HF 44 or Milwaukee 46 tool box

Derek1387 · Dec 3, 2015

So, my wife agreed to let me get a bigger tool box.
I have narrowed it down to either of those.

I REALLY like the Milwaukee due to the built in power, the storage setup, etc. It also looks GORGEOUS. It has lower weight capacity, but for me, that isnt a big concern, since i dont plan on having a **** ton of tools, as this is just side work/home/diy.

Or, the HF 44 setup. We all know this one.

Money situation-
I can get teh Milwaukee set for about $600, plus 0% financing, if i wanted. Plus I have a 10% off coupon so that would bring it even lower.

The HF, is the standard about $680, but they also agreed to let me bring back my HF 5 Drawer cart for a full exchange if upgrading to the 44. I could, also, just get the lower portion now, and get the upper portion later, when its "needed".

What say you!

My personal favorite is the Milwaukee. Its gorgeous, tough, and...Milwaukee.
The HF is...well, just a damn good box.

Jeeper75 · Dec 3, 2015

The HF looks like it has a better drawer setup.

Conductor562 · Dec 3, 2015

Sounds like you want someone to talk you out of the Milwaukee, but you've made up your mind

uscfan · Dec 3, 2015

I go HF. You can also add on end cabinet on each side if you ever needed to upgrade.

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

That picture you have of the HF 44" is not the correct top. The bottom drawers are too small.

Derek1387 · Dec 3, 2015

Conductor562 said:
Sounds like you want someone to talk you out of the Milwaukee, but you've made up your mind

I do like the Milwaukee. A lot. Probably some of the features are what get me. But what I am looking for is someone to tell me why I should get either/or.

Kensgarage · Dec 3, 2015

By the time you reach 1000 posts here you'll fill 4 of the Milwaukee~san boxes.
They're made for wood butchers anyway.For a grease monkey it's useless.
For an :shocking:

Automotive Technician :shocking:

both are 6 to 8 grand too cheap.

Derek1387 · Dec 3, 2015

I am a DIY'r...home, etc. Most of my tools are for automotive though.

TNToy · Dec 3, 2015

If you're a woodworking type, Milwaukee, since you want it.

HF for someone who wrenches vehicles. It has at least 50% more useable space.

oldldh · Dec 3, 2015

For $ 699.99 you could get one of these...

And then, you'd have something...

Derek1387 · Dec 3, 2015

oldldh said:
For $ 699.99 you could get one of these...

And then, you'd have something...

Im looking at the 44 from Harbor Freight, the top and bottom.
Or the Milwaukee 46 top and bottom.

Mainly because of space.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Dec 3, 2015

Get the Milwaukee. I've looked closely at it at Home Depot. It's a solid box.

bobcatdan · Dec 3, 2015

For $800, I'd get the 52" DeWalt combo. At first blush, the drawer layout is a little odd, but the more I looked at, its not bad. Between the top and bottom, I think it has a pretty good mix of drawer sizes. Plenty of shallow drawer to offset the ungodly deep drawers.

BK13 · Dec 3, 2015

For a primary box, the layout of the Milwaukee seems a little wonky. I'd go HF, myself. For a second box, I'd be on that Milwaukee box like a pack of dogs on a crippled cat.

taumac · Dec 3, 2015

It depends on tools you plan to store. Myself I prefer thin drawers of the 44 and think deep drawers on the 46 is waste of space for MY use. Now if you plan of storing EVERY tool in the box then the Milwaukee might be better.

Derek1387 · Dec 3, 2015

taumac said:
It depends on tools you plan to store. Myself I prefer thin drawers of the 44 and think deep drawers on the 46 is waste of space for MY use. Now if you plan of storing EVERY tool in the box then the Milwaukee might be better.

I have some milwaukee power tools, then the rest is hand tools, automotive stuff basically.

uscfan · Dec 3, 2015

Milwaukee is design to be a workbench and tool chest. HF 44" is just a tool box. That why you see more people saying they like the HF toolbox.

BTW HF has the 44" at the lowest price it ever goes to $349.99 until 12/6. I attached the coupon for the box.

HaroRider · Dec 3, 2015

HF hands down.

oldldh · Dec 3, 2015

Derek1387 said:
Im looking at the 44 from Harbor Freight, the top and bottom, or the Milwaukee 46 top and bottom. Mainly because of space.

You'll notice the first three letters of my "Nom de Plume"...

