Harbor Freight 44" Toolbox Caster Failure and Repair
- Thread starter J-R0d
- Start date
xin
Well-known member
It seems like this is a HUGE safety issues, and the PLASTIC drawer latches that break.
It moves, drawers open up and the box FLIPS OVER.
It moves, drawers open up and the box FLIPS OVER.
The 44" doesn't have plastic latches, it uses detents .
Best thing if moving box a lot is leave key in it and lock and roll ;-) lol
We used the HF 56" on an airfield site 10month contract (company fronted 800bucks for storage)
Made box base frame and new caster plate base with new HD casters & 2 u channels added in for fork trucking them around site . Done quite well, plastic latches not best but okay untill age or used rough, can upgrade those but bit time consuming .
buying box on sale kept total cost around 800 as had steel supply on site .
Reality is the HF boxes not worst buy can make pending on intended use and if improve couple things they do pretty well for low cost .
Best thing if moving box a lot is leave key in it and lock and roll ;-) lol
We used the HF 56" on an airfield site 10month contract (company fronted 800bucks for storage)
Made box base frame and new caster plate base with new HD casters & 2 u channels added in for fork trucking them around site . Done quite well, plastic latches not best but okay untill age or used rough, can upgrade those but bit time consuming .
buying box on sale kept total cost around 800 as had steel supply on site .
Reality is the HF boxes not worst buy can make pending on intended use and if improve couple things they do pretty well for low cost .
chrisingrassia
Well-known member
The bolt pattern lined up on mine without issue. Note that the casters have diagonal oblong slots for the bolts rather than simple holes. That is probably to provide some tolerance for slightly different bolt patterns.
Do we know if HF was consistent with the box-caster bolt pattern? My HF44 is from what was probably the last run of 18" deep models. I bought it earlier this year, with delivery a few weeks before they announced the new deeper ones.
chrisingrassia
Well-known member
I'm not sure. I have the new 44"x22" boxes. Could you measure your bolt pattern on the bottom of your box (not your caster plate) and then we could solve this today!
If the 4x4.5 plate with a 2-5/8 x 3-5/8" pattern slotted to 3x3" works on the HF box, you've solved a very significant problem with these HF boxes.
Please let me/us know ASAP!!!!
If the 4x4.5 plate with a 2-5/8 x 3-5/8" pattern slotted to 3x3" works on the HF box, you've solved a very significant problem with these HF boxes.
Please let me/us know ASAP!!!!
chrisingrassia
Well-known member
I just spoke to Caroline at Casters & Equipment Co. She was an absolute sweetheart to speak with. She basically says that standard 4x4.5 plate frame are standard slotted drilling, which is what the HF casters have. So all 5x2 on 4x4.5 plates with slotted holes should work.
I just don't understand why it was so hard to get this figured out.
Ordered eight new today swivel casters today with poly wheels and total brake
I just don't understand why it was so hard to get this figured out.
Ordered eight new today swivel casters today with poly wheels and total brake
Last edited:
pioneer1
Well-known member
Where are you seeing this listed?
And could someone post up a link for the swivel locking casters.
Misfire
Well-known member
It’s in their 2018 Black Friday ad.
https://bestblackfriday.com/ads/harbor-freight-black-friday/page-5#ad_view
https://bestblackfriday.com/ads/harbor-freight-black-friday/page-5#ad_view
chrisingrassia
Well-known member
Or you could use the coupon out now for $429 each and save yourself the sanity. Is $30 worth giving up your holiday and dealing with BF idiocy?
The OP said he lives in the Houston area. A quick google check for casters in Houston turned up Mapp Caster. They seem to carry every caster ever made. I'll bet that is the source. If not, they sure should have what anyone might need.
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fourjeepin
Well-known member
A few months ago I lost the outer part of all the casters on my Griots Garage rolling seat. A couple of days later, I had the same thing happen on my rolling suitcase. Both are probably 15 years old. They don’t roll as well as they did before, but are still serviceable.
chrisingrassia
Well-known member
Standard 4x4.5 plate will work