and get an at least 2 bay so or matco box....

 

[TDWendt]

Ive read good things about the us general box. Yeah for 3.5 years i didnt work in a shop so my cart was just at home lol. Since being back in the game I've actually brought a lot of the tools i dont use regularly at work home,but im still double stacked in both of my drawers and the tray underneath is pilled with misc cheap tool i dont care if they get taking or not( i have doubles or triples of almost everything at home.

The lure of a cheap snap-on is deadly

 

[TDWendt]

Current box(old pic, its not as messy now that its used daily)

The one im looking at

 

[Dart715]

Prepare yourself for the snap-on wave shall soon be approaching. But i agree with the TheTurk for the money HB is probably best way to go unless you come across some amazing CL score

 

[CWP1616L]

I don't see that box being worth $800 in that condition. Looks like somebody spray painted the drawer trim black.

 

[TDWendt]

Meh i only buy what i can afford, and i know snap-on is good but i also know others are just as good and cheaper. I have a new tech in my shop who only buys off the snapon truck or matco truck. And then he complains he has no money.

I figure if i can wave $600 cash at the seller he'll take it, and then i can either sell my cart for $300(maybe little less) or take it home (to add to my 2 craftsman i already have there). A co worker has already said he may be interested iny cart if i ever decide to part with it.

 

[Dart715]

do what you please, it is after all your money. How ever i will add that with $600 you can pretty much get the HF top and bottom and have 21 drawers i believe, over 7

 

[TDWendt]

I don't see that box being worth $800 in that condition. Looks like somebody spray painted the drawer trim black.

According to snap-on.com there was n option for black drawer trim on the black box so idk.

@dart-im gonna have to go play the HF one at the store to see if its as solid people say.

 

[dandan111]

That matco is pretty nice. I have heard nothing but good things on here about the us general box. I like to watch CL,great bargains. You will want bigger than that snap on I bet.

 

[ATC]

How much are you looking to spend on a nice box? I have a Mac Tech Series that I am thinking about parting with...

 

[bobcatdan]

I give one vote for the classic 60. I own one. Bought it to be a matching bottom for a kra62c. It works out to more storage then a 40" box, not by a lot. If that cl box looks better in person, I would get it over hf.

 

[xwarp]

How much are you looking to spend on a nice box? I have a Mac Tech Series that I am thinking about parting with...

What are the measurements on that box?

There is one that just popped up locally and am curious. Ad states 250 obo, but I'm betting it's either an error or it's in need of some serious body work or something.

Thanks.

 

[CWP1616L]

What are the measurements on that box?

41'' High x 50-1/2'' Wide x 25-1/4'' Deep.

 

[cgv69]

41'' High x 50-1/2'' Wide x 25-1/4'' Deep.

The HF box while less expensive and decently built will have less storage then this box. Also, and this is personal preference, I prefer the full width drawers. You can always divide up a full length draw but you can't stretch narrow one.

That said, $800 is a little high for that box in that condition but at $500-$600 tops I'd go for the classic60

ETA - I just looked it up on SO's site and they list the specs of the Classic60 rollcab as 39"H, 36"W, 24" deep. That's a big difference in width and would make this box less attractive to me.

 

[TDWendt]

I give one vote for the classic 60. I own one. Bought it to be a matching bottom for a kra62c. It works out to more storage then a 40" box, not by a lot. If that cl box looks better in person, I would get it over hf.

How does it work out to more space? Or do you mean with the top box and bottom togather.

 

[dandan111]

It's a drive but Indianapolis has some stuff on CL you should look at. They have a few matco like yours but bigger and some classic snap on stuff. A lime green snap on has been for sale for a long time it's around $1000 top and bottom.

 

[jmscollinsiii]

Id check Craigslist and Ebay snap on has some really nice carts that are around 40 to 46 in. long. As for the classic 60 for my area that is really high. You can get a classic 70 for around 1100 and i search for six months and found a krl 722 for 1550.

 

[Hiball]

How does it work out to more space? Or do you mean with the top box and bottom togather.

