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Tool Boxes? #2819454
09/10/20 08:06 PM
09/10/20 08:06 PM
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Posts: 795
Orlando, FL
Challenger340Kid Offline OP
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Orlando, FL
Looking to purchase a new toolbox for myself. Looking for something at least 52", any recommendations? This will be for home use, I've simply outgrown my current toolbox which is a 26", and I figured if I'm upgrading, I might as well go bigger. Not looking to spend a fortune, and I wouldn't rule out a quality used one if someone can recommend a good place to find those as well. Any recommendations, brand preferences, brands I should stay away from, etc are welcome.

Thanks!


1972 Dodge Challenger 340 Auto 3.91 (B5 Blue)
2015 Dodge Challenger RT Plus (B5 Blue)
2016 Dodge Dart SXT Rallye (B5 Blue)
Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: Challenger340Kid] #2819472
09/10/20 08:47 PM
09/10/20 08:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,549
Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy Offline
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Rittman Ohio
I'm a dealership tech so I see all kinds of boxes and the big name boxes for the most part last pretty much forever. I've had the same 60" Cornwell box for over 25 years and it's probably the last box I will ever own. Quality ball bearing drawers are a must on the large drawers . You can find good deals on used toolboxes now in this crap economy . I looked at a Milwaukee tool box at a surplus store a few weeks ago and it was pretty good quality for a $1200 toolbox. I paid about $4500 for my box 25 years ago and I can still get a good trade in value.
Waterloo makes a lot of your better mid level boxes so research boxes made by Waterloo twocents
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Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: fourgearsavoy] #2819483
09/10/20 09:14 PM
09/10/20 09:14 PM
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Posts: 6,363
Abilene, Texas
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fastmark Offline
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I bought a new Matco. Wish I’d done that years ago. Last box I’ll ever buy. Great slides.

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: Challenger340Kid] #2819502
09/10/20 10:04 PM
09/10/20 10:04 PM
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Kentucky
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dfsmopars Offline
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Bought a used Snapon from a guy who was getting out. He built a 440 on top of the thing. There is no way I’d buy anything new. I agree about looking around and get a quality used box. Cat not included.

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‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring
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Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: fastmark] #2819504
09/10/20 10:09 PM
09/10/20 10:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,427
S.E. Missouri
AeroMonte Offline
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I have the Snap On tool box that I bought new in 1993, two more Snap On tool boxes at home and a Matco tool box with side cabinet at work. My wife uses the pink Snap on box for her sewing stuff. She loves it because you can lock it. I would search Marketplace on Facebook for a used one. You can buy a used box sometimes for half of what a new one costs. Stay away from the big box store tool boxes. They are not the same quality and will not hold up over time.

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: AeroMonte] #2819520
09/10/20 10:39 PM
09/10/20 10:39 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,346
It's a dry heat
gtx6970 Offline
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I bought one of these maybe 6 months ago. No complaints. drawers open and close really smooth loaded
Right about $400 at home depot.
The black ones are less than that


Ive had Snapon and Matco both over the years when I was a dealer tech .

I had drawer slide issues on my snap on box before it was 10 years old
IMO Far FAR to much money compared to whats avail out there today






toolbox.jpg
Last edited by gtx6970; 09/11/20 12:51 AM.
Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: gtx6970] #2819544
09/10/20 11:41 PM
09/10/20 11:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
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The Harbor Freight boxes are plenty good for home use. $1100 for 96” box that you can upgrade end lockers, tops, side cabinets...

[Linked Image]

Last edited by autoxcuda; 09/11/20 01:03 AM.
Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: Challenger340Kid] #2819548
09/11/20 12:11 AM
09/11/20 12:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 30,947
Oregon
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AndyF Offline
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Oregon
I put a row of Lista tool boxes against the wall in my shop and then put a wood top on them. I really like the Lista boxes.

lista.jpg
Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: gtx6970] #2819553
09/11/20 12:34 AM
09/11/20 12:34 AM
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Posts: 4,131
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
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5thAve Offline
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5thAve  Offline
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Originally Posted by gtx6970
I bought one of these maybe 6 months ago. No complaints. drawers open and close really smooth loaded

Ive had Snapon and Matco both over the years when I was a dealer tech .

