HF 44" toolchest to small?

[aznxstazy]

I'm debating on buying the HF 44" toolchest. My HF 5 draw toolcart filled up quickly and need more space. Wondering if the 44" toolchest would be a decent upgrade for a while or should I just skip the 44" and go for a 52" toolchest?

Post some pics of your HF 44" if you have any. Been searching, but a lot of people just post pics of their box, but I'm trying to see the storage capacity of the draws.

Thank guys

 

[Farmall450]

I've gotta say mine filled up far too quickly. I'll probably pick up the top over summer, even though I'll sure miss my workbench!

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Here is what I am thinking, if you do fill up the 44" quick, then you could buy another and still be under the $799 of the 56". 88in for less than the cost of 56.

 

[CJM8515]

I found I also filled mine pretty quickly coming from a 26" 3 stack chest. I wound up getting the add on chest to the 44" HF. But i also spaced out my tools better.

 

[oldldh]

My wife bought me the 56" HF Roller cabinet for Christmas of 2013...

Smart woman, she is...

The 56" is much bigger, storage wise, than the 44"...

The 44" is nice, but the 56" is great...

At least, I think so...

 

[kctyphoon]

I think you'll be ok. you can always buy more pieces, like additional drawer units, top chest, or lockers.. - unless you really want the bigger model - nothing wrong with that.. heres an idea-


one advantage to the 56" is its deeper - but price vs storgage space the 44" cant be beat - also, the additional pieces are only as deep as the 44" anyway if you want them.

 

[jim1987]

Here's my 56" stack. I need some side cabinets soon.

 

[slip knot]

Buy 2 of the 44's...

 

[DanInVA]

I bought a hf44 as an upgrade from a hf 5 drawer roll cart at home. The roll cart was pretty much packed to the gills, but it was shocking how much of the hf44's space everything took up. I ended up putting most everything back in the roll cart. I plan to use the roll cart for most of my commonly used stuff, and the hf44 to store oddball stuff I rarely need and diagnostic stuff. That way, you keep the mobility of the roll cart, and you have lots of space to store your less commonly used tools

 

[jim1987]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242833

 

[RedneckWelder]

What kind of tools do you have to store, and how much do you anticipate on acquiring? How much space do you have for tool storage?

 

[Mustang1167]

What redneckwelder said...looks like you do plan to buy alot of tools because you are already asking yourself if you will fill it up. I have a 44" I filled it up then had to get the side locker and cabinet. So maybe just plan to get 2 44", or just go with the 56". I like the work top so I didn't buy the top chest.

 

[pipsters]

Biggest differce is the depth. In small garages the depth of the HF44 is more doable.

The HF44 with top/bottom and side combo will hold quite a bit. Look more at sq in of floor space vs cubic feet of storage. The side locker is nice for big bulky items as well, like say a manifold gauge set.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

I have had the same old gray and red 60's Craftsman top and bottom since the early 70's. Bought them used. Five drawer bottom box with large open area on bottom, and a 10 drawer top box. Top box is only 26 x 12 and bottom is 26 x 18
I bought a HF 44 thinking I could put all my tools from the old Craftsman set up in it.
I was wrong.

 

[cheechi]

Buy two.

Then when that gets too small buy two tops. Then the 7 drawer side cab. Then a third 44".

Sorry I got into a thing there.

 

[crazytrain]

You're a member of GJ, no matter what size box you buy it's gonna fill up to fast!

I bought a HF 44", a month later added the top box and then a side cabinet a month after that. My Snap On dealer gave me a hell of a deal on a used box he had with a hutch. I always wanted a triple bank box with a hutch. I have had the bigger Snappy box about 6 months now and its almost filled. It happens fast especially when you wrench everyday for a living.

 

[hoffman912]

i was a little disappointed when i filled mine up this weekend. its bigger than what i had, but if the drawers were just a little bit deeper (taller) it would be killer. the drawers are just too shallow imho.

 

[Farmall450]

I found I also filled mine pretty quickly coming from a 26" 3 stack chest. I wound up getting the add on chest to the 44" HF. But i also spaced out my tools better.

