Maddog1337
Well-known member
Hi GJ,
Wanted to share a hodgepodge of thoughts regarding Tekton's (Rousseau OEM) relatively new tool chest and why I took a leap of faith on a ~$3K box sight unseen. Apologies in advance for posting a novel!
I was in the market for my first large toolbox, moving on from the chaos of living out of multiple 26" wide chests and tiny Craftsman three drawer boxes. As I've grown older and now into my first house, I wanted to spend a little more to purchase a toolbox that could last a lifetime. Country of origin has also become of greater importance to me, so I knew the big box stores wouldn't have much to offer me. It was difficult for me to fathom buying an Asian import box after considering everything I do to avoid import tools - the countless hours spent scouring eBay for NOS USA tools, in-person Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace meet-ups, HJE shopping, USA made tool leads from Toolguyd / GJ, etc.
…Now I'm just a DIY guy who stares at spreadsheets for a living so I did not have access to any tool truck brands. Do call me a hypocrite - I still have plenty of my initial import / Harbor Freight tools, I do like me some Knipex, and ultimately I do realize this Tekton box is of Canadian origin. But, after much deliberation I was happy enough to settle on a North American manufacturer. ** Broken Record Alert ** I wish I could have found something that would have fit my needs that was within budget and made in USA. I do understand there's a cost to keep USA jobs, but I couldn't justify some of the USA price tags because I don't turn wrenches for a living.
I considered, but eventually ruled out the following avenues for USA made:
• Kennedy: They don't really have large boxes, too much Crinkle Brown, and cost
• Proto: Had some boxes I liked in my price range, but just not a fan of Made in USA with global materials
• Williams: Was really intrigued by the 55" series made in USA boxes, but couldn't find any reviews or videos on them anywhere. Seriously - it's like these boxes don't exist - even GJ searches only yielded people looking for more information on them. I also couldn't find any information on steel gauge
• Used Tool Truck: Where I live in the Chicagoland area, the market on second hand toolboxes seems to be pretty high, I had been monitoring for close to a year. I didn't want to take on another project to restore one that was beat up. I also didn't have transport
• Used Vidmar or Lista: A bit more scarce, and most I found were beat to piss. Also didn't have transport
• Other honorary initial import considerations go to Homak and whatever was on StrictlyToolboxes. Once I had my heart set on at least getting something from NA, I moved on from those brands
The Tekton-Rousseau box was the ticket. It was the NA origin heavy duty industrial box I had been looking for. I liked the 23” long drawers, the overkill 400lb per drawer construction, the value for the money, the (stated) ease of delivery with free liftgate baked into the price, and was at least content with the country of origin. More on the delivery – I ordered this toolbox late at night, shipped the following day, and I actually got it just two days later. I am ~200mi from where it shipped, but it was still impressive. I had a bit of a hiccup with the delivery – it had just snowed about 4” and it was icing up in the Great Lakes region. When a full-length truck pulled up on my block, my thought that they would just back into my driveway was quickly erased. I had to frantically shovel and chop away at ice because the truck driver said technically he only had to leave it at the curb. Thought that was pretty crappy to say so his tip diminished after that. I told him there was no way I could move a thousand-pound box without the pallet jack. Once we both got it over the curb it wasn’t too bad to get it in the garage.
Anyway, here’s a couple pictures:
Sorry Tekton! I still associate the brand a bit negatively. Kind of like Kia or Hyundai, so it got the debadge treatment. I was surprised Rousseau only foam glued the letters on.
A little confirmation on OEM...
Drawer shots for scale...
Tag...
What made it pop. Collinite 476S base coat with a Collinite 845 topcoat. A little 303 protectant on the rubber top.
With any luck this post can put the Tekton box on the radar of someone in the market. I know how hopeless I felt when searching through limited options. I'm not shilling for Tekton, hell, I even debadged the box. I know the masses will be turned away from the price tag. I do think it's a great option for a step above DIY grade, and remember this is made by a legit toolbox manufacturer. I did price one out direct from Rousseau and trust me with the free shipping, free liftgate, and no tax, going through Tekton was very advantageous.
Thoughts? Any additional picture requests? I've read many threads on GJ about the lack of USA made toolbox options. Were there any options I overlooked?
Edit 5/13: Updated broken picture links. Added additional pictures of Schaller Corp red plastic organizer bins and Tekton / Rousseau drawer dividers on pg. 3 (reached max upload on original post).
