US General or used Snap On/ Matco garage box (1 Viewer)

[TXSunDevil]

My old Craftsman tool box is worn out. I bought it 15 years ago at a garage sale for $50. The drawers all stick and it is a pain to deal with. I am ready to upgrade. I went to Sears, Lowes and Home Depot to check out their tool boxes. They all felt pretty thin. I did some googling and found the 44" from US General gets great reviews. Most of the stuff I buy at Harbor Freight I consider a one time use tool. I plan on heading to HF tomorrow to check out the boxes.

Would it be better to buy a used quality tool box such as the Snap On or a new US General? I am a hobbyist and do not use my hand tools to make a living, however I hate spending $800 and buying junk. I see Matco and Snap On bottom boxes for 650-1100 on Craigslist. I could get away with a bottom box for awhile. Do the high end companies make budget boxes that I should avoid? I plan on making a few more cross country moves so I want something that can stand up to being moved. I would really like to stay under 1K.

 

[GDA62/100]

Don't buy a flimsy box. Every seller is pushing features without regards to quality.
I almost bought a Husky box recently. There are at least two combos with similar drawer layouts in the 52" wide, but the one that's usually on display is super thin and flimsy while the other is a little thicker, with a little extra structure on the drawer sides to increase rigidity. The better box has a textured finish, is about $200 more expensive ($798) and not always on display. But, while it's a lot better than the cheaper version, it's still only 20" deep overall and not that great.
The US General look okay. The new 44" x 22" box might be worth buying as long as you have the sale coupon. Make sure it's not damaged before you leave the parking lot.
My choice was used Snap-On for considerably more money, but I got a lot more for that money. I especially like the depth (24") and superior build quality. If prices are good for used quality boxes where you are (they are pricey here) get one. Consider Vidmar or Lista, too.
However, if you are moving cross-country, it might be wise to sell it all and buy again at your destination. Moving lots of stuff sucks and is expensive.

 

[TXSunDevil]

I can get a surplus Lista here for $500 or so. They look awful heavy and do not have wheels. I may set search alerts on Craigslist. I think I can buy a used Snap On and sell it in 5 years for close to what I paid for it. If I buy the US General it will probably lose value. I am heading to Harbor Freight to check them out later today.

 

[scrapdaddy]

A lot of the machinists where I used to work used the US General boxes. Not the best by any means, but a damn nice box for the money. You won't cry as hard if one gets damaged either. The machinists had to work on the machinery, so they had a lot tools to roll around. I'm not worthy enough to buy good, just old Craftsmen boxes.

 

[Hack]

It all really boils down to how hard you are 'on the equipment'. I'm really impressed with the tool boxes from HF. I recently purchase one of their tool carts, and it's a beast for the money.

If you've got to drag it around, then I'd upgrade the casters. But most of us 'Hacks' just need something to store our tool porn in. I've got Craftsman, Husky, and HF tool boxes. All are good for that. Just make sure they have ball bearing slides, as a couple of my Craftsman's do not, and it does make a difference.

 

[half k cruiser]

For the price I would go check out the Milwaukee units at Home Depot. They are better built then any craftsman I have seen in stores and have the soft close drawers with 100-200lb drawer slides.

 

[TXSunDevil]

I am just a weekend warrior. I may use the box 3 days a week. I do not have an immediate move planned but I think I will be leaving my area in 6-7 years. I just got back from hitting Home Depot, Northern Tool, Lowes, Sears, HF and a few pawn shops. My Home Depot did not have the Milwaukee boxes. I was really impressed with the fit and finish of the 44" HF box. The 26" felt like my current setup. They also had a US General 5 drawer cart that was a steal at $169. I found a coupon for the lower 44" box at $449. After what I have seen in town that is a great value. The Snap On KRSC-46 was a nice box/cart also but I don't think it was $500 nicer than the HF and that was at a pawn shop. The pawn shop also had a Match and Mac box. The Sears Craftsman professional series was the best Sears had and it was decent but twice the price of the HF. Northern Tool had an "International" 12 drawer that felts stout but was $800 and only 18" deep. The Snap On lower boxes are around 1k. I may go see if I can touch one in a pawn shop or on craigslist. I am not concerned about the brand name but I am concerned with durability and quality over the long term.

 

[GDA62/100]

Those HF 5-drawer carts are a great deal! The 4 drawer ain't bad, either.
The Milwaukee boxes seem to be built decently, if the drawer layout works for your needs.

