Snap-On KRL vs. Craftsman Pro Toolbox

[WSMC633]

FWIW what CMAN calls their "Professional" Line of boxes has changed since this thread was started. They have the new line that certainly looks like it was designed to compete with SO, Mac etc. I have yet to see one in a store to judge it's quality. I think they'll have a hard time getting people to drop thousands of dollars on a box that you cant touch beforehand. just my opinion.

I owned CMAN, HF, and CO boxes. They all do a nice job of holding tools. The pro level boxes are generally deeper which as we all know is very helpful. I think CMAN higher end boxes would certainly stand a better chance holding up in a professional environment. As someone said, a lot of it has to do with how they are treated. Taking good care of nearly any item will improve it's lifespan.
I would have a hard time paying the retail price of a new SO box. I think between the name and the financing that's how a lot of guys buy them. It might be hard for a guy to come up with $2000 to buy a big CMAN set-up out of the store, but to pay $100 a week is manageable. Who knows.
I bought my KRL used at a good price and I love it. If I was spending that kind of money on a new box and COO wasn't a concern, I would certainly call up StrictlyToolboxes and chat with them.

 

[crewchief888]

I have yet to see one in a store to judge it's quality. I think they'll have a hard time getting people to drop thousands of dollars on a box that you cant touch beforehand. just my opinion.
.

personally i wont buy much of anything unless i can lay my hands on it.

toolboxes are at the top of the list.

 

[Fedwrench]

FWIW what CMAN calls their "Professional" Line of boxes has changed since this thread was started. They have the new line that certainly looks like it was designed to compete with SO, Mac etc. I have yet to see one in a store to judge it's quality. I think they'll have a hard time getting people to drop thousands of dollars on a box that you cant touch beforehand. just my opinion.

Wow, another zombie post back from the dead.
You are absolutely correct in that the current Crafstman professional series boxes have changed since 2008. Some of the larger Sears stores have an example on display. It's been talked about here as the yellow submarine and other affectionate terms. It basically follows history as the current rebadged waterloo magnum becomes the Craftsman professional series. However, these lack the huge price difference with tool truck offerings as the series offered in years gone by. You can find the same box on Cornwell tool trucks and online at Grainger. Yes, the box is hencho en mexico
I really think Sears marketing missed the ball on these boxes though. The Sears customer generally isn't one to spend thousands on a tool box. I feel they look more for the hundreds of pieces tool sets for pennies on the piece but, that's just me.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

My local Sears has one of the new Craftsman pro's, while the outlet, has/had two of the old ones ($2200 and $1800). They seem comparable to each other. BUT what I want to know, since this is a zombie thread, would Nissan Crawler, still recommend a Craftsman pro, or now would he recommend a Montezuma/Extreme toolbox?

 

[tvmango]

its no comparison.. the craftsman draws are way more flexible than a snap on,, the 72 inch with a hutch i saw tonight was 8000 dollars at sears.. and was a joke compared to snap on,, the draws felt like the 500 box drawers,, flimsy, thin, =and tiny slides.... its no comparison.... its like a kia to a lexus.....

 

[jake26]

The SO box seems to be a trophy of sorts because who really needs to spend 5K on something that can be done by spending 2K? But if you have "extra" money, all the tools you will ever need and a happy home, by all means ... buy what you like.

 

[Mike83]

Last August I did end up getting the same display box (just the top chest) that was at Sears and on sale for $315 from $1200. It has treated me very well at home with moderate use and I will be looking for the bottom chest to complete the set.

$315 vs. up to $2000 for snap-on? The choice was easy.

 

[Skyline]

If cost was not a factor, only an idiot would chose a Craftsman Pro box over a Snap-on KRL.

Since it is pretty easy to find a mint used KRL for 30-40% of new price, that would be my choice. It would put you in the exact same price range of a new Craftsman. And if you decide to upgrade at some point, you will probably get 90% of your money back on the used Snap-on, whereas you'd be lucky to get back 25% on your used Craftsman. So now, which is the better value? You might find a used Craftsman around, but those are hard to find, since most go to homeowners who are not constantly upgrading.

The "Pro" in "Craftsman Pro" is really just a marketing ploy, very few professional mechanics actually use them.

 

[duct tape]

The resurrection of this thread is also interesting b/c one of the early posters, Nissan Crawler, like me, both have new boxes from strictlytoolboxes.com. I received a 72" Montezuma box from Shannon two weeks ago and can't imagine any box being of better quality, or better suited to my needs, regardless of the label.

This comes from a SO fan who has his new box now filled with his old SO tools.

