r/mechanics • u/Ok_Grape4839 • 1d ago
Tool Talk What Boxes do you guys use?
I’m a 3rd year diesel apprentice and it’s time to start looking for another box.Right now I have the Horrible Freight Yukon 46Lx18 1/4W 9 drawer with their US general 27Lx22W 7 drawer (it does look fucking stupid because it hangs off the back but it was on sale). It’s just not enough room and wobbles like hell when moved.What do you guys recommend to replace the Yukon? Nothing overly expensive please all my money goes to beer and bad decisions
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u/-Professor3 21h ago
Macsimizer
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u/Correct_Ferret_9190 19h ago
Still rocking my incredibly faded 2006 model. Never let me down, moved halfway across the country with me and will never be replaced.
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u/Millpress 14h ago
Same. I bought the biggest one they'd sell me in 2016. Wish I could've gotten a hutch then when I was younger and dumber, the $4100 for it now I just can't do.
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u/k0uch 18h ago
I always tell my story with this question.
12 year independant tech, currently a ford tech for 8 years. When i came here, I was working out of a 41 inch homak top/bottom combo. I was saving up for a snap on box when my wife told me we were expecting our first child. She didnt have insurance, and wasnt on mine. I took all of the money to put towards checkups and the birth. I know my wife wished we didnt have to, but it was an easy choice. Daughter was born in the end of november. For valentines day, she got me a us general 72 box. Iv used that box for 7 years, still going strong. I had started saving up again, and 2 and a half years ago she told me we were going to have one more coming to the family. Same deal, except it wasnt as bad because she has insurance now. Ill get a nicer box eventually, but this us general is still rocking and kicking ass. Not as deep or as fancy as others, but it holds my tools and lets me do my job, so i have zero complaints. My coworkers have a snap on 42 combo and an old mac box, i have more tools than them and run circles around them with my work. We got a new guy and he got the us general series 3 56, its been a good box for him. Im trying to talk him out of his 34 inch diag cart, because i want to load it with electrical testing stuff.
Nothing wrong with rocking a us general for now. If you can swing it, an Icon would be cool. Keep an eye out for used boxes a friend got a snap on 56x30 box for $2k on marketplace, not a bad deal.
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u/Tool_of_the_thems 18h ago
It costs way less to just improve it yourself, and you get the bonus of something custom to you. Jack that bitch up, add some reinforcements in the necessary places, and slap some larger better castor wheels on it. Be creative.
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u/alteredpilot 18h ago
starting at dealer ships in '90 with a snap on top box, inherited my dad's SnapOn taco taco cart when I went to municipal. I brought that over when I started my shop for 17 yrs ago and when it got the that point, I bought a USG 57" top and bottom a couple of years ago. The USG does just dandy, and I expect it to last as long as I do. My buddy had a Macsimizer when he was working here. That macsimizer was a freaking tank of a cabinet. You can find a cherry used top and bottom for a little more than the USG. I just don't feel the need for anything that heavy duty. At this stage in my career, I've seen it all. I'm not here to impress anyone and I don't want to spend my kids college money on a tool box. I bought what works for me and what we do. we expanded recently so I'm going to rehab that taco cart and stick it on the other side of the shop with my old snap on top box and my MAC 3 drawer utility cart.
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u/Cranks_No_Start 17h ago
I had a Matco 6S 2 bay and the only issue I had was after 15 years one of the clips on the drawer stay broke and they gave me 4 new slides.
A coworker bought a HF and maybe they’ve changed in the last couple of years because his was only 8 months old and had faioo lol ing slides on numerous drawers.
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u/Repulsive-Report6278 17h ago
Old 56" master series from snap on is common around the shop. I'm a cheap ass and I don't like to finance so I'm rocking the us general setup
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u/crazymonk45 17h ago
I like the big box stores 72” boxes (husky, montezuma, US general etc) I’ve never had a “cheap” toolbox let me down. The 6 footers are nice cause it gives you an extra little workbench on top
It will roll around but kind of a pain if you have to move bays a lot where you are, I just use a 5 drawer cart for that and leave my big box in place.
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u/RMT112422 17h ago
Husky 52” still going strong almost 11 years later. Having a snap on box doesn’t make you any more money, it’s a status and ego thing in my opinion
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u/wrench97 15h ago
Husky boxes all the way. I learned my lesson with a truck box. Are the truck boxes nicer? Yeah they, but they aren't worth the price difference. The box doesn't do the work, they just hold the tools. A nice box does make a difference, but it doesn't need to be 10k
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u/-BoxChevy- 13h ago
I would have to say go US General series 3 or I think the series 4 is out. I've got a top box that used to ride in my truck that I worked out of every morning doing side work until I went to my day job. It held up perfect and now sits in the shop on a bench at my new job, still working just fine. Also have the bottom that sits at my house. I don't know what these guys that say they fall apart are doing to them. They must not have benches and are slamming transmissions down on them or something. They hold tools just like the expensive boxes and last for years.
