Which cheap box?

[kartracer55]

yeah. There is clearly a quality difference between craftsman ball bearing and waterloo Traxx series, but the traxx series is alot more expensive. I have noticed that the draws get stuck ALOT on the traxx series boxes, because of the griplatch.

Jim

 

[dink]

yeah. There is clearly a quality difference between craftsman ball bearing and waterloo Traxx series, but the traxx series is alot more expensive. I have noticed that the draws get stuck ALOT on the traxx series boxes, because of the griplatch.

Jim

Hmmm maybe they just use a thicker steel on the Waterloo

 

[Fast Orange]

Guys-
Right now,the best deal out there is the Husky ball bearing boxes at Home Cheapo.They're the same box in every way as Mac Tool's mid price series at about half the price.I don't have p/ns handy,but one of my boxes is a 5 year old 26" wide roller that I paid $900.That exact same box is in my local HD for about $500.
I've got Craftsman B/B(pre grip latch),Mac B/B,and Snap-On KRL boxes,and I like the Mac as well as any of the others.
Believe it or not,the box I like the least is the Snap-On.It's a 40" wide top and roller with full width drawers(36"?).Theres a lot of side to side play in the slides,not enough to cause a problem,but more than a box of this quality should have.I also have the locker on the side of this box,and I wish that the 4 drawers that are mounted in the bottom of the locker could be put higher,maybe about the middle height.Also,Snap-On needs to come out with a side cabinet for the KRL series that matches the height of the combo,but is all 12" wide drawers from top to bottom.They have a side cabinet thats the height of the roller,but nothing to add drawers to match the height of the top box.
You can get anything you want for the KRA series,if you want to spend big $,but the add-ons for the KRL are fewer.

George

 

[dink]

You know all this talk about Snap-on chests....for the price I would rather screw the name and go straight to the top for probably the same price....Lista....I could never see myself spend the money for a name....

 

[kartracer55]

Well Snap on boxes are pretty nice. Some of them weigh over a ton. I love my little top chest.

Jim

 

[dink]

But there not worth the money....even used

 

[kartracer55]

I dont know, they are pretty serious. A Guy was tellin me they are the hardest boxes to break into because they are built so well.

 

[dink]

Excellent quality for around the same price of Snap-on minus the name your paying

http://www2.catalognavigator.com/listaintl/item/storage-products/drawer-cabinets/qshs900-1a

 

[Fast Orange]

Snap-On is the most secure box that I've found.The quality of the locks,the mounting of the locks and the locking mechanisms are far superior to anything else I've seen.You have to remember that a pro box is often in an environment that can encourage breaking into a toolbox filled with high value tools and equiptment.(There are dishonest mechanics out there)
I have seen boxes broken open several different ways,and the Snap-ons seem to be the most resistant to the usual methods.
Without going into details,most boxes can be opened with a few basic handtools,but the newer Snap-Ons almost need to be cut open.
Unless you keep your tools in a safe,you can't get much better.
Heres a tip for guys whose tools are at risk-put a welded eyebolt through the frame of your box,put another in the floor or masonary wall,and chain your box so the whole thing can't be stolen.If you're working in a garage with other boxes in it,you only need to make it harder to take your tools than everybody elses.

George

 

[dink]

I believe you because most mechanics will have the Snap-on tool chests and Snap-on knows they have to keep things safe....but I think there are better choices out there then the Snap-on brand

 

[kartracer55]

They dont have any Traditional toll boxes though... At least that I found.

Jim

 

[dink]

They dont have any Traditional toll boxes though... At least that I found.

Jim

Who doesnt?

