Out growing my craftsman tool box

[Jordoncloutier]

Hey guys . I am a new here but heres a little backround about me. 27yrs old. Live in alberta Canada,. I am a journyman automotive mechanic. Been in the trade for about 6 yrs.

I have been using a 27" craftsman top and bottom tool box like the one in the attached image. And yes I have been using this box professionally. Its not the best built thats for sure. No roller slides but I lubed the **** out of them to slide like butter haha. This box seems to be built by international. Part # PRT2710 and PBR2708. I have been happy with this box up until now

I have reached the full point of the craftsman box. I have mac pry bars that won't fit into the box , as well as torque wrenches

I have always wanted a roller cabinet but never could bring myself to spend multiple thousands from snap-on or mac.

Now I am looking into either the international 56" box with a side cabinet or the international 75", both from home depot. The 56" is selling for $759 and the 75" is selling for $1300

Costco is a little more money but a wooden top is included.

I am having hard time deciding which one to purchase. My mind tells me to opt for the larger 75" and that leaves me plenty of room to grow. But the 56" is not as massive . What are your opinions ? Thanks

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Go for the 75". I would rather have more room to grow than be pissed at myself in 3yrs after I filled up the 56". I made the mistake of going from a 44" to a 56". I should have went to a 72" prior to buying the 56". I am now faced with either selling mine to buy a new one or somehow storing all these dam boxes if I don't sell my old one and still buy a new one. If you go the 56" route get a harbor freight. It's a better box for a similar price. In the 75" range I don't think much will be close in price to the international 75".

 

[drivesitfar]

Jordan,
first of all welcome to Garage Journal and you should get a lot of ideas either from posting this new thread or by looking at the many toolboxes in either the toolbox thread or the old vintage tool box thread.

if you are just trying to add some space for your pry bars and maybe a few other tools and you still like your existing set up what about getting or making a side box or making some tool holders for the sides?

i'm a fan of the smaller tool boxes but i'm not doing it for a living everyday at a shop where I have to share space with others. another option if you have a bench is to get a few nice bench top boxes to hold a few of the tools you might use right there on the bench or make a pegboard if they can be left out and not messed with or stolen.

good luck in your search

 

[theoldwizard1]

What ever you do, don't go "in hock" ! Borrowing is a bad idea. Either buy a middle box or start saving until you can pay for what you want up front.

 

[youngridge]

That 75 looks snazzy, id go with that one.

 

[kythri]

I'd strongly caution you to look at ALL of the dimensions of the box - depth, drawer height, etc. of any box you're looking to drop the cash on.

If Costco doesn't have the dimensions, you might need to go to the manufacturer direct, if at all possible.

Assuming this is the same box you're looking at:

http://www.costco.com/SPG-International-75"-15-drawer-Tool-Cabinet.product.11757731.html

The thing that would concern me is that the majority of drawers on the right look incredibly short - like, 1" tall?

That said, I am impressed that Costco is actually selling a larger tool box that's deeper than 20".

If you're looking at a different box in the store itself, check that depth. Every time I'm at Costco, and they have some new roll cab, I'm always excited to check it out, and then discover that it's 18" or 20" deep, which, at least for me personally, just stinks.

 

[kythri]

Regarding that box I linked, it's the SPG International VRB-7515.

O'Reilly says the drawers themselves are only 18" deep:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...+Search_ITB_-1_-1&mn=SPG+International&mc=ITB

18" deep drawers in a 24" deep box? That's wonky.

 

[rsanter]

Another option
Depending on what the price of the bottom box you have is you could buy another one just like it. Bolt the two together and have a small work area next to the top box.

