Why are Snap-On toolboxes so expensive?

[Ultradog MN]

Why are Snap- On boxes so expensive?
Why are season tickets to your favorite sports team or the symphony so expensive?
Why are vacations so expensive.? Why are fishing boats and a big truck to haul it up to the lake so expensive? Why is a full load cable tv package, cool firearms, Back to the 50s cars, tricked out garages, Les Paul guitars, Monarch 10 EE lathes so expensive? Why are 1 carat diamond engagement rings so expensive? Why are any of a thousand things that I personally don't need or want so expensive?
Well, here’s a dumb answer to a dumb question
It's because the people who buy those things think they are worth it. And it makes them happy. And so they're willing to pay for them and they don't ***** about how others spend their money.
And they prefer their wives dont wear cheap looking rings.

 

[Firebrick43]

Thanks for the post and observations. Matt Moreman from Obsessed Garage

I haven't met a salesman that doesn't try to make the statement that the product they sell is superior to all others in some way?

His videos are deceptive however. I am unsure if Matt is doing it intentionally or just it just stems from ignorance. You already repeated one of his mistakes about the 440lbs capacity at 0:38. Rousseau's own website is 400lbs. Lista and Vidmar is 440lbs.

He also makes its try to sound that the chassis system (he calls a carrier) that Rousseau uses is unique but I cant see a single significant difference. Maybe what he is saying at 0:23 stems from confusing the Ornamental design patent of the drawer front that Rousseau has?

They don't hold a utility patent for the drawer chassis system, that is from 25 years before Rousseau even started making modular cabinets.

https://patents.google.com/patent/USD690972S1/en?oq=D690,972

The drawers on a lista or vidmar come out the exact same way and the chassis has a cross bars exactly the same as well. Here is the chassis on one of my listas. Same number and size of roller bearings, even where the POM bearing is identical.



This Lista is from sometime prior to 2001. Cleaned and lubed 6 years ago, looks like it could be wiped down again.

and I find the Rousseau build quality to be higher than Lista and Vidmar but I do have less experience on the Vidmar.

Can you articulate exactly why?

Again, I am not saying Rousseau is bad, because they are not. If I was buying a new 72" tool box today it would be a Tekton which is made by Rousseau. If it was a wall of storage cabinets, I would bid it out to the three and whichever was the cheapest delivered would be chosen.

Its just upsetting to see Matt lying in his videos. There is no reason for him to do so, its a great product without tearing down the giants that made the design popular the world over.

 

[minytrker]

I started buying Snap-on tools back in the 90s, and my stepdad always told me they were an investment—he was right. The prices have only gone up, and with their lifetime warranty, I’ve never regretted it.


I own toolboxes and carts from Snap-on, Milwaukee, and Harbor Freight, and the difference in quality is obvious. The Snap-on boxes have larger drawers, smoother operation, and they hold up much better to daily use in a shop environment. The tools themselves have been worth it too. Over the years of running a shop and working on race cars, I’ve tried cheaper versions of Snap-on tools, and 99% of the time they don’t work as well or last as long.


Another big advantage is service. The Snap-on truck comes by regularly, and I can text the driver if I break something or need a tool. Warranty support has been excellent—even on items like taps and dies, which many companies won’t cover. On the other hand, when I tried to buy from the GearWrench truck that was only ten miles away, the driver wouldn’t even come by after I called.


For me, Snap-on has lived up to the reputation—better quality, better support, and tools that actually last in a real shop environment.

 

[jkeyser14]

Snap On is expensive as hell because they created a mobile dealer business model that brings the products to the end users. That also allows them to market to low income technicians on "affordable" monthly payments to get them to overspend on products they shouldn't be buying. In any other industry people would call the company predatory.

Yes, they make good stuff. Yes, it is still 3x-5x overpiced in most cases.

Personally, I bought myself an entire wall of Vidmar cabinets for less than one Snap-On box. The Vidmars are built like tanks and will outlive the next generation of my family.

 

[minytrker]

Snap On is expensive as hell because they created a mobile dealer business model that brings the products to the end users. That also allows them to market to low income technicians on "affordable" monthly payments to get them to overspend on products they shouldn't be buying. In any other industry people would call the company predatory.

