What size tool box???

[FLRover]

Since my fist automotive job I've always wanted a shiny Snap On box. So this isn't a debate if I should buy a SO box or not its a questions of what size.


First box I am considering is a KRA2411PES. I am worried about its shear size and also worried about if I am the "new guy" coming into a shop I will look like a pompous ******* with such a large box (don't know if this is a true fear). I do however like the big work top.


Second is KRA2407PES with a KRA2405PES top chest. Which is about the same amount of physical storage as the above box its just tall instead of long. Cons are I am giving up the work top.


The prices come out to within $100 of eachother with my discount. Yes I want brightass yellow.


So what would you choose expirenced techs?

 

[Humble Mechanic]

I like having the work space. You can always add a side locker, or top later if you need more room.

As far as looking like an @ss, don't worry too much about it. You are the new guy, techs will bust your balls no matter what...

I would also consider the fact that you might only have to buy 1 box. Never a need for an upgrade..

 

[Humble Mechanic]

Oh, welcome to the industry!

 

[TheTurk]

I would go with KRA2411PES if you plan on staying with your job for a long period of time
i cant answer why but i always liked wider boxes then taller they just look fugly to me
plus you will see that KRA2411PES is deffinetely not BIG box in this bussiness
good luck with whatever you choose and hope make lots of money with it ...

 

[franzdom]

Definitely get the 2411, I thought it was going to be a triple bank the way you were talking, it's not that large.

 

[patrickcn]

It all depends upon a few factors. 1) the amount of tools you have and need for your job 2) shop space and 3) do you plan on being in the field long?
Snapon boxes arent bad at all. I personally have one snapoff and 4 Matco boxes and service cart. I think I need the aircraft carrier box lol. I have too many tools but then again I run my own business and need them.
I think the boxes you are picking are good and will do fine for the first few years.
Good Luck and let us know what you choose!

 

[Big Johnson]

First box I am considering is a KRA2411PES. I am worried about its shear size and also worried about if I am the "new guy" coming into a shop I will look like a pompous ******* with such a large box (don't know if this is a true fear).

Who gives a sh+t what somebody thinks.

 

[patrickcn]

First box I am considering is a KRA2411PES. I am worried about its shear size and also worried about if I am the "new guy" coming into a shop I will look like a pompous ******* with such a large box (don't know if this is a true fear).

Who gives a sh+t what somebody thinks.

I agree 100% you are going to get messed with anyways being the new guy.
But I understand what you are saying. There will always be jealous people and "tool box envy". My first job I showed up with an old craftsman box and built from there. Just remember its not the size of the box that makes a good tech its his/her skills and knowledge!

 

[KPSquared]

As big as you want and can afford. Screw anyone who has a negative view of what you chose to do with YOUR money. Who cares what guys think? Tell 'em to pound sand.

Not to many guy complain about having to large of a box.

 

[patrickcn]

One last thing from me LOL
I was given this advice when I started out and it is completely good today.
When buying your first box buy something that will hold a good sized basic set of tools and then spend the real money on tools. You will see that tools are going to cost you out the a*&. $60,000 and up is what a good tech will spend in their career. I have over $150,000 plus shop equipment.
So bottom line, buy a good quality box, save your money for tools and upgrade your box as you go.
Your choices are good though.

 

[Reality Sucks]

To be honest. ive been doing this for over 10 years, I just bought a krl1033, and i wish i just would have bought it 10 years ago because the need to upgrade every few years is tuff, point being get it now and grow into it, bcause you will outgrow that kra box very quickly, i would atleast get a krl series box better resell and trade in value long term. good luck and welcome.

 

[BHH]

You might be the new guy now, but if you stick with it in 10 years you will be a vet and still have the same box! It is an investment and the real techs will understand that.

 

[DiscoBerry]

I would spend more on the tools then the box, If your all set on good quality hand tools then go for it otherwise spend on whats in the box more then the box itself. You can get some decent boxes at Harbor freight for cheap or menards has masterforce boxes on the cheap they are both about the same as a snap on kra series.

 

[Syndicate]

You go get the biggest box you can afford. Bigger is better as you are going to be spending years filling it. I know a couple students who work at a dealership part time. They took advantage of their discount and 1 has a KRL-1023 and the other the EpiQ large one, and both can not fill it with what they have now. However, in less than 5 yrs they will probably have it close to full. Don't let anyone make a choice for you. You pay for it, so you get what YOU want to get. As far as anyone looking or treating you funny in the new shop because you might have a bigger tool storage than they have; maybe they are insecure. Who cares. When I worked for Chevy dealer, I went in with 2 large MAC TOOLS boxes. When I left I had 2 tool carts, 2 snappy and the 2 MAC's. When I got there with my 2, there were techs that had the whole bay full of boxes.

