New Kobalt tool box?

[AlphaGarage]

Was just at Lowes and saw a new Kobalt toolbox.

The top lid opens to reveal a good size work area that's open to the front. There you'll also see 2 speakers for the built in Pioneer stereo. The stereo has an iPod input and there's a small enclosed cubby hole for the iPod. The lid also sports 2 led lights.

The side has a fold out garment hook, and a built in AC power strip. On the bottom there's a built in refrigerator.

Overall the material used looks pretty thick and up to the task. I didn't have a chance to look too closely, but it seems to be put together fairly well.

It stands about 6feet tall, maybe 40" wide. $1,695.

 

[PowderKeg]

Whoa, big shiny box! Can see the accident report now - concussion and broken nose resulted from transmission crossmember pulled down on skull when victim's assistant inadvertently yanked droplight cord caught on crossmember after being blinded by sunlight reflected off roll cabinet. Victim also "suffered" from over-administration of pain reliever (multiple 12 oz containers), stored in close proximity to accident site...

Lowe's/Kobalt also has a deep ball-bearing 5 drawer black top chest with a lid like that - was giving some real serious thought to buying one to replace a Craftsman top sitting on a black Kobalt bottom. Then I measured it and the new Kobalt chest is 27" wide - won't fit on the base I have - it takes a 26" wide chest, like most all base cabinets I've seen of the (for a lack of a better way to put it) standard width. Now why would they do that? To sell another base cab as well, I would suppose. Too bad, Lowe's lost a sale, as I'm not in the market for another base. Guess I'll have to look at the Craftsmans that'r on sale.....

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Why do i have to live over here when all the good stuff is the other side of the pond?

 

[wrenchr]

Why do i have to live over here when all the good stuff is the other side of the pond?

Load up the slow boat and get your erse over here!!!!

 

[wrenchr]

Pimp my tool box!!!!!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

i'm trying!

 

[StanBo]

Don't you guys think the Kobalts are a bit overpriced for what they are? Or have I been spoiled in seeing some older Snapons that seem to be better made?

I didn't mind sniping a toolcart from HF for 99 bucks because it was 99 bucks.

At 1600 for a toolbox it almost makes sense in my mind to just shoot for a snapon.......



Or am I being too critical?

 

[PowderKeg]

Can't speak for stainless varieties (does Snap-On offer stainless models?) - haven't looked at a new catalog in a good while - too risky for a tool OD for me The Kobalt black top chest I was considering was $200. The Craftsman BB ones on sale are $170, regularly @ $250. Seems like the non-stainless models are in the same $$$ ballpark as other similar constructed brands.

 

[PoorOwner]

I think this is targetted at another audience with gadgets like that.. not for the most ******** wrenchers.

Personally I think the metal used in kobalt drawers are a little thin..

So the regular 41" kobalt is like $998 not on sale, does putting in a fridge and stereo make the cost go up $700?

 

[bchee]

If I didn't see the picture, I would have thought you were joking.

I guess they are competing with the craftsman axs boxes, or whatever they are called.

 

[StanBo]

Can't speak for stainless varieties (does Snap-On offer stainless models?) - haven't looked at a new catalog in a good while - too risky for a tool OD for me The Kobalt black top chest I was considering was $200. The Craftsman BB ones on sale are $170, regularly @ $250. Seems like the non-stainless models are in the same $$$ ballpark as other similar constructed brands.

I'm hunting for a well priced used Snap-on box or I will continue to save for a new one. Tranmission swaps and other tools get in the way of very expensive toolboxes lol.

Personally I think the metal used in kobalt drawers are a little thin..

Yeah the Snap On I ran into was orange and about 36" wide. I was impressed with the draw locks and the thickness of the metal.

It also didn't wander when I shook the draws from side to side.

 

[PoorOwner]

I am expecting the next iteration of the product will have a lid that opens to reveal a chicken rotissery..

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I am expecting the next iteration of the product will have a lid that opens to reveal a chicken rotissery..

That would be so awesome. Hey, it's already Stainless for hygiene!

 

[wrenchr]

chrome plated will follow!!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

When it comes to toolboxes, and the flashy add-ons the one that made me laugh the most was in the Mac catalogue, chrome "alloy" wheels for their boxes.

immediate thought: "WTF?"

 

[AlphaGarage]

I am expecting the next iteration of the product will have a lid that opens to reveal a chicken rotissery..

