Used Boxes - Proto vs. Kennedy

[mritchie77]

With the holidays almost past us, and money out the door that was going to go...I'm looking into upgrading my current toolbox setup. Currently I've got a 60's Snap-On KRA 9 drawer top box on a three drawer Rem-Line lower. These have gotten me through a quite a bit, but now that I actually have a garage I'd like to upgrade to a workstation type lower box so I could use the top as a bench.

Definitely not going to be able to afford truck-boxes...but the local marketplace has two boxes (used) that I think I could swing no problem. I don't have any experience with either Kennedy or Proto boxes so I'm not sure which would be a better deal.

The Kennedy is 50 miles away and currently is going for $700.

The Proto is about 200 miles away but going for $450.

Any ideas what would be the better buy? I know that Kennedy has good machinists boxes but I've never actually seen one of their rolling boxes. I've got some old proto tools, but also never seen one of their boxes.

Best guess, the Kennedy is close to a 315X (current model) and the Proto looks to be near a 550S box with the top drawer on the bottom (older model maybe?).

 

[racinfarmer]

I don't think you could go wrong either way, but if it was me, I'd probably go for the Proto due to having the "built in" side cabinet.

Or, whichever one has bearing slides for the drawers instead of friction slides.

If I'd get the Kennedy, I'd remove those center wheels ASAP.

Wish the full length drawer was on top on both those boxes.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’ve heard good things about both. I’d go with the Proto for it having the side cabinet that would be handy for me. Maybe for you too depending on your needs. I’d get the one that best suits your price and needs. I think both are good boxes.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Either one looks fine. The question is how much are you comfortable spending and how far do you feel like driving?

 

[DeeKay]

OP I have the same series PROTO box. I used it for 4 years as a maintenance tech in a factory where I rolled it probably 1/2-3/4mile a day between machines. It held up great until the spot welds on the bottom started to break, but it was also overloaded, stationary it would have probably never had a problem.
I like the box a lot but there are a few problems;
#1 the castors are trash so if you do a lot of moving around they will probably fall apart. I ended up replacing them and building an angle iron cradle which solved the spot weld problem too.
#2 You have to keep the box locked if you move it at all or if the floor isn't perfectly level; there is no positive drawer latch and the detents don't hold the drawers closed super well. I came down from the maintenance office one time and found my box tipped over with all my tools everywhere. I thought someone hit it with a forklift but as it turns out, all of my drawers decided they wanted to be open at the same time

I don't know much about Kennedys but if it has drawers that latch I think that alone would be worth the extra $ over that PROTO

Good luck! and post up what you end up getting.

 

[propmaker]

Those are both nice boxes cant go wrong either way. I recently scored two Stanley Vidmar boxes. I sold a Milwaukee, husky and craftsman lower box and I still have a ton of room in the Vidmar boxes. Depending upon your area I'd do a search for Vidmar or Lista boxes.

 

[tool_scrounge]

If they are mostly stationary with occasional moving, you are probably fine with the existing wheels. If you intend to move it a lot, change over to quality casters. It really makes a difference.

 

[mritchie77]

If they are mostly stationary with occasional moving, you are probably fine with the existing wheels. If you intend to move it a lot, change over to quality casters. It really makes a difference.

Totally stationary. Just going to sit under my pegboard wall and hold the tools in the second bay of my garage since my truck doesn't fit.

Those are both nice boxes cant go wrong either way. I recently scored two Stanley Vidmar boxes. I sold a Milwaukee, husky and craftsman lower box and I still have a ton of room in the Vidmar boxes. Depending upon your area I'd do a search for Vidmar or Lista boxes.

Looked around my area and very slim selection. Austin, TX is not known for anything industrial (it's very techie). Found a couple in Houston but nothing this large. The vidmar's do look very stout though.

