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HF 26" toolbox...Have you seen it?

usmc_noma

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I was in HF Sunday to score on some bf deals and picked an ad for December and to my surprise saw an ad for a 26" toolbox. It's not the storehouse cheapie but one made by US General. There were no floor models but the one in the ad looks pretty good. If the larger box is any clue to the quality then I suspect this one to be just as good. There are no pics online but I've included a cell pic of the ad. Price is good till Dec 30th.

Item 67831
8 drawer top AND 8 drawer bottom
26x18x60"
key locks, gas strut top lid, drawer liners, 5" casters
website claims 830lb weight capacity


Comments?
 

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sasquach

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I saw that box in my local HF .Seems like the quility is better than Crapsman and the price is most definatly better
 
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usmc_noma

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I saw that box in my local HF .Seems like the quility is better than Crapsman and the price is most definatly better

So does this box have the crinkle finish or is it the gloss? I'm hoping for the gloss. Too bad HF started restricting 20% coupons on boxes.
 

pipsters

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Damn now I want to sell my 41" HF one and get that one. I have a smaller garage so the vertical storage would be better than the horizontal one.
 

charlie_nj

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I saw it at my local HF. It's pretty nice for the money. Yes, the finish is gloss red and not the crinkle finish
 

Scout Driver

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Its a gloss finish. I got to fondle the box at the Fargo ND store and quality looks to be on par with the 41" HF box. Too bad 'bout the coupon restriction.

Scott
 

pipsters

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Here is a pic someone took and posted on here 2 weeks ago. Looks good.

downsized_1112001743.jpg
 

Davefr

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Here is a pic someone took and posted on here 2 weeks ago. Looks good.

It actually looks terrible. From the image it looks like the bottom part of the top chest is bowed upwards and causing clearance issues with the bottom edge of the drawer.

It also looks like someone was drunk when they put on the nameplate.

I actually think HF boxes are decent but this quality control sure looks bad.
 

LawnDart79

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I personally saw one recently and would say the quality is equal to the 41" box. The quality is waaaaay better than equivalent Craftsman boxes. I looked at Craftsman boxes this last weekend while at Sears and was amazed at the low quality. I have a 15 year old cheap-*** homeowner Craftsman box (all red box with bars that go over the drawers to lock) and I think it's higher quality than the boxes I saw last weekend. I can't believe how ****** the Craftsman boxes have gotten.

As far as the HF box, it does have a gloss red finish which is TONS better than the 41" red crinkle finish. My HF had the boxes sitting side by side and the difference in finish is very obvious.
 

LawnDart79

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It actually looks terrible. From the image it looks like the bottom part of the top chest is bowed upwards and causing clearance issues with the bottom edge of the drawer.

From what I gather from the picture, it looks like someone dropped the top chest.
 

bchee

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I've also seen it in person and it looks like a real nice box to me. The gloss finish is much glossier than shown in the above picture.
 

NWphotog

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I saw it and would say the quality is substantially below the HF 41" model. Hell, just look at the name plate. The gloss red is nice but the thinner metal is not.
 

Hiball

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Ive never been a fan of "Thin and Tall" toolboxes, I suspect they have there place when cramped for room but trying to move them can be a experience, Especially if dealing with any floor unevenness.
 
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RbrtAWhyt

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I've seen it in person at the Athens, Georgia store. It's very well made and seems to be a heck of a value for the money. The Athens store also has one of the 56" rollers. It's a great looking box as well.
 

SnowBlaZeR2

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I have to agree. Quality is no where near the bigger box. I don't like the drawer layout either. You can get a nicer Craftsman for not a whole lot more. If you think otherwise, you need to look harder next time your in Sears.
 
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usmc_noma

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Just from looking at it I like it and the drawer layout. I don't see how much different it is with the drawer layout than the taller Craftsman bottom boxes. It seems somewhat familiar honestly. You can probably rearrange the drawer layout just as easily as a Cman box.

You would think that an employee would spot the damage from it being dropped in store or during shipping but I've also seen Craftsman's in Sears with the same type of issue on the floor as a model.
 

SnowBlaZeR2

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Just from looking at it I like it and the drawer layout. I don't see how much different it is with the drawer layout than the taller Craftsman bottom boxes. It seems somewhat familiar honestly. You can probably rearrange the drawer layout just as easily as a Cman box.

You would think that an employee would spot the damage from it being dropped in store or during shipping but I've also seen Craftsman's in Sears with the same type of issue on the floor as a model.


I like full width drawers. Just not a fan of those top 3 and I doubt they have anything other than that, as of right now anyways.

Are you active duty?
 
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usmc_noma

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I've been out for over a year. I still wish I was in at times but I'm glad I'm out.

On the toolbox note, I wish Cman made them like they used to. Even though I like the HF box w/o seeing it, I'd take an older Cman with an 8 drawer bottom, intermediate, and/or top box for the amount of the HF box.
 

Indy_500

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They're now going to the glossy finish on the 41" boxes too, hopefully they don't go that route too soon since i still need my top box and don't want one to be glossy and one rough.
 