 

[Mike83]

If cost was not a factor, only an idiot would chose a Craftsman Pro box over a Snap-on KRL.

Since it is pretty easy to find a mint used KRL for 30-40% of new price, that would be my choice. It would put you in the exact same price range of a new Craftsman. And if you decide to upgrade at some point, you will probably get 90% of your money back on the used Snap-on, whereas you'd be lucky to get back 25% on your used Craftsman. So now, which is the better value? You might find a used Craftsman around, but those are hard to find, since most go to homeowners who are not constantly upgrading.

The "Pro" in "Craftsman Pro" is really just a marketing ploy, very few professional mechanics actually use them.

I'm not understanding the math. When I want to buy a mint Snap-on it is depreciated 60-70% for the seller, but when I am selling it depreciates only 10%? Sounds like wishful thinking to me. I'll take my new Craftsman pro for 10% of the cost of new Snap-on.

 

[duct tape]

I forgot to mention that I checked out the CM Pro line before commiting to the Montezuma chest. Now in retrospect (since I hadn't seen the Montezuma box beforehand and made the call based on Nissan Crawler's review and other posts here - THANKS), it's no comparison. For roughly the same price, and much less money than a SO box, the Montezuma is a heavy tank and the CM is much lighter construction.

 

[Skyline]

I'm not understanding the math. When I want to buy a mint Snap-on it is depreciated 60-70% for the seller, but when I am selling it depreciates only 10%? Sounds like wishful thinking to me. I'll take my new Craftsman pro for 10% of the cost of new Snap-on.

It's simple. The first owner of the Snap-on box takes the hit on the depreciation. After that the value pretty much levels out, but age and wear do have some effect on price. The used Snap-on box could change hands multiple times; it will hold its value.

And from what I've seen of used prices, if you think 60-70% depreciation is a lot, the Craftman will be worse in terms of resale.

I resell a lot of tools and toolboxes, and while Snap-on stuff generally sells for 30-45% of new price, Craftsman stuff sells for more like 20-25%, (or not at all). Some Craftsman stuff just wont sell...never had that problem with Snap-on, no matter how obscure the item.

Here's an example of the math:

I just resold a KRL triple bank with hutch and ss top for $4,400. Pretty much mint. The buyer could use that for 5 years, and resell it easily for VERY close to what he paid, as long as he kept it in good shape. BUT, the original owner paid closer to $13,000. We're talking 1,000 lbs of toolbox here. I would bet similar storage space in a Craftsman Pro box would be similar price (~54,00 cu. in.), maybe more. And you be lucky to sell that Craftsman Pro box for $1k in 5 years.

 

[brian90505]

While many of my tools are mixed (Mac, Proto, Blackhawk, Craftsman, CP, IR, Bosch, etc), all my boxes are Snap-on. It's my choice and I don't want to be practical when it comes to the box. It has to be Snap-on. If you don't understand why or you can be happy with a less expensive box that is equally functional, get the Craftsman or one of the Snap-on spinoffs. The Snap-on, at least a new one, will be a waste of your money.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

It's simple. The first owner of the Snap-on box takes the hit on the depreciation. After that the value pretty much levels out, but age and wear do have some effect on price. The used Snap-on box could change hands multiple times; it will hold its value.

And from what I've seen of used prices, if you think 60-70% depreciation is a lot, the Craftman will be worse in terms of resale.

I resell a lot of tools and toolboxes, and while Snap-on stuff generally sells for 30-45% of new price, Craftsman stuff sells for more like 20-25%, (or not at all). Some Craftsman stuff just wont sell...never had that problem with Snap-on, no matter how obscure the item.

Here's an example of the math:

I just resold a KRL triple bank with hutch and ss top for $4,400. Pretty much mint. The buyer could use that for 5 years, and resell it easily for VERY close to what he paid, as long as he kept it in good shape. BUT, the original owner paid closer to $13,000. We're talking 1,000 lbs of toolbox here. I would bet similar storage space in a Craftsman Pro box would be similar price (~54,00 cu. in.), maybe more. And you be lucky to sell that Craftsman Pro box for $1k in 5 years.

Or I could just grab that CMan Pro for less than $1k as opposed to $4400 for the KRL.

 

[Skyline]

Or I could just grab that CMan Pro for less than $1k as opposed to $4400 for the KRL.

No question. But good luck finding one. I look at Craig's list all the time, and I don't remember ever seeing one. None now on eBay, none in completed listings on eBay either.