My Guess would be that since the Classic has full 32" wide drawers and 24 inch deep drawers it surpasses the HF 44" model that only has (1) 36" wide drawer with a bunch of smaller drawers that suffer from losing Width due to the Dividing section and "All" of the drawers only being 16" deep. Just because a toolbox is bigger doesnt mean it has more storage space, Dont get me wrong... There are some shop setups that need the shallow drawers versus the full length. I kind of like toolboxes that have alot of smaller drawers, But in this case its a No brainer (for Me).. CASH in hand bring that Classic home for $5-600.

 

[Mickey O]

Avoid the HF boxes, especially since you've owned a decent box, it'd be like going from a Rolls Royce to a Yugo. I'd take a look at that Snap on Box, it may just be a bad picture, and see if you can get the price down a bit, that size box with that drawer configuration will hold a whole **** load of tools.

 

[bcradio]

The HF box while less expensive and decently built will have less storage then this box. Also, and this is personal preference, I prefer the full width drawers. You can always divide up a full length draw but you can't stretch narrow one.

That said, $800 is a little high for that box in that condition but at $500-$600 tops I'd go for the classic60

ETA - I just looked it up on SO's site and they list the specs of the Classic60 rollcab as 39"H, 36"W, 24" deep. That's a big difference in width and would make this box less attractive to me.

CWP was referring to the orange MAC box for the dimensions.

And as for my opinion, I would not be trying to compare the HF 42" box here, but rather the 56" box as its got a lot more storage area. Its a great 2 bay box that should last a while for under $800. You can always upgrade later if you feel the need.

Just remember that a toolbox is only for holding the tools... not making money. I would rather spend the money saved on more tools than a better box.

 

[TDWendt]

CWP was referring to the orange MAC box for the dimensions.

And as for my opinion, I would not be trying to compare the HF 42" box here, but rather the 56" box as its got a lot more storage area. Its a great 2 bay box that should last a while for under $800. You can always upgrade later if you feel the need.

Just remember that a toolbox is only for holding the tools... not making money. I would rather spend the money saved on more tools than a better box.

Agree with the last statement wholeheartedly. Hell id put my tools in a dresser if i could find one cheap enough with wheels and a lock. Lol

Tried calling the guy again no return call, just sent him another email also.

 

[bobcatdan]

How does it work out to more space? Or do you mean with the top box and bottom togather.

Per published specs, a classic 60 bottom has more storage then a kra 4107. A 4107 has 7 full width drawers. I like the drawer size of the 60 and compared to the kra 4813 I owned, I take a 60 over a 40" box any day.

 

[richfinn]

Avoid the HF boxes, especially since you've owned a decent box, it'd be like going from a Rolls Royce to a Yugo. I'd take a look at that Snap on Box, it may just be a bad picture, and see if you can get the price down a bit, that size box with that drawer configuration will hold a whole **** load of tools.

Hey Mickey, nice to see you using Rolls-Royce as a metaphor for quality. Thats the first nice thing I have ever heard you say about anything British

 

[tkonetzke]

Avoid the HF boxes, especially since you've owned a decent box, it'd be like going from a Rolls Royce to a Yugo. I'd take a look at that Snap on Box, it may just be a bad picture, and see if you can get the price down a bit, that size box with that drawer configuration will hold a whole **** load of tools.

I have to disagree here, while HF boxes are not as nice as truck brand boxes, they are a hell of a box for the money. I had a matco 5 s double bay, then tried to get out of turning wrenches, sold the box. Well my job went away after 7 months, and my previous employer called me back to turn wrenches, in a pinch i picked up a HF 41". It was great for the year i used it before buying a snapon. The only thing I truly missed was the room.

 

[TDWendt]

We'll I just happen to browse CL again yesterday and that classic 60 is still listed. Thinking heavily about the us general box after the holidays are over.

 

[Mickey O]

Hey Mickey, nice to see you using Rolls-Royce as a metaphor for quality. Thats the first nice thing I have ever heard you say about anything British

I also like Crunchie bars, Fish & Chips and Lucy Pinder.

I have to disagree here, while HF boxes are not as nice as truck brand boxes, they are a hell of a box for the money. I had a matco 5 s double bay, then tried to get out of turning wrenches, sold the box. Well my job went away after 7 months, and my previous employer called me back to turn wrenches, in a pinch i picked up a HF 41". It was great for the year i used it before buying a snapon. The only thing I truly missed was the room.

Why buy the Snap-On then?