Proto USA-Made Tool Cabinets

[Stuey]

550S

I've been testing a Proto 550S 34" wide x 41" tall cabinet, and have been quite impressed with it.

Lots more gushing about it at http://toolguyd.com/proto-550s-tool-storage-cabinet-review-part1/ (Photos maybe next week.)

There's no soft-close, but the drawers do have a snap-action retention, and rete
Everything about it is overbuilt. It arrived with slight damage to the top chest/worktop retainer, and bending it back resulted in some pain chipping. Not a big deal.

It's not just a step above the Milwaukee, Husky, and Dewalt cabinets I had recently been testing, and the Craftsman cabinets I own - it's a huge leap better than them. But it's also a big leap up in cost too.

540S

I ordered 5 units, first 2x 27" wide and 34" tall, then 3x 27" wide and 42" tall.

The shorter ones were backordered, but the 3 taller ones arrived today. 2 were damaged, one of them beyond repair.

I thought it would be a slightly cheapened and smaller version of the 550S, but it seems to be lesser in a lot of ways.

For example, the drawers not quite as reinforced. And the handle pulls are bent extensions of the drawer. The 550S on the other hand has aluminum handle pulls attached.

The 550S is a great box, and definitely worth the money. The 540S box looks to be a good box, but the "bang for the buck" isn't as high as I had anticipated. There's less bang for less bucks, which I guess makes sense. I guess I was just expecting to be "WOWED" more.

Having only used or tested consumer-grade boxes, I'm blown away by the build of the 550S. The 540S is decent too, but outmatched by my several-years-old Beta box.

I think the Proto 540S is a lot better than my Craftsman boxes of similar size, despite lacking some of the polish that goes into consumer boxes or the higher-end 550S.

I cancelled the 2 shorter units I had on backorder.

I would buy the 550S in a hearbeat, and might buy one to replace the test sample when it finds a new home. I don't know if I'd buy more 540S boxes, but I'll know more with a little more use. Maybe my first impression will soften a bit.

 

[Stuey]

*Shortened*

The first post came after I was severely disappointed by 2/3 being damaged, and the 1 undamaged unit being mediocre as best. Having cooled down, I shortened things a bit.

Summary: 550S - I'd buy but I don't have the space right now, 540S - I'm not thrilled with what I got for the money, but there's nothing "bad" about it. It's just a lot less than what you get with the 550S.

 

[T45]

What is the cost? it seems burried and not mentioned anywhere...? Tks for the post.

It's not just a step above the Milwaukee, Husky, and Dewalt cabinets I had recently been testing, and the Craftsman cabinets I own - it's a huge leap better than them. But it's also a big leap up in cost too.

 

[Stuey]

What is the cost? it seems burried and not mentioned anywhere...? Tks for the post.

https://www.zoro.com/search?q=j553441-8

$1540 for the 550S, I ordered 2 when 25% off, but then cancelled because I decided to go for Lista for not much more money (still planning that out).

The one I tested is red and grey, costing a little more. That was a test sample I received at no cost. When I give it away at some point, I'll likely replace it with a blue unit.

https://www.zoro.com/search?q=j542742-7

$765 for the 540S, and I also ordered those when 25% off. One I ordered was a 11-drawer unit, with 7 full-width drawers and 4 half-width.

https://www.zoro.com/search?q=j542735-7

$616 for the shorter 540S, 2 of which I ordered at 25% off and now cancelled. I don't trust Zoro to be able to deliver them undamaged, and because I need time to think about whether I'm happy with the features and quality of the 540S lineup.

I had anticipated it to be a smaller version of the 550S, but it's not. The 540S is much more no-frills, but still appealing since made in USA from pretty decent parts.

I'd buy more 550S units in a hearbeat. The 540S, I need to think about it, and see how the one I'm keeping holds up.

I have no idea what the list prices are.

550S ships fully assembled if I recall correctly, except for the handle. 540S ships with handle, stiffeners, and casters in the bottom drawer.

 

[Stuey]

I've been growing a little softer about the 540S, but I have also grown to consider it an entry-level no-frills USA-made tool box.

Even the drawer liners are far inferior to the great stuff bundled with the 550S.

 

[bobcatdan]

Same thing as a Mac tech series.

 

[Worksalot420]

I have one that looks like a 540s but doesn't have the badge that says 540s and it has a non removable locking bar on the left side of the drawers

 

[GCS]

I bought a Proto box when I first started out because I couldn’t afford a Snap-on or Mac. Box is 30 years old now, but all four corner gussets cracked within 5 years.

Proto wouldn’t warrant (5 years old)

Better than Craftsman, HF, LOWES? - overall yes
Better than Snap-on or Mac? - F*#@ NO!

 

[Zewnten]

I wouldn't consider a $1500 for a box of that size entry level. For that much or a bit more a guy could buy a used truck box or order something from American Workspace and have a box to grow into. And if it's a used truck box it's still worth something, I watched a brand new Proto box of a similar size sit on Craigslist for over 6 months.