Tool box advice needed

[davox]

I'm looking to buy a good top quality tool box. Something that is really sturdy and will last me a lifetime.

I live in the UK and visited the local car parts store (Halfords). They sell their own range of metal tool chests with a lid and sliding drawers. I wasn't impressed with the quality, they seemed really cheap and the lid flexed really easily when I twisted it. They cost about 150 pounds UK. This is the Halfords box:-
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...rumb_33958-31562-33932_parentcategoryrn_31464

I have heard about snap-on boxes (although I have never used one) and am really interested in the Heritage series KRA5315. This one:-
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=13699&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

The Snap-On box is ideal for me, it is just the right size to fit in the space I have allocated in my garage and is big enough to last me forever.

The only problem with the Snap-On box is that it costs about 1800 pounds UK (list price) and I will need to place a special order to get it shipped to the UK. I won't be able to view prior to purchasing and therefore won't know whether it is a really good quality box.

I don't mind paying this kind of money but I really do want a high quality product that will last a lifetime.

I would therefore really appreciate your comments on the quality of this Snap-On range of boxes (Heritage series).

Are there any other manufacturers that I should be considering ?

Thanks in advance ......

 

[nismomans13]

The Snap-On box is good quality. You could also check out Lista, Matco or Mac boxes, their all pretty high quality.

 

[billymade]

For those expensive boxes (or any expensive tools) try to find it used; you can save allot of dough and there is always some who needs cash or is getting out of the wrenching business. Meeting up with a local Snap-On dealer would be a good idea to get a feel for their boxes and have him show you and present the different lines they sell; if this is a lifetime purchase you want to make sure you are happy with it and it fits your needs. Maybe Moose (london) can give you some advice in the UK market and possible local used sources for Snap-On tool boxes; the dealers usually sell used in addition to new but used from a private party are usually better deals.

You can contact Snapon UK to find a local dealer in your area:
UK Customer Service

Internet Orders Customer Service
For information regarding your e-order call:
01536 413877
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
or e-mail: [email protected]

Snap-on Web Site Customer Service
For questions, help or comments regarding our web site, e-mail [email protected]

Customer Service Centre in the UK
Snap-on Tools
Distribution Centre
Telford Way Industrial Estate
Kettering
Northants
NN16 8SN

 

[Brookesy]

Have you tried Machine Mart

 

[Merkava_4]

The SO box in the link you posted is a wide 53 inch chest; you're not going to find very many manufactures making a chest of that size except for the truck brands. I'm curious as to why you're going with a large chest as opposed to a cabinet rollaway?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Go on eBay and search for "Snap on box" "Snap on toolbox" and "Snap on rollcab"

Look at my Woo-Freaking-Hoo thread, tonight i picked up a near-mint Snap-on 40" top and bottom rollcab for £670, 45 miles from home.

Don't get a Sealey SuperLine Pro. They're ****, i bought one a couple weeks ago, it's ok but a little flimsy, and i found out why you have to pull up the bottom drawer to open it, sheet metal had a slight buckle that was catching the bottom drawer. It does the job, but not so well.

Halfords boxes and Clarke boxes are ok, but again a little flimsy with lots of drawer wobble. Second-hand Snap-on is the way to go.

If you're worried about driving out to collect a box, bear in mind i rented a van for £35, £20-worth of diesel got me 90 miles and with the seller's help i got the boxes into the van in under a minute. getting them out was even easier.

 

[ZRX61]

it is just the right size to fit in the space I have allocated in my garage and is big enough to last me forever.

Should we educate him now, or wait a bit?

 

[slick57]

I just bought a Used Snap On Box with a full and I mean full compliment of Snap On Tools for $4K off of Craigslist. eBay had a few nice ones, but all local pickup only and nothing near me.

Shop around and find a technician who retired like I did or someone getting out of the business. Here are some pics....

 

[billymade]

Wow, that is a really nice find and looks like you are pretty much set for anything! If everything is Snap-On (looks like it pretty much is); you got a great deal and have a set for a lifetime! Congrats, how nice to have all those Snap-On tools to use; must be a pleasure to open all your drawers and have pro grade tools right at your finger tips! Woohoo!!!!

 

[eschoendorff]

I just bought a Used Snap On Box with a full and I mean full compliment of Snap On Tools for $4K off of Craigslist. eBay had a few nice ones, but all local pickup only and nothing near me.

