Craftsman has come out with new Pro Series ball bearing tool storage units that have good-looking features and specs.
But more than that, these are connected tool storage products which feature Bluetooth Smart Lock technology allowing you to secure and unlock your toolbox with your smartphone.
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As someone who regularly misplaces their toolbox keys and occasionally wants to lock them up, this seems like a great idea!
Pricing on these tool storage units is higher than many of Craftsman’s same-size heavy duty consumer tool storage products, but a lot lower than other professional systems that have electronic locks.
Features & Specs
- 200 lb ball bearing drawer slides
- Griplatch drawer retention system
- Integrated power outlets in chest and cabinet
- 2 USB ports for charging tools, phones, and other devices
- Pro-grade double wall construction with internal corner gussets and external corner trim for strength
- Included drawer liners and top mats
- Top lid stiffener with embossed Craftsman logo
- Gas struts for top lid support
- Stylized 6″ x 2″ casters with toe locks
There will be 3 sizes: 26″, 41″, and 52″. The 41″ and 52″ roller cabinets each have a full-width drawer at the top, with double slides providing for a 300 lb load rating.
Bluetooth Connected Smart Lock Capabilities
- Automatically lock and unlock your tool storage with your smartphone, based on proximity
- Remotely unlock tool cabinet to give access to others
- Users can monitor and check reports to see if the storage unit has been tampered with
- Backup keys are provided
Sizes & Styles
The chests and roller cabinets are available separately.
26-in.Wide 9-Drawer Combo Unit
- Chest (58660): 26-in. W x 21-in. D x 24.5-in. H ($550 list, $328.20 on sale)
- Roller Cabinet (58661): 26-in. W x 21-in. D x 42.5-in. H ($900 list, $630 on sale)
41-in. Wide 17-Drawer Combo Unit
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- Chest (58662): 41-in. W x 21-in. D x 24.5-in. H ($730 list, $480 on sale)
- Roller Cabinet (58663): 41-in. W x 21-in. D x 42.5-in. H ($1220 list, $820 on sale)
52-in. Wide 20-Drawer Combo Unit
- Chest (58666): 52-in. W x 21-in. D x 24.5-in. H ($900 list, $600 on sale)
- Roller Cabinet (58667): 52-in. W x 21-in. D x 42.5-in. H ($1550 list, $1000 on sale)
41-in. Wide Combo Stainless Steel Unit
- Fingerprint-resistant coating to keep the unit looking clean
- Chest (58664): 41.5-in. W x 22-in. D x 24.8-in. H
- Roller Cabinet (58665): 41.5-in. W x 22-in. D x 33.6-in. H
ETA: October 2016
First Thoughts
It’s good to see Craftsman trying new things, and I’m also glad to see new pro-grade Pro Series cabinets.
I do have a few questions and concerns.
Where are the side handles?
Do the units have to be connected to an AC power source to maintain proximity lock controls?
On the 52-inch combo, there are many very wide drawers. Is racking/wobble going to be a problem?
Rick
I don’t want a tool box that needs to be plug into an outlet.
Gustavo garcia
The lock systen is operated for a battery pack ! You don’t need to be plugged !! The box need to be plugged just to charge divices like cel phones or batteries
Mitch Ware
Had mine 6 months, and now the bottom chest will not unlock with the key or the bluetooth app. Ugh.
mundo
My 26″ rolling chest just took a dive and all my tools are in there. I have the key but it wont budge. also the app is unresponsive. Did you ever solve your issue?
Ryan Lariviere
It’s the lock mechanism. If u reach in an grab the lock mechanism an gently pull it towards u then unlock it with the key. Be sure to adjust the mechanism so it don’t slide backwards again. Mine did this til I fixed it
Nathan
well where is that usb port power going to come from?
I suspect if done right the BT features are run off a lithium photo battery or a stack of coin cells stuck in the top somewhere.
I like the other bits but not the BT lock features. Cost is a touch high too.
I didn’t see it mentioned but does it have internal power rail for charging devices in the drawer – IE like the milwaukee and dewalt and PC devices?
BigDan
You use dewalts new powerstation of course!
Dale
The purpose of the usb ports is to charge cell phone, tablet, etc.
P. Clark
The top cabinet has the same power strip that the bottom cabinet has. The bottom cabinet is on the outside, while the top cabinet has it inside on top.
RKA
Price is definitely high but odds are it will be discounted like everything else Craftsman, so if build quality is up to snuff, maybe it won’t be all that bad. They will do whatever it takes to move them.
