Not sure which tool cart to buy!

[LGMechanical]

I'm in the market for a brand new roll cart. I have one from Princess Auto that I'm not happy with. Its a 3 drawer with a closing lid. I bought it for $100 last year. It's got rocks for screwdrivers and prybars but the handles one the prybars are too long for it to close.

The locks are cheap and the steel is thin. I have that thing loaded sometimes after a days work and I'm worried that the legs will buckle one day.

So I'm thinking of buying one from one off the tool trucks that come by my work.

Here is the one from Snap-On I am looking at.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=19963&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

•$795
•Made in Canada
•500lbs weight limit!
•6.5" deep top
•Lock and roll drawers
•2 swivel casters





And here is one from Matco:

•$695
•Assembled in USA with global components.
•5" top
•Detent locks on drawers
•4 swivel casters

And MAC:

http://www.mactools.com/product/tabid/120/p-329132-mb155uc-bk.aspx

•$540.99
•Cool looking pop up shelves

I dont have any other info on this since the Mac website isnt very detailed. I guess I can ask my dealer on Wednesday. I wan't to know the CoO and all the dimensions, etc.

Any advice fellas?

 

[JWink]

I have heard good things about the matco carts on here. I have never been around any of those carts though.

 

[mrshaun]

warranty warranty/
snap on
Life time
matco ? was told 1 year by the local matco man
same for cornwell
check out the new krsc46 roll cart. they have a ton of room. also a new one coming in january or so.
I have had no problems with the krsc31 carts. no complaints and no warranty issues.

 

[r0meyrome]

Harbor Freight has the same style tool carts for 1/4 of the price BTW.

 

[myslow2002gt]

I actually just purchased the KRSC31 (the Snap On you linked). I'm picking it up tomorrow morning, and can post pics once I do. The techs at my job use the Snap On one almost exclusively and gave it great reviews, which is why I purchased one for my home garage.

 

[LGMechanical]

Harbor Freight has the same style tool carts for 1/4 of the price BTW.

How about the steel? How sturdy are they and how much weight can they handle? The current one I have is from Princess Auto which the the Canadian equivalent to HF and I'm not impressed with it.

warranty warranty/
snap on
Life time
matco ? was told 1 year by the local matco man
same for cornwell
check out the new krsc46 roll cart. they have a ton of room. also a new one coming in january or so.
I have had no problems with the krsc31 carts. no complaints and no warranty issues.

Really? Just 1 year? Thats pretty odd lol. Mo co-worker just bought a Matco cart but it has the 2 piece top lid that splits open. I didn't ask him about the warranty though. I just don't like the detents and it had alot of wobble to it. On top of that I could flex the steel on the legs pretty easily.

I like the empty spot under the drawers for large things so these carts I'm looking at are perfect for me. Any info on the new SO cart coming out soon?

 

[myslow2002gt]

Just to note, I currently have a HF tool cart and it *****... I'm just a "hobbyist" but even I find the quality of it to be pretty bad, which is why I just purchased teh Snap On KRSC31


My suggestion is to purchase a quality one, but maybe try to find a good deal on a used one to save some cash.

 

[mdoolittle]

That Mac cart is really thin metal and not all that sturdy. IMO

 

[06wt]

http://www.mactools.com/product/tabid/120/p-330386-mb197uc.aspx

m waitin for one of these to pop up on CL, my master tech has one and i love the layout of this cart, Yes its a mac, and im not a fan of mac, but its lifetime warranty and its just an awsome layout, but not for the price mac wants ill wait till i find one on CL

 

[LGMechanical]

Just to note, I currently have a HF tool cart and it *****... I'm just a "hobbyist" but even I find the quality of it to be pretty bad, which is why I just purchased teh Snap On KRSC31


My suggestion is to purchase a quality one, but maybe try to find a good deal on a used one to save some cash.

I definately want a quality cart this time around. I'll probably be making payments on it so the tool truck is convenient here. Cash is tight this time of the year! But it would be nice to run across a good deal.

 

[Stick]

I've owned both the Matco cart and the mac cart. Both are great carts, but which one is better depends on how you arrange tools for your jobs. I ditched the mac cart because I didn't have enough room in the top for parts. I ditched the Matco cart because the split drawers in the top row drove me nuts, and I still didn't have room for parts the way I had it set up.

