Crossle Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Cliffs at bottom of post. Reason: Looking for a tool box for home use. I am a Mechanic with a Snap-On box, I am looking for something much cheaper for home use. So, excluding MAC, Matco, Snap-On, Cornwell, and even Craftsman, does anyone use a box other than the above listed that is cheaper, or as cheap as a craftsman box? If so, what is the manufacturer? How long have you had it, how well has it held up? I would like something with ball bearing drawers. Just looking for some other options to explore. I need a fairly large box in size, and no a filing cabinet or any other random tool holder won't cut it lol. CLIFFS: Recommend a tool box cheaper than Craftsman that has ball bearing drawers and has held up reasonably well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickey4271647545519 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I'd look at buying used on craigslist. http://limaohio.craigslist.org/tls/2616007474.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blurtoyou Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/tool-storage/tool-boxes-cabinets/ have used these, they held up good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ODoyle Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Kobalt at Lowes are sweet. They usually go on sale around xmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Automotive Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I've used a Craftsman box in the shop for 10+ years and its opens and closes like its brand new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye1647545503 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I have a Kobalt and have no issues with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBussman1647545507 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Coming form a fellow pro mechanic, cheaper than craftsmen and still ball bearing is a pretty tall order. the only other thing besides kobalt that comes to mind is Waterloo, don't really know where you can buy them but I've used them in past shops, they feel cheap but still work. The last place I worked one of the guys had a kobalt and some of the drawers were really hard to open and the other drawers would open on there own, bad enough were the box almost fell over, keep in mind this was abused daily and would prob hold up for home use. Or do what I did and work at Carmax so you can take all your good tools home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrsplat Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Kobalt does the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossle Posted September 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Yeah Dad has had a Craftsman for years and it has done well. It is getting tired now, but not to the point that it is broken. I am not totally opposed to Craftsman, just don't know what the other options are that people have success with. I will check out the Kobalt boxes, I think I was talking with someone about them at HD the one night...maybe Lance? I don't know if I want to wait or not, but I may take my current snap-on box home when I get a new one at the shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickey4271647545519 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Coming form a fellow pro mechanic, cheaper than craftsmen and still ball bearing is a pretty tall order. the only other thing besides kobalt that comes to mind is Waterloo, don't really know where you can buy them but I've used them in past shops, they feel cheap but still work. The last place I worked one of the guys had a kobalt and some of the drawers were really hard to open and the other drawers would open on there own, bad enough were the box almost fell over, keep in mind this was abused daily and would prob hold up for home use. Or do what I did and work at Carmax so you can take all your good tools home. Waterloo is who makes most of craftsmans toolboxes . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossle Posted September 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I'd look at buying used on craigslist. http://limaohio.craigslist.org/tls/2616007474.html The list is where I got my current box, loaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 the drawers on my dads craftman box started breaking sometime last year. hes had it for some years, however. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 keep an eye out for used. my house box is a double bay MAC top and bottom that was dirty cheep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Gen Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Sams sells one that includes a top & bottom box. Had mine for about 4 years (Love it).. Mine was the stainless model (Holding up as well as my old Snap On bottom box) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaSSon Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I have a Kobalt with BB drawers. I'm not a mechanic tho, but it's held up well the last 8-9 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 A kid I used to work with had the box Harbor Freight sells, and it really wasn't bad for the price. I'd wait until your tool guy comes in with something used, and let him know that you're looking they move that stuff pretty quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn1647545492 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I got this on sale for $99 and it's great for the money. http://www.harborfreight.com/580-lb-capacity-four-drawer-roller-cart-95659.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed44 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 This sounds like its your best way to go. http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html i have the whole set at home. it works well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 This sounds like its your best way to go. http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html i have the whole set at home. it works well just coming to post this my neighbor has this plus the top for his job (maintenance man at Simpson strong tie) has never had a issue with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ansonivan Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I got this on sale for $99 and it's great for the money. http://www.harborfreight.com/580-lb-capacity-four-drawer-roller-cart-95659.html I have the same thing at the shop, the bottom drawer is loaded with about 200lbs of press tools and it's holding up well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwohio Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I would also reccomend this HF box. I have it at home in my garage and it works very well. If you are familiar with GarageJournal Forums, this box comes highly recommended for the it's price over there. I've had mine for almost a year with no problems. I work on my car about 1-10 times a month haha I was basically looking for the same thing, with ball bearing drawers and ended up with this one. http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_2244.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmuckingham Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I vote for a Kobalt box, mines has held up no problem in my garage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky31186 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 I vote take your snap on box home, and buy a new one for work... Thats what I did.. Finally just getting the bastard paid down.. But I am also a fan of the harbor freight boxes.. They are built decent.. Friend of mine has one.. works good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99FLHRCI Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Husky tool boxes from Home Depot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICEMAN1647545504 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Used is the way to go. You get get a big used box for a price of a small new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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