Which Toolbox from Sears?

[markypeas]

I have a gift card worth 180 bucks from Sears and I want to get a new toolbox that will last me hopefully a long, long time. My budget is 300 bucks including the gift card but I cannot decide which box to get. I dont want a top chest, and I dont want a roller. I also dont need that much space because it always seems like if I have space I just fill it up with stuff. With that said I only wrench on the weekends but I dont want a flimsy box. Here are the 2 boxes I have come up with, I love the intermediate style by the way, I know its weird but I would just build a push around cart for it, kind of less is more, I dont want to store hammers and such. I guess my main question is... is the Waterloo chest 100 dollars better than the Craftsman one? I am assuming they are both made by Waterloo, is there a 100 dollar quality difference?

Thanks in advance.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00959895000P?mv=rr

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ganization+&+Shelving&sName=Chests+&+Cabinets

 

[MR. R]

Welcome to weekend toolbox users. Craftsman series of boxes has always seemed to work well for those of us who can only seem to get into the garage/shop on the weekends. Take good care of the C-man box and they will last a long time. My boxes are 35 plus years old, four moves in three states and they have all survived not only me but my now 15 year old and all his "projects"

 

[DashEight]

My local Sears always has closeout/demo/returned tool boxes that are usually a pretty good deal. Intermediate chests are always turning up for some reason. If your local store does the same thing, then it's just a matter of playing the waiting game. I have that Craftsman chest you posted. It works great if you don't plan on moving it around. There is nothing to grab on to when you go to pick it up. Check here for some deals on what your after:

http://www.searsoutlet.com/Tool-Storage/d/products.jsp?md=ct_md&cid=143

 

[Merkava_4]

I am assuming they are both made by Waterloo, is there a 100 dollar quality difference?

The description says the C-MAN has the Griplatch system. It might be worth the extra $100 for the Waterloo to NOT have the Griplatch system.

 

[Stuey]

I think that's a great idea - I started off with two intermediates before buying top boxes. Stoll don't have roll-aways though.

How deep do you want the drawers to be? If you're okay with them being a bit shallower than what you posted, you can opt for smaller intermediates that go on sale relatively often for $100.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00962022000P

I'm not sure that there would be an appreciable difference between the Craftsman and Waterloo options aside from the Griplatch opening mechanism.

 

[Chris Adams]

Where you at?
Different areas have different price points and places to buy.

I use 3 to 5 intermediate boxes at various times, like the overall design and shape.

Some sit on tool boxes, others sit on rolling cabinets. The large flat top is handy sometimes, unlike a chest top which is just useless.

I have Griplatch and non-Griplatch. I prefer the Griplatch.
I have them in 15-16-18 inch depths, prefer the 18 by a large margin.

I gave away the last 12 inch Craftsman I had, no storage in a 12 inch deep box.

 

[markypeas]

Thanks everyone for replying, I am really surprized how many of you guys like the intermediates. I think since I will be rolling my chest around, the griplatch seems like it will be worthwhile. The more I think about it the less I need to spend an exta 100 dollars just for a name, unless the quality is that much better. I am going to Sears tonight to take a second look, then I will probably just wait for a good sale.

 

[fordracing200]

keep the gift card and use it for tools, get the harbor freight bottom box, 459 dollars, use the 20% off coupon, awesome box for wicked wicked cheap. I believe their is a thread about it in the general discussion section.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90320

 

[fordracing200]

Welcome to weekend toolbox users. Craftsman series of boxes has always seemed to work well for those of us who can only seem to get into the garage/shop on the weekends. Take good care of the C-man box and they will last a long time. My boxes are 35 plus years old, four moves in three states and they have all survived not only me but my now 15 year old and all his "projects"

the craftsman boxes have severly changed in qaulity and have gone downhill at a surprising rate in the past few years, go look at the bottom of the line chest at your local store and compare it to one from 5 years ago, Dad has a 5 year old one, the basic with the folding bottom and 5 drawers, its 10x the qaulity of the new ones, I'd almost say the friction slides almost have the new ball bearing boxes beat in terms of qaulity, the steel is definitly thicker.
Another thing to remember, is sears/waterloo/taskforce are all made by waterloo, they sell the taskforce boxes, which are the same, colors and all as the craftsman at lowes for 100-150 dollars less then the craftsman boxes.