Yes, they make good stuff. Yes, it is still 3x-5x overpiced in most cases.

Personally, I bought myself an entire wall of Vidmar cabinets for less than one Snap-On box. The Vidmars are built like tanks and will outlive the next generation of my family.

I know exactly what you mean. I asked my Snap-on dealer what the highest weekly payment he sees is, and he told me several guys are paying $150 a week. That blew my mind. I’ve never financed through Snap-on or opened a credit account. Over the years I’ve actually gotten some really good deals and free stuff just by always paying cash.

I agree it’s overpriced, especially if you’re not using the tools every single day as part of your business. At that point, you’re really just paying extra for the convenience of the truck showing up and the lifetime warranty. For me, paying upfront has always been the way to go—it’s saved me money and kept me from getting locked into those insane weekly payments.

 

[johninct]

Last year, my buddy had me warranty his Snap-On box drawer slides last year for a box he bought in the 1970's.

 

[Silver Lexus]

I haven't met a salesman that doesn't try to make the statement that the product they sell is superior to all others in some way?

His videos are deceptive however. I am unsure if Matt is doing it intentionally or just it just stems from ignorance. You already repeated one of his mistakes about the 440lbs capacity at 0:38. Rousseau's own website is 400lbs. Lista and Vidmar is 440lbs.

He also makes its try to sound that the chassis system (he calls a carrier) that Rousseau uses is unique but I cant see a single significant difference. Maybe what he is saying at 0:23 stems from confusing the Ornamental design patent of the drawer front that Rousseau has?

They don't hold a utility patent for the drawer chassis system, that is from 25 years before Rousseau even started making modular cabinets.

https://patents.google.com/patent/USD690972S1/en?oq=D690,972

The drawers on a lista or vidmar come out the exact same way and the chassis has a cross bars exactly the same as well. Here is the chassis on one of my listas. Same number and size of roller bearings, even where the POM bearing is identical.



This Lista is from sometime prior to 2001. Cleaned and lubed 6 years ago, looks like it could be wiped down again.

Can you articulate exactly why?

Again, I am not saying Rousseau is bad, because they are not. If I was buying a new 72" tool box today it would be a Tekton which is made by Rousseau. If it was a wall of storage cabinets, I would bid it out to the three and whichever was the cheapest delivered would be chosen.

Its just upsetting to see Matt lying in his videos. There is no reason for him to do so, its a great product without tearing down the giants that made the design popular the world over.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. A few observations:

1. Matt is a salesperon but he really is fanatical about finding the best gear. And he really does move on to better product. And he is a good guy who I have gotten to know a bit. He would never knowingly lie about products. He goes to extraordinary lengths to get things right. He started this whole thing originally to combat severe OCD.

2. Matt was a Lista dealer so he knows the line quite well. He feels the Rousseau cabinets are better made. I think he also likes their design innovation like the vertical cabinets and spider shelving.

3. I will check on the weight supported by R cabinets but I was pretty sure I saw 440 lbs somewhere but not sure at that level it really matters one way or the other. My understanding is that Snap-On is in the mid-200 range.

 

[kngelv]

I haven't met a salesman that doesn't try to make the statement that the product they sell is superior to all others in some way?

His videos are deceptive however. I am unsure if Matt is doing it intentionally or just it just stems from ignorance. You already repeated one of his mistakes about the 440lbs capacity at 0:38. Rousseau's own website is 400lbs. Lista and Vidmar is 440lbs.

He also makes its try to sound that the chassis system (he calls a carrier) that Rousseau uses is unique but I cant see a single significant difference. Maybe what he is saying at 0:23 stems from confusing the Ornamental design patent of the drawer front that Rousseau has?

They don't hold a utility patent for the drawer chassis system, that is from 25 years before Rousseau even started making modular cabinets.

https://patents.google.com/patent/USD690972S1/en?oq=D690,972

The drawers on a lista or vidmar come out the exact same way and the chassis has a cross bars exactly the same as well. Here is the chassis on one of my listas. Same number and size of roller bearings, even where the POM bearing is identical.



This Lista is from sometime prior to 2001. Cleaned and lubed 6 years ago, looks like it could be wiped down again.