Your wish...

Again, I was moving fast and didn't have time to examine it closely, but from the quick peek I had it looked pretty beefy. Probably heftier than any CM tool chest I've ever seen.

Oh, oh, oh... I can't believe I forgot to mention the most important selling point! It comes with free drawer liners!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

So awesome..

 

[Kevin54]

Looks like everything but the kitchen sink. But you know the BBQ guys will see this and now the BBQ's will start looking like a toolbox. It's got room for paper plates, forks, spoons, spatula, and condiments. Throw a hitch on it and you now have the ultimate tailgaters travelling treasure chest. "Forks are in the fourth drawer down oon the right, Napkins, top left"

 

[jhn9840]

I'd rather have a plasma screen built into the top lid with a dvd player.

jhn9840
John

 

[chad s]

Don't you guys think the Kobalts are a bit overpriced for what they are? Or have I been spoiled in seeing some older Snapons that seem to be better made?

I didn't mind sniping a toolcart from HF for 99 bucks because it was 99 bucks.

At 1600 for a toolbox it almost makes sense in my mind to just shoot for a snapon.......



Or am I being too critical?

I agree. I paid $1300 for my used KRL1003 with stainless top from Craigslist. It has a lot more space than this box, with slides my dealer will warranty for life

 

[T56 Impala]

I'm heading to Lowes right now for some stuff. I'll report my findings if it matters at all.

 

[eschoendorff]

Whatever happened to toolboxes that just.... stored tools?

 

[T56 Impala]

My report:

Looks good.

Not sure I need a radio in my too box nor do I feel the need to have a refrigerator in my tool box. (It takes up LOTS of space IMO.)

The drawers are flimsy on flimsy slides.

The Stainless is far thinner than even my CSPS Costco box.

The one on display didn't roll well even with no weight on it. Maybe it needs weight to roll, I don't know.

It fills a need for the aggressive, look good, home wrencher.

The radio door will fail and be a constant issue if opened and closed alot. (Its pretty cheap.)

That is all.

 

[speed bump]

I guess they needed to compete with those Crapsman Axs boxes not that i'm sure one of those would ever sell our sears has had its display model since they came out.

 

[eschoendorff]

I guess they needed to compete with those Crapsman Axs boxes not that i'm sure one of those would ever sell our sears has had its display model since they came out.

or.... So that guys named "Chad" had a place to stick their Kobalt tools after doing a full resto on a Camaro in one afternoon using only a screwdriver and an impact wrench.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

I just saw this at my local Lowe's store. Man what a tool box. But at $1695 I'd be sleeping in my new garage if I brought this thing home ...

 

[rsanter]

that box is an overpriced gimic
the radio does not take up much space but the refrigerator takes away a bunch of needed space

for the price I would rather have the 41" Cman stainless and then go to buy a small shop refrigerator and stereo. I will even have some money left over for tools

no thank you, but I am sure they will sell lots of them to garage wanna bees to have in their garage while they stare at their boat while drinking a beer

bob

 

[old salvage]

Oh man that 'custom' box pic is funny.

 

[bchee]

I was checking my email and there was a huge advert banner on the top with this box
https://www.kobalttools.com/?utm_campaign=Standard_Yhoo

They are aggressively pushing it.

 

[billymade]

Its too bad Kobalt tools looked good at first (Williams was the OEM) and now they are a mixture of Asian and Danaher junk! Is it just not profitable to sell quality tools?

 

[IanF]

I just saw this at my local Lowe's store. Man what a tool box. But at $1695 I'd be sleeping in my new garage if I brought this thing home ...

I saw this box yesterday while getting through the check-out... coincidentally, we were picking up a new refrigerator for the garage...

The drawers seem a bit deeper than previous Kobalt offerings.

I've seen a box with an integrated car-stereos before many years ago... I think it was a Matco... the speakers were in doors hinged on a riser.

Personally, I agree it's too expensive and space inefficient for the cost... But my girlfriend thinks I should get it...

 

[eschoendorff]

I saw this box yesterday while getting through the check-out... coincidentally, we were picking up a new refrigerator for the garage...

The drawers seem a bit deeper than previous Kobalt offerings.

I've seen a box with an integrated car-stereos before many years ago... I think it was a Matco... the speakers were in doors hinged on a riser.

Personally, I agree it's too expensive and space inefficient for the cost... But my girlfriend thinks I should get it...[/QUOTE]

Whipped like the family pig...