NWphotog

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They're now going to the glossy finish on the 41" boxes too, hopefully they don't go that route too soon since i still need my top box and don't want one to be glossy and one rough.

That's the rumor any way. I haven't seen any confirmation of it.
 

bchee

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Where did you guys hear about the glossy finish on the 41" boxes?
 

SnowBlaZeR2

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I've been out for over a year. I still wish I was in at times but I'm glad I'm out.

On the toolbox note, I wish Cman made them like they used to. Even though I like the HF box w/o seeing it, I'd take an older Cman with an 8 drawer bottom, intermediate, and/or top box for the amount of the HF box.

Gotcha. I sometimes wish I would have gotten out, but I'm glad I stayed, haha. I'm half done though, so I guess I might as well stay anyways.

I wish they did too. I have a hand me down CMan that I love, and my dad has one I grew up with that's even older and much nicer than mine. I kind of want a new box, but every time I think about getting one, I want something for my truck or a new gun. I've been scouring craigslist for one like my dad's with no luck yet.
 

Boost Creep

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They're now going to the glossy finish on the 41" boxes too, hopefully they don't go that route too soon since i still need my top box and don't want one to be glossy and one rough.

guess i better hurry up and buy the last two pieces i want to use for my workbench base before i can't get matching ones anymore.
 

csp

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It actually looks terrible. From the image it looks like the bottom part of the top chest is bowed upwards and causing clearance issues with the bottom edge of the drawer.

It also looks like someone was drunk when they put on the nameplate.

I actually think HF boxes are decent but this quality control sure looks bad.

I wouldn't put too much faith in the image quality of what is most likely a camera phone picture.
 

Garage_Mahal

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I just got a HF 5-drawer tool cart with the smooth red finish. Looks great but scratches very easily. I wonder if the crinkle paint is tougher.
 
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as my first post, i want to make it a good one.

i personally saw this box in stores wednesday before black friday. I have been in the market for a toolbox for about a year now, but have more important things to do than to spend top dollar on a SO/BP/Matco/etc. box.

this box works magnificently well for me. i got it on sale for 349. and they are currently sold out of the box at my local HF store. previously to this i had a very small topchest to work out of... (it was horrible)

It's casters are pretty solid. Although, dont plan on taking this cart out on any rough surface, as it will be quite the headache.

Drawers hold up fine for me. Which means they should hold up find for basically anyone. The boxes both came with solid drawer lining already installed. :)

Moving the box slightly can be a bit of a struggle depending which way the swivel casters are facing.

It is a pretty solid design, and should last forever if properly taken care of.

The only thing i wish would happen is if HF sold the units with bottom and top chests that use the SAME key. The lock design is very effective, but having 2 of these keys on my keychain is aggravating at times when they are poking me. Not to worry, SO sells locks and key sets that should work for an acceptable pricetag.

overall i am Extremely satisfied. I work in a garage in a rental house i live in, and like the fact that if i had to transport this unit, it would fit in the average hatchback/truck/suv very easily. (i fit both units in a 92 civic hatchback when i purchased them) If i ever need to upgrade, I can always get a side drawer cabinet, or purchase a 2nd toolbox like this to remedy the situation.
 
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usmc_noma

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Welcome to the club Mitch. If you get a chance, post some pics of your new purchase.

I was actually thinking of posting to see who would be the first to show the 26" cabinet.
 
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Pics, man, we need pics!

lol as you may wish,

my first step i'd like to bring to the table is Gloss retention. this box is glossy, not crinkly.
Direct gloss retention
IMG_0480Small.jpg


Indirect gloss retention
IMG_0479Small.jpg


paint thickness is around 45-50um across the box.
IMG_0481Small.jpg


a flaw that i could care less about is the top 3 drawers dont perfectly line up. this has absolutely no effect on performance of drawer sliding ability and latching performance.
IMG_0482Small.jpg


if you do not close a drawer completely, your drawer will stick out this far and prevent you from locking your box successfully. i just make sure all drawers are locked after locking the box.
IMG_0484Small.jpg


latched shut... = this.
IMG_0487Small.jpg


and here is some just showing my layout. some drawers are missing in the pics due to me not having any tools in the drawer....yet.

bottom most drawer:
IMG_0488Small.jpg


1 up from that:
IMG_0490Small.jpg


1/2 in sockets
IMG_0491Small.jpg


3/8 and 1/4 sockets
IMG_0492Small.jpg


top of the bottom chest is wrenches... they fit without interference with the box.
IMG_0493Small.jpg


the top box lid...
IMG_0494Small.jpg


somewhere on the top chest are these...
IMG_0495Small.jpg


IMG_0496Small.jpg


IMG_0497Small.jpg


IMG_0498Small.jpg


the lid makes a great place to store receipts, idk what it's made for but it works.
IMG_0499Small.jpg


badge was deleted on the bottom chest. lol contemplating putting a snap-on sticker on the box and fooling people to make them think i've got money :bounce:
IMG_0500Small.jpg


process of top chest badge deletion...
IMG_0501Small.jpg



i have used both the bottom and the top chest as a step ladder in the garage. i weigh 175 lbs and theres no sign of damage to the box...

enjoy.
 
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