Tool box... get your mind out of the gutter!

I am in need of adequate tool storage. Right now everything I own is split up between work, home and my workshop that is at a separate location (which I am being pushed out of). So, I want to consolidate everything at home... including the Vette.

I want a Snap On KRL series box. I'm hoping I can buy one box and be good for life. I have found a pretty good deal on a used 73" KRL 1032. Its beautiful, in great shape and the price aint all that bad (considering its an $11k box). I see some 54" boxes going for almost the same money.

So, my question... do I need a 73"? I have nowhere near the amount of tools to fill it. I worry that if I get the smaller box that down the road I'll be out of space... I think, realistically, my mind is made up - I just need someone (or the whole forum) to push me over the edge as I have a hard time dropping this kind of coin... then again - Monday's my birthday so its OK, right?

Or go buy a POS box at the local home cheapo and deal with it...


So... are KRL's worth the money?

 

"God bless you" if you have $11,000 to spend on a box!

Personally, I'd rather have $9,000 worth of tools/specialiaty tools/ and a LARGE "economy box" with a new "dorm" fridge next to it and to the left of my new Mig Wire Welder.

Anyhow.....post pics of your heart's desire when you unbox your new equipment!

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnd.....if you use the tools often---they will pay for themselves!

 

Size does matter.

Actually, I think your age matters. If you are a young guy then you will likely accumulate a lot more tools over your lifetime and will need a bigger or more tool boxes. If you are an older guy then you probably have most if not all the tools you need.

 

My tool boxes have always been Snap -on. My career in the automotive industry started in 1981 and throughout those years I have have never had anything else. They are the best toolboxes in the industry.Some of the tools aren't what they used to be but there tool boxes are still the best. Go for it.

 

It is USED!!!! I'd never drop that much on a toolbox.

And to MY 76's point... I'll be 32 on Monday. Plenty of years to fill 'er up!

 

I have made a living all my life turning wrenches , I have always used cheaper boxes and put my money in quality tools , snap on , mac , otc and kent moore. a lot of guys gave me a hard time about my craftsman tool box , but they never gave ma a hard time when they needed a tool they didn't have because their money was tied up in a high dollar tool box. you can store tools in a cardboard box but when you need a special tool there is no substitute. just my opinion of course

 

I agree with dtamustang, a decent box can be bought for a fraction of the price. I'd recommend a locking cabinet that can be used to hold your specialty tools that come in cases such as timing light, drills, and other bulky tools. There's only so many wrenches, socket set, screwdrivers that you can will by and use with any frequency.

 

I hear what you are saying. My hole trip is that in the 30 plus years that I have spent in the automotive industry I have manage to build quite a huge inventory of tools. I rarely ever had to borrow anything. And on those rare occasions that I did, I wasn't more than once because by then I would be ordering my own. Some guys just like spending money on tools. I guess I was one of them. I just makes good sense to have a quality box when you have so much of your life tied up in your equipment.

 

Which brings back the whole thought - since I'm not a professional mechanic and only wrench for fun, are premium boxes worth it?

Dtamustang makes a good case... Heavy duty use of a more economical box ain't all that bad. I could easily get into a much cheaper storage solution and also upgrade my old school DC TIG welder to an AC/DC model.... Hmmmmmmm

 

good point gunner.... you know for bob sterling the $11k box would be cheap.... he should have went for another "box"...i think he got the raw deal on that "box" ....

 

That's not the point. The only question here is whether you want the one you're looking at. You're the only one who can decide that.

 

Go big - you'll fill it up! It's not just the 'fill it up' mentality, it's being able to organize what you have. Bigger/more drawers allows for better organization and options down the road. You say you're getting a deal on the 73" Snap On - go for it!

 

I bought a "Rem Line" box back in 1973 at the recommendation of the Snap On guy ( George Marcoux ) - Still have it, still works great, my Dad had the newer "Rem Line" which I inherited so my spill over is in that box. Sadly they have gone out of business.
Anyhow, My point is, a good box, not a cheapie nor an expensive one will do just fine holding all your tools.

Wrench on,

Frank

 

One of my pet peeves when I am doing a project is not having or being unable to find the tool I need. Because of that, I have accumulated a lot of equipment. Twice I have had to trade in my box to have enough room. It is a real pain in the @#$ to have to move everything into a new box and then try to remember where the tool is when you need it. This box is full and I wish it was bigger but I am not going through moving everything again. My box is 95" x 66". Get the biggest box you have room for / can afford from the start. You will not regret it. The quality/price point is up to you.

 

I am a tool nut. I would like to get rid of these two HF boxes and get a KRL1032.

 

Here's just sockets. Not even ratchets or extensions.

 

It depends. Do you need Snap On for the home? No. I worked at a truck garage while in high school, and though many had Snap On, several had Craftsman, and worked out just fine.

Now if you mean going to the K-mart Special or the Craftsman "Home shop" or whatever those really cheap boxes are, no, don't do that. I have one set that are the Quiet Glide and they work very well for home.



While many go for the BIG set that is 6 feet to 10 feet long, I like the idea of going two standard size boxes. They lend themselves well to fitting in the garage better, as you can squeeze them between benches, shelves, or whatever. Now if you have tools that are 4 foot long and need a 4 foot wide drawer, that doesn't work, but for the most part, I've not had that issue.

Two smaller sets are a lot easier to move than one really big set. Of course, if you never move things in your garage, and never move from your garage, then I guess that doesn't matter. But even just moving them out to clean around them, 500 lb in one small box is easier than 1000 in one big box.


As to finding everything, I ran across an easy solution.

You know all those worthless magnetic business cards everyone give out? I spray paint them white, cut them into strips, and then label them with a Sharpie for each drawer. If I move tools, the label easily moves. Being white, they stand out on my black boxes well, so anyone can find almost anything with relative ease.

No more telling someone "Second drawer in the middle box, etc." I just tell them "the one marked 3/8 sockets."

 

I don't think snap on is the end all be all. I have a snap on truck come to my house every month or so. I replace whatever I have broken and pick up what I need. I also do more cars than just mine. To me a quality piece of equipment is worth it because it will see use.

The boxes on the other hand are a bit different. You sure can tell the difference between low end boxes and high end boxes. The drawer depth is important to me. I currently have HF boxes which are as good as you can get quality wise and not break the bank. I need more size which HF can't accommodate so I need to look else where. I want my drawers to come out square when I pull them and I don't want them to flex with the amount of weight in them.

SK, gearwrench, Williams, and blue point are all great alternatives to snap on. But again, if you only use tools to maintain your vehicles why spend a fortune on stuff that flaunts warranty when you will never use them enough to see the warranty. I belong to the Garage Journal where we argue about brand name tools constantly.

It's all about preference. I have seen folks with boxes full of snap on that can't fix a thing. They just want the name brand. Nothing wrong it, it's their choice. I have also seen guys do some great work with a minimal tool assortment of off brand stuff.

For anyone looking for a tool box please get the HF boxes. Either the 56" or the 44". I have both. They cost a fraction of truck boxes and in most cases are the same price as the box store stuff. Only difference is the HF stuff is top quality where the box store stuff is noticeably lightweight. HF got the box thing right.

Sorry for the rant. I am a tool nut. I grew up in a Arco/Sunoco station my family owned. I have been at this a long time and have seen it all (for the most part).

 

I have a KRL triple bank at work and it's pretty much full. the Epiq series boxes are really nice too but cost a premium.

 

I got a nice stainless unit with double slides on the big drawers for less than $1000 at Costco.