MasterForce (Menards) Tool Cabinets

[mngundog]

Never post here before. I had been watching the prices on these for 2 years and finally purchased the 36" and 41" ones when they were at the lowest I had seen. Now they dropped the price about another $40-$80 and then give you a 11% rebate. Price is good through the 8/4. The price listed is without the rebate (store check), so figure another 11% off.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...rforce-41-roller-cabinet/p-1457698-c-9188.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...rforce-36-roller-cabinet/p-1457697-c-9188.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...-56-rolling-tool-cabinet/p-1457702-c-9188.htm

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...-56-rolling-tool-cabinet/p-1457702-c-9188.htm

 

[concealer404]

Hrmmm... makes them cheaper than HF!

Thanks for posting! I think i'll pick up one or two 41s! (Unless someone says the 56 is that much better)

 

[Hootbro]

Hrmmm... makes them cheaper than HF!

Thanks for posting! I think i'll pick up one or two 41s! (Unless someone says the 56 is that much better)

Compare the shipping weights of the Masterforce and the HF boxes. The 56" Masterforce is 335 lbs and the HF is 536 lbs. I suspect the Masterforce boxes are thinner gauge steel.

 

[concealer404]

Compare the shipping weights of the Masterforce and the HF boxes. The 56" Masterforce is 335 lbs and the HF is 536 lbs. I suspect the Masterforce boxes are thinner gauge steel.

I suspect you're right. Luckily, they should hold up just fine for a weekend warrior like me.

 

[Super Sport]

Good deal! I was strongly considering these, but then found a good deal on a used SO box. If they made these in black I would already have one in my garage.

 

[Super Sport]

Compare the shipping weights of the Masterforce and the HF boxes. The 56" Masterforce is 335 lbs and the HF is 536 lbs. I suspect the Masterforce boxes are thinner gauge steel.

While I didn't measure the thickness of the steel, both feel equally solid in the stores IMO. HF is not known to be the most accurate with their numbers, so I suspect the weight is wrong on their website.

 

[mngundog]

I suspect you're right. Luckily, they should hold up just fine for a weekend warrior like me.

I have never seen the 56" because it is never in stock, but I did compare the 41" many times to the HF one and after long consideration I liked the Master force one better. On thing to point out is if you are putting a lot small wrench/sockets/small items etc, into it the draw configuration is better on the 36". So in you are getting two you may want to get one of each. A nice feature of the 41" top box is the bottom draw* is actually a SS work base, its not shown in the pic but that bottom SS plate pulls out.

 

[concealer404]

Anyone have info on the rebate thing?

 

[mngundog]

Anyone have info on the rebate thing?

11% rebate comes on your receipt, you mail it in and get a post card in the mail which is basically a store credit check. If you had a dishonest postman he could steal it (basically a dumb idea), I have sent in a couple hundred of the rebates and received everyone. This week you get 11% rebate for everything in the store.

 

[DekeT]

Compare the shipping weights of the Masterforce and the HF boxes. The 56" Masterforce is 335 lbs and the HF is 536 lbs. I suspect the Masterforce boxes are thinner gauge steel.

No net weight is given for the HF cabinet. Presuming an approximate same amount of surface area of steel then the HF cabinet would have to be made of 14 gauge. That seems like a lot for $800. The 56 in Masterforce is an incredible bargain right now at $500. + rebate

 

[Hootbro]

While I didn't measure the thickness of the steel, both feel equally solid in the stores IMO. HF is not known to be the most accurate with their numbers, so I suspect the weight is wrong on their website.

I would bet a cold beer those numbers are reasonably accurate and the Masterforce box is a thinner gauge steel.

If you look at the pictures of the Masterforce box side view towards the bottom, it has lip roll of the steel and that is usually seen on thinner gauge boxes like the Craftsman stuff.

The $200 price difference for the Masterforce is there for a reason, it is thinner material.

