Snap On tool box vs C'man pro series box

[mojowojo]

I like to pick up an extra box for my growing pile of tools. I have two choices right now that I'm looking into, Need some advice on which one to buy. A) early 90s snap on KR637 & KR657B roller bearing slides, both top and bottom in good shape 75 to 80% condition with keys for 750. B) a two year old craftsman professional series 36" griplatch top and bottom boxes in 90% condiition but no keys for 800. This box is not the current C"man professional box that looks like snap on KRL series.
Is the old KR series same as the current KRL series or more like the KRA series?? How is the KR series stands up to the old C'man pro series. Also, of the two boxes that i'm looking into now, which one will give me better resale value in 5 years if i want to upgrade?

I don't turn wrench for living just weekend worrior.....so which one to get and why. thanks guys!

 

[Indy_500]

My dad's buddy's got every tool imaginable and of course had to have a snap on krl. You guys will be surprised, but he hates his snap on box along with the others he's had in the past! He wants the c-man pro really bad, he likes the griplatch. He doesn't turn wrenches for a living but turns em everyday after he's done "making his living"...

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I like to pick up an extra box for my growing pile of tools. I have two choices right now that I'm looking into, Need some advice on which one to buy. A) early 90s snap on KR637 & KR657B roller bearing slides, both top and bottom in good shape 75 to 80% condition with keys for 750. B) a two year old craftsman professional series 36" griplatch top and bottom boxes in 90% condiition but no keys for 800. This box is not the current C"man professional box that looks like snap on KRL series.
Is the old KR series same as the current KRL series or more like the KRA series?? How is the KR series stands up to the old C'man pro series. Also, of the two boxes that i'm looking into now, which one will give me better resale value in 5 years if i want to upgrade?

I don't turn wrench for living just weekend worrior.....so which one to get and why. thanks guys!

If you don't grab that CMan pro, let me know where it's at and I'll come get it.

I would say as far as resale value, they are both probably going to be about the same in 5 years as well. Just my guess, as I don't really know much about the Snap On stuff.

 

[06wt]

i have a kr and love it the most heavy and strongest boxes wer kr boxes, much better then any c-man i have and i have alot of tool boxes

 

[LawnDart79]

If it were me, I'd buy the Snap On KR boxes.

 

[carder69]

I have the older style 36 inch Cman Pro top and bottom box. I believe it is the exact same as the Waterloo magnum box of the same dimensions. The box is full and does well. The griplatch system is nice although it is not perfect. I have had to adjust the hooks every now and then. I think if you got them down to $675 to $700 it would be a good buy. I am sure the KRL is the way to go, but I don't think the Cman Pro will disappoint.

 

[briggsguy17]

I would buy whichever one will be easiest to get replacement parts for. Snap On seems to keep repair parts for far longer than others. Just my .02.

 

[MD11]

there simply is no substitute for an original Snap On toolbox.

 

[Chris Adams]

Parts for the Craftsman can be had from Waterloo, including the locks, much cheaper than Craftsman.

The KR boxes have no warranty and little access to parts unless you have a dealer you owe money.

The most important aspect is drawer layout. Which box meets your needs the best.
Both brands will last many years of hard work if they are in good shape.

Locks on Snap On tend to be a bit better, but for home use, most guys don't lock them.

Be sure to get underneath the boxes. Look for casters that have been driven into the bottom of the box.
Many older boxes are sold because they went off a step or over a door sill loaded, and bent a caster.
All four casters should be inspected, not for the caster itself, they are cheap, but for shims or spacers under the caster to make up for tweaking of the box.
Be sure the box sits true, that is, rotate it and make sure a wobble isn't there. Wobble usually means one wheel is driven in.

Open all drawers one at a time, quickly. Listen for clanging. That's bump stop damage, on those boxes it means new slides. Free if you have a Snap On guy who likes you, otherwise quite expensive.

If the drawers won't stay closed that is just a detent problem, really cheap to fix on either box. Free if it's slide mounted, cheap if it's pincer type.
But it's a bargaining point if you can point out a bad drawer.
Open ALL drawers fully.

 

[Ign]

I agree drawer layout is key.

I worked out of a Griplatch as a machinist for years. In and out of the box constantly. It was flawless. And if you think machinist tools are lighter than mechanic's, you're wrong. 1-2-3, 2-4-6 blocks, v-blocks, tri squares, taps and cutting tools all are very dense and add up in weight quickly

I have a 52" Snappy KRL at home. I fell for the hype, but I'll never get another Snap On box, even at used prices. It's all marketing like Oakley and resale is only high because people (incl me) fall for the hype.

