Tool box help (yes, another one)

[RodneyPierce]

Alright guys, I have been doing endless searchs on here and looking at local boxes. Im having a heck of a time making a decision. I have about 1000.00 to spend, and need at least a 41 inch box. I went and looked at the HF boxes yet again (for about the 20th time), also went to Menards and looked at the Masterforce boxes yet again (also, for about the 20th time).

I have a few things that I want in a box, if Im spending this kind of money. (1000.00 is alot for this guy, even though I know it might not be for some others). Im not a mechanic by trade, but still want a solid, sturdy, reliable box. I have also found that the detents to hold the drawers closed drive me absolutely nuts! I hate tools sliding back and fourth when opening and pushing closed a drawer. So, I want a box with grip latches or some form there of.

I have also looked at the strictlytoolboxes site, and they have some very nice boxes there, but have a hard time spending the cash if I cant "get my hands on one" first. So, figured some of you folks on here might be able to help me or point me in more direction for boxes.

Must have ball bearing slides, and a "grip latch" type of mechanism. No detents please. Im driving myself nuts here!! Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[FergusonTO35]

If you can find a used Cornwell box that would be an excellent choice. Most of the newer ones have ball bearing slides and a grip latch type mechanism thats alot better than that offered by Craftsman.

 

[BigAl62]

The 56" box from Harbor Freight has ball bearing slides and "grip latch" drawers (I was surprised to see this) and is less than your budget limit.

 

[Octarine]

Where are you located?

 

[Toolman12]

Check craigslist in your area you can find a very good snap on toolbox for around $1000.00 i did for $1000.00 i got a kra2411 in brand new condition maybe i just got lucky but there are deals to be had if you are willing to wait and find the right deal for you good luck

 

[RodneyPierce]

Im in Cedar Rapids, IA. I have been looking on C-list up to 250 mile radius. I did find one 52" snap-on box for 1000.00, but would really like to have an upper and lower cabinet. Its right here:
http://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/tls/2725507817.html

 

[machine_punk]

+1 for the 56" Harbor Freight box. For the home shop, I think you'd be hard pressed to beat this box.

I've heard nothing but good about the StrictlyToolBoxes...but you have to decide if you are willing to pay that much.

 

[Octarine]

^what he said. Search "snap" and limit $ 400-2000. Show up with a truck and ten hunnert dollar bills and i bet one of them will come home with you.

 

[bobcatdan]

That SO you found would be a nice box. Its 21" deep so not much deeper then a standard 40" combo, but is build like a brick *********. Its also pretty tall, 43" or so. Don't rule it out a USA made box with a lifetime warranty. I would at least go look at it.

 

[JASTECH]

+1 on Like new boxs' Made in U.S.A. And yes I am one person who will buy USA for my 5yr. son.

 

[LawnDart79]

Im in Cedar Rapids, IA. I have been looking on C-list up to 250 mile radius. I did find one 52" snap-on box for 1000.00, but would really like to have an upper and lower cabinet. Its right here:
http://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/tls/2725507817.html

This Snap-On box is a pretty decent deal. I would at least go look at it. It's significantly higher quality than the Harbor Freight box people are recommending.

 

[Mstrfxit12]

I've had really good luck using "Search Tempest" to find things. In fact its how I found the KR791 i just bought. It searches all craiglists within the distance you specify as well as ebay that way you dont have to go to each one and search.

 

[Camtwo69]

I just left harbor freight and that box caught my eye . I open and closed the drawers
And they felt nice and smooth . Left there and went to sears and walked through the
Tool box section and I thought the harbor freight box was very nice .

 

[RodneyPierce]

I emailed the guy with the so. Waiting on a reply back. Ran to sears tonight and checked out there boxes. Hf is def nicer. They do have a brand called viper that is identical to the masterforce that menards carries except black in color. I'll post pictures when I get home

 

[RodneyPierce]

Here is the Viper box at sears. Im not sure why they would even put these anywhere near there Craftsman boxes, as these make them look like childs toys in comparison:

 

[dieselmike]

1 grand for that snap on box??? holy ****!!! buy that yesterday!!!

 

[Octarine]

Have you checked out what they have at Jim's Auto Repair that is closing? Looks promising.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

1 grand for that snap on box??? holy ****!!! buy that yesterday!!!

+1...you shoudn't be wasting time picking your ****, you should be hauling it to go get that Snap On box.

 

[RodneyPierce]

I emailed the guy, just waiting to hear back from him now.