Came from the same thing, a CMAN. Still have it.

 

[rice rocket]

The 44 is built much nicer than the 56. Drawer gaps are smaller, seems a little tighter overall. I'd get two 44's before getting a 56 for the same price, despite losing two inches in depth.

 

[jim1987]

The 44 is built much nicer than the 56. Drawer gaps are smaller, seems a little tighter overall. I'd get two 44's before getting a 56 for the same price, despite losing two inches in depth.

Lol. No way in hell this is a true statement. The 56" is superior to the 44 in evey way. My left bank is almost as wide as the top drawer on the 44. The 56" is deeper. Built better. Has more drawers with double slides. And holds the weight better. I've had both.

 

[Sh40674]

I filled my too and bottom quick.. For the price I wish I would have gotten this.. But didn't discover it until after

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-i...and-Cabinet-Set-Black-HOTC5218B1QES/204825971

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I had (1) 44" and filled it quickly. I soon picked up a second and filled that up pretty quick. I then picked up a HF 28" bottom and moved my less commonly used stuff into it. I now have about half a 44" open for more stuff after filling the 28". I can't imagine I will ever outgrow what I have as my collection is rather complete.

I personally don't care for the drawer layout of the 56", but I really like the depth. If the 44" was even 2" deeper, it would make a huge difference. The ironic thing is I had to go with the 44" boxes due to their length and depth in order to fit them in my garage with a car parked inside.

 

[jim1987]

I filled my too and bottom quick.. For the price I wish I would have gotten this.. But didn't discover it until after

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-i...and-Cabinet-Set-Black-HOTC5218B1QES/204825971

Actually not a bad box for the price for a weekend warrior. Not quite as strong and sturdy as a HF, and not as deep as a hf56. But decent enough.

 

[risc]

IMO the 56" is much nicer and you'll fill it fast.

 

[rice rocket]

Lol. No way in hell this is a true statement. The 56" is superior to the 44 in evey way. My left bank is almost as wide as the top drawer on the 44. The 56" is deeper. Built better. Has more drawers with double slides. And holds the weight better. I've had both.

The 44 seems to stay tight, even after tons of use. Every 56 I've come across has sloppy/loose drawers. They both still hold tools, yeah, but in the long run I'd rather have two 44s.

IMO.

 

[zkling]

The 44" gives more storage per dollar both in volume and surface area. It is equivalent to a common 26" top/bottom box with the added benefit of a top work surface.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I am thinking of getting the 44 as well. I got the Craftsman combo stainless steel for fathers day last year pretty large combo. The 44 is good as you can always add the top chest and when that fills up you can add side parts and when those fill up start all over again with the 44 bottom chest and repeat.

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I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman dont give me no credit

 

[Eatbeef]

It comes down to how you intend to use it. I like the looks and depth of the 56 better but when I really thought about what and how I would store tools I decided to go with the 44 and a 7 drawer side cabinet. I mostly have hand tools in the box so the deeper drawers of the 56 are somewhat wasted space for me. Air tools, cordless impacts, drills, grinders and the likes get store on shelves so it came down to square inches of space being more important than cubic inches of space. I don’t know the drawer dimensions of the 56 but when I looked at it and the 44 side by side it didn't appear the 56 had much if any more square inches of drawer space. With the addition of the 7 drawer side cabinet I’m confident I have more. Now, if I didn't have shelving space available and the tool box was my only storage I might have gone with the 56 and the top box.

 

[Cope]

It comes down to how you intend to use it. ....I don’t know the drawer dimensions of the 56 but when I looked at it and the 44 side by side it didn't appear the 56 had much if any more square inches of drawer space. With the addition of the 7 drawer side cabinet I’m confident I have more.

The 56" is 2" deeper, 2" taller and 12" wider than the 44. Regardless of the drawer configuration, the 56" is larger. True with that side cabinet you're really close. HF doesn't quote square inches, and it's a PITA to calculate on your own.

