talk me out of it!

[kmaysob]

im thinking about buying a matco box. somone stop me!

[davestlouis]

Go for it! Tools are my weakness, climbing on the tool truck I'm like a kid in a candy store.

[TheDon]

I settled for a craftsman chest ...

[Carleton Hughes]

Oh, for ricecake! You've already determined you want it and seeking validation here is simply a matter of form,so just get it! I believe Oscar Wilde maintained the only way to deal with a temptation is to give in to it..............

Let us trust you will use them well. A friend has Matco,superb,over-engineered and very ergonomic tools,great support and response in the unlikely event of breakage.

I've still got my Grandpa's S&K's..........

[Hatterasguy]

Bah don't spend money, spending money sucks. Whatever you have now is fine.

[wbain5280]

Spend your money on tools instead. Buy a cheaper cabinet, Sears, Home Depot, Lowes or try your local Craiglist. Scan your newspaper too.

Costco has a nice one for 600 bux too.

[RobTheMod]

Hello, ASE master tech speaking here!

Something I learned from the guy who owned the first shop I worked at: Tools make you money. Can't make a living turning wrenches without good wrenches. A tool box, OTOH, is vanity and ego talking. If you've got the cash in the bank, go ahead! if you need to pay the Matco man weekly for the next five years, then I'd think twice. (I'm local- who's your Matco guy, anyway? Curious if we might have the same one as I work in the E. Valley)...

Put this way: Hypothetically, you've got $5000 to spend on tools and a box. Which will make more money for you: $500 Craftsman box with $4500 worth of Craftsman,Mac,Matco,SnapOn inside? Or a $5000 Matco box?

I use a Mac rolling 3 drawer cart and a Craftsman chest, middle, and top box. I paid $250 for the Mac cart used from the Mac man, and $100 for the Craftsman boxes on Craigslist. I'm buying another Craftsman next week. When I get enough to fill 2 Craftsman 3-box towers, then I might think about a serious box- but until then I need to spend money on the tools and not the box! Just a thought!

[Pete Geither]

Very good advice from Rob. I just got a deal from my local indy tool guy on a rolling cart, with BIG wheels, 5 drawers and top and bottom storage. Roller bearing drawers and reinforced structure for $340. He has been selling a ton of these boxes to people who make a living with their tools who have figured out they can carry about everything they need in the cart and actually be able to drag it around with them from job to job. I love mine and will post a pic later.

[G-Benz]

The pros know best!

I guess it comes down to "are you going to be that mobile with the box once you get it?" i.e., are you a weekend NASCAR pit jockey?

[OMEGAMAN]

I agree with Rob. Ive been wrenching for about 16 years and The fanciest box ive ever owned was a blue point. And the only reason I bought it was it was freight damaged and an excelent deal. Spend the money on the tools. The guys with the big tool boxes and the snap-on jackets tend to suck as mechanics in my opinion. They can usually replace a part in the blink of an eye buy but couldnt tell you why they were doing it.

[John Doe]

Kmay--aren't you still in HS? If your college isn't funded I would put the $ in an ESA. If college is funded, I would put it in a Roth IRA. If you are the beneficiary of a significant trust or receiving the max UGTM amount from several generous relatives each year, go for it, and get your self a Van Staal fishing reel while you are at it (sorry Hatt )

[Mistress]

if you can afford it do it.

[Hatterasguy]

I always thought those really expensive box's were for guys who had 4 Ferrari's in a really nice custom garage, with tile floors etc. They seem kind of nice for practical purposes.

I was at Sears the other day looking at Craftsman box's just because. They have some pretty nice stuff for the money. All the draws are on bearings, etc. My dad has had one for 30 years and its still sitting in our garage serving its purpose. I'm not a pro, but I would be pretty happy with a nice new top shelf Craftsman box.


My Van Staal is still 1 1/2 years away.

[kmaysob]

ok i have decided against it for now. dont wanna spend the cash. no im not in highschool, ive been working 60hrs a week for this company for a year and field service on the side. as for mobility, it wont be any less than what i have now. i just roll it on a tilt bed trailer. i allready have huskeys biggest box.

[kmaysob]

Originally Posted by RobTheMod

Hello, ASE master tech speaking here!

Something I learned from the guy who owned the first shop I worked at: Tools make you money. Can't make a living turning wrenches without good wrenches. A tool box, OTOH, is vanity and ego talking. If you've got the cash in the bank, go ahead! if you need to pay the Matco man weekly for the next five years, then I'd think twice. (I'm local- who's your Matco guy, anyway? Curious if we might have the same one as I work in the E. Valley)...

Put this way: Hypothetically, you've got $5000 to spend on tools and a box. Which will make more money for you: $500 Craftsman box with $4500 worth of Craftsman,Mac,Matco,SnapOn inside? Or a $5000 Matco box?

I use a Mac rolling 3 drawer cart and a Craftsman chest, middle, and top box. I paid $250 for the Mac cart used from the Mac man, and $100 for the Craftsman boxes on Craigslist. I'm buying another Craftsman next week. When I get enough to fill 2 Craftsman 3-box towers, then I might think about a serious box- but until then I need to spend money on the tools and not the box! Just a thought!

tim mcgraw-matco man