Large mechanic toolbox for home garage recommendations?
- Thread starter Pziddy29
- Start date
Which size did you get, and what color? I don't "need" a new box but the 54" green Homak RS Pro is under $1200 at Summit and it is the perfect layout and size for what I want....and I'm having a hard time resisting. My 44" US General with side box has treated me well but the 18" depth is killing my layout and I'm not about to spend another $800 on newer HF when there are better options out there to suit my wants
JimH74
Well-known member
I found my Extreme 72" box on either Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. Paid 50% of new price, and the box was like new. Very pleased with it. Much better, at least to me, than the 56 or 54 US General box which it replaced. I'm just a hobbiest. Most likely my last box. Did I say how pleased I am with it? Much better layout for me.
Does the summit one have a stainless top?
From memory it will be rubber mat top, best message or call them be sure .
Thanks
I find a lot of Mac,Snapon,Matco 54” toolboxes by me for roughly 2 grand. Ideally looking for a 72” I don’t want to buy another toolbox. I rather buy a 72” and know I’m gonna have the room for all my tools. I made that mistake with my snap on bought a 54” box now I’m out of space. Granted it’s a really old SO box probably one of the first KRL’s. Still looking we’ll see I know summit racing has the homak rs pro shipped to my door for $1840. So considering that however I’d like to see it in person before I make the decision in person.
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metalhead212121
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2010
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- 2,898
Got your PM last night...
Not trying to be a ******* but in your first post you said you looking for a 55" tool box and in the second you said 72". I'm always poking around craigslist and facebook market place for different stuff... If I see something that meets your criteria AND the price is right I'll shoot you another PM.
No, but I don't want the stainless top anyway. I like a wood top that I can drill into or mount a vise to in a temporary location, and if it gets ruined I can make another one.
If you don't have height issues (like I do) you can put a box on top. My garage has limited space for a box higher than the base unit and I don't have the width for more than the 26" USG I have. The solution to more space was the USG 5-drawer cart. I love the combo.
I use my toolbox top as my workbench, unfortunately I don't have room for both. I am also width limited and cannot fit a 72" box so a deep 54-ish inch is the best I can do. My current HF box has been great but at 18" deep just doesn't have the room for the layout I want.
Jeffgage
Well-known member
I bought the new 72" masterforce from menards then added a side box. Then found the older version of a top 56" and 30". The tops are 6" narrower which gives me a nice "storage" area.
If you have a menards in ur area wait for it to go on sale, $1899 seems high now. I was lucky and bought mine before the price went up
If you have a menards in ur area wait for it to go on sale, $1899 seems high now. I was lucky and bought mine before the price went up
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PhantomEB
Well-known member
I sure wouldn’t discount a pair of HF 56’s. Keeps your tools down low not to mention you can expand on the quick with another one that matches in colour or add a top to one of the boxes.
I am severely jealous of you guys down south with your selection available at HF.
I am severely jealous of you guys down south with your selection available at HF.
I would say they very much equal, the 3 wide drawers on masterforce will be a bonus to many and masterforce drawer latch has the latch mechanism on outer side of drawer which better design over Homak RS Pro .
it was a great buy back when cheaper as on deal/rebate it could be had for 1300bucks which made a pretty cheap usable 72x24" box with decent drawer latching and wheels
kngelv
Well-known member
This is the danger of asking for advice on these forums. Sometimes you get so much conflicting advice that you get stuck in “paralysis by analysis” and start doubting your own decisions. This ends up causing you to doubt whatever you do. Your original post said you wanted a 72” box that was 22”-24” deep. Just stick with that. In your price range your looking at HF or Home Depot for a quick pick up or RS Pro or similar if you order. Of course you can’t really try out the ones you have to order. I know more advice is probably the last thing you need but I would just go up to Home Depot and Harbor Freight grab some socket sets or other tools off the racks and put them in the drawers. See how they feel when you open and close them. I loaded them down when I did my test and made my decision off of that.
James
No thats not my issue at all to be honest. I am pretty much dead set on a 72" RS Pro or a snapon or mac used box. Just looking for a deal. If something pops up for the right price ill try to grab it. Decided I rather buy something bigger than have to spend more the buy more storage down the line. This is where I am currently at.
For current prices on the RS pro I make a top effort on a used mac or matco box or even snappy if priced right .
RS Pro was good buy when napa doing it as a deal, current pricing and amount people who get damaged ones from delivery/forklift would put me off .
Other thing I don't like on the Homak boxes is the latch mechanism being on inside of drawer, your tools can obstruct the latch stoppng it from opening, was a piss poor design choice and only done based on manufacture ease thus a 'cost decision'
RS Pro was good buy when napa doing it as a deal, current pricing and amount people who get damaged ones from delivery/forklift would put me off .
