Snap On Epiq series tool box problems

[Bobioz1]

Wamsutta, yes sloppy design of the casters only. The rest of the box looks and operates as awesome as advertised. That said, I find the shallow drawers almost useless for what I do. Even a power probe 3 has to be carefully laid flat or it will catch and jam up. Also being able to see that much inside a closed drawer dosen't seem right.


Naysayers, I had a krl1001 before this box. It had the casters replaced with the newer Master series type. Same axle offset as on my Epiq. Same tools loaded, rolling on the same floor. Never had a wheel popping noise. Nothing comical to me about a 10k plus toolbox sounding like it's coming apart when you push it across the floor.

 

[techenthusiast]

I have a question, I have a snapon 3 drawer cart with the open bottom and flip open top... It seems to wobble. Sometimes when I roll it one or two wheels don't touch the ground. Sometimes when I have it sitting I can actually wobble it back and forth on what seems to be flat ground... The bolts All four wheels seem to be completely tightened with the same
Torque... Is the ground actually uneven and I can't tell? Or is there a problem with the box?


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Does anyone have some input on this issue?



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[Bigplum]

You need to check the floor , try a long level , straight edge,laser level or a taut piece of string held close to the floor .
Lasers are cheap enough now to try out

 

[namaher]

It sounds like it could be caused from uneven ground but you should be certain that the ground is even before jumping to conclusions. Is the cart brand new?

 

[techenthusiast]

Yes, brand new


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[L.A.doghouse]

I have recently purchased the same tool box and have the same problem with the wheels. Another mechanic in our shop also has our shared problem. My only hope is that since I just got the box and am threatening to return it my dealer my do something about it ASAP I will let you know. Someone from the tool box division is coming to look at it next week. That's a lot of money for a box with ANY problems.I MADE A COPY OF YOUR THREAD AND WILL SHOW IT TO SNAP ON.

 

[namaher]

I have recently purchased the same tool box and have the same problem with the wheels. Another mechanic in our shop also has our shared problem.

So have you found a solution with your box? I have been told by my rep and his boss that it is just the way they are. I have been able to put up with it but it still bothers me. I'm thinking of putting fixed casters on it.

 

[Bobioz1]

My dealers boss is still ducking me. Chump!

 

[Toolhorder]

Just buy this and you're good to go

 

[namaher]

My dealers boss is still ducking me. Chump!

Sorry to hear that. Let me know if u figure anything out and I'll do the same. I found some rigid iso casters the same size on snap ons website. Going to talk to my dealer about a swap out.

 

[L.A.doghouse]

Snap on did get back with me, and did say "just deal with it, its normal" but if I let it go at that I'll hate myself forever. If this is a normal issue with the EPIQ tool box why was it not disclosed to me before I signed the papers? or written on a sticker and attached to the box next to the sticker depicting a guy running himself over with the box by pulling it? I don't know what state you guys are in but I'm gonna try going the LEMON LAW route. I'm no pro at this but I do know I we do nothing we get nothing in return. And above all WHAT ABOUT THE RESALE VALUE OF THE BOX I BOUGHT????? I sent my last email with repair or refund request I will keep you in the loop.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Snap on did get back with me, and did say "just deal with it, its normal" but if I let it go at that I'll hate myself forever. If this is a normal issue with the EPIQ tool box why was it not disclosed to me before I signed the papers? or written on a sticker and attached to the box next to the sticker depicting a guy running himself over with the box by pulling it? I don't know what state you guys are in but I'm gonna try going the LEMON LAW route. I'm no pro at this but I do know I we do nothing we get nothing in return. And above all WHAT ABOUT THE RESALE VALUE OF THE BOX I BOUGHT????? I sent my last email with repair or refund request I will keep you in the loop.

Someone needs to post video of this 'problem'. If you don't you risk all of us thinking you're nuts.

 

[MikeF2316]

Someone needs to post video of this 'problem'. If you don't you risk all of us thinking you're nuts.

I understand the problem fully, at least I think I do. It's an alignment problem.

When you lock the casters from swiveling, they still can swivel a degree or two. So if you're pushing the box in the direction the caster is negative (where the wheel is ahead of its pivot), if both "locked" casters toe out, then they are unparallel enough that there's stress that gets relieved by them jumping back into a less stressed position and the cycle repeats. You could try to twist them in their mountings but loosening the bolts, then they'd probably toe in too much, and you'd have the same problem, but in the opposite direction. The problem wouldn't be there when rolling the toolbox in the other direction as the caster would be in the natural, trailing position.

