View Poll Results: Which Toolbox Do You Prefer?
Craftsman Professional
44
35.77%
MAC
7
5.69%
Matco
31
25.20%
Snap-On
41
33.33%
Voters: 123. You may not vote on this poll
Opinions Wanted - Trying to Decide on a Toolbox
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 1998TA__1991RS
I dont know if anyone has mentioned this yet, i havnt read the whole thread. but WATERLOO makes EVERYONES boxes for them. I have heard this from a matco,snapon,craftsman,and cornwell dealer. they just vary in quality from one brand to another. A snapon box and a craftsman pro box is exactly the same, made at the same plant with different emblems on them. matco and waterloo's brand of boxes are about the best quality you can get. If you are looking at somthing for a home garage check out the stainless steel boxes you can buy at Costco and Sams Club. they are very good quality and cheap compared to others.
Originally Posted by waltsfastz
that is true to an extent, Matco Boxes are made By Matco And Only Matco In there Tool Box Plant in Jamestown New York. Snap on as well makes there own boxes. Mac Has there boxes Outsourced to my understanding but there Econimizer is made by Waterloo. If you noticed the cheat Mac boxes look identical to the Husky Boxes you se at Home Depot. Cornwell and crafstman both are made by Waterloo. IMO Matco make the best box out there. The finish is powdercoated as to the comptetitors are painted. Matco Boxes have Functional Load bearing corners. matco boxes have a Center Slide support and the 5S boxes by far have the Best Key Design. And Compared to Mac or Snap on in all 3 top of the line Boxes it is 1000 Cheaper than the Macsimizer and Over 1000 Cheaper than the Snap ons Top of the line Boxes
IMHO, the Snap-on is the only choice here if money was not much of a factor. Here is an example of the quality. Back in 1998 Snap-on had a theme box called the "Gold Medal" series. It was made up of a triple bank top and bottom box. It was a sizable beast. I had a customer that had his box transfered to his new employers shop by flatbed towtruck. Now this super smart driver decided to unhook the box BEFORE tilting the bed. When he tilted the bed, well, you could just imagine. The thing was pretty messed up. Scratched, dented and both boxes hit the ground on their respective bottom corners racking both of them. When the dust settled the only function lost of both boxes was two drawers that did not close completely. Every other drawer and lid on the top box functioned and locked.
Originally Posted by brianz
Sorry to bring this up so late, but, um, no. Snap-on makes there boxes in their own plant. I believe it is somewhere in the midwest, Indiana if memory serves me correctly. If memory serves Mac and Matco also manufacture their own boxes. At least their top of the line boxes.
Again, sorry, but misleading information here. The only box in Snap-on's KRL series that is NOT powdercoated are the red ones.
IMHO, the Snap-on is the only choice here if money was not much of a factor. Here is an example of the quality. Back in 1998 Snap-on had a theme box called the "Gold Medal" series. It was made up of a triple bank top and bottom box. It was a sizable beast. I had a customer that had his box transfered to his new employers shop by flatbed towtruck. Now this super smart driver decided to unhook the box BEFORE tilting the bed. When he tilted the bed, well, you could just imagine. The thing was pretty messed up. Scratched, dented and both boxes hit the ground on their respective bottom corners racking both of them. When the dust settled the only function lost of both boxes was two drawers that did not close completely. Every other drawer and lid on the top box functioned and locked.
Again, sorry, but misleading information here. The only box in Snap-on's KRL series that is NOT powdercoated are the red ones.
IMHO, the Snap-on is the only choice here if money was not much of a factor. Here is an example of the quality. Back in 1998 Snap-on had a theme box called the "Gold Medal" series. It was made up of a triple bank top and bottom box. It was a sizable beast. I had a customer that had his box transfered to his new employers shop by flatbed towtruck. Now this super smart driver decided to unhook the box BEFORE tilting the bed. When he tilted the bed, well, you could just imagine. The thing was pretty messed up. Scratched, dented and both boxes hit the ground on their respective bottom corners racking both of them. When the dust settled the only function lost of both boxes was two drawers that did not close completely. Every other drawer and lid on the top box functioned and locked.
Are you a Snap on Distributor?
I am kicking around the Harbor Freight box. I have two valid "15% off 1 item" coupons.
That would sure take a nice chunk out of a $399 box and a $299 topper...
My only concern is - how do I get it home?
Will it fit in a Suburban?
That would sure take a nice chunk out of a $399 box and a $299 topper...
My only concern is - how do I get it home?
Will it fit in a Suburban?
Originally Posted by 2FastSS2000
I like the Snap on box better. I think its the best automotive toolbox.