 

[Jwych]

Farmall do you have a menards around your area? The masterforce brand has a 41 in top chest with a slide out work space with 100 lb capacity. I think that's what I'm going to go with because I just can't do without a place to do paperwork when I'm at the shop

 

[jim1987]

The 44 seems to stay tight, even after tons of use. Every 56 I've come across has sloppy/loose drawers. They both still hold tools, yeah, but in the long run I'd rather have two 44s.

IMO.

The 56" is 2" deeper, 2" taller and 12" wider than the 44. Regardless of the drawer configuration, the 56" is larger. True with that side cabinet you're really close. HF doesn't quote square inches, and it's a PITA to calculate on your own.

Idk. I traded for my 56" bottom a year ago, and it was supposed to be a year old then. A few days after I got the bottom, I went and bought the top. Things didn't work out as planned, and I needed up with a display model. Both are still tight. And it's not like my drawers aren't loaded.

If someone really wants to, I'll figure out my square footage later. Its not difficult. The left bank is the same width and depth, so is the right. Alls you have to do is find out a right bank square inch, and a left bank square inch. And multiply how many if each you have.

 

[Frank Dukes]

well im glad i read this thread if nothing else.. i have a 26" triple stack and have been contemplating moving that to the basement and getting a 44 for the garage. not sure now.

 

[ChrisPace]

I would jump all over that tool box if it had some shallower drawers. Lots of wasted "air" when you put screwdrivers or wrenches in a drawer.

 

[Burb]

Fyi, Harbor Freight does list storage cap of their cabinets:

44"= 14,200 cu. in.

56"= 28,200 cu. in.

72"= 34,300 cu. in.

 

[jim1987]

The 56" stack has roughly 9400 SQUARE inches of drawer space. Not Including the under the lid of the top box.

Another reason I like the 56" stack is because the left bank is 37" wide. Perfect for a socket drawer, two wrench drawers and a drawer for all my pry bars. Because I do have a pry bar that's 36" long. Where's that going to fit in the 44" if you use the long top drawer for sockets and under the lid is full?

 

[rice rocket]

Fyi, Harbor Freight does list storage cap of their cabinets:

44"= 14,200 cu. in.

56"= 28,200 cu. in.

72"= 34,300 cu. in.

Right, but the 56" has a lot more tall drawers, which is mostly wasted space...unless you have a tons and tons of deep sockets.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I would jump all over that tool box if it had some shallower drawers. Lots of wasted "air" when you put screwdrivers or wrenches in a drawer.

My exact thoughts.

 

[mrvm]

OP, (my 2 cents)... more cost effective to get two HF 44's when the time comes for needing more tool storage rather than buying the hang-on HF side cabinets. IMO the HF 44's are 1 wide drawer better than a tall bottom roller 26" plus a side cabinet as far a useable capacity. I keep a couple of the old CM 26's for tool storage overflow or specialized them for plumbing or electrical. The HF 44's will be easier to move when upgrading your residence.

 

[whitetrash1]

My 44" filled up a lot faster than I thought it would

 

[Eatbeef]

Idk. I traded for my 56" bottom a year ago, and it was supposed to be a year old then. A few days after I got the bottom, I went and bought the top. Things didn't work out as planned, and I needed up with a display model. Both are still tight. And it's not like my drawers aren't loaded.

If someone really wants to, I'll figure out my square footage later. Its not difficult. The left bank is the same width and depth, so is the right. Alls you have to do is find out a right bank square inch, and a left bank square inch. And multiply how many if each you have.

Alright, curiosity got the best of me so here are the square dimensions of the 44.
big drawer: 36.75" X 15.875" = 583.41 square inches X 1 drawer = 583.41
Medium drawer: 22.25" X 15.875" = 353.22 square inches X 6 drawers = 2119.32
Small Drawer: 12.25" X 15.875" = 194.47 square inches X 6 drawers = 1166.82
583.41 + 2119.32 + 1166.82 = 3869.55 square inches divided by 144 = 26.87 square feet.

7 drawer side box: 12.25 X 15.875 = 194.47 square inches X 7 drawers = 1361.29 square inches divided by 144 = 9.45 square feet.

So for me, I have a total of 36.32 square feet of drawer space.

I'm not arguing one over the other, just know what's important to you and make an informed decision.