Normal "cheap" boxes like my KRA don't do this because they don't have fancy lockable casters at one end.

I know it would annoy me to the point I'd put normal wheels from a cheaper toolbox on...

 

[Fcvapor05]

I understand the problem fully, at least I think I do. It's an alignment problem.

When you lock the casters from swiveling, they still can swivel a degree or two. So if you're pushing the box in the direction the caster is negative (where the wheel is ahead of its pivot), if both "locked" casters toe out, then they are unparallel enough that there's stress that gets relieved by them jumping back into a less stressed position and the cycle repeats. You could try to twist them in their mountings but loosening the bolts, then they'd probably toe in too much, and you'd have the same problem, but in the opposite direction. The problem wouldn't be there when rolling the toolbox in the other direction as the caster would be in the natural, trailing position.

Normal "cheap" boxes like my KRA don't do this because they don't have fancy lockable casters at one end.

I know it would annoy me to the point I'd put normal wheels from a cheaper toolbox on...

I understand what's happening. What I don't understand is the OP's concept of how bad it really is. The casters on my Masters box squeak and pop every once in a while, but the root cause is the ****** cracked floor in my garage. I'm not emailing snap-on executives about it. Video would go a long way toward telling the forum (and snap-on...) if this is really a 'problem' or not. I have pretty strong doubt that on a smooth floor the box sounds like it's "a 10k plus toolbox sounding like it's coming apart when you push it across the floor".

If it were me I'd be asking them to replace my casters with sprung casters from a Masters box. Problem solved.

 

[Dust Devil]

Got up close and personal with an EPIQ last week. It was a letdown. Snap-on boxes are pertty much a let down anymore. The quality/cost factor is way out of line.

I love my Snap tools, not impressed with the boxes. There are higher quality boxes that cost 1/3 as much. No value in that.

 

[GTA Matt]

Its not a box or caster problem. Its that the OP doesn't want to change the direction of the casters when he changes the direction he's pushing. See the grocery cart caster example in post 2. You can't change physics.

Got up close and personal with an EPIQ last week. It was a letdown. Snap-on boxes are pertty much a let down anymore. The quality/cost factor is way out of line.

I love my Snap tools, not impressed with the boxes. There are higher quality boxes that cost 1/3 as much. No value in that.

What was a let down and what "higher quality boxes" are there for 1/3 the cost?

 

[Dust Devil]

Its not a box or caster problem. Its that the OP doesn't want to change the direction of the casters when he changes the direction he's pushing. See the grocery cart caster example in post 2. You can't change physics.






What was a let down and what "higher quality boxes" are there for 1/3 the cost?

On the EPIQ the sliders felt stiff and clunky. The drawer handles and latches feel cheap. Not even close to what a 15k box should feel like.

I was impressed with the size of the EPIQ esp the depth .

I looked at triple bank Lista's for 5k and comped EPIQ at >10k. Maybe not exactly 1/3rd but close enough.

I cant believe what people are willing to pay for the lower end Snap boxes. I just dont see the quality or value in them anymore.

Just my opinion though, I doubt it will be a popular opinion.

 

[GTA Matt]

The drawers are VERY stiff, when they're empty. Load them down and they will try to close on their own. Incredibly smooth. The latches are also very smooth with a loaded drawer. Same with the casters, fully loaded, 14 feet long with 10 casters, I can move the box by myself (with no popping). I looked at every high end tool box out there, lista included, can't say anything bad about any of them, all nice boxes. I paid $5500 for a 76" epiq. I priced out similar sized listas, and they would have cost more, and fell 13 electrical outlets short.

 

[Dust Devil]

If I could get a 76'er for that price I would STFU and buy it too!!

I wondered about the loaded drawers and getting smooth. Not to mention break in, it was a new box on the truck. The power outlets and depth are also huge.

Got pics?

 

[Fcvapor05]

On the EPIQ the sliders felt stiff and clunky. The drawer handles and latches feel cheap. Not even close to what a 15k box should feel like.

I was impressed with the size of the EPIQ esp the depth .

I looked at triple bank Lista's for 5k and comped EPIQ at >10k. Maybe not exactly 1/3rd but close enough.

I cant believe what people are willing to pay for the lower end Snap boxes. I just dont see the quality or value in them anymore.