 

[RodneyPierce]

If it all goes well, Ill pick it up this weekend.

 

[RodneyPierce]

Do any of you guys know what series the box below is?
http://cedarrapids.craigslist.org/tls/2725507817.html

 

[BLACK DEATH]

I would go get it now because someone else may get it before you. I am looking for a box similar or lager. I wonder how long it is though?

 

[RodneyPierce]

oh well, its gone. One of you guys likely bought it out from under neath me didnt yah?? LOL

 

[joshn569]

us general isnt too bad a box for the money. I was in same situation a few years ago and bought the 41". Need to upgrade again but im laid off now. here is a link to my box review i just did

 

[thaghost87]

Check this one out. On sale right around your budget. http://m.sears.com/productdetails.do?partNumber=00959631000P

 

[RodneyPierce]

I wont pay for a sears box. They arent what they used to be. I went and looked at them last night. Pretty flimsy and thin compared to most other import boxes. And I think there was atleast 3 of the grip latches that were falling apart on almost each box they had with them. Ill keep looking. It sort of gives me hope on a tool truck brand box after finding that snap on box. I am waiting to hear back on a matco box currently.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

Dam, Rodney. It sold already? I told you, been there before. Im in Texas so it wasnt me. I wish I could find boxes that cheap here in texas. They want top dollar down here.

 

[RodneyPierce]

Black, yeah. Its OK though. Ill keep hunting. I sent off about 5 more emails today while I was at work. (Dont have cell service inside our shop) Got a couple back, but the boxes were too small. Still waiting on the Matco box size and pictures. That guy did send an email back and let me know that he would get me the info here tonight sometime. Its cool. Ill keep hunting. Im willing to drive up to 200 miles from home for the right deal, so there is quite a few in the surrounding area.

 

[RodneyPierce]

Well guys, after driving myself crazy doing research for the last week, I think I have finally decided on a box. I was going to get the truck brand box, probably snap on if I could find another here, but after looking through and seeing the reviews on Montezuma boxes I was pretty torn. Then, found that the montezuma and masterforce (Menards box's) were made by the same factory apparently, and after looking at the two of them, I would be hard pressed to believe that they arent. Anyhow, looking online at menards.com, I can get a 56 inch, 11 drawer master force box pictured here:

and a 16 inch side cabinet, pictured here:

for 853.20 shipped to my local store for pickup. Really cant beat that price, and that will also give me a 72" work bench surface as well. Tonight, Im going to go to Menards and check them out again before I place my order. I can get past the green color (it really doesnt bother me, and honestly, much prefer it over standard red). I might even go stand in one of the 41" drawers, just to see how that fairs. Im 320 lbs, so would be a good test.

 

[RodneyPierce]

Here is a picture of the wife standing in the 41 inch model bottom drawer. She was scared it was going to top over. Im 320, and stood in the same drawer with no issues, other then the box wanting to tip over due to nothing being in it. And it rolled very smooth with her standing in it. She wasnt to thrilled that I was taking a picture of her doing this, in the middle of Menards We did get asked shortly after if we needed any assistance. They thought we were nuts.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

So you stood in the drawer and it didn't buckle? Buy it!

 

[RodneyPierce]

haha, yep, more then once "I" stood in the drawer. Actually 3 times just to make sure it actually happened. It didnt even dent the bottom! I couldnt believe it. Made the wife hold on to the box so it didnt tip, 3 times. I was going to go to the next drawer, but she was tired of getting looked at funny, so decided it was time to leave the tool box eisle. LOL

 

[BLACK DEATH]

Man thats a nice chest. Wish we had one down south

 

[NUTTSGT]

Man thats a nice chest. Wish we had one down south

Her back is to the camera



J/K man, I have a friend that bought one of the bottom boxes to put in his enclosed trailer. He seems to be happy with it.

 

[RodneyPierce]

Its all good Nuttsgt. This was the final test for me. figured if it held me, it would hold whatever I could toss at it. i was very surprised at how much better the slides moved, and how buttery smooth they were with weight in them. And its heavy gauge too.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you haven't bought it yet, try buying it online/store pick up. Try to find a coupon code and save a few bucks on it.

 

[RodneyPierce]

Nutts, I plan to. There is a 10% off coupon online, so I can get the whole mess up there for a little over 900.00 shipped to the store after taxes. That saves me about 100.00 off the 56" box and 16" side cabinet.