School me on tool boxes

[chris1044]

Looking to buy a new tool box. I can get a deal on snap on, mac, and matco boxes, but only on their lower quality boxes (IE not the KRL series, macsimizer series, etc.)

I'm looking at the snap on classic 78, and the larger mac tech 1000 box. Anyone have any pros/cons on each? Thinking about staying away from matco as their proformance series doesn't look like the greatest quality from what I've seen.

[Peter_C]

Are you a technician? Asking because it makes a difference whether you are going to use it 200 times a day or not.

[chris1044]

Yes, I'm a technician. Although I am going to school for an AET degree where I'll more than likely end up at the prooving grounds or some company in the R&D department. So I may or may not need my box in the future, but either way i'd like to have a decent one just in case - plus it'll be nice to have it at home when I get the $$ to build my dream garage.

[Munchies]

LISTA..

I find them better than snap on- mat co etc. And same price- cheaper.

Your buddys will be envious of the quality and price. Gauranteed

[reklund5]

I've got a Matco Proformance toolbox at work- no complaints for their entry-level box. I agree that their premium series is MUCH nicer tho... If you are going to be a tech temporarily, and then move the box to the house, than the Matco Proformance will do just fine. When/If I move up to a bigger box, than my existing Matco will come home to replace the craftsman junk in there now...

My .02
Ryan

[chris1044]

Well, as of right now I've already got a snap on KRA4813 box. The problem is it's to small (should have never bought it), and I either need to buy a top box (which I dont want because I want the work bench) or trade it in and buy another bottom box.

I get a deal on mac, matco, and snap on because of the school I'm at - so I'm going to stick with those because i basically get half off. I'm just weary of matco and mac because of some stuff I've heard as far as quality goes. But for the price I can get a bigger box with Mac than I can snap on.

So, anyone else got an opinion on Mac/matco quality?

[Munchies]

http://www.ultimategarage.com/lista.html

[Krusty]

I bought the BIG snap-on box--
great box but was a mistake----- too much money !!!!

a tool box is nice, but -- a tool box does NOT make money-- it's the tools inside !
I am a tech in a dealership and live out of my box-- a Sears box would serve just as well and wouldn't have not cost near as much !!!!

[chris1044]

http://www.ultimategarage.com/lista.html

Problem is, they're more expensive than the snapon box I was looking at and are smaller (yeah, if I didn't get a discount I'd be going with them)....

Now the more and more I read, the more I'm thinking about staying away from Mac

[ironpig70]

i'll second the sears box. worked as an tech assistant for a bobcat and kubota dealer and 3 of our older techs(been wrenching 20+++ years) had craftmans boxes.

[MarkW]

A very important point was brought up earlier, it is not the box that makes you money but the tools inside the box! That said, I own a craftsman pair, a Mac pair, a couple of Snap Ons and some no names too. (yep, I'm a tool junkie!)

The Craftsman boxes I bought at my first wrenching job. I had a 12 drawer top box (also craftsman) and found out how small that is when you work for a living, so I bought a set on sale. I used that as my main boxes for a few years. The Macs have bearing slides but that really isn't much of an issue as I never noticed it on the other boxes. The only time it makes a difference is the heavily loaded bottom drawers, and with those if you keep the tracks clean and oiled they will be just fine.

IMHO, more important than the brand of the box is the style of the box which depends on how you use it at your work. I never thought much about it at my first job, I had 2 bays and just parked my box and it pretty much never moved. I had a tool cart that I'd put tools on and wheel that around the car. As my collection grew I put a couple side boxes on, they make handy little work areas too. This is also a nice setup when you are starting out because whenever you decide to move on and up to a different shop everything breaks down quickly into components and you don't need any help moving them, and you can move them with just a car if you have to.

Later on, I worked at a place where I did not have assigned bays. My tall box was a liability moving around especially when it would bump over some metal curb or something. Plus you can't see over it and don't have a really good work table. A lot of shops with a bunch of bays will have more bays than workbenches and sometimes you'll lose the game of musical benches. The "Taco Wagon" style of toolbox here is really great. If you get one, cut a piece of plywood for the top. http://images.grizzly.com/grizzlycom/pics/gif72/H/H3888.gif
I really like this design! However, they are a royal PIA to move. You need a pickup and a ramp but if you are going to work somewhere for a while I think this is a good choice. This is one from grizzly.com but there are several brands out there. They are often called "Workstations".

Also, you need drawer liners, unlined drawers are not professional and they are noisy and the tools will roll all over. Instead of the ripoff poly sheets they sell, I like carpeting. You can usually get it for free or get some cheap astroturf, your tools won't roll around and crash when you put them back.

Also, not to preach but start figuring out a system where you put your tools, look at what the older guys do and start there. If you don't have an order for everything you will start losing tools. Put them all away after each job, clean them while you're at it.

Hope this long winded rant is of some help!

