Please read if you have a Matco toolbox

[Tech92420]

I bough a Matco 4s box that was manufactured in September of 2016. Unfortunately the metal on the inside and bottom is starting to rust, what's even worse is the matco tool box plant manager knows they rust and sells them like that.....
The first five pics are my box and the areas affected. The last two are the tool box plant manager's response. I censored my distributor's name because he is a good guy and I don't want him to get in trouble. He didn't know about this and was just as surprised as I am. I can't stop paying on it because it will destroy my credit. So I'm screwed. Hoping it won't rust through after I'm done paying it off and I can trade it in. Anyways please do yourself a favor and don't buy a Matco tool box. This isn't a one time thing that was over looked, ALL of their boxes have exposed metal on the inside and bottom.

 

[Zeke]

Sorry for your troubles but since you seem to believe you're stuck with it, why not treat the rust prone areas? There are many products in rattle cans that will help a lot if not stop rust altogether.

 

[AA/FC]

Could you imagine if a car manufacture knowingly sold brand new cars with metal that rusted from the inside, out? If the problem was common there would probably be a recall....

 

[anndel]

I would ask your dealer to warranty it.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Could you imagine if a car manufacture knowingly sold brand new cars with metal that rusted from the inside, out? If the problem was common there would probably be a recall....

they do... insides of a lot of places in cars are not coated.

you're making a bigger deal of this than it needs to be. take care of it or have it warrantied if you are that worried about it.

 

[Wamsutta]

Wow! They're sure lazy or they're trying to conserve on paint; I don't know which.

 

[AA/FC]

they do... insides of a lot of places in cars are not coated.

I realize the insides of body panels aren't always coated, but they are usually sealed from the outside to prevent moisture getting to the inside, which usually prevents rust from forming inside the body. At least until the car gets worn-out otherwise....

you're making a bigger deal of this than it needs to be. take care of it or have it warrantied if you are that worried about it.

I'm not the OP of this thread. And in case you missed it..... They declined his warranty claim. He already tried to warranty it. (read the last attachment posted in this thread from the plant manager at Matco)


I don't think he's making a big deal..... this is NOT a $300 dollar Craftsman box from China. I'm sure it was at least a grand or two. If I spent that kind of money on a box I would expect it to be perfect.


.

 

[JohnDeere1]

Damn that ***** is it not painted inside snap on sells them un painted sometimes they think no one will know when they are supposed to be painted even my HF is painted on the inside.

 

[woody 73]

Not sure what to tell you but I can leave you with a story...(**** happens)

Several years ago I bought a Toyota pick up truck and I loved that small truck, Well one day I got a letter in the mail telling me to bring it back to the dealer because of a special recall. Long story short version they had me sit in the waiting room while they tested my truck for frame rust. When the tech came back his face was the color of ash, looked like he had seen a ghost, turns out the dealer would not let me drive the truck anymore...

Out of curiosity I asked what kind of test did he use and he said they hit the frame with a hammer three times to check for rust, and he said the first time they hit the frame they lost the hammer inside the frame!

Things happen for a reason I guess; I only buy used tool boxes with some rust and then add a ton of rust prevention spray, as all my boxes have some rust.

 

[Spareparts]

Pull the door panels off your new ans see how much bare metal is there!!! If you are going to keep the box pull the drawers out and treat the rust and paint the damn thing, problem solved.

 

[LXCam]

How many threads do you need.....gezzz

 

[Strouty]

You should have at least three threads or the nut could strip off.

 

[G-Ram]

So it has a bit of surface rust, big whoop?? The way you were talking (before I clicked on the pictures) I was imagining some actual rotten metal... Coat it with some rust converter or something and get on with your life...

 

[Cummins_Tech]

I try to tell guys not to waste their money on Matco stuff, but nobody listens. Most of it is just rebranded Taiwan stuff for 3x the money. Our matco dealer is garbage as well. Two guys have 5S boxes here at work and they hate them. Overpriced chincy hunks of junk.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

So it has a bit of surface rust, big whoop?? The way you were talking (before I clicked on the pictures) I was imagining some actual rotten metal... Coat it with some rust converter or something and get on with your life...

