Upgrade to a bigger toolbox

[Al Borland]

Matco is NOT a re-badged Waterloo toolbox. The Matco factory is in Jamestown NY. Pretty sure toolboxes are the only thing they actually make, as most of their tools are made for them by Apex.

 

[Yankee]

I have the Waterloo HD box that I'm VERY happy with. Waterloo also rebadges this for Craftsman's Industrial. This is much heavier duty than thier "premium" line. Normally the Craftsman is a tad more than the Waterloo. The drawer layout is slightly different. I prefered the Waterloo since I wanted more narrow drawers. Here are some links...

The Craftsman is now on sale...

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-36in...CO74121612B?prdNo=13&blockNo=13&blockType=G13

Here is where I got the Waterloo....

http://www.elitetoolboxes.com/waterlooprofessionalhdseries3613-drawercombo.aspx

 

[Sugarfryz]

In my opinion unless you're a pro or have a ton of money to burn the Mac, Matco, and snap on are a bit overkill. They are fantastic boxes, in particular Matco and snap on. Tons of people have those at my work. Also two mechanics who have been there 30 years have made it by with getting a hf toolbox every 10 years. Only like 1500 bucks total. I recently bought a husky, it does okay. Drawers slide fine, paint scratches super easy. I'm okay with that, what I don't like is every time I touch it I feel like it's gonna fall over. Also had to return it the first day because first try opened two drawers and two broke. It was a huge bummer. If I had to do it again I would go hf

 

[NES]

Thank you for warning me about the Husky toolbox.

 

[volaredon]

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.

yup they are made about 5 miles from me.

 

[davidhansen]

I agree with a lot of the suggestions above. I like the Snap On but I would try and find one that is used and in good shape. So much money...

 

[methomas70]

Used Used Used.
And be picky.
If you're not in a hurry and invest 15 min a day searching Craigslist, you'll find a fantastic box for much less than new.

 

[volaredon]

I have a Mac Tech 1000 top and bottom that I have had about 10 years, and an old Waterloo at home from when all that Waterloo made were solid heavy boxes (70s I'd guess) that are overflowing, I have been looking at CL off and on for the last year or so, (not looking often or looking "hard") for a tool truck branded box, I just brought home a 1987 vintage Snap on KR 1000 and KR1100 combo from a local auction house that runs either a general household or an estate auction every other Sunday...
the Mac and the Waterloo will be going onto CL as soon as I get the Snap on setup cleaned up and my detents in the mail... they all make a "homeowner" duty (none currently worth a ****) a professional/heavy duty/industrial duty line and at least one "mid grade" sometimes a couple levels of "mid grade" boxes in between.
Waterloo made Craftsman boxes for years. and they made "cheapie" ones, as well as some pretty heavy grade units for them over the years. Remline, Homak, kennedy also (at least used to) made some pretty substantial boxes for reasonable cost..
that Mac tech 1000 back then was "their" cheapie" now that line is their "Select series".

You couldn't give me a HF "anything"... I do my best to stay away from "made in China"
yeah I know, it isn't possible in all products (electronics unfortunately come to mind) but I do so when ever I can,
At work I have a matco "Proformance" series top and bottom, 25" deep, 57" long 2 bay.
It is a 4s made in 2000 (I bought brand new, paid around $8k, even with a better than decent trade in) before there was a 5s and a 6s. series. and, no, Waterloo does NOT make Matco boxes!
3 weekends ago my son bought the same Matco bottom as mine for his work, as I have except for the color> his is only 2 years old and he got it for 1/3 of what it would sell for off the truck. It acme from the semi-local "facebook for Sale". He paid more for that bottom (not counting a 200 mile round trip to get it) than I did for my Snap on setup that came from 6 miles away.
his 1st box that he has already outgrown at work was a Snap on set that I know would get me a "You ****" if I could post pics, which I can't, because of what little I paid for it and its condition, especially for how old it is (late 1970s) and possibly for my new Snap on "home" box that I recently got, too. I have no doubt that I could "make" money on both of those units, but they are not for sale. I need them here too badly right now LOL

 

[Heaty]

I bought my KRL 722 for $2999 brand new on the snap on truck with a free $300 rebate. Fast forward 5 years later and that same box I have today can be resold for $3500 all day all night. How ironic is that!! The box price not only held its value it appreciated^ !! It's all dinged up and scratched but none the less I used it for 5 years and it's still worth the same price since the first day I bough it. Crazy crazy.

 

[VinceG]

It depends on your budget. The tool truck one aren't cheap but if you but a lot of weight in it and use it daily they are your best bet. look at the max weight some Cheaper boxes say 2000lbs I'm a diesel mechanic and have well over that in my box. over 20 years ago when I started I had a Craftsman box it didn't stand up to the weight and daily use. I bought a Mac Tools Macimizer and had it with no issues for 16 years. recently I switched to a Snap-on KRl1022 with a hutch and love it. If you get a Snap-on it has a lifetime warranty if you buy it new and register it. they will replace drawer slides, wheels and any non damage rusting issue.

 

[VinceG]

The price on the tool truck websites are not what you pay my box was on sale and the steel top and cover was free. the hutch was on sale and had a rebate the side box was also over half off.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Ball bearing slides are a must !