Upgraded my tool box... hello Snap-On!

[Rezarf]

I have been using about 4-5 smaller boxes with a rolling Craftsman for about 12 years now. We just bought a new house and I knew it was time to consolidate and move all my stuff into a bigger tool box.

I was looking at the Craftsman boxes, and some of the US General boxes as they were in my price range and had good feedback. I also started to look at CL a lot, and I found this 80th anniversary edition box for sale. It is the KRA series, with ball bearing slides. The owner started out at $1100, and we settled on $800, which is less than I would have paid for the 42" Craftsman combo by over $100 bucks.

I don't think I did too bad. I have TONS of space for my needs, I have been cleanning it up over the past few days and it is starting to look nice.

Here it is...

And the cleaning process before and after, the PO had used spray adhesive to stick the drawer liners down... a little goo gone and elbow grease and I got these results.

Before:

after:

I am going to remove the decals and clean up all the slides, they are pretty gummy with grease and grit from a body shop. It should last a long time for my needs. I may a new Snap-On logo to the lid, but that is about it. Time to finish cleaning it up and fill it with tools.

Thanks for those who helped me think through my options.

 

[930dreamer]

Very nice find.

 

[wchamberlain]

Rezarf,

Looks good...........If the whole box cleans up the way the drawer did, and you put some new casters on it, It'd look brand new.

 

[cudaboy]

Looks good, I hope you don't take off the anniversary decals. They will hold the boxes value if you ever resell it.

 

[Rezarf]

Looks good, I hope you don't take off the anniversary decals. They will hold the boxes value if you ever resell it.

Meh, the box is a good box either way... the anniversay decals are pretty lame IMHO.

I would have paid a little more if someone had already removed them!

 

[Rezarf]

Rezarf,

Looks good...........If the whole box cleans up the way the drawer did, and you put some new casters on it, It'd look brand new.

It was certainly a work box, that picture made it look good. There is a lot of paint spots, chips, dents and wear and tear to look brand new ever again

 

[Even 11]

Nice work! I'd say you scored!!

-Dane

 

[outcast]

yeah. darned nice box/score

i kinda like the decals. i would leave em.

 

[Slip_Kid]

At $800 it's a great deal.......................nice find.

 

[NWphotog]

Love the box but personally I would deep six the decals.

 

[pipsters]

Post some more when you fill it!

 

[balane]

Another vote that the box would look better with the decals removed. If I saw two identical boxes listed I would also pay a little more for the one with on promotional decals.

 

[Trey T]

I would have spent it on the US GENERAL 13 drawer with top box as the construction seems to be more rigid and the payload for some of the drawers are better than that snap-on.

 

[blazer1]

Nice box!

But why are you keeping it outside of your garage? I keep mine inside the garage so it won't get stolen or anything. You may want to do the same.

 

[durallymax]

another vote to remove the decals. Maybe save the one on the inside of the lid but definitely ditch the others.

 

[Slip_Kid]

I would have spent it on the US GENERAL 13 drawer with top box as the construction seems to be more rigid and the payload for some of the drawers are better than that snap-on.

And you base this opinion on fact or fiction.

 

[Rezarf]

I would have spent it on the US GENERAL 13 drawer with top box as the construction seems to be more rigid and the payload for some of the drawers are better than that snap-on.

I disagree, I handled all the main contenders on the same day. I think the US General box is a good value, but the difference between the SO box and all the others I handled; US Gen, Cman, Cobalt, Costco... there was no denying the quality of the SO box in comparison. Now at retail prices new, it'd be another story but for the same money, it was apples to oranges.

 

[jrsulo]

Ive got that box without the decals....paid a grand,and its a tank !!

 

[back2class]

I disagree, I handled all the main contenders on the same day. I think the US General box is a good value, but the difference between the SO box and all the others I handled; US Gen, Cman, Cobalt, Costco... there was no denying the quality of the SO box in comparison. Now at retail prices new, it'd be another story but for the same money, it was apples to oranges.

Well, I have owned a similar KRA box and i agree, the construction was better than the US generals I have played with, but only SLIGHTLY and below the quality of the costco CSPS box I owned for several years. I think the OP did ok as I recall he was seriously considering NEW craftsman boxes. While I think he paid about $150-200 too much, still he did much better than spending the same or more on a Craftsman box. He also now has a box that he can be proud of and let's face it.....even us non tool polishers would rather admire a snap-on box full of our stuff over some Craftsman unit.

 

[Rezarf]

Well, I have owned a similar KRA box and i agree, the construction was better than the US generals I have played with, but only SLIGHTLY and below the quality of the costco CSPS box I owned for several years. I think the OP did ok as I recall he was seriously considering NEW craftsman boxes. While I think he paid about $150-200 too much, still he did much better than spending the same or more on a Craftsman box. He also now has a box that he can be proud of and let's face it.....even us non tool polishers would rather admire a snap-on box full of our stuff over some Craftsman unit.

Yup, that was me. I agree, it was a much better deal than buying a new Cman. I appreciate your advice as it really gave me the motivation to negotiate a bit more with the owner.

 

[Rezarf]

Nice box!

But why are you keeping it outside of your garage? I keep mine inside the garage so it won't get stolen or anything. You may want to do the same.

Are you joking here? My tool box will be in the garage.

 

[Trey T]

I never stated that it was deemed to be better than that particular snapon box. I know for certain that the payload of some of the drawers of US GENERAL has higher payload.

snap on KRA boxes use 100lb(per pair) drawer slide. US GENERAL also use 100lbs sliders

I am not talking out of my *** here, although I'm new, but I can ensure you all that my background is sufficient to make those statement

 

[Underdog]

Take em off I say. Nice box, Like I always say buy used CL SO boxes. US or canada made and SO supports them with all the parts you'll ever need today and years from now.

 

[Rezarf]

I never stated that it was deemed to be better than that particular snapon box. I know for certain that the payload of some of the drawers of US GENERAL has higher payload.

snap on KRA boxes use 100lb(per pair) drawer slide. US GENERAL also use 100lbs sliders

I am not talking out of my *** here, although I'm new, but I can ensure you all that my background is sufficient to make those statement

I'm not trying to bust your chops... I just disagree, and made my own personal decision No harm, no foul. I appreciate the advice, and in no way am I questioning your credentials. But I would buy this box twice before the US General I handled.

 

[Rezarf]

Take em off I say. Nice box, Like I always say buy used CL SO boxes. US or canada made and SO supports them with all the parts you'll ever need today and years from now.

Yeah, as soon as I find the time, they are coming off.

 

[chickenfarmer]

One more vote to keep the decals, that way you'll know it's yours when you see it in the neighbors shop... since you leave it outside and all...