Easy cheap upgrade to Harbor Freight 44" tool chest

[tankdriver]

I posted this on a old post I had, but not many people looked at it. I thought it was a pretty good way to make your box a lot better, so I started a new thread on it.

I broke both bottom drawer slides to my 44" tool box, HF would not sell me the parts as the box was less than 400.00.

I went to the website, and got the item number for the 13 Drawer, Roller Cabinet. It was above the 400.00 threshold, so they sold me the parts I needed. I got a nice tech guy who sent me a email with then needed info...


Here is the info if anyone else needs it.

Frank,

Thank you for your email inquiry. The part you are looking for is one that we carry as a stock item. Unfortunately, you can not order it on the web site. You can however order this directly from the inbound sales department by calling 1-800-423-2567. Please allow 8-10 business days for delivery. If you chose to send in a check, please ensure you include shipping and tax with the total cost. Our shipping rates can be located at www.harborfreight.com. Please let us know if you need any further assistance.

SKU# ...Part# ...Description ............................ Price (plus tax & shipping)

13605 .....02 ....90320 DRAW SLIDE 1 PC .......... $9.99 ea




It says 1 piece so I ordered 2. Well I received 2 sets, so I had 4 slides. I figured I might need the other later, so I keep them.

I installed the 2 slides and they fit correctly, then I noticed, that the drawer, and box was cut, and drilled for a second set. So I installed the second set of slides. They worked perfect!

So not only is it repaired, and my work van is now cleaned up, but the box is better than ever....


So there is is, a quick cheap way to make your box a lot better.

 

[fflintstone]

I don't know what you are talking about with the $400 threshold, but 2 slides will make any drawer better.
good tip

 

[diesel research]

they called them "draws"?

 

[tankdriver]

they called them "draws"?

Yep, that was their email.

 

[tankdriver]

I don't know what you are talking about with the $400 threshold, but 2 slides will make any drawer better.
good tip

HF has started a deal that if a item cost less than 400 bucks, they will not sell parts for it. They want you to buy a new one. I was told this on 3 different calls. When I stated the higher priced box, they gave me the pt#'s and cost.

 

[Super Sport]

Good info and great idea! I don't own one of these, but if I did I'd have a few sets on their way to my door! Great idea to keep a couple extra sets for when you can't find new parts.

 

[cburnscrx]

Um...I don't know how to tell you this...they just forgot to install the second set of slides. I just walked out to my box and both my bottom drawers were double slides, even the small one on the right side. Now, granted my box is less than 2 months old and that might have been an improvement, but all of the deep drawers have double slides.

 

[MPOWERD]

Um...I don't know how to tell you this...they just forgot to install the second set of slides. I just walked out to my box and both my bottom drawers were double slides, even the small one on the right side. Now, granted my box is less than 2 months old and that might have been an improvement, but all of the deep drawers have double slides.

Might be why his broke in the first place...

 

[pipsters]

I can't tell but it looks like he has the top box not the bottom. I know mine from roughly 2009-ish had two sets of drawer slides as well.

 

[kunkernator]

I also have 2 sets of draw slides in my box. I do not understand the $400 thing either, because when I bought my box, it came with a piece of paper stating all the replacement part numbers and how to order them.

 

[larry4406]

How do the slides attach to the box and drawer? Mine appear to be rivited. I want to swap the deep drawers from the top chest with narrow drawers from the bottom cabinet. Last time I checked it looked like I would need extra slides. I think the deep drawers on the top chest only have single slides. I have the older red crinkle finish style.

Any idea if the slides are the same between gloss red and the red crinkle type boxes?

 

[pendragon1998]

I wonder what they would say if you called and said it was missing a part instead of a part broke (for sub $400 items)?

 

[tankdriver]

Look at the new part manuals. Mine had NO part break downs, and no part numbers. I was told by 3 different people, no parts for sub 400 buck parts. This was told to me directly. May it has changed, but that is what I was told.

They may have left them off, I figured it was cost cutting thing.

 

[tankdriver]

Also, you can not download a manual for it on line.

 

[Capt Chrysler]

HUM! same slides on the Menards box I just bought.