Wanted to share a hodgepodge of thoughts regarding Tekton's (Rousseau OEM) relatively new tool chest and why I took a leap of faith on a ~$3K box sight unseen. Apologies in advance for posting a novel!
I was in the market for my first large toolbox, moving on from the chaos of living out of multiple 26" wide chests and tiny Craftsman three drawer boxes. As I've grown older and now into my first house, I wanted to spend a little more to purchase a toolbox that could last a lifetime. Country of origin has also become of greater importance to me, so I knew the big box stores wouldn't have much to offer me. It was difficult for me to fathom buying an Asian import box after considering everything I do to avoid import tools - the countless hours spent scouring eBay for NOS USA tools, in-person Craigslist / Facebook Marketplace meet-ups, HJE shopping, USA made tool leads from Toolguyd / GJ, etc.
…Now I'm just a DIY guy who stares at spreadsheets for a living so I did not have access to any tool truck brands. Do call me a hypocrite - I still have plenty of my initial import / Harbor Freight tools, I do like me some Knipex, and ultimately I do realize this Tekton box is of Canadian origin. But, after much deliberation I was happy enough to settle on a North American manufacturer. ** Broken Record Alert ** I wish I could have found something that would have fit my needs that was within budget and made in USA. I do understand there's a cost to keep USA jobs, but I couldn't justify some of the USA price tags because I don't turn wrenches for a living.
I considered, but eventually ruled out the following avenues for USA made:
• Kennedy: They don't really have large boxes, too much Crinkle Brown, and cost
• Proto: Had some boxes I liked in my price range, but just not a fan of Made in USA with global materials
• Williams: Was really intrigued by the 55" series made in USA boxes, but couldn't find any reviews or videos on them anywhere. Seriously - it's like these boxes don't exist - even GJ searches only yielded people looking for more information on them. I also couldn't find any information on steel gauge
• Used Tool Truck: Where I live in the Chicagoland area, the market on second hand toolboxes seems to be pretty high, I had been monitoring for close to a year. I didn't want to take on another project to restore one that was beat up. I also didn't have transport
• Used Vidmar or Lista: A bit more scarce, and most I found were beat to piss. Also didn't have transport
• Other honorary initial import considerations go to Homak and whatever was on StrictlyToolboxes. Once I had my heart set on at least getting something from NA, I moved on from those brands
The Tekton-Rousseau box was the ticket. It was the NA origin heavy duty industrial box I had been looking for. I liked the 23” long drawers, the overkill 400lb per drawer construction, the value for the money, the (stated) ease of delivery with free liftgate baked into the price, and was at least content with the country of origin. More on the delivery – I ordered this toolbox late at night, shipped the following day, and I actually got it just two days later. I am ~200mi from where it shipped, but it was still impressive. I had a bit of a hiccup with the delivery – it had just snowed about 4” and it was icing up in the Great Lakes region. When a full-length truck pulled up on my block, my thought that they would just back into my driveway was quickly erased. I had to frantically shovel and chop away at ice because the truck driver said technically he only had to leave it at the curb. Thought that was pretty crappy to say so his tip diminished after that. I told him there was no way I could move a thousand-pound box without the pallet jack. Once we both got it over the curb it wasn’t too bad to get it in the garage.
Anyway, here’s a couple pictures:
Sorry Tekton! I still associate the brand a bit negatively. Kind of like Kia or Hyundai, so it got the debadge treatment. I was surprised Rousseau only foam glued the letters on.
A little confirmation on OEM...
Drawer shots for scale...
Tag...
What made it pop. Collinite 476S base coat with a Collinite 845 topcoat. A little 303 protectant on the rubber top.
With any luck this post can put the Tekton box on the radar of someone in the market. I know how hopeless I felt when searching through limited options. I'm not shilling for Tekton, hell, I even debadged the box. I know the masses will be turned away from the price tag. I do think it's a great option for a step above DIY grade, and remember this is made by a legit toolbox manufacturer. I did price one out direct from Rousseau and trust me with the free shipping, free liftgate, and no tax, going through Tekton was very advantageous.
Thoughts? Any additional picture requests? I've read many threads on GJ about the lack of USA made toolbox options. Were there any options I overlooked?
Edit 5/13: Updated broken picture links. Added additional pictures of Schaller Corp red plastic organizer bins and Tekton / Rousseau drawer dividers on pg. 3 (reached max upload on original post).
Last edited:
) uses posts through the metal.