Can you articulate exactly why?

Again, I am not saying Rousseau is bad, because they are not. If I was buying a new 72" tool box today it would be a Tekton which is made by Rousseau. If it was a wall of storage cabinets, I would bid it out to the three and whichever was the cheapest delivered would be chosen.

Its just upsetting to see Matt lying in his videos. There is no reason for him to do so, its a great product without tearing down the giants that made the design popular the world over.

Matt likes whoever is paying him at the moment. I don't know why anyone takes him seriously. Not a fan of his ego or his bragging/pontificating. SBD owns both Lista and Vidmar. My work has literally hundreds of Lista and Vidmar cabinets. Most are 10-30 years old and all have the crossbars under them. We have been getting some new Lista's over the past year or so and they do not have the crossbars any more. The slide carriage also has all nylon wheels. Some of the cabinets were only rated for 165lbs a drawer so we sent those back. I don't think they are as well made as in the past. I'm assuming new Vidmar may be the same. Also some of the cabinets came with the same type of drawer lock mechanism as the Series 1 and 2 HF boxes which are terrible. I picked up a Tekton 60" 7 drawer six weeks ago for my second garage and have been slowly transferring tools to it but have yet to work out of it. My Snap-On KRL at work is 15 years old and still functions likes its brand new. My Kennedy Maintenance Pro at work is also 15 years old and still works great. These type threads are pretty frustrating. Yes Snap-On is over priced IMHO but their boxes are well built and better than HF, Mastercraft, Husky, Homak and all the other Chinese boxes. These boxes will work fine for most home gamers but I don't know why people feel the need to say they are just as good as the truck boxes when they are not? Why get insecure and defensive about you toolbox choice? I have a Series 1 HF 56" top and bottom that was fine for a few years till my now 18 year old started wanting to work on vehicles. Once I got a lift and we started using the box every day we started having issues with the slides and latches. I built a second garage behind my house specifically for automotive and dirt bike work, and there was no way the HF was going in there.

James

 

[Firebrick43]

We have been getting some new Lista's over the past year or so and they do not have the crossbars any more. The slide carriage also has all nylon wheels.

That's a shame. Maybe Matt should have rephrased it and instead of act like Rousseau came up with their own design, made the point its like the lista of old.

Some of the cabinets were only rated for 165lbs a drawer so we sent those back. I don't think they are as well made as in the past.

I did see some of that 10 plus years ago, but it was only on small narrow 18" for workstations and such. We didn't have problems for the most part as its hard to stuff 400 lbs in a drawer so small. Some places where they were storing tooling they ordered the heavier chassis system slides. The few 22"w lista carts all had the chassis type drawers with the full 440 lbs load. The catalog I only see the 165 on the narrow NS and NW that are listed as 16.85" wide

I'm assuming new Vidmar may be the same. Also some of the cabinets came with the same type of drawer lock mechanism as the Series 1 and 2 HF boxes which are terrible.

The individual door locks are an option and have been for a long time. My mobile lista has them and the others do not. Some people to hate them, I had coworkers that despised them. I kind of like them.

Funny thing is I got my mobile lista dirt cheap. The seller had told me where it was and I went back to look at it. He said something about it being locked but I was able to open the drawers just fine.

So I walked back up front and purchased it. We walked back and I opened the drawers to take them out to load the frame in the cabinet. He was shocked as he could never open the drawers because he never looked up under the handles, and had priced it accordingly.

 

[Silver Lexus]

Here is a reference to 440lbs of weight capacity from a big Rousseau distributor:

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/19125806

 

[Silver Lexus]

Another one:

Rousseau Metal® Heavy Duty Modular Cabinet, 9 Drawers, 48"W x 27"D x 60"H, Avalanche Blue

Rousseau Metal® Heavy Duty Modular Cabinet, 9 Drawers, 48"W x 27"D x 60"H, Avalanche Blue. Buy it and Save at Globalindustrial.com

www.globalindustrial.com

 

[Silver Lexus]

I started buying Snap-on tools back in the 90s, and my stepdad always told me they were an investment—he was right. The prices have only gone up, and with their lifetime warranty, I’ve never regretted it.


