tiawans best

[jniolon]

I'm still looking for affordable tool storage. I can't afford the name brands or truck brands... this is strictly for storage...homeowner wrencher collection. Won't ever be rolled to the job. No other mechanics to laugh at my cabinet.

Found this at Sams Club... Tiawan's best and priced 600-700 dollars.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=348961

anyone know anything about them... their details are sketchy at best...don't even give dimensions but looks to be 41" x 24 or so...

thanks

John

 

[Joe B.]

Based on your requriements, the following might save you a little cash:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StaplesProductDisplay?&langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&productId=98605&cmArea=SEARCH

Seriously, why do you need the extra cost of Stainless?

 

[Stuey]

Eh, as a non-pro myself, I'd suggest going with Kobalt or Craftsman.

 

[XJ1100]

If you have a Menard's store nearby go and take a look at the new Mastercraft boxes they have. For the money they are the nicest boxes I have found...except the color. They have a 7 drawer 36" wide cabinet for something like $379 with ball bearing slides and the drawers feel very sturdy. I wish I would have bought one of these instead of mine...

 

[l_bilyk]

Those sams club boxes are decent. They are made by these guys, AFAIK

www.cspsmetal.com

At least thats who makes the stainless costco boxes

 

[Chris Adams]

I spent about 20 minutes playing with one of those diamond plate boxes at Sam’s yesterday.
Drawers were messed up on the top of the box, that is, they wouldn't come out cleanly. On the bottom they worked fine but were very short on the top three drawers. Too short to take anything but wrenches laying flat.
If that works for you, it would be fine but I decided against it.

 

[bchee]

I thought the HF boxes got good reviews on here....

 

[mulepackin]

There has been a fair amount of conversation on the boards here regarding these boxes: Sams, Costco (CSPS made). A search should get you some good information. I believe most owners are fairly happy. I think if you have a realistic expectation you won't be surprised or disappointed.

 

[Chris Adams]

I thought the HF boxes got good reviews on here....

They do. The General branded box is a good bargain.
However...

The General has lots of narrow drawers and is not that deep.
The one jniolon is asking about has lots of LONG drawers.

I myself have Lots of Rollaways (7) but all of them short drawers, like the General. The Diamond plate model at Sam's has lots of wide drawers.
Depends on your usage. If you don't need too much per drawer the HF is a pretty good bargain.

The new one at Costco (56 inch Torin) for 949.00 has merit.

 

[bchee]

oh yeah, I didn't think about the drawer width or configuration

 

[89MustangGX]

The new one at Costco (56 inch Torin) for 949.00 has merit.

Details?

I haven't seen this at my Costco or been able to find anything out about it.

Adam

 

[Chris Adams]

Details?

I haven't seen this at my Costco or been able to find anything out about it.

Adam

They just started carrying it.
Saw it at two stores this week.

It's 54-56 (very little info at stores) wide.
Lots of drawers, top and bottom.
Very heavy construction but, well, it ain't Snap-on, Cornell, or even Waterloo.
One super long drawer.
Two compartments that hold peg board. To me this is a waste of space. If the two peg board pieces were drawers, or even removable to let you use the space I would have bought one of these boxes.

Top is 'ledge' style, with two pistons.
Drawer locks are on the right side. A thumb switch to open the drawers.
This is weird to use, not natural like the Griplock on Craftsman, or unobtrusive like the Detent snaps on most other boxes.
So you have to open the drawers only from the right side.
Color is weird brown.
Rather than give you liners there are rolls of mesh liner that you must cut up. Like the 6.99 stuff at HF.


Looking underneath one I found some of the super heavy frame was slightly tweaked, as if from a fork lift. But that may have been done by Costco as it was up in the air.
I found a new unused rivet stuck to the frame, held there by overspray paint... Maybe not the best quality control.

Drawers roll nice on the rollers.
Top opens nice, closes nice.
Box seems to be about 20'' deep. I didn't have my tape.