Shop around and find a technician who retired like I did or someone getting out of the business. Here are some pics....

Aw man! you ****!!!!! Really, I think I'm pretty jealous.....

 

[eschoendorff]

Should we educate him now, or wait a bit?

Wait a bit... it's funnier that way.

 

[Deafautotech]

Wait a bit... it's funnier that way.

that would not funny if wait a bit.... i would say that if i am looking for used one then i would just search and talk some of tool truck dealers to see if they want rid some of used box.... my snap on guy did found used (old model KRL1003) after i told him to look for one to match my KRL1203 (red). my snap on guy did it and sold me for cheap because it had lot of bad bearing slides (very rough) and it has some dents but all drawers are work good. when i bought it and told him to ordered the bearing slides like 14 slides... he did it and i did replaced almost all slides. i am happy... no debt which it is good thing to do instead making a payments...

 

[eschoendorff]

that would not funny if wait a bit.... i would say that if i am looking for used one then i would just search and talk some of tool truck dealers to see if they want rid some of used box.... my snap on guy did found used (old model KRL1003) after i told him to look for one to match my KRL1203 (red). my snap on guy did it and sold me for cheap because it had lot of bad bearing slides (very rough) and it has some dents but all drawers are work good. when i bought it and told him to ordered the bearing slides like 14 slides... he did it and i did replaced almost all slides. i am happy... no debt which it is good thing to do instead making a payments...

I don't think you got the point of what I was saying...

Think Steven Hyde from That 70s Show....

 

[Deafautotech]

I don't think you got the point of what I was saying...

Think Steven Hyde from That 70s Show....

yeah i love watch That 70's Show... i love Red FOreman where he will kick the ***....

 

[slick57]

Take the time to look and be patient. There are tons of deals out there. If I had more cash, I'd could outfit a commercial garage supercheap with what's on craigslist and eBay.

 

[GDA]

Take the time to look and be patient. There are tons of deals out there. If I had more cash, I'd could outfit a commercial garage supercheap with what's on craigslist and eBay.

+1000

I did the same thing and got a retiring Porsche mechanics set off craigslist to get a big box and tool set. If you take some time you can do really, really well and acquire lots of pro grade tools.

Awesome score, man

 

[Moose-LandTran]

There are good deals to be had all over the place, you just gotta be patient and watch frequently. i watched for about 6 months for my box, saw good ones and bad ones. Then saw mine and it was too good to pass on. So close to me, few bids and it had a Buy It Now for £1,000 that was later removed.

I'm waiting until my friend Dakota retires so i can buy his box and tools (Snap-on Mr Big double-size box, two top boxes and two sidelockers, completely full.) Shame he's only 27.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I would LOVE to buy a great big toolbox, however, I don't have the place for it (small garage, tools in basement due to higher crime area, especially right now). I am stuck with my three Craftsman 26" boxes, that only one was retail (first one years ago). The other two, one was an estate sale from a friends family ($35 multiple pieces) and the other was at Sears, mismarked for $69. (I wish I had bought multiples)

That said, I have been watching CL, and about the best deal I have seen locally, was on a 40". But it is still high compared to this one (that I would buy if it were close)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...255876729QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270255876729

 

[dogbucket]

@ the OP

I have the Halfords box you linked to, together with the roller cab that goes with it and tbh being only an amateur home mechanic with a single garage it is ok for the money. I figured it was better to spend the money on the tools which are mostly Facom/SO. Maybe if you are a pro in a proper garage something stronger would be needed.

I agree I have seen some great ebay SO bargains if you have the space

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm waiting until my friend Dakota retires so i can buy his box and tools (Snap-on Mr Big double-size box, two top boxes and two sidelockers, completely full.) Shame he's only 27.

Is Dakota in good health?

 

[Deafautotech]

I'm waiting until my friend Dakota retires so i can buy his box and tools (Snap-on Mr Big double-size box, two top boxes and two sidelockers, completely full.) Shame he's only 27.

Wow... really full of tools and equipments (tests stuff) on Mr. BIG box??? can i see the picture of it??? i own KRL1203 and KRL1003 but nothing near to full...

 

[Deafautotech]

Is Dakota in good health?

i hope.... i am hate to see that anyone of my tech friends sell their tools and toolboxes if they are unhealth or even worse is family support... expect the tech at my work bought KRL1032 with hutch for like 11,000 dollars but he only full three or four drawers that it... he dont buy any tools because he dont need it... i keep told him to downsize it and get more tools instead borrow mine...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Is Dakota in good health?

