Harbor Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

[erty67]

https://goo.io/KKQVMl

Sorry for another HF tool box thread but I cannot find much 26" info searching. "26" is too short to search. I'm looking to pick up one of the two in the next few weeks to put in my workshop/shed. Space is a factor so the 26" seems interesting but I know overal the 44" is nicer where space provides. I'm just trying to figure out if I should try squeezing the 44" in the shed, or would the 26" be the way to go. I'd love a 32-35" but nothing available locally in that price and quality range. Keep in mind I would only be purchasing the bottom if I go 44". Any direct comparison feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Trey T]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

If you can not afford to go wide, go high with the 26" top and bottom. I believe working area is more important than a nice big tool chest.

For investment purpose, I believe 44" tool chest has a better resale value than the 26". The 44 is the middle road for starter and professional users while 26" is an entry-level tool chest.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

One is 26" wide and the other is 44" wide. They don't call me captain obvious for no reason. On a serious note if you can fit the 44" go for it. It provides a good work surface and will have some room to grow into vs a 26" box. The 44" is actually 42" without the handle.

 

[Provincial]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

The 44" has bigger, wider, and deeper drawers. If you have a lot of small stuff and want to sort it into more categories, the 26" will give you more shallower drawers. Of course, you can use dividers and trays in the bigger drawers to help in sorting.

I use the work surface of my 44" a lot. I have decided not to get a top chest for it for this reason. The down side is that I have to bend over to get at many of my tools.

 

[jim1987]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

Any HF RED tool box is good quality. I remember a thread talking about they have about they sameurface are as far as storage goes. Personally, id squeeze the 44 in if you can. Because later down the road, (read when not if) you expand, you can either sell it for quick easyoney, or add top chest. For the money, you can't beat the quality. I myself just upgraded from the 44" to the 56" top and bottom. Like I said, as long as its a red box from harbor freight, you really can't go wrong.

 

[erty67]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

I guess that is my concern. What happens down the road. I think I'll be ok for now with a 26" but if I decide to sell and/or upgrade it'll be a tougher sale than the 44". Adding the top to the 44" also becomes an option. The 26" is rated for 1000lbs I think, where the 44" is rated 2600+lbs. for similar money I just wonder if the 44" is the smarter choice.

 

[boomeradf]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

I guess that is my concern. What happens down the road. I think I'll be ok for now with a 26" but if I decide to sell and/or upgrade it'll be a tougher sale than the 44". Adding the top to the 44" also becomes an option. The 26" is rated for 1000lbs I think, where the 44" is rated 2600+lbs. for similar money I just wonder if the 44" is the smarter choice.

Do remember that 2600+ number includes a top, a 7 drawer and a side cab. The bottom roller on its own does not rate at that number.

Page two of the linked doc here.

 

[Trey T]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

With a stacked 26" tool chest, I believe it has the same volume as the single 44" box.

What's important right now - is the question you should ask

either tool box is relatively cheap compared to having proper work space. Work space has a lot of value because work quality can result from that.

 

[zkling]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

You'll get about 1.5 x more in^2 storage space out of the 26" stack compared to just the 44" bottom. Depends on what you would rather have. Just a tool box or a tool box that possibly doubles as a bench/work surface. You'll be able to store more bulky items in the 44" but total overall storage goes to the 26" setup. Then again the 44" give you options to grow down the line, no so much for the 26" unless you go wider.

Personally I think I'd go with the 44", but YMMV.

 

[gyromike]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

I had a 26" triple stack Craftsman Griplatch that held more than my 44" HF, so I added the 7 drawer end cabinet.

The roller cab and side box works out much better because I now have a work top to place my tools and parts when I am working, and my tall 26" stack was too tippy. I almost flipped it one day moving it around a table and decided to go to HF the next day and pick up a 44" roll cab and side box.

 

[Sleipnir]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

If you need something a smidge smaller theres a husky 41" combo at HD for $300.. I looked at the HF 26" but I am too short for how tall that thing is. Plus a few more deep drawers would be nice imo

 

[jim1987]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

Just remember how the quality is on the husky 41" stack. You get what you pay for. Definitely check the boxes for damage BEFORE you pay if you do go that route. But like I said earlier, the stack would probably last long enough for you to out grow it.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Re: Harbir Freight 26" tool cabinet vs. HF 44" cabinet?

I ended up getting the 44" and liked it so much that I bought another 44" when I filled it up. I'm now able to get rid of my workbench that I never really used as these two boxes lined up side by side give me about the same work surface. FWIW, I got rid of a Matco service cart and a Snap On 28" box for these two units and I couldn't be happier. They aren't Snap On quality, but they are perfect for a person like me who doesn't get daily use out of their tools. Tool boxes are like gun safes; you never regret going bigger, but you always regret going smaller!

 

[cludwin]

I have the 26" top + bottom and I wish I had gone 44". As they say grass is always greener but for me my tools would have fit better in the 44" mainly because of placement of the deep drawers and the work bench you get for free on top of the 44.

Sockets will stand up straight in that top drawer on the 44 nicely while I can't find a convenient drawer for my sockets in the 26. The deep drawers on the top chest are just a little to small for my socket organizers and the ones on the bottom are a little too low.