My guess is that will last you several more years but may be a really good low cost option for now.
In the mean time you can save some cash and may even fins a deal on a big used box

Bob

 

[crewchief888]

i'm personally not a fan of large double and triple bank boxes.

storage needs and available space requirements change during your carreer.

i stayed with smaller boxes, nothing over 36" wide. easier to "reconfigure", & easier to transport if you have to.

just my $0.02

 

[Jordoncloutier]

Im located in Canada and we don't have harbor freight or o'reilly's. we've got sears, home depot, lowes and Costco. that sell international tool boxes that I know of. the biggest bummer is that none of those suppliers have them in store to physically look at . only online

I really prefer all my tools to be in one tool box. not hanging off the side and open for co-workers to borrow at their will. That's why a wider roll cab interests me so that the longer items can be stored in the wide upper drawer.

Kythri you are correct ! that is the box I am leaning towards as of now. I looked in the SPG international catalog and they list the tool box as having all 22" deep drawers so O'reilly has their info wrong

I really don't want to run out of storage space for many years. so I think the wise choice is to go for the larger 75" box. and I can always get a matching side cabinet if I somehow fill the box. which I doubt.

thanks guy for all the help so far !

 

[Jordoncloutier]

crewchieff888 - you have a good point on the staying with smaller boxes. transporting may be an issue with the long 75" box. Especially if my truck has a short box on it. Now you've got me thinking about a 56" with a side cabinet haha !

 

[Jrussell86]

I would talk to your local tool dealers and check the local classifieds for a nice used truck box. You should be able to find a nice 60" box in a mid grade Mac, Snap-On, or Matco for $1000 - $1500 USD. If you had the cash or weren't opposed to a bank loan you could probably get the best deal from an individual. If you aren't in the position to do that one of your local tool guys could probably come up with a trade in. If you buy a used truck box and keep it nice it will be worth about what you paid for it the next time you are ready to trade up.

 

[LOOSEWHEEL]

Being in Canada I can relate to your limited choices. Since you have poured over the SPG catalog, you should know they have (listed in order from best to worse) the Super Heavy Duty series, the Pro series, the Value series and Classic series. The ones from HD and Costco are the Value series. HD does also carry the better Pro series. So does Sears under their Professional series name. Food for thought but this 54" combo has been as low as $1000. At some point it will be at that price again.

http://www.sears.ca/product/craftsman-pro-series-chest-cabinet-combo/609-33095-33095

The same box is available at HD in blue for $1379.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/54-inch-professional-chest-and-cabinet-22-drawer-blue/844227

Just adding to your confusion and decision making process.

 

[Wamsutta]

Way out of your price range, but a nice box:

http://www.cometsupply.com/mp/KENNEDY/pm/KEN60123/

 

[safetyman665]

i'm personally not a fan of large double and triple bank boxes.

storage needs and available space requirements change during your carreer.

i stayed with smaller boxes, nothing over 36" wide. easier to "reconfigure", & easier to transport if you have to.

just my $0.02

I couldn't have said it better. Unless you're in a large shop, multiple smaller boxes are far handier than one extra large one for all the reasons crewchief explained above. Keep the one you have and buy another similar setup to compliment. Maybe a little wider to fit your pry bars.

 

[truckaddict]

another option to consider might be the Canadian tire Mastercraft Maximum 56 unit. When they put them on sale as they do every few months I see the Combo for about $1200. been waiting to get a home shop large enough to pull the trigger one one myself.

 

[Ohmthis]

I'll let you in on my tool box journey. I started much like you with a craftsman 26 roller and chest. Then bought an intermediate box. Then bought a 41" roller with the other top boxes. Then one side cabinet and then another. I am in the market for a 41" top box to go top of the roller with side cabinets. If I had just bought a bigger box when I needed more room I could have saved some money and grief. If you have room in your work area, get the bigger box and be done with it. I believe it will take a long time for you to fill it up to the point you will need another.

 

[LOOSEWHEEL]

another option to consider might be the Canadian tire Mastercraft Maximum 56 unit. When they put them on sale as they do every few months I see the Combo for about $1200. been waiting to get a home shop large enough to pull the trigger one one myself.

I looked at the Mastercraft and it doesn't compare. The drawers are very flimsy. They don't even bend, much less roll the drawer edges. Pop in to Sears and compare the Mastercraft to the Craftsman Professional series and you will easily see the difference.

