44 or 56 hf toolbox

[marpat]

Ive read every thread I could find on these boxes. I am currently the maintenance director for a Boy Scout camp. After this summer though I start classes in the fall to become a heavy equipment mechanic. I am looking at both the 44" hf tool box or the 56" tool box.

I like the size of the 56" box as more of a workbench, but I also like the ability to add like a locker to the 44".

Just wondering if anybody has any suggestions as to what box would best suit my needs. The box would primarily be used for storing mechanics tools like sockets and wrenches.

 

[TwoInch]

if you are wanting to use it for professional purposes, i would go with the 56". the drawers are deeper, which adds a huge amount of space to the box. i looked at the 44" and the only draw back i saw was the lack of drawer depth. even with the ability to add the top box on the 44" i would go for the 56"

 

[Jack Olsen]

Agreed. Both are great values, but the 44 is on the shallow side.

 

[e30bradley]

I have a 56" and besides finding a broken slide out of the box its pretty nice. HUGE amount of storage.

 

[TwoInch]

yeah i have heard it to be a good idea to uncrate them before loading them into the truck.....

 

[unslow1]

You can add the same cabinets to the 44" or 56". I did to mine.

 

[TwoInch]

they are different depths. they fit right on the 44" , never saw them on the 56"

 

[unslow1]

http://s1023.photobucket.com/albums...view&current=Garage-Tempestradio4-8-12006.jpg

 

[diggerrick]

I had my mind made up on the 56" until I realized I could buy two 44" for the same price and have over 7ft of work top.

 

[98TJ]

Here's my 56 with with two of the side lockers for the 4x" unit. Lockers aren't as deep as the 56" roller, but it's not a concern for me.

http://sphotos.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/540126_2015955215806_1751610005_968460_1050805707_n.jpg

 

[balane]

I had the 44" for a year and it was great but I ran out of room and didn't want to lose the work surface by adding a top box and didn't have the space available to add a hang-on cabinet. I sold it for $325 which was great, but it was in very nice shape. (Home box.)

So, using that money I was all dead set on getting the 56" box. I did my homework and was getting ready to pull the trigger on it. Just before I left to pick it up I thought I would check Craig's List one more time, just in case. Sure enough somebody posted up a Snap On KR660B for $500. So I went that route and am very happy with it but I think I would have been happy with the US General 56" box as well. The Snap On box offered about 2000 square inches more storage because it has 16 drawers so that was a big plus.

What does this mean for you? Well, go with the bigger box if you can afford it because even if you can't fill it up right now you'd be surprised how quickly you'll run out of room and wish you got the bigger one. Also, don't rule out a nice used box on the 2nd hand market, that ended up being a good choice for me.

Good luck on whatever you end up with.

 

[rmsg0040]

Is that top hutch for the 56" custom?

 

[98TJ]

Is that top hutch for the 56" custom?

Yes. Build is in my garage gallery thread.

 

[cgv69]

I don't have either but plan on buying the 44".

The biggest reason is I don't care for the drawer layout of the 56" model. Too many deep (height wise) drawers and no full width draw. The other thing is the price. For the cost of the 56" model you can buy 2 44" unit which would equal much more storage room for the money

Granted I wish the 44" box was deeper. If the 56" had a better draw layout (something like the KRL1022) I'd be really tempted but as the are, I think the 44" is the better deal.

 

[madbasser]

I don't have either but plan on buying the 44".

The biggest reason is I don't care for the drawer layout of the 56" model. Too many deep (height wise) drawers and no full width draw. The other thing is the price. For the cost of the 56" model you can buy 2 44" unit which would equal much more storage room for the money

Granted I wish the 44" box was deeper. If the 56" had a better draw layout (something like the KRL1022) I'd be really tempted but as the are, I think the 44" is the better deal.

Just FYI, the long drawers on the 56" are the same size as the full length one on the 44".
So technically you get 6 "full length" drawers on the 56" were you only get one in the 44", if you are only comparing these two chest.
They are deeper (north and south wise) but i rather have that than have them be too skinny to put anything in them.

Just my .02$

 

[rmsg0040]

Yes. Build is in my garage gallery thread.

googled it and saw the build on rccrawler, thanks

 

[tkonbass]

I just recently bought a 44" and I'm happy with it. I also got the add-on side box. I looked at the 56" and the extra depth is what kept me from getting it. The layout of my garage and where I needed to put the box dictated the depth of the 44". I doubt I'll ever need more storage because I still have the Husky/Cman combo shown next to it and as well as a 7 drawer Lista cabinet that I'm currently refinishing (in red). But I would just get another 44" if the need ever arises.