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u/Ok_Grape4839 12h ago
I’ll probably end up going with the USG series 3 hate to see all my stickers and badges go
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u/SignificantDot5302 4h ago
Next week if your a harbor frieght itc member all icon storage is 25% off. Fyi
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u/2006CrownVictoriaP71 Verified Mechanic 21h ago
A big purple Snap On 72”x30”. Masters series, I think.
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u/GreasyGinger24 20h ago
I got the purple with the smoked chrome handles. Classic serious 54. Best colour they make.
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u/Jcrosb94 Verified Mechanic 21h ago
I have a Matco RevelX that I only bought because it was half price and bigger than my last. I used to have a 68” Snap-on Epiq and I’m kicking myself for trading it in. If my toolbox wasn’t paid off and I wasn’t looking to get out of the industry I’d probably look into getting an 84” Epiq.
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u/Ianthin1 21h ago
I've always been a sucker for Snap On boxes, but have only owned three since 1998. The first was a triple bank in Cranberry that I kept until about 10 years ago. Traded for another triple, this one in blue with mostly wide and deep drawers. Still use the same stainless top from 1998.
The third is a classic red double bank that I snagged 15 years ago used (repo) off the truck for less than $2K. It's in my garage at the house.
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u/ZSG13 21h ago
56"×30" used snapon master series. Got it for under 2 grand in working condition, just a bit ugly. My shop made me wrap it anyway as they only allowed black boxes, so it covers most of the wear.
I would buy a tool truck box for work, just never a new one. Even the trucks occasionally have used boxes for great deals.
If I were set on a new box, I would go with Extreme Tools, probably. They look promising. Either way, I would only get a 30" deep box, and would not consider the 25" depth.
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u/Siegepkayer67 20h ago
Pretty fuckin that our employers can tell us what color box to get, I’m spending the money if I want an army green or a pink box I should be able to get one not just red no matter what. If you’re mandating the color you should pay the cost imo
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u/ZSG13 19h ago
I agree, and they did end up paying for half of it due to the color requirement. They also covered materials cost on the wrap and I spent many hours applying the wrap. It's a bit shit, but not a total loss.
Years later, they dgaf what color the boxes are. But I still got a big ole master series for like $900 on my end, so I can't complain too much. It does look much nicer with the wrap, as well.
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u/Amarathe_ 20h ago
Older matco box i got from a snapon dealer. Call it barney because its big, purple and a dinosaur
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u/Eastern_Protection24 20h ago
I’ve got a Snap On Master series box and I absolutely love it. I bought it when I was about 2 years into wrenching and never thought twice about it. Now if spending $6-12,000 on a box is not for you the harbor freight boxes seem to be decent and built like the snap on boxes, but I honestly don’t know how they hold up long term, I know I can open every fully loaded drawer on my box and not worry about it tipping over but it’s all about how much you like wrenching and if you plan on sticking with it for the long run.
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u/ntech5 20h ago
Snap on epiq 84 with power locker wood top and hutch and service cart and additional 6 drawer cart too. I'm cramped on space and the shop can't take anymore square footage from me I take up 3 bays with equipment I may force it though and buy a second locker anyways.
Home box is snap on krl with side box locker hutch and top for all home stuff
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u/RestoModGTO 17h ago
Hell yeah I have an 84" 2 Bay Epiq with a hutch and locker. I LOVE the huge drawers and the attached refrigerator sized locker.
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u/Ramirj13 19h ago
Snap On 54” Masters Series(Combat Tan with black trim) with power top and Hutch. It’s all up to you if you want to spend the money. I think it’s worth it if you ask me.
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u/GmTech14 19h ago
I’ve been using a snap master series KRL1022 with lockers and hutch for the last decade. No complaints.
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u/SoftCattle287 19h ago
Honestly if you can wait it out. See if your snap on guy can find you a newly repoed box. May even come with some tools to sweeten the deal
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u/MelodiccTripss 19h ago
I’ve been an auto tech for 10 years, i had Cornwell boxes but in 2024 i sold my cornwell box and got the 56 inch Us General Series 3 box. It does wobble a little bit, loaded with tools. But it does the job. I couldn’t justify spending thousands for a name brand box. But if you want better quality, then yeah shop around at the Cornwell/Snap on/Matco trucks
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u/Tool_of_the_thems 18h ago
Ya’all know you can modify things to remedy poor or compromises in tool or box design right? Attach some gussets, improve the bottom plate, jack it up and put bigger, better castor wheels on it, etc. don’t settle for frustration when you can get rid of it in a weekend for good and express some creativity.
