Toolbox- Mac, Matco, Snap On

[Brownsfan]

If its on student discount I believe you are limited to entry level for boxes. Snap On heritage/classic , Mac select/tech, Matco4s. Of those I say Mac Tech series. I have a double bank 50" and its a damn tank. Had it for 13 years now and still looks and functions great

 

[jerseykat1]

I financed mine at $6600 (KRA2422 + Solus Ultra, $9000+ combined), paying $60 a week for two and a half years (almost done). Not exactly a financial burden.. I work with people who spends that kind of money on lunch trucks, booze, and ciggarette.

Buy once, and be done with it on the get go. Cheaper toolboxes just don't work, they will get you by but eventually something will give or wear out. And when that time comes you'd want the lifetime support and replacement on parts. If you're good at bargaining you can even trade in your old box at full value and upgrade for just the difference.

Try that with HF or Sears, they'll tell you to pound sand after your warranty is over.

My first box was a smaller craftsman box. That was over 10 years ago. I still have it. I have no issues with its locks, drawers or anything besides it's finish and that my doing.

There is no way to rationalize spending 6k on tool storage unless it's for a **** load of tools like 5 or 6 boxes worth not one. It will never make since financially it's as bad an investment as buying a new car. But a new car makes much more since.

Only thing that wears out on boxes are sliders and locks all of which can easily be fixed by any mechanic with any kind of skills. Rollers are not hard to get and relatively inexpensive.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Snap-On KRL.

 

[K-Dog]

I traded a Matco 6s for my current Snap-On box both are quality boxes for sure. You will be happy with either. When I got this Snap-On box I also shopped a Matco four bay with a locker. Snap-On came in $4,000 cheaper and gave me more on trade.

So my advise is go with the best deal. A good box is a good box.

 

[P51Boilermaker]

Great responses and arguments!

But! I'm not spending anywhere close to $6k on a toolbox. And I'm not financing it either so I won't have to worry about interest or payments.

I'm "hell bent" I guess on getting a name brand for a few reasons that others have voiced.
1. Better warranty when something breaks/wears out (I'm realistic, I know that getting them to honor said warranty could be a pain in the ***)

2. Better components. I'll be moving this box around from hangar to hangar fully loaded with tools. I don't want to fight crappy casters the whole way or worry about my box being broken into.

3. My discount gets me 50% off or more on certain toolboxes. I don't think even tool truck dealers could come close to that. I really don't want to pass on that kind of deal on a brand new toolbox.

4. I want this to be the last tool box I have to buy for work! I'm a firm believer in buying a quality tool that will last forever the first time around.

 

[K-Dog]

4. I want this to be the last tool box I have to buy for work! I'm a firm believer in buying a quality tool that will last forever the first time around.

Yeah I said that with my last Matco. ( That was my fourth box ever )

I have a hunch aviation might be different than automotive or collision repair though. My last Matco was supposed to be my last box. I outgrew it in 10 years. I just got my new box earlier this year and I am on track to retire in about ten to twelve years so, I feel pretty good that this one is my last.

It better be cause it really is a stressful endeavor.

 

[Wamsutta]

Unfortunately I can't get a Macsimizer with my discount. Only Select or Tech series

Get the Tech 1000 box. It's a solid box and will serve you well.

 

[toddacimer]

I've had several KRL boxes and I've liked them all but a box full of tools is worth more than a big box with a few tools in it. I'd spend money on tools and upgrade your box later

 

[Deej]

I like the snap on masters series boxes. Got this one for the house on saturday

 

[Deej]

I don't know why that came out upside down

 

[Cato]

Atleast do yourself a solid and check it out for yourself.

I see you have a Craftsman roller there and you are using it professionally - is it really as bad as people say?

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I'm also a believer in going used for the best value. I bought my Matco box loaded with truck brand tools for 3k. Based off your list though I would go with the Matco 4s

 

[Coolabah]

junk?

don't forget these guys are jumping from aeroplanes under fire with their toolbox and rifle strapped to an anklestrap....

not meaning to make light of it but I bet the military will soon sort out whether something is tough enough to work in an environment - or not ! Thank you for your service P51

 

[Coolabah]

I don't know why that came out upside down

Looks OK to me ....

Go to your CP user data and unselect " format photos for Australian members "
HTH

 

[jerseykat1]

I see you have a Craftsman roller there and you are using it professionally - is it really as bad as people say?

