Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 drawer?

[glick88]

Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 drawer?

I need help deciding and was hoping to find some owner testimony on quality and capacity.

I've been shopping new for a cheap (less than $500) "double bay" (41-56'') lower tool cabinet for storage. I had found a few craftsman and harbor freight tool cabinets. I almost narrowed my choice down to the 44" U.S. General (HF) cabinet for $359-$399.

http://www.harborfreight.com/Roller...iMzY5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p ZCI6Ijg1MDYifQ==


BUT THEN!

I ran across the 46" & 55" Husky 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench(es).
The both have the single full width top drawer that i am looking for, ball bearing drawer slides but the Husky's have a solid wood top that the HF U.S. General doesn't offer and its $279!!!!!!.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-46...Solid-Wood-Top-HOTC4609B1QBD/203859406?N=c27b

The only thing that the HF tool cabinet has going for it is the possibility of adding a matching side locker or additional storage cabinet (granted the are a additional $199 each).

I'm torn between saving the money and getting a larger box by going with the husky or going with the HF box?

I've done all my research about the HF US General and read quite a few reviews but I cannot how ever find specific dimentions on the size of the drawers and maximum weight capacity of the husky to compare them.

What it boils down to is finding out if the larger tool cabinet (Husky) with bigger drawers can offer the weigh capacity requirements i need or if i would be better off going with the smaller box and having it be able to hold the weight. No use going bigger if i cant take advantage of the size, if know what I mean?

Does anyone have one of the 55" or new 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench made by husky that can offer me some advice or more specs?

 

[Super Sport]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

The Husky may have more cubic inches because it is longer, but it has less usable square inches due to less drawers.

Personally, without owning either, this wouldn't even be a comparison. The Husky stuff I've put my hands on is not in the same ballpark as the HF box. That along with IMO a less usable drawer layout kills it. The wood top may be nice, but you can buy (or make) one for probably less than $100 if you keep your eyes open.

 

[SlowAl]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Husky weight capacity 575 Lbs.
HF weight capacity 2633 Lbs.


Up to you to decide if HF is exaggerating or if Husky has cut a lot of corners or some combination of both.

 

[glick88]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

The Husky may have more cubic inches because it is longer, but it has less usable square inches due to less drawers.

Personally, without owning either, this wouldn't even be a comparison. The Husky stuff I've put my hands on is not in the same ballpark as the HF box. That along with IMO a less usable drawer layout kills it. The wood top may be nice, but you can buy (or make) one for probably less than $100 if you keep your eyes open.

I see what your saying about the less drawers thng. **And i forgot to metion this** but the one thing i thing IMO the HF lacks is a large bulk storage drawer, which the Husky does have (a couple of them, actually).

I have a few tools that are in hard blown plastic cases that will fit in the larger bottom drawers on the HF model but wont leave much extra room for other alike items once they are stored in it.

 

[glick88]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Husky weight capacity 575 Lbs.
HF weight capacity 2633 Lbs.


Up to you to decide if HF is exaggerating or if Husky has cut a lot of corners or some combination of both.

I saw that but the way that the capacity is calculated might be different. The 575 lbs (Husky) seems to be obviously calculated by the weight rating per ball bearing slide per drawer (75 lb. rated ball bearing drawer slides on the top drawer, 50 lb. rated ball bearing drawer slides on the other drawers and 2 bottom drawers are extra deep for your heavier, bulk storage items and they are supported by a double set of 50 lb. ball bearing slides)

Im curious how the weight capacity is calculated on the HF? is it the same method?

 

[FriendOfYours]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Have you seen both in person?

I am not going to start saying the HF is a GREAT cab, but it is much better than the Husky

I was just looking at the 46" today and it is made out of tinfoil. If you don't grab the top drawer by both ends you will probably bend the slides or the sides of the drawers. When fully opened they shift side to side nearly a whole two inches.

Get the 44" HF

Oh, and I could also lift and carry the 46" by myself when I brought it up to the front. The 44" weighs about 250lbs, no way I'm gunna get that above my head

 

[glick88]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Have you seen both in person?

I am not going to start saying the HF is a GREAT cab, but it is much better than the Husky

I was just looking at the 46" today and it is made out of tinfoil. If you don't grab the top drawer by both ends you will probably bend the slides or the sides of the drawers. When fully opened they shift side to side nearly a whole two inches.

Get the 44" HF

Very interesting, i am now curious what gauge steel the husky is constructed from.

But no, i have not had a chance to see the husky in person. My local store doesnt have one on display.

 

[DirtRoad]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

HF box is heavier duty by a long shot.

 

[blackz26]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

HF and done. Husky box *****. The two big drawers are nice, if you could put more then an impact in it. Flimsy as all get.

 

[oldldh]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

There IS a reason the Husky box is so cheap...

Get the HF...

 

[blackz26]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=194896

Click the link in post number 8. All the info you need. Doesnt get more clear then that..