Found this has already been discussed here;
link
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14788

 

[Kevin54]

I just bought a 41" MasterCraft (I think that is the name) at Menards the other day. 11 drawer, ball bearing slides, heavy gage steel for $450.00. It is way better built than my 12 drawer Crapsman. It looks to have heavy duty casters, well built handles, etc. I'll have to snap a pic. For another $325.00, I could get the 12 drawer top box with pull out shelf. The only downfall of it is the color. Kind of a deep green. But it is powder coated. It may be in for a color change later though. I have a 41" Crapsman box on top and the two colors remind me of Christmas. LOL!!!

 

[jniolon]

I just bought a 41" MasterCraft (I think that is the name) at Menards the other day. LOL!!!

that sounds like a good deal Kevin.... my problem is there is no Menards down here. Usually shipping kills any good price you find on the internet... I'll keep checking Craigslist and I'm gonna give that costco box a good look... I really don't like the stainless/diamond plate but it offers a lot of storage for the $$$.

The people that make it also make them in blue and red...costco just doesn't carry them.. they think their yuppie weekend wrench turners will like it cause their whole kitchen is stainless...

later
John

 

[nissan_crawler]

International

 

[ksp]

I compared the Menards box witht he Harbour Freight model and I ended up getting the Harbour Freight unit. This was b/c with coupons it was much cheaper for the set of top, bottom and side. Constructuion was nearly identical but drawer configuration was different. It would depend on personal preference on whic h was better in that reguard.

 

[crazeesal]

$6-700 for that, im not sure if you have a tractor supply near you but check their tool cabinets out they even have some kind of a 5 year warranty

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DisplayCategory_10551_10001_112104_14217__14151%7C14213%7C14217

 

[jniolon]

well, I checked out the Sams box tonight. After waiting for 10 minutes for the aisle monkeys to find the key.. It is not a well designed box. The top three drawers in the lower cabinet (at waist level) were only abou 1.25" deep. Not nearly deep enough for sockets or even wrenches in racks.. then the lower drawers wer 4-7" deep .. lots of wasted space. One nice feature was the top. What is usually a tray with four sides is three sided with the front lifting up with the top...leaving a flat surface where it's easy to see what is there. It's pretty well made but the 'diamond plate' is just thin stamped sheet metal. No rollers only plastic glide drawers... IMHO not worth 687.99 w/o tax. or 755.70 here in B'ham out the door... the search continues.

Costco had zip for tool boxes.. and very few tools in general...must be phasing that department out

the tractor supply boxes look nice but the closest store is over 50 miles from me.. might be worth a road trip if I can get a local friend/wrencher to check them out first...

BTW I looked at the local HF and their boxes are all right... except I really don't like that wrinkle finish... holds lots of dust... even in the HF showroom...

end of report
john

 

[89MustangGX]

So, I did a little recon at Costco today. The box was up on the shelves so I could hardly touch it, but I did take some pics for everyone.

From what I could tell, everything posted earlier was right on. The underside of this one looked ok, not banged up. But the finish did leave a little to be desired in some spots. This Costco had them in the BLACK wrinkle finish.

I'll let the pics speak for themselves, but I will give some of my thoughts: It is definitely made in China and not quality of any of the big name boxes -- BUT it looks like it is built heavy and would probably last many years. The finger lock things are a nice idea, it wouldn't be hard for me to get used to since that's basically what the Stanley Vidmar's I use have, except these are plastic and I think would likely break in no time. The drawer configuration just doesn't seem like you get much space -- I think this was probably a sacrafice to make a big, expensive box for cheap.

Anyway, onto the pics:

 

[wythors]

Is it just me, or do the drawers look like they don't line up at all?

 

[eschoendorff]

Is it just me, or do the drawers look like they don't line up at all?

Nope, they don't line up. But the diamond plate looks cool.

