Upgrading my work tool box, want some input please!

[nationalminer84]

The box don't make you the money..... My Cornwell man told me that of all people. I bought a Costco Stainless box for 6-700 and never had a problem with it when I was wrenching. Now I work Industrial where the Company Provides tools and boxes. I have a PROTO at work and have had no complaints with it. mine is just a 36" though.

 

[Coach James]

.....PRICE.... QUALITY.... SERVICE.... PICK TWO- YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ALL THREE

Good Luck

Why can't you have all three?

Coach

 

[TOOL MASTER]

My favorite for aircraft...


hard to tip this guy over...trust me all front drawers ****

 

[ckblum]

Do the drawers open from both sides on that cart? Where can I find something like that? I have an old hospital cart that you can open the drawers from either side. I'll try to get some pics up in a bit.

 

[ZRX61]

My favorite for aircraft...


hard to tip this guy over...trust me all front drawers ****

Taco wagons I missed one of those on craigslist for $200 a couple of years back It had been rattlecanned flat black, but that **** wipes off with a lacquer thinner & a rag. If I could have got it, it would mostly likely have got new powdercoat

 

[ZRX61]

Do the drawers open from both sides on that cart? Where can I find something like that? I have an old hospital cart that you can open the drawers from either side. I'll try to get some pics up in a bit.

The back side you can't see has a cabinet, not drawers

 

[Adam.C]

I've seen alot of HF 56" rollers in hangars along side snap on boxes. I'm impressed by the HF boxes. Only hesitation is that some guys report receiving damaged boxes. If time is of the essence, that may not work for you.

I've also seen many "industrial" boxes- kennedy, list, but mostly lista with wooden tops. They are what are used in the a/c factories I have seen.

In the old days, when guys in the factory had personal boxes, they attached thick aluminum boiler plates to bottom of the box, then reinstalled the casters with long hardware. This gave them the rigidity they needed to move heavy boxes across bumpy floors.

My advice to an a/c apprentice is to buy snap on hardline tools. That is what is used across the industry. The box you store your stuff in is secondary.

 

[customh]

What's the advantage of taco wagons/ why are they so often used in aviation?

 

[ckblum]

Maybe this is a dumb question but what do you mean by Snap On hardline tools? Cause most of us at work have hardly any Snap On tools, maybe a ratcheting screwdriver and some duck bills.

 

[ZRX61]

What's the advantage of taco wagons/ why are they so often used in aviation?

Toolboxes are usually in the middle of the floor, not pushed against a wall so it makes sense to have a box you can access from 3 sides instead of 1. I've seen people make their own versions with 2 41's back to back with another shorter box on the end, all mounted on a custom base with BIG wheels so they are effectively one box. They tend to be quite a bit bigger than the taco wagons.

 

[krc328ic]

Ok, this might be a dumb question, but have you considered a MAC Tech Series or even a Matco box? Slightly better quality than most of the others mentioned and not really overly priced especially if you found one gently used.

 

[ckblum]

The thing about used boxes here, there are none. At least in my price range, never see any Mac boxes unless it's a hugh jass 3 bay box or something. Mac Tools doesn't post prices on their website for some reason. At least I don't see them, what's a Mac Tech box go for new, in approx the size I'm looking at?

As far as Matco and Cornwell, we don't get those truck brands up here as far as I know.

 

[j.c.whitney]

Consider the HF 44" and the HF 5-Drawer Service Cart. For well under $600 you'll have all the storage needed and extra money left over to buy quality tools. Couple years down the road or if a nice used Snap On box presents itself, go for it.

 

[pitterpat]

Consider the HF 44" and the HF 5-Drawer Service Cart. For well under $600 you'll have all the storage needed and extra money left over to buy quality tools. Couple years down the road or if a nice used Snap On box presents itself, go for it.

Both on sale now down here in the States.

 

[rancherbill]

I've seen people make their own versions with 2 41's back to back with another shorter box on the end, all mounted on a custom base with BIG wheels so they are effectively one box. They tend to be quite a bit bigger than the taco wagons.

Do you have any pics or links to pics of these boxes?

 

[ckblum]

Yea the HF 44 still seems like a good go-to if all else fails, including my current box. I'm in no rush, my work box is holding up for now. Maybe I'll just wait till I finish buying my tools, that'll determine what kinda space I'll need then I can make a better decision when it comes time.

 

[lane meyer]

~$450 to your door isn't bad at all.

I was eyeing the tool vault 56"

but my eyes have been opened to the HF44"

keep us posted on your decision ckblum, a review wouldn't be too bad either

 

[ckblum]

I was recently checking out the Mac Tools MB8800, or the Tech 1000 double bank boxes. Mac offers a 50% discount for apprentices but I haven't seen either price of these boxes.

Haven't been able to see any in person either, no one at my work has a Mac and only 2 guys have older Snap On roll cabs.

I think the MB8800 would be big enough but still compact enough to throw in a truck and move around. But then if I ever wanna expand I think adding the side locker would kill my wallet as those are usually over a grand alone.

Haven't heard or seen much around here about the MB8800, anyone have any info/input?

 

[ckblum]

So this is what I ended up with! Waterloo Trax series 41 inch 14 drawer cabinet. Found it on CL just over the border, $300! I really like the drawer layout actually, more sq. inches and only a few deep drawers.

 

[KSB]

Nice, we have a few of those kicking around work. Did they give you any hassle coming back across the border?

 

[ckblum]

Nope! Honesty is the best policy hahaha. I always go back and forth, fill up cheap gas, run to Harbor Freight, take advantage of free shipping with a PO box over the border. I'm in Abbotsford which is right across from Sumas, WA.

 

[RedF]

Looks like you bought a box, but Peavey Mart sells some pretty decent, bigger boxes for the money, just FYI.

 

[AV tinker er]

I'm surprised not a lot of people are giving me flak for comparing an HF and a Snap On. Thought I would have some ******** "you wanna be the best, you gotta own the best" attitudes.

Don't listen to those die hard fanatics. Don't get yourself into all that debt. That 1,000 saved is worth more in the long run than having a name brand box. Look at how many HF boxes you go through to reach the amount for one SO.
My 2 cents. (I hate debt)

I didn't read the entire thread. Good find!

 

[NJHandyGuy]

go snap on and never look back you"ll be glad you did

 

[98ssuck]

Did you look in Washington states craigslist? Also vernon isn't that far.
http://bc.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-tool-storage-benches-Snap-on-toolbox-W0QQAdIdZ513496779

 

[Moose97]

Good choice. Nice box and still cheaper than the HF. Like so many others here have said, spend your $$$$$ on the tools not the box.

 

[basspro]

My friend has the 36" Masterforce top and bottom and I have the 56". Both are sweet, as we built frames for under ours to move around our 300,000 sq. ft. mill. Both have nice layouts and are basically a no frills Montezuma. I got my 56" new for $500.

 

[ckblum]

Where do you get Masterforce from?

Also we don't have Peavey Mart in BC. Never even heard of it before, I checked the website but they have no specific products listed. Anyone have any links to the Peavey Mart boxes? Or perhaps a picture of one? I still may get rid of my Husky when I bring it home to get a better home box.

 

[tadwolfe]

For the money you can not beat the Harbor freight. Have you check out Viper? Sears has 41" for around $600.00, this is the one I would buy.