Snapon box advice please ....

[davox]

I'm going to look at a used Snapon box later in the week.

Does anyone have any advice what I should be looking out for ?
Are there any common problems with Snapon boxes ?

The box is a KRA5319WT and has been described to me as in very good condition.

The KRA5319 isn't listed on the Snapon web site any more. Is it possible to tell from the part number how old this box is ?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Art From De Leon]

If you look on the back, in the upper LH corner (facing the back), there should be a serial number and the year it was built, either two digit or four digit.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

How old is the box?

Friction slides or ball bearing slides?

What are the dimensions?

Picture?

Price?

 

[billymade]

I think it might be this one? I don't know what the "WT" stand for, however...


http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/misc-automotive-sale-wtb/529412-snap-tool-box-f-s-great-deal.html

blue version
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...+KRA5319&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&sa=N&um=1

 

[easterstuff]

mistake looks down

 

[easterstuff]

Dont buy a KRA there ****** buy a KRL or a Matco 5S. I seen allot of people own kra and under heavy load they fail every-time. My krl is from 1989 and still is perfect the rails on a krl are lifetime and snap-on replaces them for free evertime.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Dont buy a KRA there ****** buy a KRL or a Matco 5S. I seen allot of people own kra and under heavy load they fail every-time. My krl is from 1989 and still is perfect the rails on a krl are lifetime and snap-on replaces them for free evertime.

I find that hard to believe.

 

[Fast Orange]

There's nothing wrong with the KRA boxes-They may not have the bells and whistles of the KRL boxes,but they are still high quality and way better than most other boxes. I have a KRA 4107/KRA 4114 combo with a side locker that is well loaded and have no complaints at all.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Dont buy a KRA there ****** buy a KRL or a Matco 5S. I seen allot of people own kra and under heavy load they fail every-time. My krl is from 1989 and still is perfect the rails on a krl are lifetime and snap-on replaces them for free evertime.

My KRA2411 is packed to the gills and it has not failed.....also its all under warranty just like the KRL series.

 

[easterstuff]

I use to work in a shop where all the boxes and tools where owned by the company I worked there for 5 years we had only snap on products with the exception of a mobile craftsman box. I was appointed tool custodian after the first year. I watched the tools and tool boxes and worked closely with the snap on dealer for years. All tool boxes where used by multiple people for 18 hours a day. The krl would topically break a lock or loose a few rails here and there witch snap on took care of under warranty with no complains. The kra series where pieces of ****. The drawers would collapse on themselves ball bearings needed to be serviced almost yearly due to drawers sliding improperly. Snap on would not warranty they after a such period of time. think it was 2 years. I had the opportunity to see both tool boxes in extreme use environments with muti mechanic use for 2 shifts a day the kra eventually got traded in for krl due to cost's. its your choice on what you buy if your not planning on 8 hr a day use the kra are fine but if your going to use it i would highly recommend the krl over the years you will see the diff.

 

[nate379]

Funny, I used to have the same job as you, in charge of well over 2 million in tools and equipment. Most of our toolboxes are Snap On, and a mix of KRA and KRL. I never noticied one type being worse than the other in the 3 years I did that job.

The get forklifted all over, sent all over the world, and treated like **** (along with all the tools). The only thing I have replaced on any of the boxes are a couple slides here and there, some of the plastic drawer lock sliders and a lock here and there... oh and 1 set of casters after a guy drove a couple miles with the box not lifted high enough on the forks.

Your entitled to your opinion, but I don't think many people feel the same as you.

 

[Griff93]

I have a KRA5213 that I've had for around 5 years. It has been a very good box and I would gladly buy it again. I really needed more room and didn't want a top box due to having to use my toolbox as my worksurface so I bought a KRL1001. BTW the paint is falling off my KRL.

 

[Merkava_4]

Don't buy a KRA, they're ******; buy a KRL or a Matco 5S. I've seen a lot of people own kra, and under heavy load, they fail everytime. My krl is from 1989 and still is perfect. The rails on a krl are lifetime and snap-on replaces them for free everytime.

