Snap on KR663 vs KR1003 vs KRL1003

[CalJJ]

Hi all, first post here. Hope it is in the correct section.

First off, I have been lurking for a month or so, I have been looking for a used toolbox for my father(as a surprise) and seem to keep ending up here from my Google searches. I have found answers to many of my questions while reading through old threads, and have pretty much narrowed it to these 3 models, KR663, KR1003, and KRL1003.

First off, price. I can get the KR663 the cheapest, and the KR1003 and KLR1003 are close in price but almost twice what the KR663 is. I can afford the KR663 right now, paid and done for, the other two I will end up having to put a little on my credit card(unless I manage to save up the extra bit by the time I make up my mind). I don't mind spending the extra money for a better box.

Space will not be an issue, he is not a mechanic by profession and most of his tools are now in a small, 26" wide 6 drawer Craftsman box, with a foot tall cubby at the bottom. He has had that box as far back as I can remember. Caster quality is not a concern either, the box will be put up against a wall and rarely moved, if ever. The box will also double as a work surface.



Thanks in advance for any help.

-Jason

 

[CalJJ]

Anyone own a KR663? Being an older model, did they only make them with friction slides? Are they upgradeable to ball bearing slides? Would it even be worth it?

 

[zkling]

I voted KRL1003 as that would probably be the nicest for him, but if the additional $ will cause a burden, and I know I'm on a budget too, no fun. Then I would go with the KR663. The 663's are nice, solid, good size boxes. I'm almost positive they are all ball bearing boxes. IIRC KR6xx and above series are all ball bearing boxes. KR5xx and lower are friction slide boxes. But that is getting back to the early 90's/late 80's.

After thinking about it again, I think I would go KR663. You would save money, not have to worry about the credit and could put that saved $ towards other tools down the road. The upgrade from the cman 6 drawer 27" wide box to the KR663 will be a HUGE step IMHO.

 

[CalJJ]

Thanks for the insight zkling, I am going to go take a look at the KR663 on Tuesday, and if it looks good it will be coming back with me. I asked the seller and they are ball bearing, but a few need to be changed(he said they drag a bit). I didn't even notice it at first, but it also has a stainless top insert, so it's looking even more promising. I'm getting pretty anxious!

Also snapped a pic of the soon to be retired(or moved out to the shed) box:

 

[zkling]

No prob man, just my 2¢ and it really should be more like 1¢ comming from me.

How much are they asking for the KR663? I'm a big believer in buying what you can pay for at once, don't purchase something that is going to cause stress on your life. Either wait and save or purchase something cheaper. Just the way I was raised I guess.

Anyway, please don't get rid of those craftsman boxes. They are nice sturdy boxes, not only did they belong to your dad, but they really don't make them like that anymore. Make sure you check over the new box real thoroughly, if you have to replace a bunch of ball bearing slides the $ can add up real fast.

 

[CalJJ]

Hey every penny counts! lol

He was asking $2200, but is coming down to $1800. That seem good? It looks to be in good condition, and he said only a couple drawers are sticky. He already replaced the slides on a few drawers and said they made a huge difference. Like I said it has a stainless top, comes with keys, no rust or bubbling paint, but I will definitely give it a good once over inside and out. The old craftsman box will either stay in the garage or go out to the shed. He's the type that never gets rid of anything that isn't broken. He still has a Betamax player lol

 

[ChevyEFI]

 

[nolimits76]

I voted for the KR663 because I'm a fan of paying cash and not having a financial burden. Besides, if your dad has held onto the Cman for all those years, I think he will be very happy with a nice 663....a win-win for both you.

Here is a link to replacement parts, if you need/want to replace some of the slides:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=34260&group_id=7828

 

[CalJJ]

Thanks for the replies(and the pics and link, good to see there are still parts for that older box), looking more and more like the 663 will be the one. I think it will give him plenty of storage space with room to expand, and with the shallower depth it won't stick out as far into the garage giving a little more working room around the cars.

 

[joel63]

Any of those boxes would be a great choice.
KRL------ 44,789 cubic inch capacity
KR663----28,900 cubic inch capacity
The KRL has "Lock and Roll" drawer latch mechanisms.
I think $$$$$ is the only determining factor.
I hate it when choices like this get me all confused.
Anyway, good luck in choosing.
Again, you can't go wrong with any of this.

 

[CalJJ]

Well I went to look at the KR663 and unfortunately it looked much better in the pictures. It looked like a very nice box in it's day, but there were several dents, damage to the trim and caps, wheels were rusty, and a NASTY dent on the side, bad enough to see the stiffeners inside the box just under the sheet metal. He offered to drop the price further, if it were for myself I would have just beat the guy up a bit more on the price and left with it, but as a gift I just couldn't do it.

Going to try to work out a deal for a KRL1003, might be better off in the end with the slightly newer, bigger box. The journey continues!

 

[Schwinn68]

Have you looked for any krl722 boxes? They can usually be had for around 1500-2000 and are very nice. My father in law has two of them and I would have one as well except I fell into a deal for a 1022 that I couldn't pass up. They are only 2 bank instead I three but still a huge improvement over the old craftsman.

