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Tool Box Manufacturers

71blackcheyenne

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Jan 6, 2008
Messages
55
Location
Raymore, Sk
So, does anyone have the real inside scoop on toolbox manufacturers? What i mean is does a NAPA box get stamped in the same place as a Waterloo and so on? Ive been hearing rumors for years that there is actually only 2 or 3 actual toolbox factories, they just change dimensions and drawer fronts to make them look different.
 
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Gregg33

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Jan 13, 2011
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777
Location
Port Colborne, ON, Canada
I know in Canada SPG-International makes boxes for Sears, NAPA, CarQuest, Princess Auto (certain ones) and RONA. Waterloo makes the homeowner grade boxes for U.S. Sears (professional boxes are SPG-International), some for Lowe's and possibly Home Depot. Cdn Tire years ago carried Beach, then carried boxes made by SPG back in the 80's, as recently as 10 years ago they sold Waterloo, now they carry no name Chicom.
 

basspro

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Mar 20, 2013
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327
Location
In the sticks, WI
Obviously Snap-On, Matco, and Mac make most of their own boxes, as far as I know only for them. Kennedy made boxes for Conrwell at one time. Id like to say Waterloo Magnum was identical to the SK pro boxes a while back, looked identical to Craftsman Professional. Quality Craft makes OR distributes boxes for Montezuma, Extreme, Menards, ect. I do not know if Lista makes boxes for others, I would say probably not.
 

cvcman

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Feb 6, 2009
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814
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Syracuse NY
Obviously Snap-On, Matco, and Mac make most of their own boxes, as far as I know only for them. Kennedy made boxes for Conrwell at one time. Id like to say Waterloo Magnum was identical to the SK pro boxes a while back, looked identical to Craftsman Professional. Quality Craft makes OR distributes boxes for Montezuma, Extreme, Menards, ect. I do not know if Lista makes boxes for others, I would say probably not.

Call Waterloo...I talked to a guy there about my Craftsman box...he was telling me all the people they make boxes for....
 
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Boiler

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Nov 20, 2009
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1,967
Location
Indiana
Frankly I don't care unless its a complete rebadge. I've designed lots of sheet metal parts that I've had made by various sheet metal houses. It is my design though that makes it different from the parts made there by other customers, not who makes it.

Its not like Snap-On's press brake makes better parts than Waterloo's. If they are designed to be cheap, or designed to be top of the line, they will turn out like they are designed assuming the manufacturers are capable.

My company does some contract manufacuring as well as making our own products. We build it exactly to your drawings. If you design an item that is sloppy and cheap, you'll get exactly what's on the drawing.

Now if they are making the boxes by the same drawings and process routing, and half get pained red with one badge, half black with another company's badge, and half blue with yet anothers badge, then you've got something to consider.
 

Jim C.

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Jan 8, 2010
Messages
2,598
Frankly I don't care unless its a complete rebadge. I've designed lots of sheet metal parts that I've had made by various sheet metal houses. It is my design though that makes it different from the parts made there by other customers, not who makes it.

Its not like Snap-On's press brake makes better parts than Waterloo's. If they are designed to be cheap, or designed to be top of the line, they will turn out like they are designed assuming the manufacturers are capable.

My company does some contract manufacuring as well as making our own products. We build it exactly to your drawings. If you design an item that is sloppy and cheap, you'll get exactly what's on the drawing.

Now if they are making the boxes by the same drawings and process routing, and half get pained red with one badge, half black with another company's badge, and half blue with yet anothers badge, then you've got something to consider.

I think you're right Boiler! I'm not sure I totally understand your math at the end, but I do think design and a desire to produce a quality product is the key to manufacturing a good box, or any tool for that matter.

Jim C.
 
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71blackcheyenne

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Joined
Jan 6, 2008
Messages
55
Location
Raymore, Sk
Cool info thanks, Napa here has a nice box on sale in their semi-pro line, only difference i can see between it and my buddys snap on, is that the drawers are a bit harder to pull out the "locks", think i might pick it up on monday.
 
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