Well right now I have a matco box I bought 5 years ago. I have out grown it and the memories of having to make weekly payments on it still haunt me. I want to sale it and buy a cheaper much larger box. Ive looked at craftsman, US general, and homak. Craftsman look very cheap. My favorite is the homak and they appear to be better built and have an 8 year warranty. My question is will they hold up to every day abuse?im a yes mechanic and wwmy tool boxes see alot of use daily. My question is are these boxes junk or do they hold up well? I searched but I couldn't really find what I was looking for.
picking out a new tool box
- Thread starter macktech
- Start date
RMRCattleCo.
Well-known member
Would take a new homak over a new craftsman anyday. Best bet is to browse craigslist for a good used box. Older craftsmans (pre-1985) can be had for a song and they were generally built as good as any boxes of their day.
Roland-5.0
Well-known member
Mine is a max steel I bought from our local NAPA and its stainless. Its 56 wide I believe and about 5 foot tall top and bottom combo. Paid about 1000 bucks after taxes but I've owned it for almost 6 years used daily (I'm a licensed mechanic) and its still holding up perfect. My thought is I'd rather put my money in my toolbox not spend it all on it. My tools don't have feelings so they aren't mad for being in a 4 star hotel rather than a 5 star haha. Functions the same and has the same purpose. Don't get me wrong I'd love a huge Matco 6 series or a big snap on box.
Roland-5.0
Well-known member
Mine locks. If you work where your tools get stolen I'd look for another place that's terrible.
smalltruck
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2011
- Messages
- 333
Depending on your cash picture look at one of the Extreme's or Montezuma's from Strictlytoolboxs.com not a bad box and the prices are good.
purpurite
Well-known member
I'm not a pro, but I would consider both Masterforce from Menards as well as Viper from Sears if I were looking to upgrade (as well as the US General boxes from Harbor Freight). I have looked at all of those boxes in person, and they are ALL much better quality than current Craftsman top of the line.
kmoon
Well-known member
I just bought the extreme tool box 56" combo with side box very high quality great lock system the top can stay closed and open the drawers it has a pin system to lock. The only problem is the drawers are not as deep as the truck boxes 18 1/2" deep I think the truck boxes are 30" or so. But I still have lots of room.
My first post, some time reader... Love this site!!!
I have a Homak Pro from Cosco. Although you can't beat price but I would not recommend it. It's made is China (I'm Chinese) and I've been having problems with the locking mechanism. The slides aren't as smooth as I like it to be, even after lubricating them. I'd return it but that woud mean I'd have to spend more money for something better. It's also a hassle for me to remove all tools and quite heavy to return to Costco. Just my 0.02!
I have a Homak Pro from Cosco. Although you can't beat price but I would not recommend it. It's made is China (I'm Chinese) and I've been having problems with the locking mechanism. The slides aren't as smooth as I like it to be, even after lubricating them. I'd return it but that woud mean I'd have to spend more money for something better. It's also a hassle for me to remove all tools and quite heavy to return to Costco. Just my 0.02!
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OutLore
Well-known member
I've got an H2Pro 41" in black, and love it. It's ridiculously heavy, very thick steel. Drawers are really smooth, and not tight or loose...
The only thing I don't like about it, is that you can't open the drawers with the top shut. The key locks the top, and when the top is closed, that locks the drawers.
I'd still get another though, in a heartbeat.
I have one from nearly 20 years ago and it's solid, made in US or Canada, don't remember which. I have no experience with the newer ones.