I would like to upgrade to a bigger toolbox. I'm simply out of room in mine. Everything is buried. I have a Craftsman tool box that I really like. However I would like to see what else is out there. Such as Matco, Snap On, or Mac. What are your opinions of those brands? Are there other brands that you prefer instead? I need at least a 36" wide tool box with a top chest as well.
Upgrade to a bigger toolbox
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mr.speaker
Well-known member
Check out this awesome thread
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&page=940
Since you're up in Illinois you might want to see if there is a Menards by you, they have some decent tool boxes for good prices
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&page=940
Since you're up in Illinois you might want to see if there is a Menards by you, they have some decent tool boxes for good prices
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I've had Craftsman, Snap-on and MAC boxes for a long time. Honestly there's nothing wrong with the Craftsman but there's no comparison to the truck boxes. It was also 1/10th the price. Probably weighs (empty) 1/2 of what the same size Snap-on weighs. There are no drawer slides, etc. 30+ years later it still functions and holds tools as good as it did new.
A few years ago I needed another box and decided to buy a Craftsman top and bottom set. Took it out of the packaging, everything was out of square & metal seemed much thinner than my other Craftsman. Returned it same day. Probably not making them as good as they once did. Still didn't want to spend $5,000+ on a Snap-on and ended up buying a set from Tractor Supply for about $800, which was more than the Craftsman I had just returned. It's been a great box and I'd rate it comparable to my older Snap-on and MAC boxes both in terms of weight and the drawer slides, etc.
If I were a pro and had money to burn I'd probably stick with a Snap-on but honestly can't beat the Tractor Supply box for the money. I'm sure these are available under different brands. You should at minimum give them a look.
That said, lots of good bargains on truck boxes to be found on Craig's List if you don't mind buying used and waiting for a good deal.
Good luck!
A few years ago I needed another box and decided to buy a Craftsman top and bottom set. Took it out of the packaging, everything was out of square & metal seemed much thinner than my other Craftsman. Returned it same day. Probably not making them as good as they once did. Still didn't want to spend $5,000+ on a Snap-on and ended up buying a set from Tractor Supply for about $800, which was more than the Craftsman I had just returned. It's been a great box and I'd rate it comparable to my older Snap-on and MAC boxes both in terms of weight and the drawer slides, etc.
If I were a pro and had money to burn I'd probably stick with a Snap-on but honestly can't beat the Tractor Supply box for the money. I'm sure these are available under different brands. You should at minimum give them a look.
That said, lots of good bargains on truck boxes to be found on Craig's List if you don't mind buying used and waiting for a good deal.
Good luck!
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
The big name brands carry BIG PRICES !
Check out the latest models at HF !
Check out the latest models at HF !
Parabellum
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Sent you Craigslist links, hope they are of use.
Go with a used Snappy box, they hold their value.
Matco is just an rebadged Waterloo, which made the older Craftsman boxes.
If you decide to upgrade with a Horror Freight box, you will have a hard time selling it cause they can be had so cheap.....non existent resale value.
Go with a used Snappy box, they hold their value.
Matco is just an rebadged Waterloo, which made the older Craftsman boxes.
If you decide to upgrade with a Horror Freight box, you will have a hard time selling it cause they can be had so cheap.....non existent resale value.
fastbike02
Well-known member
That's simply not true for all areas, around here hf boxes sale for about 1-150 less that new and usually go fast! Compare that to what you loose on a new tool truck box! While HF may not be up to Snap on standards they are a 10th of the price and IMO they are 10x better than craftsman!
Parabellum
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Except a Snap On box will always be worth more, and a better investment. How much is a 10 year old Snap On box compared to a 10 year old Harbor Freight box? You are just funding the PLA by buying one.
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...451673494-c-9188.htm?tid=-8249063970286796997
Here is a 36 inch combo, they do have bigger. Best bang for the buck there is IMHO, 4 different colors, lifetime warranty, great slides, griplatch, double slides on the deep drawers.
Here is a 36 inch combo, they do have bigger. Best bang for the buck there is IMHO, 4 different colors, lifetime warranty, great slides, griplatch, double slides on the deep drawers.
JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN
Well-known member
I own a Matco box but I would recommend a HF 44 or 56 depending on your available space. Cant beat the price for the quality, storage space, and available add ons
drewvdw
Well-known member
If you're willing to spend a bit more for quality, check out www.StorLoc.com I've got 2 of their boxes and I wouldn't go back to Snap-On. My business partner has a massive Epiq series box and I still prefer my Stor-Loc boxes. They're made here in Illinois (Kankakee) with 100% American made parts. 400lbs per drawer. Forklift channels built in for easy moving (besides the casters). Fully customizable drawer layout, height, width, and depth. And to top it all off their customer service has been absolutely wonderful to me.
