Options for high-end rolling toolbox/cart available in Canada?

[ns_astro]

Hello,

I’m a new member. I’ve recently found GJ and can see there is tremendously good information here and a very knowledgeable membership. I’m a hobbyist woodworker and otherwise interested in tools and related tinkering. I probably have to admit I’m becoming a bit of a tool nerd and like researching, hunting for, and using high quality tools. Not yet a tool hoarder, but I have potential

Over the last year I’ve been upgrading and rounding out some of my household and more mechanical oriented tools (sockets, wrenches, etc.) from some of the basic items I’ve had for years.

Currently, I’m looking for a higher end mobile toolbox/cart for the garage. I have several toolboxes/chests that are in the Mastercraft Maximum and Husky level of quality/capacity. For this new rolling tool cart I’m looking for something a step up (i.e. a ‘forever’ purchase) from what can typical be found at Princess Auto, Canadian Tire, or Home Depot.

In my search for options that are available in Canada, I’ve found and am getting pricing/quotes from: Rousseau/Tekton, Styrke, and Pro-slat/CORE. I’ve also realized that I could consider tool truck brands. I think only Snap-On has a representative in my area (plus there is the used market for these), but I’m not sure I’ll get much attention as a non-pro.

For my first post I would like to ask the Canadian members for suggestions on other manufacturers of rolling tool boxes/carts that I should look into that have availability and distribution in Canada?

Thanks!

 

[51dueller]

You could look at Montezuma as they just released one:

You would probably have to order it direct from their website. Koon Trucking on youtube has a preview video on it.

I've had their 72" top and bottom chest for several months now and definitely would buy it again.

 

[larry_g]

The top of the heap in my opinion would be one from Vidmar. We used them in the industry I worked in and they excelled at holding the tools we used and ease of mobility. Lista may also have mobile tool carts also.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Rousseau is Canadian made, similar to List and Vidmar. High grade stuff.

https://www.rousseau.com/int_en/products/cabinets.html

 

[arlo_g]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Metalia. They make a line of high quality Vidmar/Lista style modular cabinets in Canada too, although they seem to only offer 24" depth. I think that Wurth used to carry Metalia cabinets.

 

[ns_astro]

Thank you to those who responded.

I investigated the new Montezuma. Seems like a decent cart but shipping was a bit expensive to where I am in Canada. I briefly looked into Lista and Vidmar but I felt Rousseau covered off that category of product. Metalia doesn’t currently offer something in the size category I’m looking for (but they were very responsive to my email inquiry).

I ended up going with Rousseau and placed an order last week.

The short list was:

- The ProSlat CORE 44” Mobile Cart. This was the most cost effective, but their drawers are not full extension and drawer depth was just on the margin for my specific needs. Their shipping pricing in Canada are very reasonable and they were quick to get a quotation to me for my custom configuration entered via the website and to answer questions via email. I’d certainly consider them in the future both for a cart and for wall mounted units.

- The Styrke Tool Cart. I think these are likely great value and certainly very robust. For me the layout wasn’t what I preferred (I wanted a fixed top). If I was looking for this style of box I wouldn’t have hesitated to buy from them. I had one question which they answered promptly.

- Rousseau. I ended up with a configuration of 36” wide by 27” deep with 7 drawers. Very similar to one of the Tekton configurations. The inquiry started by submitting a configuration via their website which gets forwarded to a local distributor/representative. Their reps were very responsive and worked with me to provide quotes for multiple configurations. One criticism is that Rousseau’s shipping within Canada is expensive compared to all the other options on the shortlist. In fact, Tekton’s shipping from the US was actually cheaper (but overall factoring in currency exchange it was less expensive for me to purchase from Rousseau). This seems like something Rousseau could improve to be more competitive if they wanted to get more interest from the non-industrial/commercial market.

- I investigated the Snap-On options. I get the impression that when you go to the 24” and deeper boxes you get more robust construction. I did reach out to and had a bit of an interaction with the local rep, who seemed to be okay with working with a non-pro. He asked for information about models I would be interested in, but then I didn’t hear back. One thing to consider, is if you ever considered ordering directly from Snap-On’s Canadian website, they clearly have good distribution within Canada as the shipping prices are very reasonable — in fact lowest of everyone I was seriously considering by far. They have several 20” deep models in the price range I ended up in, but their higher end models get pretty expensive and outside what I was budgeting. I did watch the 2nd hand market for a few week but what popped up didn’t fit the bill.

I’ll post how delivery of the Rousseau goes and my first impressions in case anyone is interested.

Thanks again.