No its not.. Granted the metal is thinner than the HF and the snap on.. But the drawers still open smoothly, lock works just fine. I have had it over 10 years, it was my first box.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[jerseykat1]

Your again assuming that the lower priced boxes have crappy hardware. Your wrong.. So again do yourself a favor and check it out for yourself. I know quality when I see it. My bigger HF box rolls better than my smaller Snap-on. At the end of the day it's just sheet metal. There are a few threads in GJ that outline how good the boxes really are.

But i understand where your coming from. You just don't know any better.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[jerseykat1]

But matco is the nicer box out of the 3 you listed IMO.. more value than the others.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Brad J.]

Have you considered a Lista box?

Industrial box and each drawer holds over 400 lbs. The tool guys boxes aren't even close in quality.

 

[warmpancakes]

Have you considered a Lista box?

Industrial box and each drawer holds over 400 lbs. The tool guys boxes aren't even close in quality.

they are the same quality wise, were Lista falls behind is warranty and service after the sale, Need casters snap on mac or matco drop them off, Lista you have to send them to the company that made them for lista to see if they are warrantied, need drawer slides truck brands here you go, Lista you better hope they havent changed designs

lista makes parts cabinets that they turn into tool boxes,

 

[Ponchoguy]

I financed mine at $6600 (KRA2422 + Solus Ultra, $9000+ combined), paying $60 a week for two and a half years (almost done). Not exactly a financial burden.. I work with people who spends that kind of money on lunch trucks, booze, and ciggarette.

Buy once, and be done with it on the get go. Cheaper toolboxes just don't work, they will get you by but eventually something will give or wear out. And when that time comes you'd want the lifetime support and replacement on parts. If you're good at bargaining you can even trade in your old box at full value and upgrade for just the difference.

Try that with HF or Sears, they'll tell you to pound sand after your warranty is over.

Well my Sears boxes are close to 50 years old and you can still get parts for them. Sure, if you run over a drawer with a Mack truck, you might be searching Ebay for a drawer, but if you need a slide, a clip, or such, Waterloo has you covered.

What really wears out in a toolbox anyway? BTW there was a series of Craftsman boxes that did have a lifetime warranty, I can't remember which ones though.

 

[Ponchoguy]

No its not.. Granted the metal is thinner than the HF and the snap on.. But the drawers still open smoothly, lock works just fine. I have had it over 10 years, it was my first box.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I'd say that's a circa 2000 era Craftsman box. Nothing wrong it at all. The earlier ones (gray frame/red drawers) are more solid, but I'd take a garage full of those Cmans in a heart beat.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I see you have a Craftsman roller there and you are using it professionally - is it really as bad as people say?

Smokey Yunich did as we saw from the other post! .

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Waggoner72....if we were closer you would be making me a great deal on that KRL!

 

[Brad J.]

I have three 56" lista boxes that are almost 10 years old. The slides don't wear out and for price savings vs. a tool truck box you can buy a lot castors.

We had 8 of them over 20 years old for hardware where I used to work. They were used all day long and not one of them ever had issues with slides.

They had much better slides than the brand name boxes at our shop and a much better price. Plus you can score them cheap when a factory goes out of business.

Mine came from Motorhead Extraordinaire and were scracth and dents. I had around 3500 shipped into three 56" by 60" boxes One had castors and a 2 shelf topper. The other two were moved with a fork lift.

Top quality box with a great price tag. Just another option.

 

[fatfillup]

I didn't read every post but given the original 3 choices, I would by the Snap on. Matco 4's don't have enough drawers, and the Mac Tech 1000 is 50 inches and the Snappy is 54" assuming you are talking double bays

 

[zdech123]

I would say SO or Mac. I worked on cars for 15 years and finally bought a krl7022 about 3 years ago. My other ones were small craftsman and SO tool carts. I didn't realize what I was missing, from a pure organization aspect. The krl was big enough and easy to roll, I could organize all my tools better and the service/warranty was better that customer service at my local mall, or sears.
I eventually stepped up to an epic and I like it as well.
I don't think you should go into a lot of debt but I do think you should try and stretch yourself and get the one you need and want that will last for a long, long time. Don't listen when people tell you this is a bad investment just like a new car- those people have never read a dictionary and don't know the meaning of an investment. Cars aren't an investment
I cant justify buying a starter box for 1-2k and then missing out on your discount and in 5 years buying a box you need for 5-7k. How did that help you? Now you have 6-9k in a box when if you bought the correct one right now you can use your discount and save money and get what you want. People that try to cheap out in the beginning- and I am not saying this to anyone in specific- usually pay more in the end, its a simple fact.
I had to bite the bullet later and spend money on a box when I had a family and other bills, if I would have done it earlier I would have just missed out on more beer money..