I own toolboxes and carts from Snap-on, Milwaukee, and Harbor Freight, and the difference in quality is obvious. The Snap-on boxes have larger drawers, smoother operation, and they hold up much better to daily use in a shop environment. The tools themselves have been worth it too. Over the years of running a shop and working on race cars, I’ve tried cheaper versions of Snap-on tools, and 99% of the time they don’t work as well or last as long.


Another big advantage is service. The Snap-on truck comes by regularly, and I can text the driver if I break something or need a tool. Warranty support has been excellent—even on items like taps and dies, which many companies won’t cover. On the other hand, when I tried to buy from the GearWrench truck that was only ten miles away, the driver wouldn’t even come by after I called.


For me, Snap-on has lived up to the reputation—better quality, better support, and tools that actually last in a real shop environment.

I am not questioning Snap-On quality but value for dollar.

 

[Silver Lexus]

Matt likes whoever is paying him at the moment. I don't know why anyone takes him seriously. Not a fan of his ego or his bragging/pontificating. SBD owns both Lista and Vidmar. My work has literally hundreds of Lista and Vidmar cabinets. Most are 10-30 years old and all have the crossbars under them. We have been getting some new Lista's over the past year or so and they do not have the crossbars any more. The slide carriage also has all nylon wheels. Some of the cabinets were only rated for 165lbs a drawer so we sent those back. I don't think they are as well made as in the past. I'm assuming new Vidmar may be the same. Also some of the cabinets came with the same type of drawer lock mechanism as the Series 1 and 2 HF boxes which are terrible. I picked up a Tekton 60" 7 drawer six weeks ago for my second garage and have been slowly transferring tools to it but have yet to work out of it. My Snap-On KRL at work is 15 years old and still functions likes its brand new. My Kennedy Maintenance Pro at work is also 15 years old and still works great. These type threads are pretty frustrating. Yes Snap-On is over priced IMHO but their boxes are well built and better than HF, Mastercraft, Husky, Homak and all the other Chinese boxes. These boxes will work fine for most home gamers but I don't know why people feel the need to say they are just as good as the truck boxes when they are not? Why get insecure and defensive about you toolbox choice? I have a Series 1 HF 56" top and bottom that was fine for a few years till my now 18 year old started wanting to work on vehicles. Once I got a lift and we started using the box every day we started having issues with the slides and latches. I built a second garage behind my house specifically for automotive and dirt bike work, and there was no way the HF was going in there.

James

I’m not questioning Snap-On quality but I am not convinced it is better than an equivalent sized Rousseau cabinet that sells for a third the price.

And you are wrong about Matt promoting whoever is paying him. There are numerous examples where Matt has switched to lower margin products that he felt was better quality.

 

[pi_guy]

There are two schools of thought in this thread those that have used the tools and understand the niche they serve, the second thought is SO is running a scam.

 

[Firebrick43]

Another one:

Rousseau Metal® Heavy Duty Modular Cabinet, 9 Drawers, 48"W x 27"D x 60"H, Avalanche Blue

Rousseau Metal® Heavy Duty Modular Cabinet, 9 Drawers, 48"W x 27"D x 60"H, Avalanche Blue. Buy it and Save at Globalindustrial.com

www.globalindustrial.com

MSC has many mistakes on its site

But this other one you linked says 400?



From Rousseu's web site.

https://www.rousseau.com/r-cabinets

If he was a dealer, why would he be using anyone other than the manufactures statements?

 

[GrayFlattop]

Here is a reference to 440lbs of weight capacity from a big Rousseau distributor:

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/19125806

Lista drawer capacity is also 440#. I’ve got two Listas with the newer style drawer slides and one lista, one Lyon cabinet with the “carriage” exactly like the one shown in the video. It’s not a proprietary design from Rousseau (although their quality is quite good). Both of the older style cabinets are over 30, maybe 40 years old and were used in an industrial setting. The drawers hold plenty of weight and move quite smoothly. One does have to lubricate the older rollers every decade or so.