Well, I grabbed my coupon, some cash, and went to Harbor Freight today to check out the $399 US General toolbox. I was planning on getting the $399 lower and $299 upper (using my 15% off coupons).
No go. They were too ugly for me. That finish is nasty.
They may be functional, but the finish on the floor model showed a ton of scuffs, and the top box had rust in one of the corners (and this was *inside* the store!). I'll pass.
I'm going to keep my eyes open for a sub-$1000 used name brand box (Matco etc). I love saving money, but I just could not bring myself to buy that ugly box.
No go. They were too ugly for me. That finish is nasty.
They may be functional, but the finish on the floor model showed a ton of scuffs, and the top box had rust in one of the corners (and this was *inside* the store!). I'll pass.I'm going to keep my eyes open for a sub-$1000 used name brand box (Matco etc). I love saving money, but I just could not bring myself to buy that ugly box.
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I've heard about the Costco boxes but we don't have a Costco locally, so I can't even check them out. I'm not a huge fan of stainless, as it shows pawprints very easily (heh, probably goes back to my hate of repeatedly wiping down the whole damn McDonalds when I was 15, I guess ).
I'm going to keep my eyes open for a used Matco, I think.
).I'm going to keep my eyes open for a used Matco, I think.
i worked for ford for over a year with a craftsman box and no problems if u treat it well it keeps on working well. If u slam drawers and throw tools at it its not gonna hold up to the abuse. If I was u I would kind the cheapest largest box you can and put the rest into your car. 
to be honest I really was not that impressed with the costco one.... but I also have a harbour freight and norther tool near me.
also check out craigslist, I have been seeing some good deals on used stuff.
also check out craigslist, I have been seeing some good deals on used stuff.
you can also get real good deals on the brand name boxes on ebay, you just gotta find one local or be willing to travel with a uhaul or trailer, as most guys won't ship them, and it'd cost a fortune to do so. My Matco box weighs something like 640 lbs empty, shipping slip said something close to 700 lbs packed on a pallet and protected to ship. So its not something you and a buddy can just load onto a pickup bed.
I bought a new but freight damaged Matco box today. Found it on ebay from a local seller. A 6 drawer MSC12 service cart. Only the top right tray of the cart was damaged... the drawers are all fine. The damage is "mostly" straightened out now - and it's 100% functional. 1 drawer swallowed all of my open end wrenches.
This box makes my Craftsman boxes look like kid toys.
It's like parking a decked out full sized Hummer next to a couple of beat up 1985 Jeep Cherokees.
This box makes my Craftsman boxes look like kid toys.
It's like parking a decked out full sized Hummer next to a couple of beat up 1985 Jeep Cherokees.
Originally Posted by Camaroholic
I bought a new but freight damaged Matco box today. Found it on ebay from a local seller. A 6 drawer MSC12 service cart. Only the top right tray of the cart was damaged... the drawers are all fine. The damage is "mostly" straightened out now - and it's 100% functional. 1 drawer swallowed all of my open end wrenches.
This box makes my Craftsman boxes look like kid toys. It's like parking a decked out full sized Hummer next to a couple of beat up 1985 Jeep Cherokees.
This box makes my Craftsman boxes look like kid toys.
It's like parking a decked out full sized Hummer next to a couple of beat up 1985 Jeep Cherokees.
Originally Posted by Toonz
The time has come to buy a toolbox. I was originally going to buy a simple Craftsman toolbox from Sears, but I am really considering stepping up to something a bit nicer. My question is, is it worth the extra $$ for a Snap-On, MAC, or Matco toolbox? If I bought Craftsman it would be the professional series so the cost isn't that much more for the others, but it is more. For those of you that have them, what do you suggest. Does anyone wish they would have went with something different? TIA.
Originally Posted by waltsfastz
Those things have been out since late summer and they are a sweet piece. They are made in the same plant Matco boxes are made in. Ive sold quite a few since they have came out.
I effectively emptied 2 of my Sears boxes in to this one (but then filled them back up with other tools & supplies that didn't have a home). This one will be my 'primary' tools box.How much does the 6 drawer MSC12 (the MSC12-ADDON#4) list for? Just curious. I picked this one up for $500. That seemed like a pretty good deal to me.
The only damaged part was that upper right tray, and a little ding on the main case right beneath it. It all straightened out fairly well (you can see it in the picture). You can get the basic 3 drawer MSC12 new for around 795. If you go for the extra 3 drawers like your they go for around 995. Needless to say you got a damn good deal. I got a damaged 3 drawer msc12 the first time I ordered one( Damn freight companys) Rode on the truck for about30 minutes and sold it at the first stop I made with it. I knocked 200 bux off it.