As far as pricing goes, you can check that at their website under the news and events tab.
As far as pricing goes, you can check that at their website under the news and events tab.
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wornoutoldman
Well-known member
I have this setup in very nice condition that I would deliver within 100 miles of Chicago for $750. Approximately half of new price.
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...rawer-mobile-tool-cabinet/p-1444451674647.htm
$489 retail
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...eg-41-8-drawer-tool-chest/p-1444451668152.htm
$399 retail
and two of these
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...sterforce-reg-16-side-box/p-1444451673034.htm
$229 X 2 = $458 retail
PM me if you'd like actual photos.
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...rawer-mobile-tool-cabinet/p-1444451674647.htm
$489 retail
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...eg-41-8-drawer-tool-chest/p-1444451668152.htm
$399 retail
and two of these
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...sterforce-reg-16-side-box/p-1444451673034.htm
$229 X 2 = $458 retail
PM me if you'd like actual photos.
bcradio
Well-known member
Percentage wise... Probably close to the same.
Dollar wise... Snap-on will have lost you many more dollars than a HF.
bczygan
Well-known member
HF is having a parking lot sale this weekend and the 44" rollers are $349 plus tax.
Get two of them, or three or four if needed......!!!
Or get the whole stack:
Bill
Get two of them, or three or four if needed......!!!
Or get the whole stack:
Bill
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gdocktor3
Well-known member
I used to share my fathers tools/box until I started to really build my own personal set. I purchased the small Mac/Craftsman setup for $250 used on Craigslist and grew out of it within a year. I then found the 3 piece Mac setup with locking prybar box and Matco side shelf for $500, again on Craigslist. Currently they are both filled with tools and I actually just bought a small, older (well made) Husky side box for $75 on, you guessed it, Craigslist. My point is, my $800 worth of tool boxes do the same thing a new $10,000 box will do from Snap On, Matco, etc, except charge your iPhone... Most of the Mac drawers are probably supporting 100lbs each. They're quality boxes. Buy used...
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fastbike02
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Agreed! While HF has some junk they also have some very well made items. As I have gotten older I have given up being a brand name snob and become more of a best bang for buck person. Also I find it funny people always bring up how bad buying from china is when it comes to tools but not electronics.
Parabellum
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False....The snap on I purchased will always be worth more than what I paid for it. $600, and Harbor Freight won't get my money. Did you know the Chinese purchased the Waldorf Astoria with over a billion dollars with the money we spend on their products? They are buying up America with all that money you spend at Harbor Freight.....
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taumac
Well-known member
It all depends on what you want to spend and use. HF 44 are good price and they're others similar for around same price. Craigslist is a good option buying used boxes also. Seen many nice old Snap Ons and Mac for under a $1000. At end of the day there are sooooo many sizes, drawer layouts and personal opinions go go with.
jlipsky14
Well-known member
Op you should add a few more details if possible such as budget, space available, and dimensions of your current box/top box.
I agree with the used snap on box if you can find a nice deal on one.
However the resale value on the hf boxes are outstanding, I recently went from 2 44 inch boxes to one 72, gave one to my friend and had the other one sold on craigslist for $300 in less than 2 hours. Thats $50 less than new and $100 more than I paid for it.
For me it was between a snap on classic 96 or a hf 72. Only thing I wish it had was 2 more regular height drawers and 1 deep one rather than 2 deep drawers. My box is completely full and has around 200 lbs of sockets in the top drawer and gets used pretty much every day with no issues.
My vote on an upgrade from a 36 inch box would be to the hf 44.
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GeorgeFromPa
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what the model on the mac boxes? had the top and bottom in the early 80s and would love to search for them and buy them again just to have for the hell of it
jaggedscars
Well-known member
Extreme toolbox 41" won me over. Very good quality (better than Menards, Sears, and HF) but you will spend a little more.
http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ex...l-boxes-19-drawer-tool-cabinet-top-chest.html
http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/ex...l-boxes-19-drawer-tool-cabinet-top-chest.html
wafrederick
Well-known member
Matco's toolboxes are not rebadged Waterloos.Matco has their own toolbox plant in Jamestown,New York.Matco makes their own toolboxes.
Greg85mcss
Well-known member
Like others said evaluate what space you have. I originally upgraded from a 26"? Craftsman to a 40" husky & didn't gain all that much space. Look for something deeper than 18" if you can. It probably makes more difference than the width. I was close to buying a 72 from hf but found a used mac for not much more & thought it was worth the investment as a work box. If it was for home use I would have picked up the hf in a second. I'm not close to a menards but people seem to love them too. I have to agree with the comments about hf boxes holding their value. When I was shopping they were on craigslist occasionally listed at close to what they cost with a good coupon & always sold quick.
