Shopping for a tool box, help!

[kasander]

I have been shopping for toolboxes and have an idea of what I want, but I would rather get more toolbox for the money and get something used, even if it is not exactly what I want. (I would settle for something a little smaller or a little bigger if it is a good enough deal) I can always sell and upgrade later if I need to.

I am just a hobby mechanic and mostly just do simple maintenance tasks on my vehicles and boats.

I figured something this size would do:
55" wide with at least 24" deep drawers
No top box for now, may add something later.

I am still working on building my 26'x30' garage but want to go ahead and get a toolbox to organize my hodge-podge of tools that are in various boxes and bags and a small rolling tool cart currently.

I have searched threads and read about the offerings on StrictlyToolboxes.com and discussions on the Snap-On KLR and KLA series boxes. Should I use 20-25% of retail as offering price on used Snap-On boxes?

Here are my current local CL options, any of them stick out as steals?

Snap-On KRA4107 $700 (from pawn shop) (retail $2200)
https://wilmington.craigslist.org/tld/d/snap-on-tool-box-7-drawers/6412501128.html

Snap-On KRA4107 $450 but further away (would use this to negotiate previous one down on price) (retail $2200)
https://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-tool-box-7-drawer/6467588030.html

Snap-On KRA 4813 $1000: (retail $2600)
https://eastnc.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-tool-box-kra4813fpbo/6474838708.html

Snap-On KRA2411 $2600: (retail $4900)
https://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/tls/d/55-snap-on-tool-box/6467518414.html

Snap-On KRA2411 $2000 but 2 hrs away (retail $4900)
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-classic-78-double/6470115323.html

Snap-On KRL761B $2100 (retail $5500?)
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-krl761b-toolbox/6468896766.html

Snap-On KRA 2422 $2500: (retail $5400)
https://eastnc.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-54-tool-box/6449540384.html

Snap-On KRA2422 with tools for $5,000: (retail $5400)
https://wilmington.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-toolbox/6469864327.html

Matco 4S Triple Bay top and bottom $4500: (retail $10K?? Can't find exact same model on website)
https://wilmington.craigslist.org/tls/d/matco-4s-toolbox/6449478554.html

 

[Parrothead]

Not sure how close you are to Menards, but their boxes are now 24” deep. 56” is now $750 after rebate.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...tool-cabinet/me5611rc1gmm/p-1490163925864.htm

Drawer slides are rated at 110lbs and the deep drawers have double slides.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Parrot beat me to it. Menards boxes seem to be a really good value, if you are near them. If you are just a hobby mechanic, you might also consider HF boxes, not bad for the money

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd offer $750 for this, then pick up a cheap Craftsman, Kobalt, HF, or whatever brand topper for it. Keep all the "low weight" items in the topper like screwdrivers, flashlights, etc and the heavy stuff down below in the Snap On.

 

[crewchief888]

i probably wouldnt buy a large toolbox (unless it was a "you ****" deal) without having a garage to put it in.

"professional" boxes are heavier than their "consumer grade" counterparts.

i hate moving any of mine, none of them are wider than 36"

just my $0.02

 

[ARFLY]

Everything you are looking at is good quality and would likely serve you the rest of your life and then some. When selecting a tool box, it really comes down to your needs, personal preference, and budget. Consider what size you need for the tools you currently have and leave some room to grow. Also consider what drawer lay out you like and/or need for what you have and what you do. I like that Matco 4S triple bay, but that is a bunch of money for a non professional home shop. Bunch of money for a professional shop, but it is also a lot of storage.

I looked at the boxes at Menards over Christmas when I was at my brother in laws house. If there was a Menards close to me, I might have bought those instead of the HF boxes I bought.