Just my opinion though, I doubt it will be a popular opinion.

If you like Lista because you think they are better, I won't argue- that's your opinion, and Lista obviously makes very high quality stuff.

In my experience, any Snap-On box will feel like the drawers **** compared to a Lista when they are empty- when they are full, however, the Snap-On drawers are smoother. I have a Lista tooling cabinet full of drill bits and chucks and whatever, and the drawers open fine but I wouldn't call them smooth or easy to open when loaded with 100 lbs per drawer. My half-full KRL 722 is just the opposite- the fully loaded drawers open perfectly and basically drift shut on their own, since my box is against the wall and there's about 1 degree of relief in my floor. The empty drawers in the snappy box don't do that- they aren't nearly as smooth either.

Seems like Snap-On tries to optimize the sliders for when the drawers are packed full of heavy stuff, which to me makes sense.

Also I will say this- Snap-On, more than any company I know of, is number one for inflating the price of high ticket items to make the real prices seem like a deal. An Epiq roll cab is never going to be cheap by any means, but if you pay the full, retail catalog price for one, you're not terribly smart. With a company like Lista, for example (again, in my experience, I'm not party to every sale they make), the price in the catalog is the price.

 

[MikeF2316]

Its not a box or caster problem. Its that the OP doesn't want to change the direction of the casters when he changes the direction he's pushing. See the grocery cart caster example in post 2. You can't change physics.

Perhaps the OP could try locking only 1 caster. That should provide the directional stability needed, without the "alignment" problem that he's experiencing.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

My experiences have been the same as other Epiq owners here in reference to - laoded drawers are nice and smooth, no problems with wheels and moving 12 feet of a reasonably loaded box by myself and so on.

Also I will say this- Snap-On, more than any company I know of, is number one for inflating the price of high ticket items to make the real prices seem like a deal. An Epiq roll cab is never going to be cheap by any means, but if you pay the full, retail catalog price for one, you're not terribly smart. With a company like Lista, for example (again, in my experience, I'm not party to every sale they make), the price in the catalog is the price.

I agree with that - I never paid MSRP for any SO box and always got whatever I did pay on a given box back as trade in value towards the next one. I doubt any non tool truck brand will sell you a box for XXXX, let you use it for how ever long you want and then give XXXX back on it.....

 

[Skyline]

Bottom line, is that if you can move your box when it's full of tools...then you don't have enough tools.

 

[Linda@Lista]

@Dust Devil - Thanks for mentioning Lista!

 

[namaher]

Here's a video of snap on's top of the line Epiq series. In the video as you will see the locked casters are opposite of the handle,wheel offset towards outside of box. While pushing it hops and pops, but pulling it is smooth.

 

[Nanashi]

Thats loud and annoying but the caters are facing the wrong way so it's going to do that. Find a better way to secure the caters or don't secure them.

 

[MattPersman]

Yes it's mentioned several times in these posts that the casters are the wrong way. Many of us have epics you have to have the casters on any box a certain way to roll it a certain way, it's simple caster design. It's quite frankly not made to be a mobile cart and be pushed or pulled around a shop or hangar all day. It would roll better if you unlock them all like a snap on cart, just way heavier.

 

[namaher]

Yes I know everyone is saying that "the casters are turned the wrong way". I understood that from the get go. But understand this there are many of boxes that can be fully loaded with more than enough tools in it and are still able to be pushed across a shop without having to turn the casters. It may sound easy to turn the casters but in my opinion pretty stupid. You have to have two people to control the box while unlocking all 4 casters then rolling the box and lock the casters in the correct position. Look at the masters series boxes. Same ISO casters only 1" smaller wheels. The casters opposite of the handle are rigid but have the same wheel offset. No wheel skipping at all. I understand my problem. But still a little confused on why all of them don't do it? Either way the wheel set up is smart but just doesn't work for me. Maybe if it sat in a corner and never moved its whole life. But then again, why come up with fancy wheels but it's not made to push across a shop? It is just not a practical set up for me. Hopefully I can get rigid casters for it or snap on can take the POS back.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Yes I know everyone is saying that "the casters are turned the wrong way". I understood that from the get go. But understand this there are many of boxes that can be fully loaded with more than enough tools in it and are still able to be pushed across a shop without having to turn the casters. It may sound easy to turn the casters but in my opinion pretty stupid. You have to have two people to control the box while unlocking all 4 casters then rolling the box and lock the casters in the correct position. Look at the masters series boxes. Same ISO casters only 1" smaller wheels. The casters opposite of the handle are rigid but have the same wheel offset. No wheel skipping at all. I understand my problem. But still a little confused on why all of them don't do it? Either way the wheel set up is smart but just doesn't work for me. Maybe if it sat in a corner and never moved its whole life. But then again, why come up with fancy wheels but it's not made to push across a shop? It is just not a practical set up for me. Hopefully I can get rigid casters for it or snap on can take the POS back.