 

[AndrewV]

If you want to just buy a box, i'de go with Homak.
They make some good quality boxes, for the cost. Since you have no harbor freight.

But i'de say buy a pry bar holder.
But i agree with a second box, perferably bigger.
Specialy if you need to move around the shop. But one of your tool reps could grab you a Sun8057 series cart. This would free up a lot of room. Tooltopia.com has the best online price, but im on my phone. That one isnt linking good, so google it.

Thats my two pennies. Best of luck man, and show us which one of all our ideas you go with.

 

[crewchief888]

crewchieff888 - you have a good point on the staying with smaller boxes. transporting may be an issue with the long 75" box. Especially if my truck has a short box on it. Now you've got me thinking about a 56" with a side cabinet haha !

I couldn't have said it better. Unless you're in a large shop, multiple smaller boxes are far handier than one extra large one for all the reasons crewchief explained above. Keep the one you have and buy another similar setup to compliment. Maybe a little wider to fit your pry bars.

everytime i've changed jobs, (30 years at heavy equipment dealerships), tool needs and storage changed.
it was much easier to bring in what i needed, and would "fit" in the space i had to work with.

i've always moved my boxes by myself with no help.
back of a pickup, in a van, moving truck or on utility trailer.

just a suggestion, but what about a side locker? it would give you some bulk storage for blow molded boxes, odd shaped tools, and you could fab some type of holder for your prybars and longer tools.

when i bought the 1st kr550/555 boxes i went from a 26" top/bottom with tw 3 drawer mid boxes, and a smaller side box.

never thought i'd fill it up.
within a couple years i added a matching side box
and another kr 655 roller. it kinda snowballed over the next 8 years. added 3 more side boxes and another 26" roller cab. all for working tools.

 

[AndrewV]

within a couple years i added a matching side box
and another kr 655 roller. it kinda snowballed over the next 8 years. added 3 more side boxes and another 26" roller cab. all for working tools.

No tops?

 

[crewchief888]

No tops?

the 2nd 36" roller and all the side boxes i bought used (trade ins on a tool truck) 26" roller was salvaged from the scrap dumpster. never found a good enough deal on a matching 36" top.

i have a couple (or 3 or 4) smaller top boxes floating around.
one CM in my service truck,
smaller vintage CM downstairs in my reloading room sitting on a lyons mid and SO roller cab,
vintage 30's era plvmb, and a couple of cantilever boxes as well.

 

[Banjorear]

I strongly urge you to look into the Craftsman Industrial or Premium Heavy Duty boxes. They are about 1/4 the price of Snap-on or Mac and are really good boxes.

I agree with what others said. DO NOT go into debt by buying a box. That is exactly what the truck whats you to do.

You are better off going with a lesser name box then go into debt.

 

[basspro]

I like having a work surface, but Im not a fan of super wide tool boxes, mainly because I move mine all day long, its my mobil office, your situation would be different. Id shoot for the 56in box and mount a small top box on a corner, build a nice butcher block top and mount a vice.

 

[69supercj]

I'm kind of in the same way but I use my boxes strictly for pleasure/hobby. I've got a 41inch Stainless Steel Craftsman 5 drawer with the griplatch and its full. I've got room on the benchtop to add a 31 inch 5 drawer SS so that would give me quite a bit more room.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Another place you can check out is these guys. They advertise here at GJ.

http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/

Whatever you decide to buy don't get in over your head. I'm not saying not to borrow to buy it but if you do, make it within your financial realm of what you can afford.

 

[Hopalong604]

I'm in canada too and I used a 26" craftsman for at least 7 years. Ended up buying a SO krl72 and couldn't be happier. My co worker had a similar size mastercraft box and he outgrew it fast but could not bare to spend $$$$ on a truck box. We found a kra on cl across the border for $1400. It was mint! After everything was said and done, he ended up spending just under $1800 canadian. He was happy as hell when he brought it to work. He was gonna buy the international boxes from costco too.

