Best bang for the buck bottom box?

[signcrafter]

Thinking about picking up another bottom box, I'm out of room and also want to empty some of my blow molded case sets into it to free up some shelf space. I don't see much on marketplace so want to explore my options for buying new. Haven't been looking for a box so not sure what's out there and what's good anymore. My current box is a Husky I got from Home Depot around 2017 made by international from Canada but think they are out of business now. Has been a nice box. I'm thinking I want the most drawers possible, maybe 2-3" tall and don't think I need many tall drawers. The main purpose of this box is to empty out some of my blow molded cases into. This along with a horizontal file cabinet. Would love to stay around 500 bucks but since everything has gone up in price I have a feeling I will have to go up on that also to get a decent box. I'm open to sizes depending on layout but would like as close to 24" deep as possible, if it's 22 or whatever to save a few bucks I'm open to that also if it will save a few bucks and still be a quality box. But trying to maximize my storage and 24" deep box would be perfect. I'm also not against multiple boxes vs one bigger one. Say two 26" bottoms vs one 42 or 56. I have 72" of space and am flexible since it's going to be a 2nd box so open to all options/sizes. Also if it's blue to match my other one that would be nice but I can live with any color. Rather have functionality over color.

So what brands should I be looking into? I know the HF used to be really popular, is it still? Home depot website has a ton of boxes that look pretty good but most of the heavy duty ones I glanced at were around the 1000 dollar range or more. Which may very well be what I end up paying if it will be the best fit for me. But want to look into all my options. I don't need tool truck quality and prices, my husky has been great for my home shop and was a good deal back when I got it. But don't want junk either.

 

[Hakeem]

If you have Menards by you, I think their boxes are a little better than those from HF. Mainly based on the drawer slides and the locking/release function. I have a Series3 box at home and it’s fine but I don’t like the drawer lock function.

I recently ordered a 56” Masterforce that should be here by the end of the week.

 

[u2slow]

I would be looking at Husky. I almost got their 56-57" box a few years back, but decided I didn't actually have the room or need.

Less than impressed with the most recent box before that - 36" mastercraft from Canadian Tire.

 

[signcrafter]

I would be looking at Husky. I almost got their 56-57" box a few years back, but decided I didn't actually have the room or need.

Less than impressed with the most recent box before that - 36" mastercraft from Canadian Tire.

I've been happy with my 56" husky but it was made by international who is out of business from what I've seen. Do you know who makes the current husky boxes? They look good on the website and have a bunch of different drawer layouts. Would be around 1000 give or take depending on which box I would go with. Wasn't planning on spending that much but maybe have to make this a buy once cry once deal to get what I'm looking for. I have a hard time spending that kind of money on a tool box, even though it provides valuable organization it doesn't get the job done like tools do. I worked out of crappy top boxes for years because I spent my money on the tools that did the job. Splurged on my 56" husky just because I had some extra money at the time and always wanted a decent box someday. Wish I could find something used to see how it's going to work out for what I want to do with it but not much out there and what is out there they want almost as much as new for.

 

[whateg01]

Back when I was looking at husky, it seems there were some really inexpensive boxes on the hd website. Looking at the shipping weight of some of them scared me. The weight was in line with the price, meaning they were cheap but must've been made out of paper. Web I looked at their heavier models, it seemed like there was more value in the US general boxes of the time. I agree that the master force boxes do look and feel nice

 

[merkyworks]

I would suggest US General Full Bank Cart. 6 drawers + the top area for storage, it's 23-1/8" deep and its $600 normal price. They can be purchased for less if you willing to wait for a coupon or sales.

 

[u2slow]

Do you know who makes the current husky boxes?

I do not, nor do I care. I judge what's in front of me when I think about buying. My 25yo Costco box has been the highest quality of what own. My 28yo Sears Craftsman box is decent.

 

[shoggoth80]

The Series 3 US General stuff from HF is really solid value for the money from what I can tell. I've bought many for the guys at work. Mostly 42", though I did buy a 56" that we're waiting on to arrive. The store near work seems to sell them faster than they get them. I take that as a good sign. Nobody has complained about them. If I had space for a larger box, I'd consider one.

Are they the best thing ever? Of course not. Are they nice for what you pay? I think so. You could always buy an older box and rehab it if that's your thing, but if sounds like you're hunting new.

 

[dr_clyde]

For $500, you're pretty much limited to box stores and HF.

Given the choice between them, I'd go with either Menards Masterforce or the US General. Both are fine boxes, and since they started making them deeper, they've really stepped up the quality and utility for the money. I have a Masterforce top chest I bought a few months back, works great, no complaints.

