used boxes

[littleponderosa]

where do you fellas find used tool boxes? i've been trolling craigslist, listening to all the radio stations, watching the local thrifty nickel and the local newspapers.
if something comes up, new prices wanted.
i'm after a larger bottom roll-around that can handle some weight. saw the snap-on guy yesterday - lowest cost - $1800 and beat up. not just paint scars, beat up.
i'd buy new but finances aren't capable.
so, where do all of you find these deals?
Bill

 

[Piece-it Pete]

Nobody expects...

THE HARBOR FREIGHT RECOMMENDATION.

Wait a sec, everyone does

I just got one of these recently: http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-13-drawer-glossy-red-industrial-roller-cabinet-68784.html

on sale for $369, largely based on reviews here. I love the thing.

Pete

 

[zkdiesel]

Hear say. Become friends with tool guys
Screaming deals can be had on trade ins if they don't want to hold them on truck or have the space.
Word of mouth is how I've bought 3 loaded boxes. All my used/new just boxes have come off truck when guy needed space badly

 

[rsanter]

Where you are may just not have much for sale. Or if population is low people are advirtising in the CL or whatnot the next bigger town over
Widen your search and you may have to drive a little to get one

Look on eBay and sort search by nearest....

How long have you been looking? Sometimes I don't see anything decent for several months and then there are 5 great deals in a month....which I can't afford
You just never know

Bob

 

[scheu]

Around here the CL ones either are full retail, or the box is beat. I second becoming friendly with the tool trucks. My trading had one small nick (touched up). Someone got a very nice box.

 

[FJ 432]

So in your area you don't see deals like this?

http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/4715873726.html

I'm just trying to get an idea of whether you're picky or Montana offers nothing like this.

 

[jd_1138]

So in your area you don't see deals like this?

http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/4715873726.html

I'm just trying to get an idea of whether you're picky or Montana offers nothing like this.

Wow, awesome deal. That's the type of deal where why even sell it? The tools would pay for themselves 10x if kept and used. I'd pay $200 for that box and tools.

 

[underpressure02]

I found my triple bay matco box on CL. I looked for a while for the right box for the right price. I missed 2 because they sold so fast. Like someone else said you may need to expand your search. I looked in most of PA, NJ and DE and finally found my box in DE.

 

[Piece-it Pete]

So in your area you don't see deals like this?

http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/4715873726.html

I'm just trying to get an idea of whether you're picky or Montana offers nothing like this.

See what happens when you legalize weed?

Pete

 

[ratdoggy]

Check out the pawn shops too..

 

[FJ 432]

See what happens when you legalize weed?

Pete

exhale.....don't encroach on my right to party motherfu**er!

On my CL. I spy a Kennedy upper chest, Remline middle and a MBC roller with a Plomb 1/2 ratchet. I do not need this, I do not need this.

 

[Colin Len]

I see a LOT of used or new second hand Snapon and to an extent, Mac, boxes locally but they're always really expensive. Probably less than retail (I'm not sure what retail is) but still way too rich for my blood. I see some Craftsman/Kobalt...etc type boxes as well but not at prices that interest me.

As the others mentioned, when it comes to tool boxes or carts it seems HF is the way to go. In my experience the US General stuff is actually higher quality than most of the Craftsman boxes or the stuff you can find at Home Depot / Lowes. There are always deals to be found but for me it's been few and far between on my local CL postings and I've all but decided I'll be buying new US General boxes whenever I get around to remodeling my garage.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Doesn't look like a bad deal.

http://billings.craigslist.org/tls/4667808581.html

 

[littleponderosa]

i expanded the search and found some in my range - thanks for the advice. i'll travel for the right box.
dogs from wisconsin, colorado and iowa. i'll go to where i need to get what i want.
i be calling the fella in the post above.
Bill

 

[Speedy2222]

When i wanted a bigger box i had pretty much decided on a craftsman due to budget and features of the box. Being a machinist i wanted slim drawers for most tooling and the box i found offered that. Biggest complaint in the reviews was the casters won't hold up to a loaded boxes weight and i feel i can live with that for time being. I got on Sears Outlet and bought a discontinued model for half price from new.

 

[crewchief888]

i bought quite a few used (truck brand) boxes as trade ins off the tool trucks.
found a few smaller boxes at flea mkts

picked up another set of SO boxes in a trade.

around here theres 3 kinds of toolboxes

used HF or CM for more than retail price
rusted, crusted POS boxes for near retail price
used truck brands at 90% of retail.


all depends on your local area

the boxes linked to in billings dont seem like a bad deal

 

[zkling]

Good, fast, cheap, pick two.

Best thing I can say is if you are on a tight budget, patience and persistence are your friends.

How large of a bottom box are you looking for? <40" or are you wanting something in the double or even tripple bay category?

Stastically speaking, I've found the majority of my boxes on craigslist. I've also wasted a fair ammount of time and gas going to look at boxes that were, uhm, not at advertised.

 

[RBE17]

I've found CL to be over priced for boxes. I've bought my used boxes on eBay fir really good prices.

 

[motofool33]

check spokane and north idaho area,

or down to salt lake.

you can always hit ebay and have one shipped. getting a truck to **** it isn't as much as you think.

also use a craiglist search program, they have them for the phones or use something like search tempest for the computer

 

[toddacimer]

Craigslist and eBay. Don't be afraid to email an ebay seller and make a cash deal of it is local

 

[brass89]

I got mine used through a tool truck guy. It didn't happen overnight, I told him I was in the market for an affordable box and he kept an eye out for me. Might have taken 4-5 weeks or so of waiting. Luckily I was in a metro area with quite a few shops and a guy at another shop wanted an upgrade. I got an older mac box, around 32" wide I think with bottom and top boxes - stands around 60" tall for $800. Other than some paint wear here and there, no major dents, all drawers slide great etc.

If you're not a tech, try hitting up some local shops locally - make friends with the techs around lunchtime, put the word out. Leave your number with them. Worst they can do is fluff you off right? Maybe ask around and see when their tool trucks come in. If possible, try and stop by when their tool guys swing in or ask them to get a card for you so you can contact them. They may not let you make payments without being a tech with a truck acct, but $800 or so beats $1500.

Could also do like some of these guys suggest, check out the harbor freight boxes. They were pretty flimsy when I was in need of a box but that was years ago too. The new ones may be nicer. Even the kobalts don't look too bad although iirc, their prices were right up there with starter pro boxes and not sure that's much of a bargain.