 

[Hack]

Those HF 5-drawer carts are a great deal! The 4 drawer ain't bad, either.

I picked up my 5 drawer HF box with a coupon for $149. Added all the 'goodies' to it, and now it's my dedicated gun tool/cleaning box:

 

[PAToyota]

When I was looking a few years ago, the HF boxes definitely came out as the best results for the money. Similarly priced elsewhere just weren't as sturdy and as good or better quality came at a significant price increase elsewhere.

I've got a couple of the 5-drawer carts. They're great for "specializing" with. I've got all my welding related tools in one and all my air tool related stuff in another. If I'm doing that sort of work, I can roll one up right to where I'm working at.

 

[TXSunDevil]

Well I made some calls and checked the web. The Milwaukee is not available in my area. The HF box is tagged $479. There is a coupon for $449 floating around. Anybody have any clue if they drop this one further during one of their many sales?

 

[PAToyota]

It's been years since you've been able to use the 20% or 25% discount on tool boxes and carts. Best place to follow prices is at Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, 20 percent off coupons, No Purchase Required coupons, toolbox coupons

Here are the coupons for the box: Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, toolbox coupons - 44" X 22" DOUBLE BANK ROLLER CABINET

The one coupon is good through August, so I'm guessing it is going to stay about that price. Maybe a bit lower for a Memorial Day or Fourth of July sale?

Be aware that HF is changing over their boxes from the 18" deep "first series" to the 22" deep "series two" models. You may find older ones discounted.

 

[TXSunDevil]

The one I was looking at was 22” deep. I wish they made it in the blue

 

[PAToyota]

I've seen a couple people say they've had confirmation that the colors are coming out later, just no details on when.

 

[Hack]

IIRC, that particular box was priced at ~$350 (on sale coupon) at one time. I was looking to pick two of them up a year ago, for a custom workbench project, but didn't. I don't know what changes might have been made to the design, but the price did definitely go up.

I believe they will be offering them in Blue and Black in the coming months, because they offer the 30", 5 drawer tool cart in Red, Blue, and Black. And the stores are now getting the magnetic accessories in those colors also. In addition to production consideration, I would imagine that the stores also will have inventory/storage consideration when handling multiple color boxes, across the product line.

 

[TXSunDevil]

I really stared for a long time at the blue 5 drawer cart. I was really hoping they would make the 44" box in that color. At the end of the day it is just a metal box that holds tools but that blue color is striking. I may wait a few months to see if it shows up but I hate to reconfigure my garage in the summer heat.

 

[scrapdaddy]

At the end of the day it is just a metal box that holds tools

Don't be like me, I pick up used Craftsmen when I see them. Most were under $75, but they all hold tools.

 

[mrsleeve]

If you can get your hands on Litsa, Vidmars or Lyons for reasonable get them!!!!!!! Even if your not putting tools in them, they are fantastic for general storage and as home game shop storage solution they will very likely out last you if they are not totally beat to crap when you get them. I am waiting on getting a few myself from a car dealer redoing their parts dept, and maybe refinish them in Snapon "Cranberry"

For good used snapon money the offerings from these guys seem to be very good for the money and likely where my next tool box buy comes from..... Yes also from China but quality seems to be WAY WAY better than the hazard Frought and Homelsss depot......

Strictly Tool Boxes - 888.289.1952 - Professional Tool Boxes

 

[TXSunDevil]

These folks have a pretty decent surplus shop. They offer good deals in person. They have these available locally.
DRAWER LISTA TOOL CABINET BOX STORAGE MECHANIC CHEST BOX SHOP GARAGE | eBay
SNAP ON 22 DRAWER DOUBLE STACK ROLLING CABINET TOOL BOX MECHANIC AUTOMOTIVE | eBay
STANLEY VIDMAR GREY 6 DRAWER TOOL CABINET BOX STORAGE SHOP MECHANIC EQUIPMENT | eBay
Probably good tough stuff but I have a small garage and I am not sure they will fit my needs of easily accessible tool storage. I may go check out the Snap On Monday and see what they will do on it in person.

 

[bigredmachine]

spend the money, get a good box ant it will last you a lifetime. I bought my mac box used about 8 years ago and its held up very well for a 30+ year old box, I had to replace the lock cylinder and 2 drawer slides after it did a face plant in the middle of the shop and damaged the slides