 

[brendelac]

On the HF website, it lists the height of the 44 cabinet at 40". Is that including or excluding the casters? Thanks.

 

[rockinacummins]

IMO, go for the 44". You lose more floor space but you gain more work space on top

 

[pantera1]

On the HF website, it lists the height of the 44 cabinet at 40". Is that including or excluding the casters? Thanks.

40" with the casters

 

[1foxracing]

Here is nice review of the HF26" model. Yeah it's long and the guys seems kinda crazy but he makes some excellent points.

 

[BryanB]

I went thru the same debate and ended up following the advice of the journal....glad I did. Went with the 44", and I'm gonna need to add to it soon as it's almost full. It's quite nice, provides a good work surface that you can add a top to and a vise, as well as sides and an upper if you really ever need the room!

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Depends on your needs. I have the 44 bottom box and the 26 combo.
The 26 holds way more small hand tools. Wrenches up to 15/16" fit in Snap on wrench holders easily in the most shallow drawers. Most screwdrivers and pliers will fit fine.
The 44 has the work top, although at the very least you will want to put a piece of 5/8 plywood on top, if not something better.

If you have small hand tools aplenty, and don't need another work surface, go 26. If you have a few more bulky items you need to store, and need a work surface, go 44.
My guess is you are some where in between, like needing a work surface but have a bunch of small hand tools, making your decision more difficult.

 

[NC-Shaun]

My tool box is geared toward motorcycle tooling. This requires alot of smaller drawers so when I made the choice I went for the 26 incher. That was over a year ago and I am very happy with the layout. I will point out something though.....If you are the guy who hoards tools, or uses your space inefficiently you will hate the 26 incher. I have a buddy who has a 52 inch Cornwell roller and he doesnt have half the tools in his box as I have in my 26 inch combo.

Also, if you have a need for the larger drawers for automotive specialty tools I would choose a larger box. That being said if that was the case I would get the 56 incher.

 

[Cope]

I have the 26" top + bottom and I wish I had gone 44". As they say grass is always greener but for me my tools would have fit better in the 44" mainly because of placement of the deep drawers and the work bench you get for free on top of the 44.

Sockets will stand up straight in that top drawer on the 44 nicely while I can't find a convenient drawer for my sockets in the 26. The deep drawers on the top chest are just a little to small for my socket organizers and the ones on the bottom are a little too low.

Sockets is what the top till was made for on the 26".

 

[NC-Shaun]

Top of my 26 incher.... I use one of the lower drawers for my impact guns,ratchet, and sockets

 

[stang2007]

+1 on the 26" fits all the tools i need... for now.

 

[erty67]

nice bump. Man, I took so long to decide on this that I ended up with neither. I ended up acquiring a 26-27" craftsman box similar to the 26" for free. It's a little beat up, but perfect for the shed that it sits in. Hopefully one day I'll move up to an actual garage and spoil myself with a 44 or 56. The 26 does fit a fair amount of tools though.

 

[SalahHH83]

I'm going through this debate right now and keep going back and forth between the 44 and 26. Honestly, I wish I could get the 44 bottom and only buy the top box of the 26 as I wish the top cabinet in 44 size came with more small drawers like the 26's top box. That would provide the best of both worlds

 

[ChrisPace]

I would do a 26" and a side cabinet, Shallower drawers will waste less space for screwdrivers and such.

 

[SalahHH83]

My local HF is having a parking lot sale this weekend. I'm going to try to go down there and see if I can find a scratch and dent or returned 26" cabinet and 44" cabinet. What I'd really like to do is get the 44 and buy just the top part of the 26. Fingers crossed!

 

[Youngguns]

Here is nice review of the HF26" model. Yeah it's long and the guys seems kinda crazy but he makes some excellent points.

That guy is ridiculous!

 

[brendelac]

That guy is ridiculous!

Reminds me of this guy

 

[ss454]

for smaller hand tools I would go for the 26 with a side cabinet, or maybe two.

 

[geojag]

Shop layout was the determining factor for me. My "shop" is 12'x18'. I went with the 26, it holds a good bit and is a decent box.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I would do a 26" and a side cabinet, Shallower drawers will waste less space for screwdrivers and such.

Have you seen anybody install the side locker or 7 drawer on the 26 incher? I have been thinking that would make my setup perfect if that will work properly.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-7-drawer-glossy-red-end-cabinet-for-roller-tool-chest-68785.html

or this

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-Glossy-Red-End-Cabinet-For-Roller-Tool-Chest-68991.html

If you or anybody else knows if this works or has seen this please post pics..

 

[Cope]

Have you seen anybody install the side locker or 7 drawer on the 26 incher? I have been thinking that would make my setup perfect if that will work properly.

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-7-drawer-glossy-red-end-cabinet-for-roller-tool-chest-68785.html

or this

http://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-Glossy-Red-End-Cabinet-For-Roller-Tool-Chest-68991.html

If you or anybody else knows if this works or has seen this please post pics..

It does work, I've seen pictures here.

 

[NC-Shaun]

It does work, I've seen pictures here.

If you find em, please post a link or the picture. I have a few larger items that I would like to make room for. Items that may be better off in a wall cabinet, rather than my tool box really. But if I can mount the side cabinet, and it looks proper as far as matching the top and bottom of my 26 incher I may go that route.