 

[shoturtle]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Depends if you need deeper drawers or need shallower drawers. The HF is very limiting when you are putting larger power tools in it. But it has allot of shallower drawers for hand tools. Which design works better for your needs.

 

[John316]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Husky weight capacity 575 Lbs.
HF weight capacity 2633 Lbs.


Up to you to decide if HF is exaggerating or if Husky has cut a lot of corners or some combination of both.

I have seen the Husky boxes.. the 575 is probably the exaggeration here!

 

[glick88]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Well after checking into a few links. I found this one:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153445

And it answered some of my questions. I also emailed technical support at HF & home depot asking some very specific questions. I'm still waiting for replies. But as far as I've seen, Husky is not the way to go.

 

[BK13]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

I imagine the Husky drawers are rated at 25 lbs. a drawer... That wouldn't work for my needs....

At least he last Husky I looked at was rated as such...

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

The HF rating is probably not just for the drawers since it has to be able to support the top chest and a side accessory on both sides if desired...loaded with tools.

The Husky appears to be a standalone unit only made to support itself. I agree with others on the build quality. The boxes I have fiddled with in the stores are kind of rickety...and they don't have tools in them yet.

Another vote for HF.

 

[glick88]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

I did get a email back from harbor freight's technical support with the specifications on the 44" rolling box
The email is as follows:

Thank you for your recent inquiry.

Here are the weight capacities per drawer according to our technical notes.

TOP DRAWER: 61 LBS. TOTAL DRAWER SPACE: 9419 CUBIC INCHES

(5) LEFT DRAWERS: 33 LBS. EACH /BOTTOM LEFT DRAWER: 44 LBS.

(5) RIGHT DRAWERS: 22 LBS. EACH /BOTTOM RIGHT DRAWER: 26 LBS.

The slides are rated at a very similar rate respectively provided the load is evenly distributed.

Please advise if we can be of further assistance.

Please include all previous correspondences when replying.

Thank you,

Tommy

Product Support

Harbor Freight Tools

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd

Camarillo, CA 93012

 

[shoturtle]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Thanks for the information. It is nice to see the internal spec from HF.

 

[ohjb]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

What are the size of thos bottom drawers?

 

[glick88]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

what are the size of thos bottom drawers?

bottom left drawer: 44 lbs.

Bottom right drawer: 26 lbs.

 

[tjsr19]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

I have the husky it ***** they only have single slides. I welded a plate across the back as it is two crafstman style lowers with a top box. Still ***** by the harbor freight.

 

[toolstools]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

bottom left drawer: 44 lbs.

Bottom right drawer: 26 lbs.

Capacity does not equal size.. just saying if that's what he wanted..

 

[427HISS]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

It's ironic that I was researching these two tool box's, so I'm happy I came across this post. I'm looking into a roller for my neighbors husband as a gift.

At first glance the Husky looks exactly what I'm looking for. He has a small single stall garage, and most of his tools are the typical home owners, so the long top drawer, 6 shallows and the two tall ones for drills etc, would be ideal. The purpose built top workbench is also great, as he doesn't need a big one like I do. Plus, he can roll it around as needed.

The cost of $279 is great because you know how most wives don't understand why we need such tool boxes when we could just use stackable plastic crates or other BS,.... storage. lol

It's a bummer that the reviews here is not high. The Home Depot has 12 positive, but I trust everyone here as we actually use,...our tools on a daily basis, not just a weekend warrior.

A fellow sprint car team bought one of the General HF box's for inside their trailer, and I was actually amazed of the pretty high quality, even over my Craftsman. (my 1980's Craftsman box's are very high quality, not my newer roller's that are no where close to my old ones)

So, I'll look more into the HF systems.

Thanks !

 

[cheechi]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

I own a husky 26" stack similar to that box. And I have a HF 44" box. I wish I had bought the HF from the start.

The Husky boxes are really only good for the occasional use guy. If you open any of the drawers more often than once a week, you need better quality.

Basically with the HF box its open, grab tool, slam
with the Husky box its ooooooooopen, grab tool, close, close, close gently. The slides aren't very good.

 

[427HISS]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Looking at HF website, they don't have many that I'm looking for. The one posted here is fine, but wish it had a few deeper drawers for larger tools like drills etc., like the Home Depot one.

The HD would be perfect for his use, size of drawers and the bench, but I'm concerned about the quality.

 

[Breen11]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

Get the HF box.

 

[crazytrain]

Re: Husky 46" 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench or The U.S.General Roller Cabinet 44" 13 draw

I have the HF 44" cabinet and top box and just added the side cabinet. I use it everyday at work and have no problems. The drawer slides are roller bearing and operate smoothly. The box does lack a deep drawer for those larger tools but it really does not bother me. I also added a Homack side shelf to my box. For the money it's a decent box I have right around $875 in the entire set up. I can't even touch a used tool truck brand box for that around here.