Proto Tool Chest

[jlaber383]

What do you guys think about proto tool chests? I'm debating on getting a top and bottom from them. To me they seem pretty sturdy and they're made in USA. Does anyone own one or know somebody that does? How do they compare to snap-on, matco, & etc?

 

[The Dutchman]

Proto has 3 "quality" levels or lines of tool boxes: The 440 series, the 450 series & the 460 series. The 450 & 460 series are REALLY WELL BUILT, no exaggeration. The 440 series is fine & a little cheaper than the other 2 lines.

Here's the 440 & 450 tool storage catalog:

http://www.stanleyproto.com/xhtml/LITERATURE/PROTOCATALOG_P20800_TOOLSTORAGE.PDF

Here's the 460 tool storage selection: (Only 3 items are in the 460 tool box series.)

http://www.stanleyproto.com/default...IES&strSiteName=PROTO&strDefaultCatalog=PROTO

 

[Jonboy1974]

A customer of mine that I was delivering to just got this one in their heavy machinery shop. I checked it out thoroughly and it is very well built. I think it is well worth the money.
http://www.stanleyproto.com/default...ot;D+x+46"H+Yellow+12-Drawer+Workstation

 

[binkcat16]

i just bought one to go in one of our wireline trucks. it came in and it looks and feels awsome. maybee it will hold up beter than those junkie kobalt boxes we have been buing

 

[billymade]

Anyone figure out who the OEM is for these boxes?

 

[owyn]

^long time lurker here, first post.

It appears that the flagship 460 series (introduced in 2010 accdng. to the catalog i have here) is by vidmar.

http://www.stanleyproto.com/xhtml/LITERATURE/P20908_460SERIESTOOLSTORAGELINE.PDF

Doesn't really look too far from the vidmar "workcenters"
http://www.stanleyvidmar.com/sites/www.stanleyvidmar.com/files/pdfs/VidmarWorkcentersV03002.pdf

And it says on the stanleyproto.com site that the 460 series are made in "Allentown, PA" which is where vidmar's located (whereas on the 450, and 440, where it's manufactured is curiously not mentioned.)

 

[Avgas]

I have a J444142-15RD for about 3 years now and love it, it is used professionally in a aviation environment where I have to roll it across a huge 1/2 mile hangar almost daily, fully loaded.

 

[bobcatdan]

Proto boxes are basically the same as Mac, both companies are owned buy Stanley. If I was in the market for a new big box, the big Proto is the same as a 67" Macismizer for a lot less.

 

[bobcatdan]

If you care, Armstrong rebadges Matco boxes.