The smart features are an odd fit here. Most of my other connected devices I have accepted they might last 5-10 years before software is no longer compatible and I will need to upgrade. That’s at least half the life cycle of the non-smart devices that preceded them. That’s an eventuality with any software driven device. But a toolbox (for me) has at least a working life of 20-30 years. There is no reasonable possibility the device I’m using that far in the future will be compatible with what Sears built today. And this particular feature strikes me as gimicky or worse if it’s plagued by a bug.
If Sears is listening, look at the build quality of some of the competition at or above the price range you’ve established with this “pro” series. If you haven’t met or exceeded that standard, that would be a good place to start, not with a remote locking feature.
Stuart
There is a power strip in the top chests’ top compartments, and for the rolling cabinets, I’m betting the power strip is on the external right side.
With 200lb and 300 lb drawer load ratings, Craftsman is exceeding the strength, and likely build quality, of competitors’ lesser units.
Virus
I’ve to agree with you on the Technology side. Cell phones will advance way far and superior to the Tool-Chest and software will become a problem and Craftsman won’t be able to keep up with Technology and won’t be able to afford it.
RC WARD
Cost is a little high? That would be one way to describe it . Way to high in my opinion. If it has to be plugged in then that would totally negate that feature in my book. Looks pretty good though. But a lot of boxes I would and have bought before a Craftsman box.
Blythe M
I can see it being useful in a factory maintenance shop where you might be back and forth a lot and then away working on equipment, definitely nice to have it auto lock for peace of mind. Problem is most techs don’t view craftsman as a pro/industrial brand
Stuart
I’ve seen Craftsman storage products in a number of commercial and academic settings.
P. Clark
I have been a professional Technician for over 20 years and an Master Tech for about 7 years. I have always used Craftsman tools and I really don’t care what other people think. I have a set of 1/2 inch impact sockets that I bought from Wal-mart over 15 years ago for $20.00. I have used them with 3/4 inch impacts and I have never broken a single one. the way I see it, if I break a Craftsman wrench I can go to one of at least 8 Sears stores here in San Antonio and find the wrench that very same day. If I break a Snap On wrench, then I have to wait until the end of the week IF the tool truck shows up and IF he even has it on the truck.
Nathan
I guess if the BT locks were sturdy and had key counterparts – I could sort of get along with it.
but I wouldn’t mind a non BT model being cheaper significantly
Toolfreak
Nice to see a standard size 26 in wide offering. Pricing seems ok, anyone who buys Craftsman stuff usually knows enough to buy when it’s 50% off and get points back for additional value.
I’d guess these are photorealistic computer generated renderings, and the artist just forgot to include side handles? The lack of handles makes for a clean look though.
I find it particularly interesting that Craftsman is doing more with this “Craftsman Pro” branding, which seems seperate and distinct from their previous “Craftsman Professional” line, which is still present on certain tools and accessories.
mizzourob
I just went to take a second look at these, and Sears seems to have hidden these listings, thanks for the post here!
Virus
I just got off a little chat with a sears Customer Product Specialist. She said that the Craftsman Pro Series 52″ Wide 12-Drawer Rolling Cart and top chest – Black has been recalled from all the stores due to a minor design issues “she didn’t mention the what the issues is” and said the item will restock soon ” and again she said she is not up to date on when”
Stuart
These are back on Sears.com, and with sale pricing, which I’ve added to the post.
Adam
Are the features in these worth that much more than the comparable Milkwaukee unit? I thought the prices were fair, until I learned that was for only half of the unit. The Milwaukee that dropped in price seems more reasonable (I also can get another 10% off at HD, that I’m NOT factoring into the comparison).
The biggest difference I see are 100 vs 200 lbs drawers (gosh I hope I don’t load them that much) and bluetooth. Would anybody stick with the Craftsman?
Virus
I like the Milwaukee better as far as structure, durability and features.
The only problem is Home Depot keep raising the price before every given holiday this year. now it’s listed for $745.00 online when last year around Thanksgiving it was only $645.00 and right before Christmas it was $599.00 for short time period.
Stuart
The pricing seems to reflect inventory build-up and availability. I’m thinking that all of the Milwaukee products will go back on sale around the holiday season.
Virus
no they aren’t.
read below this is from my reply above
I just got off a little chat with a sears Customer Product Specialist. She said that the Craftsman Pro Series 52″ Wide 12-Drawer Rolling Cart and top chest – Black has been recalled from all the stores due to a minor design issues “she didn’t mention the what the issues is” and said the item will restock soon ” and again she said she is not up to date on when”
Rick
Yes I ordered a combo unit.52″pro series got the base but no top
Virus
Did you get it? i spent hours chatting with sears customer services and they assured me they don'[t sell them in sears. where did you order them and how??
josh maier
How is it any photos??
