Toolbox shopping

[4v shane]

Currently have the Cornwell slide open top cart. Looking to upgrade to something with more room....

Really want to just cash the box out and not pay a a million dollars on a box....

What are some good quality boxes besides the harbor freight ones...

Looking for options etc. and personal experience, reading off of a website tells me measurements not how you like you box after a year of use and abuse.

Enlighten me

 

[Wamsutta]

I think Kennedy is a good box for the money. Also Proto and the MAC Tech series.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I really like the Milwaukee boxes, been eyeing them every time I'm at Home Depot. I'm thinking about selling my 2 tool carts and old Craftsman box to replace with one.

The new Dewalt boxes coming out look really nice. Similar to the Milwaukee or higher end Husky boxes, but with a retracting rear pegboard, charging outlet inside the bottom drawer, and a nice stainless steel top.

 

[Tallpilot]

If you don't like Harbor Freight but don't want to pay truck prices I think the higher end Homack series is probably the way to go.

 

[Empty Pockets]

You might want to check out the Menards Masterforce boxes, as well

 

[warmpancakes]

wait a month michigan will be flooded with cheap student boxes when they drop out of MIAT

 

[joecon]

I normally buy new. But the way to go with tool boxes is used.
tell the truck guys you are looking for one and you can get a like
new one for a fraction of the price. Unless you need it right away
wait and fine a good used one.

 

[Mr_B]

Used snapon or mac can be good way go but if want decent size and minimal cost HF boxes way to go when got coupon/sale, can last well even in pro use if sensible with it .

 

[jptbay]

Check out http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/

Many have purchased from them, including me. Lots of quality options.

I have the Tool Vault Elite 72". Very pleased.

 

[woody 73]

I do not know how much money you want to spend, but since you are in the motor city area, I found this nice used box that you can look at:

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/tls/d/red-snap-on-tool-box-tools/6264204633.html

If you want a new box, they tell me the HF boxes are the kats meow.

 

[crane operator]

I do not know how much money you want to spend, but since you are in the motor city area, I found this nice used box that you can look at:

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/tls/d/red-snap-on-tool-box-tools/6264204633.html

If you want a new box, they tell me the HF boxes are the kats meow.

That's a great looking taco box. Most of them are beat to pieces.
Good thing its not closer to me.

 

[Brand X]

I thought this was a good dea in it's sizel. I bought the second one in the link for $337.50 shipped with th $10% off coupon.. I did not need a another huge box, but wanted something decent to set my old snap-on top on.. This fit the Bill. (I think)? Not here till next week..

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ZQNUYC/?tag=atomicindus08-20
colid=1ZCAD2VE4GJ8U


https://mobiledistributorsupply.com...wer-roller-cabinet-toolbox-red-montezuma.html

 

[lbhsbz]

I have and have had lots of tool boxes...I currently have 4 craftsman 5 drawer units (2 ball bearing, 2 with plastic coated glides) that I use for storage / rarely used tools. They are light duty ****, even though craftsman calls them heavy duty. I have an old 10 drawer steel slide roller that is decent, but hard to open the drawers with any weight in 'em. It has a top box that I use for small lathe/mill tooling/drive bits/drills, etc...that is OK, but the drawers have light loads. I just picked up another 2 bay craftsman "HD" (red/black) for power tools because it has deep drawers, but it's pretty chincy. My Snap On KRL 1001 is 18 years old and is awesome. Heavy, sturdy, and parts will be available forever.

Get a used Snap On on Craigslist.

 

[M4A1Carbine]

I like the new Dewalt and Milwaukee boxes that have been coming out at Home Depot. I've seen some Husky branded ones as well.

 

[GTO]

Find a used SO,roller cab with the 29" depth drawers....

 

[bsg1]

your box is the first thing you see when going to fetch your tools for the job at hand. choose carefully and regret will not rear it's ugly head. determine in advance what your needs are and then hone in on the search. I have done very well in the used market with Snap-on boxes/carts via swap meet finds.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

Hard to beat a SO box in quality AND resale value. You may pay 2500 ish for a used one, but in 5 or so years when you're ready to upgrade again, you'll still be able to get what you paid for it, give take a 100 or so.


