I am intrigued by the SPG 56" Value series (SPG calls it Tech series now). The problem is that there is no place you can actually see one and gauge the quality. Are the drawer edges rolled? Any other comments you can make on the quality would be appreciated. The other option is a quick trip to Buffalo for a HF 56" but after exchange, taxes etc., you're looking at $1700.
I was in PA last week and I took a second look at their 42" SPG box they had in store. It's branded International (I know they also had the Propoint box in there which I didn't really look at) but the fit and finish feels a little different from the box I have. It could just be in my head, but it just doesn't seem like the same box.
I know that it doesn't have a traditionally advertised top box on it at least compared to the International Catalogue, which shows a second bank of 12" (or 13") drawers, rather than that stupid locker door that the PA floor model had.
In terms of the box that I do have, all the drawers have a v bend bent into the leading edge for rigidity, which isn't much different from my craftsman box. I don't necessarily have any of the wider drawers weighed down in a huge way, but everything rolls nicely for me. As I'm pretty sure I stated before, the full width socket drawer needs to be pulled out from the center or with two hands as it sometimes will bind a tad, which is about my only complaint. I'm not 100% sure if doubling up the slides would solve that or not.
I have seen a couple of these boxes in local shops (or at least International branded boxes). At the municipal shop (I'm up there every Monday) they have a 42" that has been abused. very rarely are all the drawers closed fully, etc. It looks rough, but it's been functional anytime I've needed to grab anything out of it.
Local gas station also has one or two in their shop, though I have not been into those boxes so i cannot attest to their sturdiness (they have been slightly abused as well if I recall).