 

[Kevin54]

I just seen this box at Lowes yesterday. I have to say that I am not all that impressed with it. And for the money you can buy a larger fridge to set in the garage along with a stereo system. I couldn't get the bottom drawers open either and the clerk did not know where the keys were. I was wondering what is the drawer or tray above the fridge. Silverware drawer maybe? I guess I am not too fond of the stainless anyways. the ones that I looked at looked terrible with all the fingerprints all over them.

 

[Wallace_43]

Yeah, but would Tim Allen approve? Sorry, but for me.....I gotta get me one of those!

 

[csapp05]

I was seriously looking at the big Kobalt box, but the drawer storage space is not "work" friendly, I think it is aimed at the well heeled home owner, in suburbia with the 3 car garage. Hey neighbor, look at MY new toolbox, yes that is a fridge in the bottom!

I can say one thing I really did notice and like was the drawer slides are not horizontally mounted, they extend up from the rear, I guess if the drawer is fully loaded, it won't come sliding out at 100 mph. Also closing the drawer gravity will help? Anyway, I think the retail pricing is too high, but the ability to buy it and have a warranty thru the local Lowes is not a bad thing for the homeowner...

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I saw this last night at the Burbank, California store. Not impressed. If you need/want gimmicks like a refrigerator and radio in a tool box is one question. But the ability to hold tools while opening and closing the drawers is it's primary mission.

Don't you guys think the Kobalts are a bit overpriced for what they are? Or have I been spoiled in seeing some older Snapons that seem to be better made?

I didn't mind sniping a toolcart from HF for 99 bucks because it was 99 bucks.

At 1600 for a toolbox it almost makes sense in my mind to just shoot for a snapon.......

For the price it seems very flimsy. The plastic guards on the ends of the drawer pulls were mostly missing or just barely hanging on. All the drawers were very stiff. The casters rolled like an old shopping cart.

Or am I being too critical?

For the price it seems very flimsy. The plastic guards on the drawer pulls were mostly missing or just barely hanging on. All the drawers were very stiff. The casters rolled like an old shopping cart.

I think this is targetted at another audience with gadgets like that.. not for the most ******** wrenchers.

Personally I think the metal used in kobalt drawers are a little thin..

So the regular 41" kobalt is like $998 not on sale, does putting in a fridge and stereo make the cost go up $700?

It is targeted to another audience. The open shirt/gold neck chains crowd.

My report:

Looks good.

Not sure I need a radio in my too box nor do I feel the need to have a refrigerator in my tool box. (It takes up LOTS of space IMO.)

The drawers are flimsy on flimsy slides.

The Stainless is far thinner than even my CSPS Costco box.

The one on display didn't roll well even with no weight on it. Maybe it needs weight to roll, I don't know.

It fills a need for the aggressive, look good, home wrencher.

The radio door will fail and be a constant issue if opened and closed alot. (Its pretty cheap.)

That is all.

The radio door on the display I looked at was right at the fail cusp. I was able to tweak the drawers by hand. I don't think they would hold too much weight reliably.

For that kind of money on a new box the big Craftsman is much better spent.

Just my observations,

~Steve

 

[Frank Elson]

"It is targeted to another audience. The open shirt/gold neck chains crowd."

you have them in the States as well? I didn't know they were international !

 

[autoace]

I saw these boxes, not impressed, for the same money, on sale you could get the Craftsman Professional series 36" cab and chest. Waterloo makes these in Canada, really they are Magnum series dressed for Sears. Or buy the cheaper Snap-on classic boxes, wouldn't be much more, Snap-on's cheapest boxes are better than most.

 

[KentD]

These stainlss toolboxes RUST because they are made for Lowe's with cheap stainless steel, with hardly any nickel in the metal. Magnets will stick to them. If they were decent stainless, magnets would not stick.

I purchased one of these large boxes a year ago, and today it looks like ****. Because they RUST! Every weld joint has rusted and fingerprints even cause it to rust!

I called Kobalt's customer support and they said I should clear coat it to help stop the rusting. They even admitted it was cheap stainless steel and you get what you pay for. They blamed it on Lowe's becasue this is what they wanted....cheap boxes that they could sell. Kobalt could have cared less about my concern.

So be wary! You would be better off buying a box from Craftsman for the same money and be better off.

 

[Art From De Leon]

Looks like a gas grille.