 

[fos373]

The 4107's are both a fair price. Depending on the condition, I would jump on the lower priced one. Lately, the prices I have seen on CL in the Denver market have been about $1k - which seems too high.... Good luck

 

[WhiffySpark]

That 4s is a decent deal

 

[Brad54]

If I'm not mistaken, a lot of people here have said extremely good things about the General tool boxes from Harbor Freight.
I've got a Montezuma travel box... the smallest one, and it still swallows a ton of tools, keeps them organized perfectly, and is incredibly functional. If I was starting from scratch, I think i'd be very inclined to get one of there bigger ones as a top box.
I'll definitely be putting one in my race car trailer this summer.

-Brad

 

[kasander]

I wanted to stay away from the HF ones, would rather get a used Snap-On I think. I wanted a 24" deep box, but am thinking of picking up the KRA4107 for $450 and I can always sell it later if I need to.

Found another one that is 180 miles away. It's a KRL761BPF, he said he would take $1700. Seems like a decent deal, but maybe not worth driving 6 hours.

https://eastnc.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-tool-box/6472504277.html

 

[454ragtop]

I'd offer $750 for this, then pick up a cheap Craftsman, Kobalt, HF, or whatever brand topper for it. Keep all the "low weight" items in the topper like screwdrivers, flashlights, etc and the heavy stuff down below in the Snap On.

Kind of funny, that's the least desirable IMO. Same external size as the 4107's, but less actual space due to the center divider. Also note this one and the 4107's are only 20" deep, not 24". They are better than the more common 15" -18" boxes, but not as good as a 24" deep box.

 

[Htscheg]

The Matco 4s is there entry level box sold at most trade schools, my rep told me they dont make that model anymore... moved onto something else

 

[hotdogstand]

I had a 52" Husky top and bottom, 18 drawers IIRC that I really liked. It wasn't very deep, 16-18 overall, but everything fit. I sold that and built a Steevo-Style workbench with two of the HF 44" boxes. They're good quality overall, a little better than the Husky IMO, but the drawer layout wasn't working for me. I eventually caved and bought the HF 5-drawer tool cart. I keep all of my my most commonly used hand tools in there, all of my overflow in one of the 44" and a side cab, and the other 44 is built into my welding/work bench for drill bits, chisels, punches, and the like.

I would love to own a couple of Snap-Ons or Macs, or a big 72" bottom, but I can't justify the cash for my current 16x20 garage.

 

[Super Sport]

I was never impressed by the KRA boxes I have owned. At best, they were comparable quality to the top line stuff the big box stores sell. I'd recommend looking at one local before driving any distance to get one.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

Jeez, you have some great prices down there in NC. Up here in the philly area nearly all those boxes would be listed for twice as much.

 

[Parrothead]

I think this thread should have been named “I want a Snap On box” and then asked what’s the best deal out there for a home guy. Absolutely nothing wrong with wanting tool box jewelry, It just would have been a little more forthcoming about your goals.

 

[kasander]

Maybe I should buy up a truckload and sell them up north!

Yes the only downside I see to the 4107 is the 20" depth. But for $450 it doesn't seem like I would lose any money if I sold it a year or two down the road.

Going to keep shopping around and see how much the KRL761 will come down. I don't mind spending more money as long as I know I can sell it later without taking a big loss.

 

[kasander]

Parrothead, I wasn't really sold on Snap-on, but have been reading dozens of threads on here and seems they are decent boxes that hold value well. They are also what I have found in my craigslist searches (aside from craftsman and other small boxes).

 

[kasander]

Ok, one more. This guy seems desperate to sell.

KR650A and KR655B for $1500 obo.

https://columbia.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-tool-boxes/6463985667.html

 

[Wamsutta]

That last one above is the one you should get. It's from the time frame when Snap-on used thicker gage sheet metal. Don't get a KRA.

 

[kasander]

This popped up locally today. MATCO MB6525DB with MB6522 Lid Accessory WITH TOOLS for $2800. I'm going to look at it tomorrow. Seems like a steal to me, even though it is a bunch of tools I don't need. My plan would be to sell some of the tools off and keep what I want.


