toolbox advice

[GRHebard]

hey everyone,
i'm not sure if i've ever posted, but i like checking this forum out every once and a while.

i've been building motorcycles out of my little downtown garage for a few years, and i've always kept my tools on pegboard.
but i got a job offer from a local hot-rod shop today, and i'll be needing a toolbox now.
i was considering just getting something new like a craftsmen at sears, but like everyone else on this forum, i'm very interested in older stuff.

i found a pretty neat snap on, i'm sure its not too old, but i think it looks neat. its at a pawnshop nearby, they're asking $250, does this look like a good deal?

otherwise, i saw this Kennedy (is that a good company?) full box with a mess of tools that looks like there is some good stuff in there. theyre asking $400

and a larger craftmen box here, 41" wide, which is a little out of my price range. but i figured i could grow into it. they're asking $500

thanks for the help everyone!
-Greg

 

[Hiball]

I cant see the Snap on picture for some reason, The Kennedy box is a good box but they are a bit on the Shallow side, Lots of Small drawers for Organizing but they fill up fast. I have No idea about the Craftsman box but i would have to be pretty tool box poor before i would give $500.

Now i can see the Snappy, I probably wouldnt give $250 for that box.. Its well built but id rather be in it at $150 do to its size, Looks Clean though.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I'd go with the Snappy. The Kennedy is a good box, but probably 90% of the contents will be junk.

Honestly, if we were talking my money here, I'd ignore all 3 and pick up the Harbor Freight 44" rollaway for $389. It is really superior to the Craftsman in just about every way, and will give you more bang for your buck than anyone else's offerings.

 

[86k10]

I would second the HF box for $389. I personally wouldn't pay $250 on that SO box.

 

[Catamount]

I would second the HF box for $389. I personally wouldn't pay $250 on that SO box.

+1

Buy the HF box until you find a used SO box you like. Then sell the HF box.

 

[ridervfr]

250 is a good price, I paid 350 for the exact box and put it on top of a 7 drawer red snap on. I also sold my old tool chest back to the original owner that sold it to me two years earlier for $85. All in all, a very good deal that will last the rest of my life

 

[hickmlg09]

I've always heard hf was good for toolboxes and sometimes you can get a good deal.
I have a craftsman. I like it.

 

[dandan111]

You will want a roller. I think the Kennedy's are kind of ugly.-sorry guys
Keep watching craigs list.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'd go with the Kennedy. If you think the SO box is big enough, the Kennedy has the exact same size top box. $250 is steep for the SO, even thou people do pay that for them. The Kennedy will clean up nice and last a life time, they are built every bit as good as that SO. I own several Kennedy boxes and have been very happy with them. I'd offer $300 and go from there.

 

[GRHebard]

thanks for the advice guys, im going to keep looking, i want something that i'll want to keep a long time, an old craftsman or snap on would be awesome.

the SO box is at a pawn shop, so im sure they wont budge too much on the price...
i called the guy with the kennedy, he said someone was coming to look at it tonight, but ill call him again in a little while to see if that fell thru...

 

[crewchief888]

if Iwas in need of a toolbox (cheap & quick) i'd buy the HF roller.
then keep an eye out for a set of boxes you really want.

"new" boxes go to work
HF roller goes home, or sell it off.

 

[GRHebard]

so i ended up going with a 60's snap-on box, i dropped it off at the new shop today, and we looked up the serial numbers. the top is a KLR59A, but i might not remember exactly, we figured out its a '63-64 top box.

the bottom doesnt seem to be a snap on box... the serial numbers are on the front bottom corner, and read MB 304A. made in Chicago, USA. can anyone ID the bottom box?
it the one on the right. the bottom plate comes off

http://sphotos-a.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/208063_10151047245617657_1057376679_n.jpg

it came with a bunch of old craftsman tools in it. i'm still sorting it all out.
i've got a little bit of buyers remorse... did i get ripped off? i paid $350...

maybe once i clean it all up and finish organizing all these tools i'll feel better about it

 

[rusty65]

I would say for 350 you did pretty decent because you needed the box and the bottom I would say is a old remline.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Bottom sounds like an MBC to me.

 

[crewchief888]

bottom looks like an MBC to me,

$350 isnt a "you ****" kinda price, nor is it "you got f*cked" price.

used tool and toolbox prices vary widely from one place to the next.

think of it this way,
take that same $350 to sears, see what set of boxes it buys...

those vintage boxes have already stood the test of time, will a new CM set still be usable in 40+ years?

 

[NUTTSGT]

If we saw what tools it came with, we meet see that you got an even better deal than just buying some boxes.

 

[bobcatdan]

MBC made SO's boxes for years so the quailty equal to that of an SO.

 

[RCStocker]

I would second the HF box for $389. I personally wouldn't pay $250 on that SO box.

I have a 20% off store coupon if you want it.
You can find them on line. Go with the HF box for $320. It is a top and bottom.
The top is full depth and it is a better box than all the Craftsman. It is 90% as good as a Snap-on and it is the lowest price box on the market.

The bottm 42 inch box is fantastic for the money. Can't be beat at $389.99.
You can add a top later on and it has a long drawer for your pry bars etc. The HF $300 service cart is on sale for $169.99 right now if you look. It is a supper cart and blow the hell out of the rest of the market for the same thing. Look at the box not the name brand. Stay away from Sears. Everyone makes a better box.

 

[2fat2fly]

hey everyone,
i'm not sure if i've ever posted, but i like checking this forum out every once and a while.

i've been building motorcycles out of my little downtown garage for a few years, and i've always kept my tools on pegboard.
but i got a job offer from a local hot-rod shop today, and i'll be needing a toolbox now.
i was considering just getting something new like a craftsmen at sears, but like everyone else on this forum, i'm very interested in older stuff.

i found a pretty neat snap on, i'm sure its not too old, but i think it looks neat. its at a pawnshop nearby, they're asking $250, does this look like a good deal?

-Greg

If I remember right that Snap On box was around $800 new (10-12 years ago). If it's in good shape it's worth the $250. I know alot of people here like the HF boxes, and I don't see anything wrong with them. Several mechanics I work with have HF boxes. In my opinion you'll never see a Snap On box comparable to a HF box (same size & storage capacity) at HF prices. That would be like expecting to buy a 911 Porsche at Hyundai prices. It'll never happen....If you like the Snap On and if you will have a workbench near your work station to set it on, I say get it.

 

[dandan111]

Nice choice.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I think you did well! What's the story with the gray SO roller?