in market for new toolbox, need opinions

[B18B-SC]

im in the market for a new tool box. ive been looking at alot of the craftman ones. most like this
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Storage%2C+Chests+%26+Cabinets&pid=00959624000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Chests+%26+Cabinets&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes
this ones $789http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00959624000

but i stumbled upon one they have setup at sams club, its basically the same size as the craftsman one. has ball bearing rollers, BUT it comes with a top peice too, and its about $100 less.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=535&item=348961&prDeTab=2#A
this ones $687
http://graphics.samsclub.com/images/products/0471097720411_L4.jpg

both tool boxes are ball bearing. both i have visited in person, and seem very well built.

what are your opinions on the choice?

both bottom pieces weigh about 230 lbs, the top piece on the sams one on the box said 150lbs if im not mistaken

[Nightfall]

Snap on FTW

[B18B-SC]

give me some money and ill buy a snap-on

[Zach]

im actually in the market as well. either way you choose, let me know how it works out.

edit: ps, i think the bottom one looks like a better deal, but it is a generic brand, so who knows what will happen to it in a few years...

[Brandon]

I have that exact Craftsman one and I like it. It's getting a bit too full so I wanna get another one and put them next to each other. That would be cool.

My roomate had one slightly different than that second one. It was nice too and pretty big for the money. I don't think the drawers slid as easily but that could've been the difference in weight.

[Dave_L]

When it comes down to it, it's only a $100 difference. I say go with the name brand that you know will last a lifetime. Otherwise, you might end up spending another $700 bc you wanted to save $100 now. That's just my $.02.

[nicklk]

The second one is actually a REALLY fuckin nice toolbox, the ball bearing drawers make a huge difference if you are going to be using it alot. I have a Craftsman with non-wheel bearings and after about 2 years of heavy use the drawers somewhat stick even after lubing them.

Warranty wise, CostCo would cover any warranty exactly like Sears would with their product.....and its a much bigger tool box (the costco one)

I say the CostCo one....I've known 2-3 mechanics that have used them and loved em and they withheld alot of abuse!

[Deceptakhan]

When it comes down to it, it's only a $100 difference. I say go with the name brand that you know will last a lifetime. Otherwise, you might end up spending another $700 bc you wanted to save $100 now. That's just my $.02.

Hit the nail on the motherfuckin head. Also, Sears usually has holiday sales, or after holiday sales. The costco one doesn't.

If you can't get snap-on, get craftsman.

[M@]

With tools, you get what you pay for. Snap-On > *, period. Craftsman is a good company for a fair price, but Snap-On is very expensive (for a reason). You'd be alright with the Craftsman box, though.

[Zach]

matco boxes> strap-on

[nicklk]

matco boxes> strap-on

Mac Tools > *

[Chris_V=|work|=]

must....not....make.... M@ toolbox... jokes.....

[Pang]

same club one is very nice. Craftsman tool boxes are the suck.

[civicjuju]

i hate working with craftman tools, i dunno why it always seems you can't get a good grip.

try to get snap on...

[rmcdaniels]

I've been abusing a Craftsman ball-bearing toolbox for years and it's held up well to regular hobbyist use. My Dad's been abusing his for much longer. I know a guy (professional auto tech) who just got a big new Snap-On box, and it's in another league as far as build quality and strength go, but Craftsman is good for the money. I'd get the Sears box before the Sam's Club box, mostly because I've had really good service from the Sears tool department over the years, and I've flat-out destroyed some Sears stuff doing stupid things, but never any problems getting stuff fixed/replaced.

[HONDA GHANDI]

Snap on FTW

LOL, Snap-on has nothing you can buy for $700. lol

I have the stainless one from costco too at my house for my home tool box. It is a nice box for the money.

[Brandon]

I've had really good service from the Sears tool department over the years, and I've flat-out destroyed some Sears stuff doing stupid things, but never any problems getting stuff fixed/replaced.

Which is why I've always said Craftsman > Strapon

[Zach]

heres the box i am eyeing. i can get roughly a 50% discount through my school, but we'll see if i can find the money before i graduate.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=74163&group_ID=19507

[Civic-8442-]

Holy shit^^^ 3.5K+ tax!?? and you go too DADC dont you?

[2genCRX]

Mac Tools > *

HAHAHA you might as well get your mac too at walmart because they are forged by the same people as stanly tools :rofl:

[chrisbarnett01]

Holy shit^^^ 3.5K+ tax!?? and you go too DADC dont you?

High end boxes have high end prices.

For a professional mechanic? Easily worth the $$.

I bought a craftsmen professional box the other day, that had all boxes on sale like 40% off at sears. I paid a little over $2000 out the door after tax, which is still a few hundred dollars less than the regular catalog price.

The craftsmen professional stuff is much nicer than the standard craftsmen ball bearing boxes, and is comparable to the basic snap on stuff, but definitely not the high end snap on stuff. The high end tool storage is easily approaching $5000-$7000 for one portion of the box.

For a quick comparision of solidity, look at the actual dry weight of each box. Heavier generally means sturdier. The high end boxes($5k+) are 600-800lbs for the bottom sections only. The cheaper stuff is closer to 200 lbs. This obviously isn't a comparision of quality. Usually, snap on is much better than craftsmen, but craftsment isn't bad for the price.

[Slow96GSR]

I have a friend with the Sam's Club one and it works and holds up just as well as the Snap-On ones. Snap-On is ok. I use Craftsman unless they don't have it then I go to Snap-On. With snap on you'll pay 2-6 times what Sears has the tool for and it really isn't that much better. I have had conversations with the regional supervisor about which is better and have shot everything he has to say is better about Snap-On down. With Snap-On you have to wait for the guy to come around to replace a tool, Sears you take it in. Snap-On you get 6 comb. wrenches for $1400, Sears 12 for $250. Chrome is chrome. Snap-On sockets grip on the sides not the edges, Sear grip both depending on the set you get, cheap or expensive.

He said this, "If you break a Craftsman tool you'll have to remember to take it in. I bet most of the time you get there you have forgotten the tool or a part they need in order to replace it." My response was, "Sears is two blocks away and if I am going there to replace a tool I will not forget it or a piece of it. And I have never needed all the pieces, just most of them. They are pretty good at replacing it right then and there and have only not replaced a tool because it was out of stock." He was very quiet after his talk with me. The next day the class had Craftsman tools and boxes with a few Snap-On tools and one box. At our college we get Snap-On half off up to $4900 total ($9800 before discount) and are limited to what we buy. We can't get the MODIS or other big scan tools but we can get the advanced meters. If you need a discount I haven't used mine so just tell me what you want and we can work it out.

Also what a lot of us do is buy the Snap-On boxes and then get Craftsman tools. Not too many people can see the logo on the tool from 20+ feet away.