Capt. Chrysler

 

[tankdriver]

How do the slides attach to the box and drawer? Mine appear to be rivited. I want to swap the deep drawers from the top chest with narrow drawers from the bottom cabinet. Last time I checked it looked like I would need extra slides. I think the deep drawers on the top chest only have single slides. I have the older red crinkle finish style.

Any idea if the slides are the same between gloss red and the red crinkle type boxes?

There's a hook at the back, that is horizontal, then at the front, the hook is vertical. Locks with pop rivit.

 

[tankdriver]

I went to a new HF store, been open just a couple months, so they have the lastes stock. Opened the bottom drawers large and small, and both have 1 slide on them......

Also took photo of manual.....

No parts list on it......

So I guess it is a cost cutting thing.....

 

[rmsg0040]

I believe the top chest comes like that, the other gentleman was refering to the bottom cabinet when he said they have double slides

You can actually see it in the pics:

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=tool+cabinet

 

[tankdriver]

I believe the top chest comes like that, the other gentleman was refering to the bottom cabinet when he said they have double slides

You can actually see it in the pics:

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=tool+cabinet

Looks like you are correct that they have the two sets of slides.

I do not know if the earlier upper boxes had two sets, or if they just leave the press set the same for both upper and lower boxes. But as you can see in the photos, the holes are already there to put the second set of slides in.


Also, as shown on the manual, no parts list of any kind on the upper box.

 

[alpinewhite]

I can't tell but it looks like he has the top box not the bottom. I know mine from roughly 2009-ish had two sets of drawer slides as well.

The OP said "Easy cheap upgrade to Harbor Freight 44" tool chest" on the title.

 

[NoNN37]

This can also be done to many of the new craftsman drawers. just buy extra slides from sears parts dpt and they clip into place in the slots. The drawers feel more solid and should hold a bit more weight.

 

[tankdriver]

The OP said "Easy cheap upgrade to Harbor Freight 44" tool chest" on the title.

Correct
I have the upper chest. But HF would not sell me parts for it because it sells for less than 400.00. So I used the cabinet item number where they would sell me the parts, as it retails for more than 400.00.

 

[lowbucktruck]

This is really good info to know. I've been considering pulling the trigger on the 44" wide HF bottom cabinet. Should make this a sticky!

 

[alpinewhite]

To reiterate what tankdriver said: Since the chest (top) and rollaway (bottom) share the same slides, then, one can order for the rollaway with intentions to put it for the chest. The rollaway is more likely to be more than $400 when not on sale.

I don't have these cabinets so pardon my question. How do you remove the drawers? Is there a button to push on the slides? Where is the button?

 

[tankdriver]

To reiterate what tankdriver said: Since the chest (top) and rollaway (bottom) share the same slides, then, one can order for the rollaway with intentions to put it for the chest. The rollaway is more likely to be more than $400 when not on sale.

I don't have these cabinets so pardon my question. How do you remove the drawers? Is there a button to push on the slides? Where is the button?

You are correct in what you stated above. The Roller Cabinet runs $649 if it is not on sale, so they carry parts for it. The Cabinet Top Chest runs $349, they no longer even list any parts for it.

The black levers on the slides shown below is what is used to release the drawers.

 

[STGFordCrazy04]

I didn't have any trouble ordering shelves for my side locker ~$200

 

[Benw455]

Good tip.

 

[tankdriver]

I didn't have any trouble ordering shelves for my side locker ~$200

Maybe you are luckier than me, but I tried to order this item 3 times for the same item, with the same answer.

I emailed them again after you posted this.....

So this makes 4 times. Now this time, they did not give me the price bit like they did on the phone 3 times, but since they told me they stocked them (same item) for the higher priced item, but do not for the lower priced chest, you figure it out.



Here is my email, and their the reply.....


From: Frank Robertson [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 6:59 AM
To: Customer Service Parts
Subject: Drawer slide needed

I need a set of drawer slides and a copy of the manual for the following.

Thanks

Red Roller Cabinet Top Chest

item# 68787

________________________________________

Thank you for your email. We are sorry, but Harbor Freight no longer is able to provide special order parts. The part that you require was a special order part. We do apologize about any inconvenience this creates.


