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Had to choose between a used Snap-On box and a new US General one last month | Aircraft Mechanics - Pinecone Attack

Had to choose between a used Snap-On box and a new US General one last month

I was looking to upgrade from my old beat up Craftsman box and had about $1500 to spend. Found a guy selling a used Snap-On KRA series box on Facebook Marketplace for $1400 in Littleton, but it had some rust on the bottom drawer and one of the slides was sticky. Then I went to Harbor Freight and the new US General 56 inch box was on sale for $1300 with full warranty. I went with the new US General because the Snap-On guy wouldn't budge on price and I didn't want to deal with fixing that slide. So far the box has been solid for 6 weeks now, drawers are smooth and it held up fine when I loaded my heavy tools in. The only thing I miss is the Snap-On name when the lead mechanic walks by and gives me a look. Has anyone else had to make this call and regret the budget choice later?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_henry2mo ago

I gotta push back on that "chasing down replacement slides" thing though. I mean, I see your point, but that guy must've bought a basket case or something. I've been running a used Snap-On box for 3 years now (bought it for $800 off a retiring diesel tech) and the only thing I've replaced is a latch that cost me $12 on eBay. The slides on these older KRA boxes are basically tanks, you know? And the way that top drawer glides when it's loaded with 60 pounds of sockets is just a different league than the US General stuff, no offense to Harbor Freight. Plus the resale value later is a real thing - I could sell mine today for what I paid for it, maybe more. Just saying it's not always a nightmare if you pick the right used box.

felix3852mo ago

Knew a guy who bought a used Snap-On box for cheap and spent the next year chasing down replacement slides and latches online. Ended up costing him more than a new box would have.