Need some help deciding. KRL or KRA

[Jamez]

The time has come to replace my worn out Master Craft tool box, Its stuffed full, even with 2 side cabinets.

I have it narrowed down to 2 options, Both, in my opinion a good deal, I just cannot make up my mind....

1. New, but scratched krl1022 with stainless top and cover for $4500

2. Used kra2418 for $2500


The KRA has 33,000 cubic inch of space and the krl has 33,735 cubic inches.

My Master craft has 17,000....


Both are damn near the same as far as storage capacity, but the KRL has a much smaller footprint, but also cost 2 times as much.

Space is not an issue, so the length of the KRA is good as it gives me a work bench, but it is 6" shallower than the KRL.......

These things have been circling my mind for the last 8 hours and I still cannot decide..


What do you guys think?

 

[handyvorb]

Yeah both are definitely great tool boxes. If you got the money to spare I'd get the double bank KRL. If you don't, the Classic 96 will get the job done.

My first Snap-on box was a Classic 78 and it was nice until I ran out of room, but the KRL boxes are in a different world.

 

[Seanbev24]

If you can afford the extra 2k, get the KRL box. The KRA's are good boxes, but as handyvorb said, the KRL's are in a whole different league.

I love my KRL722. I just wish it wasn't full, adding on to these things isn't cheap!

 

[bobcatdan]

The casters on the krl are much better. Compare my loaded 1022 to my buddy's loaded classis 96, mine rolls a lot easier. If you're just going to park it aganist the wall then thats not a big deal. The classic seems to have good slides. I would go with what drawer set-up you like better.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

KRL all the way IF you can afford it.

 

[Skyline]

Look for a used KRL. You can easily find a clean double bank for around $2k, and plenty of tripple banks under $4k. Figure out exactly what you want in terms of size and then start scouring Craigs List in the closest few states. You WILL find some motivated sellers if you are patient.

 

[87GN]

If it was me and I had the $4500 to spend, I'd go with the KRA and use the other $2000 for tools. KRL's are very nice boxes, but my KRA's have served me well for many, many years.

Mark

 

[alex71]

You should think seriously about a Lista box. You will spend less than you would for the KRA, and you will get a box that is better built and more robust than the KRL.

 

[GDA]

If it was me and I had the $4500 to spend, I'd go with the KRA and use the other $2000 for tools. KRL's are very nice boxes, but my KRA's have served me well for many, many years.

Mark

+1

I'm not a pro but my KRAs have served me well and are very well built. Also, 2 large will buy a ton of used/nearly new Snap On tools on ebay or CL.

 

[mrholeshot]

Keep looking as you can find a KRL at a much better deal. Someone has a KRL1022 Chrome edition in the classifieds for 3900. I bought a sweet KRL1001 for 1000 dollars. I had to travel a good distance to get it but I'd be all over ebay looking at lightly used boxes. If this is a deal that your Snap-On man is offering you with financing I'd go with the KRA. When it comes time to upgrade or sell you won't take near as big a hit.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Krl all the way......as mrholeshot said, you CAN find better deal, but I also think that price is good enough if you don't want to wait to find that better deal.
Depending on the scratches, you might just get some decals you like to cover 'em up.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

One thing to consider is the depth of the drawers. MY KRL has such deep drawers that it is a pain in the *** sometimes to reach to the back, and so much can fit in one drawer that I can't remember everything that fits in each drawer.
I work in a narrow shop which I wish sometimes I had a narrower tool box to be able to pull the box to the job.

A situation like yours is what the 722 style of KRL was made for. Those are only 24" deep.

 

[Ohio Auto]

KRL, buy a used one. The drawers are deep and sturdy. I added my own butcher block top, absolutely a great box.

 

[Packard V8]

X4 on looking on craigslist for a used box. If you are quick and have cash, sometimes $4500 will buy a KRL box with tools.

jack vines

 

[knobbylon]

I use a KRA but I'm not a tall guy. The height of the KRL is six inches more and just at the wrong height for a bench for me.

 

[Jamez]

Money is not an issue, but the way I calculate it out the KRA is around $0.08 a cubic inch and the KRL is around $0.13

I'm 6'3", so the extra height of the KRL speeks to me, and the 30" depth is not an issue.

The KRL1022 is off the truck, the "scratch" is on the back, and my dealer had to point it out to me, I could not find it, with the stainless worktop and box cover, I feel the $4500 is a very good price for a NEW box.