Of the two, I regret getting rid of the Matco cart more. And ideally I'd use two carts, one for tools, and a cheap basic cart for parts.

 

[mrshaun]

the krsc31 is your best bang for your buck.
features the lock and roll latches and you can put your battery chargers in the top and keep your power tools up top. black looks really sweet with the chrome trim, but there are other colors. the lime green is real bright... can see it from anywhere in the shop.

 

[LGMechanical]

I want it blue or black to match my tool box (which is blue). The Snap-On guy will at the shop tomorrow. So I'll have a talk with him about it. Mac guy on Wednesday and Matco on Friday. I'll have a talk with all 3. I've been leaning towards the Snap-On cart though. Who knows I might order it tomorrow out of impulse

 

[speed bump]

I don't know if you have a Napa up there and if they do the promo fliers or not but Napa here introduced a new tool cart for $250 with a 500lb capacity and after comparing it to the Mac I would say its just as good or better.

Otherwise I would probably go for the Matco or the SO depending on which one seemed better in person.

 

[myslow2002gt]

I definately want a quality cart this time around. I'll probably be making payments on it so the tool truck is convenient here. Cash is tight this time of the year! But it would be nice to run across a good deal.

Sent you a PM about the cart I just bought.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I'm on the lookout for a KRSC31 in green to match my box.

mrshaun, do you know if Snap-on made these in lime green or just extreme green? My main box is a color that I have not seen listed before as the sticker calls it out as "lime green".

It that the same as "extreme" green?

 

[Rocket1]

That's a tough one. I really like the SO and when I looked at one in person it was real nice. That Matco is nice too though but I haven't seen one in person

 

[35mastr]

That MB197 is an upgrade from the MB190. I sold those carts by the pallets. Never had any issues with them.

I have a MB190 that I use as my box at the plant every day. No problems in 2 years with lots of abuse.

The only thing I did was put better wheels on it. I push it real far at times and I like wheels that roll real smooth.

That 197 looks really sweet. They changed them up a little bit.

 

[t100]

what ever you buy, talk to the dealer see if you can get caster upgrade. I have MSC12, one thing I like the most is it has huge wheels, runs over air hose, power cord with no hestitation. a cart is built to be pushed around, bigger the wheels, better it moves.

 

[35mastr]

You will get way better quality wheels from MSC or Grainger then you would off of any tool truck.

 

[Joe H]

That MAC cart is pretty nice. A guy i work with has that same one. The other two I dont know anything about though.

 

[red02chevy]

I currently have that Snap On one you have pictured and really like it. Very nice for a roll cart.

 

[komobu]

I have a Black Mac MB1300 Utility Cart. It isn't on the website right now but is in their catalog.

It is gorgeous! I really love mine. It matches the Macsimizer Box series. I bought mine new off the truck for 1200 about a year and a half ago.

I was also able to have the keys matched with my Macsimizer Tool Box, so I have one key that works my tool box and my utility cart.


The top Slides back or lifts up. It is the largest utility cart I have seen. This add has the Mac Ad with it and all the specs. Check it out...

 

[mkdive]

I was also able to have the keys matched with my Macsimizer Tool Box, so I have one key that works my tool box and my utility cart.

Less keys the better

 

[Joe H]

I don't know if you have a Napa up there and if they do the promo fliers or not but Napa here introduced a new tool cart for $250 with a 500lb capacity and after comparing it to the Mac I would say its just as good or better.

Otherwise I would probably go for the Matco or the SO depending on which one seemed better in person.

Do you have a link or pictures of this napa cart? I am in the market for a good tool cart to replace my cheap one but I am not quite ready to buy a $700-800 truck brand one.

 

[LGMechanical]

I did it!! I pulled the trigger on the SO cart today. $1000CDN after taxes but I get to make payments. Some of you guys can't justify this, but I needed a good one. I should have it by the end of the week! Ill take pics!

 

[Joe H]

Let us know how it is especially how easy it is to roll around the shop.