For hand tools, it's hard to beat used truck brands, but they're hard to find in your budget. I've picked up 3 or 4 Snap-On 40" heritage bottom boxes for $500 over the years, you just have to be patient. Better than the box stores, but harder to find used.

If you really want the best storage for the money, you'd need to look into industrial cabinetry. Lista/Vidmar is my preference, but Equipto, Rousseau/Tekton, Stronghold and the like are all well worth it. Vidmar is the industry standard for a reason. The drawers can hold hundreds of pounds, and the storage density is crazy with the box proportions they have. $100/drawer is the going price on the used market.

If I was starting over and needed to outfit my shop with cabinetry/tool storage, I'd get Vidmar for everything.

 

[Rinspeed]

It's a very sad world we live in where you can go into Harbor Freight and buy a much better toolbox than anything offered in the stores like Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[Aaron_W]

Size matters, the bigger boxes tend to be better made that the smaller, so comparing similar size boxes matters.

I was just at Home Depot yesterday and took a quick look at their boxes just out of curiosity. They seem to be offering two grades these days, a lighter, cheaper box and a better made more expensive box.

I think the US General are still one of the best deals.
Home Depot offers more options in the cheaper range, as HF only offers 2 budget model boxes (Yukon) both in the 46" size. I'd say the cheaper Husky 46" is pretty equal to the Yukon, but about $100 more.

The higher end Husky boxes might be equal to the US General boxes. I don't have a need so I didn't take much notice of the drawer layout, and that would be a big factor in my decision.

I don't have a Lowe's nearby so not sure how the Kobalt and Craftsman boxes fit in.

Dewalt is offering some boxes now too. Just took a quick look, seemed ok but I'm guessing rebranded Craftsman since they are both SBD brands.

 

[CGarage]

Craftsman boxes are now made by Waterloo, a SBD brand.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you want to stay around $500 I would suggest holding out for a HF sale and picking up a bottom box there.


I've looked at the Masterforce boxes, they look nice. But if you want a certain color, they are limited color wise. HF UzS General really shines in this area with eight choices of color I believe.

Red, black, green, blue, yellow, white, gray and purple. At least the smaller carts do.

There's also the option for 27, 42, 56 and 72 inch width top and bottom boxes. Theres end cabinets and matching lockers to allow almost an unlimited design layout of matching colors.

It's almost to the point I would say, you're not buying a box, you're buying a piece of a modular system.

 

[Jasmith801]

Craftsman boxes are now made by Waterloo, a SBD brand.

They used to be made by Waterloo back in the day, they went out of business and Stanley makes their Craftsman boxes themselves in Missouri

 

[WWheeler]

They used to be made by Waterloo back in the day, they went out of business and Stanley makes their Craftsman boxes themselves in Missouri

Yeah, Stanley acquired the Waterloo plant not quite 10 years ago at 1500 Waterloo Dr, Sedalia, MO, and have continued production there under their Craftsman name.

Chris Fix (if you can put up with him) visited the plant a few months back

Not sure for how much longer though. I know people who work there and some others who until very recently did. I believe they have cut down from 3 shifts to one shift and rumor is they might close the plant as part of a restructuring sometime soon. They aren't exactly letting employees know what's going on yet though. AFAIK they haven't filed any WARN notices about anything yet.

 

[pbon]

Fewer low profile drawers is the problem with budget bottom boxes because slides and drawers cost money. I would go wide, because you can more efficiently fit more stuff in the wider drawer. I went from 26 to 42 and prefer the 42 but in hindsight think maybe I should have gone 72. I would also prefer more low profile drawers.

 

[CGarage]

They used to be made by Waterloo back in the day, they went out of business and Stanley makes their Craftsman boxes themselves in Missouri

Made by Waterloo plant…..today as well. As of a few months ago.

 

[whateg01]

Fewer low profile drawers is the problem with budget bottom boxes because slides and drawers cost money. I would go wide, because you can more efficiently fit more stuff in the wider drawer. I went from 26 to 42 and prefer the 42 but in hindsight think maybe I should have gone 72. I would also prefer more low profile drawers.

More low profile drawers is why I went with the US general bottom 27-in box. I get a lot of 2-in drawers and three inch drawers. I do wish it was more configurable. I would prefer to have a bunch of 3-in drawers and fewer two inch drawers but it works as it is

 

[MiteyF]

I've got a good sized Craftsman bottom box (purchased about 15 or 20 years ago, and not the cheap friction slide ones), a Kennedy bottom box, and a Harbor Freight (US General) bottom box.

