Newer Craftsman Tool Boxes
- Thread starter JoeLee1
- Start date
If you’re not finding new CM boxes that meet your specifications try the secondary market like CL, FB etc as some people try to sell their starter boxes as they upgrade to something larger. If you’re open to other brands the US General offers comparable or better versions of tool boxes. On sale several times a year
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
The newer Craftsman boxes at Lowe's are very flimsy. I made the mistake of buying one instead of a Harbor Freight since it was made in USA.
Hindsight 20/20 the US General is a better box at a cheaper price. Edit: appears the Craftsman boxes are cheaper than the Harbor Freight boxes, which is opposite of what it was 4yrs ago when I purchased.
Even the Husky boxes from Home Depot are sturdier and that says something.
Hindsight 20/20 the US General is a better box at a cheaper price. Edit: appears the Craftsman boxes are cheaper than the Harbor Freight boxes, which is opposite of what it was 4yrs ago when I purchased.
Even the Husky boxes from Home Depot are sturdier and that says something.
finn
Well-known member
Did HF change that infernal latch design along the way? I have their five drawer cart and like it, except for the detestable latching arrangement.
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
The newer ones have the sliding latch all the way across the drawer pulls, compared to a small one on one side of the pull on the older boxes.
I think the new US General design: sliding plastic latch all along the drawer pulls has more negative complaints than the small plastic latch off to the side. One good thing about the newer design (sliding across) is when they break it’s easily removed and not really needed if the cabinet is level and not moved. On my new 56” one plastic latch did break on the first day and HF sent me a few replacements. So far none of the other plastic latches have broken when used a bit more carefully
nicks78camaro
Well-known member
I think the new US General design: sliding plastic latch all along the drawer pulls has more negative complaints than the small plastic latch off to the side. One good thing about the newer design (sliding across) is when they break it’s easily removed and not really needed if the cabinet is level and not moved. On my new 56” one plastic latch did break on the first day and HF sent me a few replacements. So far none of the other plastic latches have broken when used a bit more carefully
I could see that. The new design seems lesser quality than the old latches. A lot of people hated the old latches as you could only open the drawer from the end but it never bothered me.
Fav Onefour
Well-known member
It's funny that someone asked about the HF latches. I spent quite a bit of time looking at tool boxes over the years. I'm one of those that needs to try the dang things and see how well they work. I wanted to like the HF boxes because of the price. I fiddled around with their display units a number of times during my tool box search. The rollers were smooth enough, sizes worked for my configuration, but the latches were a deal breaker. I knew I'd be cursing those things.
@JoeLee1 , Are you committed to Craftsman so you can match other components? I have some smaller versions that have been through the paces. They don't seem to do anything exciting compared to any other brand in that price range.
Trying various brands helps give you an idea what might or might not work long term.
If you don't mind doing a little window shopping I'd give that a shot. Try the Craftsman and compare. I advise looking at the rollers for durability and ability to service. Spot welded hinges, etc. work until they don't work. If they are junk you are stuck.
I get the idea of putting latches on drawers. I don't like them if it's not a full handle easy release. Drawers without latches often use a detent roller system to hold them closed. Some brand use very heavy detents while others are barely noticeable. The difference can be a factor if you are rolling the thing around on a clanky floor all the time. Locks are nice to have for security. They are also helpful on boxes without drawer latches. I try to keep it simple with locks. I've swapped everything to a single key.
I have one box that has surprised me so far. It's a smaller 26" four drawer westward that I purchased mainly because it fit with my configuration. Price wasn't too bad. Rollers are smooth, although it does use a heavy detent. It operates as well as some of the spendy stuff right next to the thing. It's nothing fancy, but it gets used a lot because it's easy to use.
@JoeLee1 , Are you committed to Craftsman so you can match other components? I have some smaller versions that have been through the paces. They don't seem to do anything exciting compared to any other brand in that price range.
