Harbor Freight Tool Boxes

[briandrex]

I've been lurking here for awhile and read threads on different tool boxes. I have Harbor Freight circular that I receive monthly. I also have a HF in tax free Delaware only 20 minutes from me.

Right now they have a deal on two different set ups for tool boxes that I'm interested in. The first is the 56" 11 drawer heavy duty ball bearing set up for 799.99 and I have a 20 percent coupon out of my motorcycle magazine that does not stipulate using on tool boxes. I think they have to honor it but maybe I'm wrong.

The other setup I"m looking at is the 42 inch cabinets but it doesn't say ball bearing or not. If I went with this setup I would get the top and bottom wwith the 42 inch side cabinet as well. Pricing is 399.99, 299.99 and 199.99 which is about $100 more than the 56" stand alone.

This will be used for my garage with my hobby of parting out and working on older bikes. Just looking to see which way you would go if in the same boat. I currently have two small Montgomery Ward boxes which look similar to your typical Craftsmen toolbox setups. They are both packed pretty tight so I'm looking for the additional room and organization.

I had originally been looking at the Husky, 42 inch setup from Home Depot that was stainless and running around $760. Reading on here I think I will like the HF setup better and get more bang for the buck.

 

[Frank]

I can only speak for the 13 drawer box. I looked over many different brands and hands down cannot beat it for the price. The quality is surprisingly good. Even better than the comparable Craftsman and a whole lot cheaper. Sometimes they get down to $349.99.

 

[scott37300]

I've been lurking here for awhile and read threads on different tool boxes. I have Harbor Freight circular that I receive monthly. I also have a HF in tax free Delaware only 20 minutes from me.

Right now they have a deal on two different set ups for tool boxes that I'm interested in. The first is the 56" 11 drawer heavy duty ball bearing set up for 799.99 and I have a 20 percent coupon out of my motorcycle magazine that does not stipulate using on tool boxes. I think they have to honor it but maybe I'm wrong.

The other setup I"m looking at is the 42 inch cabinets but it doesn't say ball bearing or not. If I went with this setup I would get the top and bottom wwith the 42 inch side cabinet as well. Pricing is 399.99, 299.99 and 199.99 which is about $100 more than the 56" stand alone.

This will be used for my garage with my hobby of parting out and working on older bikes. Just looking to see which way you would go if in the same boat. I currently have two small Montgomery Ward boxes which look similar to your typical Craftsmen toolbox setups. They are both packed pretty tight so I'm looking for the additional room and organization.

I had originally been looking at the Husky, 42 inch setup from Home Depot that was stainless and running around $760. Reading on here I think I will like the HF setup better and get more bang for the buck.

From what I understand most stores are not honering the coupons anymore for toolboxes, weather it says it or not on the coupon. Most stores have the new policy posted all over the store.

 

[bczygan]

If you actually look at and compare them, you will get the 13 drawer 42".

 

[briandrex]

If you actually look at and compare them, you will get the 13 drawer 42".

I'm hoping they have the 56 inch to compare against. Do the 42 inch ones come with ball bearing slides? I'm always over at HF looking for deals on stuff. Bought the motorcycle table lift last year for $279.99 out the door and can't believe the quality for the price.

 

[muibubbles]

i just got the 13 drawer as well.. only complain is sometimes the drawers take a light nudge to sit in flush but that just maybe the way im closing the drawer.. i looked into other tool boxes as well but what really had me sold was when i went to the store, opened the drawer and tried to "lift" myself up. i was very impressed how it felt like it could hold my weight vs the husky's and other brands that made it feel like they were cheap thin sheet metal unlike the hf ones which feel rather rugged imo

the 56" does look badass tho.. i woulda got that if i had more money and use for it..

 

[mrholeshot]

Yes the 41 inch box has ball bearing slides and is an excellant box. The 56 is also nice at 799.00. I think the 41s are the better buy.

