Which cheap box?

[l_bilyk]

So i talked things over with my mum and i will be trading the really crumby combo box for something that might actually fit some of my tools. Since I'm waaaaay over budget with tools, i've narrowed it down to these two

The Clarke

Pro: Roller Bearing Slides, 9 Drawer, really nice handles aside from the color
Con: gold trim... WTF?

The Craftsman

Pro: BIGGER, no gold trim!
Con: Friction slides (might be a problem with large drawers), less drawers (7)

 

[dink]

Now that is a tough decision....I think ultimately I will decide on the Craftsmen....i dunno why...probably because its alittle bigger.....but those Clarke...are not bad quality either

 

[kartracer55]

Depends, what are you looking to store specifically, and what other tool storage do you have? The craftsman is made here which is a pro.

Jim

 

[markl]

I have 6 craftsman boxes, all with sliders. When ever i bought a new one the first thing I did with it was pull out the drawers and grease the slides. Helps the drawers slide a little easier.

 

[dink]

Not unless the steel on the Craftsmen is the same as the Clarke....then it really doesnt matter where its made at

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, I buy USA made out of principal. ANyway, I usually just oil my slides every once ina while, because grease seems to be a a magnet for metal shavings and dust from grinding, which can buildup and cause wear.

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

I have no existing tool storage... everything is on shelves, pegboards, cardboard boxes, and original packaging (as you can imagine is beyond messy)

Looking to store:
Impact wrench
Air ratchet
3 air grinders
2 air hammers
200 chrome sockets + various extensions + some crowfoot wrenches
7 Ratchets
80 wrenches of all kinds
40 screwdrivers
A few pliers and snips
A mallet, hammer, dead blow hammer, etc.

(I just took a rough inventory.... imagine how much money all this stuff cost me over the years! )

I think I can cram most of that into the clarke box if I keep sockets on top and stack wrenches on their side
My main concern are the big 1"+ wrenches which are quite long, and the relatively large impact wrench

 

[kartracer55]

Then go with the craftsman. You can get the air tools in two of the bottom right draws. invest in some wrench racks and you will be able to fit your wrenches niceley into one of the shallow draws, and you will be able to get pliers and screwdrivers in another shallow draw. Store hammers, mallets and the like in the top right draw.


You can get those hansen trays and get all of your sockets into the two bottom draws.

go with the crafftsman.

Jim

 

[79rallysport]

Then go with the craftsman. You can get the air tools in two of the bottom right draws. invest in some wrench racks and you will be able to fit your wrenches niceley into one of the shallow draws, and you will be able to get pliers and screwdrivers in another shallow draw. Store hammers, mallets and the like in the top right draw.


You can get those hansen trays and get all of your sockets into the two bottom draws.

go with the crafftsman.

Jim

Are you from the south or something? You keep saying draws. lol Your info says you're from NJ.

 

[danski0224]

Not unless the steel on the Craftsmen is the same as the Clarke....then it really doesnt matter where its made at

Uhhh...

Yes, it does matter where things are made.

Things made in America are made by Americans. Those people get paid wages here, spend a good part of their money here and pay taxes here.

Things not made in America... none of that happens.

Some say that US made stuff is too expensive.

I say Big Business is eroding the wage base in the name of costs. CEO pay has risen by hundreds of percent, yet hourly wages for most have fallen.

American wage earners will be competitive with Chinese wage earners when they each earn the same thing. I wish more people would understand that.

If someone earning "median wage" in an area cannot afford a "median home" in the same area, then something is wrong. That discrepancy cannot continue.

 

[l_bilyk]

Ummmmm that craftsman chest is made in Canada eh

 

[jonkav]

But, made in America is not the same as an American company, and an American company does not mean made in America. Take the auto industry. Honda, Toyota, et al have huge percentages of their production here (at one point, Honda was a smidge below the amount needed to be considered domestic). On the other side, many American makes are produced in Canada or Mexico. In that case, the American company is benefiting from paying non-Americans, whereas the foreign company is making money from the work produced by American hands. Which is better? (rhetorical)

 

[l_bilyk]

You bring up a good point. I'm a molecular biology specialist & commerce major student, and from what I have been taught, the issue is more complicated than buying Canadian = good for the economy... comparative advantage theory says that a country should sell those products that it produces most efficiently and effectively, and buy products that it cannot produce efficiently.

Now Canada (i'm sticking to my country so I don't offend you yanks) does NOT produce tools efficiently. So quality being equal, why not buy tools made in nations such as china, that has abundant resources but little technological know-how? The immediate effect of this that some lower level jobs are lost. The long term effects is that the demand for better educated workers goes up; a large portion of the work force is being 'relocated' to less labour-intensive, more advanced jobs. This is a good thing, because technology = wealth. Just look at how well japan has done for it's diminitive size and resources.

