The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Another sign of the Apocalypse?

I’m an old timer, turned 67 years young this year, and I’ve been wrenching ever since I was a lad. Pop was a mechanic and the big bro was an avid street rodder his whole life. As most of us do, I’ve accumulated a lot of tools over the years. But in all that time, I never really had a toolbox, I mean a real toolbox. I just kept my tools in separate little tote boxes, 1/2 sockets in one box, 3/8 in another, Phillips in one box, Straight blades in another, pliers in their own box, I think you get the picture. With out lying I must have several dozen totes most of which I’ve inherited or picked up at garage sales for a buck. I’ve never been a big buck earner, because I’ve always been to busy learning different things and never focused my efforts on one single area long enough to become an expert. Because of this butterfly mentality and my financial fix, I just couldn’t justify spending the big bucks that those big fancy roll around toolboxes demanded.

But, and here comes the but, I taint getting any younger for sure, and the sand is running out of the hourglass and since I committed myself to tearing the old gal down over the winter in my crowded attached garage, I figured a good place to start making room was to find a home for the pile of tools that has taken up half my 8 foot work bench for the past 25years. With the sales going on this Labor Day weekend I decided to spring for a real roll about toolbox base.

Now since I don’t make a living as a mechanic and twisting wrenches has more or less been a hobby with me, Craftsman has always been the tool of choice. Fact is, the Government funded accelerator that I worked at for 27years in Batavia, IL supplied only Craftsman tools for us to use. I started buying Craftsman tools when I was in grade school. Every time I got a spare buck I’d run by the local Sears Roebuck and Co. store and pickup another wrench. About 30 years ago I did buy a 12” x 26 1/2” Craftsman 9drawer top box because I was working on midgets at the time and building an airplane and needed something that was portable and held a good handful of the tools I need on the run.

This past Friday I dropped by our big Fox Valley Sears store and checked out their sales. Their 8drawer roll about base listed for $599.99 but was on sale for the bargain price of $410. I wanted to match the red and black top box that I had, but they didn’t have a base to match it in stock and I was stuck with waiting a month for a special order or settling on black, so I took the black one. Of note, their boxes don’t have drawer liners, that’s extra and would run about another thirty bucks, which brings our 26 1/2” base up to around $450 before taxes so I gave the liners a pass. (I’m still skimping you see!)
I got it home, unboxed it, assembled it and loaded it up with a bunch the tools from the bench and discovered that THERE TAINT ENOUGH ROOM for everything.

Saturday morning I was over by a buddies house and he was showing me the box that he was gonna buy from the Menards when his ship comes in. I didn’t put to much credence in that idea, I mean a tool box from a hardware store probably wasn’t much better than one form Harbor Freight. But, on the way home I stopped and took a casual look, WOW was I impressed, is that a nicely made toolbox or what! When I got home I talked it over with my accountant and we decided that at my age I’d earned the extra tool storage that I needed and we agreed that I should get another roll about.

Here’s how the two compare. You’ve already read about the Sears base, but compare the specs on Menards box. Top box and roll about base 16” x 36”, it has much heftier handles, much heftier casters, nicely chromed handle on the base, gas struts to hold the top open, nice solid extruded handles on the drawers, smooth sides that will not catch dust and dirt, the handles and casters attached with bolts into weldnuts vs sheet metal screws on the Sears. And all fifteen drawers have liners in them, and did I mention that the metal feels much heavier than the Sears. The sears 8drawer base weight was 125lb the Menards 7drawer base weight was 190lbs. When I put the mic the thickness of the drawer, the Sears is .031” and the Menards is .050”, both are powder coated so you can take a couple of mills away for that.

