Snap-On KRA/Kennedy 26" Box

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I've been using a Craftsman 26" box at work, but I'm trying to take it home for personal storage. Plus the soft-close drawers are starting to really annoy me since I'm in and out of it all day while working and the amount of force necessary to pull the drawers open gets to me some days. My storage spot is between my VMC and one of the shop's support poles (I'm one of the younger guys so I get the shoddy spot). The total space cannot accommodate any box wider than 30". So I am limited in my choices. I was thinking about a Kennedy (I'm a tool and die maker), but what few reviews I can find seem to be rather harsh on newer Kennedy rolling boxes. I've also looked into Snap-On KRA400- (Heritage Series) bottoms and tops but since my shop will never be serviced by Snap-On, I will not see a truck and thus cannot get hands-on with it or see if the online retail price is at all flexible. The used market around here is also terrible. Everyone feels like their boxes are worth as much used as they are new, and that's if you can even find used boxes outside of janky 90s Craftsman or rusted Matco stacks. Does anyone here have any experience with either brand as of late? I looked at US General and the Homak RS Pro at Napa but all the threads on these forums about shipping damage have me worried about that.

 

[tool_scrounge]

More information is needed on what you are trying to store and your price range. For one shop at work, I went with a Lista mobile cabinet (400 lbs/drawer load capacity) and a Williams (aka Snap-On but a lot cheaper thru Amazon) top chest. For example, here is a 28.25" wide Lista mobile cabinet. The make many drawer configurations depending on your storage needs. You might get a better response if you put your location. Most folks are not going try and guess if CHI stands for China, Chicago, Chino Hills or something not related.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

More information is needed on what you are trying to store and your price range. For one shop at work, I went with a Lista mobile cabinet (400 lbs/drawer load capacity) and a Williams (aka Snap-On but a lot cheaper thru Amazon) top chest. For example, here is a 28.25" wide Lista mobile cabinet. The make many drawer configurations depending on your storage needs. You might get a better response if you put your location. Most folks are not going try and guess if CHI stands for China, Chicago, Chino Hills or something not related.

Thank you! The shop has a ton of Lista cabinets for all our company provided cutting tools. I like them but they seem overkill for what I need. I’m mainly looking at storing my measuring and inspection tools (mics, calipers, scales, 1-2-3 blocks), some wrench sets, several parallel sets, sockets, ratchets, tons of hex keys, hex bits, screwdrivers, nut drivers, machinist handbooks, etc. All the basic tools of the trade. My Craftsman stack does a decent job but I’m trying to find a box with easier opening drawers and something sturdy enough to withstand all the oils, chips, and chemicals and opening/closing the drawers several dozen times a day. More drawers than the ten I currently have would also be nice.

The only box I can directly compare is the US General because HF always has a display model. The Kennedys at the shop are very old and people keep telling me that the newer boxes are a thinner steel and aren’t as reliable . I don’t even know what the Snap-On feels like in regards to steel gauge, ease of drawer openings, or how well it locks. It’s been really difficult just finding reviews because most online stuff revolves around much larger Snap-On boxes.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Also, I keep forgetting that CHI could stand for a million places. I’m just so used to seeing everyone around here use it for our city. I’m in Chicago.