Snap On vs Mac Tool Boxes

[Hewie]

Hi all-
I just found this forum while researching tool boxes. Great site!

Anyway, can anyone give me advise on older Snap On vs Mac tool boxes for home use? I'm trying to decide between two boxes I've found used. Honestly, the Mac might be more space than I need right now, but I bet I could fill it with tools currently hanging on the wall. I can get the bottom Snap On box for $400 or the Mac stack for $550. I'm open to any advice. I haven't seen either in person yet, but both are reported (for what that's worth) to be in good shape.

Thanks ahead,
Dave
PS Now back to lusting over all your work benches.

 

[Jeremy77]

I’m not brand biased either way as I feel both should be excellent boxes. Personally I’d rather spend the extra $150 and get the MAC with a top box and side locker. That’s assuming they are both in relatively the same condition.

 

[zkling]

Unless you have to have an old box for style, i'd recommend a new HF us general box. If that snap on bottom is in good condition and all ball bearing drawers maybe go for that. Or keep looking, especially if this is to be your main working box. I'm almost certain the mac is all friction slide, which is fine for a top, but get tiring for a bottom with deep drawers. It would have to be in very good working condition for me to go that route.

 

[rsanter]

Either of those boxes will outlive you.
Where I live that snap on box would not be a quick sell at that price

 

[Tripn88]

My dad actually has that mac setup at his house. It literally feels like a old craftsman box and is falling apart like one as well. I wouldn't recommend that old of a box unless it's in really great shape. You can get a lot more bang for your buck with newer boxes. And as old as those are they arent worth what they are asking. in my opinion.

 

[1982fxr]

Pretty safe bet on either. That Snap-On I think is 33" wide. That would be gone in two seconds where I live at that price.

 

[1982fxr]

Hard to see on my phone. I let this stack go recently. Are the bottom and middle box the same as what you're looking at?

If so they are nice boxes. The only Craftsman boxes that are similar to them are the old cman industrial which were Waterloo magnums. The ones in my pics were nothing like any regular Craftsman boxes.

 

[zkling]

The mac the op is asking about is 33" wide x 18 deep, the snap on is 36" wide x 22" deep. The 3 piece stack you posted is a 27" wide box.

 

[Speed-Racer]

I have the Snap-on box. Highly recommend the box, very well made. I like the drawer layout and the asking price is a good deal.

You can find top and middle boxes on eBay.

 

[1982fxr]

The mac the op is asking about is 33" wide x 18 deep, the snap on is 36" wide x 22" deep. The 3 piece stack you posted is a 27" wide box.

Ok I see that now. Are they both the "same" box though?

 

[Hewie]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I really appreciate it. I'm going to put my hands on them tomorrow and make a decision.

Personally I’d rather spend the extra $150 and get the MAC with a top box and side locker. That’s assuming they are both in relatively the same condition.

Kinda my first thought too.

Unless you have to have an old box for style, i'd recommend a new HF us general box. If that snap on bottom is in good condition and all ball bearing drawers maybe go for that. Or keep looking, especially if this is to be your main working box. I'm almost certain the mac is all friction slide, which is fine for a top, but get tiring for a bottom with deep drawers. .

I am a sucker for the old stuff, but I agree the HF boxes are nice. "Keep looking" for a newer box? Better price?

Either of those boxes will outlive you.

Ha! True.

You can get a lot more bang for your buck with newer boxes.

Expand. I've looked at the HF, Kobalt, Craftsman, Husky, etc boxes, and these oldies are certainly of heavier construction with better casters and drawer slides.

Pretty safe bet on either. That Snap-On I think is 33" wide. That would be gone in two seconds where I live at that price.

Yep, for CA it seems to be a good price and I like the size.

The mac the op is asking about is 33" wide x 18 deep, the snap on is 36" wide x 22" deep. The 3 piece stack you posted is a 27" wide box.

Correct.

Thanks again. I'll let you know what way I go.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I really appreciate it. I'm going to put my hands on them tomorrow and make a decision.


Kinda my first thought too.