 

[moserjj]

I was considering both places, HF and Menards Masterforce line. I was between the HF 44" for 350 and the 56" MF for 499 - 11%. I pick up the 56" MF tonight. I'm not a pro, slight differences in metal thickness are probably there but I just need more space. I also had about 150 in Menards rebates to burn so that made the choice even easier. I netted somewhere around 300 considering all rebates. Hard to beat

 

[mngundog]

Doesn't the HF box have rolled steel also?

 

[Hootbro]

No net weight is given for the HF cabinet. ...........

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-cabinets-and-carts/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html

Says right there, 536 pounds shipping weight. So unless there is 200 lbs of extra packaging than the Masterforce one, the HF is quite heavier. Maybe the HF box comes with a circus midget?

I think people here are overriding common sense due to the cheap price of the Masterforce box and making unfair apples to apples comparison when the published specs say otherwise.

 

[mngundog]

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/tool-cabinets-and-carts/56-inch-11-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html

Says right there, 536 pounds shipping weight. So unless there is 200 lbs of extra packaging than the Masterforce one, the HF is quite heavier. Maybe the HF box comes with a circus midget?

I think people here are overriding common sense due to the cheap price of the Masterforce box and making unfair apples to apples comparison when the published specs say otherwise.

When you looked at the MasterForce cabinets, what did you think of them?

 

[concealer404]

When you looked at the MasterForce cabinets, what did you think of them?

I'm going to hedge a guess that he thought they were lighter, greener, and had thinner steel than the HF cabinets.

 

[Hootbro]

When you looked at the MasterForce cabinets, what did you think of them?

I think it is priced right for what it is and would have no qualms buying one with the information that is known.

I do have to disclaim that there is no Menards near me and have not seen these in person.

 

[allinon72]

Having played with both several times, the MF feels way sturdier than the HF box. The drawers close much more solidly. I'm not sure if the steel thickness, but I can tell you that it is not thin enough to be 200lbs lighter, no way. There is no way the HF box weights 500+ lbs empty.

 

[concealer404]

Buddy and i can lift the HF box by hand. I'm a pretty small dude and i'm not easily lifting 250lbs anytime soon.

 

[Bull]

I really would love a 56" box, but the closest Menards is apparently 479 miles away. Ballz.

 

[DekeT]

I would bet a cold beer those numbers are reasonably accurate and the Masterforce box is a thinner gauge steel.

No bet required. I would be happy to buy you a cold beer. Though you would have to drive 500 miles to get it.

 

[buening]

http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/67000-67999/67681.pdf

Net Weight: 441 lbs

HF also has higher weight limits on the drawers, since Masterforce puts a 100lb blanket limit on all drawers.

http://www.menards.com/main/store/2...1/Install_Instruct/QCI_56in_manual_eng_F2.pdf

 

[jhelrey]

I have the 56 inch Masterforce and I have owned it now about 3 years. I love it

 

[Travo131]

I have a MF 41in box also. Its been great for me so far, the only complaint I have is when its cold out the drawers kind of stick and are hard to open.

 

[ishiboo]

Having seen both boxes, I think the HF's are still the better value and slightly better built, but the MasterForce boxes are extremely nice as well. Probably the #2 value to the HF's #1.

This coming from a HUGE Menards shopper.

 

[metaldad]

I have the MF 41 top and bottom.
Only thing I dont like is the color.

 

[Mickey O]

I think people here are overriding common sense due to the cheap price of the Masterforce box and making unfair apples to apples comparison when the published specs say otherwise.

Done all the time with the HF boxes.

 

[jakeb]

I have the 36" top and bottom, and the 41" top and bottom.

I LOVE my MF boxes.

 

[jhelrey]

Compare the shipping weights of the Masterforce and the HF boxes. The 56" Masterforce is 335 lbs and the HF is 536 lbs. I suspect the Masterforce boxes are thinner gauge steel.

The HF one may weigh that with all packing materials, pallet, etc.