Walk into any high-end diesel shop or aircraft hangar, and you’ll eventually spot it. It’s not just a piece of furniture. It’s a landmark. We’re talking about the Mr Big Snap on tool box, a unit so massive it basically has its own zip code.
Twelve feet long.
That’s the headline. Most guys spend their whole careers dreaming of a setup like this, while others think it's the most impractical flex in the history of the tool trade. Honestly? They’re both kinda right. Whether you're looking at the classic KRL1065 Master Series version or the modern EPIQ powerhouse, this box is a statement of "I’ve arrived." Or at least, "my debt has arrived."
The Absolute Unit: Measuring the Mr Big Snap on tool box
Let’s get the numbers out of the way because they’re honestly ridiculous. We are talking about a 144-inch wide monster. To put that in perspective, that’s longer than a Smart Car. If you’re rolling the EPIQ version, you’re looking at 30 inches of depth.
You’ve got 26 drawers to get lost in.
The load capacity is roughly 16,000 pounds. You could literally park a few heavy-duty pickup trucks on top of this thing and the casters wouldn't even flinch. Speaking of casters, it uses the ISO-Ride system. These are 7-inch by 2-inch swivel-lock mag wheels with independent torsion spring suspension. It’s better suspension than what’s on some of the beaters you’re probably fixing.
Why go this big?
Most mechanics find themselves playing Tetris with their sockets by year five. You start with a 54-inch Classic, then you add a hutch. Then a side locker. Suddenly, your setup is a Frankenstein of mismatched add-ons. The Mr Big Snap on tool box solves that by giving you a single, continuous workspace.
- One-piece construction: No gaps between banks.
- PowerBank drawers: Dedicated spots to charge your cordless impacts without wires trailing across the floor.
- The Top Drawer: Usually a "SuperCab" system where the top drawers are extra wide for those long pry bars and torque wrenches that never fit anywhere else.
The Price Tag Nobody Wants to Talk About
If you have to ask, you definitely can't afford the weekly payments. A brand new EPIQ Mr. Big can easily clear $30,000 to $40,000 depending on the trim, the top (stainless or bedliner), and how much your local dealer likes you.
It’s basically a mortgage.
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You’ll see them on the used market for $12,000 to $18,000 sometimes. But here’s the kicker: moving it. You don’t just throw a Mr. Big in the back of a Ford F-150. It weighs nearly 2,000 pounds empty. You need a flatbed and a prayer. Many guys buy these and then realize they’re never leaving that shop because the logistics of moving a 12-foot steel wall are a nightmare.
The "Forever Box" Fallacy
People call it their "forever box." But shops change. Floors aren't always level. Some older shops literally don't have a bay wide enough to accommodate the footprint of a Mr. Big plus the swing of the drawer and a technician’s body. If you’re in a tight dealership environment, this thing is a liability. If you’re in a massive independent shop or heavy equipment facility? It’s a godsend.
Master Series vs. EPIQ: Which Mr. Big is Real?
The name "Mr. Big" actually started with the KRL series (Master Series). It was the KRL1065. It was 144 inches but only 29 inches deep. It had that classic look—squared off, heavy steel, very industrial.
Then came the EPIQ.
Snap-on took the Mr. Big concept and "EPIQ-ized" it. This meant adding the InPulse drawer action, which basically sucks the drawer shut so it doesn't drift open when the floor is slightly slanted. They also beefed up the frame with standing seam construction and added the PowerTop options.
Honestly, some old-school guys still swear by the KRL version. They say the steel feels thicker. But the EPIQ is objectively more functional for a modern tech who needs integrated power and better modularity.
Key differences to watch for:
- Depth: EPIQ is 30", KRL is 29". That extra inch sounds like nothing until you try to fit a specific blow-molded case in there.
- Casters: The ISO-Ride on the EPIQ is significantly smoother if you actually have to roll it.
- Latches: The EPIQ uses a flush-pull system. The KRL has the traditional lift-to-latch or friction-style depending on the year.
Real-World Logistics: The Stuff the Catalog Omits
So, you’ve signed the papers. The truck is backing up. Now what?
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First off, check your floor. A fully loaded Mr Big Snap on tool box can weigh 8,000 to 10,000 pounds. If you’re on a thin slab or near a drain, you might actually see the concrete crack over time.
And don't forget the lighting. A 12-foot box creates a massive shadow. If you don't have a hutch with integrated LEDs, the far ends of your workspace are going to be a dark cave. Most guys end up magnetic-mounting strip lights just to see what they’re doing at the 10-foot mark.
Another thing? Cleaning. 144 inches of stainless steel top is a magnet for fingerprints and grease. You’ll spend more time Windexing your box than you do using the tools inside of it.
Is It Actually Worth It?
Look, nobody needs a 12-foot tool box. It’s a luxury. But if you’re a flat-rate tech, speed is money. If you’re spending 10 minutes a day walking back and forth to a side locker or digging through deep drawers because your tools are stacked three-deep, you’re losing money.
The Mr. Big layout keeps everything in a "one-layer" spread. You open a drawer, you see the tool, you grab it. It’s about efficiency.
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Actionable Advice for the Ambitious Tech
- Measure your bay twice. Then measure it again. Account for the fact that you need to be able to walk around the ends.
- Check the used market first. These boxes depreciate like luxury cars. You can often find a "retired" tech selling one for 40% of the new price.
- Factor in the move. If you buy used, call a professional towing company with a low-angle tilt bed. Do not try to move this with your buddies and some ramps. You will get hurt, and the box will get ruined.
- Negotiate the "add-ons." If you're buying new, don't pay full price for the hutch or the stainless top. That's where the dealer has the most wiggle room.
Owning a Mr Big Snap on tool box is a milestone. It’s a lot of metal, a lot of money, and a lot of pride. Just make sure you have the floor space—and the career longevity—to justify the footprint.