I'm looking to buy a new rolling tool cart/cabinet/chest.

I'm looking in the 40"-56" wide range, and i do not want a top box, just the bottom roller box, as i have a small one i am going to put on top, and still have a small surface to work on.

I'm also not interested from anything from snapon or matco...way out of my price range.

Ive got some ideas, but wanted to hear what other have to say

 

we have a snapon that is 20+ years old and it still an excellent box, but since you say no snap-on have you priced a cornwell? they are nice boxes, but might be high on the price too, i would stasy clear of a craftsman box if possible, they are cheap, but they just dont hold up imo. i guess it depends on if you jsut need something to store tools, or if you need something to store tools and last forever!

 

What ever you get make sure you get ball-bearing slides craftsman seem nice, dont know for sure. Mine is one of the two you dont care for.

 

Two words: Craftsman Professional.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...TOOL&ihtoken=1

 

I have a middle of the road Craftsman. It has ball bearing, "griplatch" and is 41" wide.

I have a few of the drawers pretty loaded down, just like the high dollar boxes, the more you put in it, the smoother it seems to glide.

IIRC, the boxes are made by Waterloo, just different levels of quality & harware.

You can see the spot welds in mine, where in the professional or a Snap on box you wouldn't.

I paid just over 900 for the bottom and top chest about 3 years ago, I imagine it will be the only box I will ever need.

 

I have the Craftsman chests with the ball bearing drawers; real nice, perfect for the weekend warrior. I recently saw some chests in Lowes which were just as nice and a tad cheaper. Don't forget to get the mats for the drawer bottoms.

 

Swap the cheapo roller wheels out for some better grade larger diameter bearing rollers.
Make your life eaier.

 

I have craftsman, but I'd probably go with something from northern tool. I don't know how well they perform but with that price for a ball bearing that size is pretty good.

 

My brother worked for Discount Tire and when they bought new ones, he took 3 old ones. still in great shape (I got one). SOrry but no Idea what they are.

By the way, the price was nice $ Free.99

 

appreciate the opinions guys.

Ive looked at craftsmans, and i am not sure how much i like the "shimmy" that is present if you try to wiggle drawers side to side. they are also onoly rated for 50lbs/drawer, and i would be way over that.

i will check into cornwell boxes, i know theyre tools are good.

anyone have any experience with remline or waterloo??

 

Same two words, Craftsman Professional. Not Craftsman. Big difference in boxes between the two brands.

 

I got a MAC TECH1000 several years ago and it's holding up great. Also I got it at a serious discount (under a grand) because of some shipping dammage. The damage was a dent smaller than a quarter and it was on the back side near the bottom. Check around for the slightly damaged but new boxes you might get lucky.

 

I`ve had a Mac Macsimizer for the past 6 years or so, awesome box, sturdy but kinda $$$. Suggested list is a tick over 7G`s. I got mine scratch `n` dent for way cheap (too good to pass up), lets just say it was under 3G`s. Might want to ask your local Snappy/Mac/Matco guy if they have anything used.

 

I have a Snap-On KRL series, and would not have anything else. If you watch ebay, and in your area, you can really pic up a deal, for the same money you can get a Craftsman Professional. The Snap On is 4 times the toolbox. If you get a chance to check one out, you will notice a huge difference.
Just my opinion.

 

FWIW , my craftsman has almost no side to side shimmy , compared to my boss' snap on box , the drawers on it won't even close if you don't push right in the middle , or on both corners.