Portable Tool Box; Craftsman vs Husky

[Zewnten]

So I need to know which one is heavier duty, better built (for what they are, I'm not expecting Snap On road chest); new USA craftsman 3 drawer, old craftsman 3 drawer or a older all read Husky 3 drawer. It's going to function as a mini road box with a bit of tools and to keep me from having to climb up and down machinery. I'm planning on building a frame for it and lifting it with the truck crane so weight doesn't matter. I had a vulcan one before and liked it but I'd like to get something smaller this time around.

Also any idea who made the husky portable boxes?

 

[bobg03]

I have an almost 40 YO craftsman 20" tool box that has been dragged around the USA, it'll never die. My brother has a Craftsman Red 3 drawer that he has left in the back of every truck he has ever owned since 1980, that will never die either.

 

[Zewnten]

I had the older 3 drawer and it had a hard life in a service truck but they're really hard to find outside of ebay and with shipping it's a bit expensive considering the condition.

Anyone have input on the newer box made in usa?

 

[Jtels85]

If you’re referring to the “new” red metal portable 3 drawer Craftsman box at Lowe’s, you’ll be disappointed to learn they’re no longer USA made. The metal also got thinner as a result.

 

[Zewnten]

Yeah I saw Lowes only sells the taiwan made ones, but on ebay there are some of the stanley owned craftsmans that were made in the usa for a decent deal. Appreciate the heads up though.

 

[Badgerstate]

I used to love Craftman and I actually currently have a Craftsman 2000 Series tool chest but Id go with the Husky. IMO, the quality of their boxes overall is just better than what Craftsman is putting out.
Sadly, Craftsman is kind of just crusing on name recognition these days.

 

[MarvinBerry]

If you’re referring to the “new” red metal portable 3 drawer Craftsman box at Lowe’s, you’ll be disappointed to learn they’re no longer USA made. The metal also got thinner as a result.

Really? That kinda *****. I bought a new 3 drawer a couple years ago... 2019? Its USA and more or less the same as my 2 drawer 90s rally box. No real differences.

The padlock latch thing is kind of annoying... gets in the way opening & closing. My old box has a lock... prefer that. I should cut the flap off the new one. I never lock either of em.

 

[Brett in KS]

I know it wasnt mentioned, but Gearwrench offers a 3 drawer toolbox with ball bearing slides. Doubt its made in USA though. It has the lock, not the padlock hasp.

Amazon.com

 

[jives]

Just went through this. Looking for a 3 drawer box to sit on my workbench. Found the Husky and Craftsman both to be too flimsy, and expensive. Eventually found a 1940s Snap-On on CL for half the price, and twice the quality. Had a few dents, some rust, but a couple of days of refinishing and rattle can red, and she sits prominently on my bench.

 

[Jtels85]

Really? That kinda *****. I bought a new 3 drawer a couple years ago... 2019? Its USA and more or less the same as my 2 drawer 90s rally box. No real differences.

The padlock latch thing is kind of annoying... gets in the way opening & closing. My old box has a lock... prefer that. I should cut the flap off the new one. I never lock either of em.

Really. The switch happened roughly 6 months to a year ago.

 

[AdAstra]

Really? That kinda *****. I bought a new 3 drawer a couple years ago... 2019? Its USA and more or less the same as my 2 drawer 90s rally box. No real differences.

The padlock latch thing is kind of annoying... gets in the way opening & closing. My old box has a lock... prefer that. I should cut the flap off the new one. I never lock either of em.

I used blue tack to stick the flap in the up position. Works well.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Well that stinks about the craftsman but I got mine... I'm sure w/ inflation & whatnot they had to move it offshore or it'd be a $120 box... which probably none of us would mind but average homeowner? Not buying.

Anyway tractor supply has similar boxes, I think even a 4 drawer? Not sure what the quality is like... probably coming out of the same factories I guess.

 

[KnurledNut]

Another high quality box that usually sells cheap used is Kennedy.
The down side is they can be heavy.

 

[Shehzada]

At what year did Craftsman tool box quality go down?

The current Craftsman 1000 series 5 drawer tool chest rolling combo is $150 at Ace but very flimsy.

 

[midorix]

I know it wasnt mentioned, but Gearwrench offers a 3 drawer toolbox with ball bearing slides. Doubt its made in USA though. It has the lock, not the padlock hasp.

Amazon.com

I know this is an old post but for reference, I did get the GearWrench 3 drawer tool box recently. Not bad for $45 (back up to $74 now).

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

I went through the same thing recently. Ended up going with Dewalt Tstak instead:

Road/Portable Box for Track and Trail

Background: I've been working out of an old 3-Drawer Craftsman Rally box for the past few years. This is a portable setup that I use for track days or ATV trips. Goal is to perform basic maintenance such as brake jobs, rudimentary alignments, etc. The box presently looks like below: As...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Shehzada]

I know this is an old post but for reference, I did get the GearWrench 3 drawer tool box recently. Not bad for $45 (back up to $74 now).

Thanks for mentioning and showing photos. I hear the current GW and Craftsman 3 drawer 20 inch boxes are decent. Unlike the Husky which some have reported as being flimsy.

 

[Zewnten]

I ended up finding a used USA craftsman box. Wasn't able to find a husky. All the new stuff is flimsy for my use sadly.

 

[Shehzada]

I ended up finding a used USA craftsman box. Wasn't able to find a husky. All the new stuff is flimsy for my use sadly.

I keep hearing that Craftsman has moved its operations Stateside but the quality I am seeing is lacking.

 

[Zewnten]

I keep hearing that Craftsman has moved its operations Stateside but the quality I am seeing is lacking.

From what I've seen they did and then moved it back over seas.