Trying various brands helps give you an idea what might or might not work long term.
If you don't mind doing a little window shopping I'd give that a shot. Try the Craftsman and compare. I advise looking at the rollers for durability and ability to service. Spot welded hinges, etc. work until they don't work. If they are junk you are stuck.
I get the idea of putting latches on drawers. I don't like them if it's not a full handle easy release. Drawers without latches often use a detent roller system to hold them closed. Some brand use very heavy detents while others are barely noticeable. The difference can be a factor if you are rolling the thing around on a clanky floor all the time. Locks are nice to have for security. They are also helpful on boxes without drawer latches. I try to keep it simple with locks. I've swapped everything to a single key.
I have one box that has surprised me so far. It's a smaller 26" four drawer westward that I purchased mainly because it fit with my configuration. Price wasn't too bad. Rollers are smooth, although it does use a heavy detent. It operates as well as some of the spendy stuff right next to the thing. It's nothing fancy, but it gets used a lot because it's easy to use.
CombatNinja
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- Aug 24, 2013
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- 1,456
Stopped looking at Craftsman when they discontinued the 3000 series recently. All their stuff is consumer-grade junk now.
Not sure what I being offered at this point in the Cman line of boxes. You can still find nice used Cman boxes on FBMP or CL.
If you want something new, I would second the suggestion of at least looking at the US General boxes. They are now 22" deep which gives some extra depth in storage.
If you want something new, I would second the suggestion of at least looking at the US General boxes. They are now 22" deep which gives some extra depth in storage.
HF is one of the places I almost never shop at. Their tool boxes look big and impressive but I've never looked closely at any of them.
But I'll take your advise and check them out.
Joe......
I know their flimsy, but that's typical of any tool box today with the exception of Snap On or Matco.
I have a couple Kennedy roller cabinets in my main shop and a couple machinists chests that I bought back in the early 80's for my machinist and metal working tools. I have a Rem Line roller cabinet, mid and top chest for my mechanic tools.
I was just looking for something for the house garage to organize the Craftsman tools that my father has.
I'm open to any brand really, it doesn't have to be CM. I'm not matching it to anything.
I see a lot of older CM chests I like listed on line but most sellers don't want to ship and the chances of getting one shipped without damaging it are slim to none.
Joe.....
No, I'm not committed to CM and this chest will be the only box in my house garage so it doesn't have to match anything.
I just don't want to spend $500 + on a box for this purpose.
My father had bought a few of those Craftsman socket sets that came in the nylon zipper case and they were the worst thing Craftsman
ever came up with. Nothing stays in place and you always have to search through a mess when looking for a certain size socket etc.
And he has some bis 1/2" drive set that came in a big plastic brief case..... nothing stays in place in that either.
So I just want to put all that stuff in one big chest so it's organized.
Joe.....
If you were considering a 26" Cman box, check out the 27" boxes from HF. You might be impressed.
rebelranger
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- Joined
- Sep 18, 2012
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- 188
Buy American. Stop supporting China
dante2
Well-known member
I was in the same boat just before Christmas. Needed a decent tool box for home. I was wanting to purchase the USA made Craftsman at Lowe's. When I finally looked at them in person I wasn't impressed and a little sad at what I've seen. Very flimsy and it looked like the castors were put in with sheet metal self tapping screws not bolts on the 26" wides (need to confirm). I ended up going next door to Home Depot and purchased a Husky 42" they had on sale for $200. It had a maple top, ball bearing slides with soft close and a power strip. I know it won't last as long as my Snap On box I have at work, but it won't being seeing the workload either.
jollygreengiant
Well-known member
You guys in the states must have a different grade of Husky boxes than we do up here. When I was looking at boxes a couple years ago the Husky was the cheapest quality of all the ones I looked at. Very flimsy and the drawers were not smooth at all. I ended up going with the 52" 10 drawer Craftsman cabinet and while not of a Snap On or Mac quality it was a lot better than the Husky.