Stephen
Does anyone have specs on these CM Pro series toolboxes? The easiest way to see how pro they are is from their weight and steel thickness on frames and drawers. I have read nothing specific about the construction of these Pro series boxes. Everything online about these boxes is more marketing info. and less specs. Sears stores don’t stock them yet. So how is a consumer supposed to make a decision, on enhanced pictures alone? Are they even real?
John
I’ve been look @ the Craftmen pro series also. Very limited spec info. I’m also woundering what country they are made in?
Jack O
How do you unlock this unit. Got a new one home and it is locked up. Everything is inside……. manuals!
Debora
My husband just purchased a Pro Series tool box and unknown to us with the smart Lock system. We spent 24 days back and forth with the store and the customer care center and no one mentioned the smart locking system. When we took it home it locked itself and the keys and owners manual there inside the box. We returned to the store there they had a lock smith come and drill out the lock and It still locked itself again through the battery smart lock. Please be aware of this if you purchase one got the keys and manual in hand before leaving the store. I don’t know why Sear employees were not educated on this issue or the tool box marked that it has a new locking system so customer can ask question prior to purchasing. We are now waiting for a new lock to be sent out. I don’t believe that this kind of technology is necessary. Deepest thanks to the sear employees at Indiana, Pa Store for their help in solving this problem.
Jeremiah McKenna
I realize that this is an older article and comment postings. But I’ll give my two cents.
I saw one of these at the store a while ago, right before they closed. These are quality built boxes. They had one on display and the associate pulled the drawers out and stepped in the bottom one, then used the upper drawer as sort of a step ladder. Now granted, he was a thin guy, but he was also moving up and down to exert more pressure on the box and drawers. The top, more shallow drawers were solid and did not flex either.
Another ting I remember was the display sign that compared this build quality to the bog name brands and said you could get a higher quality box for less than half of the price to a comparably sized box. There was also a lifetime warranty that went along with this box.
I should have bought it then. Now you can’t find them on line, and when I contacted Craftsman in 2020, they were not the original Craftsman reps and were actually a little rude in their tone when they told me that they only sell their products online and at Lowe’s, and that if I were not satisfied with the quality of the new boxes or tools that they have, then there was a lot of other tool brands that I can choose from.
Now that I have read through a lot of the comments I see that it may have been a good thing that I did not get the box, since a lot of people complain about the BT Key. Maybe that is why they stopped making them… no, I know that when SB&D took over they cheapened all of the tools and boxes.
Stuart
I’m sorry that you had that experience.
The irony is that Stanley Black & Decker (Craftsman) now owns Waterloo, the company that made these boxes and presumably helped with the design and engineering aspects..
Jeremiah McKenna
If anyone is interested, I found some for sale. But you’ll have to pick them up because their freight is going to cut into the savings. https://www.searsoutlet.com/br/pdp/craftsman-proseries-52-8-drawer-top-chest-black/169393
RJ Cogburn
Well I looked at em, maybe good for a weekend warrior but not a real mechanic. Once you’ve laid your hands on one you’ll get what I’m saying. I decided to go with a 72in Matco, now there’s a tool box for ya, yea it was not cheap but it will last my lifetime and my sons lifetime. The craftsman it replaced was a commercial box, one thing I didn’t like about it or the other craftsman’s I have had, they all will rust no matter what you do. I guess this SE Texas weather don’t agree with them. The word on the Matco box in that regard is that it has a better paint job than any American made new vehicle today, and I believe it.
Brandon
Does anyone know where I can find the serial number I need to reprogram the locks and I can’t find the ser. #
JR Gavic
I have for around 16 years now been using the Pro Series 52″ with matching top chest, as well as matching side cabinets in my little Hot Rod Shop. The entire unit has done nothing but serve me with absolute perfection, just as have $thousands & thousands$ in Craftsman tools. The entire setup has placed smiles on my face over and over and over again. Yes, one can spend more on other “names”, but they’ll receive nothing in return from a reality and practicality standpoint. With the exception, perhaps, of some stickers.
KEEP IT UP CRAFTSMAN!
(And Thank You!)
Kennard Wilson
Can any one help me I am looking for a new lock with keys for this box please can anyone help me
Stuart
You’ll have to contact Craftsman.
Kennard Wilson
Do you know the number
Stuart
The best number would be in your user manual.
They don’t seem to have a phone number on their website anymore, only a web form.
You can try that, or contact them on social media.
They also have a parts and service department. They can’t find any results for the SKUs described here, but they do give a phone number for that – 888-331-4569.
MM
In addition to contacting Craftsman I imagine that a locksmith can help you out too. Tool cabinets like this take generic style locks. I don’t know the name of the size that your cabinet takes but a locksmith would instantly recognize it and could replace it. Just another thing to consider.