Options for my next toolbox, which would you choose?

Tigervuu · May 13, 2014

It will be from Harbor Freight, the US General series for I simply cannot afford the other high end brands. I have around $1200 to spend, diagrams are what I am thinking about.

1. 72 inch - bottom for $999(currently on sale)
2. 56 inch - top and bottom(about $1080 with coupons)
3. 44 inch - 2 bottoms, 1 top and 1 side locker cabinet(about $1210 with coupons)(I already have the drawer end cabinet)

Thanks ahead for your responses.....Don

<a href="http://s65.photobucket.com/user/tigervuu/media/misc/Toolbox1_zpsd6f58baf.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h218/tigervuu/misc/Toolbox1_zpsd6f58baf.png" border="0" alt=" photo Toolbox1_zpsd6f58baf.png"/></a>

<a href="http://s65.photobucket.com/user/tigervuu/media/misc/Toolbox2_zps5528bbe8.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h218/tigervuu/misc/Toolbox2_zps5528bbe8.png" border="0" alt=" photo Toolbox2_zps5528bbe8.png"/></a>
<h9>*diagram photos courtesy of strictly toolboxes dot.com

Cruzomatic · May 13, 2014

Well, depending on how much you have to store that would be a big deciding factor for me, but again, you can never have enough storage space.

I'd go for option #3 picture 1.

sloppy · May 13, 2014

the 72" with a 56" box on top and your side box..

I think I would add center castors to the box though..

briwod · May 13, 2014

I would choose option #1 because it gives you the most versatility. You've got the locker for large items and more drawers of various sizes.

nehog · May 13, 2014

briwod said:
I would choose option #1 because it gives you the most versatility. You've got the locker for large items and more drawers of various sizes.

I suspect you mean option #3, but pictures are in the wrong order! I too would go with option number 3 (picture #1) were this my choice.

chipper · May 13, 2014

You have the wrong drawer configuration for the 56 there's no full length drawer and definitely not two

Tigervuu · May 13, 2014

Thanks for the replies!! If that 72" ever comes out with a top hutch, I'd be in big trouble, will have to pawn some stuff lol. My bad on not correlating the pics to the options, my first post.

I also do like option #3 with the locker too, I can build a hutch in between the locker and top shelf out of wood or something.

Thanks again!!

Tigervuu · May 13, 2014

chipper said:
You have the wrong drawer configuration for the 56 there's no full length drawer and definitely not two

You are correct, I was only using the pics from strickly tool boxes as reference, was too lazy to diagram all the tool cabinets to match exactly. I wanted to use actual pics but couldn't find any full frontal shots.

jim1987 · May 13, 2014

GCncsuHD · May 13, 2014

Option 3, picture 1 will be the most versatile. I like the option of having the side locker to store my tools that are in cases, power tools etc. Throw a work top on the 44 and 7 drawer end cabinet and you will have a nice work area between the top box and locker.

That is what I am doing with my 44, a 7 drawer on one side and an International half side locker on the other. I'll be putting a Sears butcher block top across all 73" of it.

Untitled by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

PelicanPines · May 13, 2014

No brainer for me. Option 3. I would build a hutch in the gap... it's a way of hiding the mess.

Tigervuu · May 13, 2014

GCncsuHD said:
Option 3, picture 1 will be the most versatile. I like the option of having the side locker to store my tools that are in cases, power tools etc. Throw a work top on the 44 and 7 drawer end cabinet and you will have a nice work area between the top box and locker.

That is what I am doing with my 44, a 7 drawer on one side and an International half side locker on the other. I'll be putting a Sears butcher block top across all 73" of it.

Untitled by wrfalcon75, on Flickr

I was wondering where a bunch of y'all got that half locker from, I thought is was something from HF that got discontinued.

Thanks Jim for the full frontal...the deeper drawers on the 56" is eating at me. :headscrat

GCncsuHD · May 13, 2014

Tigervuu said:
I was wondering where a bunch of y'all got that half locker from, I thought is was something from HF that got discontinued.

