Tool Box Recommendations

[TLCDino]

I am looking to make the move into a rollaway tool box. The cost of these are CRAZY and the gap between some is huge. What's deal? Why is one box $6000.00 (Snap-on) and another is anywhere from $2000 - $700,

Any thoughts on this one from Atlas? I am thinking of a Christmas Eve "trigger pulling" on this one...

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/ATLAS-21-Drawer-Tool-Cabinet-p/httb4411bbs.htm

 

[Rudyjr]

Check out Strictlytoolboxes.com they have some nice stuff.

 

[regguy1]

http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/?gclid=CKTYxsy3g6YCFQY65QodwXkxsA

 

[jayoldschool]

Head to your nearest Costco.

 

[crewchief888]

some of the reviews of HF boxes have been pretty positive.

personally, i dont need another toolbox, i'm running out of room to keep them

but if i was in the market for garage/home boxes i'd look at HF and masterforce from menards.

just my $0.02

if i hadnt been pulling wrenches for 25+ years, i would have never spent money on truck brand boxes to keep at home.
i also wouldnt have the amount of tools i have now, and would probably still be using the kennedy combo i bought in 1978, and still have room left

 

[PAToyota]

Quite a few reviews here of the various offerings from Harbor Freight, Strictly Toolboxes, Montezuma, Craftsman, Kobalt, etc. Take some time to read through what people are saying and then pick one that suits you.

 

[Aberdale]

If you aren't in a big hurry, you could do some homework to compare the quality differences between several brands, then cruise Craigslist to find a used truck brand box for 1/2 the price of new.

Keep in mind that as soon as you buy a new box and unload it at home it is now used. Why take the hit when someone else is trying to sell a used box that may look just like a new one?

Dale

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

If you are planning on going pro, look at a tool truck brand either new used. For home use as a casual wrench turner, I would second crewchief and pick up a 41" HF bottom box and, if needed, a top box to match. I don't like the fact that they are made in China but I am also a realist and do understand the value these boxes have. I have the same box (from Northern Tools) in my basement doing duty as a home tools, bullets, reloading dies and supplies storage box.

I have a nice Snap-on box in the garage but it is overkill for the wrenching I do anymore (but it is nice to have...) and certainly wouldn't be on my buy list if I hadn't found a good deal on it.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I dont know where you live but you may want to stop in one of the Greg Smith locations if it is nearby. I stopped there about a year ago and really liked their biggest box, It was so big it needed its own zip code. Most of the bigger boxes appeared to be made by the same people who make the better Harbor Freight boxes. The construction was the same, and they had that same metal stamped tag at the rear of the drawers. The boy on your link looks like the HF box.

Chris

 

[ZRX61]

I am looking to make the move into a rollaway tool box. The cost of these are CRAZY and the gap between some is huge. What's deal? Why is one box $6000.00 (Snap-on) and another is anywhere from $2000 - $700

It's the same kind of thinking that keeps Harley Davidson in business...

 

[RoarkIndustrialSolutions]

Lista introduced new toolboxes this year at a fraction of the truck guys.

http://roarkindustrialsolutions.indoff.com/media/RIS/Lista_industrial_toolbox_catalog_-_official.pdf

 

[CamarosRus]

 

[wfochris]

There went that pair of underwear.

 

[ZRX61]

Lista introduced new toolboxes this year at a fraction of the truck guys.

http://roarkindustrialsolutions.indoff.com/media/RIS/Lista_industrial_toolbox_catalog_-_official.pdf

Well they screwed up that website...Top of page 1 shows a 'triple wide" which is also shown on page 12.... & in the pages inbetween showing the range of boxes available there's not a single mention of it.

 

[Ohio Auto]

How much use and for how long do intend to keep it?

IMO, it's like any big ticket item, you need to make your purchase with these thoughts in mind.

I've got the biggest rollcab Snap on made at the time with a maple butcherblock on the top. I've had it for 25 years, worked it very hard and it's still in great shape.

If it were me, I would get on craigslist, search out the nearest biggest city and buy a snap-on box. I see them all the time and there is no reason you can't get a great one for 2,500 bucks or less.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Lista boxes are like file cabinets

 

[xcgates]

^ what do you mean?

 

[kgorman]

We have some used Vidmars in our shop and they are great. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Look on CL for used ones. We bought new divider kits for our tools from Vidmar direct. I am very sure they will last the rest of my life and I suspect that's why the are coveted and thus more expensive. No more cheapo boxes for me.

 

[Colonial Cobra]

I worked out of a Kennedy box for years and it held up just as well as a friends Snap-on. After having two HF boxes and now the work cart also. I think they are nearly as good. Put the extra money into a Roth IRA.

 

[RoarkIndustrialSolutions]

There are so many configurations, it's impossible to list everything in a catalog. Lista just released the triple bank cabinets and haven't released too many marketing materials. That's why they have this on the last page:

 

[drm0]

I went with "Seville" through "Sam's Club". Got upright storage, wall storage and tool boxes for under $1400. Stainless doors and large rollers. Assembly required!!!

 

[pugh433]

I sold my non ball bearing kennedy box for a master force from menards. If I am not mistaken I read Montezuma makes the master force brand. I highly recomend the bb drawers. When I had a lot of wieght in the kennedy box they were tough to open. No complaint after a year with the new box.

 

[e-tek]

I went with "Seville" through "Sam's Club". Got upright storage, wall storage and tool boxes for under $1400. Stainless doors and large rollers. Assembly required!!!

That looks good!

 

[TLCDino]

Thanks so much for all the great feedback. After many, many searches, mainly on-line, but soul searching as well, i did a deal with Shannon at stricklytoolboxes.com. Super cool guy that got me into more box than I currently need, but with plenty of room to grow. Totally what I wanted.

I got an Extreme Tools box, new, with free shipping for less than what a used "tool truck" box would have cost on either CL or eBay.

Check it out:

 

[Helios]

TLCDino, Have you received the box yet? Digging around for recent impressions. I thinking of pulling the trigger on the 56" 21 drawer Montezuma from ST. Probably going to call Shannon tomorrow....if they are around being New Years Eve.