Besides the latches (or lack thereof), the HF is far and away the nicest. Thickest steel, best slides, all of it.

When it's time to buy another one (actually, it IS time to buy another, and I've been searching used) it will almost certainly be a HF box.

 

[u2slow]

Beware... wider drawers tend to be flimsier.

 

[CGarage]

Beware... wider drawers tend to be flimsier.

Don’t you mean taller drawers?

 

[u2slow]

Don’t you mean taller drawers?

Wider. That's the demise of my 36" box - full width drawers. My 42" box is split into roughly 12" and 28" drawers - no problems.

Taller allows double tracks, which helps the rigidity too.

Edit: obviously that's with the metal gauge being equal. Hopefully a wider box is heavier gauge.

 

[CGarage]

Great info and I had not considered that, thank you!

 

[tarbellb]

The wider the drawer the more rigid it needs to be

Otherwise you get racking

I can show a perfect example w my old Husky 40" top drawer

 

[Mr_B]

I've been happy with my 56" husky but it was made by international who is out of business from what I've seen. Do you know who makes the current husky boxes? They look good on the website and have a bunch of different drawer layouts. Would be around 1000 give or take depending on which box I would go with. Wasn't planning on spending that much but maybe have to make this a buy once cry once deal to get what I'm looking for. I have a hard time spending that kind of money on a tool box, even though it provides valuable organization it doesn't get the job done like tools do. I worked out of crappy top boxes for years because I spent my money on the tools that did the job. Splurged on my 56" husky just because I had some extra money at the time and always wanted a decent box someday. Wish I could find something used to see how it's going to work out for what I want to do with it but not much out there and what is out there they want almost as much as new for.

International made boxes were pretty good.
My lad has 2 international boxes that he bought in the final stock clearance sale and they doing him well .
Current Husky offerings are pretty flimsy and this shows up in few years of use and as you already own better the quality drop will hit you harder .
I would look for used matco or mac, even the mac edge could be an option .
If want new box store then us general not bad but I don't like the series 3 as much as the series 2, would want milk the coupons to max too for real value buy .

 

[WWheeler]

I don't know about 'the best bang for the buck bottom box, but I can say that my Husky 52" textured combo I bought in 2018 is flimsy AF now that it's been loaded with tools, especially compared to my US General 42" that's more than twice as old. Just the sheet metal used in the US General is a lot thicker should have been a sign to me that I wasn't going to be happy with that Husky box long term. I've tried loading up it's widest drawer with all my sockets but it wasn't made for it. Home Depot advertises it as 'heavy duty', but it's not that. It's an OK box for a DIYer but I definitely should have bought something better.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I ended up with the 56" US General. Several reasons, were there was a drawer configuration on the Husky one, that I preferred but at a local damaged cargo place for twice the price of the US General, and only a few hundred off of Home Depot's price. I think the Menards was deeper, but didn't like the drawer setup as well. The 73" wouldn't quite fit my spot as I am unsure how long until it will, and I still have three 26" Craftsman boxes for other stuff. When I bought the US general, it was a December 23rd coupon for about $500. Sacrificing those 2" makes it fit in more spots in my garage, where I only had one location at 24". I did order the Masterforce 56" stainless top for it.

 

[tarbellb]

HF USG still the champ in this category
What... 20yrs and running now?

I ended up removing the drawer lock system on my Series 3, really didn't like it.

Even after adjusting the spring rate on the plastic insert it still felt like to much strain to release for my taste

Series 3 does have drawer detents to keep them closed, good enough for my use

 

[WWheeler]

I would suggest US General Full Bank Cart. 6 drawers + the top area for storage, it's 23-1/8" deep and its $600 normal price. They can be purchased for less if you willing to wait for a coupon or sales.

FWIW, from the other thread that leaked this, the AUG parking lot sale starts a little more than 2 weeks from now

 

[signcrafter]

I saw those but not looking for another service cart. The insiders track club deals have top boxes on sale but not bottom boxes. Usually how it goes for me.

 

[Mr_B]

I saw those but not looking for another service cart. The insiders track club deals have top boxes on sale but not bottom boxes. Usually how it goes for me.

Just hold out for proper good coupon on the bottom boxes, use the time look in store be sure you like them and decide color etc and also keep eye on used market for anything interesting .
I was a big fan of the series 2 56" and 72" as on best coupon deals/combined deals or manager deal they good enough box with sensible enough drawer layout and likeable build design at sensible coin .
Back then you could get Series 2 56" for under 500 bucks and the 72" could be had for 900, was a great first box option for someone starting out and unable find good deal used market, way better than having several grand in debt .

