Shopping for a tool box

[Troutbum1982]

And I find it nothing short of freaking ridiculous!!! I am finding it really annoying for a lack of better words that you have to spend $2000+++ on a metal box just to assure that you get one that will hold up for a reasonable period of time. Its kind of sad that I am spending less on the actual tools that go in it!! Ok Im done with my rant for now, still ridiculous though

 

[mrholeshot]

Look at the Harbor Freight 41 inch and 56 inch wide boxes. The 41 is proven tough. Don't know about the 56 yet but it looks pretty good

 

[Troutbum1982]

Ill check them out..... I have been tearing craigs list up in every surrounding state and have not had much luck. Right now I am in a college diesel program and I get discounts etc. but I have looked at most of the boxes from snap on, matco etc. and when the discount is there and it still seem high to me I guess I dont really want to spend it on them. Seems like for that kind of money you would get more bang for your buck. I have hunted high and low and it seems the quality drops rapidly from there. Just does not make much sense but I guess the market will drive prices to where ever the demand is.

 

[Ford12508]

I would buy a cheap HF box, and then after a few years, maybe 2 or so, buy a snap on. Right now you don't know for sure you are going to like the industry, and might change your mind later. I pick up a lot of tools from people who decided to do something else. I picked up my 3/4" ratchet and 22 sockets for it and got them for the price of the ratchet new. It had been used twice he said. The reason he was selling it? Because he decided to be a doctor or something instead of a diesel mechanic.

PS Pick up an IR 2135TIMAX, and sell it to me half price, I dont want to pay retail

 

[mikevango]

When I was shopping for a box I went throught the same thing. I ended up with the hf 41 incher. I am no pro so it works for me. I still search craigslist everyday for a truck brand box deal. I bet the harbor freight box would last a pro a couple of years. Good luck

 

[Troutbum1982]

I would buy a cheap HF box, and then after a few years, maybe 2 or so, buy a snap on. Right now you don't know for sure you are going to like the industry, and might change your mind later. I pick up a lot of tools from people who decided to do something else. I picked up my 3/4" ratchet and 22 sockets for it and got them for the price of the ratchet new. It had been used twice he said. The reason he was selling it? Because he decided to be a doctor or something instead of a diesel mechanic.

PS Pick up an IR 2135TIMAX, and sell it to me half price, I dont want to pay retail

Well I am pretty set on being in the industry, waited 10+ years to enroll just so I was sure in what I wanted to do. School costs are also coming out of my own pocket so I guess it just seems like a lot to pay for a place to lock up your tools. Odds are I am going to end up coughing up the money so I have one that lasts....... just not loving doing so.

 

[Ford12508]

OK, I didnt know the background, just didnt want you wasting your money on something

 

[Skin]

Cheap boxes are all well and good for a home owner where the box is kept stationary, its the constant traveling across shop floors that puts the china boxes under strain. A HF box would be your best bet for starting but i'd still keep an eye on CL for a truck brand for a reasonable price if that is indeed what you will be doing as a career.

Personally i'd also stick with rolling cabinets as opposed to stacking them with tool chests.

 

[luvair]

Check out Costco for some nice boxes.

 

[wafrederick]

Check out what any Mac,Snap On and Matco including Cornwell tool dealers took on trade or repoed.You might get a great deal on one

 

[4StarCstms]

Shame your not closer, my Snappy Dealer just took in a vintage S/O box in on trade. Course Its over 1k but..its worth it.

 

[jpoe]

Given your screen name and location, I would ponder this delima over a nice body of water with a wooly ****** or a minnow imitation. Even if you don't come up with an easy answer, you still get to fish!

 

[Stick Figure]

Buy the HF to get you by ... mine lasted a couple years in a shop including several moves (one cross country), and always fully loaded. If you do that, take care of it, then when you find the right deal on a better box you can bring the HF home.

 

[Skyline]

I would hold out for a used Snap-on KRL or MAC Macsimizer. Keep looking on Craigs list and eBay. Just because prices may seem a little high, that does not mean some folks will not accept a reasonable offer (20-25% of list). The last KRL I bought was a double bank full of tools. The guy asked $10k, but settled for $4k. Don't be afraid to make an offer.

Arm yourself with knowledge of the actual sales prices of similar boxes in your area. Look up completed listings on eBay. Look for prices in green for items that sold. You will see plenty in red that have crazy prices, but that's the market. So many guys think they can get 50-80% of what they paid for a big box.....reality will eventually set in.

 

[Boiler]

Personally, if you're going to stay in the buisiness, I'd use the student discount to buy a snap on new. Get a relatively large one. They're only going to get more expensive for you when you're out of school.