Yep.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I don't have any problems with my Matco box and its over a decade old, going on 15 years. I agree with the others, coat the bare metal and be done with it.

 

[shawndp]

I don't have a fancy tool box, but if I did pay a few thousand $$$ for one and it looked like that, I suppose I would not be happy either. I have a few Matco tools and they all come with a "but... My Eighty8 ratchet is great, but it seems to lock up from time to time. My trim tool is useful, but it is made in Taiwan... I bought my wife a mini box, but the drawers and trim were damaged. If my Matco guy wasn't a good guy, I can not imagine myself buying their product. Next year I am going to buy a larger toolbox and it will 100% not be a Matco. Canadian Tire's locally made line are finished better than OP's box hold up to Ontario weather swings with none of that "surface rust" issues.

 

[Boneebone]

I don't have any problems with my Matco box and its over a decade old, going on 15 years. I agree with the others, coat the bare metal and be done with it.

My Matco box is 18 years old, built in 1999, and I don't have any problems with mine either.

I agree, coat the rusted areas with inhibitor and like the letter stated, if the rust starts affecting the outside surfaces try filing another claim.

No one is going to see inside where the rust is, and it doesn't affect the operation or use of the box.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

That's not the point. The point is, when you pay 3, 4, 5 thousand dollars for a box, you SHOULDN'T have to add a rust inhibitor... you shouldn't have to dismantle your box and Jerry rig **** with a rattle can...

I guess some people have a different definition of quality than I do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

That's not the point. The point is, when you pay 3, 4, 5 thousand dollars for a box, you SHOULDN'T have to add a rust inhibitor... you shouldn't have to dismantle your box and Jerry rig **** with a rattle can...

I guess some people have a different definition of quality than I do.

The point is, there's nothing he can do about it now but treat it with rust converter and stop bitching about it.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

The point is, there's nothing he can do about it now but treat it with rust converter and stop bitching about it.

Classy...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WhiffySpark]

How did you see the rust in the first place? I've had an epiq for a few years now and have yet to see what the inside of it looks like

 

[redwrench60]

I have a Snap On KRL series roll cab that I bought new going on 20 years ago and since its powder coated there are a few spots in tight corners, nooks and crannies that have either thin or no powder coating. It's not much, I'd say 1 or 2 percent of the total inside surface area just can't be reached well with powder. It's just the way the process is. Outside finishing was flawless. Even still having spent all its life in the humid south (indoors) there's no sign of rust inside or out. I've worked with countless mechanics over the years and I have yet to see a quality toolbox stored indoors rust apart, finished well inside or not. I mean who leaves them outside like a car anyway?

 

[G-Ram]

Classy...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Truth hurts... some of the people who frequent this forum are borderline insane. Who the hell disassembles ANYTHING to inspect it on the inside?? Are you going to buy a brand new car or pickup truck and start removing fenders, etc to see if the factory coated the inside? How about your fridge and stove at home? Of course not! I've seen numerous threads like this one and all I can say is, some people will never be happy with products and will nitpick every single little thing. End rant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ssdave]

That's not the point. The point is, when you pay 3, 4, 5 thousand dollars for a box, you SHOULDN'T have to add a rust inhibitor... you shouldn't have to dismantle your box and Jerry rig **** with a rattle can...

I guess some people have a different definition of quality than I do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't think there's really any argument about what "should" happen in a perfect world. I also don't think that this is being held up as the epitome of quality.

But, it is what it is. He can't get it warranted. Regardless of what "should" happen, it isn't that way. So, move on with life, take an hour and fix it with a couple of cans of spray paint and the problem is solved. If it bothers you so much that it's a deal breaker, don't buy anything from Matco again. Way more effort put into posting it on the internet than it would have taken to just finish the paint job and not have a problem at all.

