To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

ToolVault vs Proto

matemike

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
211
Location
Brazoria, TX
Yep, another ??? vs ??? toolbox thread.

I've seen a lot of GJ members mention ToolVault boxes, so I looked into them and sent this to StrictlyToolboxes.com


I'm in the market for a new tool box, budget around $2000 +/-. So a side cabinet is a possibility for me as well.
I'm really interested in the 56" Tool Vault 21 drawer tool cabinet and top chest. The drawer configuration is perfect for me and I really like the top "shelf" feature under the lid of the top chest. I just wish the drawers were all 18 gauge like the Extreme brand boxes.
The 56" Extreme 21 drawer cabinet and chest has an identical drawer configuration to the Tool Vault. However the top of the Extreme top chest is more like a bin unlike the "shelf" that the ToolVault offers.
Would it be at all possible (and still look like a good match) to use an Extreme 56" bottom cabinet with a ToolVault top chest? I.e. do the blue shades match in color when comparing the two different brand boxes? The drawer pull handles and aluminum trim pieces would need to be swapped on one box or the other so they match too. Is that possible?
Or even better yet, does ToolVault offer a box as described above with 18 gauge or thicker steel? That would be the ideal way to help me make my decision.
I work offshore on drilling ships/rigs and have always used Proto tools and tool storage. I consider this environment to be one of the harshest in the world on tools and equipment. Imagine the everyday use and abuse you may see in a plant or industrial warehouse with the addition of salt air and motion of the ship on the seas causing wear and tear on our equipment. I've read over and over about your customers comparing the tool vault and extreme tool boxes to the well known brands like snap-on and Mac, but do you have any feedback from Proto users?

I only intend to use this box as an extreme hobbyist at my house in my work shop. Unfortunately I tend to not be gentle even with my own tools and equipment. The Proto stuff tends to stand up to me though. So I'd like to know I have good quality that could stand the abuse of industrial environments like the Proto boxes.


StrictlyToolboxes responded that the ToolVault top on an extreme bottom would not match well. So the 56" TV set is currently my #1 choice and will most likely include the side cabinet as well.
But I just can't quit Proto as they're all I know and I'm very impressed with them. Their 41" top and bottom set is less $ than the TV 56" set, but the depth of the proto 41" set is very unappealing. Barely 16" and they're mostly 1.75" height drawers too.
I could probably acquire a 50 1/2" proto set for around $3500 if I hit the sales just right, but still a little pricey. I'll need to save for a little while longer.
The most noticeable gain of the 50.5" Proto over the 56" TV is some 6 more inches of drawer depth. This greatly benefits being able to fit long wrenches in there laying them front to back, which is how I prefer to store my wrenches. The cubic inch capacity of the proto 50.5" set is tremendous compared to the TV 56" set. I believe it is because proto counts the drawers AND top compartment while TV only counts the drawers. Is this correct?
Is it crazy to hold out for a few more months to get a Proto over a ToolVault tool box considering the extra money and minimal bonuses the Proto offers?
Does anyone think that STB could make a 56" TV box set with tubular keys? That would be a huge plus.

Sorry for the lengthy mess of a message, but I had all these particular things on my mind despite reading the many threads on TV boxes.


-Mike
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

oldldh

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,700
Location
Fairhope, AL
www.strictlytoolboxes.com

You were in the right place, but may have been looking at the wrong boxes...

30 inches deep...

Roller cabinet $ 2,795.00...1,000 pounds shipping weight...

Combo Set $ 4,250.00...1,600 pounds shipping weight...

A brute of a tool box...

300 and 600 pound weight in drawers!!!

The Extreme 55" Professional Roller Cabinet and the Combo Set!!!
 

Attachments

  • 3guys.jpg
    3guys.jpg
    56.5 KB · Views: 29
  • EXtreme55probox.jpg
    EXtreme55probox.jpg
    125.9 KB · Views: 20
  • EX55inblk.jpg
    EX55inblk.jpg
    124.1 KB · Views: 17
  • 55incomboset.jpg
    55incomboset.jpg
    107.7 KB · Views: 17

Ruger_556

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
4,005
Buy the Proto, it sounds like that's the one you actually want and deeper drawers are worth it. It's a lot more expensive if you buy the ToolVault and then decide you should have got the Proto. Although I am biased as a Proto 57" owner :lol:
 

Ruger_556

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 8, 2013
Messages
4,005
www.strictlytoolboxes.com

You were in the right place, but may have been looking at the wrong boxes...

30 inches deep...

Roller cabinet $ 2,795.00...1,000 pounds shipping weight...

Combo Set $ 4,250.00...1,600 pounds shipping weight...

A brute of a tool box...

300 and 600 pound weight in drawers!!!

The Extreme 55" Professional Roller Cabinet and the Combo Set!!!

Do you work for them and/or get paid for advertising? You make exactly the same post in every tool box thread and they're always stock photos...
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

oldldh

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,700
Location
Fairhope, AL
I was saving up to buy the 55" Extreme Roller Cabinet...

When...

My Wife "surprised" me with a 56" Harbor Freight Roller Cabinet for Christmas...:beer:

Being the semi-intelligent fellow that I am, I said "Thank You, My Love!!!", and put my tool box savings toward satisfying my GearWrench obsession...:thumbup:

The Extreme 55" Professional "appears" to be a very stout toolbox, at a very reasonable price...(300 and 600 pound drawer weights, 14 and 16 guage sheet metal, etc)

That's why I post it...

If I had something other than the "published" photos, I'd post them...

If someone wants to spend upwards of three large on a roller cabinet, the Extreme 55" should be in the discussion...

That's why I post them...:evil:
 
OP
M

matemike

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
211
Location
Brazoria, TX
www.strictlytoolboxes.com

You were in the right place, but may have been looking at the wrong boxes...

30 inches deep...

Roller cabinet $ 2,795.00...1,000 pounds shipping weight...

Combo Set $ 4,250.00...1,600 pounds shipping weight...

A brute of a tool box...

300 and 600 pound weight in drawers!!!

The Extreme 55" Professional Roller Cabinet and the Combo Set!!!

I definitely looked at those. And I think they're identical to the Lista's just a different name on the box. You're right, appears to be a very sturdy box, maybe even more sturdy than the Proto. But like I said, I can get a 50 1/2" proto top and bottom set for ~$3500 if I hit the sales at the right time. I'd go that option of buying a box I am already familiar and impressed with before spending nearly another grand. No offense, but one might as well go with a big name truck box at that $4k+ price....

I'm only trying to convince myself if the $2000 56" sets with side cabinet from STB will match or maybe even out-do, outlast and overall outperform the Proto for my needs.

BTW, I'm moving out of a 26" craftsman top and bottom set. So either way this new box will be a huge increase in size and quality. That only makes my mind spin more about how I would utilize each drawer; comparing the proto 12 drawer top to the 10 drawer top and 12 drawer bottom to 10 drawer bottom as well as the full 21 drawer TV sets. haha like I'm ready to break out the label maker and start making labels for each drawer on a toolchest that I don't even own yet.
 
Last edited:

oldldh

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
3,700
Location
Fairhope, AL
matemike---

You buy what floats your boat...

The Proto Set will probably serve your needs for the rest of your life, and then some...

Best of luck with your choice...
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom