Toolbox drawer latching mechanisms

[whateg01]

With my recent looking at tool boxes, I've come to realize I don't know how they all latch. I also know now that there are certain latching styles that I really don't like. So I looked at a Snap-On krl722 today and found that it uses a latching system very similar but slightly more refined than the series 3 US general boxes. I do not like that system. Although it is slightly better than a single latch the old series 1 boxes used, I dislike it. I know I like the grip latch style that one of my old craftsman boxes uses. Since the mastercraft boxes use that same style of latch I am suddenly kind of drawn to them. But there are so many other boxes that I've never been in front of. I like the drawer layouts of some of those boxes. I like the drawer layout of the krl722. But if the latch system that is used isn't something that I could like then the drawer layout is moot. I like the friction type like my series 2 US general boxes have. It seems that icon uses that as well, although it is slightly different. Looking at pictures of I think it was matco drawer slides, they look very similar to the icon drawer slides. So it looks like harbor freight is using ideas from other toolbox manufacturers, which is no surprise.

How do the drawer latches or slides on boxes from matco, Mac, Cornwell, tekton, etc work? I don't mean the locking mechanism, just regular don't come open unexpectedly in the middle of the day.

 

[FC Matt]

Moduline Cabinets has a latch system that is called QuikDraw. Just lift the handle with one finger to open and will stay securely closed when shut.

 

[CraigStu]

Aaah heck, get a box w/o bearing slides and they won't open unless you pull on them. Maybe a little more helpful, unless you pull your boxes around the shop, put a 1/4" shim under the front wheels only. Now the drawers won't open on their own due to the rearward tillt of the box.

 

[whateg01]

Aaah heck, get a box w/o bearing slides and they won't open unless you pull on them. Maybe a little more helpful, unless you pull your boxes around the shop, put a 1/4" shim under the front wheels only. Now the drawers won't open on their own due to the rearward tillt of the box.

I do that already even with latches on them.

ETA: to clarify, I shim the front casters. I don't buy boxes with friction slides no matter how much better they are because all the old boxes had them and they were perfect!

When I build boxes for special applications like under the stand for the mill/drill I used to have, I angle the drawer slides upward so the drawer naturally wants to close, usually about 3/16" higher in the front.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I'd wondered about doing something like that by either putting washers under the caster plates, or a whole shim there.

Aaah heck, get a box w/o bearing slides and they won't open unless you pull on them. Maybe a little more helpful, unless you pull your boxes around the shop, put a 1/4" shim under the front wheels only. Now the drawers won't open on their own due to the rearward tillt of the box.

It might also help keep things from rolling off the front of the toolbox.