OP I have the same series PROTO box. I used it for 4 years as a maintenance tech in a factory where I rolled it probably 1/2-3/4mile a day between machines. It held up great until the spot welds on the bottom started to break, but it was also overloaded, stationary it would have probably never had a problem.
I like the box a lot but there are a few problems;
#1 the castors are trash so if you do a lot of moving around they will probably fall apart. I ended up replacing them and building an angle iron cradle which solved the spot weld problem too.
#2 You have to keep the box locked if you move it at all or if the floor isn't perfectly level; there is no positive drawer latch and the detents don't hold the drawers closed super well. I came down from the maintenance office one time and found my box tipped over with all my tools everywhere. I thought someone hit it with a forklift but as it turns out, all of my drawers decided they wanted to be open at the same time

I don't know much about Kennedys but if it has drawers that latch I think that alone would be worth the extra $ over that PROTO

Good luck! and post up what you end up getting.

I'll see what I can find out about the Kennedy. I like the price tag on the proto (even with the driving). Although, this will be a stationary box.

 

[DeeKay]

If it's stationary, the proto will do just fine. Mine is now just a garage box too and works just great as long as it stays level. I still lock it up though just as a paranoid habit, if you've ever tipped a box, you know it's a nightmare lol

If you could find one on the cheap though, Lista/Vidmar is the way to go. A lot of them have an interlock so you can only open one drawer at a time which makes it really hard to tip.

 

[Shelbylex]

I personally like the way Proto looks more, but Kennedy has more drawers

About your comment on inability to afford truck boxes: it depends on how much work you want to do on one and if you can wait. There is Snap On KRA-396 in good condition listed for some time at 795 which I saw couple of times on CL. I also saw one for $150 before but it need respray to look good (if I had a truck, I would have travelled to NH). Good deals pop up periodically. The best I saw was Snap On large 2 bay box for 350 missing one drawer (which was NLA - would have to ask somebody to create of hunt down on eBay...)

Depends on timing, ability to get cash and start moving within couple of hours...

 

[seber]

I have no experience with Proto boxes but I've bought and sold over a dozen used Kennedys. They are well made and the drawers seldom bind due to loose fit like you get in cheaper boxes. But, they are machinist boxes, not mechanics. That means very shallow drawers and they are not built to be moved around. As long as they are stationary, the casters are OK but move them a few times and the bottom will collapse. No doubt that is why that box has an extra axle. Every one I dealt with had to have the bottom reinforced and casters replaced before I could sell it.

 

[ike]

I'm in Austin. The fact that the Kennedy box has been on Craigslist for as long as it has indicates it's not priced that great.

I'd pass on both of those and buy a US General box.

The Kennedy is 48"x 21", you can get a similar sized, 44" x 22", US General new for $499.

 

[Monza Harry]

I've had the 52611 & 5150 bought together back in Feb. 1985, still used and hated daily since. The top sagged from day 1 and I had little to load it with, the front cover has always been finicky to get latched due to poor fit, the lower 2 drawer wasn't any better, drawers sag, finish I consider poor. All of this happiness for $336.** from a youngster making $5/hr. so 2 weeks pay, it hasn't really deteriorated much, but just hasn't made me very happy. Just my observations of my boxes, it seems rare today in the shops I've worked at for a new recruit to buy a Kennedy. Harry

 

[Mr_B]

proto okay but not at that money, might be worth an offer if super condition, if not keep looking .

 

[B_Bimmer]

Too pricey on both counts if you ask me. Hold out.

 

[Cgw1984]

Fwiw- i THINK that kennedy is a versa cart. If so, it should be stout enough for mechanics tools moving. I have a large kenedy setup, and its every bit the equal of my snappy boxes in build quality, BUT the brown is horrid, and the drawers are very shallow. Id not have bought the kennedy, except i got it very inexpensively. That said, its a very nicely built box. We just got some proto boxes at work, to replace worn out snappys. Less than a year and they are already worn more than i would have expected. But could be techs being hard on em too!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I'm in Austin. The fact that the Kennedy box has been on Craigslist for as long as it has indicates it's not priced that great.

