Snap-on Toolboxes - False Security?

[RatchetMan]

Let me first say that I’m not a full-time mechanic but I would still love to have a bright blue Snap-on toolbox in my garage. I can’t really explain it but they appeal to me due to the legacy, etc. I know Snap-on stuff is expensive and, let’s face it, much of it has to simply do with the name yet I am still drawn to Snap-on stuff.

But, a few months ago I was at an estate auction of a former Snap-on dealer who was also a part-time mechanic. As you might expect he had a ton of Snap-on tools, equipment, etc. He also had two, huge Snap-on tool boxes, you know these monster deals that are like 7’ tall and have the side cabinets. I can’t imagine what these things would have cost brand new to the average Joe.

Here’s the kicker, someone prior to the auction had broken into the place, pried open the drawers on both tool stations and stolen his hand tools. I was under the impression that along with the high sticker price you were also getting a toolbox that was equivalent to a gun safe but that’s just not the case. In fact, I was surprised at how little damage was done to the boxes by the thieves as they were trying to pry them open. The drawer edges were bent but it’s not as if they had to dynamite the thing to get it open.

So, what say you? What level of security can you expect from these boxes and, if they aren’t really secure, what’s the high price for? I know that a determined thief will always find a way to rob you but I was surprised by this experience which made me wonder if these tool boxes aren’t just high-priced status symbols with locks equivalent to a common filing cabinet.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Any security can be beaten and that includes my 2,000 pound National Security safe. A pro level box is there for the long haul with the quality, slides and capacity that will last for years. Having said that, they are not made from 1/2" thick AR plate with anti drill locks. They are made as well as they can given the fact that most any shop or garage will have the tools laying in the open that could be used to defeat the locks on a tool box.

As it has been said before, locks only keep the honest people out.

 

[Falcon67]

All locks will tend to give you a false sense of security.

http://www.podtech.net/home/3773/defcon-2007-bumping-the-medico-lock
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/08/medeco-locks-cr/

 

[fengle12]

the only thing a lock is going to do is slow down the perp.

but given the time and tools, they will get in eventually

and of course you need to figure, the higher security you put in, the higher chance that a scumbag will think "he must have some expensive stuff in there" and go for it

install some surveillance cameras and if anyone attempts or succeeds to make off with your goods, you will have them on camera, there not too expensive depending on how crazy you wanna get with it

 

[crewchief888]

none of my boxes are even locked

theres a security system at work, garage is secured by a 75lb german shepard that dont like strangers, and my .45

if i'm not home, the neighbor keeps watch with a .44mag

 

[rjwilliams]

Even when you are dealing with GSA approved containers for classified material all you are doing is delaying access to the material. Each class simply dictates the amount of time it takes to gain access.

 

[SlappyWhite]

As others noted all you can do is slow them down. But maybe you can also completely fool them...

In the case of tool boxes you can think outside the box (pun intended). One option could be a steel bar that runs down the back of the bottom box (on the inside) that hooks all the drawers (or goes through a hole in the drawers) assuming you can get some access to it (depends on the top box). Now you have to pull the bar and defeat/unlock the box before the box will open. The thief will have to figure this out, and it will slow them down big time being that it is not expected.

Top box is a little more challenging but similar solutions can be made, the bar can still be used down the back side under the "lid". Idea is do something they do not expect to slow them down or completely screw with them.

Not sure I would be chopping up a snap-on box to do this but it is easy to do with any brand, including snap-on....

I always thought if I had a large shop I would put the boxes behind a second locked roll door again to slow the buggers down.

 

[UroWerks]

I always thought hooking up your box to a regular power outlet is a good idea to keep thieves away!!But thats just me!!

 

[darkk]

Locks are primarily to keep honest people honest. A thief will get what they came for...

 

[bob15]

Lock a toolbox? I'm not even sure where the keys are to any of my boxes, whether its at home or work. Why bother? I usually keep tools on the bench if a project lasts over night. At work they will stay on my bench and test stand until Friday clean-up. Yes, they will go in the box, but the box stays unlocked.

A lock will only keep the honest thief out.

bob

 

[cglasgow]

A lock will only keep the honest thief out.

bob

...and Steve, two bays down, who borrows stuff without asking on the days you're not there....

 

[NUTTSGT]

Comparing a tool box, no matter the brand, to a gun safe is so far from a fair comparison.

 

[Iroc-Z]

...and Steve, two bays down, who borrows stuff without asking on the days you're not there....

That is how I view locked tool boxes in a shop. Its to keep your "Buddy" from borrowing stuff when you are not there.

 

[1967marti]

Locks only keep honest people honest… Nothing more…

 

[GTO]

I don't think that SO sells those boxes with any kind of iron clad claim that the boxes are theft proof.