 

[kartracer55]

Are you from the south or something? You keep saying draws. lol Your info says you're from NJ.

ummm....???

what do you call them then? Or does my spelling just ****? lol.

Anyway, I forghot youw ere from ... travel south of the border and get one of the boxes made here. You can probably get a 26 inch wide roll around bottom for wt you will pay fo rthe top chest.

As for things made here, I buy USA whenever I can. The US govt. is considering a 27% tariff on chinese imports because of thier over valued yaun. Most of congress is in favor, so if the bill hits the floor, it will probably pass. One can only pray it does.

Jim

 

[danski0224]

You bring up a good point. I'm a molecular biology specialist & commerce major student, and from what I have been taught, the issue is more complicated than buying Canadian = good for the economy... comparative advantage theory says that a country should sell those products that it produces most efficiently and effectively, and buy products that it cannot produce efficiently.

Now Canada (i'm sticking to my country so I don't offend you yanks) does NOT produce tools efficiently. So quality being equal, why not buy tools made in nations such as china, that has abundant resources but little technological know-how? The immediate effect of this that some lower level jobs are lost. The long term effects is that the demand for better educated workers goes up; a large portion of the work force is being 'relocated' to less labour-intensive, more advanced jobs. This is a good thing, because technology = wealth. Just look at how well japan has done for it's diminitive size and resources.

China does not have abundant resources, that's why they are buying up all the scrap steel they can.

The side trip on the better educated worker thing is now all fry cooks need a Masters to get a job. The value of the expensive education is diminished.

Technology does not equal wealth.

Energy equals wealth.

Take away the oil, and watch America or Canada become a third world country before you can say "oh shi..."

That is why China is trying to buy companies like Marathon- they want the oil, too.

Unfortunately, China has the cash because of all the junk the USA buys, while the USA is left with a deepening trade deficit.

Number one export of the USA: Empty shipping containers. How sad.

 

[danski0224]

ummm....???

what do you call them then? Or does my spelling just ****? lol.

Jim

Drawers

 

[eschoendorff]

Energy equals wealth.

Take away the oil, and watch America or Canada become a third world country before you can say "oh shi..."

That is why China is trying to buy companies like Marathon- they want the oil, too.

Unfortunately, China has the cash because of all the junk the USA buys, while the USA is left with a deepening trade deficit.

Number one export of the USA: Empty shipping containers. How sad.

This ***** 'cause it's TRUE!

 

[Jay H 237]

Anyway, I usually just oil my slides every once in a while, because grease seems to be a a magnet for metal shavings and dust from grinding, which can buildup and cause wear.

Jim

Is there any particular oil you would recommend?

I tried white lithium grease on my slides but like you said it REALLY becomes a magnet for dirt.

 

[kartracer55]

Is there any particular oil you would recommend?

I tried white lithium grease on my slides but like you said it REALLY becomes a magnet for dirt.

Yeah my friend used grease in his slides when he first got his box, and it was messy. I used a white lithium based grease, and it wasnt as messy but it still collected dust. Now, I use regular household oil (3-1 oil, sewingmachine oil) on the slides.


As for China, Hopefully the bill for the 27.5% tariff on chinese imports will go through. Basically, all chinese imports will be increased in price by 27.5% to account for chinas over valued yaun. Economistys estimated that the chinese yaun is anywhere from 15-40% over valued, so the middle of the spectrum is 27.5%. This should give US manufactuing a chance, because oiur trade deficite is rediculous, and the commies dont want to re-evaluate the value of thier yaun.

Jim

 

[kartracer55]

I would see fi I couldnt travel down to the USA and get this one...

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...pid=009CH075000&subcat=Chest+&+Cabinet+Combos

its the US craftsman verison of the box your lookin at, its got one more thin draw. Its $400 USD.

Jim

 

[trovato]

Is there any particular oil you would recommend?

I tried white lithium grease on my slides but like you said it REALLY becomes a magnet for dirt.

The craftsman chest I bought 20 years ago said to coat the slides with vaseline. Seemed strange, but I did it and it worked fine.

 

[Rickster]

I find the smaller drawers tend to collect oddball junk and wind up wasting tool box space. I perfer all full width drawers with dividers. Seems I have to think less... just remember it's in the second drawer and not second left.

 

[kartracer55]

See im the other way around. I like having some small draws because It helps me to stay organized. Its nice to be able to stick all your extensions on one small DRAWER, and all your ratchets in another.

 

[l_bilyk]

Ok 3rd option, ultrapro 11 drawer chest. 26" wide, 18" deep, 20-1/2" tall
Non roller

Pro: comes in blue, deeper than both craftsman & clarke, MI canada
Con: blue boxes have golden trim, not as wide as the craftsman

Quality seems to be about the same as the craftsman (wouldnt be surprised if they were made at the same place) but not as good as the clarke

 

[kartracer55]

Look at each of the three and plan out where all of your tools would go. figure out which layout fits your needs the best.

