Question for Snap-on, etc. tool storage owners

[vintagefan]

I just finished putting a down payment on my first Snap-on tool box, and one of the main deciding factors (besides the fact that the dealer just happened to have the box I'd expressed interest in, magically show up in my favorite color on his truck ), was that it was a USA made rollaway.

I don't plan on starting a COO war with this thread, so PLEASE don't take it in that direction. That's one of the reasons I made the thread title a bit generic. I also really don't want to go in the direction of talking about how much of a rip off tool truck boxes are versus imported brand XYZ.

I've always been quite a fan of buying USA or Euro when possible, but USA made tool boxes were always an item that were just too hard to swallow the cost. I had resigned myself to storing my beautiful American and European made tool collection in a cheap imported box. I'm doing a bit better now financially, so I decided to splurge. The box I got is still pretty cheap compared to other tool truck boxes, but still...

Also, I wanted a wide cabinet with all full width drawers, and the very few imported boxes that have the configuration don't seem sturdy enough to handle any real weight in the wide drawers.



I know that a lot of the reason people purchase these very expensive boxes is because of durability, support, and maybe just a little bit of luxury, but I'm really wondering how often the COO came into consideration, when trying to justify that large of an expenditure... this doesn't just have to be about COO, I'd love to hear any reasoning that you had for dropping the big bucks on pro storage. I'm not interested in Snap-on discussion only, but I don't have a good idea of what portion of the other brand's lineups are USA made.

 

[purplezr2]

I'm looking for a 1023 SO box, mostly cause I can afford it(used). I not a pro, but it is larger, deeper and just plan nicer then some of the other options. I like that it is made in the USA also. I was at the boot store and the girl behind the counter couldn't understand why I would only want boots made in the USA, wanted to sell me some Ariat made in china boots.

What box did you get, and what color?

 

[redwrench60]

Load capacity, storage space, big drawers, stout powdercoat finish, heavy duty construction, lifetime warranty, made in USA, and.....it doesn't hurt that they look cool too.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have a 1023 roller, workstation riser, top storage and side locker. I have never regretted buying that box as it has enough room to organize my tools, a drawer layout that I like, the drawers will take a HUGE load, it will last my lifetime and still be under warranty, is 29" deep to let me store longer items front to rear and everyone that comes into the garage knows what a Snap-on box is.

It is also USA made and to me, that is the biggest plus of all the reasons to buy a pro level box.

 

[spoolgarage]

I have 7023 I got used for 3800 in like new condition. Remember a snap on box will be alot easier to resale then most other boxes. Parts will be available for years to come. And finally its stronger and tougher then you will ever need.

Here is mine

 

[garfunkle24]

I couldn't give a rat's *** about COO. I wanted deep drawers and you have to go to pro boxes for that, so that's what I did. Also, I bought mine on an industrial account so I could probably resell it for more than I paid or at worst, very little loss.

 

[scott917]

I want a KRL1032 in the Extreme Green or the Electric Orange. It has the width of the triple bank box, but the first two smaller banks are combined to give a set of wide drawers. I am still saving my pennies for it, but I will have it even if i have to order it off the truck.

In the mean time I will keep checking craigslist. The above box is my ultimate, if i found a KRL1023 on craigslist for $1000-$2000 in snap on red or some other appealing color. I would settle for that and not complain.

My main choice is in picking this box is I believe in the quality and will gladly pay for it. I just believe in Snap On products. I do think that other tool manufacturers do make a good product, and I will use them as I find them. So I am not a Snap On purist or snob, I just happen to like that brand.

S

 

[rsanter]

to me the snap on boxes are good looking and good quality
but they come at a premium price.
with that said, if I am going to pay a premuim price I expect hith quality and made in the USA
so I guess it does come as a factor to me
if I am getting the same exact box at a third the price then COO may not be as much of a factor

bob

 

[dieselmike]

China makes me sick

 

[xurusaibobx]

i just bought a classic 78, its what i could afford at the time and it the box i wanted since i got out of college (flat black) because in school i bought a kart to match.

the classic series are now build in USA not canada so thats a plus but it didnt really care about COO.