No shortage of used Snap-on boxes.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

My father was a mechanic in the early 80's he bought a snap on box (probably used) then, 30 years ago, besides paint, the thing works flawlessly. He stopped being a mechanic somewhere in the later 80's and became a millwright. For the last 15 years he has worked at Harley Davidson in Milwaukee. They gave him a Kennedy box. The box is falling apart, spot welds are breaking and paint is going, the bottom drawer barely opens. He uses mainly craftsman at work, only for the fact that tools walk away there, and they get the job done or they don't, but it is cheaper than losing others.

I have a snap-on box (single wide top and bottom) and a craftsman box (single wide top and bottom). The snap-on box is from the seventies, and the craftsman is from the eighties. Again, my snap-on box is in perfect shape besides paint. The craftsman box's slides are shot on most of the drawers, and the paint is in even worse shape. All the drawers open up like @*%&.

Now, at home we use mainly snap-on tools and other box truck tools, not a whole lot of ****** knuckles, and not a whole lot of warranty issues (main warranty issues for using a tool as not intended.) most of the other tools (c-man in particular...warranty) I have had to get replaced a few times now and the drive for me to a sears is a good 45 minutes. I called the snap-on guy that comes to the shop here in town, and he had and has no problem coming to my place to get things warrantied or bought (obviously).

Now, I have my fair share of craftsman being a younger wrencher (still half of them are), and I am slowly fazing them out. I don't have a problem with them, but they do round out, break, etc, more often then the truck tools (I am pretty rough on tools). I don't like to bleed.

If I were you, I would try finding a used Mac, Matco, Or Snap-On box. They will last you in the long run, look nice to a gear-head no matter what shape it is in, and won't fall apart. I see them here in Wisconsin for a good deals

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/1803962595.html, http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/1802741641.html,
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/1795785069.html,
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/1735979074.html,

Just to name a few around the price of a Craftsman, half of these are almost new.

I don't want to be a **** about craftsman, they are good for the price, and they get the job done, but with my experiences as a weekend warrior mechanic, I will slowly get better quality tools. Just because I can replace a lower quality wrench doesn't mean I want to replace skin.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

No question. But good luck finding one. I look at Craig's list all the time, and I don't remember ever seeing one. None now on eBay, none in completed listings on eBay either.

No shortage of used Snap-on boxes.

I have found a few Craftsman Pro (thinking of upgrading to the Pro). I will admit they are hard to find, but I'm in no hurry.

Snap Ons aren't exactly being sold in bulk in my area either. Even if they are, people are way too proud of that name and want too much for a box that has been used and abused in a shop environment.

All I'm saying is that for holding tools, less than $1k sounds much better than $4500 to me. Especially for a weekend mechanic.

 

[action fab]

I bought a matco s5 and regret it. worst $6K I ever droped, I have tried to sell it but its only worth money back on the truck with a trade in and worth like $2k on CL.


some local CL boxes

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/tls/1796879296.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/tls/1799234733.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/tls/1794088785.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/tls/1789773792.html

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/tls/1784788682.html

 

[mooman]

I bought my Cfratsman Pro box off of CL and have seen three more on CL since. I bought mine in Dec.

 

[Skyline]

I bought my Cfratsman Pro box off of CL and have seen three more on CL since. I bought mine in Dec.

I guess availability varies by locale quite a bit. But you got lucky, these boxes are scarce. The fact that not one was listed on ebay now or in the last 60 days tells you something. I just did a 250 mile radius CL search here and this is all I found:

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/tls/1744396689.html

BTW, what did you pay, and can you post a picture of your box? As another point, I think a more fair comparison would be from a Craftsman Pro and a ball bearing KRA series Snap-on box. But any used Craftsman Pro box is likely to be at a lower % of new price than a similar sized Snap-on; so probably a great deal.

As of me, I don't see the logic of buying ANY toolbox brand new, just too many good deals out there. MOST of the big boxes are very well cared for.

Buying a used toolbox is not like buying a used car where there could be all sorts of unseen problems. If it looks good, and the drawers open properly...you're good.

 

[jake26]

If cost was not a factor, only an idiot would chose a Craftsman Pro box over a Snap-on KRL.

Since it is pretty easy to find a mint used KRL for 30-40% of new price, that would be my choice. It would put you in the exact same price range of a new Craftsman. And if you decide to upgrade at some point, you will probably get 90% of your money back on the used Snap-on, whereas you'd be lucky to get back 25% on your used Craftsman. So now, which is the better value? You might find a used Craftsman around, but those are hard to find, since most go to homeowners who are not constantly upgrading.

The "Pro" in "Craftsman Pro" is really just a marketing ploy, very few professional mechanics actually use them.

