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It looks like my budget will allow for the purchase of a tool chest soon. I'm planning on looking around on Black Friday, because there's always deals to be had..
Are there any good tool chests made in the states or at least our nearby allies? I don't have a huge budget or anything, but I would rather pay $500 for a USA made piece than $300 for an overseas piece of crap :)
Let's keep it to $1000 or less for the purpose of this discussion.
What are your thoughts?
Most Waterloo tool chests are built in the US, although I believe they do have some overseas stuff.
Some Craftsman boxes are made in Sedalia, MO
Wonkothesane wrote:Let's keep it to $1000 or less for the purpose of this discussion.
What are your thoughts?
Well, that removed Snapon from the discussion.
Look at the drawers slides. That is the thing that makes all the difference. Get big, sturdy and ball bearing. I can stand in the drawers of my new box- and they still move afterwards.
Streetwiseguy wrote:Wonkothesane wrote:Let's keep it to $1000 or less for the purpose of this discussion.
What are your thoughts?
Well, that removed Snapon from the discussion.
Look at the drawers slides. That is the thing that makes all the difference. Get big, sturdy and ball bearing. I can stand in the drawers of my new box- and they still move afterwards.
Get a used Snap-On, Mac, or Matco. Like Streetwise said, the drawer slides MAKE the box. My Craftsman was fine for the first 6 months of pro wrenching. After that they would hardly open and close anymore and started to sag and bend. My Snappy boxes? Yeah, I can stand in the large drawers and there's no problem.
I saw a Kobalt tool chest for about that much that i really like. But I don't know where it was made. Probably not the US.
they arent traditional 'tool boxes' but Lista cabinets are completely modular, have lots of options like wheels if you found a cabinet without, very sturdy, etc. theyre quite a bit over $1000 for bigger ones, mine was a tick over 3g's (54" roll cab) but if you find a good used one i'd check it out for sure.
Used older Snap-On, MAC, or Matco. Even the friction slide boxes are silky smooth.
I picked up a circa 1992 Matco Excellerator top and bottom with ball bearing slides off Craigs a year or 2 ago for $400. Great shape, ball bearing, 36" or so wide and plenty deep. The top, same size as my Craftsman Ball Bearing, weighs literally 3x as much. There is a lot more steel in those older boxes.
I have nothing to add except that I live toolboxes. I get catalogs just so I can look at them.
Kennedy are made here in our local town, they have a scratch and dent outlet at the factory. 
aussiesmg wrote:Kennedy are made here in our local town, they have a scratch and dent outlet at the factory.
I envy you. I had a Kennedy carry box that was stolen, but I'm too cheap to buy another one.
Thanks for all the direction, guys.
Where do you find your good deals on used boxes? The only thing I ever see here on craigslist is the "Like new Snap On big box, with dents and scratches and two drawers that the handles are broke on. Bought new for $5500, yours for only $3800!"
Most of the Snap On tool boxes on Chicago craigslist are all $3000-$6000. But keep looking as there are some cheaper ones.
Find your local Snap On, Mac or Matco dealer. They often have trade in boxes.
aussiesmg wrote:Really, I did not know that. I goggled Kennedy up; I did not know they are in "The Wert"Kennedy are made here in our local town, they have a scratch and dent outlet at the factory.
pete240z wrote:Most of the Snap On tool boxes on Chicago craigslist are all $3000-$6000. But keep looking as there are some cheaper ones.
NICE deal.
I used to work for Matco Tools in their engineering lab. I tested tool chests extensively. I left the company in 1993, so this info may no longer hold true. Back then, Matco had a tool box plant in New York where all their boxes were made. They made pretty good boxes, but Snap On boxes usually performed better in our cycle testing. Just about every other brand was far behind both of these, and the Matco boxes were probably the best overall value. But I don't think you're going to get any kind of pro quality box new for $1000, other than some really small ones. So I agree with some of the other posts suggesting you look at used boxes. One company that doesn't really put emphasis on the pro tech market, but produces some of the highest quality cabinets I've seen is Lista. If you can find a box made by them it will be very high quality. I have at least a dozen cabinets from them in my lab. They are all 13 years old and other than dents and scratches, then are still like new.
I love, love, love my Snap-on boxes. Large bottom with a side box. I bought it new 25 years ago and used it professionally for 10 years. Bearings on the big box, sliders on the side. Still looks and works like new.
Thanks for everyone's comments..
You guys get to be a bit more serious than I do with your budgets, apparently... :)
The cheapo-Sears stuff will fold under the weight of a drawer of socket wrenches. I am always looking for a well-made bargain. Someday...
just keep looking for a snap-on or mac box off craiglist
heres tools, both boxes, and side box for $900 WINNING!
actually i just emailed the guy...so back off!
Oooooh, 3 pc. snap on with tools for $900?
Mine. Mine. Mine mine mine mine...
Anyone have any input on this craftsman toolbox? Sears Link
It doesn't look like the bottom of the line, and it's going to be on a pretty good sale come friday. I'm probably going to stop by a store and check it out before hand..
Wonkothesane wrote:Anyone have any input on this craftsman toolbox? Sears Link
It doesn't look like the bottom of the line, and it's going to be on a pretty good sale come friday. I'm probably going to stop by a store and check it out before hand..
I have had a similar or the same box set(don't have item numbers) for 5 years. They work just fine for my home garage. I have had no probems even with some of the drawers pretty heavily loaded.