 

[zbadass28]

I look at it this way, I work hard at a job I really don't like so I buy what I want no matter the cost. It may take me a while to save for it but that's just how I am. My snap on box I got used off eBay. I got lucky, it was the same box I wanted in the color. It was six months old and I paid what the guy owed on it. 1500.00. I had no problem paying that, and it was 24 hours of my time to go pick it up. I'll pay for quality. My box was made in Canada, and rather spend my hard earned money on something made in north America.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i just bought a 76"(i think) epiq
went up from a 4s matco that i was really crammed in to this used epiq; the new box holds alot more weight and volume; i am very happy with it

 

[vintagefan]

I'm looking for a 1023 SO box, mostly cause I can afford it(used). I not a pro, but it is larger, deeper and just plan nicer then some of the other options. I like that it is made in the USA also. I was at the boot store and the girl behind the counter couldn't understand why I would only want boots made in the USA, wanted to sell me some Ariat made in china boots.

What box did you get, and what color?

I got the KRA 4107 in Royal Blue. It happens to be the exact same color I have the rest of my shop tables and equipment stands painted. I really can't wait to get the box in my shop, it's gonna look great.

This is the exact box (image stolen from Google):




I was also looking at the 2107, but the 4107 has larger casters, and is almost a full inch taller. It has double slides on the top drawer, plus the top drawer is a deep drawer so you can store sockets standing up. The 4107 also has more durable slides and has almost twice the load capacity.

It has two shallow drawers immediately underneath, which are perfect for my other most used tools, pliers, wrenches, and screwdrivers. Those are followed by another semi-deep drawer, which is perfect for my power tools and test equipment.

It has a better lock too, barrel lock vs. standard.

It's not one of the fancy $5k jobs, but it's the PERFECT box for my needs, and I'm absolutely sure I'll be 100% happy with it.

The full width drawers give me a bunch of flexibility with what I store in them, plus I just like the look.

It's rather surprising, because they're visually and physically similar, but the 4107 is arguably twice the box the 2107 is, but for only about 7% more money ($1995 vs. $1845)


Also, at the time of purchase, the 4107 was available USA made and the 2107 was not.

The price difference between them was small enough that I decided to go with the 4107.



FYI, I went through the USA boot thing too... buying them (price tag wise) is almost as painful as buying a USA made toolbox. OTOH, the payoff in satisfaction is almost as good as well.

I have 7023 I got used for 3800 in like new condition. Remember a snap on box will be alot easier to resale then most other boxes. Parts will be available for years to come. And finally its stronger and tougher then you will ever need.

That was definitely one of the justifications I had... I lost my *** selling an import box that I bought brand new, and it really made me think twice this time.

I couldn't give a rat's *** about COO.

I'm trying really hard to stick to my intention of keeping on topic, so I'll just say this and leave it at that: Judging by the health (or lack thereof) of our manufacturing sector and economy in general, it seems that a lot of folks feel the same way you do. We'll see how it works out in the long run. Of course, even if the effects are catastrophic, a lot of folks will continue to refuse to admit that they had anything to do with it.

i just bought a classic 78, its what i could afford at the time and it the box i wanted since i got out of college (flat black) because in school i bought a kart to match.

the classic series are now build in USA not canada so thats a plus but it didnt really care about COO.

I was waffling between the 4107 and 2107, evidently the USA made 2107's haven't hit yet (at least according to my driver), so that was some portion of my decision to go with the 4107.

I have to say though, I wouldn't have minded a Canada made box either, it's still north America and we're pretty intertwined economically.

I'm not a die-hard Made in USA guy, I just prefer to buy from countries that treat their workers how I like to be treated, and that are at least somewhat allied with my country. It's in my own best interest to do so.

 

[Big Johnson]

China makes me sick

Then throw out half the stuff in your house away.

 

[balane]

The bottom line, for me, is that non-Snap On boxes don't give me the same warm, fuzzy feeling when I look at them and use them. I enjoy my tools on a personal level as well as a functional level so I want to enjoy what I have. I'm still a kid at heart and my tools are also my toys. I like nice toys. Other tool boxes may be as good as Snap On, I really don't know, but Snap On just has that special something that makes them more desirable to me.