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j-guenth
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Check with your local Snap-On, Matco, and Mac mobile dealers. They might have what you need in a used box. If you pay cash you can usually deal with the dealer.
Word of advice don't put all your money in a tool box where you don't have enough to buy tools to stock that box.
I purchased a Snap-On box back in 1978 and I still have it but I purchased used middle box and side boxes to have more room to store additional tools. The side and middle boxes cost me $100 each.
Word of advice don't put all your money in a tool box where you don't have enough to buy tools to stock that box.
I purchased a Snap-On box back in 1978 and I still have it but I purchased used middle box and side boxes to have more room to store additional tools. The side and middle boxes cost me $100 each.
fastbike02
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Check with home depot they had 56" International boxes on sale for 399, I love the one I bought
Holzarbeiter
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As others have said check craigslist, I picked these 2 up for 800$
Also check ebay, found this with in a 3 hour drive and won the bid @ 315$
the beauty about the snap on boxes is, that there is still full support from the dealers
I ended up trading in the black KRL722 box plus 3grand on this blue KTL7023
the red HF tool boxes are a good bang for the buck. as mentioned before, if you have access to a local truck dealer you would be amazed at what they have for used/trade ins.
Also check ebay, found this with in a 3 hour drive and won the bid @ 315$
the beauty about the snap on boxes is, that there is still full support from the dealers
I ended up trading in the black KRL722 box plus 3grand on this blue KTL7023
the red HF tool boxes are a good bang for the buck. as mentioned before, if you have access to a local truck dealer you would be amazed at what they have for used/trade ins.
fastbike02
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Richard Cranium
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I have had craftsman boxes, I used mine for years.
Then I got two different snap on boxes (still have)
I got a 72 inch harbor freight with the 18 inch side box.
You will get a lot of your money with the harbor freight box.
Then I got two different snap on boxes (still have)
I got a 72 inch harbor freight with the 18 inch side box.
You will get a lot of your money with the harbor freight box.
sberry
Banned
A 10 yr hf box will be worth near the same or a bit less than a guy paid for it but whats the logic in paying 10X more something today so it will be worth 5 tomorrow. It would be a totally different issue if the HF was 4000 but at 400 you got the Chinese working for free for you.
ryan20021982
Well-known member
I vote for the HF boxes, I just picked up a 56" over the 44" just because its only 12" longer but has double the cubic inch of space. I am very happy with it for the price.
bmwpowere36m3
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+1
Investment? Alright.... at the end of the day you'll lose more with the SO and it'll cost you more to own. That's not to say it isn't worth it, but a toolbox has to work real hard to earn you $5k+
We have a SO box in the shop and HF at home... box probably cost 8-10k twenty years ago... was it worth it? Hard to say, it's water under the bridge at this point. Granted its a much nicer box and twenty years later it's still doing good. However for home use, I can't justify spending 10x as much on a box that just holds tools. That's a lot of saved money for tools, plus I don't move my box around and I'm not worried about security.
However if you can find a nice used box, let the first owner take the hit.
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Im positive Matco is a rebadged Waterloo....... As already stated...... But hey to each his own!!!! I've been using Matco boxes over 15 years and my dad used them LONG before I did. No complaints here.
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I found one at Home Depot that looks nice what's your opinion on this one. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52...ool-Cabinet-Set-Black-HOTC5218B1QES/204825971
FOCUS.FREAK
Well-known member
What part of Illinois are you in? There is a strictly toolboxes location in Naperville. They have a showroom with all of their boxes. Their location in Naperville is a scratch and dent location only. So the boxes at this location are all discounted greatly! I was going to get a box from there but a deal came up for a menard's masterforce 72" on sale for 999 from Menard's
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Greg85mcss
Well-known member
I worked with a guy that had one of those & it was pretty nice. Probably great for home use. Somebody mentioned the international made 56" at home depot for $400. If that's a current price I'd jump on it. That one & the hf, menards, stb brands are heavier duty than the husky 52.
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Spdfreak91
Well-known member
Ive got a craftsman rebadged international, that seems to be doing the trick,not a truck brand but for my home its fine.
Agreed, BEST bet is to buy someones trade in like snap on or mac, etc.
Let the guy before you take the hit on depreciation. I have picked up many great used trade in snap on boxes and saved a lot of money on them and they are in great condition. Dont have to worry about the first scratch or scuff either since it has also been taken care of for you!