 

[Jordoncloutier]

I really only looking to spend $1000 max. I can image the snapon or mac boxes are beautiful and all but personally cannot justify spending the money people are asking. At this moment I am leaning towards a blue international 56" and maybe a matching side locker .

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Just get this one. A 56" harbor freight. You can put a smaller box on top like I did and still have a work surface....and...have money left over for tools or to save.

The snap on name plates are her nice going out clothes. The us general plates made her feel dirty.

 

[oldldh]

Just get this one. A 56" harbor freight. You can put a smaller box on top like I did and still have a work surface....and...have money left over for tools or to save.

How close are you to the border???

 

[Jordoncloutier]

I'm in edmonton. Pretty much the centre of alberta. I am going to check with my mac dealer and see if he has any box's that came in on trade

 

[cheechi]

I went through something similar in the past few years. At the time this started I was in my frequent (but not every day) used garage doing quick & simple jobs. belts, oil, brakes, etc.

I got a 26" top & bottom. then added a mid. I'm tall so that didn't work well for me. Got a second 26" bottom for a work surface & more drawers. That didn't work well, tried another top, then went with a 44" (in my case a HF, I know that isn't an option). One 26" top worked well on it, was more useful for me than the dual 26" with either one top or two.

Now I have the 44" top, bottom, & one side. The short one not a locker. For my purposes, it's also important to not get a bigger box than you're prepared to move. Mine fits in my truck, and it's relatively easy to get it into there now, but that might change if I move again.

Based on what I've seen in person in Homak, specifically Homak Pro, the 40" and 50" size ranges look pretty nice but I feel like they aren't nicer enough to be up there with the big boys, or to cost soo much more than the HF boxes.

 

[Jordoncloutier]

what your guys thoughts on the Mac Mb1000a ? seems like a nice box. My mac dealer has one that is brand new that he ordered in for another guy and mac sent him the wrong colour. He offered to sell me the box for $1000 off . Should I consider this?

I am thinking this will be a really well built box and will last me for many years to come. Just not sure if it is enough storage room. but again I can always buy the matching top box at a later time or even a matching side locker.

What are your guy's thoughts.. thanks

 

[454ragtop]

$1000 off what? It's like buying a car, need to know the out the door price.

 

[Jordoncloutier]

Its offered to me for $3000

 

[JimNut]

What happened to the 1k max?

 

[Jordoncloutier]

Just considering other options thats all. Just wanted thoughts on the mac box and to see if anyone out there owns one

 

[AndrewV]

First i have to say im not a Mac guy.
But the box looks good, and thet do make quality boxes. But you're past your $1k budget you said. And it's not realy all that much bigger than just adding another 26 to yours.

What about trade in, on your CM with that box's price chop?

And i'de still look at adding a box. More room, with what you have. Check on those 40+ inch craftsmans if anything, to add to yours.

 

[oldldh]

If you're raising your budget that much...

Go to www.strictlytoolboxes.com and look at the Extreme 55" Professional Roller Cabinet...

30" deep, over 800 lbs EMPTY, built like a tank, and if you ever need it, has an available top box...and costs $ 2,795.00!!!

I was saving up for one, but my Wife bought me a HF 56" for Christmas...smart woman, that lady...I didn't need the 55 Pro, I wanted one...

You might NEED one...

 

[Jordoncloutier]

Hey guys . Update..... I tried to order the 56" tool vault top and bottom with side cabinet special through strictly tool boxes but found out that shipping to canada was way more costly and a hassle to make happen. I was very disappointed that strictlytoolboxes cannot make it easier for canadians to buy their products. Their loss I guess .

So I took a chance and ordered the top of line Spg international SHD 73" roll cabinet from costco for $2900 (shipping included) with lifetime warranty. It ships within Canada so no messing with duties and tax's and b.s

Everywhere else I looked was selling it for $4000 +

I cannot find any reviews on the internet about this box so once I receive it I will post my in depth review with pics on this site !