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SPG Toolbox...Build

dhcomp

dhcomp

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Ok, so I've needed a good tool chest for a while.

I'm currently working out of my truck box, random old craftsman and off brand boxes, and my garage and tool boxes are a mess.

I'm looking to buy a good tool box setup that will last me a lifetime

Don't need Snap on quality, especially for home use, and think a ball bearing Craftsman setup is the way to go.

Have considered the Costco variety boxes, need to go look at them.

Have also considered US General (harbor freight), but unless someone can convince me otherwise, think I should spend the money and do this right, once, and get something better.

I've cruised craigslist for too long, and haven't been able to find a deal.

I'm about to close a deal that'll hopefully give me about $1000 in toy money.

Eyeing this box:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...Cabinet+Combos&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1

Do they boxes go on sale at all? Better places to buy them? Tips/suggestions?

Figure i need to buy the biggest, nicest box i can justify.
 
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I like my us general box, but honestly don't have much experience with anything else to compare it to. seems well built enough for home use though.
 
ashman said:
I like my us general box, but honestly don't have much experience with anything else to compare it to. seems well built enough for home use though.
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Thats what i keep thinking. But then again, i've broke all the drawers in my husky ball bearing box....

We'll see.

Looks like i'd be about $689 into the US General 42" box.
 
I've had the old slider type Craftsman boxes forever, and they hold up ok, but are definitely no where near as nice as the BB type...I've eyed the BB type for years but have yet to take the plunge, but I feel the BB type would suffice my hobbyist needs pretty good....but then I've never had the luxury of a Snapon or Mac box either?
 
76zimmer said:
I've had the old slider type Craftsman boxes forever, and they hold up ok, but are definitely no where near as nice as the BB type...I've eyed the BB type for years but have yet to take the plunge, but I feel the BB type would suffice my hobbyist needs pretty good....but then I've never had the luxury of a Snapon or Mac box either?
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The crappy slider craftsman boxes i have are old, and trashed. They were given to me.

My roommate has a slider craftsman box, and it works fine, but if i'm buying one, i want it to be the last one i have to buy, ever.
 
if that is the case, get a used snap on. I have an old used snap on in my garage, it is 16 years old at least, the only thing ive had to do is one of the sliders got bent from sitting on the drawers:doah:, it was a cheap fix, got both boxes for under 1000, they will last a lifetime in a garage and fit a lot of tools. I myself have gone through at least 5 craftsman boxes in my garage over the years and probably spend close to 1000 for all of them combined.
 
X2 on the used Snap on box, they are all over CL around here. The larger master, K series boxes are very well built, slides are lifetime warr. I just bought a used top and bottom for $600. I`m still cleaning it and lubing the slides, should be great for the house.

imagejpeg952.jpg
 
I used to have some loyalty to Craftsman, but now that they're not made in the USA (or even Canada) any more, I'm going to go with the better box for the money. And, for $1.4K, it ain't the craftsman.

I too have looked on craigslist for a used Snappy, Mac or Matco box for a good year and haven't been able to find one. I looked at everything from craftsman, international, Montezuma, extreme, Kobalt, husky, etc. to include harbor freight.

I'm not sure how they measure load capacity, but I'm guessing its probably different for each manufacturer since the craftsman you listed says 1000 lbs and the HF is 2900. I looked at specific drawer load capacity and the HF box blew the craftsman out of the water.

I wish i could afford a new Snap On box, but I can't. So, if I'm financially forced to by Chinese, I can't justify over paying for a craftsman.
 
wish i could find any use snap on stuff! Lowest price ones on CL are 2-4K.

Any other good sources for this stuff?
 
have you guys looked at the Kobalt stainless boxes from lowes? They are made in china, but they beat anything else that is out there that costs less than snap on, mac, etc. I have had my 42" set for a few years now. I am just a home mechanic, but I am very particular about my tools. I see that now you can get the 50+ inch box without the refrigerator, but with the stereo. That wouldn't be bad. My box was less than $1k on sale. I looked at the craftsman boxes before but wasn't impressed.

The plastic caps on the handles of the kobalt boxes are a bit fragile and the drawers don't pull out completely. Other than that, I can't complain too much.
 
If you want the "last box you'll ever buy" go with the Snappy or a MAC Maximixer. But if you just want a decent box for the garage the Harbor Freight Industrial (if you want a magnet to stick to it) or Costco's stainless steel one (if you want it to match your kitchen) are better buys than the Craftsman.

Oh, and not kidding about the kitchen thing. I almost convinced my wife to put one in the kitchen as an island. I think it would have been great- All stainless with a butcher block top... :D
 
So many choices and opinions! haha.

Those kobalt SS boxes are sweet, checked those out. They are $$$ though.

Not super hot on the SS idea, but could make it work. Need to go play with the Costco one, and find a HF that has the US General industrial stuff in stock.
 
Had to go to costco during my lunch break, no tool boxes at this one, except the Gorilla boxes, made by whirlpool.
 
Watching craigslist like a hawk. Missed a cheap setup last night, eyeing a craftsman pro and waiting for a response.
 
Oh hell just finance a brand new snappy ROll cab you WILl be glad you did. I did three of them.
 
rdn2blazer said:
Oh hell just finance a brand new snappy ROll cab you WILl be glad you did. I did three of them.
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Negative. Spending $1000 is a huge push for me mentally for something like this.

No way i'm spending more than that. But do think i'll wait for the right used deal.

Made an offer on a KRL box tonight, if the right deal comes along....i may end up with a big brand name.
 
everybody has said it if you dont want to buy a new box ever again snap on or mac is the way to go. expensive but worth it in my opinion. if you know somebody in college that the tool truck goes to they can get mac boxes half or 60% off i cant remember which one. otherwise ive heard from quite a few people that the kobalt boxes are nice ive never had any expierence with them only my mac one and some of my friends snap on ones.
 
dhcomp said:
Negative. Spending $1000 is a huge push for me mentally for something like this.

No way i'm spending more than that. But do think i'll wait for the right used deal.

Made an offer on a KRL box tonight, if the right deal comes along....i may end up with a big brand name.
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Spending thay kind of money is a streatch for anyone these days. A grand is a nice chunk of cash for emergencies and you could do alot with it if necessary. Home repair and whatever is needed.
 
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