The new listas have a different design of drawer slide and they roll quite smoothly as well. If I had room for more, I’d buy another lista in a heartbeat. I also have several masterforce cabinets and I would consider them very good - certainly a notch below lista / vidmar / Rousseau, but perfectly serviceable for heavy duty use. The masterforce cabinets represent an excellent value if the sizes and colors work for you.

I’ve got one smaller USG stack in the basement and it’s ok.certainly the best value out there, but nothing spectacular.

We had a few snap-on cabinets at work (industrial setting) and they were quite nice. I would rank them equal with lista, but the customization options on the lista move them to the front of the pack, IMO. Snap-on has a few advantages: financing if you need that and the dealers will take trades. Otherwise, I can’t honestly sat that they are worth the money.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I have a Snap On box only because when I went to technical college in 1998 for Auto Body Repair, we needed to have a box and tools. My family didn't have a truck or means of getting one there so I bought one through the school at a 50% discounted rate and filled it with CMAN tools. The internet was in it's infancy then and second hand boxes weren't as easy to find (at least for me) so I got a brand new box. Fast forward to now. If I was starting out as a new tech, I'd either be getting a used Snap On box or a Harbor Freight box. I have a 44"and it has been fantastic.

 

[kngelv]

I’m not questioning Snap-On quality but I am not convinced it is better than an equivalent sized Rousseau cabinet that sells for a third the price.

And you are wrong about Matt promoting whoever is paying him. There are numerous examples where Matt has switched to lower margin products that he felt was better quality.

Just because he is using a lower margin product does not mean he's still not getting paid by that company. It's hard to be completely objective if you are selling the product. I think Snap-On's prices are crazy but they do make a solid product and they definitely build better stuff than most. Snap-On's business model is going to make their stuff more expensive. People can still get parts for boxes made in the 70's and keeping that stuff on hand is an expense. Plus Snap-On markets to a different consumer. I have no need of power drawers, hutch's, lighting, power decks, automated locks etc.etc. A guy in a dealership might need all of the above which is why Snap-On develops products targeted for that type of buyer. I just bought a Tekton/Rousseau and am very impressed so far but my 15 year old KRL functions like brand new while my lesser used HF is giving me all kinds of issues.

James

 

[Ultradog MN]

The lista, vidmar cabinets I have seen the most often measure 30"W X 27 1/2" D
X 57" H and have 11 drawers.
That equals 27 Cubic feet
And 63 square feet
And at 400 lbs per drawer it equals 4400 lbs of storage.

The cabinet above costs about $3700 with tax, etc

This means the lista/vidmar adds up to the following

$137 per cubic foot.
$49 per square foot
$.84 per pound of storage
How does a new Snap-On compare to that

 

[Silver Lexus]

There are two schools of thought in this thread those that have used the tools and understand the niche they serve, the second thought is SO is running a scam.

I am more of a third option: Snap-On is great quality but poor value when compared to Rousseau.

 

[Silver Lexus]

Perhaps we can look at the comparison this way:

Rousseau Pros
Strong brand heritage (75 years)
400 lb per drawer
Carriage system
Better price per cubic inch of storage
Client designs number, height, configuration, and paint color of drawers

Rousseau Cons
No weekly mobile visit
No power drawer available (texted with my local distributor today to confirm)

Snap-On Pros
Strong heritage (Over 100 years)
Mobile truck visits
High quality box proven over many decades

Snap-On Cons
Extremely expensive
Standard configurations, no customization of drawers
Much lower weight rating per drawer, Epiq is 227 lbs

 

[Uncle murph]

I spent a lot of time researching toolboxes and one thing that shocked me about the garage upgrade I was doing for both myself and my clients was the multi-$10K prices of Snap-On.

Now I get that Snap-On makes great tools and has a very impressive branding and heritage. And they offer financing which is a big help…

But as looked at the drawers and visited shops I found the Rousseau drawers to be better made due to the carriage system. They are expensive as well but generally a half to even one third of comparable Snap-On pricing.

What am I missing?

In any event I went with 60” wide Rousseau cabinets.