The wide drawer is broken, but maybe I can fix it with some warranty parts?



https://wilmington.craigslist.org/tls/d/matco-rollaway-tool-box/6479388660.html

Also, the guy with the Snap-On KR boxes in the previous post said he would take $1000 for both top and bottom. He's a 3 hour drive away though. Still thinking about picking it up. Maybe sell the MATCO after I get the tools out that I want.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Just FYI, there are people on here that will take a deal out from under you if you post links or pictures and locations.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[L.Cheapo]

You can pay whatever you want for a used box, but a savvy buyer is paying less than 50% of retail for a NEW Snap On box. That said, I think most of your links are asking way too much for their boxes.

Where I live, everyone wants more money for their used boxes than they can be bought new off the truck. Their failure to negotiate or poor financing decisions are not the next buyer's problem.

 

[Mhyde52]

Parrothead, I wasn't really sold on Snap-on, but have been reading dozens of threads on here and seems they are decent boxes that hold value well. They are also what I have found in my craigslist searches (aside from craftsman and other small boxes).

IMO, the exact thing you don't want to buy used, particularly for your home shop use, is a box that holds value well. Find a smoking deal on a big box that's lost 70-80% of its original value. Matco particularly, and Mac are two great examples in my area. Snap on is not a good example. If you want to look cool for your friends, peel the emblems off of whatever box, and throw snap on decals on.

 

[kasander]

Thanks for the tips guys. What do you guys think about the MATCO box with tools? Is $2,800 a steal, or just average price?

 

[Parrothead]

Thanks for the tips guys. What do you guys think about the MATCO box with tools? Is $2,800 a steal, or just average price?

$2,800 for a broken toolbox with as many Harbor Freight/Craftsman/Import tools as Blue Point/Snap On/MAC? The stuff you’d be able to sell, unless you’re willing to list individual items on eBay won’t get you far....then you have the broken box.

 

[Parrothead]

This isn’t near you but this seems like an okay deal. MAC Tech 1000 19 drawer for $1500 in black, so it’s an easily resold color. This is the type of “deal” to look for...

https://lexington.craigslist.org/tls/d/3-bay-macsimizer-tool-box/6470866915.html

I’d offer $1,100 and see if he’d bite. Probably walk at $1,200. He lowered the price from $1,900 with no takers.

The best “value” is a HF box, I watched an older used 44” and side cabinet sell for $350 in 24 hours. Assuming he bought the side cabinet at full price he lost $200 for a couple years of use. That’s the best “value”, but I certainly understand not going that route.

 

[nes999]

If I'm not mistaken, a lot of people here have said extremely good things about the General tool boxes from Harbor Freight.
I've got a Montezuma travel box... the smallest one, and it still swallows a ton of tools, keeps them organized perfectly, and is incredibly functional. If I was starting from scratch, I think i'd be very inclined to get one of there bigger ones as a top box.
I'll definitely be putting one in my race car trailer this summer.

-Brad

I hate my Harbor freight 44. It is way too narrow. I bought it because of all of the amazing reviews it gets. I am actively looking to replace it. I think all of the golden reviews it receives are partially based on it being so cheap.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[L.Cheapo]

I think all of the golden reviews it receives are partially based on it being so cheap.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

I think that goes for most things from Mao's Dollar Kingdom.

 

[ssdave]

I hate my Harbor freight 44. It is way too narrow. I bought it because of all of the amazing reviews it gets. I am actively looking to replace it. I think all of the golden reviews it receives are partially based on it being so cheap.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Bingo. We have a winner! It's a good box because it can be had for $320. If it was $750, it would be used as a comparison to show how other boxes were so much better. People are willing to take the poor latching, the drawers that flex, the bad casters for the cost savings.

My own boxes I chose for similar reasons. I have a KRL1002. I bought it for under $1000. Absolutely great box, 29" deep drawers, 46 inches high so it has a lot of storage in one place. If I'd had to pay $8000 for it, I wouldn't be nearly as happy with it.

Same with my Masterforce 41". Bought the top chest for $200, and got the bottom on 11% off so was into the set for about $600. Comparing to the HF, the latches are better, the casters are better, the slides work better, and the drawers don't flex. So, it's a winner. If I'd had to pay Snap-on prices for it; it wouldn't look as good. It's not near the quality of my KRL, but the price was a lot less.