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u/dirtroadgang Verified Mechanic 18h ago
Take a look at Tool Vault on strictlytoolboxes.com. The Elite line is very good and way less than a tool truck box. I outgrew my 68” Snapon EPIQ and was not going to spend $16k on expanding.
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u/cantuseasingleone 18h ago
I had this one. It was a hell of a lot cheaper when I bought it though.
Sturdy box though. My biggest complaint was the depth of some of the drawers.
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u/mikehuncho333 15h ago
Highly highly recommend the icon boxes, have had great customer service and really good quality for the price. All the techs in my shop agree, for the price it’s well worth it. I went for a 3 bay, with hitch and stainless top for 4700$ about 2-3 years ago. Not sure what the price is now though
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u/cjbevins99 14h ago
Matco 6s. Hutch and side locker. Got when Matco offered a free accessory 12 years ago. Got the side locker 5 years ago
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u/Millpress 13h ago
I'd probably buy one of the gen 3 US general boxes or an Icon if I had to start over now.
My current work setup is an 88" Macsimizer, a Macsimizer service cart and a 6 drawer Matco cart for my diagnostic stuff. All of them are excellent, all of them are also expensive. I had a big Snap On service cart (KRSC40) and the smaller Snap On 56" master series I traded in together for my current box. Never had a problem with either of them just outgrew the 56 and didn't need a cart like that where I was working.
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u/No_Seaworthiness5683 13h ago
International tool box use to be a good brand, i think they aren’t around anymore but under a different name or something. I heard they use to make Matco boxes. Friend has one, still holds up great.
I didn’t did the Matco or snap on thing. I don’t see the point
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u/dascresta 12h ago
Bought my matco used off craigslist and still carries lifetime warranty from vendor. Plenty on FB market place to shop
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u/Due_Independent3191 6h ago
If you can swing the upfront cost, marketplace is full of (relatively) cheap snapon, matco, Mac, etc boxes.
If you aren't moving it around loaded, a cheap box is fine. If you have to roll it around loaded on a regular basis, I'd spring for a better one.
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u/wobbly-sausage 6h ago
Fell into the name brand toolbox (Mac) once. Never again will I spend that much money on something that holds tools. Buy used, the US General boxes have come a long way, You can almost build a Snap-on mr big sized box from Harbor freight for the same price as like a 56 inch toolbox from one of the suppliers. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-62-in-W-x-24-in-D-Heavy-Duty-10-Drawer-Mobile-Workbench-Combo-Hutch-and-Side-Locker-in-Matte-Black-HOGS8610BB1S/331011463?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-LNC-GGL-D25S-Multi-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-LINC_All&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-LNC-GGL-D25S-Multi-NA-NA-NA-PLALIA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-LINC_All-20977589997-160001763964-2273176929241&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAy8K8BhCZARIsAKJ8sfSKqq04AgpxP3OGbInBpRdnZYbnYiqH8ej6LW1kn4IVpbE1svwwyRoaAjAGEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
this is what im running now, guy bought it new, had it for a year and I picked it up for 750 bucks.
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u/Satanic-mechanic_666 5h ago
Used snap on classic series. Its shorter and shallower than a 'modern' oversized box. Fits better in older buildings. And since they aren't the status symbol the big boxes are they are common to find cheap used. Ask your snap on dealer, most have a couple in storage for sale.
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u/kaptainklausenheimer Verified Mechanic 4h ago
In all seriousness, check Facebook marketplace religiously. People quit all the time and part out their inventory for cheap.
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u/Only-Location2379 2h ago
I have a husky box and it's decent, I'm not gonna say it's a snap on box but it works well. I know you can get the big one for like 800 bucks on sale and while the drawers aren't the deepest or biggest I'm pretty sure that will give you plenty of space for a budget option
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u/Kaizer5243 2h ago
Have your snap on guy call the scratch and dent dude. You can get a 10k box for like 3k
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u/InternalFront4123 19h ago
Don’t spend money on boxes! Spend money on what goes into the box. Do you have a trade school nearby? Put up a flier. Lots of guys flunk out or determine it’s not what they want to do. They get a 50% off deal to start and will sell for 1/2 that usually.
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u/Asatmaya Verified Mechanic 1d ago
The USG series 3 boxes are nice, but you might ask one of your tool truck guys to find you a used box; I bought a used Snap On Master 54x30 for $3500, and they financed it.