2/3 quality 1/3 name

 

[Cruzan80]

Perhaps we can look at the comparison this way:

Rousseau Pros
Strong brand heritage (75 years)
400 lb per drawer
Carriage system
Better price per cubic inch of storage
Client designs number, height, configuration, and paint color of drawers

Rousseau Cons
No weekly mobile visit
No power drawer available (texted with my local distributor today to confirm)

Snap-On Pros
Strong heritage (Over 100 years)
Mobile truck visits
High quality box proven over many decades

Snap-On Cons
Extremely expensive
Standard configurations, no customization of drawers
Much lower weight rating per drawer, Epiq is 227 lbs

I also question how much the Rosseau (or Lista/Vidmar/Equipto/etc) are designed to move, compared to the Snap on. I have several of the industrial brand cabinets, and no Snap On, but I don't have any intention of moving them around (home shop). I have read one method of leverage some mechanics have is to leave and find a new job, and wondering if the "semi-mobility" of SO helps with that?

All of my industrial cabinets were bought used, and none have casters. Some have forklift pockets, but not all. So maybe they offer it, but I haven't bought those. That isn't even getting into the ones designed to go in-between shelving uprights.

I also don't see the short/wide layout that most "mechanics" boxes use in these spaces (think bottom box only). Mechanics boxes also tend to be more modular (top vs bottom, side box lockers, etc). Most industrials are either taller (like old school 26" wide boxes or file cabinets), or if they are wider, they are taller than a normal work surface (semi-square-ish). Very few are wider than 44" that I have run across, and almost all of them are 40+" tall.

All that being said, for what I do, I have either old friction slide boxes, or industrial boxes. And it works out great for me (also haven't spent more than $100/box, finding some great deals). I have a Huot full stack (11D top, 4D middle, and 7d bottom), CM -V- full stack (10D top, 3d middle and 9d bottom), and an old CM Heritage/Crow top stack, along with a Pressteel workbench (rollers but old-school), Equipto lower cabinets (~28"w x30" tall), and a Vidmar large cabinet (~44"Wx48" tall). And a few more in sheds of various sizes (both Equipto, Vidmar and Lista).

 

[Cruzan80]

Either way, not sure that anyone will be changing their mind based on this. There have always been "mechanics boxes" (even Kennedy used to paint them red to differentiate), that are seen differently than "industrial", that are different than "machinist", etc.

 

[Silver Lexus]

I also question how much the Rosseau (or Lista/Vidmar/Equipto/etc) are designed to move, compared to the Snap on. I have several of the industrial brand cabinets, and no Snap On, but I don't have any intention of moving them around (home shop). I have read one method of leverage some mechanics have is to leave and find a new job, and wondering if the "semi-mobility" of SO helps with that?

All of my industrial cabinets were bought used, and none have casters. Some have forklift pockets, but not all. So maybe they offer it, but I haven't bought those. That isn't even getting into the ones designed to go in-between shelving uprights.

I also don't see the short/wide layout that most "mechanics" boxes use in these spaces (think bottom box only). Mechanics boxes also tend to be more modular (top vs bottom, side box lockers, etc). Most industrials are either taller (like old school 26" wide boxes or file cabinets), or if they are wider, they are taller than a normal work surface (semi-square-ish). Very few are wider than 44" that I have run across, and almost all of them are 40+" tall.

All that being said, for what I do, I have either old friction slide boxes, or industrial boxes. And it works out great for me (also haven't spent more than $100/box, finding some great deals). I have a Huot full stack (11D top, 4D middle, and 7d bottom), CM -V- full stack (10D top, 3d middle and 9d bottom), and an old CM Heritage/Crow top stack, along with a Pressteel workbench (rollers but old-school), Equipto lower cabinets (~28"w x30" tall), and a Vidmar large cabinet (~44"Wx48" tall). And a few more in sheds of various sizes (both Equipto, Vidmar and Lista).

Mr Rousseau is a roller cabinet and moves around the garage easily. Very high quality casters and handle.

 

[Silver Lexus]

2/3 quality 1/3 name

1/3 Name? Sure.
2/3 Quality? Nope.

 

[whateg01]

... (also haven't spent more than $100/box, finding some great deals), ...and a Vidmar large cabinet (~44"Wx48" tall). And a few more in sheds of various sizes (both Equipto, Vidmar and Lista).