Mark

[TheBandit]

I love my stainless cabinet from CostCo. I wouldn't hesitate to use it all day every day as a technician. It rolls great (ball bearings), has a good amount of space (came with liners), and costs a whole lot less than a big name brand. I paid about $700 for mine, but they've gone down since.

http://www.calpoly.edu/~cjudd/IM001837T.jpg

Take the money you save and invest in tools. I don't think all your tools need to be name brand either; just the important ones. You can get Craftsman, Kobalt, and Husky for a lot cheaper and they all have simple exchange warranties. Be smart about this. You aren't going to make a fortune as a tech and the difference between a Husky boxed end wrench and a SnapOn is not worth the difference in price. For specialty tools, I would stick with name brand. If you are die hard about getting name brand for everything, at least shop around for used sets.

[PTSchram]

Being able to find the tools you need quickly will make you as much money as the tools that are inside the box.

I must be the exception as I prefer to have my toolbox in one spot and not take it to the jobs (but, my current shop is so poorly laid out it's a horrible liability). As a result, I don't need the workbench on top of my roller cabinet.

About a year ago, I finally found a good used 51" wide Mac roller cabinet. Best investment I ever made, paid $600 for it and am guaranteed it will be worth that when I'm ready to move up again (yes, I'm ready now!).

If I were in the market for a toolbox, I'd buy the biggest one I could possibly afford. I know I'm gonna need more tools down the road and the tools are generally less expensive than the box, or at least, I can onesy-twosy them, but the box, that's a major investment I don't want to have to go through very often.

[chris1044]

so does anyone have an opinion on mac boxes? There have been a couple post I've read stating that they suck big time (held together with screws and detents not working) but others that have said they're great as well

I think I've got it narrowed down to a snap on KRA2411 and Mac MB1080

[cebby]

Build you own... :flipoff2:

Writeup and plans here. (http://reference.toolandfab.com/writeups/mxtras-cabinets/index.htm)

[k5ryanNC]

it all depends on what you work with

i'm a heavy truck and tractor tech and all my tools are heavy and big so i have a huge $8200 matco box
i had a nice craftsman box but it buckled from all the weight but i'm an exception

when i was a light truck tech a mac was my box and it was great....so great i brought it home and is a great home box

snap on is overpriced but they do have nice tools

[reklund5]

so does anyone have an opinion on mac boxes? There have been a couple post I've read stating that they suck big time (held together with screws and detents not working) but others that have said they're great as well

I think I've got it narrowed down to a snap on KRA2411 and Mac MB1080


Out of those two, I'd opt for the Snap-On. There are techs at work with each, but the Snap-On's are consistently nicer, IMHO.

Ryan

[Kartracer55]

MAC boxes might not be THE BEST but look how many people make a living out of them. My friends dad was a deisel mechanic for Ryder and he used Mostly MAC tool and a MAC box. Matco boxes are made by Waterloo, just like craftsman. Granted, I havent used the "magnum" boxes from waterloo, but thier lower end boxes arnt anything to write home about. The Traxx series I use almost daily can be a pita, mainly because of the draw pulls. On the full width drawers, you have to pull directly in the center otherwise the drawer will not unlock right. They take the abuse, but indent drawers as opposed to "grip latch" drawers are the way to go, IMHO.

My friend has a small Proto Heavy duty box, and its really nice, I mean its freakin HEAVY! You probably cant go wrong with either Armstrong or Proto(the high end ones cost about 20% more) as both brands are industrial tool brands. Armstrong is another Danaher company (just like Matco and Craftsman) but thier boxes are likely to be a much higher quality. Out of all the boxes Ive mentioned, armstrong are the only ones I havent had experience with, but based on all thier other products, you probably cant go wrong.


Have you looked on Ebay? there are TONS of listings for almost new and sometimes new boxes from almost every brand out there.

Jim

[Rowdie]

I was at NAPA and noticed this line of tool boxes. Looks like a cool tool storage area for rachets, sockets and wrenchs. They are pricey, but if you move your tools around i.e. -- mobile or take them wheelin it would the thing to get.

The statement at the beginning of the intro says it all.

www.cpltoolbox.com

Was thinking about using some of the ideas for making a version of the box that set on top of one of those workstation type boxes.

[Peter_C]

Since you get half off you would be a fool not to buy a brand new box for less than someones used box. Forget Ebay and the likes...

As to which one to buy, well do not buy a Mac box. The quality sucks, warrantys are only good if you have a dealer, and they are few and far between. I have never seen a Mac dealer stick around for even a year. The company at some point will probably go bankrupt since Matco is carrying them and Danaher will not let that happen forever. Their tool boxes tweak real easy so if the floor is uneven you will have trouble opening the draws. They are held together with a few screws and some weak tack welds. Next!

If you could get Matco's better boxes that would be the way to go. Sounds like they are only offering their bottom line from what you say, so again the quality sucks. Not sure on the warranty, if it is a lifetime or not...very important ask before buying.

Snap-ons lower end sucks, compared to a KRL, but then again I am spoiled. The KRA is not a super high quality box but has something going for it...warranty! and the fact that there will always be a dealer or manager around to take care of it. $1050 or so ain't a bad deal.