That's about as honest an answer as I can give.

 

[vintagefan]

Then throw out half the stuff in your house away.

I'm really, really trying not to have this thread go in this direction. Just because we have little choice on some items does not mean we have no choice on all items.

I'd really like to try and stick to discussing premium toolboxes and why we love them. There will be plenty of other oppurtunities in the future to discuss the plight of American and European manufacturing.

The bottom line, for me, is that non-Snap On boxes don't give me the same warm, fuzzy feeling when I look at them and use them. I enjoy my tools on a personal level as well as a functional level so I want to enjoy what I have. I'm still a kid at heart and my tools are also my toys. I like nice toys. Other tool boxes may be as good as Snap On, I really don't know, but Snap On just has that special something that makes them more desirable to me.

That's about as honest an answer as I can give.

That's a perfectly reasonable justification... IMO the best answer to why one did something, is "Because it makes me happy."

 

[4x4gearhead]

I have mentioned this before but I worked with a guy who had an old KRL 1000 that he had for like 20 years. After 10 years or so of owning it he had a small garage he was working out of collapse during a bad wind storm. (evidently a really bad storm/****** building) He told me about how a huge I beam from the center support of the roof fell right on top of the thing while it was full of tools and everything. It had some dents in it but I wasnt sure I believed him until he showed me pictures. He still uses the box to this day. It functions like it always has and just has some minor cosmetic damage. This is proof that these american made tool storage units are overbuilt and will probably outlive their owners. I had a small KRL761 anyways but it didnt hurt my decision when I went to upgrade to a 1023B.

 

[uppster]

I have read this whole post trying to figure out COO.

 

[bajones238]

In 1992, someone broke into our shop and stole a bunch of tools, including some full (smaller) boxes. They tried to get into my big KR660B roller, using pry bars, slide hammers, etc. They did a good bit of damage but were not able to get in. Full, the box apparently weighed too much for them to try to move. Thieves are lazy, and that is why they are thieves.

I had to straighten a lot of sheet metal, replace the damaged lock cylinders, and put some big washers behind the new locks (due to sheet metal damage) and that was a lot of work, since the thieves really did a workout on the box, but I still have all my tools.

So that's why I am a believer in Snap-On boxes.

 

[garfunkle24]

So Vintagefan: You create a thread asking whether COO is a motivation for buying a pro-line box, wait for the first guy who says it isn't, lecture him and then tell us you don't want to argue COO?

I don't get it.

Maybe I'd just rather pay the wages of sailers and dock workers than toolbox fabricators. What's the difference?

 

[Tpatcher]

For me its the quality, but not all us made boxes are good. I bought a matco rollaround JSC750 and gave it back within a week. It had thin metal, sharp edges, and the whole thing rattled whenever I went to push it. Just cause it made in the us doesn't mean good or better then the imports. But on I side note I ended up getting a snap on KRSC10 and man this thing reeks quality.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Depth of drawers, slides, and sturdy construction for me, my Kr1000 is simply a BEAST. I wonder how the hell people justify buying new though, they are so DAMN expensive! I have less than 900 in my KR1000 and side cab....they are well "worn" (bought them used), but it is just a tool holder!

 

[W650Mike]

I have read this whole post trying to figure out COO.

Country of Origin.

I'll have a Snap-on or Matco box someday - when the right deal, color, and box comes along. I've worked out of both at friends shops and they do have a certain je ne sais quoi. 29” drawers are so sweet and so much more efficient than others.