 

[Desert1957]

First let me say I have been a loyal Snap-On tool purchaser for over 40+ years. In the "Old Days" Snap-On toolboxes were the strongest and nicest looking boxes out there. When I say strongest they would resist the settling that most cheaper boxes would experience. Most mechanics had to constantly move there boxes around the shop , mostly on uneven floors. I personally watched many "Cheap" tool boxes not holdup to this over a very few years. Most common problem was drawer gaps changing and sticking, even spot welds breaking.

Snap-On's boxes used to be very well constructed, double lined and braced internally to prevent most of these problems. I personally never thought of them as being more resistant to break in or theft.

In my early years as a technician , I outgrew my boxes about every two years, ALL my dealers would always give me at least three times the original purchase price as trade in value on a new boxes. This deal along with Snap-On's stellar reputation offset what I thought was a very high cost of their tools and boxes.

Sorry for the long post , but I would like to say that there are many tool box manufacture's that have caught up to Snap-On. some may make a superior unit. Like you mentioned I always have taken pride in owning (what use to be) the some of the best products out there.

Here are two of my seven boxes I own, Over thirty plus years and still work like new.

Desert

 

[Boost Creep]

 

[NUTTSGT]

Interesting, I always thought you could find about anything on Youtube.

 

[bgott]

I read one time that the vault in the old Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City, IIRC, was built on top of old train car wheels to keep people from digging in from underneath. Anything can be broken into, Snap-on boxes are just a lttle more secure than others. And they look really good standing there!

 

[bazzateer]

Anything can be broken into, Snap-on boxes are just a lttle more secure than others. And they look really good standing there!

May as well buy a cheaper box and put Snap-on badges on it then! Devoid of badges they all look much the same to the average guy.

 

[demographic]

Locks on toolboxes only stop the people who don't want to damage your box. That generally seems to mean your boss and co workers while you are away.

Once the person gets to the point where they don't mind damaging the box to get at the contents all bets are off.

Thats where decent garage security comes into its own and even then all it takes is time and they will get into that as well.

Ideally you want to make it slow and very noisy for them to get in, most thieves don't like making loads of noise.

People often have a hard tome comprehending the fact that a thief doesn't care about every single item as long as they can sell some of it off, motorbikes are an area where people think that if the thief has to damage it to take *** that they won't bother.
Not the case and if they have to lob it into a van (damaging all the plastics) with the disc lock still on it they will. They can sell the parts on Ebay anyway.

Same with tools, wreck the box and part out the tools.

 

[rednecklimo85]

My box and cart are never locked because I work in a small shop with 2 other guys, if i cant trust them i cant trust my dog. We tend to share tools alot also, anything to make the job easier.

but anyways, there is a huge difference between tool company's and home depot brand box's. When I was looking for a new box I explored Mac, Matco, and Snap on. Snap on actually offers the least inexpensive line of box's(blue point), and probably the most expensive too. They also have the largest selection of lines, and I believe that apples for apples I couldn't have gotten a better deal with Mac or Matco.

 

[srmofo]

Your assumption that a tool box is equivalent to a gun safe is wrong. Tool boxes are for storing tools in a manner in which they are convenient to access. The locks are to keep sticky fingers off of your tools when you are not around. They are not meant to stop a thief.

I would also venture to guess that the primary purpose of the locks is to keep the drawers closed while the box is in motion

 

[Seanbev24]

I have Snap-on boxes at work because they will continue to hold a ton of tools while functioning the same for many years. The other guys in my shop have a mix of Snap-on, Matco, and Mac for the same reason. The Craftsman boxes at my house are literally falling apart. Like others have said, a thief who breaks into a shop at night can get into any brand of toolbox. None of us ever lock our boxes in my small indy shop and regularly leave tools out on the benches/carts next to whatever we're working on.

 

[hdhogman]

In as much as a large heavy tool box would be secure-NOT.

Ask me how i know.

 

[wrench409]

I pick locks as a hobby. Many co-workers have forgotten keys to toolboxes, locked keys in cars, etc. and asked for help. It's a free service I've never charged for. New office people can't into the desk they took over because the guy they fired locked everything, I open them for them. Buy me an RC and call it even.

Keyed locks keep honest people out. Medeco is the only type that can't be picked. But a drill won't stop anyone. The thieves are only slowed down a bit. If it's on wheels, they take the whole setup. They use anything to get into whatever they can't into easily.

No easy answer. I have developed my own preventive techniques and they have worked so far. (Short of my whole set getting rolled out after a break in, and that was pretty traumatic. The company tried EVERY excuse to try NOT to pay for the tools THEY brag about covering in case of theft at hire date).

 

[cglasgow]

Medeco is the only type that can't be picked

Maybe not picked, but with a credit card and brief access to the key you can do this:
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/08/medeco-locks-cr/

So even Medeco is pretty easily defeated under the right circumstances.

 

[benz_dr]

My snapon box is a 1987 model. I had a slide fail. Emailed snapon, had a response next day. Received new slides within a week. No charge. Their warranty is great! I know, this has nothing to do with security......