 

[briandrex]

Yes the 41 inch box has ball bearing slides and is an excellant box. The 56 is also nice at 799.00. I think the 41s are the better buy.

I think I'll go check both of them out. Hopefully they will honor the 20 percent coupon. We shall see.

 

[bczygan]

I think I'll go check both of them out. Hopefully they will honor the 20 percent coupon. We shall see.

Unless your store or cashier screws up, they will NOT honor the 20% coupon. The 41" box does have ball bearing slides and is a really good value. In fact, the best value out there for an affordable new box, and it has add on boxes, making it a great system. It is on sale for $399 in the monthly flyer. I don't know if the $349 super coupon is still valid (Maybe someone can post a scan of it), but at either price it is still the best value out there. I have one and hundreds of others on this group have bought one or more of them. I will be getting the other boxes as soon as money permits. You will be very happy with it.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I dont know what part of delaware you go to but if it is near Newark check out Greg Smith. They have multiple tool boxes from big to small that appear to be made by the same people who make the larger HF boxes. The prices are more than HF, but you get more of a selection. I believe they still sell the top box for the $799 HF box.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/aboutus.asp

Their Super Deluxe tool box (shown below) is so big you need a step stool to see in the top drawer.

Chris

 

[briandrex]

I may have to check them out as well. I will be going to the HF in Newark. Have they stopped accepting the 20 percent off coupons for tool boxes and large items there as well?

 

[35mastr]

I would personally get the 56". I prefer the deeper drawers. The smaller ones just arent deep enough.

 

[briandrex]

I'm contemplating getting the 56. I already have a standard Craftsmen 26 older bottom setup on wheels and a Montgomery Ward bottom setup on wheels. Pretty much everything I have will fit in the 56 inch. Once it's all in there I can refinish the two I already have as they were hand me downs and could use a nice paint job.

Was able to score some industrial MAB paint in John Deere green and yellow awhile back so who knows.

Looking forward to getting over to HF this week and seeing which ones gonna work best and fit best.

 

[briandrex]

I was also looking at getting this setup from Husky at Home Depot. It's the 36 inch double tool boxes with roller bearing drawers in stainless. Total price out the door would be around $740 for both pieces. Also comes with drawer liners and power strip although I could care less about the power strip.

Have not compared this to the HF one. Gets very good reviews online unlike the Kobalt line that Lowes sells.

 

[Boost Creep]

i was planning on getting a couple of the 56" boxes till they decided to stop taking the 20% off coupons. i like that they're deeper than the 41" ones. now i'm just going to finish building the toolbox wall out of a second 41" and one more side cabinet instead. the 41" is still a decent box for the money

 

[camg042]

The 41" Kobalt Stainless Steel top chest / bottom roller are on sale for $860 until tomorrow 12/13. It's about 20% off their regular price. You will also get a free Kobalt stainless steel workbench with the purchase of pieces. The workbench is pretty flimsy though so maybe you can flip it on craigslist. If you have a 10% off coupon, the price will be $774 before tax.

 

[briandrex]

The 41" Kobalt Stainless Steel top chest / bottom roller are on sale for $860 until tomorrow 12/13. It's about 20% off their regular price. You will also get a free Kobalt stainless steel workbench with the purchase of pieces. The workbench is pretty flimsy though so maybe you can flip it on craigslist. If you have a 10% off coupon, the price will be $774 before tax.

When I read the reviews on the Kobalt boxes I heard bad things about them. Some said the drawers were already breaking or not closing right.

I'm curious if anyone has used the Husky boxes shown above as well as other HF users that approve of them

 

[Shadowdog500]

When I read the reviews on the Kobalt boxes I heard bad things about them. Some said the drawers were already breaking or not closing right.

I'm curious if anyone has used the Husky boxes shown above as well as other HF users that approve of them

I dont know about the Husky but a friend bought the big stainless Kobalt at Lowes and says it is a piece of Sh1t. The metal is thin and the stainless steel is getting a thin coating surface rust.