Her are a few pictures that show the two together and if you happen to be out looking for a tool box, do your self a favor and take a look at this one from the hardware store. Oh and I did take a look at the Snap On boxes but that was about it, just a look, don’t see where they would rate any better than this Master Force box from Menards for three times the money.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/tool_of_the_trade
So with GM, Stanley, Levi, Sears and the rest of our old standards going down the dumper ya think this could be a sign of the Apocalypse?
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

IMHO Craftsman has been cheaping out for a long time. I guess their wrenches are still OK but every power tool I've bought should have had Crapsman on it instead. I'm done with their power tools. The difference between the tool boxes is striking.

Isn't it! If I hadn't already loaded the Craftsman box up and rolled it around the concrete and pitched out the box, I would have taken it back to Sears and bought another one of the Menards bases for $319. Live and learn I guess. I doubt if Sears would take it back at this point.
DG

I know exactly what you are talking about. I bought both Craftsman and Kennedy over 30 years ago, and the Craftsman (I still have them) are junk. The Kennedy's are holding up great, but they are machinist's boxes and don't fit mechanics tools very well.
Just last year, I also acquired a Menards (Master Force) large top box, as I couldn't believe how well it was built. I have yet to transfer all of my tools as it will without a doubt require a whole day, and I'm too busy with other things. But it will happen, and I have been strongly considering getting a Master Force roll away to match.

Just my opinion, but I am a very scrutinizing shopper, and have looked at many brands of tool boxes over the years. From what I have seen, the Master Force boxes at Menards are the best bang for the buck when it comes to hand tool storage.

John

Sorta sounds like my situation.When I retired I bought a Craftsman roll around cabinet and top chest.Not one of the very expensive ones,but one that was used as a display model.I managed to get a good deal on it,around $400. for the cabinet and top chest.It wasnt long before I had it filled up and running over,so I invested in an intermediate chest,which has worked out just fine.Seems like the more room you have,the more tools you accumulate,until you have every drawer filled up.If I could afford it,I would buy the biggest set that Sears sells,but after I had that filled up,then what?

Denny, It makes me feel good to find out that someone around here is older than I am. I turn 66 in about 6 weeks. But you are smarter than I am. You have retired and I am still trying to make a living trying to sell gas, oil and run semis which doesn't leave near enough time to tinker on my old jalopies. My father was not a mechanic and he thought it was disgusting to have a son with grease under his fingernails. Especially after I got a BBA in accounting and pre law. As for tool boxes, I think they are just about all tin cans these days and Sears is trying to rest on a reputation that has been lost for some time. I looked at stainless steel boxes at Sams and Costco the other day, and they are a lot heavier than Sears and I think they all come from Asia. I can't get much done at my truck shop because we still maintain trucks and I get too many gawkers. I still do a lot under the same shade tree under which I put and engine that I built into a 1950 GMC in 1958. I picked up a fire rescue service body in PA while I was up there picking up my 57 GMC wrecker. It has more doors than I can count on my fingers an most of them have shelves or drawers. I am putting this on a 3 ton GMC cab and chassis I picked up in SD about 10 years ago and could never decided what to do with it. I am planning on putting all my tools I have at home in it so my wife and I can both get our pickups in the garage again. My wife's is an 08 and mine is an 09. I kind of think this may be our last new vehicles. When you trade every 3 years, keeping them outside is ok, but longer than that garaged is better. We have a snap on box out at the shop that I bought used 30 years. It is so heavy it takes a forklift to lift it. It won't be long that we will have a generation of mechanics that won't believe a tool box was ever built that would last that long.

FYI, Craftsman tool boxes are made by Waterloo, have been for a long time. Main difference, the badge that's stuck on them. The Professional line boxes are made much better, but they are very pricey, up in the Snap-On price range. The Master Force boxes that Menards carries are made by Clark, and are virtually identical to the Farm Hand boxes from TSC.
BTW, Craftmans power tools are made by Porter Cable, or at least the hand power tools are. Never had a problem with any of the ones I have, other than the battery petering out on the 19.1V drill.

