Snap On Tool Box Drawer Lock

Garrett Tennesers69 · Saturday, November 20, 2021

Snap-on cabinet/roll around

I have an older Snap-On roll around cabinet that the drawers will slide open when the box is moved, even across a smooth floor. The drawers will also slide open on the slightest of inclines. Having the drawers open easily is nice but this is ridiculous. Yesterday I had the cabinet tip over when I was moving it across the garage floor (less than 10 feet) so I need to solve the problem. The newer Snap-on roll cabinets have a latching mechanism that prevents the drawer from opening accidentally and yet is easy to use and hidden from view. Does anyone know if the old cabinets can be retro fitted with the newer cabinet drawer latches? Any other elegant ideas for solving this problem. I love Snap-On tools (except for the price) and this is the first time I have had a problem with one of their products.
I have similar issues with my Kennedy 297 (with a 52611 and MC-28 on top) when I move it around.
Switching to anything better is cost-prohibitive to me right now, so my solution is simple and cheap. I'm ordering up a set of new cylinder-style locks that'll use ONE key for all three, and I'll just lock it before moving it if more than a few inches.
Angle Iron, piano hinge and hasp down one side/corner?
I have the same problem with the Snap-on box I use in the machine shop, just have to remember to lock it every time you move it, if not it will soon let you know you forgot.
I had a Snap-On Taco Wagon in another life.
Kinda nice for moving around the 80 year old tranny shop floor. Two good sized pneu's on one side and two spring loaded spinners on the other.

Ballbearing slides are over-rated IMO. None of mine have balls that I can think of and I don't have troubles opening them. And they don't roll out on their own!

These dayz my boxes don't move but once every cpl yrs just to make sure nobody curled up and died back there...

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Think Snow Eh!
Ox
Just lock it whenever you move it. Or you might put 2 or 3 washers between the front casters and the box, this leans the box back a bit and the drawers stay closed. Worked for me anyway.....
moonlight machine
Jeeze, I thought I invented that. Shimming the boxes back a tat.

Do the same for our fridge, & freezer, keeps the doors shut.
Shorten the key and put a flat radio knob on it that fits flush against the lock. That way you can leave it in the lock at all times, and just give it a twist to secure the drawers when you want to move it. If you keep it small and against the lock face, it won't bend or break when you lean against it. Keep another key on your ring if you want to lock it when you are away, pull the knob key out and put it in the top drawer then.
If you can bring yourself to drill a couple small holes or find other attachment methods, use a small motorcycle style strap or bungee cord straight down the face of the drawers from the top to bottom to hold them in for moving.
I have an older 5' wide Matco box that has plain slides, except for the one big, full width drawer at the top which has ball bearings. It does the same thing, look at it funny and that top drawer slides out. Luckily it's not enough weight by itself to topple the box though.
magnetic catches

Add some strong magnetic catches to the drawers.
Or perhaps take a center punch and add a ding to the rail so it has a bit of a detent?