 

[Chris Adams]

I stopped by a second Sam's today. Looked at another of the diamond front boxes. They are made by CSPS (the Costco old stainless maker) but are not good quality.
The drawers on the top were messed up, the same as the first one. Only the top and bottom drawer moved normally. All the middle ones only half opened. I could jiggle one to open the rest of the way.
I'm disappointed because I'm looking to 'thin the herd' by selling a couple of my Craftsman 27'' rollaways and consolidate into just three 27'' rollaways'' and a 41 inch with long drawers.
None of the long drawer toolboxes I've looked at lately are as good a quality as the Craftsman boxes I'm getting rid of.

 

[byrd]

my first box was a stainless 41" from sams. it was and still is a great box if you can overlook a few things. thin stainless, it dents very easily. drawer slides are good but the stops are made of cheap rubber that wears and breaks fast, your drawers will not sit flush with the frame of the box but still work perfectly. its stainless, hard to keep clean. i replaced it with a mac box at work and it now resides in my garage housing all of my beginner tools. i say buy it and you will like it, as long as its something you dot have to work out of.

 

[Chris Adams]

my first box was a stainless 41" from sams. it was and still is a great box if you can overlook a few things. thin stainless, it dents very easily. drawer slides are good but the stops are made of cheap rubber that wears and breaks fast, your drawers will not sit flush with the frame of the box but still work perfectly. its stainless, hard to keep clean. i replaced it with a mac box at work and it now resides in my garage housing all of my beginner tools. i say buy it and you will like it, as long as its something you dot have to work out of.

Hi, how long ago did you buy that box?
This box they are carrying is pretty bad. The drawers don't open. Can't get much less useful than that...
Does your box have the two super thin top drawers on the rollaway part? What do you keep in them?

 

[Kevin54]

I just seen in the Lowes flier last evening that they have a stainless box (top and bottom) 20 drawer total (not sure what the width was, wife tossed flier) for $869.00

 

[jniolon]

well.... here's my decision

I'm retired from a major steel mfg and working at the same plant now as a contractor. One of my old workmates suggested I talked to our old tool supply company. So I did and found out that I qualify for a 'retiree's' discount. Basically I pay what my old employer paid...like 40% off retail

Proto standard duty j444142 base (15 drawer) and j444119 top box (12 drawer). BB glides (2 on deep drawers) p.c. finish, liners included and it's shiny... I like shiny !!!

here's what is on order for for a shade over 900 bucks...

I done good !

thanks to all that offered suggestions and critique on the Sam's box... I'm glad I waited for these...

john

 

[jay50]

I just seen in the Lowes flier last evening that they have a stainless box (top and bottom) 20 drawer total (not sure what the width was, wife tossed flier) for $869.00

Be thankful she tossed the flier; that is one cheap and poorly built box. Yeah, it looks flashy with the SS top, but upon closer examination, you will find plastic in the drawer slides.....

 

[dxdexter]

well.... here's my decision

Basically I pay what my old employer paid...like 40% off retail

Proto standard duty j444142 base (15 drawer) and j444119 top box (12 drawer). BB glides (2 on deep drawers) p.c. finish, liners included and it's shiny... I like shiny !!!

here's what is on order for for a shade over 900 bucks...

I done good !

Good call. Thats a great looking box .

 

[Uncle Buck]

well.... here's my decision

I'm retired from a major steel mfg and working at the same plant now as a contractor. One of my old workmates suggested I talked to our old tool supply company. So I did and found out that I qualify for a 'retiree's' discount. Basically I pay what my old employer paid...like 40% off retail

Proto standard duty j444142 base (15 drawer) and j444119 top box (12 drawer). BB glides (2 on deep drawers) p.c. finish, liners included and it's shiny... I like shiny !!!

here's what is on order for for a shade over 900 bucks...

I done good !

thanks to all that offered suggestions and critique on the Sam's box... I'm glad I waited for these...

john

I say you did yourself proud with that rig, should be quality through and through!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Nope, they don't line up. But the diamond plate looks cool.