Being 14 I am growing up with the nothing last thoughts running through my head like crenwelge said. It annoys me to hear that stuff used to be made to last and now it's not. I agree with Tiny that the Craftsman power tools should be branded Crapsman. The only tools that I have are the Craftsman american standard wrench set which I bought about a week after I got my truck to be able to work on it. Aside from that I only own a breaker bar, a vise grip (only good solid tool), an Estwing hammer (good also) and a set of screwdrivers (which are junk and some broken). If I need a ratchet I use my dads old set. The wrenches that I bought are junk. There have been times where I have had the open end open around a bolt, and the 12 point end just strips bolts or itself. The breaker bar also sort of falls under the junk group on account of it spinning the set screw out if you don't tighten it before each use. I appreciate that I do have the tools I have, but if and when I get more, I'm not going to skimp, and most likely won't buy Craftsman. I have a roll around tool cart that I got for my 14th. birthday. It's a Task Force tool box from I think Lowes, but it was under $100. I'm not sure about the quality compared to the others that you guys are talking about, but it's better than the plastic Stanley tool box that I had before. Denny, it very well could be a sigh of the apocalypse. I am also I fan of buying used stuff...

Dom't know about the Craftsman boxes being made in the US Bill, but they are still a piece of crapola.
And the Menards Master Force box is made in China. Is Clark a Chinese company?? http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/116961148
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

if you guys really want to cheap out start lookin for a used box. there was a time i had 2 snap on's, a mac a matco and a kennady all single bay and all used and older than the hills. the kennedy was the only one i could get my 24" breaker bar in. several single bays are not as cool a a double or triple bay but the older ones can be found pretty cheap. my mac, matco and kennedy is still in great shape, but i sold both the snap on's and replace them with a used waterloo double bay. never over look the used factor. that is if the drawers haven't been loaded down with bricks.

Let's see, there's my Crapsman 18" chainsaw that leaks fuel. It was "repaired" over and over until the warranty ran out. Now I keep a rag under it on the shelf. There's my Crapsman 10" table saw that the on/off switch went out just after the warranty expired so I replaced it with a universal push/pull switch. Plus the blade adjustment has so much slop I can't make precision cuts at all. Then there's my Crapsman 12" power miter box that the blade brake works when it want's to and bogs down cutting a 2/6. Yep it went south just after the warranty expired. Oh yes, there's also the Crapsman 18v drill/driver that went through 4 batteries before I threw it away & bought a Dewalt. The only power tool I have that could actually be called Craftsman is my scroll saw which still works OK because I rarely use it. It probably doesn't have two hours total run time on it.

Not really sure where Clarke is based out of, they do have a US site, but I think the manufacturing is overseas.

I have an old sears toolbox, about 25 years old. I will be needing a new box to hold specialty tools and my new air tools. Its good to hear about the quality or lack there of Sears boxes. My friend bought a Kolbalt brand tool box about 6ft. high. He is very happy with it and it seems to be very sturdy. I think he bought it at Lowes.

Bought my Craftsman roll around tool chest and top box about 15 years ago.They have held up very well,and so have my Craftsman wrenches,sockets,ratchets,etc.I do more work with my tools than the average bear,and the Craftsman line has been my tools of choice.Because of price reliability,etc.I quit buying Craftsman power tools after buying a top of the line table saw,which I can not keep in adjustment.I do however have an older Craftsman radial arm saw which works very well.Also a Craftsman miter saw,and a real old,1950 Craftsman lathe, and scroll saw.I replaced the Craftsman table saw with a Delta Unisaw,which was a major investment,but it sure works great,and stays in adjustment

I worked as a mechanic for 38 years before retiring 5 years ago. I bought one Snap On box and a few Snap On Tools before I realized that I could not afford such luxuries and started buying mostly Craftsman tools and boxes. I bought a roller cabinet in the professional series 20 years ago and the top a couple of years later when I could afford it, and they have both given me good service. Most of my hand tools are Craftsman as well mainly because of the price and the value. Also they worked well for me. There are never any questions asked when I need to warranty a tool. I have not used many of their power tools though, so I don't know about them.
Some of their new boxes look like they aren't as good as the older ones that I have. The other thing I like about the boxes and the hand tools is that they are American made. Lately that has become very important to me.
Just my thoughts for what it is worth.
Jim