It's possible. One of my coworkers has a Husky box and Hutch combo. He's been using it daily for around ten years and it's still holding up. I know a couple others that have the higher end Husky's for a few years now. My Snap On Master series is seventeen years old and have only had to warranty the Lock n Roll latches replaced on a couple of drawers.
tulowd
Well-known member
I have dozens of tool boxes and chests of various ages and from various manufacturers incl Snap On, Matco, Kennedy, Craftsman standard and pro versions, Mastercraft, Beech, Harbor Freight/US General Series 1 and 2, Gladiator, Kobalt, Gray, Husky and a few others that escape my memory.
I was recently at HF and the new series 3 stuff has super nice drawers and slides; feel sturdier than the older stuff and is nice and deep (lol!). Multiple colors is a nice option too. The Craftsman, even their black Pro Heavy Duty series are not as nice as the HF stuff, but better than the junk Husky and other cheap entry stuff that is everywhere. International brand that Costco carried was pretty decent, but I'm not current with their selection. Kennedy boxes are nice for delicate tools like measuring equipment, but not suited for anything remotely heavy or large.
I have spent considerable time measuring drawer and frame sheet metal thicknesses and weight ratings. If a box has to roll, loaded up with hundreds or thousands of lbs of tools, that is where the big $$ stuff rules. Most of mine are static, so that allowed me to broaden the search. Thin walled drawers and frames will distort and fail or at least feel ******. Forget the drawer slide weight ratings, those don't take into consideration the stiffness of the drawer. Higher grades use two pairs of sliders on larger height drawers.
The other big consideration should be box depth, and how far out the drawers can slide. Most of the cheap 16 or 18" deep boxes dom't allow full access and don't hold nearly as much, especially longer tools. 22" or larger depth is amazing, provided your workspace has clearance. I made a chart with volume capacity, sheet metal thickness, drawer depth, cost etc. when I was researching my main roller cab.
Ended up with a US General 56" cab on sale for around $750. Even today, these are still an amazing deal vs anything else out there.
The secondary market can have some killer deals, but lots of the "used" stuff will be banged up and certainly not look nice, if that's of concern. I got a nice 15 year old 12 drawer 22" deep Snap On top box for $150 before Covid cause the slides were stiff. I use it on my welding table, so the fact it isn't minty looking is fine. Killer box, was probably $2k when new, last photo, on top of the welding table.
I would spend some time ensuring what you're shopping for will exceed your needs and last a lifetime.
Hope this helps, some pics for reference:
I was recently at HF and the new series 3 stuff has super nice drawers and slides; feel sturdier than the older stuff and is nice and deep (lol!). Multiple colors is a nice option too. The Craftsman, even their black Pro Heavy Duty series are not as nice as the HF stuff, but better than the junk Husky and other cheap entry stuff that is everywhere. International brand that Costco carried was pretty decent, but I'm not current with their selection. Kennedy boxes are nice for delicate tools like measuring equipment, but not suited for anything remotely heavy or large.
I have spent considerable time measuring drawer and frame sheet metal thicknesses and weight ratings. If a box has to roll, loaded up with hundreds or thousands of lbs of tools, that is where the big $$ stuff rules. Most of mine are static, so that allowed me to broaden the search. Thin walled drawers and frames will distort and fail or at least feel ******. Forget the drawer slide weight ratings, those don't take into consideration the stiffness of the drawer. Higher grades use two pairs of sliders on larger height drawers.
The other big consideration should be box depth, and how far out the drawers can slide. Most of the cheap 16 or 18" deep boxes dom't allow full access and don't hold nearly as much, especially longer tools. 22" or larger depth is amazing, provided your workspace has clearance. I made a chart with volume capacity, sheet metal thickness, drawer depth, cost etc. when I was researching my main roller cab.
Ended up with a US General 56" cab on sale for around $750. Even today, these are still an amazing deal vs anything else out there.