O-L-D....

Us ancient dudes try to see into the future for young people who don't have our experience or knowledge...

You will need something like the 56" Roller...sooner rather than later...

It was just an idea...

The 56" Roller Cabinet can be had "on sale", for roughly the price of either of your choices...

Just looked like a "bigger is better" solution...

You buy what you need...the Milwaukee is primarily for woodworkers...the HF 44" Roller is for mechanic types...

Good luck in your choice...

For the price, either will give you years of good service...

Derek1387 · Dec 3, 2015

oldldh said:
You'll notice the first three letters of my "Nom de Plume"...

O-L-D....

Us ancient dudes try to see into the future for young people who don't have our experience or knowledge...

You will need something like the 56" Roller...sooner rather than later...

It was just an idea...

The 56" Roller Cabinet can be had "on sale", for roughly the price of either of your choices...

Just looked like a "bigger is better" solution...

You buy what you need...the Milwaukee is primarily for woodworkers...the HF 44" Roller is for mechanic types...

Good luck in your choice...

For the price, either will give you years of good service...

Much appreciated. And, I am leaning towards the HF. I just dont have the space to do the BIG box unfortunately.

Travisnd · Dec 3, 2015

HF gets my vote.

Derek1387 · Dec 3, 2015

uscfan said:
Milwaukee is design to be a workbench and tool chest. HF 44" is just a tool box. That why you see more people saying they like the HF toolbox.

BTW HF has the 44" at the lowest price it ever goes to $349.99 until 12/6. I attached the coupon for the box.

I cant find that coupon anywhere to print it off....got a coupon number or anything?

oldldh · Dec 3, 2015

At the coupon price of $ 349.99...

You could have TWO of them!!!

No there's a concept...

uscfan · Dec 3, 2015

Derek1387 said:
I cant find that coupon anywhere to print it off....got a coupon number or anything?

12700222 is the code

here it is again.

here is direct link to the coupon from my email.
http://widgets.harborfreight.com/ws...4915c&utm_source=1035&cid=mEmail_s1035_c4915c

Tiny Jackson · Dec 3, 2015

Does the HF have the soft closing drawers like the Milwaukee?

Derek1387 · Dec 3, 2015

Tiny Jackson said:
Does the HF have the soft closing drawers like the Milwaukee?

nope

wagon · Dec 3, 2015

you're a grown *** man with tools and you need "soft closing drawers"? it doesn't have a vanity, or a place to plug in a hair dryer, either.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Dec 3, 2015

Tiny Jackson said:
Does the HF have the soft closing drawers like the Milwaukee?

Be careful, if you say anything remotely against the HF box you'll be shunned around here. :scared:

pepgj · Dec 3, 2015

$698?

I'd buy 2x the HF 44" at $349 apiece.

Lots of work surface. You could do weird stuff like bolt them back to back for a larger square table, or buy a big piece of bowling alley or something and make a long bench.

pepgj · Dec 3, 2015

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv said:
Be careful, if you say anything remotely against the HF box you'll be shunned around here.

Well, they are a really good deal.

I think that part of the pro-HF feeling comes from how bad modern Craftsman boxes got. You might as well buy one of those or start pouring through Craigslist for a Snap-on.

DanCo · Dec 3, 2015

While I like the top portion of the Milwaukee / dewalt box, the HF layout is more practical. I have the HF 44 roller and found the excel TBT 400(looks just like the HF top chest) in Home Goods while shopping with the wife for lamps. Price tag read $275. Had a nickel sized dent in the back and a scratch on the back of the lid. Spoke to the manager and got another 10% off the ticketed price. So top chest and a lamp came out to $305.**
And I applied for a store credit card and got a 10% my next purchase coupon.

Dan

Derek1387 · Dec 4, 2015

pepgj said:
$698?

I'd buy 2x the HF 44" at $349 apiece.

Lots of work surface. You could do weird stuff like bolt them back to back for a larger square table, or buy a big piece of bowling alley or something and make a long bench.

As a repeat...I only have room for one. So my plan would be a top and bottom box.

I am leaning towards the HF box at the moment. I just...i really like the look of the Milwaukee, but i guess as a tool box that doesnt really matter.

djdaredevil · Dec 4, 2015

A word of advice from someone who bought the wrong tool box lately. Take pictures and as many measurements as you can of both, and try to lay out your tools in the "boxes" before you buy one and then buy the one that fits best with a little room to grow.

