It is really screwed up how someone will talk about the way most of us professional mechanics aquire our tools when it comes down to tool trucks. You can disagree all you want but the next time your local K-Mart don't carry the tool you need or have to make a living don't call Autozone or Advance and use their rent a tool program. I buy my Tools from the local Mac Tools truck for several reasons. First and foremost Berry is my friend and a great guy. Second I don't have the time to go out shopping every time I need a specialty tool, The tool truck comes by our shops every week. Third I get no grief when something breaks. I know the craftsman tool people will chime in on this one and that's o.k. but I own craftsman tools also. But when they replace a $10 ratchet with no questions it's not the same thing when you exchange a $400 tool with no questions. So there are differences so don't put down the technicians who keep this Nations' wheels turning. Because we have to continuously keep our skills current with our industry. We could go into a pissing contest but there would be nothing to gain from it.

 

Most of my stuff comes off the Mac truck, although only a small percentage of it is Mac brand. I think our distributer realizes that some techs aren't going to pay for the Mac stuff no matter how "good" it is or how often they'll use it.


Think of it more like just gaining some insight into what others in your field expect out of their tools and equipment.

Personally, I only own one set of Mac wrenches (metric precision torques, bought for the design). Otherwise, there's no way I'm going to drop that kinda scratch on a couple of shiny forgings, I'll buy Crafstman or Allen for that. I remember once where I was using a fifth wheel pin puller that used threaded rod screwed into the pin and a 15/16" nut as the forcer. A deep well socket wouldn't work, so I made a couple "c" clamps to hold my wrech onto a 48" prybar. I'd pick myself up off the ground on the end of that bar, the wrench didn't so much as bend.

I love my tools as much as the next gearhead, but there's lots of stuff that I'm more than willing to cheap out on just because I know how much (or little) its going to be used and how often it's going to get lost.

 

Once upon a time I was a mechanic. I had a crappy roll-a-way filled with Snap-on tools. Then I got a divorce and she pawned all of them for pennies on the dollar. Now every time I reach for a wrench(craftsman) my eyes tear up because.... THERE IS A DIFFERENCE!

But remember, my box was a POS...LOL

 

Greatest box of all time however do not buy white it looks so sweet at first but then you work near it and somehow it becomes annoyingly dirty . Who would of thought?

 

Even as late as August, 2012 any seasoned or experienced mechanic once familiar with the Mac Tools brand realized they were more and more off-shore produced. For that reason alone they weren't and still aren't worth inflated prices due the brand name on them.


Great point!

Several years ago I was shopping for new or gently used tool boxes, haunted every brick & mortar seller in my area code. Continued to notice the overall quality levels of names like Waterloo, Craftsman, Huot etc etc. Most were comparable quality-wise, some noticeably priced higher than their similar counterparts.

Having already owned an older Snap On box and being around them daily in my mobile glass biz at big truck shops there was ample opportunity to notice a few things. First Snap is absolutely the largest brand found in tool boxes regardless what brand tools are inside. Other great brands were (older) Mac, Matco, Cornwell were also well represented.

Comparing their overall quality in areas like longevity in harsh or constant use environments it was easy to see where the better quality is an asset. Sure no one wants to spend so much on brand new Snap On et al boxes but yet they're still the dominate brand or type in so many shops.

I've found so many wonderfully gently used Snap On boxes can be had for near or less than the cost of the cheaper imported stuff it makes it a no brainer which choice I'd make for my tool boxes.

I'll add my boxes are installed on a mobile service truck and honestly apart from the Lista brand of storage there's not much to compete with Snap On for getting my money's worth out of something tool related.

Just my $0.02 worth here on a thread that's quite old already!

 

I don't think a discussion of tools or storage ages too quickly, we'll forgive ya...

As far as Mac being mostly overseas, a lot of their stuff is made "in the US with global components". As it applies to toolboxes, I'd guess that stuff like slides and drawer pulls comes on the boat and the sheet metal work gets done in Ohio; unless someone has evidence of the contrary.

 

Being a mechanic for 15 years I only use the best which in my option is snap- on . My tools pay my bills so they have to last, and I don't have time to argue with some snot nosed kid about some broken craftsmen wrench. I do have craftsmen any many other brands at home. And I used to buy Mac until I found out that you can buy the same exact tool at wal-mart . Mac is owned by Stanley tools. I liked to have the biggest toolbox I can , I've been told I lack in other places, HA HA

 

To each their own, and to a large extent the dealer plays a big part. We don't have a Matco dealer, and our Snap On guy is an idiot who doesn't even show up every week. So I'll stick with my Mac guy

 

Lets see the other tool box mfgs. do this!

 

Here's another one

 

I love those videos----really shows where our money goes on something like this.

As most of us already think or know Snap On boxes are indeed the industry leader in cost and longevity too. Would seem we can't have one without the other---I for one don't see the problem with that though.

Not everyone needs or can fully utilize Snap On's quality in a box so whatever works best is what they should use. I get it---why spend $3,500 when something under $1,000 will suit the purpose? If budgets are a concern then an expensive box under utilized eats into the bigger tool allowance so from that POV a cheaper box makes perfect sense.

Those of us making a living with our tools come to quickly understand cheaper is less reliable, potentially can damage things we work on and almost always fails when its most needed.

Snap On: The brand we all hate yet own so much of it anyway!

 

I was at the orange box the other day, and they had Husky boxes on sale. Nice looking, and "ball bearing slides" on molded emblems bigger than the brand name. So, I open a drawer, and move it around a bit, then put some weight on it, maybe 50-75lbs. It didn't seem to appreciate the test.

 

Several years ago I was buying a SNAPON legacy 96 toolbox while I was working at an RV dealership - it was supposed to be bullet proof.

Over a weekend, the service writer at the dealership decided to raid my box - and managed to pull the drawers open even though they were supposedly securely locked.

I never want a SNAPON box ever again!


The damned thing was supposed to be proof against theft, and it couldn't even stand up against the predations of a stupid office jackass!



It also would have eventually cost me FIVE GRAND!

What a waste of cash...


SNAPON tools are great - but their boxes are JUNK!



When I want to pay that much for JUNK - I WILL BUY AN EDSEL!!!

 

Nothing is proof against theft, certainly not sheet metal, and locks just keep honest people honest.

Inventory thy stuff and insure it if it is expensive enough. Even the best toolbox could be rolled out the door then dissected later. Of course you could fab a skid as used for jobsite welding machines and ditch the wheels.

If your theft risk is moderate, exposed drawers period are vulnerable and something like Knaack or other large jobsite solutions might be more appropriate. Look for them used on Craigslist etc.

 

I'm a 53 year old guy. I was in the tool and equipment business for more than 30 years. I sold Snap On for many years and then went independent. Over that time I've sold just about every kind of tool box you can think of. If you're basing your opinion of the best tool box on quality , construction , fit and finish , load capacity , metal thickness , overall unit weight and pricing its no contest. The Extreme Pro Series tool box is far superior in every category. I have no affiliation with Extreme and quite frankly I don't care what box you by just thought I would share some facts.