BIG tool boxes...
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: USA
BIG tool boxes... how old is TOO old to buy used? Particularly Snap On KRL boxes? Is 4 to 5 years old to much?
Also, of those that HAVE big boxes, what do you have and how do you like it? I'm planning on upgrading from my 40" Husky box (had a Stanley label on the packaging) since I don't feel it will hold up forever under every day use (mechanic). That, and it's packed full as is, and I'd rather just make the jump to Snap On/Matco now instead of buying the upper box. I'm not impressed at all with the high end Craftsman boxes I've played with at any Sears store. Every single one of them has had one or more drawers where the Grip Latch didn't hold the drawer in place at all. Opinions?
Also, of those that HAVE big boxes, what do you have and how do you like it? I'm planning on upgrading from my 40" Husky box (had a Stanley label on the packaging) since I don't feel it will hold up forever under every day use (mechanic). That, and it's packed full as is, and I'd rather just make the jump to Snap On/Matco now instead of buying the upper box. I'm not impressed at all with the high end Craftsman boxes I've played with at any Sears store. Every single one of them has had one or more drawers where the Grip Latch didn't hold the drawer in place at all. Opinions?
I have a big matco box and love it, too. A bunch of guys will post here how matco sucks or snap-on sucks and blah blah blah. IMHO they are fairly close on quality, I chose based on price. I would also say a 4 or 5 year old box could be ok, depending on how it was taken care of. It is definatly a good idea to see first hand what you are buying when it comes to a used box.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Elizabethton, TN
Originally Posted by passerby
how old is TOO old to buy used? Particularly Snap On KRL boxes? Is 4 to 5 years old to much?
Also, of those that HAVE big boxes, what do you have and how do you like it? I'm planning on upgrading from my 40" Husky box (had a Stanley label on the packaging) since I don't feel it will hold up forever under every day use (mechanic). That, and it's packed full as is, and I'd rather just make the jump to Snap On/Matco now instead of buying the upper box. I'm not impressed at all with the high end Craftsman boxes I've played with at any Sears store. Every single one of them has had one or more drawers where the Grip Latch didn't hold the drawer in place at all. Opinions?
Also, of those that HAVE big boxes, what do you have and how do you like it? I'm planning on upgrading from my 40" Husky box (had a Stanley label on the packaging) since I don't feel it will hold up forever under every day use (mechanic). That, and it's packed full as is, and I'd rather just make the jump to Snap On/Matco now instead of buying the upper box. I'm not impressed at all with the high end Craftsman boxes I've played with at any Sears store. Every single one of them has had one or more drawers where the Grip Latch didn't hold the drawer in place at all. Opinions?
Just check the drawers to make sure none of the slides are bent or broken, as long as they're fine, there shouldn't be a problem. The KRL are the high end Snap-on boxes, built more rigid than the KRA. I see plenty of boxes much older than 5 years being used everyday and they work fine.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
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From: USA
Originally Posted by Shamrock98TA
Just check the drawers to make sure none of the slides are bent or broken, as long as they're fine, there shouldn't be a problem. The KRL are the high end Snap-on boxes, built more rigid than the KRA. I see plenty of boxes much older than 5 years being used everyday and they work fine.
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8 Sec Builder
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Houston Tx
I have just bought a 54" wide KRL snap on box and I am digging it. The KRL is made of 14 to 16 guage metal. The nice thing about snap-on is if you want to go to a bigger box they will buy our smaller snap-on box for the amount you paid for it so you can always upgrade. 
One of the techs here has a 72" wide matco and I believe it has the same quality as a snap-on. 
One of the techs here has a 72" wide matco and I believe it has the same quality as a snap-on. 
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
I would say check it out first hand and make sure everything works. I plan on upgrading to a bigger used box eventually. I have a Blue point box that is possibly 10 years old or more and it works great, but is too small too.
i got a tool chest that i thoguht was big and id never fill, its like 6' 4" tall and like 3 feet wide...and yeah, 2 months later, i was ready to go bigger. so no, can never go big enough.
i have a big matco box, when the dealer was showing it to me, he opened up the top drawr and jumped up and sat down on it. thats a pretty good sales pitch if you ask me, I bought it that day.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ahowudoin
1 have a mac that is 13 years old the top drawer will hold a 1000 pounds and still slides like the day i bought it if not better.
A guy at my work has a HUGE 15-20 year old Mac box and the thing works like new still. Tough as nails.
I am using a 70's snap on box and it is still holding up fine. It's getting a little small for me so it may time to upgrade. I am going to try a mac or matco for my next box. I give props to snap on for my box, thing has lasted longer than 3 mechanics already
I have a Snap-on 40wx20dx40h kra tool box that I'm looking at getting rid of. It's about 5 yrs old but the last 2-3 it has been sitting in the corner of my shop. Most of my work is done on the road and I keep all my tools on my service truck. Shoot me a pm if interested.
I have a matco box at work I bought it used, it was made in 99 and it still works like new I too can jump on my lower drawers never had a problem love it . And off ebay it was 1/3 what a new one would have been
Originally Posted by ahowudoin
1 have a mac that is 13 years old the top drawer will hold a 1000 pounds and still slides like the day i bought it if not better.
Originally Posted by exstanger
I have a Snap-on 40wx20dx40h kra tool box that I'm looking at getting rid of. It's about 5 yrs old but the last 2-3 it has been sitting in the corner of my shop. Most of my work is done on the road and I keep all my tools on my service truck. Shoot me a pm if interested.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/non-automotive-classifieds/354104-fs-snap-kra-series-tool-box.html
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Elizabethton, TN
Originally Posted by passerby
If you don't mind me asking, what are the exact differences between the kra and krl boxes? I'm assuming the sheet metal will be thicker as well as the drawers holding more weight, but are there any other significant differences? Thanks.