Alternatively, but the harbor freight or something used for now, and right before you stop being a student buy your pro box on discount.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

if you want to play , ya gotta pay
if not , make your own box , or look for file cabinets getting discarded

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/fuo/1975700848.html

 

[cherokee140]

I went through this just myself. About 20+ years ago I went through the General Motors ASEP program, and have the entire setup. Be very careful with what you are doing at the stage you are at in your life....you think doctors have huge loans see what some auto techs owe the f'en trucks....and the intrest rates of those....ahhh...people.

I have a nice "smaller" SO box and it has held up fine for all that time. I just bought the HF box a few weeks ago and it does seem to be put together very....VERY...well. Look at them, and put your money in your pocket not the tool mans pocket.....

That said there are some very good tools out there that come off the truck...but boxes are different, they are to hold and SECURE your investment in your tools.

IMHO, truck tools are over priced for what they are, you can just as fine a tool from any of the big box hardware stores. Something that did not exist in the early 80's when I started back then you had trucks, sears and pure ****. Now the tools carried by Home Depot and Lowes are every big as good as a truck tool for half the price.

In the end in looking at a new box look at EVERYTHING and make YOUR OWN judgement. Be careful on what you read on the net about products of all kinds...this is double true when you are reading what people say that don't own the product in question.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I'd also recommend buying an inexspensive off-brand box until you get established in the field. Once you know how your paycheck will be every week, you can trade up for something better.
Shopping the trucks for trade-in's is excellent way to get a decent box for cheap. I picked up a Craftsman roller box that's bb slides, about 40" tall 18 deep and nearly 5 feet long for about $150.
Keep shopping, you'll find something that fits your need / budget.

 

[cranky]

i will also be looking to buy a box soon aswell, and have just stop lookin at the big makes like snap on, there miles out of my price range. i'm prob just gonna buy a relatively cheap box that has the requirements i need and just look after it and try and make it last till i can afford a snap on or something close to that quality

 

[Troutbum1982]

Well I have been hunting pretty steadily for over six months, and as spoken in this thread I was getting really discouraged. But today turned out being my lucky day!!! Through a family friend I found a like new matco 6 triple bank w/ stainless top for $1500 Think I should be good in the box department for quite some time...... hopefully for good!!

 

[cranky]

congrats mate nice find

 

[crewchief888]

Well I have been hunting pretty steadily for over six months, and as spoken in this thread I was getting really discouraged. But today turned out being my lucky day!!! Through a family friend I found a like new matco 6 triple bay w/ stainless top for $1500 Think I should be good in the box department for quite some time...... hopefully for good!!

sometimes all it takes is time.
when i got started i was working out of a 26" kennedy top and bottom. after a year or so i was running out of room, added a small side box, and 2 center boxes. when i bought my kr550/555 i kept the small side box, and traded off everything else.
over the years i bought a lot of trade in boxes off the tool trucks, and then had enough storage.
about 5 years ago i sold one of my roller cabs and side box, i kick myself now, they'd look nice in my garage.

 

[Troutbum1982]

My issue was that I am already having to buy a boat load of tools, and sure I will be doing so for a while. My schooling is something that I am taking pretty seriously, and as long as I keep my **** together I got a good career pretty well lined out for me. It was just that if I was going to dump any amount of cash into something like a box I just didnt want it to be a deal where I had to go through it all again within the next couple years. Even being that I couldnt see spending so much $$ on a storage place for my tools. One of those damned if you do damned if you dont type situations. The deal I found was nothing short of pure luck, but am happy to have that aspect of things out of the way!!

 

[Troutbum1982]

Also my wife makes fun of me because I research dang near any major purchases I make........this time it was about the death of me!!!

 

[Skyline]

So where are the pictures of the Matco box????

 

[Troutbum1982]

I am going down to pick it up next week, its a bit of a drive but a good excuse to go see some of my family. I will post some pics when I get it.

 

[onewaydave]

Menards Megaforce are sturdy and about $850 in the size mentioned. I have the larger and medium and like em both.

Dave.

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

We are an alliance member and have Lista cabinets in our Junk Yard Specials that are usually 40-60% off list. These are all brand new and from canceled orders, returns, slight freight damage, overstock, etc. They all ship directly from the Lista factory in Holliston, MA.

I think most folks here would agree that Lista is one of the best American-made boxes available. At half-price they are a really solid deal.

Availability changes frequently with a new lot of 20+ pieces that we will be posting later today or tomorrow.

PM me with questions, etc.

Joe Germann
[email protected]
www.MotorheadExtraordinaire.com