Other thing I don't like on the Homak boxes is the latch mechanism being on inside of drawer, your tools can obstruct the latch stoppng it from opening, was a piss poor design choice and only done based on manufacture ease thus a 'cost decision'
RS Pro is $1,699 at Napa now. Is that the too high price? I can’t decide what direction to go.
It enough .
I personally rate the masterforce 72" a better product .
I pretty much a used truck box guy so my view on new boxes tainted by that view .
So much comes down to your preferences in terms of exact drawer layout, height, intended use and preference on color and how quick you need the box and where you live and what transport you got to collect a box etc ...
I personally rate the masterforce 72" a better product .
I pretty much a used truck box guy so my view on new boxes tainted by that view .
So much comes down to your preferences in terms of exact drawer layout, height, intended use and preference on color and how quick you need the box and where you live and what transport you got to collect a box etc ...
Have you checked Summit Racing for pricing on the Homak Pro RS? They sometimes run good sales. Fourth of July sales should be right around the corner as well.
It may of have already been mentioned, but Tekton has a nice 60" box. May not be big enough though.
https://www.tekton.com/tool-cabinets?quantity=1&color=red&size=60-in-(30-in-deep)
It may of have already been mentioned, but Tekton has a nice 60" box. May not be big enough though.
https://www.tekton.com/tool-cabinets?quantity=1&color=red&size=60-in-(30-in-deep)
Yes currently summit has the best price on homak rs pro 72. Considering that. Also Tekton boxes look nice also however I’m I’m gonna buy a 60” box for $3500 might as well buy a Snapon for $300 more. So not really lookin at that. Only other thing I am considering is buying a used homak rs pro 72 that a friend has for sale the bottom is like new but the top box the lid is bent. Ideally I want just the lower not the top but he’s not willing to split it and at the price he wants for it for $200 more I can have a brand new lower box. Not sure what to do.
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PhantomEB
Well-known member
Pretty funny the staple of Garage Journal is NOT being considered. If I was Stateside it would be nothin but HF’s boxes.
Only thing good at harbor freight is their magnetic glove box holder. Dont get me wrong they sell cheap tools. In my field, I would only buy something from them if i was in a pinch nad had to use it once,thats about it. Once you own quality tools like mac or snap on its hard to compare anything else. That being said hand tools only. Air tools and other there are plenty of reputable brands out there. I just cant justify spending a grand at HF on a box. I already have one of their tool carts that was given to me. Let me tell ya its a big pile.
I found a snapon classic 96 I am gonna try to buy its a little above my budget but I will see. I will keep you guys posted.
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Ringo
Active member
Just bought the 56” USG top and bottom 2 weeks ago for $1180.00 at this price I couldn’t be more happy.
I guess everyone has their preference. As mentioned once you get spoiled with a Snapon box its hard to find anything that comes close to snap on or mac. Not knocking it I read alot of good reviews on the USG boxes but I went to HF to look at some of out their boxes I guess im just too picky They look solid but not in the same leage as snap on or mac. Hard to buy anything when you own snapon toolbox and tools.
nadogail
Well-known member
I am proud of my US General from Harbor Freight, It replaced a badly worn Craftsman.
IMHO, the US General is a fine box and for what it's worth it is in the same Coca Cola Red as the boxes off the tool truck.
IMHO, the US General is a fine box and for what it's worth it is in the same Coca Cola Red as the boxes off the tool truck.
Happy ending
Used boxes always such a good deal and asset as retain close to what you put into it .
You enjoy using it more generally .
These days my favourite used boxes are mac and matco as generally better deals for proper clean box, snapon can be silly prices and viewing disappointment on cheaper end of market .
Far more rewarding than spending 1 or 2K at a box store ...
Used boxes always such a good deal and asset as retain close to what you put into it .
You enjoy using it more generally .
These days my favourite used boxes are mac and matco as generally better deals for proper clean box, snapon can be silly prices and viewing disappointment on cheaper end of market .
Far more rewarding than spending 1 or 2K at a box store ...
I bought a Harbor Freight US General toolbox and cart this year and am still amazed at the value. I had the long held position that Harbor Freight was just junk and whereas they have plenty of junk they have some gems too. There are plenty of videos to watch on these. The quality of the powder coating on the interior of the box was one highlight that is a quality indicator to me. The most telling feature to compare is the thickness of the sheet metal. I had planned to go used with a quality box before I found these.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Harbor Freight US General are great boxes and strong I use one as a professional mechanic along with a couple of their carts too they are great
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