 

[mrholeshot]

You will have much more room in the Craftsman box and it's a Waterloo Magnum. It will all come down to hown much room you need. If you need more room go with the Craftsman. If you don't pick up the snap-on. Tha Snap-On combo is nice but can get cramped quickly

 

[TheGrooveking]

I have more than a few Snap On KR series chest and cabinets and just recently picked up a Craftsman Professional 36" 7 drawer in silver at the Sears Outlet store for my office. I use it to store tools that are not needed too often but still need to have access to them. I was surprised how well built the box is, this is the older series Craftsman Professional, which is cool that you can rearrange the drawers as you wish. The CPro has ball bearing slides, were as on my Snap On KR's, only the bottom drawer of my KR550 and KR555 have them. To me they are comparable, but you are comparing 1980/1990's to 2008. For $800 I would jump on the Craftsman Professional rig.

TheGrooveking

 

[ngk22r]

The KR was the KRL of its time, still like the KRL. The KRA is not on the same level as the KR series. I have a KR655 and love the box.

 

[Houstontxdealz]

I realize these are old post, but can anyone help with finding parts for a KL557E and a KL537D. I buy and resale for a living out of Houston. I got a good deal I'm pretty sure but I need to do some repairs. I need the top right hinge that holds the top open. The snap on logo and the lock for the kr557. Also, would giving the box a new paint job be worth the trouble to bring up the value? Thanks

 

[Matt XYZ]

I realize these are old post, but can anyone help with finding parts for a KL557E and a KL537D. I buy and resale for a living out of Houston. I got a good deal I'm pretty sure but I need to do some repairs. I need the top right hinge that holds the top open. The snap on logo and the lock for the kr557. Also, would giving the box a new paint job be worth the trouble to bring up the value? Thanks

Just give Snap-On a call or send them an email. They had all the parts I needed for an old KRA-300 from the 80's.

 

[bsg1]

I realize these are old post, but can anyone help with finding parts for a KL557E and a KL537D. I buy and resale for a living out of Houston. I got a good deal I'm pretty sure but I need to do some repairs. I need the top right hinge that holds the top open. The snap on logo and the lock for the kr557. Also, would giving the box a new paint job be worth the trouble to bring up the value? Thanks

are you referring to a Snap-on KR series combo? a quality repaint may bring up value for some prospective buyers but is a dealbreaker for others. unless the metal is damaged by rust I would leave well enough alone. in the long run, a repaint will pretty much destroy any collectible value this combo might have otherwise enjoyed and many prospective buyers will know that.

 

[Banjorear]

i have a kr and love it the most heavy and strongest boxes wer kr boxes, much better then any c-man i have and i have alot of tool boxes

My buddy is a SO dealer and I was at his house this weekend. I forgot the model he has as his personal box, but it was 74" (not sure of the model) and he got it for it was a tip over. Meaning, the box was full and the owner had too many drawers open the the box tipped onto it's face.

The only damage to the box was a slight kink to the top drawer approx. 3" from the face. I couldn't believe it. It sold me on SO boxes. I've asked him to let me know when he gets a trade in.

I agree the SO latch system is a little clunky, but the over quality of the box of it was impressive.

I own a top and bottom CMan Professional series and they are no where near the thickness of the SO box.

Just my two cents.

 

[seber]

When I try to compare boxes, the first thing I do is check the net weight. In general KR and KRL boxes are almost twice as heavy as Craftsman Pro. That will also tell you a lot about future value.

 

[Mr_B]

Both good boxes, buy what fits your tool need best or what seems best deal.
Snappy if tidy will hold way better price if ever want resell, C'man if can knock off another 50bucks would be nice deal and if kept tidy hold value too .
Which one works for you ! ...

 

[kythri]

Folks, the guy asking for advice about the box asked about this 7-8 years ago.

Post 14 (the resurrection) is asking a new question. The OP doesn't need your advice on which box to pick.

 

[kythri]

I realize these are old post, but can anyone help with finding parts for a KL557E and a KL537D. I buy and resale for a living out of Houston. I got a good deal I'm pretty sure but I need to do some repairs. I need the top right hinge that holds the top open. The snap on logo and the lock for the kr557. Also, would giving the box a new paint job be worth the trouble to bring up the value? Thanks

Not trying to bust your balls, but the majority of responses you're getting is why resurrecting a long-dead post with an unrelated question is a bad idea.

I strongly suggest you create a new post in this forum and ask your question again.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Banjorear]

Folks, the guy asking for advice about the box asked about this 7-8 years ago.

Post 14 (the resurrection) is asking a new question. The OP doesn't need your advice on which box to pick.

LOL! Whoops.

 

[MaverickDMD]

Ebay is a good place to assess value of Snap On boxes. One quarter to one third of the sticker price is generally what SO boxes go for, repainted or not, and often full of SO tools.

 

[Ben1967]

I have a snap on KR, and also a 1 year old pretty nice craftsman box. Honesty the Snap On is built great, and is one heck of a box, but the craftsman can do pretty much the same. The craftsman might not be built that heavy, but it works, and its a great box!