He aslo has a montazuma box which is maximum overkill and expen$ive!!!

Chris

 

[mrholeshot]

He aslo has a montazuma box which is maximum overkill and expen$ive!!!

Chris

Montazuma is actaully inexpensive when you get into tool boxes. One of the better deals going out there

 

[King Bojack]

HF now has a US Gen box pretty much identical to this except the one I saw was painted shiny red. I think it was goin for like 350 or somethin'.

 

[briandrex]

HF now has a US Gen box pretty much identical to this except the one I saw was painted shiny red. I think it was goin for like 350 or somethin'.

Do you remember if it had ball bearings or was it just slides. From what I can see in the pictures the HF looks great but I always question the quality even though I do have many good items from their store. With that said I have my fair share of really cheap stuff as well from them.

 

[mrholeshot]

HF now has a US Gen box pretty much identical to this except the one I saw was painted shiny red. I think it was goin for like 350 or somethin'.

That box is 26 wide (The HF) and the Husky is 36 inches wide. The husky seems to get pretty good reveiws.

 

[mrholeshot]

Do you remember if it had ball bearings or was it just slides. From what I can see in the pictures the HF looks great but I always question the quality even though I do have many good items from their store. With that said I have my fair share of really cheap stuff as well from them.

I think everyone questions the quality of the HF 41 inch box until they actually own it. The crinkle finish isn't real pretty but it's brute and really strong. It has a 2900 lb load capacity where Craftsman(premium) of the same size arn't but 1000 lbs .

 

[briandrex]

I think everyone questions the quality of the HF 41 inch box until they actually own it. The crinkle finish isn't real pretty but it's brute and really strong. It has a 2900 lb load capacity where Craftsman(premium) of the same size arn't but 1000 lbs .

This is what I've been trying to tell my buddy that is a craftsman only guy. It's not easy to convince people that some items at HF are of good quality. You just have to keep an eye for them and do your research.

 

[Boost Creep]

I dont know about the Husky but a friend bought the big stainless Kobalt at Lowes and says it is a piece of Sh1t. The metal is thin and the stainless steel is getting a thin coating surface rust.

He aslo has a montazuma box which is maximum overkill and expen$ive!!!

Chris

i've had the kobalt stainless box for a little over 2 years now and have had zero issues with it.

 

[rhastings80]

I would have to agree with you. I have a friend that bought one of the stainless steel ones from Lowes about 2 years ago. Think he paid like 600 or so on sale. His is also starting to rust. I think it is very thin metal compared to the HF one. I own 3 of the HF boxes and love them. I don't understand paying 10K for a box but each to their own.

I dont know about the Husky but a friend bought the big stainless Kobalt at Lowes and says it is a piece of Sh1t. The metal is thin and the stainless steel is getting a thin coating surface rust.

He aslo has a montazuma box which is maximum overkill and expen$ive!!!

Chris

 

[King Bojack]

Do you remember if it had ball bearings or was it just slides. From what I can see in the pictures the HF looks great but I always question the quality even though I do have many good items from their store. With that said I have my fair share of really cheap stuff as well from them.

Ball Bearing slides. Really smooth too. The thing was surprisingly strong. I was basically hanging off of a small 4"X1.5" drawers (guess on measurements) and it took most of my 180 lbs and didn't budge/argue a bit. Even slid back in nice and easy and flush.

 

[briandrex]

Ball Bearing slides. Really smooth too. The thing was surprisingly strong. I was basically hanging off of a small 4"X1.5" drawers (guess on measurements) and it took most of my 180 lbs and didn't budge/argue a bit. Even slid back in nice and easy and flush.

Now I just need to get some good coupons on the boxes. Looks like general sale prices in place until the end of the month. Would be nice if my Newark, DE would honor my 20 percent off coupons out of the magazine without the exclusions of what they can be used on.

I'm leaning towards the 41-combo and the side locker storage piece.