Tool Chest/Box Choices

[RD350]

Hi Folks:

If you had a choice to choose from the below on craigslist, which would be the top 3 to go for in terms of quality & durability etc?

-Mastercraft
-Beach
-Gray
-Job mate
-Proto
-Waterloo
-Beach
-Craftsman
-Husky
-Stanley

I can't afford Snap-On, be it old or new.......

Thank you kindly.

regards,

Daryl

 

[BuffettFan]

Daryl,
IMHO, I would go with Craftsman, Proto or Waterloo, whichever one you think is the best bang for the buck. Deciding this without seeing them all in person will be difficult. Personally, I own Craftsman mechanic's and Kennedy machinist's boxes with the Craftsman being 35 to 40 years old and the Kennedy's being 25 to 30 years old. All still function fine, not like a new SO, but fine.
Would RD350 happen to be a smaller, 2 stroke motorcycle? My 1st street bike was an RD400.
Terry

 

[Cummins_Tech]

Husky

 

[RD350]

Good day Mr. Terry and greetings from Canada!
Thank you for your prompt response and feed-back, much appreciated. The brands that you've mentioned are availiable used here in Canada.

Indeed, its the legendary 2-stroker Yamaha RD350. I wasn't even born when these bikes were first manufactured, however I am obsessed with them. The first bike was gifted to me by my dad who is long gone. So I also have an emotional attachment to it besides being an ardent RD fan. I've just bought a basket case RD350LC which I plan on restoring.

With kind regards,

Daryl

 

[RD350]

Husky

Thank you Sir. The Husky seems to be quite a popular name here even with their tools.

 

[BuffettFan]

Those are great little bikes for sure, a lot of fun to ride and a lot quicker than most people realize.
Good luck with the bikes and your choice of boxes.
While I do own quite a few SO tools, I never considered a Snap On box. I'd rather spend the money on what's IN the box.
If money wasn't a concern, then I'd have the Snap On boxes for sure!

 

[Cummins_Tech]

I wouldn't hesitate to get it their 52" top and bottom combo for my personal shop. absolutely a great deal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[John in OH]

Your question is a tough one to answer. Since you appear to be looking at used boxes, there may be little consistency in actual quality due to age, model, style, etc. As BuffettFan points out, without seeing the actual box under consideration, a general recommendation could be dicey.

Personally, I have several older Cman boxes (>25 yrs) that have served me well. I also currently own a nice Cman Griplatch set (abt 7 yrs old) that I really like, but I believe the particular style I have is no longer available. Lastly, for general tool storage ... not for working out of ... I have several Husky boxes that seem OK.

I'm sure Proto and Waterloo boxes would also be fine.

As a purely wild hair, I have always coveted a Beach box because I love the many shallow drawers!! Unfortuantely, they are really scarce here south of the border.

For general features, I'd suggest you watch for boxes that have a lot of shallow (top to bottom) drawers as tools don't get buried so easily under one another; and boxes that have deep (front-to-back drawers). Most less expensive boxes are only 16 to 18 in. front-to-back, but a box with 20 in. or more would be the cats!!

 

[vtcat]

You should look at new Harbor Freight.They are well built and you can't beat the price.

 

[RVDan]

You should look at new Harbor Freight.They are well built and you can't beat the price.

I believe he is in Canada, so the price is 30% more on the dollar, and possibly some duty at the border since it's made in china.

 

[Mikeske]

You should look at new Harbor Freight.They are well built and you can't beat the price.

Harbor Freight is not available nor sold in Canada where the original poster is from. I look seriously at a older Waterloo manufactured tool chest/box. Waterloo also made the toolboxes back in the day for Sears Craftsman and others.

I have a 35 year old Waterloo manufactured Bonney branded roller top box that endured over 30 years in factory setting (manufacturing aircraft) and it battered and old but it has gone into retirement with its owner and it stores the overflow from my new main Harbor Freight 44" tool box with side cabinet, locker and top box.

In the corner of my shop is the old Toolbox. It has done its job and I still like it and the friction slides still operate smoothly, the only thing I changed was I added a 1/4" thick aluminum plate to the bottom and replaced the caster over 15 years ago.

 

[altersaddle]

Hi Folks:

If you had a choice to choose from the below on craigslist, which would be the top 3 to go for in terms of quality & durability etc?

-Mastercraft
-Beach
-Gray
-Job mate
-Proto
-Waterloo
-Beach
-Craftsman
-Husky
-Stanley

From this list, my top three would be Proto, Gray, and Beach.

Older Mastercraft and some Craftsman were made by Beach. Newer stuff is definitely not, Beach closed down a while back, were briefly reopened by GH metals and then closed again for good.

I think Beach (or maybe GH Metals, for their second tour) OEMed some boxes for Gray Canada in there at some point, it's hard to say for sure.

The key to getting the great deals on Craigslist / Kijiji / etc is patience and timing.

Looks like some of the new offerings from Costco aren't too bad either. You can get SPG International off the Costco website for a fair price.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Gray and Beach. I might also choose Mastercraft as some I believe were made by Beach. No to Husky which I can say as the I have a roller I feel the metal guage is a bit light. Have an older CM which is good. The rest I don't know. Have a feeling the Proto might be good.

 

[racinfarmer]

Being in Canada, you might be able to dig yourself out a Rousseau. I'd give my middle testicle for one of those.

 

[Mr_B]

Yep any of top brands pointed out or any of them if size, drawer layout right and they close by and right price and likely good used condition.
Buying used tends be controlled by box size condition price and location more than brand .
Good luck and hope you find ideal box for your needs .

 

[joseywales]

Is this strictly for auto use? Home use? If you are in need of a workbench, have you considered a mobile workbench, which has a tool box? There aren't as many smaller drawers, so it might not suit your need, but just a thought. I have both the Husky and Milwaukee mobile workbenches. There are actually 3 styles to choose, because Milwaukee has one that is nearly identical to the Husky and the other Milwaukee is taller, has two open drawers on the top. I actually prefer the Milwaukee, mostly. I prefer the drawer layout of the Husky. On sale, the boxes run about $550, and the Milwaukee open drawer version runs $498 regular price.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

You might want to throw Kennedy in that list, see them pretty often on Craigslist around here, good tool storage for the money.

 

[joseywales]

You might want to throw Kennedy in that list, see them pretty often on Craigslist around here, good tool storage for the money.

True. I actually have a Kennedy 10 drawer top box that I emptied last night. I'll probably release it. I went with the mobile workbenches, due to space constraints, etc. I don't think the Kennedy "fits" my setup anymore, so I might just sell it...on CL!

 

[Ben1967]

I go with a nice old Craftsman!

 

[trainer]

If you are shopping used, I think its more important to look at the individual box as far as condition, price, etc.