Waterloo W300 Series

[jumbojak]

Does anybody have any firsthand experience with these chests? I'm considering a top chest as a way to eliminate some of the scatter and clutter associated with not having a regular box for storage and possibly adding the roller cabinet at a later date. I don't have the space for anything wider at the moment but the potential portability with a 26" set could come in handy whenever we get one of the farm shops finished with a floor. I could unload and move it from the shed with relative ease.

From the research I've done it looks like I can eventually put together the stack for around $350 or keep the top by itself on a bench for under $150. The slides are rated at 85lbs which seems like it would be alright for a narrower box. The only thing holding me back is somewhat spotty reviews. I'm not sure if they had quality issues with some of what they put out or if the poor reviews are the result of unrealistic expectations.

 

[Fedwrench]

Is this the box you write of?

http://preferredcheap.com/designed-...w300-series-4-drawer-rolling-tool-cabinet-26/

Looks like a plain jane craftsman type box.

 

[jumbojak]

Yes, the first one though my interest is in the top rather than the bottom to start off with. The shop series line featured lower in your linkdoesn't appeal to me at all.

 

[454ragtop]

The top chest has 25 LB capacity slides, that has to be the lowest I've ever heard of. Real bottom of the barrel box. Better to look around for a used box, most anything is likely to be better than that.

 

[jumbojak]

The top chest has 25 LB capacity slides, that has to be the lowest I've ever heard of. Real bottom of the barrel box. Better to look around for a used box, most anything is likely to be better than that.

This is the one I am looking athttps://www.amazon.com/Waterloo-W300-5-Drawer-Chest-Footprint/dp/B07231JXG4. The top in Fedwrench's link was for a lower rated series. I agree that 25lbs is ridiculously low. Sorry for not posting the link. I've been trying to research these things for two days and it must've slipped my mind!

 

[brownbagg]

a lot of craftmans are waterloos

 

[Packard V8]

Waterloo knows how to make good boxes. One of the best I own is an older NAPA-branded Waterloo.

If looking at new boxes, one standard of comparison which holds up is cubic inches per pound; less is more. That Waterloo box weighs 74#, so 112 cu.in/lb. For comparison, the ne plus ultra is the Snap-on Road Chest at 120#, so 70 cu.in/lb. (For those checking the math, I used exterior dimensions, not net storage area.)

Having said that, there are so many good used boxes on the market, I couldn't bring myself to pay retail plus sales tax.

jack vines

 

[jumbojak]

Waterloo knows how to make good boxes. One of the best I own is an older NAPA-branded Waterloo.

If looking at new boxes, one standard of comparison which holds up is cubic inches per pound; less is more.

Having said that, there are so many good used boxes on the market, I couldn't bring myself to pay retail plus sales tax.

jack vines

Used boxes have eluded me in my area. There are a few truck boxes on Craigslist but that's about it, at least that's close enough to go and get. I'm in the 757 area code but it's a long drive to get to Norfolk or Virginia beach where the picking are more plentiful. The few really local boxes that turn up for reasonable prices get snapped up so quickly I'd have to be retired to have a shot at them.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have several WATERLOO tops and bottoms, all over 40 years old and made in CANADA. The quality is very good. Is this brand still made in CANADA?
I see a lot of the older tool chests on CRAIGSLIST.
Try a little hands-on and that should tell you if this brand is any good.
If this is for a man-cave and little or not use, go for the fancy toolbox.

 

[jumbojak]

I have several WATERLOO tops and bottoms, all over 40 years old and made in CANADA. The quality is very good. Is this brand still made in CANADA?
I see a lot of the older tool chests on CRAIGSLIST.
Try a little hands-on and that should tell you if this brand is any good.
If this is for a man-cave and little or not use, go for the fancy toolbox.

I'm pretty sure this one is made in Mexico and then assembled in the USA. It would get used though and not as a decoration. I'm not easy on tools though shed duty would be considerably lighter duty than the way I treat my regular kit. The Craftsman nylon tool bags are surprisingly tough...

I plan on using the shed space for some engine work. It might be just enough space if I can cram everything in there right and might be moved to a larger space sometime soon. Hopefully sooner than later.

 

[isb cornbinder]

A few weeks ago I bought a really good quality stainless steel toolbox 18" X 42", roller base for $450. The drawers have roller slides and strong detents.
I sold the older Made in CANADA WATERLOO I was using as a file cabinet and kept the stainless box. I do not know who made this box and I do not know where it was made. I am mildly curious about the origin, but not enough to spend time on research.

That green thing on the toolbox is a 100 year old apple peeler, Made in US and it works.

 

[Moparman390]

Lots of Craftsman boxes (like that one) are made by Waterloo, why not just get it from Sears? I was able to pick up the whole stack on sale at different times for around $400 before any surprise or SYW points factored in. 75lb slides instead of 25lb. Top and middle are 16" deep instead of 12". Top is $150 right now, (good price) Middle has been as low as $70, bottom as low as $150. With SYW offers and a little patience you can be down near $300 for all 3.

http://www.sears.com/26-in-5-drawer...ellerId=Sears&prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8#

 

[jumbojak]

Lots of Craftsman boxes (like that one) are made by Waterloo, why not just get it from Sears? I was able to pick up the whole stack on sale at different times for around $400 before any surprise or SYW points factored in. 75lb slides instead of 25lb. Top and middle are 16" deep instead of 12". Top is $150 right now, (good price) Middle has been as low as $70, bottom as low as $150. With SYW offers and a little patience you can be down near $300 for all 3.

http://www.sears.com/26-in-5-drawer...ellerId=Sears&prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8#

Guys, the box I'm talking about is 16" deep and has 85lb rated drawers. Its not the lighter Shop Series top in Fedwrench's link.

Comparing the weight of the one I'm looking at and the one you just posted I think they may be the same box under a different name. Both weigh in at 74lbs. Unfortunately, sears isn't listing that one as available for shipping either to home or store. That's frickin weird considering how they're perfectly willing to advertise wrenches that SBD hasn't even made for them yet while pushing back orders!

 

[isb cornbinder]

Sears in CANADA has declared bankruptcy and the stores are in full clearance mode.
The managers got a bonus and the employees got screwed. It is in the news, check it out, if you are interested.
I have not been in Sears Canada in more than 20 years, plus. The quality of the good old days was long gone.