If you don’t own a cantilever tool box, you don’t know what you’re missing! I ordered a Hazet 190L tool box a couple of months back, and have really grown to like the design. The cantilever mechanism is still a little stiff, but besides that it works like a charm.
I have decided that I need a second one, but am not that fond of the Hazet’s stiffness or its $135 price. I took a look at the widely available and inexpensive Excel cantilever tool boxes, but could not find one large enough to suit my needs. Luckily, there is another attractive option.
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Earlier this week, I placed an order for the above-pictured Facom cantilever tool box (BT.13A). It has 5 trays, foam-lined compartment bottoms, and you can open it by pulling the two handles in opposite directions.
The Facom toolbox is 22″ long, 8.66″ wide, and 9.37″ deep. A tool box this large should be able to handle my longer and bulkier tools with ease.
Buy Now(via Stanley Supply & Services)
fred
Bought a few Kennedy cantilever boxes over the years – not sure bout best pricing on these – but here is one link:
http://www.alexgs.com/product/kennedy-1022.html
Stuart
I searched for a good price on a Kennedy cantilever box before I sprung for the Hazet, but the average pricing seemed to be above $100, sometimes $150+, not including shipping.
While the Kennedy is more spacious and I remember seeing something about adjustable compartments, its heavier weight and higher price were not appealing.
The few Facom tools I have are great quality, and the box design looks unique. Since it was priced only a bit higher than “me-too” import boxes, I thought it was a great buy.
James C
How is the stability when opened (just one side and both sides at once)? I think I would really enjoy a cantilevered tool box, but nothing annoys me more than when a toolbox tips over due to the open lid(s) throwing the balance off.
Stuart
I’m not sure about the Facom since it won’t arrive for a couple of weeks. But the Hazet is pretty stable partially opened. I usually open both sides at once since it’s easier given the stiffness of the joints.
I agree about how annoying tipped-over tool boxes can be. I had the habit of overloading lids, so that happened every single time. It’s partially why I swore off conventional tool boxes for the longest time.
Ranger
Hazet/Stalwille cantilever box is 100% Made in the Europe.
$49 Facom http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-detail.aspx?pn=458-696
Facom “made in Italy” =Made with imported parts
Stuart
Priced as it is now is maybe $60-65 shipped direct incl. tax. Previously (maybe a week ago when last checked) was ~$70+ freight.
We *might* be able to do better than that with a quantity purchase, but can’t get any answer until a number can be determined.
Regarding made in Europe vs. made in Italy with imported parts, Stanley has adopted similar phrasing whenever the raw materials are drawn from different sources. I’ve been told that it’s more of a catch-all, but I’m not any more fond of the terminology.
Ashkon Mansoury
I have both the Hazet and Facom box and I like the Facom much better, it is easier to open and in my opinion it is better quality then the Hazet at a lower price.
J.H
I’m a big hazet fan.
Steve D'Gerolamo
The BT.13A is made in Italy and, at least for now, Italy is still part of Europe. See http://www.facom.com/fr-en/a-232-Storage-.html . Stanley Supply was under a lot of pressure from Facom HQ in Europe to bring their pricing in line with Euro pricing. The current US pricing for this box is now $115.24….still considerably lower than the £84.59 price in the UK. I have a few at $92.00 but I suspect they’ll be gone before Christmas.
Made in Italy is not a bad thing…. I’ve done a fair amount of work at Ferrari NA and they seem to have some nice products. SD
Ranger says:
November 11, 2011 at 1:00 am
Hazet/Stalwille cantilever box is 100% Made in the Europe.
$49 Facom http://www.stanleysupplyservices.com/product-detail.aspx?pn=458-696
Facom “made in Italy” =Made with imported parts
Steven
The best cantilever toolbox to me , is Kennedy. I have a 18 inch and a 22 inch. I’m glad that they sell the 22 inch. The more room the better. I have and use these since the early 1980’s. And would surely would buy them again. in fact if I heard they were going to dicontinue it , I would buy another for me or my son. Yes, my name is Steven and I’m a tool addict.