Carefull ... loaded post!!

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Easy, I buy the Snap-On stuff that will do what Craftsman or other brands won't.

You won't convince me that some piece of sheet metal with some slides is worth $8000, when I can buy a comparable Craftsman for $1800 (up to $3600 now, I think).

Craftsman holds tools, Snap-On holds tools.
Craftsman slides easy, Snap-On slides easy.
Craftsman holds up, Snap-On holds up.

I see no reason to pay the extra $6200 for sheetmetal with a Snap-On emblem instead of Craftsman.

I think pretty much everything Snap-On is a rip off for the money, but it's sometimes the only thing that works, so rip-off or not, I need it.

Ereyone has the right to choose how to spend thier own money, Buy whatever suits you...but I will add a couple of my experiences / 2 cents on both:

Resale on SO boxxes is good enough that I have gotten exactly what I paid for them everytime I traded one in.....maybe my SO dealer is better than average.

My boss attempted to buy the largest Craftsman pro box available for our shop-box when I started out (last mechanic had everything in his personal box) with that same attitude that it just holds tools, why spend the etxra???..... After a couple of months of the shop stuff laying in cardboard boxes and Sears putting him off with exscuses for the delay, he canceled the order...the KRL box was delivered within 10 days.

I just picked up a used Craftsman bottom box for home. Not sure the SO equivalent to compare it to - roughly 5 feet long 4 feet high 20" or so deep with roller slides - because it's good enough for home use (a couple days a month) and it was all of about 200 bucks -- I couldnt find a SO box that size for that price....on the down side, it had been a body shop guys box - bondo / paint chemicals have pretty much ruined finish of the Craftsman box. Doing my own share of paint work I have yet to damage the finish of any of my SO boxxes except for getting paint overspray ON them...and that doens't even get into the "cheap" feel of it after working out of a SO box all week long.

I used to keep a realy decent set of Craftsman stuff for the weekend work at home and lost it all once (stolen). I bought the basics immediately after that and have been re-building the rest slowly for some years (process slowed by bringing home the stuff from work that I needed that WE). Recently, I went to Sears in search of some flare-nut wrenches for some work on my Cheby that weekend.....I was appalled by the price and ended up with the SO's.....I also knew I was getting set to buy my latest work box and reconsidered a Craftsman Pro box. I looked at them again while I was there. I decided they're not bad by any means, but still a noticably more flimsy feel and not as good as Snappy either, and left the store with nothing but a slight bad attitude for wasting the time / gas money......


Now even with that in mind I would recommend any mechanic - pro or hobbyist to just buy what fits thier budget and level of use....Just 'cause I LIKE SO, doesn't mean I don't buy some off brand stuff if I'll rarely use it. I think it's crazy to see hobbyist spend thousands on high-end tools they use only on weekends....

 

[caseyjw]

I'd rather buy this any day

 

[impulse922]

I'd rather buy this any day

WOW THATS A LOW PRICE!

/end staples commercial

 

[mooman]

I guess availability varies by locale quite a bit. But you got lucky, these boxes are scarce. The fact that not one was listed on ebay now or in the last 60 days tells you something. I just did a 250 mile radius CL search here and this is all I found:

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/tls/1744396689.html

BTW, what did you pay, and can you post a picture of your box? As another point, I think a more fair comparison would be from a Craftsman Pro and a ball bearing KRA series Snap-on box. But any used Craftsman Pro box is likely to be at a lower % of new price than a similar sized Snap-on; so probably a great deal.

As of me, I don't see the logic of buying ANY toolbox brand new, just too many good deals out there. MOST of the big boxes are very well cared for.

Buying a used toolbox is not like buying a used car where there could be all sorts of unseen problems. If it looks good, and the drawers open properly...you're good.

I included by purchase story here...http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50818&highlight=craftsman+pro

An update. I contacted Waterloo direct after screwing around with Sears and got the keys, book, spare glides and top mat (which had the Cornwell logo on it) all under warranty. The lady at Waterloo felt sorry for me after going through the Sears BS.

I'm just a DIY'r, not a pro wrencher by any means. This box will suit me well for a LONG time I feel. There still is a empty drawer.
I'm very happy with it. And after dealing with Waterloo, I feel confident I'll be able to get parts for the box if I ever need any.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

I included by purchase story here...http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50818&highlight=craftsman+pro

An update. I contacted Waterloo direct after screwing around with Sears and got the keys, book, spare glides and top mat (which had the Cornwell logo on it) all under warranty. The lady at Waterloo felt sorry for me after going through the Sears BS.