 

[abvw]

Well my Sears boxes are close to 50 years old and you can still get parts for them. Sure, if you run over a drawer with a Mack truck, you might be searching Ebay for a drawer, but if you need a slide, a clip, or such, Waterloo has you covered.

What really wears out in a toolbox anyway? BTW there was a series of Craftsman boxes that did have a lifetime warranty, I can't remember which ones though.

There was a body shop next door that was evicted by the landlord, and there were 6 toolboxes that had to be moved. A Snap-on KRL1032 stack, Matco 4s hutch and roller and four Canadian Tire/Sears value brand boxes. All of these boxes are loaded to the brim and had to be moved from that unit into ours for storage.

The value brand boxes had no problem rolling on concrete but as soon as the casters touches the asphalt the boxes were very difficult to maneuver. Two of the four boxes had their casters bent and/or collapsed from going up a small 1/2" bump (the asphalt/concrete crack) into our unit. That's just once over, imagine that you gotta move your box out of the hangar every day, are you going to remove all your drawers just to get the box back into the hangar?

I guesstimate that the Snap-on and Matco were twice as heavy but they were a lot easier to maneuver on both concrete and asphalt.

You get what you pay for. Just because your box sat in the same garage for 50 years doesn't mean they can stand the rigorous abuse of a professional environment.

Snap-on offers free drawer slides, locks, latches and caster replacements for life. From what I understand, the Waterloo and International replacements aren't.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

 

[Ponchoguy]

There was a body shop next door that was evicted by the landlord, and there were 6 toolboxes that had to be moved. A Snap-on KRL1032 stack, Matco 4s hutch and roller and four Canadian Tire/Sears value brand boxes. All of these boxes are loaded to the brim and had to be moved from that unit into ours for storage.

The value brand boxes had no problem rolling on concrete but as soon as the casters touches the asphalt the boxes were very difficult to maneuver. Two of the four boxes had their casters bent and/or collapsed from going up a small 1/2" bump (the asphalt/concrete crack) into our unit. That's just once over, imagine that you gotta move your box out of the hangar every day, are you going to remove all your drawers just to get the box back into the hangar?

I guesstimate that the Snap-on and Matco were twice as heavy but they were a lot easier to maneuver on both concrete and asphalt.

You get what you pay for. Just because your box sat in the same garage for 50 years doesn't mean they can stand the rigorous abuse of a professional environment.

Snap-on offers free drawer slides, locks, latches and caster replacements for life. From what I understand, the Waterloo and International replacements aren't.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

The value line boxes probably cost 1/10th of the others, so for that price, sure, I'd expect all that free stuff too! In fact, throw in some wax, a cover and warranty the paint too! I've changed ONE slide on my Craftsman boxes, and it was me being particular about it having a little crease. For 99% of us, it would be fine. I even saved it.

The Sears boxes of 50 years ago aren't the "value boxes" you're talking about and the Canadian versions may be a different vendor than the US sold Waterloos.

I have one of those "value line" Sears boxes in my garage. It's used for storing my NOS Pontiac parts. I have Husky, Kennedy and Craftsman boxes, and a Snap On side hanger from 1955 that was given to me by a friend.

I'd bargain to say both of my Sears Craftsman boxes were used in shop settings over the years as both looked pretty rough when I got them, but held up well. No broken parts or bent anything. Very thick and well made.

You can see one of them at my "Curbside Garage" post.

 

[P51Boilermaker]

I don't think you should go into a lot of debt but I do think you should try and stretch yourself and get the one you need and want that will last for a long, long time. Don't listen when people tell you this is a bad investment just like a new car- those people have never read a dictionary and don't know the meaning of an investment. Cars aren't an investment
I cant justify buying a starter box for 1-2k and then missing out on your discount and in 5 years buying a box you need for 5-7k. How did that help you? Now you have 6-9k in a box when if you bought the correct one right now you can use your discount and save money and get what you want. People that try to cheap out in the beginning- and I am not saying this to anyone in specific- usually pay more in the end, its a simple fact.
I had to bite the bullet later and spend money on a box when I had a family and other bills, if I would have done it earlier I would have just missed out on more beer money..