Id also look into a roll around...

 

[l_bilyk]

No $$$ for a roll around

 

[kartracer55]

yeah ya do! That top chest your looking at goes for $300

This roll around is $325... twice as much space, way more draws. Its a "premium" box too.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...TOOL&pid=00959399000&subcat=Chests+&+Cabinets

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

Not exactly... the craftsman - $189CAN on clearance
Clarke - about $180CAN through a friend
UltrPro - $190CAN through my employee discount

 

[kartracer55]

What the hell??? how come your boxes are so much cheaper????????? Everything in canada is more expensive lol.

Then I dont know. Id say buy the craftsman because its american made, but I guess your boxes arnt. Id say buy whichever is made in north american simply out of principal.

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

No no everything is more expensive
That craftsman is $300 regular price... which is alot for only 7 drawers, 12" deep, and non roller
The other two list for around 300 also, but i'm getting them at cost or close to it

 

[Swift]

Hey I bilyk, those Craftsman boxes are made by a company called SPG International or sometimes short form just International Toolboxes. They're made in Drummond, Quebec, Canada. They are pretty good quality. They also make ball bearings ones too which are much nicer. The one that wythors has in an old thread about showing your toolbox is a good example of one of International's ball bearing boxes. His is the blue Pony car one (Mustang), they also make an orange muscle car one and a green Import car one. If you can, I would go for the black one on the same page at the Sears Outlet site. It's a $100 dollars more and it's ball bearing. It's also bigger, if you multiple the width, height and depth. Plus, later on you can still get either of the 2 matching bottoms at Sears. The blue one is discontinued, so later on, you'd be out of luck for a matching bottom. The black one is also discontinued from 2003, but at least that model has 2 replacements for it and that is why the bottoms are still around. Sears has some new blue ones, but the colour is not the same as their older models. The black ball bearing one's drawers slide very smoothly and the bottom drawer can easily hold all your air tools without straining everytime you open and close the drawers. And like kartracer said, more smaller drawers make more useable space for a toolbox, especially being your first one, that's important. Later on, with a second or bottom box with the taller drawers, you can store bigger items like power tools. But, for now, smaller drawers for your essentials make more sense. Just my 2 cents. Oh and btw, that Sears Outlet site has some good deals from time to time, you just have to check often.

 

[kartracer55]

Swift, International toolboxes are made in Canada?????? i always thought there were asian with a name like that!!! What else can you tell me about the brand?

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

Hey I bilyk, those Craftsman boxes are made by a company called SPG International or sometimes short form just International Toolboxes. They're made in Drummond, Quebec, Canada. They are pretty good quality. They also make ball bearings ones too which are much nicer. The one that wythors has in an old thread about showing your toolbox is a good example of one of International's ball bearing boxes. His is the blue Pony car one (Mustang), they also make an orange muscle car one and a green Import car one. If you can, I would go for the black one on the same page at the Sears Outlet site. It's a $100 dollars more and it's ball bearing. It's also bigger, if you multiple the width, height and depth. Plus, later on you can still get either of the 2 matching bottoms at Sears. The blue one is discontinued, so later on, you'd be out of luck for a matching bottom. The black one is also discontinued from 2003, but at least that model has 2 replacements for it and that is why the bottoms are still around. Sears has some new blue ones, but the colour is not the same as their older models. The black ball bearing one's drawers slide very smoothly and the bottom drawer can easily hold all your air tools without straining everytime you open and close the drawers. And like kartracer said, more smaller drawers make more useable space for a toolbox, especially being your first one, that's important. Later on, with a second or bottom box with the taller drawers, you can store bigger items like power tools. But, for now, smaller drawers for your essentials make more sense. Just my 2 cents. Oh and btw, that Sears Outlet site has some good deals from time to time, you just have to check often.

No kidding... I found out today SPG international also makes Ultra Pro (napa brand) tool boxes. And they're ALOT cheaper than SPG International badged boxes.

Any idea who makes canadian tire aka mastercraft boxes? They maximum series has nice locking latches

 

[Swift]

Swift, International toolboxes are made in Canada?????? i always thought there were asian with a name like that!!! What else can you tell me about the brand?