 

[wellstig1]

I have the catalog floating around my house somewhere. I'll post the parts number when i find it. My friend bought one when the sale first started and he has no complaints about. Quality is right on par with the snap on you have listed. Two guys at my shop have that matco one and the slides started falling apart after a year with no warranty. Best bang for your buck would definately be the napa cart. I you feel like pulling the trigger and spending the money I would go for th mb1300, I have one and cant imagine a day without it now. I believe the new one that he is refering to is this one(scroll down).

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/new.asp

 

[back2class]

I saw the NAPA unit. Played with it a bit. The slightly better than my Harbor Freight service cart if better at all after playing with it a bit.

 

[warpedredneck]

i bought the matco
the mac is the same as your princess auto. very weak casters, no room
the newer matco is the one im getting next with the full drawer options

 

[Jack90210]

NAPA cart (for the rest of you) is here ... they say it has a 5-year warranty and holds 1750 lbs! Seems like this might be the wrong cart but the NAPA by me has a cart that looks exactly like this one for $250.

 

[Bob Heine]

I think you should buy the cart that matches your needs and pocketbook. If you need a cart that holds 2,000 pounds and you have $1,695 by all means you should buy the best cart available.

As a retired old man, I'm at the other end of the spectrum, needing a cart to carry at most 350 pounds and I'd like to get it for free. HF didn't carry any free ones but the red one was on sale for $49 and after 20% off the blue welding cart was $39. With tax the two of them cost less than $100. I've upgraded my tool chest from those two TV carts and my welder cart from a plastic saw horse. I'm keeping the sawhorse but the two TV carts went to the curb and disappeared about two hours later.

When I have $1,695 saved up, I'm buying a Steeroids rack and pinion conversion and Hydroboost power brake upgrade for my '72 Corvette big block.

 

[Joe H]

NAPA cart (for the rest of you) is here ... they say it has a 5-year warranty and holds 1750 lbs! Seems like this might be the wrong cart but the NAPA by me has a cart that looks exactly like this one for $250.

I need to call napa tomorrow. If that is the cart on sale for $250 then that is an awesome deal.

 

[Joe H]

I think you should buy the cart that matches your needs and pocketbook. If you need a cart that holds 2,000 pounds and you have $1,695 by all means you should buy the best cart available.

As a retired old man, I'm at the other end of the spectrum, needing a cart to carry at most 350 pounds and I'd like to get it for free. HF didn't carry any free ones but the red one was on sale for $49 and after 20% off the blue welding cart was $39. With tax the two of them cost less than $100. I've upgraded my tool chest from those two TV carts and my welder cart from a plastic saw horse. I'm keeping the sawhorse but the two TV carts went to the curb and disappeared about two hours later.

When I have $1,695 saved up, I'm buying a Steeroids rack and pinion conversion and Hydroboost power brake upgrade for my '72 Corvette big block.

I have that same red HF cart. Its good for the $50 I paid but it is a little on the flimsy side and the casters on it ****. I need something that has more drawers and is easier to roll around the shop.

 

[bry@n]

I have the mb190 and just ended up selling it. There is a guy7 locally selling one for $350. Nice box for the money.

 

[Jack90210]

I need to call napa tomorrow. If that is the cart on sale for $250 then that is an awesome deal.

Update? ...

 

[Rocket1]

I'm sure you'll be happy with that SO cart LG. Post pictures once you get it.

 

[Jack90210]

I need to call napa tomorrow. If that is the cart on sale for $250 then that is an awesome deal.

That IS the cart on sale for $250. Stopped in today to look at it -- it's nice. Pretty heavy-duty with decent casters, ball-bearing slides, reasonably solid feel.

 

[yogitech]

I've had the NAPA cart ^^ for the past few months. Its almost identical to the Matco setup down to the side bumpers and handle. And at $249 it well exceeds the expense. Even better I traded my old three drawer cart in to my tool dealer and the difference was only $100 for the new cart.... killer deal!!

 

[speed bump]

I saw the NAPA unit. Played with it a bit. The slightly better than my Harbor Freight service cart if better at all after playing with it a bit.

I don't think you played with the one they have on special then. Its a hell of a lot better than anything that HF sells.

I can't find the model number for it on NAPAs website but every NAPA has about 3 of them at least. Just go in and chances are they will probably tell you about it.