I agree with you 100%. I think I'm going to go with a Mac Tech series double bay or Matco 4s double bay. Leaning towards the Mac though. Thanks!

 

[P51Boilermaker]

The value brand boxes had no problem rolling on concrete but as soon as the casters touches the asphalt the boxes were very difficult to maneuver. Two of the four boxes had their casters bent and/or collapsed from going up a small 1/2" bump (the asphalt/concrete crack) into our unit. That's just once over, imagine that you gotta move your box out of the hangar every day, are you going to remove all your drawers just to get the box back into the hangar?

I guesstimate that the Snap-on and Matco were twice as heavy but they were a lot easier to maneuver on both concrete and asphalt.

You get what you pay for. Just because your box sat in the same garage for 50 years doesn't mean they can stand the rigorous abuse of a professional environment.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk

The place I'm going to work at when I graduate has a small ramp from one hangar to another so quality casters matter to me. Plus the hangars themselves are old, 1940's old, so they have their fair share of cracks and bumps. I don't want to screw around with a cheaper box and "hope" it holds up. I've learned my lesson buying the bargain/cheap tool before. You get what you pay for is right. Thanks!

 

[Wamsutta]

The place I'm going to work at when I graduate has a small ramp from one hangar to another so quality casters matter to me.

If you're going to be rolling that box on asphalt, you'll be needing to swap casters. Those hard casters that come with the box are meant to be rolled on smooth concrete only. Look into the Colson Performa series casters. Even though they have a softer tread compound, they still roll very easily and won't shake your tools up rolling over asphalt.

 

[P51Boilermaker]

If you're going to be rolling that box on asphalt, you'll be needing to swap casters. Those hard casters that come with the box are meant to be rolled on smooth concrete only. Look into the Colson Performa series casters. Even though they have a softer tread compound, they still roll very easily and won't shake your tools up rolling over asphalt.

It'll all be concrete. Except when I move it from the parking lot to the hangar but that's all it should see

 

[Ponchoguy]

The place I'm going to work at when I graduate has a small ramp from one hangar to another so quality casters matter to me. Plus the hangars themselves are old, 1940's old, so they have their fair share of cracks and bumps. I don't want to screw around with a cheaper box and "hope" it holds up. I've learned my lesson buying the bargain/cheap tool before. You get what you pay for is right. Thanks!

Sears used to sell "Long Distance" carts for just this purpose (going from place to place).

I'd put a bet on it that a lot of the casters are Allgood Mfg, so the casters could always be swapped out. I rolled my old Craftsman the other day to take the photos in my "Curbside Garage" post. Did I roll it between hangers? NO, but it rolled just fine for a used box.

Me personally? I'd go used. Why pay someone else's mortgage if you don't have to?

 

[GTO]

I'm partial to my KRL,this was the standard that all box manufactures tried to copy for years.
Save your money and buy at least a KRL or Epiq....you'll be happy,trust me....

 

[RustyBuckets]

I have a Husky box, (actually just a drawer section) that I am very happy with. I lost the keys, I called Home Depot customer service, and they gave me the number for Stanley, who made the box. Called Stanley and they sent me new keys for free. This was 5 or so years ago, so I don't know if the customer service is still that good, but it was good when I needed it.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have a Husky box, (actually just a drawer section) that I am very happy with. I lost the keys, I called Home Depot customer service, and they gave me the number for Stanley, who made the box. Called Stanley and they sent me new keys for free. This was 5 or so years ago, so I don't know if the customer service is still that good, but it was good when I needed it.

I had the same experience with buying a floor model from HD. In fact, they even sent me a lock for the top so it would be keyed alike. I used that extra lock on the Kennedy I have, it fit perfectly.

 

[RustyBuckets]

I used that extra lock on the Kennedy I have, it fit perfectly.