Send me those "POS" casters and I'll swap you the set off my box. I'll pay shipping for you and me. I have 2 rigids and 2 swivels but mine aren't chrome...but they roll smooth as glass.

Here's a picture of my box: Toolbox

In all seriousness, the problem and solution have been explained and it's a very simple concept. The locking mechanism has play in it, which allows the wheels to toe in or out a little when pushing against the offset. If the locking mechanism didn't have a little play then you would be complaining that you couldn't get them to lock. The rigid offsets don't have this play so the wheels remain perfectly centered either way you move it. I was serious on my offer if your still not happy though...

 

[namaher]

I know it is sad harbor freight boxes roll better. I guess you didnt understand that I already know what the problem is. And yes you are correct on the cause of this.I have said exactly what you said in previous posts. You don't have to explain it to me thank you. I was simply posting more of this so other people could actually realize how bad the wheels skip. No need for you to get smart about it. I paid a lot of money for a box that I make my living with and I'm unhappy, sorry

 

[Fcvapor05]

I know it is sad harbor freight boxes roll better. I guess you didnt understand that I already know what the problem is. And yes you are correct on the cause of this.I have said exactly what you said in previous posts. You don't have to explain it to me thank you. I was simply posting more of this so other people could actually realize how bad the wheels skip. No need for you to get smart about it. I paid a lot of money for a box that I make my living with and I'm unhappy, sorry

If you have a good dealer, in my opinion it should be a non-issue for them to replace two of your casters with fixed ones.

 

[Wamsutta]

If it was me, I'd be tempted to switch over to the previous generation Faultless spring loaded casters. That's what Snap-on used to use.

 

[MikeF2316]

I know it is sad harbor freight boxes roll better. I guess you didnt understand that I already know what the problem is. And yes you are correct on the cause of this.I have said exactly what you said in previous posts. You don't have to explain it to me thank you. I was simply posting more of this so other people could actually realize how bad the wheels skip. No need for you to get smart about it. I paid a lot of money for a box that I make my living with and I'm unhappy, sorry

Try locking just one caster, see how it rolls and steers. I'll bet it works good that way. In fact, I'll bet having one locking caster at each end is the way to go. That way you can steer from either end.

 

[namaher]

Try locking just one caster, see how it rolls and steers. I'll bet it works good that way. In fact, I'll bet having one locking caster at each end is the way to go. That way you can steer from either end.

Good idea. Yeah I have done this before. Just had 1 caster locked and it did roll better but it felt unstable and it wandered. Kinda of felt a difference in stability. I think my best bet is new casters.

 

[namaher]

If it was me, I'd be tempted to switch over to the previous generation Faultless spring loaded casters. That's what Snap-on used to use.

I think a epiq would look sweet with these. I wounder what the load capacity of these are. I know the epiq casters are rated a 2,000 lbs each.

 

[MikeF2316]

Good idea. Yeah I have done this before. Just had 1 caster locked and it did roll better but it felt unstable and it wandered. Kinda of felt a difference in stability. I think my best bet is new casters.

Too bad, locking caster(s) and a handle at each would be ideal.

 

[Bobioz1]

Locking one caster does make the box roll great. Until that one locked caster loses contact with ground. Then you have no control over where the box is going.

 

[Wamsutta]

I wounder what the load capacity of these are.

They're rated at 1200 lbs each for the glass filled nylon wheels.

 

[namaher]

They're rated at 1200 lbs each for the glass filled nylon wheels.

Ok thanks I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully I'll get a answer out of my dealer if the rigid ISO ones will bolt up. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[L.A.doghouse]

Snap on just delivered a new box (UNDER WARRANTY)on the pallet same model and everything. Now I get to do the contents swap again, I'll let you now when I go back to work and road test it. I can tell you something already , the lock is smoother and the drawers open further on this box. My snap on dealer really stepped up on this one thanx JAIME MIRANDA !