 

[IMStuner]

They should at least give him some free touch up paint.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[3baygarage]

I'm not all about looks and condition but come on, the thing costs thousands of dollars. Whether it's Matco, Snap On, or whatever, why even paint the inside if they aren't going to fully paint it?

Is it machine coated? Is that how it might be spotty?

That's a beautiful box op. Hope it stays nice for you.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Truth hurts... some of the people who frequent this forum are borderline insane. Who the hell disassembles ANYTHING to inspect it on the inside?? Are you going to buy a brand new car or pickup truck and start removing fenders, etc to see if the factory coated the inside? How about your fridge and stove at home? Of course not! I've seen numerous threads like this one and all I can say is, some people will never be happy with products and will nitpick every single little thing. End rant.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You should have seen the white glove thread

 

[jcbarry]

I feel for the OP, but as others have stated just coat the rust and deal with it. I have a 6s that is 2 years old. I think I will pull some drawers out this week and check it for rust.

And this isn't a Matco only problem. My KRSC46 that I custom ordered gets surface rust on the bottom of the frame, I clean it up and spray it when it happens but it looks like *** on the white paint. A $1700 cart shouldn't rust but I just chalk it up to experience.

 

[anndel]

Feel for the op, you spend that kind or money so a bit of rust is what you shouldn't expect.

 

[Mr_B]

don't buy the modern truck boxes, they less quality steel and finish .
buy older top series boxes either at premium for like new or bottom dollar and refinish it yourself, easy enough fully coat inner box better than current factory efforts.
I seen 2 snapons recently with piss poor finish and unhappy owners, matco never been a good value new box buy even if painted well ...

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Classy...

Whiny

 

[Cummins_Tech]

Whining about someone whining isn't whining??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jazzman442]

Now a days every company wants a cheaper way to make something. Most epolpe want to spend less on everything and I mean everything.

When you by the top of the line of anything you expect everything to be right. Even the parts you cant see.

SO Yes even the big company's like Matco Snap on they are skipping on everything.

So for me I would never and I mean never wast my money on those top end brands.

They have no where to go but the other brands do.

 

[Al Borland]

I have a Matco box at my buddy's shop. Factory second/damaged in transit kinda deal when I got it 20 some odd years ago. It has spots like that that have been there since forever, and spots where it got dented and the paint was cracked and peeled. Now it has a whole ton of dents that I have added and it sits all winter, every winter in a marginally heated shop with slush on the floor, Box still hasn't rusted out. The thing is falling apart from abuse, but I did mention abuse, and I'm not complaining.

 

[toolman9w]

The "wash" they use before the powder coat turns the box a rusty red. Not sure why Earl didn't elude to that. It is a precoat process. So all of it may not be rust. You can not powder coat every nook and cranny. Not that any of this matters now. We all got our minds set.

 

[mopar01]

Iv had my 6s for about 4 years. Really a great box. No rust issues at all.

 

[WhiffySpark]

don't buy the modern truck boxes, they less quality steel and finish .
buy older top series boxes either at premium for like new or bottom dollar and refinish it yourself, easy enough fully coat inner box better than current factory efforts.
I seen 2 snapons recently with piss poor finish and unhappy owners, matco never been a good value new box buy even if painted well ...

A lot of times they are just too small for today's techs. Shallow draws kill it. There is no way you would fit what I have in my epiq in say a 1001. Just my opinion.

I never realized how much **** I have in that box until recently. It bent my ******** trailer gate

 

[Mr_B]

don't have to go that old, plenty older boxes with workable drawer sizes. besides more boxed speciality tools and battery tools things not changed massively besides trend for 6ft+ boxes that absolute **** to move/transport. I went 2 used 54" krl boxes as more storage, more worktop and far more easy move and transport . Painted fully inside and out as refinished in epoxy and no debt or excessive expense .

 

[justtools]

They should at least give him some free touch up paint.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That would mean they realize there is a problem. Let the consumer buy his own paint. That is what their attorney would say.