Jim

Hey Jim, International's website is www.spg-toolbox.com. The weird thing is that they don't show all their toolboxes on the website. For example, on the main page they show the orange muscle car box, but is isn't shown with their online catalogue. They have a lot more boxes than they are showing. Maybe in the future they will upgrade the website. Sometimes you can see more of their boxes on others resellers websites. They make toolboxes for a lot of different companies. They also make the toolboxes for SK. Not the smaller two tone roll cab work centers, but their larger metal boxes. If your check www.sears.ca and www.skhandtool.com you will see they are the same. One of my SK catalogues has a picture of their blue 41 inch upper and lower with a side cab on one side and full size locker on the other that is made by SPG International. International's latest thing on their ball bearing boxes are that underneath the handle is another handle that you have to grab to open the drawer. Kind of like grip latch on the US Sears boxes but much smoother, especially when the drawer is full and you just have to push it with one finger and it closes with a locking click sound. Which is better than their older design that a lot of other companies with ball bearing boxes are using, which has a detent at the rear of the slide that grabs and holds the drawer. With that system you have to push hard until the detent grabs, which also makes it harder to open. Sears Canada calls it safety latch and it not only stops the drawers from accidentally opening, but also makes it smoother to open and close.

 

[dink]

Hey Jim, International's website is www.spg-toolbox.com. The weird thing is that they don't show all their toolboxes on the website. For example, on the main page they show the orange muscle car box, but is isn't shown with their online catalogue. They have a lot more boxes than they are showing. Maybe in the future they will upgrade the website. Sometimes you can see more of their boxes on others resellers websites. They make toolboxes for a lot of different companies. They also make the toolboxes for SK. Not the smaller two tone roll cab work centers, but their larger metal boxes. If your check www.sears.ca and www.skhandtool.com you will see they are the same. One of my SK catalogues has a picture of their blue 41 inch upper and lower with a side cab on one side and full size locker on the other that is made by SPG International. International's latest thing on their ball bearing boxes are that underneath the handle is another handle that you have to grab to open the drawer. Kind of like grip latch on the US Sears boxes but much smoother, especially when the drawer is full and you just have to push it with one finger and it closes with a locking click sound. Which is better than their older design that a lot of other companies with ball bearing boxes are using, which has a detent at the rear of the slide that grabs and holds the drawer. With that system you have to push hard until the detent grabs, which also makes it harder to open. Sears Canada calls it safety latch and it not only stops the drawers from accidentally opening, but also makes it smoother to open and close.

Or maybe they discountinued some...and there website is up to date

 

[kartracer55]

Wow, dink, I guess we know about the quality of SK boxes! Swift, thanks for posting that, I would have never known.

And thats a camaro they have pictured on the orange "muscle car" box.... 68 or 69, but the camaro wasnt a muscle car, it was considered a pony car, as it was about the same size as a mustang, built to be a direct competitior. Its smaller than a true muscle car, like a GM A body... Chevelle, GTO, 442, GS. (silly canadians lol j/k)

Anyway, I really like the sears canada boxes, I saw them the first time I went on the sears cananada site.

Whos making sears canada's hand tools, and where are they made?

Jim

 

[dink]

Wow, dink, I guess we know about the quality of SK boxes! Swift, thanks for posting that, I would have never known.

And thats a camaro they have pictured on the orange "muscle car" box.... 68 or 69, but the camaro wasnt a muscle car, it was considered a pony car, as it was about the same size as a mustang, built to be a direct competitior. Its smaller than a true muscle car, like a GM A body... Chevelle, GTO, 442, GS. (silly canadians lol j/k)

Anyway, I really like the sears canada boxes, I saw them the first time I went on the sears cananada site.

Whos making sears canada's hand tools, and where are they made?

Jim

Yea thanks for the info....I knew someone else makes the SK boxes I just never knew who....most tool manufacturers dont make there own tool boxes....I think even Snap-on has someone else make there tool boxes for them....but Snap-on tells them exactly how to build them to there own specs

 

[Swift]

No kidding... I found out today SPG international also makes Ultra Pro (napa brand) tool boxes. And they're ALOT cheaper than SPG International badged boxes.

Any idea who makes canadian tire aka mastercraft boxes? They maximum series has nice locking latches

Hey i bilyk, the Maximun series boxes are made by Waterloo in the US, www.waterlooindustries.com. Canadian Tire also sell the higher end Wateroo Magnums, but they are special order and they are not displayed in the stores only in thier catalogue and not even online. They are pricey though, around $5600 if I'm not mistaken. But they are huge, 56" wide by 30" deep and 66" tall. Sometimes you can check these out at Canadian Tire's garage area because some of the newer techs are given these boxes if they do their training there and work there for a minimum 3 years, they get to keep the boxes. A friend of mine works there and when I visited him at work he showed me the Magnums that the young newer techs had and all of them were barely a quarter full. If they leave sooner then they either give back the box or they pay a pro rated charge. On a side note, the Home Depot's Husky boxes are also made in Canada like the SPG Internationals, but by Stanley in Smith Falls, Ontario in the old Beach Toolbox companies factory.

 

[kartracer55]

Those Waterloo magnums are really nice... they are the same as the Craftsman professional boxes, which are REALLY expensive

Jim

 

[dink]

Yea the Waterloo line is good....but its the same thing as Craftsmen....higher the price the better the quality its getting most of the time