Share thoughts on roll away tool boxes

[Butch(OH)]

I need to replace my 35 year old Craftsman roll away and top box. Realy don't care to take out a second mortgage for a Snap On but dont want to be buying a box every 2-3 years either. Places like Greg Smith Equipment in Indianapolis and others sell what I will call mid priced boxes that seem to be a step above the current crop of crapsman elcheapo boxes. Is there a decent quality box for somebody like me who owns a ton of tools but doesnt use them to earn a living?
 

[kito169]

too bad your not close to central Texas. I have a triple bay Matco bottom box that I don"t need since I retired. I would make you agood deal.
 

[Uncle Ernie]

Tool truck guys often have trade in boxes that they part with at reasonable prices.
Craftsman upper line boxes are pretty good for the money.The bargain ones are crap.
Costco has good prices on boxes of reasonable quality.
 

[dave2]

I hear the harbor freight boxes are real good............
 

[the tractor vet]

There have been a ton of them super high dollar Snap Off tool boxes on craigs list for a third of the cost .
 

[John A.]

Butch, I have been looking at heavy Roll-Away Boxes. I Second,.... the Harbor Freight, U.S. General Boxes. They are heavier than most All!!!... Box-Store brands, There are 2 different Base units, a Top unit, a Side Closet unit. and a shelf for the opposite side. About $1200 for it all! if on sale some cheaper! Hope this helps!
Later,
John A.
 

[John730D]

Harbor Freight. I have 4 of theese boxes. Great quality, right price when on sale. Built heavy, you won't be disappointed. I don't buy much there, but these are good.
Here it is. On sale now

 

[BIG ED]

Round her [Georgia/South Carolina ] I'm seeing a lot of "name brand' boxes ,used, reasonable. ecomony??
 

[Krapie]

Butch, where in Ohio?

Kennedy makes some sturdy boxes. They used to have a store that carried scratch and dent boxes in Van Wert, OH. Some had minimal damage or damage would be hidden against a wall, but the prices were reasonable.
 

[Wile E]

Try to get a used one.
Ebay, or craigslist.

When I was in HS metal shop (a long time ago) a kid in my shop class made his own rollaway box for his project. (looked good)

I almost wouldnt mind getting a set of dressers (wood furniture) and using these for tool storage. Line the drawers with felt, put on a wearable surface for the top. (good to go)
 

[sflem849]

My buddies dad bought the US General at HF a couple years ago. We ribbed him for it pretty hard for a few months. Other than having to push the unlock way on the right of the drawer I am impressed with the box.
 

[NCWayne]

Between Dad and myself we have about 6 oldCraftsman boxes, most of them in the 30 year old plus range, and one large Waterloo box. When we outgrew the Craftsman boxes Dad got the Waterloo as a scratch an dent from J&L when they had a store in Charlotte. It is a really nice box and has stood up to near daily use LOADED DOWN with tools.

That said, don't rely on name brands, etc, etc to make a decision. If you look at all of the different brands, nearly all of them are build pretty close to the same way. The biggest difference in them, and to me what makes a box a nice one or a piece of junk, is the drawer slides. The rest is just sheet metal and one pice of metal of a certain guage is just as good as another, regardless of color or what name they give it. So, check out the slides, make sure they look good, slide good, keep the drawer straight side to side as it slides in and out, and don't let the drawer droop at full extension etc, etc. If they are sturdy enough to accomplish those things, and the guage metal used in constructing the box is sufficient to handle the weight your putting in it, then the box ought to be a good one, regardless of brand.
 

[kris Jensen]

Costco has a really nice stainless steel double set of drawers, its about five feet wide with a hardwood top, (could double as a bench) was under 600.00 (cdn).
Good luck finding one.
Kris
 

[flambeauone]

Company I work for decided to supply all the tools,so they sent everyones personal box home. They bought big Snap on boxes a couple years back, I dont know too many that dont absolutely hate those boxes. The drawer slides get grinding dust in them so the ball bearings quit rolling. The company has slowly been replacing them by just hanging everything on the wall and painting a shadow of the tool behind it. Its worked very well here, you can see whats missing easily and everything has its place. Im planning on doing the same at the house, its not for everyone but I am impressed.
 

[Dean]

Craftsman offers several versions of their toolboxes. The more expensive ones are better made and have more features.

I have a 25 year old Craftsman box set that has served me well and I cannot complain for the price that I paid. I am not a professional mechanic and would certainly not recommend my set up for someone who is.

I have noticed that the TOL Craftsman boxes offered these days are much better made than my 25 year old set.

Dean