I’m loving my Husky box.

Waterloo makes many of the US boxes, including husky, craftsman, etc.

The harbor freight boxes are heavy, and their drawer rails are not very good quality. They're okay initially; if they're used a lot, they don't hold up as well, and they don't sell replacement parts. The newer line ("Icon") is better than their standard General line, but they're no professional box. Lowes has a line of stainless boxes, many of which have shallower drawers, are 24" deep (front to back), and have more drawers. If someone is using the box for a lot of hand tools like sockets and wrenches, more drawers, shallower, is better, especially if a lot of tools. A complaint of mine with many boxes is the that they use too few drawers with too much wasted space.

Good rails on drawers are important. Many of the harbor freight rails are marginal.

Thanks for all the insight folks. Looking pretty seriously at the Husky boxes.

quote:

Originally posted by GT-40DOC:
I would be very tempted to shop around for a good used QUALITY toolbox....i.e. Snapon, old model Craftsman, etc. The old boxes were really built well.

This. I've got a 1970's Mac I've had for about 20 years. At the time, I think my box could also be bought as a Matco and a few other brands, just change the handles.

About 5 years ago I settled on a 46" US General
from Harbor Freight.

I shopped around & this model came up on sale, has been just right for my needs. No complaints in 'moderate' hobbiest duty.

Of course that was then, given recent events I would have passed for a different country of origin.

I can tell you from experience that if you look and shave a little patience you can find a Snap On box for $1000 or less, in like new condition. Like a $4000 new roll around box. It will last for years and you can get your money back or make a profit if you ever sell it. If you buy from a big box store your money is gone.

quote:

Originally posted by honestlou:
I can tell you from experience that if you look and shave a little patience you can find a Snap On box for $1000 or less, in like new condition. Like a $4000 new roll around box. It will last for years and you can get your money back or make a profit if you ever sell it. If you buy from a big box store your money is gone.

I agree with this, except for profiting from it. I'm seeing more and more whole collections going up for sale locally for fractions of their replacement value, mechanics are a dying breed. Given that Snap-On is now following the path of Craftsman and selling their 'consumer' brand at hardware stores I doubt that they will command premium prices as well as they have in the past.

I bought a used Snap-On KR years ago for $1,500, and could have had several more for less in the decades since. I'd wager that the only guys getting more are financing them off the back of their Snap-on truck.

Tekton makes tool boxes. They are made in Canada not China. Some of the boxes have casters made in Germany.
https://www.tekton.com/tool-storage

I have a large two piece stainless steel box that I got from Costco about 10 years ago made by CSPS. I just bought a rolling stainless workbench/storage unit from Costco made by Trinity (PRO line). When Costco puts their boxes on sale, I think it is hard to beat for quality and value. Be aware that they have some Trinity consumer line stuff and some Trinity PRO line.

I have a US General from HF; it was a Christmas present about 10 years ago. I have the drawers stuffed and have no problems with them at all.

I don't know how much you want to spend, but Kennedy makes excellent
tool boxes. American made.
I have a few and all are well made.

https://buykennedy.com/
.

I had a large roll around snap on box but when things got tough I had to sell it along with everything in it.

that was quite a few years ago and I replaced it a couple of year ago with a harbor fright 46" knowing what I know now I would have got the larger one because it's full. other then that it has worked perfect. I filled it with kobalt tools but if I had to do it again I would get all milwaukee.