I had drawer slide issues on my snap on box before it was 10 years old
Never again ,,,,, IMO Far FAR to much money compared to whats avail out there today







One of mine is the same looking box but black. There are 2 sizes and I was after the wider one but got smaller one because it was on sale and after HD card discount was less then half price. The only complaint I have is the trays my tools came in are just a touch too wide for it. Had I bought the wider one they would have fit.
My other tool boxes are the 40+ year old size asin not too wide so I have side boxes on both of them.

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: 5thAve] #2819556
09/11/20 12:46 AM
09/11/20 12:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,444
So Cal
autoxcuda Offline
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I bought one of these stainless deals at Costco 8 years ago.

https://www.amazon.com/Drawer-Stain...Thor+Group&qid=1599799022&sr=8-3

But mine had an open cabinet on right side instead of drawers. And for $600 it was about $300 less than the Harbor Freight at the time.

Same box sold under a bunch of different nameplates

It is more shallow than typical, so makes it nice for smaller home garage. But the drawers depths are a little wacky. You have to make your stand up socket drawer the second from bottom and it’s more depth than you need. Also the three top drawers are really too shallow to have your pliers standing on their sides.

[Linked Image]

Last edited by autoxcuda; 09/11/20 12:59 AM.
Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: autoxcuda] #2819583
09/11/20 07:45 AM
09/11/20 07:45 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,910
new berlin wisconsin
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Mr T2U Offline
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new berlin wisconsin
Originally Posted by autoxcuda
The Harbor Freight boxes are plenty good for home use. $1100 for 96” box that you can upgrade end lockers, tops, side cabinets...

[Linked Image]



i am a autobody tech. i have been using the HF 56" bottom box for the last 5 years it works OK. the slides have worn out on the top drawer, just replaced them with new parts from HF.
the standard HF boxes have OK slides. if you have a lot of heavy stuff in the drawers it will mess up the slides. this is the case with any other aftermarket box. when looking at the box you plan on buying i would suggest opening a drawer fully and leaning on it to see how they bend and support the weight before buying. most non name boxes are built pretty weak compared to the tool truck brands.

with that said i highly recommend looking at the new ICON line of tool boxes at HF. they compare directly with the name brand tool boxes sold like snap on and rest of the tool truck brands. the side lockers on these boxes look really nice. if i wasn't in the process of doing a custom modification car project i would buy the 72" box with side locker tomorrow and have no regrets.
in the store i have opened the bottom drawer and can stand in it without it bending, i am pushing 260lbs.
there is currently a coupon on the internet for 20% off your entire purchase of icon products. also i see a sign on the tool boxes they will give you 10% off if you finance it thru HF. i don't know if you can combine the 2 discounts, but my gut feeling is yes they will combine the 2.
i also see a FREE DELIVERY of ICON tool box purchases in the store display also.

Last edited by Mr T2U; 09/11/20 07:47 AM.

perception is 90% of reality
Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: autoxcuda] #2819599
09/11/20 08:35 AM
09/11/20 08:35 AM
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,395
Central Pa
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moparjim79 Offline
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Central Pa
Was in Harbor Freight this week, they now have a line of "pro grade" boxes named ICON. ICON also has a large line of "pro grade" tools.

They seem ok, the drawers have a better than harbor normal slide to them, but not much.

I would say between harbor and husky, for a home box, your best bet besides buying used. Craigslist and market place are usually littered with them

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: moparjim79] #2819653
09/11/20 12:16 PM
09/11/20 12:16 PM
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Posts: 1,695
central il.
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second 70 Offline
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Bought mine at Menards. One of the nicest and solid that I looked at.

IMG_1435 (1).JPG
Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: second 70] #2819674
09/11/20 01:04 PM
09/11/20 01:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,406
Kalispell Mt.
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HotRodDave Offline
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HotRodDave  Offline
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Kalispell Mt.
I refuse to buy a $9000 tool box from the tool trucks, thats nearly as much as a new car (nissan versa or hyundai accent with rebates can be had just over $10,000). I can buy 9 harbour freight boxes for the price of a crap on, smackco or smac and they are way easier to deal with than the tool truck drivers who don't want to come out and deal with warranty issues unless you are spending tons o money on other tools or at least making payments and since I pay cash and not payments they barely come by.

I have had real good luck with craftsman (though the new ones don't seem as sturdy as my 15 year old one) and the US generals. I tried Husky cheap ones but the slides crumple up with anything but feathers in em.

