Best value LARGE upper/lower tool chest under $400?

[CZ Eddie]

I want to replace my 26"W by 44" tall Craftsman rolling tool chest with something much larger. I'm severely constrained by budget but need more height room for an over-spilling tool collection!
I'm just a DIY guy with occasional projects, so I don't need anything fancy.
My old Craftsman was a non-roller-bearing $180 special from Sears and still works fine. Since I don't have room for both, I plan to sell the Craftsman to put the money towards my $400 budget.

I found the US General 26x59.5 for $369.
http://www.harborfreight.com/26-in-16-drawer-glossy-red-roller-cabinet-combo-61609.html

Is this going to be my best deal under $400 for something new?
I'm also keeping an eye on Craigslist for used deals but haven't found anything I liked yet.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

For things you use rarely, what about some clear storage tubs from Walmart?

 

[CZ Eddie]

Hahahah. That's what I'm trying to get away from.

 

[lutter94]

A guy is telling another guy to buy storage tubs over a tool box on garage journal? Now I really have seen it all. Lol.

That box will be light years beyond the quality of your old craftsman box. I'm all for it! The 44" wide box is similar pricing, and you can use the top as a work surface. But since you don't have room for 2 26", that may not work.

 

[CZ Eddie]

Thank you. The US General box does seem like a good deal and has good reviews.
And Harbor Freight is 20 minutes from me, so pickup to save on shipping helps.

 

[Al Borland]

Just look inside the cardboard before buying a Harbor Freight box. Some of them are bent inside good undamaged packaging. Same goes for Home Despot.
If the HF box is undamaged, they are a good deal. Try to go when they are quiet so you won't have to smell the place as long.
Also check the coupon thread, there are coupons for these for 329 right now.

 

[CZ Eddie]

Just look inside the cardboard before buying a Harbor Freight box.
.....
Also check the coupon thread, there are coupons for these for 329 right now.

Good tip, thanks.
I checked the coupon thread but didn't see any $329 coupons since last posted back in 2014.

 

[Al Borland]

It's in this month's Hot Rod magazine, Figured someone would have it added there as well.

Edit - Found it:
http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/54_ITEM_26___16_DRAWER_ROLLER_CABINET_1471372601.317.JPG

 

[kctyphoon]

The harbor freight boxes are hands down the best bang for the buck.. You may be able to find a HD Husky model that comes with a top chest for near the same money - but I'd advise you pass on that on go with the HF model.. The HF boxes are expandable with the top chest, additional drawer units, lockers.. You can build on them in the future and make it taller or longer. Not to mention they are better made than the husky..

This isn't mine, (I DO have a 44" HF top, bottom, and locker) but I always liked the idea of making a work surface on top of the tool box... It's the 44" HF bottom box with a drawer unit added on both sides, with some plywood on top.

 

[CZ Eddie]

That's pretty cool and has me wondering about how I can re-arrange my small garage to work something like this out as a long-term goal.

I'm researching the HF US General boxes on this forum and it does seem like they have a good reputation.

 

[CZ Eddie]

http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/54_ITEM_26___16_DRAWER_ROLLER_CABINET_1471372601.317.JPG

THANK YOU!

 

[Cruzan80]

If you don't need it right away, I have under $200 in the two 26" stacks I have. One top is the old red/gray Craftsman, a newer 2-drawer mid, a 70's medical cart bottom, a REM-Pro Bottom, a Waterloo "bottom" that is currently a mid, and a Waterloo top. Most anything cost was $70 for the Craftsman/Medical cart. Garage Sales, Estate Sales and Craigslist.

And I live in Denver, so no rust belt pricing for me.

 

[CZ Eddie]

Hmm, the coupon doesn't work online but I can try the local store in-person.
The stupid website doesn't even allow you to setup local pickup anyhow. Shipping only.

 

[Corndoggeh]

You could also buy HF tool boxes like the big red ones and store the less used equipment and label them such as a box dedicated for plumbing, masonry, and the less used special automotive tools that may only see use once a year.

 

[kctyphoon]

Just trying to be more helpful, these ARE other options is you don't want to expand, OR just don't want to spend more money..