 

[metaldad]

Yes. Build is in my garage gallery thread.

I saw that. Very nice.

 

[Recoil Rob]

I'd go with 2 of the 44" cabs, you can bolt them together and put one long bench top on it for the same price.

I'm sure it depends on what you particular situation is but for me it was more important to have more smaller drawers for a greater variety of parts and tools in the 44" than to have less of the larger drawer's in the 56" I have 3 of the 44 and 2 of the 26" setups, holding everything from automotive tools to electric and plumbing tools and parts, so ammo and fishing equipment. I have seen that 56" up close and it's not what I need, but YMMV.

Lok at the numbers, it depends on if you need volume or weight.

The 56" is rated at 1985lbs and 28,240 cu. in.

2 44's are rated at 5800lbs and 23,056 cu. in.

For me it was a no brainer, I wentt with the 2 44's and added on side cabs, etc.

 

[TwoInch]

http://s1023.photobucket.com/albums...view&current=Garage-Tempestradio4-8-12006.jpg

i understand they will bolt up. my point was that they are not the same dimensions, which would bother some(me included)

 

[TwoInch]

Lok at the numbers, it depends on if you need volume or weight.

The 56" is rated at 1985lbs and 28,240 cu. in.

2 44's are rated at 5800lbs and 23,056 cu. in.

For me it was a no brainer, I wentt with the 2 44's and added on side cabs, etc.

the 44" weight rating includes the top box and tool weight. the bottom roller is not rated to hold 2900lbs of tools......

that would be 223lbs per drawer. two 44" bottoms might hold 2900lbs of tools together..

i would venture to guess the 56" box would have about 4000lb rating, if they offered a top box for it.

 

[TwoInch]

I'd go with 2 of the 44" cabs, you can bolt them together and put one long bench top on it for the same price.

.

this is my plan, as soon as i have funds. the OP is wanting a box for a pro setting from what i get from his post. i would still recommend the 56" in that situation. for home use, i am with ya on the double with a work surface on top for about the same price!

 

[Recoil Rob]

How could the rating for the bottom box not hold the amount of weight of the top box?

the 44" weight rating includes the top box and tool weight. the bottom roller is not rated to hold 2900lbs of tools......

that would be 223lbs per drawer. two 44" bottoms might hold 2900lbs of tools together..

i would venture to guess the 56" box would have about 4000lb rating, if they offered a top box for it.

 

[TwoInch]

How could the rating for the bottom box not hold the amount of weight of the top box?

the "box" itself can handle the weight being on top of it, but the slides WILL not support 2900lbs of tools, period. 223lb in each drawer is a ridiculous amount of stuff to put in a single drawer, and would murder even the best slides in short order.

 

[TwoInch]

the weight capacity of the top 44" box is 836lbs, plus the weight of the top box itself, which isnt listed. whatever those two number make are then taken away from that 2900lb rating. then you would have the true rating of the bottom box.

or you would look in the owners manual for the bottom box, and add up each drawers rating, and have the total bottom box rating by itself.

 

[TwoInch]

the "average" drawer rating for the top box is about 93lbs. thats not exact for each individual drawer, i dont have the literature here to see what they are exactly. but the drawers are roughly the same size on the top as bottom, except the top drawer. put 100lbs in each drawer and your only at 1300lbs. i wouldnt put any more than that in the bigger drawers.

 

[472scout]

The 56" is rated at 1985lbs and 28,240 cu. in.

2 44's are rated at 5800lbs and 23,056 cu. in.

For me it was a no brainer, I wentt with the 2 44's and added on side cabs, etc.

For my money I would take the 56" box.
Almost 20% more space for the same price.
I would not hesitate to throw a 44" chest on it either.

 

[Aviatordoc]

I bought a 44" last week. But then again, I am not a pro wrencher.
The 44 is ideal for me, has shallow (adequate) depth for various hand tools. If I need more, (and I will ) I will follow above poster's advice and get another 44 and add a wooden top to have a beautiful workbench. This is in my car garage for automotive and home repair tools.
I have several other Cman cabs filled with aviation tools in both my basement and my hangar.