The casters on that thing look funny! Way to little

 

[jniolon]

The casters on that thing look funny! Way to little

tech page says 5" x 2" Buck... some of that trick photography I guess

john

 

[dxdexter]

tech page says 5" x 2" Buck... some of that trick photography I guess

john

I don't think he meant the Proto box, but the check plate box.

 

[jniolon]

I don't think he meant the Proto box, but the check plate box.

you're right... my bad... I should read first, huh ??

Wife needed some mall time today and being the wonderful husband I am (who wants to spend almost a grand on tool box combo) I went with her and headed for Sears...

Looked at the Craftsman Professional line boxes to see how they compared with the protos. On the 41" inch model combos the bottom three drawers would only come out aboue 1/2 way. Had to tug seriously on the to get the drawers open... and it was nearly as bad on all the others. Top cabinet wasn't as bad. I didn't see any visible damage to the cabinet, like it had been torqued with a forklift. They had two or three models and they all were as bad. And, if you pulled to the left or right of center you could see the drawer twist in resistance... All of these boxes were 1800 and up. I wouldn't even consider them even if I wasn't getting the protos at such a good price.

I came home and checked my 20 year old Craftsman stuff and even with the old type guides (friction type guides) they worked much smoother than the new ones. I would have to say the even the Sam's box was better... Quality does not necessarily come with price..

john

 

[nissan_crawler]

You need to put weight in them. The more weight in the drawers, the nicer they shut on my Craftsman Pro.

 

[rwhite692]

I was at Costco in Tracy, CA yesterday looking at the 56" Torin-branded Box combo (upper and lower) It was $999. That is one hell of a deal (man - this thing is gigantic!) and every bit the equal of the Craftsman Professional boxes, in terms of the quality of the drawer slides and the metal thickness.

I wasn't too keen on the "suede" paint job (kinda like a very fine grain "wrinkle finish" - kinda like the old Kennedy boxes - because I can see it looking dirty/chalky after a while and hard to just simply wipe clean.

I almost pulled the trigger on this one, but I think I'm going to wait a little while...I'm sure more choices are coming from these manufacturers. But, I really like what I see so far! -Rob

 

[Chris Adams]

http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200321997.htm



http://www2.northerntool.com/product/200321999.htm




Here is the box Costco has. It’s 949 at my location but you have to add 90 bucks tax.

On the store display one of the thumb locks had been broken, it is held by a cheap rivet. They fixed it in the store already.
It seems like that would not happen much in normal use and can be fixed with a penny rivet.

Costco get a LOT less for it than Northern tool, as 949 is for both pieces, no shipping required.
But you would need a large truck to take it home, and lots of help getting it off the truck.
This is one seriously large box.
However, notice the guy standing next to the picture?
He can’t be more than 5’ 5’’.

 

[knuckleduster271]

I'm pretty sure that kobalt tool boxes have a lifetime warranty, I read this doing some research on their stainless combo that they sell. It looked like a decent buy.

 

[jay50]

I'm pretty sure that kobalt tool boxes have a lifetime warranty, I read this doing some research on their stainless combo that they sell. It looked like a decent buy.

Just, so when it breaks, you can just trade it in for the next model, cheaper (poorer quality)...

 

[PoorOwner]

Hi, I need to check out the 56" Torin at costco. But I don't think I can get it, it's way too big and too heavy, 1000 lbs for both top and bottom.

However I am very interested in their new Excel 42" Box they have online now $959 shipped.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11275876&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US

It's less space for the money but I really don't need those side lockers anyway on the 56". I don't have a truck so factor in the shipped price does it for me.

Here is another link I found of the same box with more photos and information.

http://lancastersupply.com/ex41heduprgr.html

16 gauge frame and 18 gauge drawers is thicker than alot of the international import boxes.. Also on the excel the drawers have double slides, I feel no corners have been cut here.. even the small drawers on the right side.

What do you think?

 

[PoorOwner]

I can't help but like the color it's going to really blend in with my garage cabinets for a clean look!