I didn't buy the really nice toolbox until after I changed careers from mechanic to whatever I am now. I agree that the Menards for the price is a nice box. My brother bought a toolbox from SAM's club that is pretty nice. It is stainless steel. He was going to buy a craftsman and when I showed him the SAM's toolbox, he bought it on the spot. It is just as nice as the Menards box and probably similar in price. The fact that it was stainless steel was exciting.

I also kept some of my old boxes over the years. My old Craftman (1977) works well for a traveler box. My old SnapOn is the overflow box where the heavy stuff that will bang up a new box, The Mac side box still holds the same stuff it always did, and my old Craftman roll away has a new piece of metal to match up with my bench tops height and makes a good cabinet benchtop.

My main box wieghs 1000 lbs. empty. I found a really big Matco that someone "had" to sell. I figured I was saving him as well as my money, so I got it on the cheap and without a scratch on it.

Someone posted that Porter Cable makes Craftsman power tools. Not likely.Porter Cable is still a first class tool company. Black and Decker makes most of Sears power tools,especially the smaller ones.

That is incorrect. Porter Cable has been making Craftsman power tools since 1927.

Denny. I have read what you have written on this site since you joined. Now, I am surprised that you have not designed and constructed your own tool box to fit your exact need.

What's up with this non-sense? You just researching, picking others brains, or bored?

what oldbluetruck said! it shouldn't be much harder than the sm420 shift remover. i have seen some nice homemade ones that will outlast a lot of them.

That's what I've read also Bill. A little research on Google with verify that Porter-Cable is one of Sears manufacturers.
Dennis, I finally reached my limit and since I lost my brother this summer I'm feeling somewhat mortal my self. All this fun taint gonna go on forever like I once thought so I'm gonna focus on what I can realistically get done in the next twenty years. And building a tool box sure taint one of them. However, I did build my own Aluminum Lunch Box that served me for 27 years on the job and for the last 4 years as my Man Purse. (Pictures coming as soon as the server is back on line.)
DG

I have quite a few of the Stanley Vidmar roll around boxes. Check government surplus for some good deals. If they still have them. Got ours in the 80's. Lista are good also.

Seems the old stuff is always better. My Crapsmen roll around is just that...crap!

I have my Grandfathers Craftsman tool box (portable) from the '50's. It's well made and will probably last forever. I will hand it down to my son.

As far as power tools, I always buy Dewalt.

Denny, you mentioned a lunch box. I use one of those old metal lunch boxes with the rounded lid, made probably in the '40's or '50's. People at work give me a bad time about it, but it's better than their plastic Iglo's. Last alot longer too. Besides, I don't like being like everyone else anyway.

Oh yeah, that man-purse I was talking about.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/117931241
Been with me for almost thirty years now.
DG

Nice manbag I really like the"OS"grab handle from the
late '70s Chevy truck.
I have found out that if you take care of your equipment it will take care of you.Take time after you are done working and cleanup your tools and oil your air tools,they will last longer than you think.

I bought the stainless tool box at Costco a couple of years ago and I couldn't be happier with it...well...I could if I had another one.

denny myself bieng a profesional mechanic on light to med automotive ive found that if it dont need to move in the shop the boxes of choice for me are the stanley vidmar storage systems there drawers are 29"deep and 29"wide and four inches in depth there not cheap by far but they are reasonable ive got 16feet of my garage wall covered in these cubes that are 48 in high and 31 inches wide and have in excess of 100k of tools in them and they dont give me any problems from the longest wrench to the smallest screwdriver i can find what im looking for and it speeds up production if im not looking for a tool in the tool room im doing good ive got others rollaways but for stationary storage these cannot be beat
mojaveb