I use to work in a shop where all the boxes and tools were owned by the company; I worked there for 5 years. We had only snap on products with the exception of a mobile craftsman box. I was appointed tool custodian after the first year. I watched the tools and tool boxes and worked closely with the snap on dealer for years. All tool boxes where used by multiple people for 18 hours a day. The krl would typically break a lock or lose a few rails here and there; which snap on took care of under warranty with no complaints. The kra series were pieces of ****. The drawers would collapse on themselves and ball bearings needed to be serviced almost yearly due to drawers sliding improperly. Snap on would not warranty them after a such period of time; I think it was 2 years. I had the opportunity to see both tool boxes in extreme use environments with multiple mechanics use for 2 shifts a day. The kra eventually got traded in for a krl due to cost's. Its your choice on what you buy. If you're not planning on an 8 hr a day use, the kra are fine, but if you're going to use it, I would highly recommend the krl over the years; you will see the difference.

Thank you for the crossword puzzle.

 

[volvo420coupe]

I don't know the quality difference between kra and krl, mostly because my MB1350 macsimizer kicks *** over both.

But what I have noticed is the overall dimensions of the krl series are usually in the range of "real" professional boxes and the dimensions of kra boxes can usually be duplicated by craftsman.

 

[GDA]

There's nothing wrong with the KRA boxes-They may not have the bells and whistles of the KRL boxes,but they are still high quality and way better than most other boxes. I have a KRA 4107/KRA 4114 combo with a side locker that is well loaded and have no complaints at all.

+1

I have KRA 4107/4114 combo that is completely stuffed and another 4107 that is about half full. Well built boxes and will last many people a lifetime with some reasonable level of care.

KRLs are so overbuilt nothing much compares IMO.

 

[ossaguy]

The KRA boxes carry the same warranty as a KRL.The original slides on my 40 inch bottom box that I bought new all failed.If I accidently pulled a drawer out too fast and it bottomed out the slide,it would have the 2 little roller balls in their plastic holder end up in the drawer underneathe it,usually only 1 side would break for some reason.These were the 100 lb rated slides.My dealer replaced them all for free with the latest 125 lb slides that come on the "Plus" series,and those have like 30 balls,vs.just a few,and dont fail if yanked.They sure work way better in how they pull out and in.The slides on the matching top box have never gone bad.I guess being up high,I never pull them out fast like the bottom box.

Since you are buying a used one,the warranty policy technically states it's non-transferable,so that's something to consider.I'll bet most dealers would never question it,but you never know....

If you are picky,the KRA may be disappointing in fit and finish.Mine has lots of cosmetic defects in like the gaps between the drawers and sides,bowed bottoms on drawers,etc.It's still a decent box,though.They are good for mechanics who have lighter tools.The drawer that I have my pullers in feels strained.I might try buying 2 additional slides and doubling them up,which you can do.You can"tune" the detent action on the drawers easily.The paintjobs on all 4 of my KRA pieces is excellent,even after 7-9 years.


If you needs lots of small drawers,that model is really good for that.I also have never heard of a "WT" designation.If you work in tighter quarters like I do,the 20 inch depth is just right.

Steve

 

[Joe Mamma]

I'm going to look at a used Snapon box later in the week.

Does anyone have any advice what I should be looking out for ?
Are there any common problems with Snapon boxes ?

The box is a KRA5319WT and has been described to me as in very good condition.

The KRA5319 isn't listed on the Snapon web site any more. Is it possible to tell from the part number how old this box is ?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Check each and every drawer (open them all the way, one at a time) to make sure they open easily and without any issues. Also, look at the drawers when they are all closed to see if any are tilted/bent.

Make sure you get the keys, and try them to make sure they fit. Also, get the cover.

One of the common places for scratches is the top front edge of the drawers. It's probably not a big deal to you, but pointing them out might be a good way to get a lower price.

It's possible the guy who owns it financed it through Snap-On. I have no idea how old it is, but he could still owe money on it. I think you can call Snap-On with the serial number and they will tell you. If you ever need warranty parts (like drawer sliders), I think Snap-On will ask you for the serial number, and if the guy defaulted on his loan, they won't give them to you. -- I'm not sure about all of this, so hopefully someone smarter will come along to clarify or correct me.

I have a KRA series box and love it.

Joe Mamma

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

There an OK little box, they are not very deep though. Everything you should look for every one else has pretty much covered. I mean if its the right price for you, by all means go for it so long as it makes you happy.

 

[Merkava_4]

Make sure the thread inserts for the side handle are fully intact and not stripped.

 

[davox]

Thanks for all the replies.

Some really good advice.

I found out that the box is about 6 years old and it has a wooden top surface (hence possibly the WT code).

The drawers are on the lock and roll system. Will the slides therefore be ball bearing ?

 

[krusty the clown]

The drawers are on the lock and roll system. Will the slides therefore be ball bearing ?

yes......and check under the drawer liners, you don't want the same problem BWP had