It really depends on your needs vs what anyone thinks. Good Luck at the new job.

 

[crewchief888]

1 available shop space.
2 what can i (reasonably) afford
3 if this is your selected carreer, and you're gonna be in it a long time, you'll probably upgrade boxes 3 or 4 times before you retire.
4 or buy "smaller" boxes, and add on more "smaller" boxes as storage area and tool needs change.

everytime i changed jobs, my tool storage needs changed,
some tools i used ona daily basis are no longer used or needed, but i still have a place for all of them.

 

[Big Johnson]

I would spend more on the tools then the box, If your all set on good quality hand tools then go for it otherwise spend on whats in the box more then the box itself. You can get some decent boxes at Harbor freight for cheap or menards has masterforce boxes on the cheap they are both about the same as a snap on kra series.

Don't get me wrong, I buy a lot of stuff from Harbor Freight, and Im gonna get the 56 in. box they have, but it is not the quality of a Snap On box. Mind you it cost $799 compared to $6,000 or more. I was in there today; I was checking quality--putting my 215 lb weight in the drawers..... well lets just say don't buy the display model at that HF because I broke that mother. No support beam under the drawers. P.S. Don't tell on me.

 

[Murphy4570]

The Snappy KRA2411 box won't let you down. I have one myself. Very good box for the money, and there is a fair amount of storage space, if you can learn to be efficient in your space allocation of tools.

One HUGE upside to the KRA2411 is the fact that it can use a lot of add-on stuff meant for the KRL series double bank boxes, like the KRL722. The dimensions of the KRA box are close enough that you can use the same hutch, overhead locker, etc. So if you come across a deal on some used Snappy box add-ons, you can use them! You can also use side boxes and lockers not originally meant for your box as well, to save yourself money in the future.

Here's my box as an example. I have a hutch off of a KRL-722, and a KR-274F side locker, as well as a KR-290 drawer section:

 

[KPSquared]

I guess I never thought to ask. . .but what volume and quality of tools do you have? Like was said before, if you have cheap tools, I'd spend you're money there first. The reality is, you can fix a car with a grocery bag full of good tools but you can't fix anything with a expensive box full of ****.

I just assumed when you said you were going to buy a new box, you had already made a healthy investment in quality tools and now had money sitting, waiting to be invested in a box.

Lots of guys get caught up in how their box looks and forget to make sure what's inside the box is done right.

 

[patrickcn]

I guess I never thought to ask. . .but what volume and quality of tools do you have? Like was said before, if you have cheap tools, I'd spend you're money there first. The reality is, you can fix a car with a grocery bag full of good tools but you can't fix anything with a expensive box full of ****.

I just assumed when you said you were going to buy a new box, you had already made a healthy investment in quality tools and now had money sitting, waiting to be invested in a box.

Lots of guys get caught up in how their box looks and forget to make sure what's inside the box is done right.

Bingo, Get good quality tools first and a good/decent box then upgrade later. Good choices though

 

[Benji]

I have been in the industry 3 years and I would like to have a classic 96 but I would rather have a cheap box full of Snap on tools than a Snap on box full of junk tools so I haven't got my Snap on box yet but I've been dooing a pretty good job at filling my 42'' crapsman top and bottom box. And their wer guys who didn't like me starting out with that box but like you are thinking I had lots of room and I didn't care what annyone else thought annyway so get what you like.

 

[4x4gearhead]

You just need to sit down and think about how much stuff you have and how much you might grow, extra room is never bad. As far as giving a **** about what anyone else thinks when you roll it into the shop youre working in I wouldnt, let your work show your skills. Its YOUR tool box. YOU have to use it so you might as well have a nice big one, forget everyone elses influence.

 

[laskt9]

the only way id worry about what others think is if i cant back up having the box. be a good tech and no one will say anything about it

 

[FLRover]

Update:

I bought a Classic 76 last night. It was a demo so I got it even cheaper than my normal student discount. Wanted yellow but for the dollars and the fact I could take it home then I settled with gloss black. The difference in this box and the Husky I replaced is incredible, just the shear weight difference is incredible. I tried being cheap and buying a cheap box, but like my Snap On/Mac tools, this box is worth the extra cost. Looking forward to putting it to work, I start my line tech position with Jag/Rover the 12th.

 

[ianguilly]

I'm the youngest and least experienced guy at my shop, and i have the biggest box there. I got a crazy deal on a KRA2432 and have since added on. I get a lot of **** for it but I could care less, this is the box i want for a lifetime work or play.

 

[yost69]

I would be more worried about people busting my balls about it being yellow then big. That is not a big box.

I would get the one with the top. I wouldn't give mine up for nothing. I actually dread the day I have to put a top box on it.