OP, you're on the right track; look for a good quality used box. You'll be a lot happier in the long run. But, look for a good price. The matco with some tools isn't too good at $2800; I see about $600 of tools there, and a broken box. Unless there's a huge amount of truck tools included not shown in your photo's.

 

[Tynee]

I own the KRA4810 top box. I would not recommend going with that KRA4813 bottom. What I’ve found, as a home mechanic, is that only having 1 full width drawer in my bottom box isn’t enough. The wide bank isn’t wide enough, the 18” deep drawers aren’t deep enough, and the 2” tall drawers aren’t tall enough.

The KRA series boxes are strong enough, but I wouldn’t buy a double bank again.

My advice on the above boxes is to jump on that $450 4107 AND the $750 one. I think those would provide enough storage for a DIY’er and give you a nice work too as well.

 

[Tynee]

This isn’t near you but this seems like an okay deal. MAC Tech 1000 19 drawer for $1500 in black, so it’s an easily resold color. This is the type of “deal” to look for...

https://lexington.craigslist.org/tls/d/3-bay-macsimizer-tool-box/6470866915.html

Parrothead, are you local to that box?

 

[kasander]

Leaning towards the KR650A and KR655B. He said he would take $1000 for both. The Matco got sold out from under me. Maybe I’m better off without all those tools!

https://columbia.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-tool-boxes/6463985667.html

 

[Parrothead]

Parrothead, are you local to that box?

Not really, but if it were something I was really wanted I’d make the trip. 2-1/2 to 3 hours away.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

I like my kra4107, despite people saying they are lighter duty than the old ones... I doubled up on the slides in this drawer to hold my full 3/4 set, 3/8 impact set, and both metric and sae 1/2 impact sets... And the box holds them just fine. If you can get a deal I would recommend one.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Boneebone]

Leaning towards the KR650A and KR655B. He said he would take $1000 for both. The Matco got sold out from under me. Maybe I’m better off without all those tools!

https://columbia.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-tool-boxes/6463985667.html

Considering the poor condition of the Matco box and 95% of the tools being average or below, it was best you didn't waste your money on it.

There wasn't anything special in his box that justified his asking price.

Why was the top drawer broken anyways, the top drawer has double slides on both sides, if the slides were bad, he could've ordered new slides from Matco at no charge.

 

[Aberdale]

My philosophy may be a little different from most. I prefer a clean used box over a new one. A good new one is too expensive. A cheap new one I will regret after the shiny newness wears off. And I've found through experience that it's best to buy quality items that I won't have to buy again (that will last me the rest of my life.)

I waited a while as I was searching for a box to try and find a deal on a top of the line box. I ended up buying a one year old triple bay Maximizer at an auction for $2000 which still smelled new. So if you have patience, you will eventually find a deal.

If I were looking for a primary box today, I would be focusing on a SO KRL or another Macsimizer. After you own a really good box, it's hard to go back to cheap.

I have a few older boxes that are used as backups which I like for the nostalgia aspect. I have three old MAC stackable from the 1960s/70s. And I'm looking for a SO taco wagon to use in the paint room. But these aren't primary boxes.

Keep looking on CL and follow local auctions. Eventually a deal will turn up.

 

[crewchief888]

Leaning towards the KR650A and KR655B. He said he would take $1000 for both. The Matco got sold out from under me. Maybe I’m better off without all those tools!

https://columbia.craigslist.org/tls/d/snap-on-tool-boxes/6463985667.html

$1000 is a reasonable price for those boxes. they look to be in pretty good condition.

just beware, the damn things are heavy

 

[kasander]

Aberdale, I share your philosophy, usually when I stick to this, if I change me mind and do decide to sell, I don't lose any money in the process.

 

[Philbert]

I liked the Milwaukee lower box with the wood top. Long and kinda deep and not crazy expensive. The
Wife and I are considering one for the kitchen, for pot pans and cookie sheets.