Opinions wanted - Mastercraft Maximum, Homak, or Trinity?

[Relax]

Hi everyone,

I've been considering a new tool chest and need your opinions. Here's what I've narrowed it down to:

1. Costco (US) has the Trinity 42" set in stainless for $999. I'm pretty sure this is the same model the Canadian warehouses carried up until a few years ago. I was close to buying one back then, but didn't have space at the time. I would consider picking one up from a US warehouse. Unknown warranty, but there is the Costco return policy:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...ng=en-US&Sp=C&hierPath=114*860*28175*&topnav=


2. Costco (Canada) now carries the Homak H2Pro 41" set in blue with 8 year manufacturer warranty (and Costco return policy) for $799. It's not on their web site, but this is it here at another retailer:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200494287_200494287
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200497687_200497687

3. Canadian Tire has the Mastercraft Maximum Euro 48" set in black with lifetime warranty on sale this week for $1100 (about half price):

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...0P/Euro+Style+10-Drawer+Cabinet.jsp?locale=en
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...1009P/Euro+Style+8-Drawer+Chest.jsp?locale=en

Anyone have any experience with any of these that could make a recommendation? I'm not in a hurry, but since the CT box is on sale, I was wondering if it's worth jumping on?

 

[Relax]

I went to look at the Homak yesterday and realized how much bigger it is than I remembered. It seems to be better built than the Mastercraft, and at $799 with an 8-year warranty plus Costco return policy, looks like the better deal. They also have the smaller 27" H2pro for $499.

 

[Sparkfarmer]

I know you said you had narrowed it down but have you looked at the harbour freight box's? I cant count how many good reviews I have seen of them on GJ; I don't have one but have looked at them in store and they look nice. The trick is picking it up and getting it back to Canada but sounds like you can do that.
Maybe this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-roller-cabinet-68784.html
With this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/red-roller-cabinet-top-chest-68787.html

Just a thought

 

[5lima30]

+1 on checking the US General at HF and also the Masterhand at TSC both are real good for the $$$.

 

[dare23]

Costco Canada has some SPG International boxes for sale as well.
42 inch for 649

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=10349038&search=spg&Mo=12&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-CA&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&Sp=S&N=0&whse=BCCA&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&Ne=4000000&D=spg&Ntt=spg&No=5&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[pipsters]

The top and bottom Homak looks pretty good for $800

IIRC they are very similar to HF's boxes in build quality

 

[ndoran]

don't have HF in Canada - we have Princess Auto and they carry almost no toolboxes

 

[ndoran]

I got a 42inch Waterloo box from TSC. Have you looked at the 56 inch box at CT. Also TSC gets their 56 inch top and bottom combo which is 24 inch deep on sale for around $1000 for the pair and they are built like tanks

 

[Burgerkong]

Check out the International boxes carried by Sears.ca, rebranded under Craftsman.

 

[Relax]

Thanks for everyone's input. I thought about heading down to HF to pick up one of the US Generals, but went with the Homak instead. The price dropped to $600, I assume because they are now carrying a slightly different model in red that includes a side locker in addition to the upper chest and lower cart for $700. I have no need (or room) for the side locker, and I prefer the slide out work surface of the one I got. Now to save up for a Bendpak HD-9 that will colour match very nicely...

 

[Jawn]

The Homak is a very nice box, based on what I've seen in-store (Northern Tool). Appears very stoutly built.

I went to look at the Homak yesterday and realized how much bigger it is than I remembered. It seems to be better built than the Mastercraft, and at $799 with an 8-year warranty plus Costco return policy, looks like the better deal. They also have the smaller 27" H2pro for $499.

Did you mean 36" for the smaller H2pro? They don't show a 27" H2pro on their site. I wish I could get the 36" combo for $499... here, if I'm lucky just the 36" lower cabinet would be that much when on sale. Top is another $350-$400 depending on sale price or not.

I keep waffling back and forth on whether to get an International 42" lower cabinet (to match a top box I have) or upgrade to the Homak combo.

 

[larryq]

Thanks for everyone's input. I thought about heading down to HF to pick up one of the US Generals, but went with the Homak instead. The price dropped to $600, I assume because they are now carrying a slightly different model in red that includes a side locker in addition to the upper chest and lower cart for $700. I have no need (or room) for the side locker, and I prefer the slide out work surface of the one I got. Now to save up for a Bendpak HD-9 that will colour match very nicely...

I think the Homak was the smart choice. My understanding is that it's an excellent box for the money, very sturdy. HF makes good boxes too on the high end but $600 for a Homak 41" set is a good, good deal. I would go for it too if I needed a new set.

 

[Relax]

You're probably right about the smaller one being 36", but just like the 41" I got, Costco has replaced the 36" H2Pro with another model.

I was surprised to see what the H2Pro's are going for in the US. Normally we overpay on everything up here compared to the US, even with our dollar at or above par. So it made the decision pretty easy.

The Homak is a very nice box, based on what I've seen in-store (Northern Tool). Appears very stoutly built.


Did you mean 36" for the smaller H2pro? They don't show a 27" H2pro on their site. I wish I could get the 36" combo for $499... here, if I'm lucky just the 36" lower cabinet would be that much when on sale. Top is another $350-$400 depending on sale price or not.

I keep waffling back and forth on whether to get an International 42" lower cabinet (to match a top box I have) or upgrade to the Homak combo.

 

[sasquach]

I've had a Homak bottom box for about a year or more . Noce box for the money . A little bit wider than th Hobo Freight

 

[Bullet_101]

If your Canadian I'd recommend getting either the Crappy tire one, or find a place that sells SPG International boxes and buying a Canadian product. Sears toolboxes are SPG re badge, just make sure it has its "made in Canada" sticker. According to my email from SPG you can buy them at Sears, UAP/Napa, Uni-Select, Rona, Home Hardware, Princess Auto and Carquest.

 

[DarrenF]

Co worker has a mastercraft box. His sliders all fell apart. He has to bring the whole box in for warranty, not just the sliders.

Had a sticky slider on my KRL, mentioned it to my Snap On dealer in passing one day. He went out to the truck, got me a new set and installed them for me right then and there.

I know they are not in the same league, but it would really **** to have to empty out a box to bring the whole thing in for warranty on a couple of sliders.