I’m not a Pro so time is on my side…

 

[canuckian]

I've gone through the cheaper toolbox phase with Mastercraft, Craftsman, etc. I'm not a pro and even i got them to weaken after a few years to a point where they were a pain in the *** (latches falling off, bottom rusting, locked up casters, bad finish, wobbly frame,etc etc). i had always wanted a higher end pro box but could never afford it. Well, life went on, my financial situation improved and I was finally to a point where I could treat myself to some nicer tools and tool storage to go with it. I found a KRL722 on Kijiji that was still in the crate for $3000 (steal in my area) and started to pick up what i needed from either my Snap on guy, Ebay or on here. Well, just a couple short years later, the 722 was filled and I just upgraded to a 68 inch Epiq. I bought Snap On for a cople reasons. It's a solid box, has deep wide drawers, great drawer layout, drawer latches that work, best warranty service in the business and I have local support. The fact that it's built in North America is definitely a bonus because it supports domestic jobs.
On the other hand, I also have a Hazet Assistent. I bought it so I could have a cart to hold my european tools that I use to work on my european car. I'm odd like that. I also bought it because Hazet is one of the best in the business in europe and it's a great little cart that's solidly built, can hold a lot of tools, can collapse to a small enough size that I can fit it in the hatch area of my GTI. Also, it's pretty stinkin cool looking! The fact that the COO is Germany on that one is a bonus because I've always been a fan of their engineering, build quality and style on cars, tools, etc etc. the Assistent doesn't disappoint in those areas.
So, in short, for me COO isn't everything but it difinitely helps. Every country in the world produces good products and garbage products but places like Germany, Canada, Switzerland, US and a few others are known for producing good quality, well thought out products. How people spend their money is their business but for me, I work so I can afford what my family and I need and want so why compromise on that if you don't have to? I also have to admit, I do like the warm fuzzy feeling my Snappy box gives me as mentioned by an earlier poster lol.

 

[csmitty]

Nice box, i've got the same one just a bit older.

If your interested in a hutch in the same color let me know.

That said I went with that form the HF box for drawer layout mainly even though its roughly the same size. I'm pretty full though. Going to be on the look out for a 1023 or 7023. And of course I found one for a good deal yesterday. Damn timing.

 

[crewchief888]

lets think back to 1982, 30 years ago.

a homeowner/diy'r might have a 3 or 4 drawer toolbox,
someone with a LOT of tools had a 5 or 7 drawer roller, and a 10-12 drawer top box.

options were much more limited then,
mac, matco, snapon, MBC, proto and craftsman boxes at the local "pro" garage and gas station. machinists had craftsman, kennedy & gerstner.

guess where they were all made?

stuff coming from overseas was "that jap junk" that was made from leftover artillery shells or something , and fell apart or broke after the 1st time it was used.
there are cheaper(dollar wise) options out there now, that didnt exist when i was younger, my toolboxes were US ( or canada) made, wasnt much of a choice to make.

had that choice existed then,
would i have a SO box that i paid $4000 for in my garage now, or would a $500 HF box hold my tools?



times have changed...

there are products from overseas, that rival what we've been able to produce

but for now, i'll hang onto my US ( and canadian) made snap on, mac, and CM boxes.
i dont look so much to COO, but overall cost, fit, finish, and whats going to be required of a tool or toolbox.
what will suffice at home, may be a twisted pile of scrap by the end of the day at work

 

[Dillithium]

I really don't care about COO, I just want a good fit and finish, like most people who comment here will say.
I'm not a professional wrencher, I'm just a hobby mechanic who up until now, has only really worked on some old school motorcycles, a 66 new yorker and a 68 Coupe deville.
The most money I could ever spend on a toolbox, even if money is unlimited, is maybe 2000. The toolbox is at the end of the day still a toolbox, it holds your tools and I really doubt that a 6000 dollar snap on rollcab holds my tools 3 times better than a 2000 dollar rollcab. I'd much rather buy something else for that 4K, like a motorcycle project to work on, or hell, MORE tools.

The box from snap on that I've always looked at is a krl 722, in mica green. It's gorgeous, and the drawer layouts are perfect for me. But I'm never going to pay 5.5k for a toolbox.

