Buying used snap-on box Vrs new bigger china box

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Lakeeffect

Drive Fast , Take Chances
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I'm diesel mechanic at a Mack truck dealer. My craftsman chest is over flowing, I cannot lock it anymore and I have two tool bags full. It's definetly time for a new tool box. Snap on guy has a older Krl1000 . He wants 2k for it. But I am also looking at Menards workforce and if it wasn't for the American made part I would care less.


http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/masterforce-56-tool-chest-cabinet-combo/p-1851842-c-9188.htm

Much bigger and I would have room to grow. Quality is nice also.
But it's made in china. Thoughts? Anyone have a workforce tool box or a American made tool box forsale? :)
 
The old snap on boxes seem to me like they are made of heavier gauge steel. I have an old kr1000 I bought in the eighties. Nice box.
 
Buying off the "truck" is paying at least double. As said, ebay, craigs or sometimes yard sales have some stuff. Also if you are near a military base they have auctions on govliquidation.com May have to buy multiples though but an extra at home might be nice or sell to pay for what you need.
 
Can't go wrong with a Snap on box. Great quality and they hold a good resale value.
 
I'm not sure how your Snap On guy is, but mine is pretty decent when it comes to the price on a used box. I bought a 4 drawer tool cart used for $500.

Also, the new Craftsman Professional boxes are pretty nice looking, check them out.

As for Chinese, guys I work with keep buying the Harbor Freight Boxes for a grand, they are ok, but not made in USA
 
At work I would use a Snap On box. I was going to buy one for home and the more I thought about it, I went to Menards and bought theirs. I don't do daily work at home and it just holds tools. You aren't asking much from a tool box. I couldn't justify the expense for sporadic home use and saved a ton of money. Snap On looks nice and gives a great impression to your friends, but in the end it is just a tool box.
 
Compare total cubic inches as well as weight capacity. Not all boxes are created equal!

I always tell my customers to check these two factors.
Physical size does not always mean it will hold more tools!
 
Maybe toolmanmike will chime in....but I'll say this. You'd be surprised how much is being made overseas now even from the big so called American companies.

That box you posted a link to looks pretty good, btw.
 
The guy I bought my Snap On top and side box from said a guy at the diesel shop he works in bought a Lowes box, put all of his tools in it and broke it in half. All boxes are not created equal. I would hate to weigh all my tools and see how overloaded my box is.
 
Buying off the "truck" is paying at least double. As said, ebay, craigs or sometimes yard sales have some stuff. Also if you are near a military base they have auctions on govliquidation.com May have to buy multiples though but an extra at home might be nice or sell to pay for what you need.
Maybe not but look at my attachment and keep that in mind.

And Craigslist as well. I wouldn't buy one from a dealer. It's no different than buying a used car from a dealer instead of a private seller; unless you plan to finance it with the dealerhip, I don't see a reason to buy used from a dealer.
Apparently you guys haven't got a good deal from a dealer. I sold a $4000 Tech 1000 box to a Mopar friend of mine for $1000 because it was a free box for me. He got a great deal and I got cash.
Maybe toolmanmike will chime in....but I'll say this. You'd be surprised how much is being made overseas now even from the big so called American companies.

That box you posted a link to looks pretty good, btw.

I have seen the Menards and the Lowes boxes and they aren't bad for the price regardless what country they come from. My choice would be the Snappy box even though I am a MAC dealer. They are built heavier and will always be worth more later on to resell or trade in. Snappy will warranty drawer slides too. You won't get that from Menards. tmm
 

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There is a difference in boxes ! I believe the snap-on KRL series is the lower end boxes, and KRA is higher end. Id buy a KRL series over a harbor freight, or menards especially for a "work" box. You will agree once those Chinese drawers start to sag and break ! I've had my no issues with my Macsimizer box, i'll take my MAC over snap on, they don't do it for me.... Try craigslist in your area, there are always nice boxes for sale ...
 
Macsimizer, now you're talkin' my language! lol
 
Macsimizer, now you're talkin' my language! lol

yeah buddy, s/s top too ! You recommend and certain grease for the drawer slides ? I noticed the other day they are looking a little dry ! still smooth though ...
 
Something light like spray silicone or WD. They don't need much but the don't like to be dry for years.. The lube will attract dirt over time but another spritz make's em' happy again. tmm
 
There is a difference in boxes ! I believe the snap-on KRL series is the lower end boxes, and KRA is higher end. Id buy a KRL series over a harbor freight, or menards especially for a "work" box. You will agree once those Chinese drawers start to sag and break ! I've had my no issues with my Macsimizer box, i'll take my MAC over snap on, they don't do it for me.... Try craigslist in your area, there are always nice boxes for sale ...

KRA is the entry level or heritage box KRL is the Master series then there is the EPIC...
 
....The boxes I use every day are snap-on......I did buy a cheap set to store the specialty tools that I don't use all that often........ya there is a difference.........kim...
 
I'm diesel mechanic at a Mack truck dealer. My craftsman chest is over flowing, I cannot lock it anymore and I have two tool bags full. It's definetly time for a new tool box. Snap on guy has a older Krl1000 . He wants 2k for it. But I am also looking at Menards workforce and if it wasn't for the American made part I would care less.


http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/masterforce-56-tool-chest-cabinet-combo/p-1851842-c-9188.htm

Much bigger and I would have room to grow. Quality is nice also.
But it's made in china. Thoughts? Anyone have a workforce tool box or a American made tool box for sale? :)
I would stick with the name brand boxes,Snap On,Mac,Cornwell or Matco.
The are built for everyday use.The drawer height and spacing is less wasteful.Some even warranty the slides for life.
I have had several name brand boxes and never had problems,I down sized and tired a box from Lowes and that one wanted to turn over if more than one drawer was opened...I got a lot of tools.
I tried one of the stainless steel box combo and one of the caster bend in with the weight of my tools.
The Snap on box you listed is 29" deep and the menard and other cheapy box are 20" deep and are not very stable.
When I sold my Macimizer Super Station in 2001, I bought an office cabinet to hold all my blister packed tools(compression gauge,ball joint press,fuel injector tester,coolant pressure tester,fluke,dial indicators....)from an used office supply place for 75.00 to free up my smaller box....Just a thought.
I would go for the Snap On box and pass on the China ones.
Here a similar picture of what type a cabinet I was talking about.A file cabinet would work too...They lock too.
I got my office storage cabinet full and also you shelves to store the rest of diagnostic tools but I know you are in an environment where you need to lock them up.
 

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1300 is a great deal for that box combo, and you could probably always sell it for $500 when you want to upgrade later on down the line, assuming it stays together.

for comparisons sake, i recently just bought a used MAC tech1000 top and bottom box, basically the same as the one you are looking at from chi-chai-wong and i paid $2500 for a used box that is in very good condition.
 
In the mid - late 70's I bought a used Cornwell,
probably one of the best made boxes I've ever seen.
Had it for years till I was robbed.
 
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