Safest/Strongest Toolboxes available

[His_Stigness]

So I need to upgrade to a bigger/badder toolbox, and I've narrowed it down to either a Mac Macsimizer or a Matco 6 Series. Both have their advantages and disadvantages for me, mainly in color choices and drawer configuration. But I'm curious which is more secure. I wonder this because the Macsimizer has central locking compared to the 6 Series which has three separate locks (it's a 3 bay).

The only information I have is anecdotal evidence provided by Matco guy from a few years ago. He told me how some guys had gone to a local Toyota dealership on a Sunday and broke open a bunch of toolboxes and stolen everything from, but they weren't able to get into the Matco boxes. I don't remember if he mentioned Mac, but he did mention all the Snap-On boxes being broken open.

So what do you guys have to say? I guess thinking about it the Mac locking system might be weaker if it has central locking even with three bays, compared to Matco which has three locks, one for each bay.

Also, this is my first post Thanks.

 

[NOZZLEMAN]

All a lock does is keep an honest man... honest. Seriously though, having the three separate locks takes three times longer to bust open so they will hopefully pass by your box

 

[blown94conv]

Matco's lock bars used to be able to be accessed by the top of the box, pull off the rivited tab and lift the bar. Mac's uses a spring mechanism, easy to defeat with a pick. Snap-on have a bar that comes down I have seen guys lift them with a long piece of flat metal slide into the drawer. Never done it myself.

I used to buy boxes, and came across a few that didnt have keys. None of them were all that hard to defeat.

 

[170-3tree]

So... This probably sounds bad, but I'm not concerned with security too much. I'm covered by my insurance. But I'm also in a decent area with a VERY strictly carried out evening lockdown policy.

Also if you go for insurance do NOT insure purchase prices! Only list prices. I got my box for $4500 off the price, but it might bet that much OR MORE when it comes to when it has to be replaced.

I am going to get some good floor bolts installed to my box so they can't Rob the whole thing without cutting a beefy chain first.

 

[gdpolk]

No lock can truly protect you. Its a mechanical device and any machine can be overcome with the right tools, knowledge, time, and desire. My advice would be to insure the tools and box, get anything with a lock and use the lock, and don't worry about it.

Simply turning a key to engage a lock will deter 95% of the common walking tools syndrome simply because it will make it take more time, effort, and tools to bust in. If they want it bad enough to override the lock, they'll likely just tear up whatever box you get to get into it and be a lowlife anyway.

 

[His_Stigness]

So... This probably sounds bad, but I'm not concerned with security too much. I'm covered by my insurance. But I'm also in a decent area with a VERY strictly carried out evening lockdown policy.

Also if you go for insurance do NOT insure purchase prices! Only list prices. I got my box for $4500 off the price, but it might bet that much OR MORE when it comes to when it has to be replaced.

I am going to get some good floor bolts installed to my box so they can't Rob the whole thing without cutting a beefy chain first.

I don't want to rely on the insurance though as I've dealt with enough companies to know there are too many loopholes. I don't have my own policy though as the shop is required to cover my tools, and as long as I don't ask the coverage limits they're required to cover my tools. But most policies only cover the depreciated value, not the actual replacement costs. And like you I have a lot of discounted tools, including my box. I got my box at 60% off, and probably half of my tools now were bought under Matco's student program.

I also don't want to go through the hassle of replacing all of my tools, I would rather have a scratched toolbox to replace.

 

[His_Stigness]

All a lock does is keep an honest man... honest. Seriously, though, having the three separate locks takes three times longer to bust open so they will hopefully pass by your box

That's a good point, especially considering the box next to mine now is a Snap-On with a single lock, and my Matco JSC480 is easy pickings.

 

[Cypherian]

The price might scare you but check out vidmar. I have had to open a few of them sans keys when I was active duty and someone....lost the keys. The keys are not a normal key ie double sided Google them you will see. They are beefy enough out front to give you a run for you money trying to pry one drawer open mind you that only gets you one drawer. The lock bar is in the back and if you do not k ow where or how to drill through with a hole saw and attack the lock rod and then the bar yeah you will be a while. They are also highly customizable. But Pricey!!

Cypherian

 

[larry_g]

Check out a Lista box...

lg
no neat sig line

 

[geartow]

I put a solid bar on my snap on box top to bottom with a padlock on it . After locking it you could just give the drawer a good tug and t would pop open.

 

[K-Dog]

Reality is this.
All they need to do is get into one box. After that they either have enough to take the haul and run or they have what they need to open the rest of the boxes.

 

[619DioFan]

Many years back I worked at a buick dealership. the crew that hit that place didn't bother opening the boxes. they came with a lift gate box truck and took all the boxes from the heavy line side of the shop ( heavy line was at the rear of the dealership away from any street view ) guess they figured it would be easier to open up the boxes back at the thieves den.

 

[pcmeiners]

Unless you have a very large expensive safe as a toolbox there is very little security. A crowbar or at most a battery powered 4" grinder with a diamond blade will go through anything.
None of the top end toolboxes Vidmar/Lista/Mac etc are made with hard steel, so a decent crowbar will open them up (if you do not have a masterkey). Best insurance is a big territorial dog, a gun, and lastly insurance.

 

[Nero]

Check out a Lista box...

lg
no neat sig line

Where the heck do you buy them at/is it possible to see one in person?