I'm just a DIY'r, not a pro wrencher by any means. This box will suit me well for a LONG time I feel. There still is a empty drawer.
I'm very happy with it. And after dealing with Waterloo, I feel confident I'll be able to get parts for the box if I ever need any.

Glad to hear this worked out. I bet Waterloo regrets ever having any of their products tainted with the poor service/reputation of Sears.

I have a friend who "stole" a display 41" Cman Pro box, top and bottom, for $500 from a local Sears. They said someone ordered it, but never picked it up. That box looks good, but how do I know; I'm working out of a 36" CMAN griplatch box.
It gets the job done as far as tool storage.....

 

[nissan_crawler]

My local Sears has one of the new Craftsman pro's, while the outlet, has/had two of the old ones ($2200 and $1800). They seem comparable to each other. BUT what I want to know, since this is a zombie thread, would Nissan Crawler, still recommend a Craftsman pro, or now would he recommend a Montezuma/Extreme toolbox?

Montezuma for sure. Probably extreme, but I've never touched one to say for sure.

I believe the c-pro's are foreign now, anyway.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

No question. But good luck finding one. I look at Craig's list all the time, and I don't remember ever seeing one. None now on eBay, none in completed listings on eBay either.

No shortage of used Snap-on boxes.

One popped up on Atlanta CL. I think it's overprice. Then again I think c-man boxes are junk.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/tls/1768814630.html

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

One popped up on Atlanta CL. I think it's overprice. Then again I think c-man boxes are junk.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/tls/1768814630.html

I would take that over several other boxes I can find for $850 any day.

Is that actually a Pro box? Wth is Industrial Series?

 

[mooman]

One popped up on Atlanta CL. I think it's overprice. Then again I think c-man boxes are junk.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/tls/1768814630.html

Nice, you just insulted my box.......nice.

 

[Toolhorder]

Oh man not another SO Vs. "insert brand here" thread....

Here's what's going to happen, real professionals see the value and everyone else whines that it's too much because they don't see the value.

THE END.

 

[Stick Figure]

FWIW if craftsman boxes were built like they were in the 70's Snap on wouldn't be able to come close to competing. Unfortunately Craftsman boxes are not even close to what they used to be. The entry level stuff is a step below cardboard, and that leaves most people with a very bad taste for the product. The pro stuff is much better quality, but i don't think a lot of people will even give it a chance because of this.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Another on the ATL craigslist. This one MAY be worth the asking price...

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/tls/1805379251.html

 

[mrholeshot]

I owned a set of Snap-On KRL-10?? 54X29 top and bottom box. I had traded my first Macsimizer in on it. A year later I traded them in and got another Macsimizer and matcing side cab. I like the big Macsimizer much better than the Snap-On boxes. Too much wobble in the drawers. I had Snap-On 550/555 combo with two sideboxes for years and loved them. They burned with a shop back in the 80's. All the other Snap-On boxes I owned before I loved. The macsimizer was the only MAC box I really liked.

 

[ngk22r]

I just find it better sometimes to buy a used snap-on box. I have a KR655 and one of the slides got messed up and would not allow it to pull out all the way... End result, new slides under warranty no hassle.

 

[mrholeshot]

Nice, you just insulted my box.......nice.

I had a guy work for me that had a set just like in the add. I was quite impressed with them and he had them for three years before he came to work for me, four years he worked for me and still two years after and they are still working great. He bought one of the first sets when they came out (just like the ones in the photo). He bought the top and bottom on sale for 999.00. Personally I think they are great. I'm a Snap-On tools freak and the inside of my Mac Box shows it. I'm not real crazy over their tool boxes. I bought a Snap-On Pit box (got suckered at a tool show,lol) but realized it wasn't practical for shop use and sold it (at about a 40% loss) to one of my guys.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Oh man not another SO Vs. "insert brand here" thread....

Here's what's going to happen, real professionals see the value and everyone else whines that it's too much because they don't see the value.

THE END.

So only "real professionals" know anything about price vs. quality? I would never spend what "real professionals" do on tools because I simply don't need them. I also suspect that not everyone on this forum is a pro either. Would you spend thousands on body armor and tactical gear because you play paintball on the weekends? Nope, but I wouldn't criticize you or insinuate that you don't know the value of having that gear either.

 

[tvmango]

I saw the big $8k craftsman,, its really pretty, but not close to the same quality,, i opened some draws and pushed down,, i can break it if i wanted too... i cant do that with a snap on or matco etc..

the montuzuma box is a great box for short money,, and so is the extreme.. i wouldnt waste you money on the new craftsman...