 

[kartracer55]

List of course. I like that other company, the one with the rediculous work benches... now THOSE are sweet

 

[dink]

List of course. I like that other company, the one with the rediculous work benches... now THOSE are sweet

They sure do..do roll arounds...look around on the site

 

[kartracer55]

No, but not like top and bottom combos... just roll arounds but even those dont have alld drawers...
Jim

 

[dink]

No, but not like top and bottom combos... just roll arounds but even those dont have alld drawers...
Jim

Have what kind of drawers??? dude you need to stop this combining words and ****....just spell out what your sayings ahaa

 

[kartracer55]

Damn... my fingers are cold... My family flips if the A/C isnt on full blast and they flip if the heat is on lol... they are all uncomfortable if its over 70 lol

Jim

 

[dink]

okay??? I still would rather buy something else then a snapon chest if i had that money

 

[79rallysport]

okay??? I still would rather buy something else then a snapon chest if i had that money

Sometimes I think you hate snap on just to hate snap on, just because a lot of other people like them.

 

[dink]

Sometimes I think you hate snap on just to hate snap on, just because a lot of other people like them.

Nah you got me all all wrong...I dont hate Snap-on...I fully admit they are a great brand.....there are just other brands out there that are great that I wouldnt mind trying out that are awesome quality that alot of people dont know about or they do and dont want to try something new because they stick to what everyone has told them is the best

Some great lines that never get there day in the sun here in US and and some that do that are excellent quality

BETA
FACOM....pre Stanley
SK....this one has more attention but only the diehards knew to use them
Pratt-Read....For all you Craftsmen screwdriver guys....thanks for keeping this company in business...Pratt-Reads pliers are made in Germany by Knipex
Stahlwille
Hitachi power tools


there is probably many many more...i just dont want to type anymore

 

[l_bilyk]

In other news, I finally looked at all the boxes in person. The craftsman and napa (ultrapro) are OK quality for the money, but nothing special. They are indeed made in quebec, canadia.

The clarke box, however, blew me away. I didn't have a caliper to measure the gauge, but I am almost certain it's lower than the other too. I have never seen anything this thick used on el-cheapo entry level boxes. There is literally zero side-to-side play in the 'draws'. The sliders are butter smooth also waaaay overbuilt for this size of chest. I leaned onto one of the big draws, putting like 50lbs of pressure on it, and it still closed. All the drawers are push-to-lock. They wont open if you accidentally tip the chest. The handles on the front are also superior. The other two just have the adge rolled and some silver trim slapped on. The clarke has hefty aluminum handles attached to the center of the drawer (not the top) that accomodate labels. Actually the box even comes with labels you would slide in, and a protective plastic strip that slides into the handle over the label. Even the side handles are padded. The only problem is - it's chinese.

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah... the chinese can build stuff, but you pay for it. That will all change if the tarriff on chinese good is put in place... you mgiht see the price go up by 27.5%

I wouldnt but it ismply because its chinese... look for aused snap on, mac, matco, or international or whatver on ebay.

Also, m3transporter has an older matco box forsale... check the forsale section. He has a snap on combo as well. but hes askin agrand for that.

jim

 

[dink]

I say get the Clarke....its cheap and good quality

 

[l_bilyk]

The problem with ebay is I pay massive duties as soon as anything crosses the border. And it just doesn't seem there are alot of them on sale within driving distance from me. Which is odd, because aparently canadia has the second highest proportion of internet users to non-users in the world.

 

[l_bilyk]

I say get the Clarke....its cheap and good quality

Yeah thats what could end up happening. I'm not in a rush (winter coming, will be keeping stuff inside the igloo anyways) so if i can find a good domestic made box i'll buy it. Don't even care if it's used so long as it's built tough and meets the budget

 

[dink]

Yeah thats what could end up happening. I'm not in a rush (winter coming, will be keeping stuff inside the igloo anyways) so if i can find a good domestic made box i'll buy it. Don't even care if it's used so long as it's built tough and meets the budget

Good thoughts but most of what Jim recommended that is used could still be over alot of peoples budget

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, snap on will get top $$$ on ebay, but check your local paper. A guy here is selling a top and bottom full of tools for 1500, thats alot, but considering its got tools and all thats a sweet deal

