Kennedy Toolboxes - Any Good?

[Jandrews]

There are a couple stacked/roll-aways available on local Craigslist in the $500 range. Does anyone know the overall quality of these boxes? Are the drawers ball-bearing? Where do they fit between say, Crafstman, what you can get at Costco and then Snap-on, Matco, etc...?

Thanks,

JA

[NY65912]

The Kennedy tool chests that I knew were more of a machinist's tool chest. They were high quality.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by NY65912

The Kennedy tool chests that I knew were more of a machinist's tool chest. They were high quality.

+1


Older Kennedy's were not ball bearing, but had well made and smooth sliders.
I have a medium sized one with my mics, calipers, etc.
Kennedy Manufacturing Co.

[cgarr]

+2 but then Mine is from the 60's don't know if the new ones are cheaper?

This is like mine and they want $250 for a pair, not a roll around but you get the idea.

[Jandrews]

Thanks. So what are the main things that distinguish a "Machinist's" toolbox from a mechanics toolbox?

Here is one of the one's advertised.

JA

[cgarr]

If the drawer size works for what you have then its a "mechanics" tool box. For my machine work I need a box with lots of itty bitty drawers.

Thats nice!

[IROC]

I have a Kennedy tool chest from the '80s. Nicest tool chest I've ever seen...

[Joeaksa]

They are good quality. We see them all the time here at Gun shows and swap meets but they are usually all the machinist style box.

[on2wheels52]

Like some of the others have said, the only Kennedy toolboxes I've come across I'd call machinist's boxes. Of course I've kept one for the house and the shop (like I'm much of a machinist).
Should my untimely demise occur in the near future and my wife has to dispose of them, she is surely going to wonder why in the f*$k I have so many boxes full of tools.
Jim

[Tim Hancock]

I have an old Kennedy lower, a couple Craftman lowers, one Craftsman upper and a large wide Mac roll around. They all have drawers that open and close fine and all are at least 20 years old. I never really cared what "name" brand box I bought as long as it was a good deal. The tools don't seem to be able to tell the difference either.

[LWJ]

a friend of mine saw one in an operating room at a hospital in Washington. She cracked a few jokes about it before she passed out.

[Schumi]

Machine shop I used to work in had Kennedy boxes, we used them for both general tool boxes and for machinist items. Very very high quality, I'd say ours were built in the early 90's.

My father has several that I would love to have if I had a garage.