The Icons feel a tiny bit better but not worth 4 or 5 times as much as a US general. The icon tools are no better than my craftsman tools but are almost tool truck price.

I do buy a handfull of tool truck tools, there are somethings that you just need really good stuff, I went through breaker bars like crazy till I steped up and bought a snap on, I even bought a really long 1/2 inch ratchet that holds up better than craftsman or Icon breaker bars do.


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Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: HotRodDave] #2819684
09/11/20 01:23 PM
09/11/20 01:23 PM
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UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...
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Buddy has these. Very nice for the money. Tool box

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: HotRodDave] #2819753
09/11/20 05:32 PM
09/11/20 05:32 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,346
It's a dry heat
gtx6970 Offline
Too Many Posts
gtx6970  Offline
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Originally Posted by HotRodDave
I refuse to buy a $9000 tool box from the tool trucks, thats nearly as much as a new car (nissan versa or hyundai accent with rebates can be had just over $10,000). I can buy 9 harbour freight boxes for the price of a crap on, smackco or smac and they are way easier to deal with than the tool truck drivers who don't want to come out and deal with warranty issues unless you are spending tons o money on other tools or at least making payments and since I pay cash and not payments they barely come by.

I have had real good luck with craftsman (though the new ones don't seem as sturdy as my 15 year old one) and the US generals. I tried Husky cheap ones but the slides crumple up with anything but feathers in em.

The Icons feel a tiny bit better but not worth 4 or 5 times as much as a US general. The icon tools are no better than my craftsman tools but are almost tool truck price.

I do buy a handfull of tool truck tools, there are somethings that you just need really good stuff, I went through breaker bars like crazy till I steped up and bought a snap on, I even bought a really long 1/2 inch ratchet that holds up better than craftsman or Icon breaker bars do.



Yep, The aftermarket tool boxes have come a long way in the past 20 -25 years. And so have I. My last tool truck box was a Mac. I think it was 60" long lower cabinet. with a really thick wood top. I gave $4500 for it.

Sold it maybe 3 years ago. Took everything I could do to get $1500 for it .

I paid $400 for my 48" husky and have ZERO regrets.






I will say the best 3/8" air ratchet is a Snapon, bar NONE . And worth the price to step up to it if you're trying to make a living with it.

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: AndyF] #2819839
09/11/20 09:40 PM
09/11/20 09:40 PM
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Posts: 937
Central Michigan
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nuthinbutmopar Offline
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Originally Posted by AndyF
I put a row of Lista tool boxes against the wall in my shop and then put a wood top on them. I really like the Lista boxes.


Mine are Stanley-Vidmar, but basically the same thing. I bought a couple at auction, and found a guy who bought out a plant that was closing and did some trading. I've got 6 of the 54" high by 30" wide cabinets against one wall, for less than $1500... Machine shop auctions are a great source.

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2819886
09/12/20 07:08 AM
09/12/20 07:08 AM
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Greenville, PA
redraptor Offline
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Originally Posted by nuthinbutmopar


Mine are Stanley-Vidmar, but basically the same thing. I bought a couple at auction, and found a guy who bought out a plant that was closing and did some trading. I've got 6 of the 54" high by 30" wide cabinets against one wall, for less than $1500... Machine shop auctions are a great source.

OMG! We had Stanley-Vidmar drawer cabinets in the inspection office where I worked. It was incredible how many steel gages and tools they held and the drawers glided in and out with ease.

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: redraptor] #2819928
09/12/20 10:46 AM
09/12/20 10:46 AM
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md
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mopars4ever Online content
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I have a large Kobalt tool box I bought about 12 or so years ago. I haven`t had any issues with it. The drawers still slide nice. Rolls fine. I`m happy with it.

Re: Tool Boxes? [Re: Challenger340Kid] #2820306
09/13/20 05:43 PM
09/13/20 05:43 PM
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Posts: 28,576
Shopping @ HoBo Fright
340SIX Offline
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I have a,limited area in my Single car garage. So I bought the very best Craftsman on sale in SS tgat,Waterloo makes for them.
It had great rollers on the slides. That was,14 or 15 year's ago.
Waterloo ones I bought in the past before tgat were also good.
I like the Harbor Freight new ones are the bomb but I have no room.


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