Yeah I'd call those great deals

 

[Silver Lexus]

I also question how much the Rosseau (or Lista/Vidmar/Equipto/etc) are designed to move, compared to the Snap on. I have several of the industrial brand cabinets, and no Snap On, but I don't have any intention of moving them around (home shop). I have read one method of leverage some mechanics have is to leave and find a new job, and wondering if the "semi-mobility" of SO helps with that?

All of my industrial cabinets were bought used, and none have casters. Some have forklift pockets, but not all. So maybe they offer it, but I haven't bought those. That isn't even getting into the ones designed to go in-between shelving uprights.

I also don't see the short/wide layout that most "mechanics" boxes use in these spaces (think bottom box only). Mechanics boxes also tend to be more modular (top vs bottom, side box lockers, etc). Most industrials are either taller (like old school 26" wide boxes or file cabinets), or if they are wider, they are taller than a normal work surface (semi-square-ish). Very few are wider than 44" that I have run across, and almost all of them are 40+" tall.

All that being said, for what I do, I have either old friction slide boxes, or industrial boxes. And it works out great for me (also haven't spent more than $100/box, finding some great deals). I have a Huot full stack (11D top, 4D middle, and 7d bottom), CM -V- full stack (10D top, 3d middle and 9d bottom), and an old CM Heritage/Crow top stack, along with a Pressteel workbench (rollers but old-school), Equipto lower cabinets (~28"w x30" tall), and a Vidmar large cabinet (~44"Wx48" tall). And a few more in sheds of various sizes (both Equipto, Vidmar and Lista).

Not true. Rousseau offers all sorts of depths from 18” to 27” and widths from 24” to 60”. 24“ to 38” in height. They are built to order and can do single and double bank.

 

[Silver Lexus]

 

[Cruzan80]

Again, I was not trying to claim they didn't, but rather provide a perspective of what I have seen for sale, especially used.

Somewhat marketing too, as just because it is offered for sale doesn't mean people know if there isn't much sold in that design.


@whateg01 Those are the best deals that I have kept. Even the ones that I have bought and "re-sold/flipped" were under $50/drawer. There are always deals out there (keep looking over a long enough time).

 

[Firebrick43]

I also question how much the Rosseau (or Lista/Vidmar/Equipto/etc) are designed to move, compared to the Snap on. I have several of the industrial brand cabinets, and no Snap On, but I don't have any intention of moving them around (home shop). I have read one method of leverage some mechanics have is to leave and find a new job, and wondering if the "semi-mobility" of SO helps with that?


I also don't see the short/wide layout that most "mechanics" boxes use in these spaces (think bottom box only). Mechanics boxes also tend to be more modular (top vs bottom, side box lockers, etc). Most industrials are either taller (like old school 26" wide boxes or file cabinets), or if they are wider, they are taller than a normal work surface (semi-square-ish). Very few are wider than 44" that I have run across, and almost all of them are 40+" tall.

They have mechanics boxes, at least lista and rousseau do, I have never seen a vidmar however.

They did just fine being towed by a taylor dun in a 40 acre factory with block floor in many places. The kennedy pro box shell didn't hack it in there till we put them on a full angle iron frame.

As mentioned earlier, the snap on spring suspended wheels are better

 

[Silver Lexus]

Rousseau can do 30” deep as well.

11-Drawer 40/60 Split Bank Cabinet, Red (60 W x 30 D in.) | TEKTON

Our largest rolling tool cabinet features 11-drawer, 40/60 split bank each each with a 400 lb. weight capacity. Made in North America. 90-Day Trial. OCL64200.

www.tekton.com

 

[pi_guy]

On your mission to peddle Rousseau couple of points.

They don't sell tools.
Prior to the internet they were a great source of information, had a issue with ** can you talk to the guys at yy and ask them. Often he would know they are using this tool or do this to expedite the job.
Plus when I was starting off needing a tool to do a job was not uncommon and often being able to cover cost of tool in job and then pay for it was great help.
It not only just a guy driving about selling hi priced tools the relationship and knowledge you can get from a SO guy you won't find at Sears or HF...

 

[Silver Lexus]

On your mission to peddle Rousseau couple of points.