6 years from now which box would you like to have? Buy the box in that brand therefore when you go to trade it in, the box trade in is the same brand. Makes a difference to how much trade in you get from the dealer, as a dealer does not want to resell his competitors box.

Nothing wrong with having two tool boxes. When it came time for me to get another roll around box, I choose to have two tool boxes as said above for mobility throughout the shop. My one box stayed in a nook off to the side of the shop and my main box travel from bay to bay. Stainless and wood tops look pretty, but 1/4 plate is made for beating on :) Mount a 4 1/2" vice to it (Tap the 1/4 plate) then who cares about a work bench! My box is bigger than what you are looking at but not by much.

All I can say is buy as many freakin' tools as you can when in school as you will never be able to get that kind of a deal again. I plunked down over $3000 when in school and that actually went a long ways towards filling my box. when I was in school over 16 years ago they gave a 65% discount for students but we had predetermined tool packages. At 50% you are still getting the tools for less than the school pays for its tools.

[chris1044]

I can get a deal on matco's top line box, but only the MB6525 i think - either way it's the lowest quality box of their top line. But since I've never seen one I was hesitant of that as well.

And yes, I'm buying tons of tools....like you said, at this kind of deal I'm stupid not to - which is also why I'm going to buy a brand new box as well.

[ProfessorCucumber]

I love my stainless cabinet from CostCo. I wouldn't hesitate to use it all day every day as a technician.
As long as you do your homework, you can do really well at Costco/Sam's/Etc.

I am not as hot about eBay stuff, but that is just me being paranoid.

[deuce]

I have seen two types of stainless steel boxes at Sam's Club. One was pictured earlier in this thread, and another one that was about 51-53" wide by about the same high which included a strut supported lid that resembled a grill lid. I would be interested in something that is around 50-55" wide, but taller, closer to 72" or there abouts. I also have a couple Craftsman boxes under by bench. One was a scratch and dent for just over $100.

[DeadSock]

I'll give a thumbs up to the stainless sams/costco boxes (not the slant one's but the one pictured above) ... good ball bearing slides, beefy quality. The *only* downside is the drawers don't latch very well, but I don't roll it around too much either.

[Grim Reaper]

I was at NAPA and noticed this line of tool boxes. Looks like a cool tool storage area for rachets, sockets and wrenchs. They are pricey, but if you move your tools around i.e. -- mobile or take them wheelin it would the thing to get.

The statement at the beginning of the intro says it all.

www.cpltoolbox.com

Was thinking about using some of the ideas for making a version of the box that set on top of one of those workstation type boxes.

I like the hell out of the smallest version of that box. I need to get by NAPA here and see if they have them. So what sort of price were they?

[invincibletoy]

I love my Kobalt boxes from Slowes. Same or better pries than craftsman, all ball bearing and built really well. I'm jealous about the deal that you are getting on tools.

[woody99]

More props for the COSTCO boxes. I ran out of room in one and bought another! $1500 (for 2) and I have enough room for EVERYTHING! The liners are a nice feature and the ball bearing roller slides are GREAT. They even have double roller slides for the largest drawers!

Here is the manufacturers link. http://www.cspsmetal.com/

[Munchies]

look on ebay for the lista cabinets, they drop ship right from the factory

[Mr. Happy...OK?]

I really like the Lista stuff, but I don't think they have a Canadian distributer.

Sooooo....I think i'll probably buy a krl722, in the future. Electric Orange. Thank you.

[MMiller]

Ive had good luck with my snap on lock and roll. I've seen alot of junk mac boxes after several years of abuse.

Of course get roller bearing drawers, and latching drawers. None of those junk detents. Every box Ive seen with detents are too aggressive when new, and then get weak with time. My lock and roll drawers latch the same now as they did in 95 when I bought it. Spend the money once while at school and you'll have a box for the rest of your life.

Michael

[bobtail82]

i'v been a tech for over 25 years now, had mac, matco and snap-on. right now i have a triple bay snap-on top an bottom that cost over $11,000 & worth every penny. the quality of other boxes are'nt even close( except for maybe the maczimizer ). same with the hand tools, that lifttime warrenty does'nt mean shit if i have to always be running to sears. plus no matter where you work theres always a snap-on dealer. i have'nt had the same luck w/ mac or matco JMO
TONY

[LNranger05]

I agree, Snap-On boxes are well worth the money. The quality is so much better than Mac and TONS better than Matco. Anything besides Snap-On seems fragile to me. I've got a small lock and roll Snap-On and love it, although I'm running out of room, but I haven't bought tools since I stopped working at the dealership (payed my debt off before I left) and went back to school.

Brian

[scottz]

another vote for snap on, if you're going to wrench professionally for any amount of time you want something that will work and not be a hassle. I had a tech1000 mac box and after 2 years it was starting to show signs of cheapness. I got a used triple bank snap-on for $4k a few years ago.

If I'm going to try and fix the POS cars they build now I want every possible advantage I can get. Cheap tools/tool boxes are not an advantage. It also shows employers that you are serious about what you do and aren't afraid to spend money on tools.