Derek1387 · Dec 4, 2015

pepgj said:
$698?

I'd buy 2x the HF 44" at $349 apiece.

Lots of work surface. You could do weird stuff like bolt them back to back for a larger square table, or buy a big piece of bowling alley or something and make a long bench.

djdaredevil said:
A word of advise from someone who bought the wrong tool box lately. Take pictures and as many measurements as you can of both, and try to lay out your tools in the "boxes" before you buy one and then buy the one that fits best with a little room to grow.

Either of them will fit, and will have room to grow for me. Right now I dont even fill a HF 5 drawer cart. BUT, the way I am buying since I have been active here again in the last...month? It will be full in no time.

SO I am preparing myself. The HF definitely has the space/storage award. Its just so...blah? I need to remember its a tool though.

The Milwaukee has the niceties i like. Built in power, the drawers are cool (soft close, etc), the power tool organizer/drawer. The wife likes the Milwaukee too, since it looks nice, and would be sitting in my office (until we get a garage/house with a garage)

The nice thing with the HF, is, TONS of room to grow/expand. It would also be the most economical, as I can return my 5 drawer cart for a full refund, and apply that to the box, saving me about $175. I could also just get the lower box for now, and use it till i "need" the upper box. If i bought the Milwaukee, i would get the whole thing, that way i make sure it doesnt get discontinued, etc.

timmyisme22 · Dec 4, 2015

HF based on what you've said so far. Being able to return and knock $175 off as well as (I would hope but don't count solely on it) being able to use the coupon for the bottom, it makes a hell of a lot of sense financially.

If you're still having trouble, flip a coin and make your wife call for the Milwaukee box. Best 2/3 and enjoy.

Derek1387 · Dec 4, 2015

timmyisme22 said:
HF based on what you've said so far. Being able to return and knock $175 off as well as (I would hope but don't count solely on it) being able to use the coupon for the bottom, it makes a hell of a lot of sense financially.

If you're still having trouble, flip a coin and make your wife call for the Milwaukee box. Best 2/3 and enjoy.

Yes, i went in yesterday and asked about returning the Cart, and they did agree that if i was upgrading they would allow me to return it with no restocking fee.

That definitely does seem like the way to go, financially.

djdaredevil · Dec 4, 2015

I would get the HF than and just the bottom for now because you're storing it in a house and the weight of a toolbox can quickly become more than you want on your floor, unless you have concrete floors. Mostly because all of the weight of the box is only going to be on four 1sq inch spots.

taumac · Dec 4, 2015

You mentioned that right now you don't have room but will be getting a garage down the road. The one plus I like about HF is the ability to add on between the 5 drawer, 26 and 44 with top box, side cabinets and side drawers cabinet. The Milwaukee is nice but say in 5 years you want another one? Is it still gonna be offered? My buddy got some stainless boxes from Lowes 5years ago or more. Now Lowes doesn't offer them. With toolboxes you really need to think 5-10 years down the road. You could keep the HF 5 cart until you get a house then buy the bigger ones you need.

Jeff95TA · Dec 4, 2015

I'm debating the same thing as the OP. HF vs. Milwaukee vs. DeWalt. In the garage I have a bottom/mid/top typical Craftsman and another Craftsman bottom. If I were doing it over today, I would do the HF bottom/top since it's mostly automotive tools.

What I'm looking for now is for my basement shop. I'm leaning toward the Milwaukee since it will be used for multiple drills/chargers, circular saw, recip saw, angle grinder, etc., as well as hand tools (pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.). In this case, the deeper drawers are useful for me.

There's my $0.02 of a non-answer.

Danglerb · Dec 4, 2015

Milwaukee looks like it might be great for a light user, but most of us need serious storage and tend to out grow boxes. Do you have a work bench or do you need the box to double as a work surface?

pepgj · Dec 4, 2015

Jeff95TA said:
What I'm looking for now is for my basement shop. I'm leaning toward the Milwaukee since it will be used for multiple drills/chargers, circular saw, recip saw, angle grinder, etc., as well as hand tools (pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.). In this case, the deeper drawers are useful for me.

There's my $0.02 of a non-answer.

My take on power tools (plus stuff like extension cords, paint cans, etc.) is to keep an eye out for the higher quality lateral file cabinets. I just bought a Canadian-built one that is really beautifully made for $20.

HF 44 or Milwaukee 46 tool box

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