 

[RKA]

Even I'm just a weekend DIYer, I enjoy nice tools (sorry, toolbox counts in my book) and I don't mind paying for them. When I outgrew my 5 drawer craftsman (purchased when money was a huge factor), I started looking at my options and COO didn't come into the picture, even though we all know it's hard to get something of quality from China. Next to build quality was drawer layout, and 27" interior depth drawers was a little more than I really needed, but not something I'll ever regret! I went with Snap On because it's easier to find used and easier to resell (if the layout doesn't work for me). Everytime I pull a drawer open I smile. Everything is laid out nicely so I can find what I'm looking for instantly. The layout and drawer depths are even better than I had hoped (I have yet to load up tools into the drawers and say "I wish they had..."). Drawers open and close effortlessly no matter how much I pile into them.

 

[Big Johnson]

So Vintagefan: You create a thread asking whether COO is a motivation for buying a pro-line box, wait for the first guy who says it isn't, lecture him and then tell us you don't want to argue COO?

I don't get it.

Maybe I'd just rather pay the wages of sailers and dock workers than toolbox fabricators. What's the difference?

I can care less about COO. The stuff sold here made in other countries is making American business owners rich, do not think your helping the American economy much by buying a box. In fact, you are doing the complete opposite your hurting it by contributing to the failure of the economy by purchasing something on credit. Giving credit to people in the worst financial crisis in recent history IS not caring about the American people. SnapOn big wigs do not give a f-ck about COO, they care about profit, thats why they sell same chinese **** to unsuspecting customers(like me).http://www.harborfreight.com/large-steel-tool-cart-with-locking-drawer-90428.html http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=681722&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Super Sport]

I just picked up a used KRA setup. While it's hard to justify the price (even used), SO offers the best layouts and support. I can call them up and get different drawers for my box and arrange them in any way I want. Can't say the same about HF boxes. The lifts on the top can be warrantied, good luck replacing those in a cheaper box.

Not everybody needs a box like this, but they are definitely better. My only complaint is that it is made in Canada rather than the USA.

 

[Big Johnson]

I just picked up a used KRA setup. While it's hard to justify the price (even used), SO offers the best layouts and support. I can call them up and get different drawers for my box and arrange them in any way I want. Can't say the same about HF boxes. The lifts on the top can be warrantied, good luck replacing those in a cheaper box.

Not everybody needs a box like this, but they are definitely better. My only complaint is that it is made in Canada rather than the USA.

No doubt about it. I have Craftsman, US General (HF) cart, and an old SnapOn. I will get another SnapOn box -used of course- but I can guarantee it will not say Made In China on it. If it does say Made In China, it'd better be a lot less pricey.

 

[V70R]

COO plays a large role on what I buy, especially on what I use to earn my income. My Grandfather passed a few of his Cornwell tools down to his 3 sons, and to myself, his grandson. The few I have are extensions, and saw daily use in his field of choice. They are nearly 30 years old...they still perform like new, strong detent tension in the springs, no flex, etc. I recently had to upgrade from my Waterloo Quiet Glide box, bought a new KRL722 from my dealer...best purchase I have made.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Maybe I'd just rather pay the wages of sailers and dock workers than toolbox fabricators. What's the difference?

I'd rather pay my money to those manufacturing here, than middlemen transporting HF boxes from China to here.

Obviously price, quality, value, etc. have to come into the equation...but I'd rather pay a little more for the domestically manufactured product. When I say little, I'm referring to used, not new.

 

[coondog]

I remember when I first started working at a dealership, I bought a krl722 to be cool. I realized I didnt need something that expensive to store tools, so I traded it in for a solus ultra and a used kobalt 42" top and bottom. After around 4 years with that trusty kobalt, I just couldnt get the locks to work, drawers would get hung up, etc. Those overseas brands are made for non-commercial use, and best suited for a home garage, or weekend warrior. They cant take the constant load of a full drawer sliding open and slamming shut a lot. They are made to hold tools just fine, but I had a caster break when I was moving shops one time, and that about killed me. My box fell over and everything.

I decided to order a KRL1163pc, after looking at it online for so long. Its kind of a rare one, and it the cu ft box, unlike the krl1023 that is the square inch box. I dont have all those little drawers on the right side that cant fit anything. This is such a well thought out layout for drawers, that it takes a lot of tools to fill a box this big. I understand a box filling up fast with a bunch of small drawers. I highly recommend this box!
Heres mine