The secondary market can have some killer deals, but lots of the "used" stuff will be banged up and certainly not look nice, if that's of concern. I got a nice 15 year old 12 drawer 22" deep Snap On top box for $150 before Covid cause the slides were stiff. I use it on my welding table, so the fact it isn't minty looking is fine. Killer box, was probably $2k when new, last photo, on top of the welding table.
I would spend some time ensuring what you're shopping for will exceed your needs and last a lifetime.
Hope this helps, some pics for reference:
Attachments
bassJAM
Well-known member
The regular Husky boxes are pretty bad, but they also have Commercial/Pro line boxes which are better. IMO the US General boxes are still higher quality. Masterforce boxes from Menards are pretty good as well, maybe a half step below US General.
rebelranger
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- Sep 18, 2012
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- 188
Craftsman boxes are American made. In Missouri. That was the only box I could find American made so I bought it.
Yes, cost is more for less but I want my money to go to American workers and an American company. [Craftsman is owned by Stanley Black and Decker.
RWorth
Well-known member
I bought one of the tool chests from Harbor freight, US general box, it's pretty nice for the price.
reader2580
Well-known member
I'm big on buying Made in the USA, but it seems crazy to spend more to get less. That is not something I am willing to do.
Yes, I agree.
This past year, I sold my older Cman stuff and replaced it with HF boxes. The current line up from Cman is somewhat sad IMHO as to what they offered years ago.
I've bought from HF;
Two 56" bottom boxes
One 42" bottom box
One 27" bottom box
One 56" top box
One 42" top box
One 27" top box
One side locker
Some on sale, some with cash from selling Cman stuff. All in check the website right now, $5800. Compare it with a single 56" bottom box from Snap-On for $8K.
I can't justify spending the extra cash. I most definitely would rather get a USA made box or boxes but for most, I think that time has come and gone.
finn
Well-known member
That pretty much spells out the attitude of most American consumers, and is why American manufacturing has taken a hit, and will continue to disappear.
Nobody is willing to pay more for less, nor are they willing more for what someone overseas can provide for less money.
reader2580
Well-known member
I am absolutely willing to pay more for USA made items so long as the quality is at least as good as an import. I’m not willing to pay more for lower quality just to to get Made in the USA.
My default is to search for made in the USA first. I am currently hoping to buy new frying pans and a food processor soon. I will probably get Nordicware pans made in the USA. I am looking at several food processors made in the USA.
Johnny Generic
Well-known member
What is your location?
finn
Well-known member
That’s the line everyone espouses, but I have yet to see it in the real world.
Cost or “prestige “ almost always wins out.
RonnieC
Well-known member
Same here. My five drawer has the single latches and don’t bother me. I just ordered a 27” bottom box from HF but had to think about it due to the full length latches. They seemed awkward, like pulling the latch didn’t always translate into actually unlatching the drawer. When I read on GJ that the latches were removable, that’s what made me place the order.
pcmeiners
Well-known member
Fifty years ago they were flimsy, how can they get any worse?
rebelranger
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- Sep 18, 2012
- Messages
- 188
My craftsman box, i believe is good quality especially for the price. Mind you I'm a shade tree mechanic who takes care of tools and equipment...except 10mm sockets!
whateg01
Well-known member
Flimsy is not a word I would use to describe the US general boxes.
whateg01
Well-known member
They found a way
pcmeiners
Well-known member
Truly amazing what can be achieved with modern technology and bean counters.
Those 50 year old boxes still move me to foul language. I love those friction slides, 3inch casters, and uniform sheet metal thickness. They weighed the same so pretty much the same steel content, just not distributed well. Those ball bearing soft close slides, 100-150 pound capacities, ball bearing 1500 lbs 5-6 inch casters, engineered steel thickness…who needs that stuff. I like the old stuff, and they work, but I think they are inferior. I really need to get a modern box.