Yeah, he's into his health food and keeping fit. He'll be working for a long time..

Happy for him, not so much for me.

Wow... really full of tools and equipments (tests stuff) on Mr. BIG box??? can i see the picture of it??? i own KRL1203 and KRL1003 but nothing near to full...

You name it, he's got it. He's a diesel tech and workshop foreman, he has every tool to do everything on cars, trucks and commerical/plant vehicles. I'll get a pic next time i go up there, it'll take a few hours to get pics of each drawer!

 

[Deafautotech]

Yeah, he's into his health food and keeping fit. He'll be working for a long time..

Happy for him, not so much for me.



You name it, he's got it. He's a diesel tech and workshop foreman, he has every tool to do everything on cars, trucks and commerical/plant vehicles. I'll get a pic next time i go up there, it'll take a few hours to get pics of each drawer!

NO SH!T!!!!!!!!!!!!! did you see any thing that he just found out that he dont have right tool to do or never find?? i would just laugh when other tech who keep borrow my tools... but i am still tell them to get their own!!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Never seen him tackle a job he didn't have a tool for. Seen him bend wrenches and stuff when in a bind or on a time slot, but he's always got the right tool for the job. Any time i'm like "I can't get to think easy i need a tool that can/is.. etc.." He's like "Oooooh, i have one of those." And sure enough, he has one.

We moved his box across his workshop so it was near both a pit and a bay, 6 of us couldn't push it. In the end it was lifted onto a flatbed with a Hiab crane and driven to its new home.

And i thought my box was heavy when i couldn't lift it out the car..

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I won't be able to view prior to purchasing and therefore won't know whether it is a really good quality box.

I would therefore really appreciate your comments on the quality of this Snap-On range of boxes (Heritage series).

You won't be disappointed. They're solid, they're absolute top-quality. I love mine. Bottom box of mine will get new slides sometime, but the one's now only need a little WD-40 or some grease. The Lock 'N' Roll system is cool too.

I'll get some detail shots of mine on Monday, if there's anything in particular you want to see, let me know and i'll shoot a pic or two.

 

[davox]

Just got back home (from a weekend in London) to some great replies.

Thanks for all the advice.

I'm now convinced (thanks Moose) that I really want a Snap On box.
I had looked at e-bay ..... will try and be a bit more patient and wait for one to turn up.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Just got back home (from a weekend in London) to some great replies.

Thanks for all the advice.

I'm now convinced (thanks Moose) that I really want a Snap On box.
I had looked at e-bay ..... will try and be a bit more patient and wait for one to turn up.

If i'd known you'd be in my neck of the woods you could've come down to the shop and seen the box. That said, i have spent the weekend in the garage at home fixing the Golf.

 

[Mr_B]

Update on 2016 UK boxes .
Current Sealey superline pro would be my choice at sensible costing option after looking at them and clarke HD+ Kennedy and modern britool.
Sealey superline pro is 1.1mm on drawers and 0.9 on frame. Clarke is 0.9 and 0.6 on small drawers .
Sealey satin light textured black being better wearing than red, good thick coating on them.
Clarke still good (nice finish and range addons) for price when VAT free deal on.
Sealey Superline Pro or Clarke HD+ are way better than Halfords inc industrial box and Clarke are better buy than halfords for what you get when on VAT free.
Used Snapon is always good as retain value 100% if no accidents! but never easy find one (in UK used market) you want in condition want and local enough collect.
Sealey superline pro 41" ( example AP41120B £479 inc vat and delivery) roll cab can be had on offer price if google and has 2 options on drawer layout if look at full range (AP41169B, 16 drawer layout) plus side cabinets and all top/middle chest options. 51" (example AP5213TB £549 inc vat and delivery) is also a good buy and not a lot more. they not the best but exceed everything else in new box lower price range plus drawer layout is pretty good .
Has to be superline pro branded with badge on top right though as all others they do are junky .
I recently got a 41" for expansion and holding air and cordless tools and done top with ply & stainless for light duty bench space.
I went for it as have 2 51" in use where I work & owners happy with them and lasting well (oldest only 3yr but he loaded it heavy and has side cab, has changed his rollers for larger size with grease ****** roller bearing axle and added U channel under wheel mounts length wise but mainly as he fork lifts it to other workshop at times)