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-46...Dc-aJH0viK2zKU-cLpw9gaAi9l8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-41...6UReqr4hR5__fLvqsytJoaAla08P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52...eB-ztWWFuG0wmzfeAS6AoaAo9d8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52...HSVLf03Y0xvuwKSjfsr8QaAnHT8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[CZ Eddie]

... store the less used equipment and label them such as a box dedicated for plumbing, masonry, and the less used special automotive tools that may only see use once a year.

Oh trust me, I have an entire 72"x24" shelf upstairs filled with little used tools like that. All in their own special semi-clear plastic containers.

 

[easyrider13]

I've been very pleased with the HF 44" box I bought to replace my old Craftsman. Be sure to have them take it out of the box before accepting it. Some boxes get dented and some have bare spots where the paint has rubbed off in transit.

 

[kctyphoon]

I've been very pleased with the HF 44" box I bought to replace my old Craftsman. Be sure to have them take it out of the box before accepting it. Some boxes get dented and some have bare spots where the paint has rubbed off in transit.

Yes , inspect EVERYTHING before you leave.. HF has also been known to knock 30% off dented boxes just to try and sell them.. If your willing to look at it everyday you can save a bit of cash. IMO they were cheap enough to not be annoyed looking at a dent in the side, so I passed on the 30% off they offered me on my locker..

 

[ryan20021982]

Hmm, the coupon doesn't work online but I can try the local store in-person.
The stupid website doesn't even allow you to setup local pickup anyhow. Shipping only.

Works fine here

View media item 63569

 

[CZ Eddie]

Ahh, so it does!
I was already frustrated by it not taking the various coupons I tried and when I saw the red text was still there, I didn't bother looking closer.

"The item is excluded from certain coupon offers. Please check the coupon for details.
An additional lift-gate charge may apply."

 

[lutter94]

New price

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[Tonellin]

^ That's the price I snagged mine at maybe 3-4 months ago. Real hard to pass up at that price point and it doesn't seem to hit the $300 mark very often

 

[CZ Eddie]

Thank you, Lutter. Bought it today.
And as suggested, we opened the box to make sure it wasn't dented.
Well, we opened the top.
Then I got home 45 minutes later and unboxed it, only to find the BOTTOM was dented bad enough I couldn't open the bottom drawer. ugh lol
Heading back now and will take ya'lls advice and tear it down while still onsite to make sure the whole thing is fine.
Sheesh, the cardboard box looked just fine too.

 

[thool]

Yeah, the bottom left edge of mine was dented in slightly, but just cosmetically. This is common, and most opinions are that moving the chest at the factory prior to boxing, the handling machine does the damage. Likely a forklift tilting the box back onto that edge.

Sent from my XT1034 using Tapatalk

 

[CZ Eddie]

New vs. Old.
Then pics of the first lower box's damage.

 

[Mrmontebuilder]

A used HF box on CL can be a super score. If I was looking I would go that route and just be patient until a deal came along. There was a side locker, side cabinet, bottom and top 44" for $400 I am still kicking myself for not buying. Keep cash in hand and be ready to bounce on a deal.

 

[Al Borland]

Unfortunately, damage seems to be a Harbor Freight thing. Was going to get a 44" box a few weeks ago, and every box on display was like that or worse. The 26" box looked like they used the drawers for a ladder, and the 44' had a bent drawer, looked like a fat guy sat on it. Said screw it and left. You would think the store would put out decent, unmangled boxes for display models...

 

[fourjeepin]

Did they cut you a deal to take the damaged ones? I ordered a few Stanley cabinets this week and refused them all due to shipping damage

 

[IRQVET]

IMHO, Harbor Freight Boxes are a great value. However, have you looked at Costco and their lineup? I have seldom (if ever) purchased anything from them that wasn't extremely high quality.

Just my .02 cents

http://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?keyword=tool storage

Even if your not a member. Just go to the customer service desk, buy a Costco Cash card, and you can shop for whatever you want without being a member (life hack).

 

[brownbagg]

why not craftman

 

[xjfish]

I have to say the ugly green Menards "Mastercraft" boxes cana be a good bargain on a good quality box(s) for the money if that is an option.