Hmnn.... that gives me an idea. I wonder if it would be possible to key my Husky and SnapOn boxes for the same key.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Ultimately it all boils down to we are all different. We have different experiences and different expectations of what we expect / require from our tool storage. I find my self agreeing with so many statements in this thread. I 100% respect the guys working every day out of a Craftsman, HF or Husky box and on the other side of it I believe that the Snap-On Epiq and KRL Masters Series are what all others should be gauged by. I dont have any personal experience with a Matco or Mac box other than guys in my shop having them but I am sure they have tons of rugged durability and functionality as well.

Personally I have had two KRL Snap On boxes and they have always been amazing. Mine is kept at home and leads a rather sheltered life though. Is it way more than I need...absolutely, but its what I chose after considering all my options and I have never regretted my decision. Obviously there are plenty of members on here who put their Snap On boxes through their paces in shops, in the field and in very rough work environments and while many will have nothing but great stuff to say, there will be some who disagree with them.

I also agree that the 56" and 72" HF boxes seem like a great value for the money. Even though I have never been in the market for one I'm sure I am like many others here who have stopped more than once to look them over when finding myself in a HF store.

P51, if you already have a great start on quality tools for your trade and you want to upgrade your tool storage, you would probably be happy with any of the three options you listed. If its truck brand you are after, I understand your reasoning behind it and the student discount is awesome. I don't think you should plan on it being you last box though because it was stated the student discount was on the tech, 4s and classic boxes. All great I'm sure and a huge upgrade for you now but in the long run if you stick with it I think you'll find yourself wanting a KRL/Epiq or Macsimizer or 5s/6s mainly for the premium features they offer, not to mention depth. IMO having 27" - 28" deep drawers and the additional square inches they add is a huge plus and is often overlooked when comparing models.

So check em out for yourself and buy the one that feels best to you and offers you the drawer layout / space you need. But do keep in mind there are always great deals to be had on lightly used KRL's and Epiq's and you may just find yourself in one of them for a lot longer. Thank You for your service!!!!

 

[Ponchoguy]

Hmnn.... that gives me an idea. I wonder if it would be possible to key my Husky and SnapOn boxes for the same key.

Most toolboxes are quarter turn camlocks you can buy at any hardware store. The first set I got was a Fort Lock set with various tail pieces in the bag. You make up what you need and trim the tailpiece.

 

[jerseykat1]

I would say SO or Mac. I worked on cars for 15 years and finally bought a krl7022 about 3 years ago. My other ones were small craftsman and SO tool carts. I didn't realize what I was missing, from a pure organization aspect. The krl was big enough and easy to roll, I could organize all my tools better and the service/warranty was better that customer service at my local mall, or sears.
I eventually stepped up to an epic and I like it as well.
I don't think you should go into a lot of debt but I do think you should try and stretch yourself and get the one you need and want that will last for a long, long time. Don't listen when people tell you this is a bad investment just like a new car- those people have never read a dictionary and don't know the meaning of an investment. Cars aren't an investment
I cant justify buying a starter box for 1-2k and then missing out on your discount and in 5 years buying a box you need for 5-7k. How did that help you? Now you have 6-9k in a box when if you bought the correct one right now you can use your discount and save money and get what you want. People that try to cheap out in the beginning- and I am not saying this to anyone in specific- usually pay more in the end, its a simple fact.
I had to bite the bullet later and spend money on a box when I had a family and other bills, if I would have done it earlier I would have just missed out on more beer money..

Actually the right car can be an investment.. Anything can be an investment if you really want to look at the true definition of the word.

I don't regret buying a craftsman box as my first box. I do regret buying the snap on box I purchased after it. I could have gotten more for my money if HF was around back than. I don't break tools often be it snap on or craftsman. I have tools from every tool truck and every retail store (sears, home Depot, HF, LOWES) I read reviews I do my homework before I spend 100 dollars on a single snap on 1/2 drive swivel socket. You just have to know what to buy from where. Experience and skill will keep your tools from getting broken most of the time.

Organization. Your tool box won't organize anything for you. That's up to you. If your sorry on space sure it's difficult but that just means you need a bigger box. I will ask Max (my SO dealer) if he will organize my box for me if i buy a box from him.. [emoji33].. I get it though more space makes a difference.

Co worker picked up a snap-on impact gun (young, hard headed kid) it couldn't remove lug nuts off a small box truck. I came over with my 200 dollar air cat gun and it took them off like it was nothing. Don't just ASSume that the tool truck stuff is best. It's not always the case.

I think your mind was made up before you created this post. Good luck to you and your new career.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk