Tool Chest, Tool box, any recommendations? (1 Viewer)

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firetruck41

firetruck41

Joined
Mar 27, 2003
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Location
Camas, WA USA
I have looked at some older threads about tool boxes and I am keeping my eye on Craigslist for snap-on, mac type stuff, but I am looking in the $1k (plus or minus) range, so it is looking like I will probably buy new from craftsman, lowes (Kobalt), Costco type stuff for me. Does anyone have any recent feedback or input? Or how about how they are holding up, if you have had one for a few years?

From what I have seen, the Kobalt 41" at Lowes looks pretty nice for the money ($1084 for rollaway and upper chest). There was a nice 41" stainless steel one at Sears that was on sale for $999, but I missed it and now it is $1299 for the combo. I think I like the idea of the most storage space and the most drawers I can get for the money. Anyone have any input?
 
I have a Sam's Club SS 41" combo, was around $750 a year ago or so. Works fine for the ambitious homeowner who doesn't make a living with or have to constantly move his tools. Same idea at Costco. I've outgrown it and am currently looking for a 26" combo to put beside it.

-Spike
 
Yeah, this is for home use, and I am not building/rebuilding rigs every weekend, just normal vehicle maintenance, little projects around the home, etc.
 
Weak areas are the wheels and the glides.Bigger wheels are better and the more drawer bearings the better. mike
 
Anybody heard of the brands sold by Tool Boxes ~ Extreme, Montezuma, and Mountain ? I ran across a garage forum, there were several positive reviews on the Extreme Tools extreme duty tool boxes/chests, as well as good reviews for the vendor.
 
I was headed down the Costco box route when I ran across a lightly used Snap On top box for a reasonable price (about 1/3 of list price). I am totally sold now on the brand and am in the market for a roll cab. I think you can get something decent off ebay or Craigslist in the Snap On or Mac lines but the problem is normally distance as they are very expensive to ship.
 
I have a 12-drawer top chest that I bought off a Snap-On truck back in 1982. I've moved it many times, used it a lot, and other than some scratches, it's still doing great. The only complaint I have with it (besides now being too small) is that the drawers are a giant PITA to take out.

It's sitting on a Craftsman roll-away that I got about 6 years ago. It's a Ball Bearing model, but generally I'm not happy with it. The drawers flex, the lock failed, and it's getting considerable rust around the bottom that I'm gonna have to take care of soon. I don't move it very often, which is a good thing because the casters are crap.

I also have another "lower end" Craftsman top-and-bottom unit in the basement, it's a POS. I've had to rebuild/replace the slides on 2 drawers now. The drawers are flimsy and are even more difficult to remove. Fortunately I got it really cheap.

I would keep looking on craigslist for a Mac or Snap-On box, if it were me.
 
I use a combination of tool boxes.

Stanly Vidmar for storing lots of small stuff like nuts and bolts. Very heavy, very expensive, but well made.

40" full size tool box for most stuff.

3 roll around small carts (Matco, Cornwell, Mac) for most often used tools (sockets, ratchets, combo wrenches).

You need to have lots of tools to so you don't end up moving tools from one box to another when you need it.
 
firetruck41 said:
Anybody heard of the brands sold by Tool Boxes ~ Extreme, Montezuma, and Mountain ? I ran across a garage forum, there were several positive reviews on the Extreme Tools extreme duty tool boxes/chests, as well as good reviews for the vendor.
Click to expand...


I've had a nice Kennedy chest/cart combo for 30-years...but I've slowly outgrown it. I've been in the market for a larger tool cabinet/cart (48"-56" wide) for a while; just combing for a good deal. I was not familiar with the Extreme you linked but they look like an incredible relative value!

There have been a couple SnapOn tool carts on eBay lately...but local pick up only...which is all the way across the country from me :frown:.

Thanks for posting the Extreme link!
 
For those in the market for high-end boxes, the local Craigslist here has a few every day for sale.

-Spike
 
-Spike- said:
For those in the market for high-end boxes, the local Craigslist here has a few every day for sale.

-Spike
Click to expand...

Yep, thats how I found mine.

The link to those boxes looks pretty decent, the weight of the box looks to be simular to a snappy.
 
I just bought a 41" Stainless steel Craftsman box for my home garage shop. Perfect for me. I have tons of cabinets with drawers so I didn't get the bottom half. Sure is nice to have everything in one place.

I searched high and low and could not find a used high end box anywhere except for a few in the 3K range.

The quality difference is that my drawers will support 70 pounds, while the drawers on a Snap On or similar will support 200 pounds.
 
I have a Snap On box at work and The Kobalt one you are talking about at home. It all boils down to budget and need. the kobalt is a great box. I would look around at craigslist and see what i could find.


kyle
 
Thanks for the info guys. I will post an update when I decide what to get.
 
if all you're doing is weekend project stuff, than go with a cheap brand (craftsman, etc) top of the line model. if you're building rigs and have to have a ton of tools/parts/crap, go high end brand name. even there worst is better than many. i've got a 1960s snap on roll around, long before ball bearings and it still works decent.

also, go big!!! you'll notice that i can't close the top on mine anymore and i have mostly tools only in the box and no where near the amount that of many cruiserheads here. i even have a rear slide door section that you can't see and it's full too.

if you're short, make sure the slides are rated for large amounts of weight because in addition to the tools, you'll find the bottom steps make great steps so you can see in the top of the box.
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I think the Montezuma flip lid box is the best toolbox you can own. They were originally designed to fit on the hydraulic round bale feeder/flatbeds and they are tough! I have literally lost mine off the flatbed and picked it up out the bar ditch and nothing was damaged and only a few tools were even misplaced.

I have the mid-size flip lid sitting on a Proto roller cab. I personally think the Proto is a much better box than the Snap-On boxes I've seen. The drawers are heavier and slide much smoother. I got a deal on the box because it had shipping damage. Got it at the local Ferguson(R-Supply) store for $450.

I can't really see anyone spending $$$$ for a new Snap-On box, unless you are a pro and need the write-off. I'll snap a few pics of my disaster area of a toolbox so you can see them in "real-world" use.

For your budget I would definitely go with the Montezuma (CPL) flip lid and a wide roller cab for a base, really good combo.
 
Check with your local snapon, mac, or proto salesman. They get trades and repo's all the time. I bought a mac for half the price of a new one.
 
Just ordered the "Extreme Tools" top and bottom combo 41" set from Strictly Toolboxes. It was $1070 including lift gate delivery to a residential address. It is the one listed as $995 on their website. It is the same as the newer model that they sell for $1449, except it has a "regular" key, instead of a tubular key. Also, it is the same as the 41" Montezuma box, just re-badged (these are made in China). From what I have read, these are better than brick and mortar store cabinets, and "on par" with the lower end of Snap-on, Mac, etc. We will see. I didn't want to spend more than about $1000, and I think this is the way to go for me, but I will take pictures and post a review here when I do get it.
 
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