Stack On tool chest

[yardiron]

I picked this up along with several other misc boxes today.
I've never seen one before, its a pretty heavy box, on par with an older Craftsman or Mac box gauge wise. Other than a broken top hinge strap its in decent shape.
When I think of Stack On, I always picture those cheap tin boxes that Kmart used to sell, not something like this.
Any idea as to its age? Who sold these?

 

[Packard V8]

When I think of Stack On, I always picture those cheap tin boxes that Kmart used to sell,

X2 - I've never encountered a good quality Stack On. Now that I know they're out there, I'll not just walk by them.

jack vines

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Looks old and built for Stack On by another company. All the Stack On I've seen isn't even homeowners grade.

 

[zkling]

I picked this up along with several other misc boxes today.
I've never seen one before, its a pretty heavy box, on par with an older Craftsman or Mac box gauge wise. Other than a broken top hinge strap its in decent shape.
When I think of Stack On, I always picture those cheap tin boxes that Kmart used to sell, not something like this.
Any idea as to its age? Who sold these?

First off, putting Mac and Craftsman in the same league discredits your opinion. In my experience. Stack On had a few different levels of quality over the years, all of which were along the lines of craftsman at best. IIRC that style of stack on is one of their first back when they started in the mid 70s. Better than most of their others.

 

[txvwnut]

I actually have a Kmart sold Stack On top and bottom. Bought it new when I was 14 or 15 just after I started racing AMA flat track. Went to get rid of it a couple of years back and for some reason I couldn't. Now I've got it upstairs in the shop holding tools again since I don't need a lot upstairs and I get tired running up and down to get something.

 

[countryroad82]

First off, putting Mac and Craftsman in the same league discredits your opinion. In my experience. Stack On had a few different levels of quality over the years, all of which were along the lines of craftsman at best. IIRC that style of stack on is one of their first back when they started in the mid 70s. Better than most of their others.

Didn't Waterloo make boxes for both Craftsman and Mac? I've seen some pretty well built Stack On boxes before but they were smaller boxes like the OPs and they were older at that. The newer Stack On stuff I would run far away from......... unless I used them to store paper clips or something.

 

[zkling]

Didn't Waterloo make boxes for both Craftsman and Mac? I've seen some pretty well built Stack On boxes before but they were smaller boxes like the OPs and they were older at that. The newer Stack On stuff I would run far away from......... unless I used them to store paper clips or something.

They did, but to different quality levels* Stack On, Waterloo, Huot, MBC, etc. are/were all competing sheet metal folding companies.


*Now you can take extreme cases comparing the best cman boxes to the cheaper promo and what not mac boxes, but, that is an exception.

 

[yardiron]

The closest boxes I've got here to compare this Stack On to is my Snap On KRA 56, and a Craftsman Home series 6 drawer, both are about the same size and same style box. The Stack On is several pounds heavier than the Snap On, and because of the drawer front design, the Stack On has deeper drawers.
The weak points that I see with the Stack On are that its got only one top hinge strap, and the front panel is not interlocking, its only held down by the hook style lock lever.
The slides are the same type as an earlier red/gray Craftsman box, the sheet metal gauge varies, the main shell of the box is heavier gauge than a red/gray Craftsman, and the same as the Snap On. The drawers on the Stack On are lighter than the Snap On, but heavier than the Sears. The style of construction is very similar to the Snap On in the way the corners are formed and spot welded The drawer pulls are nickle plated, not chrome plated. The handles are bolted on with small nickle plated carriage bolts.

The front panel is the only panel that says Stack On, there is no other markings on the box. There are two things on the box that give a clue to its age, one being the nickle plated handles, which to me makes it seem older, but the drawer slides are without the small clips, they're heavier gauge versions of those used on a 1990's Craftsman box. The slides lock into place via V notch crimps, not black metal clips.

 

[Packard V8]

This just showed up on our local craigslist for $200.

Stack-On toolbox. 29' wide by 20' deep. Two inches wider and deeper than your standard box. Double tier. In good shape. Sturdy. 200$

https://spokane.craigslist.org/tls/5418564048.html

jack vines

 

[thetool]

i have the exact same box, just got thru restoring it.

 

[Nortonscustom]

Don't know about now but Stack-On used to be made by Remline. Very first tool box I ever bought was a Stack-On that I picked up at the Remline factory. They used to have a scratch and dent outlet store there.

 

[Wolfen]

My work setup is a stack on roll chest with a huskey top on it

The top is 35 years old Huskey, the bottom is an old military box from Norfolk aimd its a stackon, both are in prime condition
The bottom of the Husley box is still iny garage it needs repair, then I'll set it next to my harbor freight box