Thanks Jim for the full frontal...the deeper drawers on the 56" is eating at me.

The half height locker was a HF item, but it was discontinued several years ago. I think it was only available back when the boxes were the red crinkle finish, not the smooth red. I have the International VRS4200RD side locker. The color is a close match, though not exact, and it took a slight modification to make it fit. The International is about 3/4" deeper than the HF box, so I had to trim the mounting lip, and the door is sorta flimsy so I had to reinforce it. The extra depth is not an issue for me since I'll be covering it with a work top anyway.

jim1987 · May 13, 2014

Tigervuu said:
I was wondering where a bunch of y'all got that half locker from, I thought is was something from HF that got discontinued.

Thanks Jim for the full frontal...the deeper drawers on the 56" is eating at me.

No problem

csp · May 13, 2014

Which option gives you the most storage for the buck?

I have two 42" (the handle makes it 44) and don't care for the fact that they are only 18" deep.

Tigervuu · May 14, 2014

Ok so here's the breakdown on the "best bang for your buck" just to be analytically correct and for good measure....

Two 44" bottoms:
28,400 cu in. for $739.98 = $0.02606/cu in.

One 44" bottom and One 42" top chest:
25,900 cu in. for $649.98 = $0.02509/cu in. :rocker:

One 56" bottom and One 56" top chest:
43,800 cu in. for $1099.98 = $0.02511/cu in.(close 2nd) :bowdown:

One 72" bottom:
34,300 cu in. for $999.99 = $0.02915/cu in.

The prices come from the lowest coupons I could find for the boxes. And if the 56" top chest had a coupon, it would be the best bang for your buck winner. I'm leaning towards the 56" bottom and top chest because of the extra depth of the drawers, locking latches and shear massiveness that it has over the 44". It makes my little ***** larger than actual size. I might throw a locker on there anyways. Thanks again for all your comments!!! You rock!!!

C96 · May 14, 2014

I like the top picture, option #3, but the 18” drawer depth kinda seems sucky….. :dunno:

jim1987 · May 14, 2014

Idk why people get hung up on cubic inches over squares inches. :headscrat

Cruzomatic · May 14, 2014

Let us know what you decide.

Tigervuu · May 14, 2014

jim1987 said:
Idk why people get hung up on cubic inches over squares inches.

I totally agree, it's not like I'm going to fill the drawer completely full!! But that's all the numbers that I could get from their website.

jim1987 · May 14, 2014

Well to give you and idea the 56" box stack has 9418.5 square inches of space.
(10 wide drawers at 37.5" wide (roughly) by 19.5" deep (roughly) plus 9 skinny drawers at 19.5" deep (roughly by 12" wide (roughly)

Maybe someone with the 44" sets can help you out with the square footage there.

Note: my figure doesn't include under the lid on the top

jim1987 · May 14, 2014

I've been out of high school too long...
Just over 43,000 cubic inches with 9418.5 square inches means the total depth of the box would be about 5 inches. Huh? What did I screw up? Something isn't clickin

Tigervuu · May 14, 2014

jim1987 said:
I've been out of high school too long...
Just over 43,000 cubic inches with 9418.5 square inches means the total depth of the box would be about 5 inches. Huh? What did I screw up? Something isn't clickin

Forget the numbers, how do you like your setup with the 56" top and bottom? Any regrets or anything you wish you would have done differently?

jim1987 · May 14, 2014

Tigervuu said:
Forget the numbers, how do you like your setup with the 56" top and bottom? Any regrets or anything you wish you would have done differently?

Ya never I see where I thought I screwed up.

Anyways, I love my 56" stack. Holds a lot of tools and a lot of weight. Click on my user name and find the thread about my drawer layout and what not. If I ever need more storage, a 56" bottom would be my next buy. Hands down. I got a steal on mine, but it wasn't new lol. But it only took me 10 minutes once I got it home I decided I needed the top box to match. Which I did buy new. Can't express how happy I am with it.

Leaflessshadetree · May 14, 2014

sloppy said:
the 72" with a 56" box on top and your side box..

I think I would add center castors to the box though..