Please include all previous correspondence when replying back to us.
Thank you,
Robert Stevenson
Technical Support
Harbor Freight Tools
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd
Camarillo , CA 93012
1-888-866-5797
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS
Quality Tools at Ridiculously Low Prices

 

[cburnscrx]

Just a further update...I was at Harbor Freight last night, and for my own curiosity I took a look at the US General top chest...it has dual slides on the deep drawers. I have pictures on my iPhone, but don't know how to upload them here. If somebody PM's me, I'd be happy to post them.

I will say whoever is doing the quality control on the HF boxes is spotty at best...my big drawer was missing the two rivets on the lower slides. More than one is missing the slides entirely. Ugh. They've got a good product, I hope they don't screw it up by doing it half a$$.

*maybe they should post that on their new blog.

 

[tankdriver]

You might be right, but may also be old stock. As I posted above, I went to a new store that had not been open but a couple months, so everything was new stock, and thiers has only 1 slide.

If they just made the change, it will take siome time tio us up ond stock.

 

[Fireball027]

I just ordered 2 sets of slides for my bottom drawer. I have all my impact sockets in there and figured I would upgrade it before it breaks.

I used the number the OP gave and had no problem ordering them... expect they are on backorder for 2-3 weeks.

 

[djcslice]

I bought mine in the beginning of March and it only had one slide per drawer.

 

[tankdriver]

I just ordered 2 sets of slides for my bottom drawer. I have all my impact sockets in there and figured I would upgrade it before it breaks.

I used the number the OP gave and had no problem ordering them... expect they are on backorder for 2-3 weeks.

Mine was back ordered when I ordered them, but they came in a couple weeks faster than they said.

Guess they tell you the worse, where you'll be happy to get something they should stock.

 

[larry4406]

I ordered slides 3/27 using the info provided and FedEx tracking shows in route.

My plan is to move the deep drawers from the top chest (currently only single slides) to the bottom roller (double slides needed) and then move up the narrow drawers to the top chest.

This thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=194456 indictates that swapping the drawers won't work as the locking mechanism is apparently different between the top and bottom cabinets.

I posted some pictures in that thread showing differences between slides and locks on my older red crinkle finish style chest and roller.

Looks like I will need to modify/swap the locks as well as make sure the slides are mated properly as the chest and roller bottom have the swapped, at least mine are.

 

[MikeF2316]

In the manual:

"9 Drawers Including Top Compartment"

How is the top compartment in any way a drawer?

 

[larry4406]

I received my order of slides. The OP posted that even though it is listed as "1 piece" it is actually a pair of slides. I assumed the OP got his pair in error (as he did) and specifically asked at time of ordering if it was one each or a pair. The order entry clerk put me on hold, checked, and came back telling me it was a single slide, not a pair.

I now have some extras.

 

[cburnscrx]

I ordered slides 3/27 using the info provided and FedEx tracking shows in route.

My plan is to move the deep drawers from the top chest (currently only single slides) to the bottom roller (double slides needed) and then move up the narrow drawers to the top chest.

This thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=194456 indictates that swapping the drawers won't work as the locking mechanism is apparently different between the top and bottom cabinets.

I posted some pictures in that thread showing differences between slides and locks on my older red crinkle finish style chest and roller.

Looks like I will need to modify/swap the locks as well as make sure the slides are mated properly as the chest and roller bottom have the swapped, at least mine are.

I'll be very interested to follow this, as I plan to do the exact same thing. Please take pictures and let us know if you encounter any difficulties.

 

[freedomgli]

I noticed some of my deeper Craftsman tool box drawers have provisions for double slides. I'll have to call them up and order some to beef up those drawers.

 

[fsdogwood]

I can't tell but it looks like he has the top box not the bottom. I know mine from roughly 2009-ish had two sets of drawer slides as well.

And that's why he needs to get the item # for the bottom one to order the
slide.

 

[Fireball027]

I received my order of slides. The OP posted that even though it is listed as "1 piece" it is actually a pair of slides. I assumed the OP got his pair in error (as he did) and specifically asked at time of ordering if it was one each or a pair. The order entry clerk put me on hold, checked, and came back telling me it was a single slide, not a pair.

I now have some extras.

Did they email you a tracking number or where did you get that?

How many did you order?