Tool chest quality.

[acer66]

Hello,

I never owned a tool chest/cabinet just played with ones in the big box stores.
But I just ended up with this Craftsman box because I helped a friend and I was wondering if someone can give me a perspective of how good or bad this box is and how it compares to current ones so I have an idea what to get for a lower or if I want to get a new one.

It is very heavy, for me at least and I will see if I can find the model number.
Must be older since it has no power strip or usb and the dampers are not good in holding the hood up anymore, almost got my fingers more then once.

Thank you


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[dsimatt]

Great garage box that will serve you well, I wonder if you can get the struts warranted but shouldn't be to hard finding replacements I'd think.

 

[acer66]

Cool and I got some paperwork now, it is the model no. 706.655636
and the warranty according to it is only for the original owner.

Need to replace the dampers or keep the top closed.
Had it up while removing the blue tape
and it slammed down a tad to close to my head.

 

[dsimatt]

Tell your buddy to call them for you or just call and say your the original owner, slammed fingers **** but for the price you paid on the box I'd take a few slams.

 

[zendriver]

Unless it falls out the back of the truck, at 40 MPH, it will likely be around longer - functioning just fine, than you will.

I would suggest a black lower unit, for obvious reason.

 

[Wamsutta]

That might be one of the very last Waterloo made boxes.

 

[acer66]

Unless it falls out the back of the truck, at 40 MPH, it will likely be around longer - functioning just fine, than you will.

I would suggest a black lower unit, for obvious reason.

Good to hear, might paint the cart black for now.
Feels good to finally have place for all the wrenches etc..


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[Fedwrench]

That might be one of the very last Waterloo made boxes.

No, not even close.

What you have there is the top Craftsman Professional box. It was based on the Waterloo Magnum of that time frame. They were really bulletproof. back in the day, a Waterloo Magnum was the leading competitor to a tool truck box.
I think that box is from around early 2000's and listed for $999.00 when not on sale. Those boxes were branded Craftsman Professional or Craftsman Industrial over the years. Although they don't command much money in the used market, they are well made and as you mentioned heavy even when empty so, find a stout base unit or leave in on your wooden cart.

 

[acer66]

That might be one of the very last Waterloo made boxes.

I heard that name before so I assume that is good.

 

[acer66]

No, not even close.

What you have there is the top Craftsman Professional box. It was based on the Waterloo Magnum of that time frame. They were really bulletproof. back in the day, a Waterloo Magnum was the leading competitor to a tool truck box.
I think that box is from around early 2000's and listed for $999.00 when not on sale. Those boxes were branded Craftsman Professional or Craftsman Industrial over the years. Although they don't command much money in the used market, they are well made and as you mentioned heavy even when empty so, find a stout base unit or leave in on your wooden cart.

Thank you for the info, I got it for helping a friend move for a bit over an hour so that sounds like a good deal for me.

I started loading a drawer up a bit and it still slides nicely.

 

[Legion Prime]

I have that same/similar series I bought used back in 2004ish. Top and bottom are great boxes, one drawer is a little sticky in places but that's about the closest thing I have to a complaint about mine after 15 years. The struts you should be able to pull and take to an auto parts store and even if they don't stock them they should be able to order you a new set easily enough.
https://ibb.co/pfZzSxT

 

[qlopp]

Back in the 90's early 2000's before there were a million competing Chinese offerings of decent quality larger tool boxes, the Craftsman Professional line was a seriously good second tier product, behind Snap On, Mac, etc. They were reasonably priced IIRC such that their biggest top/bottom combo was under $2K. I tried them out in the store and the build quality was nice. I doubt what is being sold as Craftsman's finest these days is as well built.

If it was a Waterloo box (very possible) it didn't remind me of their style but it was built to the quality of the high end Waterloo products.

Congrats on the nice acquisition!

 

[zkling]

That's a good box.