 

[MiteyF]

Bottom boxes =/= service carts.

Personally I absolutely hate service carts, if you want to put something on top, you lose access to everything in the top. Never made any sense to me. Just make the space on top another drawer, and then you can put as much **** on top as you want to and not lose access to anything

 

[dante2]

I'm on my 3rd set US General boxes. My wife inherited the first set (series 1 22" about 15 years old). Just sold off my series 2 42" top and bottom. The new set is a 42" bottom and side cabinet with a 56" top box. I almost got the 56" bottom before Christmas but I don't have enough auto tools for the power tool drawer. I think that the US Gen boxes are just right for a home mechanic or a starter box to get your foot in the door at a shop.

 

[Hakeem]

Got my 56” Masterforce in yesterday and the advantage over the US General is not as clear as I thought. It seems a little less solid, which is reflected in the lower shipping weight (about 350lbs compared to 450lbs for the USG). Granted, it comes on a cardboard pallet instead of wood, so that’s probably 20-30lb difference, but I think the rest is probably from thinner sheet metal being used. The top was a little flexible in some spots which I don’t remember seeing with my USG. I ordered a butcher block top for it so that shouldn’t be an issue.

I do love the grip-lock latching system, and the large number of drawers (11 vs 8). The external power strip and extra security drawer are nice touches. I miss the deep drawer that lets you store your impact guns upright. I also wish the Masterforce had the full-length wrench drawer of the USG. Lastly, the cheap ba$tards at Masterforce shorted me four drawer liners

TLDR - seems like the USG edges out the Masterforce, but there are compelling advantages to both boxes. I’ll include some photos when I’m back at work tomorrow.

 

[signcrafter]

Bottom boxes =/= service carts.

Personally I absolutely hate service carts, if you want to put something on top, you lose access to everything in the top. Never made any sense to me. Just make the space on top another drawer, and then you can put as much **** on top as you want to and not lose access to anything

I have a service cart and like it for that, I like the top being able to open and all my most used sockets are there. I use another cart for setting parts on or working on parts, like a mobile workbench. Just picked up a teardown table on wheels so that will probably become my work surface I can wheel by the car. For my particular need now I want to get rid of my desk and two craftsman workbenches with drawers. Replace them with a combo of bottom boxes and a few file cabinets. Will work out better for my storage needs. The top of the boxes will serve as my desk surface and work bench surfaces.

 

[Tchicken]

That last gets me to thinking - not sure I really need both of the old Craftsman toolbenches hogging up space. Maybe replace one with a bottom box and file .. hmm

 

[ecotec]

FWIW, from the other thread that leaked this, the AUG parking lot sale starts a little more than 2 weeks from now

At some point, I may buy that 6 drawer cart in purple.

 

[Madjik Man]

I’m working with an overpacked 22” top/bottom Kobalt I bought about 25 years ago.

Waiting to upgrade this fall.

I’ve convinced myself of the Masterforce 72” bottom. I’m a home gamer, but have collected a lot of tools over the years. So I’m hoping this is a good box for me vs USG Series 3.

Seeing that the closest Menards is 1.5 hours (one way) from me I haven’t seen the Masterforce in person and obviously haven’t been able to play with it.

I like the three “full length” drawers of the Masterforce vs the USG which only has two.

However I’m not a fan of how tall some of the lower drawers are on the Masterforce. Wish it had more lower profile drawers instead. I have cabinets that I keep the bulkier items in.

 

[whateg01]

I stopped at HF to look at icons yesterday and looked at the series 3 big boxes too. I am reminded that I hate the latching system almost more than the first Gen boxes. I really like the grip latch drawers on one of my older craftsman boxes. I believe that's what the masterforce uses now. It's easy to use, secure, and doesn't rely on a piece of plastic flexing.

 

[Mr_B]

I stopped at HF to look at icons yesterday and looked at the series 3 big boxes too. I am reminded that I hate the latching system almost more than the first Gen boxes. I really like the grip latch drawers on one of my older craftsman boxes. I believe that's what the masterforce uses now. It's easy to use, secure, and doesn't rely on a piece of plastic flexing.

Agreed on the latch, Gen 3 boxes not really any improvement over gen 2 and biggest hate was the latch and they never addressed that with a proper latch design upgrade .
Masterforce boxes are good manufacture, Latch and pull handles are great design and manufacture effort, only thing that lets them down is drawer layout and fact menards not walk in store to all .