Not sure why you left the side box, you already have, and locker, if you need/want it, out of two of your options. :headscrat

Tigervuu · May 17, 2014

So this is what I ended up getting today.....

1. 56" Bottom Cabinet for $699.99
2. 56" Top Chest for $150.00
3. Full side locker for $150.00

The deeper, wider drawers, and locking latches and the discounted top chest were my deciding factors.

The Top Chest was so cheap because it was an open box return. The first guy who bought it said it didn't come with any keys. The top and long drawers are all locked, the smaller side drawers are unlocked and I can open them. The thing is like brand new. All I have to do now is get that lock picked or drill it out and replace with new ones. I'm hoping that the keys are in the top of the chest. I was able to peek inside the larger drawers and did see the liners and handle labels, but no keys.

I got the manager to cut me a good deal on the locker with a little bit of haggling for buying the set. Although the manager made me sign up for a 2yr Inside Track Club membership for $44.99 as part of the deal. All in all, I think I scored a great deal!!! I'll post some pics as soon as I get it all unboxed and put together.

:beer:

jim1987 · May 17, 2014

You **** on that top chest. $250 off? Yup, you ****.

alinc100 · May 17, 2014

Tigervuu said:
So this is what I ended up getting today.....

1. 56" Bottom Cabinet for $699.99
2. 56" Top Chest for $150.00
3. Full side locker for $150.00

The deeper, wider drawers, and locking latches and the discounted top chest were my deciding factors.

The Top Chest was so cheap because it was an open box return. The first guy who bought it said it didn't come with any keys. The top and long drawers are all locked, the smaller side drawers are unlocked and I can open them. The thing is like brand new. All I have to do now is get that lock picked or drill it out and replace with new ones. I'm hoping that the keys are in the top of the chest. I was able to peek inside the larger drawers and did see the liners and handle labels, but no keys.

I got the manager to cut me a good deal on the locker with a little bit of haggling for buying the set. Although the manager made me sign up for a 2yr Inside Track Club membership for $44.99 as part of the deal. All in all, I think I scored a great deal!!! I'll post some pics as soon as I get it all unboxed and put together.

Sounds like a good purchase to me.I combined a 42-44" and a 26" to make what worked best for me.
If you can flip the top box upside down and give a couple raps and see if the lock mechanism shifts and allows you to work the drawers open.
Take pics and post when you get it all together.

Tigervuu · May 17, 2014

alinc100 said:
Sounds like a good purchase to me.I combined a 42-44" and a 26" to make what worked best for me.
If you can flip the top box upside down and give a couple raps and see if the lock mechanism shifts and allows you to work the drawers open.
Take pics and post when you get it all together.

Holy Cow, your setup looks super sweet!!! Never even thought about doing that. Can't even tell it's two different cabinets.

Tigervuu · May 17, 2014

<h3>Here she is, with her little sidekick.... :willy_nil

MN4x4 · May 17, 2014

I have the 56" bottom and would never be happy with the depth of the 44" one. I don't own the 56" top - yet - but I think it's in my future. If I could find a deal like that return mentioned above, it would be a done deal!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

nicksnothereman · May 18, 2014

The two 44" bottoms. Use one fixed and the other moving around. If you fill all that up with strictly mechanics (hand or power) tools I'd say you probably have enough tools. I'm sure there's at least one guy on here that could fill that 44" with hammers alone but it's overkill unless you're buying them at yard sales for under 5 bucks (same with screwdrivers).

If you fill all that up consider limiting the boxes to active tools and storing the stuff you don't use so much somewhere else.

NUTTSGT · May 18, 2014

Nice box and sounds like you got a good deal. If I were to buy another box, I'd try to do something like Steevo and many other have done by incorporating it into a bench. If I was going for the pure box, I think the 56 top/bottom would be nice.

Then again, like Sloppy said, the 72" bottom with a 56" top wouldn't be bad either.

motofool33 · May 18, 2014

i bought the top and bottom once, never again always bottom boxes so you have a bench to work on

Options for my next toolbox, which would you choose?

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