They don't sell tools.
Prior to the internet they were a great source of information, had a issue with ** can you talk to the guys at yy and ask them. Often he would know they are using this tool or do this to expedite the job.
Plus when I was starting off needing a tool to do a job was not uncommon and often being able to cover cost of tool in job and then pay for it was great help.
It not only just a guy driving about selling hi priced tools the relationship and knowledge you can get from a SO guy you won't find at Sears or HF...

Not peddling anything. I understand the value of SO distributors knowledge and warranty capability.

Just talking toolboxes here. I don’t like the US General boxes but do like the Icon tools I have used.

 

[Skellyii]

On your mission to peddle Rousseau couple of points.

They don't sell tools.
Prior to the internet they were a great source of information, had a issue with ** can you talk to the guys at yy and ask them. Often he would know they are using this tool or do this to expedite the job.
Plus when I was starting off needing a tool to do a job was not uncommon and often being able to cover cost of tool in job and then pay for it was great help.
It not only just a guy driving about selling hi priced tools the relationship and knowledge you can get from a SO guy you won't find at Sears or HF...

Heck, when I was slinging wrenches in my youth, we LOVED our SO guy and he loved us back. We serviced his truck, and he would always give us special deals.

OK, this is no longer relevant, so take it as vintage information.

I'm old enough to remember when Sears was still Sears. Both the Sears stores in my hometown and my adopted town had guys in both the tool and the hardware department that knew their stuff, and could answer questions and make recommendations. The old guys in the paint department were especially helpful when I bought my first house.

Obviously that level of service died with the dinosaurs, good luck getting that level of assistance from Lowes.

And let's not bother to discuss HF.

 

[Silver Lexus]

Heck, when I was slinging wrenches in my youth, we LOVED our SO guy and he loved us back. We serviced his truck, and he would always give us special deals.

OK, this is no longer relevant, so take it as vintage information.

I'm old enough to remember when Sears was still Sears. Both the Sears stores in my hometown and my adopted town had guys in both the tool and the hardware department that knew their stuff, and could answer questions and make recommendations. The old guys in the paint department were especially helpful when I bought my first house.

Obviously that level of service died with the dinosaurs, good luck getting that level of assistance from Lowes.

And let's not bother to discuss HF.

I loved the old Sears. Really knowledgeable people in the tool department. Our local Ace hardware stores have some great people.

I think Harbor Freight is the new Sears in terms of selection and warranty. My two local stores have been pretty helpful. I have had less luck with Lowes and Home Depot.

 

[pi_guy]

Not peddling anything. I understand the value of SO distributors knowledge and warranty capability.

Just talking toolboxes here. I don’t like the US General boxes but do like the Icon tools I have used.

It is hard to separate tools from toolboxes as the SO thing works as a whole package.

Non auto shop employees have a hard time getting SO service if they are not in industry. My two cents is they would have a harder time with industrial cabinets. Don't think the focus is on single cabinet orders, they want to outfit a company floor.
Think they would have a harder time with warranty issues.

Kind of an apples and Orange comparison question occasionally found together in a salad but it not a common occurrence.

Support and service has changed I often get questions in HD from customers because I look like I know what to do, my response is I am not wearing orange. If they persist I remind them I take cash or CC. A base line question do you have any left handed screws? The highest response is no such thing from store employees. No one at this point in time wants to work in a hardware store and be become a specialist and work in retail, it is just a job till I get a better job.
HD has in the past hired plumbers to work in that dept but they don't last long commercial guys scoop them up.

 

[sgrammel]

Just like anything else. price is determined by what people will pay.

 

[Sumboodie]

Look at Lista or vidmar if Snap On seems expensive.

Granted a MUCH more rugged (and heavy!) Box.

I have 2 KRA series Snap On boxes and 2 Husky.
There's minimal difference in quality and material.
The Husky boxes 24"×4ft were around $300 each new.

Snap on, 1 was free, the other I paid $1000 used 20 years ago.... so $1500 in now $$

 

[Firebrick43]

Non auto shop employees have a hard time getting SO service if they are not in industry.

It’s but a phone call or email away. Super easy and occasionally they do want the original tool back they will send a prepaid sticker to do so.

1-877-762-7664 or e-mail [email protected]