 

[Wrench97]

If you are not concerned about closing the lid replace the strut with a straight piece of steel with 2 holes drilled in it. On my home box I can't remember the last time the lid was closed.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I worked as a millwright in wire mill. Even our small plant was spread out, so we moved our tool boxes with us, I had two short ones back to back and a standard top on one side on a cart with 8" casters. Between the machines they cheaped out and used pavement, since it was tight it was hand spread, with no big packers smoothing out, in other words rough. Company replaced tool boxes every 8 years, by which time they needed it, between the flexing, heavy loading, collisions with production fork lifts or us dropping the carts from fork lifts. The only two tool boxes that stood up well were the old Smith Falls Beach, not the newer ones, and the SPG made Craftsman Professional . Both the Waterloos I bought, didn't do well, they soon cracked the corners with all the flexing. So when I retired, I brought home my tool boxes. I was still short drawers, so rather than making drawer banks, I lazied out and bought another couple of tool boxes, a bottom and an intermediate . After my excellent experience with the Craftsman, they were SPGs . They were flimsy, nothing like the Craftsman !

You have one of the best made tool boxes out there.

 

[clubairth]

That's interesting and I was NOT aware the Professional was the same as the Industrial boxes?

I have never seen another set like mine and they are clearly much stouter made than any Sears box I have every seen.

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[seber]

You can replace the struts with wire cable that lets the lid open just enough to stay up. Done carefully it will fold out of the way automatically when the lid is closed.

 

[Wamsutta]

No, not even close.

Not made by Waterloo you say?

 

[Flyordie]

Acer, I will be visiting their factory most likely July 11th for an in-depth tour. I can ask them about getting your lid struts replaced.

Their line on that is now the HD series.

The Waterloo part number for that box is.. PCH-36521BK. Yes, they still make it.

 

[shteii01]

Cool and I got some paperwork now, it is the model no. 706.655636
and the warranty according to it is only for the original owner.

Need to replace the dampers or keep the top closed.
Had it up while removing the blue tape
and it slammed down a tad to close to my head.

According to internetz 706 is code for Waterloo.

 

[acer66]

You can replace the struts with wire cable that lets the lid open just enough to stay up. Done carefully it will fold out of the way automatically when the lid is closed.

Thank you, I might try that if the dampers are to pricey.

 

[acer66]

Acer, I will be visiting their factory most likely July 11th for an in-depth tour. I can ask them about getting your lid struts replaced.

Their line on that is now the HD series.

The Waterloo part number for that box is.. PCH-36521BK. Yes, they still make it.

Thank you, that would be great and I hope you have fun.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Doesn't matter who made it, it's got to be a decent box and better than the one you had before this one.

 

[jrgavic]

That's interesting and I was NOT aware the Professional was the same as the Industrial boxes?

I have never seen another set like mine and they are clearly much stouter made than any Sears box I have every seen.

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.

 

[lolaetype]

Are there any manufacturer's marking or numbers on the struts? If so, you might contact these folks to see what they have.

Quality Gas Struts and Gas Springs | Lift Supports Depot

Get lift supports, gas struts, springs, & more from Lift Supports Depot. Enjoy 1-on-1, personal service & a limited lifetime warranty on select gas springs!

www.liftsupportsdepot.com

You might try here also:

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/combo/0247-1235442/craftsman-tool-chest-parts

 

[jrgavic]

Is your Industrial Series, by chance, for sale?
My Industrial. Series units are completely full, and I am in need of more room.
Those, and the Professional Series, are the "ONLY" boxes ever sold by Craftsman that with that "height" dimension.

 

[Twisted Sid]

Is your Industrial Series, by chance, for sale?
My Industrial. Series units are completely full, and I am in need of more room.
Those, and the Professional Series, are the "ONLY" boxes ever sold by Craftsman that with that "height" dimension.

Youre asking a question to someone from a post from 2019 and who is also banned

 

[ecotec]

I heard that name before so I assume that is good.

It wasn’t good for Napoleon…