The KRA is Used in "good" condition, no cover or work top, I may offer $2000 for it. As I am taller I find the work surface a little low, and even though a 24" deep drawer is plenty deep, I worry about it.

I have HATED my MC box for a very long time because the drawer sizes are just awkward enough that nothing fits in just right. anything longer than 22" long can only go in 1 drawer, makes it hard to keep organized....

Craigslist shows nothing around or in calgary, and kijiji doesn't show anything better, including Edmonton - I may be willing to head to Edmonton at the farthest, but I'm not into driving out of province or into the stated to get it. By the Time I rent a truck and pay for gas, and throw in my time - which is worth a lot to me - it is not worth it.

anybody got pictures of these 2 boxes with tools in so I can get an idea how everything fits?

Thanks everyone

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Jamez,

You can also look at the threads that have a KRL1023 pictured. The two left bays are the same as the 1022. The 1023 just has the small drawers and the right side of the box.

 

[Jamez]

the 1023 is actualy my box of choice, but way out my price range

Though I could very comfortably pay the $9600 my dealer wants in cash, it is more box than I need right now, and unless I find a used one around 4 - 5g, it cost to much to satisfy the part of me that allows me to be able to pay cash for an object like that.


thanks for the suggestion, I forgot it was the same minus the end cab.

 

[Seanbev24]

Jamez, from everything you said about your needs, price range, and lack of local used boxes, it sounds like you should buy that KRL1022.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Jamez, from everything you said about your needs, price range, and lack of local used boxes, it sounds like you should buy that KRL1022.

You are also buying the box from your dealer. When you do decide to move up to a KRL1023 (or bigger box), most dealers will be very fair for the trade in that they offer you.

 

[jimexcursion]

I had a KRA 2418 for 2 years and had zero issues with it. I opted for an Epiq because I had wrenches in 5 different drawers and the 2 top wide drawers on newer KRL's an on all Epiq's was a big selling point. I have very little experience with KRL's. I realize they are better quality than KRA's but I think they look cheap with the silver braces on the front so I never bought one. Sounds like the KRL is a much better deal then the KRA.

 

[briggsguy17]

You should wait until they have a promo on boxes. They usually have them around income tax return time. If you can pay cash now then you can afford to wait for a deal. They usually run 35-40% off. Get the 1023, you won't regret it.

 

[kblazer87]

KRL hands down. I have a KRA box and while it is a good box, if I had to choose between the two you mentioned I wouldn't have to think twice.

 

[crewchief888]

if i had $4500 in cash,

i'd buy the used one, as long as it was in good condition,

use the rest of the money for tools
or top box
or side box
or locker

unless your dealer has a crazy, smokin' hot, cant pass it up deal......

 

[mrholeshot]

Money is not an issue, but the way I calculate it out the KRA is around $0.08 a cubic inch and the KRL is around $0.13

I'm 6'3", so the extra height of the KRL speeks to me, and the 30" depth is not an issue.

The KRL1022 is off the truck, the "scratch" is on the back, and my dealer had to point it out to me, I could not find it, with the stainless worktop and box cover, I feel the $4500 is a very good price for a NEW box.

If money is not an issue and the box is in a color you like then I would go with the new KRL. At 6'3" (im 6'2") the work height in nice. While careful hunting can get you a less expensive KRL or a larger used KRL there is something about buying a new box. Most boxes that come off tool trucks that have been riding normally have a few scratches. If you move a box around a few times it's going to get scratched. Who ever walks around to back of a tool box and says "Nice" ?

 

[Jamez]

I had a KRA 2418 for 2 years and had zero issues with it. I opted for an Epiq because I had wrenches in 5 different drawers and the 2 top wide drawers on newer KRL's an on all Epiq's was a big selling point.

This is my main concern with the KRA and exactly what sways me more towards the KRL.

What I haven't told you guys yet, the last reason for my indecision.... my wife is fine with me spending 2500, but not so much with the 4500....

Starting to look like I have some smooth talking to do.

Again, thanks for all the input

 

[chadster1]

$4500 for a new KRL1022 with a stainless top is a smoking deal. You wont find a better price on a new box.

 

[mrholeshot]

What I haven't told you guys yet, the last reason for my indecision.... my wife is fine with me spending 2500, but not so much with the 4500....