 

[CalJJ]

When I first got the idea to get him a new toolbox I looked at 2 bank boxes and considered the KRL722 as well as the KRL761, you're right either one would be a hue upgrade but then I over thought it and figured I could spend a little more and get him 50% more box for a little more money.

It's amazing how many scammers are using Snap On boxes to get people. I emailed so many people and they're all cool and easy to deal with but when I say I am close enough to come see the box in person they disappear.

I've also noticed that people seem to ask much more for boxes in CA than anywhere else, I have been seeing a difference of $1000 or more on average from East Coast and here for the same(model) boxes. Even seen a couple boxes go for substantially less(than the average here) on the east coast WITH a stainless top. Kills me.

 

[zkling]

unfortunately it looked much better in the pictures.

No, a Craigslist picture deceiving? never. Just chalk it up to it wasn't meant to be.

 

[ptschram]

Avoid any of the KR series boxes as the parts are not as easily available as the internetz might make you think.

For the dollars you're talking, find your local Snap-On dealer and see what he has in his used inventory. You might even find something new in your price range. I have a damn near new roll cart (46 wide, 24 deep and 42 tall, five drawers) for $1150. I'm sure you could find a local dealer with similar.

 

[Schwinn68]

The snap on dealer is where I found my box too. After searching for months on Craigslist I mentioned to the dealer that I was looking for a used box. He had nothing used but offered me two different brand new boxes at great deals. One was a three bank and one was two. I went with the two bank as it was in the budget I have myself and I paid cash for it.

Just be patient and keep looking the older three banks come up for sale here every so often. Also what about a classic 96? Really nice big three bank that can be kind for the kind of money you want to spend. They are a modern box still in production so replacement and upgrade parts will be easy to find for years to come.

 

[HOTFR8]

Topic moved to General Tool Discussion.

 

[Flash21]

KR1003; detents instead of Lock 'n' Roll and deeper

 

[CWP1616L]

I'd pick the KR box over a KRL box anytime. To me, the L in KRL means light weight and light duty. They should call it LWTF - Light Weight Tin Foil.

 

[CalJJ]

I am going to go see my local Snap On dealer tomorrow if I can get out of work before he leaves town. I have my sights set on a KRL1003 or a KR1003, I do favor the detents over the lock n roll since the box won't be moved much. Do the KR series havea heavier gauge than the KRLs? I would have thought the KRL would be better all around being a newer series, but maybe they are trying to cut costs?

KLars1, I actually emailed that guy about buying that box but shipping would have been very pricey. All the good deals on nice cabs are on the complete opposite side of the country.

 

[CWP1616L]

Do the KR series havea heavier gauge than the KRLs? I would have thought the KRL would be better all around being a newer series, but maybe they are trying to cut costs?

I have a KRL1056. The bottom drawer panels flex up and down if they're empty. The panels flatten out when you lay some tools on there. I always thought that was a strange occurrence. The bottom panel of the box itself will flex up and down too. The KR boxes don't do any of that.

 

[ptschram]

Some of the boxes you guys are discussing have been out ofproduction for some time.

While you may not like the Lock-n-roll, the boxes of the LNR series will by and large have ball bearing slides, whereas the KRs tend to have friction slides.

Tomorrow I am going to discuss resolving a KR box where the drawer wore clean through the slide-but it WAS built in '87.

 

[CalJJ]

Finally pulled the trigger, the garage is almost done and wanted to get a box in there before he got too carried away organizing and whatnot. It's a KRL773(I believe, 24" depth). A little more room than a 663 but not as deep as the 1003, which makes for a better fit when there is a car in there. Thanks for the replies and help, now to wait until he comes home and sees it

 

[redwrench60]

I'd pick the KR box over a KRL box anytime. To me, the L in KRL means light weight and light duty. They should call it LWTF - Light Weight Tin Foil.

I don't know man......Doesn't look like light weight tin foil to me...

 

[redwrench60]

Finally pulled the trigger, the garage is almost done and wanted to get a box in there before he got too carried away organizing and whatnot. It's a KRL773(I believe, 24" depth). A little more room than a 663 but not as deep as the 1003, which makes for a better fit when there is a car in there. Thanks for the replies and help, now to wait until he comes home and sees it

Holy ****, what a gift! You can come be my son anytime. And don't let old CWP here fool you, KRLs are plenty tough.

 

[CalJJ]

Success!

Well the box was a hit, hes taking the next two days off work to transfer and organize his tools. For a brief moment, it almost looked like he had to make a slight effort to keep from welling up. Closest I've ever seen haha.

Thanks Redwrench, but my dad has put up with my shenanigans for years, I figured it's the least I could do lol I know he is a Snap On fan(all of his buddies have 'em), so that's what I wanted to get for him. It may be hype, or they may be the best(Which I am no expert on, hell, best box I've ever owned is a $100 Craigslist-special Stanley Box), either way I know he likes Snap On so that is what I wanted to get him.

And now I know what to get him for Xmas and his birthday for the next few years, tools to fill it!