I'd pass on both of those and buy a US General box.

The Kennedy is 48"x 21", you can get a similar sized, 44" x 22", US General new for $499.

Only took until the twelfth post!

 

[mritchie77]

Fwiw- i THINK that kennedy is a versa cart. If so, it should be stout enough for mechanics tools moving. I have a large kenedy setup, and its every bit the equal of my snappy boxes in build quality, BUT the brown is horrid, and the drawers are very shallow. Id not have bought the kennedy, except i got it very inexpensively. That said, its a very nicely built box. We just got some proto boxes at work, to replace worn out snappys. Less than a year and they are already worn more than i would have expected. But could be techs being hard on em too!

I actually think it's a 4400MP after looking through the 2017 catalog (albeit an older model with the drawer on the bottom). The giveaway was the extra wheels in the middle, originally I thought these were homemade but it appears that it was designed this way.

I'm in Austin. The fact that the Kennedy box has been on Craigslist for as long as it has indicates it's not priced that great.

I'd pass on both of those and buy a US General box.

The Kennedy is 48"x 21", you can get a similar sized, 44" x 22", US General new for $499.

Nothing against foreign made anything (can't buy anything new from here almost) but I'm trying to stick with an American made box.

Only took until the twelfth post!

It's a record!


Anyway, here are some pictures of what I think this box is. The 315 box I thought it was retails for $1,200ish but I think this is part of the maintenance pro series that retail at 3x that. Maybe that translates to better quality?




Looking last night, the Proto box sold. I wouldn't have even had time to arrange a pickup so I guess that's out. I'm actually liking the Kennedy more the more I think about it but can anyone chime in with what a decent price might be? Wouldn't hurt to shoot them an offer and see but I don't know if the $500 price in my head is fair.

Also, a worn Snap-On showed up for $450. Looks like it needs some work though....

 

[ddawg16]

The Kennedy is made better.....I've always liked their boxes....

Looking at the photos, the Proto looks a bit larger.

But....for the price difference....and travel....I'd go Proto

 

[DeeKay]

I think 500 is fair, the worst he can say is no. If that's the case try to meet him in the middle, Given what they retail for new I think he's got it priced decently as is. Nothing wrong with a little haggling though. Either way I think it's going to be a better buy than any US General.

I'd also say that guy's nuts if he thinks he is going to get 450 for that Snap-on. I'd say that thing is Maaaaybe worth $150.

 

[Cgw1984]

Ya, i think you are right on your model research (fwiw, the versa cart has those goofy big wheels too.. either way, the kennedy is a very well builtnbox, and you will not regret it. 500 seems a fair offer.

 

[GrantCee]

Also, a worn Snap-On showed up for $450. Looks like it needs some work though....

I'd also say that guy's nuts if he thinks he is going to get 450 for that Snap-on. I'd say that thing is Maaaaybe worth $150.

Are you kidding? Someone will buy it, spend untold hours and dollars chasing down parts, fixing the problems, and repainting — then show up in every Icon or HF box conversation, saying "just buy a $500 Snap-On like I did."

It will happen. It's inevitable.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I liked the layout of the Kennedy off the cuff, and I still have my dad's cantilever job box (that he got somewhere in the late 40's / early 50's) that (other than needing a paint job - it was looking pretty rough) has stood the test (and abuse) of time.

Between the 2 I would have went with the Kennedy first anyway, but that's just me.

 

[Mr_B]

Kennedy is Pretty old version, no idea if had pro model back then .
Lot of Price going relate to condition and how good drawers sit and slides work .
It Not that big (18 or 20" depth) and for that reason I probably only want pay 400ish and only more if mobility was part of reason I buying it .
It that close to you it worth a look and Haggle if you like it. Expect quality was pretty good but it all comes down what sort of life it had and that only apparent with a viewing .
That tatty snapon might be okay if want bit of project, if drawers sit aligned fairly well I may pay 200 but if it proper fooked in alignment, slides and general panel state I wouldn't bother unless pretty much free .

