How much play/wobble are in Harbor Freight "red" tool cabinets?

The One · Jun 6, 2016

I tried searching the forums and watching a few videos, but I can't find the answer.

How much play do loaded drawers have in a Harbor Freight cabinet for the 26" and 44" cabinets?

I want cabinets that will last me for many many more years to come (or for life?), but also that I'll enjoy using for that long too. I probably work out in the garage once or twice a week and do most of my own vehicle work, so I'm not professional but more than an average weekend warrior. Unfortunately the nearest HF is ~3 hours away, and if I'm going to take a look at them, I might as well barrow a trailer to bring a few home in in case I end up liking them. If somebody can help me and verify that these are all that their talked up about being, or not, that would save me hours of driving and possibly money wasted.

Thanks!

firworks · Jun 6, 2016

What exactly do you want to see? How much wobble there is in a loaded drawer side to side? Up and down? I've got a loaded up HF 44" about 20 feet from me and a camera.

The One · Jun 6, 2016

firworks said:
What exactly do you want to see? How much wobble there is in a loaded drawer side to side? Up and down? I've got a loaded up HF 44" about 20 feet from me and a camera.

Side to side.

The origin of the question comes from my $70 Craftsman I bought a few years ago which the drawers have a pretty bad wobble especially when the weight (sockets) is loaded near the front of the drawer. While tolerable for the money and it hasn't fallen apart, I don't enjoy using it. Wheeling it around it a bit of a joke.

ItsNemo · Jun 6, 2016

They aren't *that* great...I had a look when I went down to the states last and couldn't see what everyone was raving about. Sure they're better than the run of the mill big box store chinese box, but they are definitely not a snapon or matco. I'm much happier with my International box which for us north of the border is just as cheap as the HF boxes.

cbogg · Jun 6, 2016

They have some but I've seen craftsman boxes and the like that are way more flimsy than the hf boxes for way more money. You want a decent box at a stole it price? Buy one. If you're looking for a 10k Epiq for 400$, you're going to be sorely disappointed.

whitetrash1 · Jun 6, 2016

Mine had very little if any. Maybe just what the small spacing in the sliders created.

firworks · Jun 6, 2016

Hopefully this helps any?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UIfvhFdGO6E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'll say that I do think it's a nicely built box, and my biggest gripe with it has nothing to do with the construction. It's just pretty shallow. I often wish it was a few inches deeper. If I had the do-over I would probably still buy it again, but some day I think I'd like to upgrade to something deeper if I come across a crazy deal on CL or something.

The HF US General Pro boxes are a lot better built than the base and mid level Craftsman boxes you can find today at Sears. Especially for the larger drawers as the HF 44" doubles up the drawer slides on both the top socket drawer and the bottom large drawer I use for hammers.

View media item 61240 View media item 61241
Craftsman Industrial and I want to say the Craftsman Professional are more comparable and have nicer drawer slides.

I certainly wouldn't think you would be disappointed with a HF 44", but it's a little harder to say since you have never played with them before and HF is so far away. One other thing to keep in mind is, they flip pretty well on CL. If you decide you hate it you probably could sell it for 250-300$ or so in a year and not be out much. Compare that to trying to sell a 6K$ Snaparooni for 1500$ when you need to get rid of it fast and crying yourself to sleep.

magimerlin · Jun 6, 2016

Re: How much play/wobble are in Harbor Freight "red" tool cabinets?

I love my HF 44"... only wish, like most, it was deeper.... I am a full time mechanic. I use the 44" box plus the matching top and the matching side box....

Since it was mentioned above.... No its not a snap-on or Mac, that is obvious.. but also how's the saying go.... "Mines payed for"...and it works awesome..for what it is.... if it ever gets sooo bad that's it's not usable... guess what.. I could buy another one and it would still be cheaper then paying for snap-on or Mac.. I've had mine for 2 years now with no issues....and I know others, stepfather included (also full time mechanic) that has had the same one, 44" box, going on 6 years now...

No one's drives a chevy or ford or a dodge etc and expect it to perform like a Maserati or a Lamborghini... as long as you keep that in mind you'll be fine....

sent from what use to be a great country...

magimerlin · Jun 6, 2016

If I remember right.... I think is was this group... there is a whole thread dedicated basically to the HF boxes...

sent from what use to be a great country...

Moose97 · Jun 7, 2016

I don't have the HF box but I do have a regular Craftsman cheapo box (my first), a middle of the road Craftsman and a Craftsman Industrial. The cheapo box has entirely too much play. The middle of the road (loaded pretty good) has no problem to speak of. The Industrial is great. All my heavy stuff is in it and no wobble. I know you weren't asking about Craftsman but I stole the mid grade and Industrial at a Sears outlet. Just an idea.

QwikKotaTx · Jun 7, 2016

The deeper drawers have 2 sets of slides per side, they are quite stout for the price. I had mine loaded up with tons of sockets and ratchets and it was an acceptable level of "wobble". Much better than even the ball bearing Craftsman chests. Comparing to SnapOn is ludicrous as they are often 10X the cost. The smaller drawers are typically very shallow and can only be loaded up so much. Decently strong as well.

Rewind97 · Jun 7, 2016

Is there a dedicated thread for modifications to the HF 44" box?

Thanks for the video firworks!!!! I like your other one for the detent fix!!!

djcslice · Jun 7, 2016

Rewind97 said:
Is there a dedicated thread for modifications to the HF 44" box?

Thanks for the video firworks!!!! I like your other one for the detent fix!!!

No, I have searched many times.

firworks · Jun 7, 2016

Rewind97 said:
Is there a dedicated thread for modifications to the HF 44" box?

Thanks for the video firworks!!!! I like your other one for the detent fix!!!

Sweet! It wasn't a waste of time then talking to myself out there. :lol:

djcslice said:
No, I have searched many times.

There's not a specific thread for it, but there's a lot of good information here on GJ about the HF44" and also the red US General Tool Carts which are similar.

Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137365

Show Me Your HF Toolbox!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85523

Harbor Freight 72" Roller Cabinet
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234252

Master force, HF, Xtreme, box ?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317296

Husky Vs. US general tool cart
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=317625

Harbor Freight U.S. General Tool Boxes. 56" vs. 42"
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115098

Anyone have any complaints about your HF tool box?
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=326243

HF 44 or Milwaukee 46 tool box
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312439

New Harbor Freight 72" Massive Toolbox Review
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45628

Lets see your Tool Carts/Service Carts
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46050

In particular OP, you might want to read through the "Anyone have any complaints about your HF tool box?" thread.

BellyUpFish · Jun 7, 2016

I'll jump on the bandwagon, I like mine. For me, it's plenty, but I'm not a professional mechanic.

I am going to be building a lathe bench very soon and think I will use some HF boxes in it.

How much play/wobble are in Harbor Freight "red" tool cabinets?

The One

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firworks

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The One

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ItsNemo

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cbogg

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whitetrash1

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firworks

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magimerlin

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magimerlin

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Moose97

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QwikKotaTx

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