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[Heavy Metal Doctor]

You don't describe your tool use, so this is assuming you are in a working shop and have weekly visiting tool guys coming around your shop: Just tell the toolman your looking to trade up, and trying to keep it under whatever budget you have with preference to a good used box deal. Give it a little time and, if he's a decent tool dealer, he find ya something and bring it right to ya.

 

[Mr_B]

If very low budget it HF
If got 1.5-2k to spend used snapon mac or new elite 55" (30" deep) or gatorbuilt 72" (25" deep) or gatorbuilt 55" (25" deep)
used snapon is nice if got time and luck to find a clean deal .

 

[joseywales]

I like the new Dewalt and Milwaukee boxes that have been coming out at Home Depot. I've seen some Husky branded ones as well.

I have the similar Milwaukee, which is $498. I posted in depth info, so let me know if you're interested. The pictured box is $698, but should go on sale for $598. I bought the similar Husky box, because of the drawer layout, but my Milwaukee box is better in performance.

 

[bobernet]

Used Snap-on, Mac, Matco. For $1000-$1500 you'll get enough storage to last a long time.

 

[WittHay]

I get flyers and catalogs from various local industrial/parts places. They always have the International tool boxes for sale, but I don't recall seeing one in a commercial shop.

Around here, Snap-on seems to have the market cornered on tool boxes. There is always somebody trading up, so there are deals on smaller used boxes.

Even if you make payments on a new entry level tool truck box, the weekly payments can't be that much on something that you use everyday to make money.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Check out http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/

Many have purchased from them, including me. Lots of quality options.

I have the Tool Vault Elite 72". Very pleased.

Ditto on them! They were so easy to work with when we moved into our house and had them deliver my toolchest. They held it for almost 3 months before we were able to move in.

I went with an Extreme 56" 72" would have been awesome but no room for something that big.

Old pictures before I did anything nice to the garage besides laying the floor down.

Quality is awesome. For the price it's hard to beat.

-Nigel

 

[DrBaker]

Hard to beat a SO box in quality AND resale value. You may pay 2500 ish for a used one, but in 5 or so years when you're ready to upgrade again, you'll still be able to get what you paid for it, give take a 100 or so.


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This is what I do. I currently have a Snap On and a Proto box that were purchased used. I was patient until I found a good deal on each. I will take good care of them and use them for a few years. When I decide to upgrade the boxes will still have around the same used value.

I learned my lesson early on buying new. I don't care for that first owner depreciation.

 

[Mr_B]

Yeh if got time and means travel/collect then used truck brand box can be amazing good buy.
Is hard find really tidy ones and size layout you prefer .
I ended up with few used project boxes needing refinishing as couldn't find exactly what wanted in tidy order used .

 

[Not1044]

I would agree with the advice on a used Snap-on, you really cant go wrong there. A lifetime ago, as a young poor mechanic just starting out, I went the used SO route and have to say it was the best bang for the buck and I definitely got my money's worth.

However, fast forward 30 years, there seem to be a lot more decent quality off brand boxes that just weren't available back then. I too am in need of more space, I've been eyeballing the Extreme boxes that have been mentioned, they seem to be extremely well built for the money and just a little searching will yield a ton of positive first hand experience from owners. This is the setup I have my eyes on: https://www.nhproequip.com/extreme-ex4181cr-tool-box-set-includes-extreme-tools-ex4181crc-41-8-drawer-top-chest-and-a-41-11-drawer-roller-tool-cabinet

 

[Mr_B]

some of the extreme stuff is pretty good, the 25" and 30" depth boxes being ones I like.
They are good solution if looking at 1500 2500 sort of range and want new .
Used snapon is always first thing look for but time restraint and patience is the draw back, always see loads when don't need one then overpriced abused junk when do or end up buying twice as didn't get exactly what wanted with first used purchase.
Good thing with used boxes is don't loose money and can actually gain if lucky .
I bought a good deal used box get me by while holding out for desired snapon which ended up a cheap deal on neglected krl which took hours of prep for refinishing. My fill in box sold for same I paid and refinished box didn't cost much beside time input but if you not got time find or refinish a box then strictly toolboxes is good option and to be fair will hold pretty good resale value to .