 

[RStewart]

Don’t have a Kennedy box but do have 2 versa cart carts. Big middle axle like your pic and if the box is built like the cart, I think it will survive a nuclear blast. Worst seller can say is no.

 

[1982fxr]

Don’t have a Kennedy box but do have 2 versa cart carts. Big middle axle like your pic and if the box is built like the cart, I think it will survive a nuclear blast. Worst seller can say is no.

I was shocked the first time I saw how heavy some of those Versa-cart bases are.

 

[ike]

Only took until the twelfth post!

sorry for making a suggestion. i'll just **** off from now on.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

sorry for making a suggestion. i'll just **** off from now on.

 

[jshillin]

I'm in Austin. The fact that the Kennedy box has been on Craigslist for as long as it has indicates it's not priced that great.

I'd pass on both of those and buy a US General box.

The Kennedy is 48"x 21", you can get a similar sized, 44" x 22", US General new for $499.

I completely agree with this suggestion... Either of the boxes in this thread are fine boxes, but the price point they are listed at makes this suggestion a good one.

 

[1982fxr]

sorry for making a suggestion. i'll just **** off from now on.

No need to **** off.

Just try to understand that on this forum if someone says they are throwing a birthday party for their six year old daughter, and want an opinion on whether to go with a party sub or pizza, the third response will be to consider a US General toolbox.

 

[ike]

No need to **** off.

Just try to understand that on this forum if someone says they are throwing a birthday party for their six year old daughter, and want an opinion on whether to go with a party sub or pizza, the third response will be to consider a US General toolbox.

it would probably be a good suggestion if the party sub had a set of casters in the center of it and 1/3 of the pizza was just one big pepperoni

 

[Cgw1984]

it would probably be a good suggestion if the party sub had a set of casters in the center of it and 1/3 of the pizza was just one big pepperoni

If thats some silly slight at the kennedy, that box will outlast your next 3 us general boxes. I LOVE the hf boxes for the cost. But the k. Is a vastly superior, if not as shiny, option. No need to get so offended.

 

[SeisMec]

The top of the casters look like they stick out beyond the bottom of the box on the Kennedy. Non-OEM? There are shims under the casters to make-up for the added middle axle. Danger Will Robinson!

 

[Mr_B]

^
they meant be like that as designed for easy moving/turning .
I seen these in factory settings and one thing annoyed me is would tilt one end or other and need chocking if want level and stop rocking .

 

[SeisMec]

Thanks for the info Mr B. Interesting design.

 

[mritchie77]

Well the Proto sold, and I spoke to the seller today to see if he was open to offers. Before I could make one, he said that someone is coming tomorrow (on New Years!) to view it. If it doesn't sell, he will let me know.

This did pop up about 3hrs away for $800. Not sure how much these older Snap On's are worth but it's better than the one in Houston

 

[mritchie77]

Thanks for all the advice guys! Spoke to the seller and he sold to the guy before me. Too bad, both slipped from my fingers. Guess I'll be sitting around a while waiting for the next deal.

 

[mritchie77]

Came across another Proto. Ad is for a 46" but it appears that Proto calls it a 50". Seller is asking for $700 and I'm requesting photos. Probably going to offer $500 and meet in the middle at $600.



Closest similar model I can find. This one is discontinued as well, but it's almost the exact setup except for the full length drawer is at the bottom. I guess this was a thing on older models as so far all the older boxes I find have the full length drawer at the bottom.

 

[seber]

Not sure about the second Snap-0n, but the first one is a KR. Looks like it is actually in pretty good shape other than the paint. If you could get that one for $350 I'd jump on it. Be sure to check the drawers first though. The second one is either a KR or a KRL. The KRL is a good box also, just not quite as great. They are both miles ahead of KRAs.