New Tool Box Purchase

[wilkesmech10]

Alright Guys - I've been a long time lurker here and now it's time to get some input from everyone.

Last year I left my job in IT to go into the John Deere Tech Program to become an Ag technician for them. I'm halfway through my first year and about to buy my first box. I'll have an internship coming up in the summer and this is what I will work out of. I need your input on what I should purchase.

I've narrowed it down to a couple boxes. I currently work at Lowe's and have the opportunity to get this box and the matching top for about 400 bucks. My main issues with this box is the shallow depth and overall quality, especially for everyday use. Although, the price is right.

The other box I'm looking at is an International Tool Storage Box. This box has quite a bit more depth, is wider, and I have heard good things about the brand. Price is quite a bit more, I'll probably be able to get it for around 800 bucks.

I know it is almost hard to compare these boxes, but for the price on the Kobalt , I've got to look at it. I don't want to invest a ton of money in a box, because my goal is to be in a service truck in a couple of years.

What are everyone's thoughts?

 

[CJM8515]

Harbor Freight. DOnt waste you cash on the kobalt. Other box lookes decent.

 

[619DioFan]

I would pass on the lowes and also hd boxes. as for the international I would spend 200 more and get the HF 72'' box. with the 72 you would probably not run out of room. 2 years is a long time to work out of too small tool box ( while waiting for a position in a service truck )

 

[ladrones]

The apprentice programs usually start with something like this.
https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/hand-tools/tool-boxes/385-1721

 

[jhelrey]

Masterforce makes a decent box as well.

 

[Mr_B]

forget kobalt, look at masterforce menards or homak rs pro 72" .
HF 56" was 649buck which not bad cheap option.
a used branded 56" would be cool so do look as holds same money you put into it so when want change box you loose no money. Matco 7525 or 8525 make a good first box and do come up cheap compared to snappy boxes .

 

[JD3020]

I just bought a HF 56" box on black friday for $650, i'd say its by far the best value on the market. The drawers have too much wobble, are sorta loud, and the latch is a failure, but it seems to be pretty sturdy. I swung by Menards today to grab some sockets and checked out their new 41"x24" box. The latch and slides felt much much better than my HF box, they didn't have a 56" to look at though.

The only thing that caught my eye is the HF box says shipping weight is like 470lbs if i remember correctly. That International box shows 284lbs, and the Menards Masterforce is 367. These boxes are roughly the same size and sheetmetal doesn't weigh "that" much, so where is the weight difference coming from?

 

[bassfiend316]

The newer flat black husky boxes at Home Depot are nice. I think I paid $600 for my house box, 60" 24" deep, wood top and power strip built in. It does have a "bulk section" where I'd rather have more drawers though. I have masterforce, matco and HF boxes at work. For the money, I'd buy another husky and be happy with it. The matte black doesn't show dirt either.

 

[ocloc24]

Between those two definitely the international. The Kobalt box is flimsy and shallow, as you said. The other is a well built box that will leave you with room to grow into. You can always buy a top for it down the road as well, and in the meantime have a nice little workbench.

 

[Blue924.9]

Which school are you attending? I'm almost done with the ag tech program in Milford

 

[JohnDeere1]

Dude go with HF it puts the Lowe's boxes to shame very heavy duty built and weigh alot but have more drawers and you can add tops and side boxes or lockers.

 

[msgbob1957]

Alright Guys - I've been a long time lurker here and now it's time to get some input from everyone.

Last year I left my job in IT to go into the John Deere Tech Program to become an Ag technician for them. I'm halfway through my first year and about to buy my first box. I'll have an internship coming up in the summer and this is what I will work out of. I need your input on what I should purchase.

I've narrowed it down to a couple boxes. I currently work at Lowe's and have the opportunity to get this box and the matching top for about 400 bucks. My main issues with this box is the shallow depth and overall quality, especially for everyday use. Although, the price is right.

The other box I'm looking at is an International Tool Storage Box. This box has quite a bit more depth, is wider, and I have heard good things about the brand. Price is quite a bit more, I'll probably be able to get it for around 800 bucks.

I know it is almost hard to compare these boxes, but for the price on the Kobalt , I've got to look at it. I don't want to invest a ton of money in a box, because my goal is to be in a service truck in a couple of years.

What are everyone's thoughts?

I buy Matco used off Craigslist, takes a little work but you get the most bang that way. I've ha d multiple craftsman, kobalt, snapon, etc. Can't be a good used matco box if u can find one reasonable. Any box works for short term, but if u don't need new, buy a better box used. Plus you'll see lots of new & used box up for sale after ..

Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk

 

[PETE14]

I would say don't forget or rule out Craigslist, Ebay, pawn shops, etc for a good deal on an older box still in good shape. Maybe you can find something nice or maybe not, but I think its worth looking, especially if cost is a factor.

 

[WittHay]

Don't cheap out too much. You need a lot of tools for Ag. minimum size is 24 x 54.

Maybe re title the thread or make a new one mentioning tool boxes for AG or HD equipment. The concern I have is how much you have to move the box. Nothing rolls and stands up like a tool truck brand box.

I watched a tool box tour video for a young JD tech and I think he had a top and bottom Costco Kirkland 40 to 44" box. But he left it in one spot. He also had the large HF tool cart and a old Snap-on 26" top chest on a work bench with more tools under it. He also had some tool in the service truck which was parked for the off season

 

[PhysicsDude]

Whatever you go with, I would definitely get a 22" or 24" deep box. I wouldn't mess with the cheaper Kobalt stuff.

 

[wilkesmech10]

Which school are you attending? I'm almost done with the ag tech program in Milford

I'm in Raleigh, NC.

 

[wilkesmech10]

So it looks like you guys are confirming my thoughts about the Kobalt box. Only reason I considered it was the good deal I could get, but $400 spent on junk is kind of pointless. I will definitely have to take a look at the harbor freight boxes. I had already planned to get a cart from them.