Jim

 

[dink]

Yeah, snap on will get top $$$ on ebay, but check your local paper. A guy here is selling a top and bottom full of tools for 1500, thats alot, but considering its got tools and all thats a sweet deal

Jim

Only if you need the tools

 

[kartracer55]

theres good ressale value on ebay

 

[dink]

Im still recommending the clarke

 

[kartracer55]

I just cant get over the whole "china" part but if your ok with it then go for it

 

[l_bilyk]

The other problem with clarke is, all we get up here is black and gold. P-I-M-P homie. I wonder if the casters have 'spinners'

 

[kartracer55]

lol "DUBS" the black and gold is awful... SK has the same thing

 

[dink]

See that whole black and gold doesnt bother me...probably because I am a big Purdue Boilermaker fan

But we get the red ones here....and they are nice in both colors

 

[danski0224]

I recently had the opportunity to buy a demo Snap-On tool box for $3500.00, which was about $1200.00 off the new catalog price.

I passed. Even at the lower price, it was not as good of a deal as a *new* Lista box.

The Lista boxes are rated at 400 pounds per drawer versus half that for the Snap-On boxes (unless you buy the additional slide kit). Snap-On drawer sides are not full height, unlike Lista.

Unfortunately, Lista does not make the traditional layout roll aways. I like the concept of one wide and deep drawer under (or over) other drawers in the roll away. Lista does not make anything like that without a true custom order and huge dollar outlay (heck, I was quoted $500 for a non-standard color charge).

However, the traditional look can be accomplished by combining a narrow and wide unit on one moble cart with unique drawer heights in each cabinet box. This pushes the cost up- especially when you start adding drawers. If you want wide drawers, then the wide cabinet must go on top of the two smaller ones that add up to the wide width.

The 22" depth Lista cabinets are not much cheaper than the 28" depth ones. All 28" depth cabinet widths are available in the 22" depth range, but that isn't listed in the catalog.

The double width(57.5") 28" deep series is the best bang for the buck (the half width series Lista cabinets are not half as expensive). A Lista box comparable in size to a Craftsman Professional series bottom is cheaper. The top sections on the Craftsman stuff are shallower than the bottom, so there is less space. A taller Lista cabinet is cheaper per cubic inch than a traditional Craftsman Professional top and bottom box.

Lista drawer dividers allow the best use of the space.

I plan on buying one tool cabinet, so my choice is not cheap. The cost is higher than the pre-configured choices in the catalog. The higher cost is due to the taller height and more drawers- not because there is a savings from picking from the pictures in the catalog.

For those seriously considering a new tool cabinet purchase, Lista should get some consideration. There is a whole boatload of extra cash attached to the Snap-On name and their shiny paint.

 

[dink]

Danski you are the man

I like your thoughts...keep up the good work

 

[danski0224]

Danski you are the man

I like your thoughts...keep up the good work

I have wanted a roll away cabinet for a long time, so there has been plenty of time to think.

For those that really must have a Snap-On box, it may be a good idea to make contact with the local truck guy and watch for trade ins.

 

[Fast Orange]

Buying used is the best way to get a Snap-On box-
My current box was a trade in from a guy who went to a huge roller with SS top.
My Snap-On guy didn't have a big enough truck to deliver the new box,so I helped him out.
I wound up buying the traded box for about half of it's cost when new.The box was less than a year old,had never had anything in some of the drawers,and was in perfect condition.
This brings up another benefit of buying from a tool truck-when you need to upgrade,the dealer will work out a deal with you,both saving you the hassle of selling your old box,and making it more affordable for you.
I've had my box for over a year now,and I could probably still sell it for a profit if I chose to do so.
Lista does make some nice stuff,and if I were setting up my dream shop,the larger cabinets and shelves would probably be from them.How ever,I still prefer the standard type of top/roller toolbox for hand tool storage.

George