I am a sucker for the old stuff, but I agree the HF boxes are nice. "Keep looking" for a newer box? Better price?


Ha! True.


Expand. I've looked at the HF, Kobalt, Craftsman, Husky, etc boxes, and these oldies are certainly of heavier construction with better casters and drawer slides.

Yep, for CA it seems to be a good price and I like the size.

Correct.

Thanks again. I'll let you know what way I go.

Yeah they for sure dont have better slides. I'd never take any friction slides from any brand over ball bearing.

 

[BrandoJames]

I own both Snap-on and Mac tools, so I'm not a biased on brand. Just looking at the pix you sent, that Snap-on box looks almost new. The Mac box looks hammered--a lot of road miles on that box.

I'd buy the Snap-on box.

 

[Jambo1981]

Personally I would probably go snap on, however, don't rule out a new box. You could get something new, probably for not alot more money that would suit your purposes and probably give you more space.

Nothing worse for me than buying a box/cart, thinking it will do you well, which it does but then looking for an additional box as you run out of space (I am currently in this situation!).

J.

 

[Mr_B]

I will agree the MAC look well used .
I probably not that interested in either but the snapon lower is usable size and looks tidy.
I'd try do a deal on that probably for like 350-375 if it was tidy .
MAC from images simply looks too rough for that money and it not nicest box to start with .

 

[tool_scrounge]

I have had good luck with friction slides if you:

Disassemble
Complete clean all drawer slide surfaces
Rub on Parafin wax on the slides.

Huge difference. Snapon did this in the past on their tool boxes in production per their literature.

 

[seber]

I have that Snap-on KRA. It is friction slides but with clean and lube they are very easy to work even with a heavy load. Mine has been pushed and pulled all over a lot of parking lots and industrial floors without so much as a creak. I had a Mack for a short time in the past but not that model. The one I had was not well made.

Edit. That should have been KRL not KRA. The KRA is no better than any other brand. Unfortunately, I have one of those as well.

 

[FJ 432]

Old boxes there's three rules:
Condition
Condition
Condition

Based on these rules I would point towards the snap on because the photos would leave me to believe the snappy has had a charmed life.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I would lean towards that Snap On. Guessing it's a KR 655. Then you can go with a KR 650, 637, 537, or other possibilities for a top box. That Snap On should have ball bearing slides.

The Snap On for $400 is a better deal than the Mac for $550 IMO.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm would bet money both boxes are friction slides. The snap on bottom would be a slightly bigger box than the mac bottom box. 36x21 compared to 33x18. The mac combo overall offers more space with the larger top box and the side box. I would for that reason go with the mac box. The two are very comparable that were designed to compete directly with each other. Only reason I see to go for the snap on set up is for the smaller top box. If you would want to have a smaller box to pick up and put in the back of the truck for a road box.

 

[Hewie]

Thanks again for the advice. I passed on both these boxes. The Mac was even rougher than it looked in the post. The local HF doesn't have the US General box in stock, but they will before Christmas. If I don't find anything between now and then, I might pick up the smaller box.

This came up on CL today. Any advice on a fair price for this unit (without tools)?

Thanks again for the help,
Dave

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

This came up on CL today. Any advice on a fair price for this unit (without tools)?

$500-600 looks fair for that. That upper box isn't Snap On though. It's either a Kennedy or Mac. I'm thinking it's a Mac.

 

[FSUwelder1212]

I don’t believe the top box is actually snap on, but the bottom looks like a nice single bank KRL, I would prolly give $500-600 for it.

 

[zkling]

That top is a proto / mac. Same box, different badges.

 

[JohnM45]

Personally, I'm not really biased, other than towards a quality box. Bought a snapon KRL this past Spring for a fantastic price...but would consider anything quality.

The point I wanted to make was, just like building a shed/garage/barn, get the BIGGEST one you can fit and afford. You will be surprised how quick you can fill one. I was shopping for just a 40 inch wide base cabinet and ended up with a 54x24 Top and Bottom....3 empty drawers remain...3.

 

[jacked_72]

I note that the upper drawers in my old SO boxes are very shallow. I like them, but the depth is a significant limitation.