 

[r_olson_06]

You might want to check out the Menards Masterforce boxes, as well

They are great. I have 3 rollers cabs and 2 of them are over 5 years old and have no issues with them except for 1 being hit by a forklift and being tipped over full. it still works just rolls rough.


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[smittyjones]

Check out http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/

Many have purchased from them, including me. Lots of quality options.

I have the Tool Vault Elite 72". Very pleased.

I bought a 72" Extreme Tools Professional box, the roll cab with hutch, from them. Quick shipped and great price! Only real complaint I have about the box is the drawer slides are a little stiff and the detents leave a little to be desired.

From delivery day, or maybe the next day: http://imgur.com/a/KhryE

 

[CaseyP]

My preferred weapon of choice (toolbox) is a 4s 3 bay matco with a side locker and hutch, sublime green. I believe that a Matco box is the best one to buy. Remember you get what you pay for. That being said, if you're not using the box everyday, don't spend that kind of money though, my box was about $8500 total. My box is 4 years old now.



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[4v shane]

2500-5 is my price range for a box. I was just curious if there is some other mysterious brand out there thats quality but not well known. Heavy duty shop. I need weight capacity with drawers.

 

[WittHay]

Besides the 3 or 4 tool truck brands, there is the Proto version of Mac.

For import, there is a brand called TCA. Not sure of the availability in the USA but I wouldn't hesitate using one in a HD shop. Might be similar to the Extreme boxes

 

[anndel]

I was in the market for a box and had my eye on the Milwaukee with the rear pegboard or the newly released Husky but my local HD didn't have them in stock. One location wanted to sell me the only one they had on the floor and it looked like someone had purchased it then dropped it while loading in onto a truck, smashing the front to where the drawers stuck out and couldn't close. HD wouldn't even discount it. I placed an in store order at another HD and it was being shipped from a California store to the Kapolei store. Well the order was cancelled and they never told me. I called after 3 months and they said it was cancelled so I called my SO driver and he made me a great deal on a narrow Heritage box which I bought from him. I'm happy with my Snap On box.

 

[bsg1]

I was in the market for a box and had my eye on the Milwaukee with the rear pegboard or the newly released Husky but my local HD didn't have them in stock. One location wanted to sell me the only one they had on the floor and it looked like someone had purchased it then dropped it while loading in onto a truck, smashing the front to where the drawers stuck out and couldn't close. HD wouldn't even discount it. I placed an in store order at another HD and it was being shipped from a California store to the Kapolei store. Well the order was cancelled and they never told me. I called after 3 months and they said it was cancelled so I called my SO driver and he made me a great deal on a narrow Heritage box which I bought from him. I'm happy with my Snap On box.

cool story with a nice ending.

 

[r_olson_06]

You might want to check out the Menards Masterforce boxes, as well

Currently have the Cornwell slide open top cart. Looking to upgrade to something with more room....

Really want to just cash the box out and not pay a a million dollars on a box....

What are some good quality boxes besides the harbor freight ones...

Looking for options etc. and personal experience, reading off of a website tells me measurements not how you like you box after a year of use and abuse.

Enlighten me

The Menards box are the best value. I have had 3 for up 5 years now. I have one that was tipped over by a forklift and it still works very well just rolls a little slow.

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[kythri]

2500-5 is my price range for a box. I was just curious if there is some other mysterious brand out there thats quality but not well known. Heavy duty shop. I need weight capacity with drawers.

I'll throw another vote for www.strictlytoolboxes.com - I'm still loving my Tool Vault Elite 72" x 30" box.