Harbor Freight "US General" toolboxes

elsolo · Dec 17, 2009

Reading the thread about the 72" HF toolbox got me interested in seeing the rest of their lineup.

Looking at the ~40" model 90320-9VGA

It lists a 2900 lb. load capacity :wtf:

The very similar model in black ITEM 98084-3VGA, which has all the same specs except color, and a stated 475 lb. load capacity :headscrat

They have a PDF manual for both, which lists both boxes on both sheets, and has the 475# cap on one, 2894# on the other.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/manuals.taf?f=form&ItemID=98084
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/manuals.taf?f=form&ItemID=90320

I could very easily overload the box if the 475# is accurate, the top drawer is only good for 61# and it's the strongest.

I gotta go look at the local HF and see if they have these boxes and guestimate how crappy they are. I have heard good things about them some places, including this forum, but my prior experiences with HF tools is keeping me from being too optimistic about their quality.

Also plan on checking out the $425 craftsman 41" and the $500 Kobalt 41" in person. The Montezuma boxes sound good, but I am don't feel comforable buying something like this if I can't see one in person first. What other boxes in the <$1000 range should I look at? This will be for my home garage, I turn wrenches fora living, but not on cars anymore.

mooman · Dec 17, 2009

Look into International Tool boxes. I believe they are out of Canada.

SILVERPLATE · Dec 17, 2009

I see you new here to the forum. A search probably would have brought up the most currently running post of the HF tool box.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47923

A couple of reviews, most all positive. I will pick one up one before the $339 coupon expires this year.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/us-general-tool-box-question-90557.html

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Reviews/HF_tool_chest/hf_toolchest.htm

BWright · Dec 17, 2009

Don't worry about the weight ratings. I assure you they are the exact same box. Just a different color.

tenorplayer23 · Dec 17, 2009

Which load capacity specification is correct, then?

Thx.

See ya. :hellobye:

BWright said:
Don't worry about the weight ratings. I assure you they are the exact same box. Just a different color.

lyonkster · Dec 17, 2009

I also am waiting for these to go on sale and then plan to grab one. I would like the black one, and have been pondering the difference in weight capacities between it and the red.

Personally, I think it is BS. The boxes look the same and have the same price; how can one provide six times the capacity of the other? Moreover, as you said, the top of the red one is rated at 1673 lbf, while the top of the black one rated at 69 lbf? I find the latter hard to believe.

If that were the correct weight rating, then the top chest would fall right through the bottom chest

.

Leon

BWright · Dec 17, 2009

tenorplayer23 said:
Which load capacity specification is correct, then?

Thx.

See ya.

I'm not going to say that either one is correct, because I doubt that either are. The weight rating they give the red one has to do with an advertising ploy they put in magazines where they compare the US general box to a Snap-on. I can assure you that the are the same. I have handled both in person, and they are the exact same thing.

tenorplayer23 · Dec 17, 2009

BTW, you have good taste in Corvettes!

See ya.

SILVERPLATE said:
I see you new here to the forum. A search probably would have brought up the most currently running post of the HF tool box.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47923

A couple of reviews, most all positive. I will pick one up one before the $339 coupon expires this year.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/us-general-tool-box-question-90557.html

http://www.mini-lathe.com/Reviews/HF_tool_chest/hf_toolchest.htm

lyonkster · Dec 17, 2009

BWright said:
I have handled both in person, and they are the exact same thing.

I haven't seen the black one in person. Does it have the same "krinkle" semi-gloss finish as the red, or is it gloss black?

Leon

tenorplayer23 · Dec 17, 2009

Of course, the novel approach to determine the actual specs. would be to contact Harbor Freight corporate and see what they say. Somebody had to provide the RFQ for the box to the Chinese mfr. or, Harbor Freight bought off on some kind of specification from the supplier.

You're probably right about the specs-manship, too. My guess though, is that it must comply to somebody's numbers in mfg. loop. They might be very precise.....whether they're "accurate" is another story.

See ya. :hellobye:

BWright said:
I'm not going to say that either one is correct, because I doubt that either are. The weight rating they give the red one has to do with an advertising ploy they put in magazines where they compare the US general box to a Snap-on. I can assure you that the are the same. I have handled both in person, and they are the exact same thing.

BWright · Dec 17, 2009

lyonkster said:
I haven't seen the black one in person. Does it have the same "krinkle" semi-gloss finish as the red, or is it gloss black?

Leon

Its the same krinkle finish.

lyonkster · Dec 17, 2009

BWright said:
Its the same krinkle finish.

Thanks! I'll probably get the red one then, since that is what they stock, so I can use my coupon.

Leon

crbnfbr · Dec 18, 2009

If you can wait until the 16th of January it will be on sale for $339.
See here: http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/tabviewer/startBrowseBook.do?bookid=267&preview=&type=RET&simple=

Plus you'll be able to add the 20% off coupon which can be downloaded here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/hftusa/magpromos/popsci.pdf

That'll get you out the door for $272+tax. Which is pretty hard to beat.

sanddrag · Dec 18, 2009

I believe my red one came with a paper indicating the weight rating for each drawer, and the top. I'll have to see if I can find it.

ry57pont · Dec 18, 2009

i have never been able to use the 20% cupon when something is on sale? am i doing it wrong?

crbnfbr · Dec 18, 2009

ry57pont said:
i have never been able to use the 20% cupon when something is on sale? am i doing it wrong?

The coupon even says on it that it can be used on sale items. However, you cannot use it in addition with another coupon.

sgrammel · Dec 18, 2009

ry57pont said:
i have never been able to use the 20% cupon when something is on sale? am i doing it wrong?

I used the coupon when they were on sale...no problems

FYI if you need a coupon, go buy a car mag (Automobile, C&D, R&T). They are in the back pages every month

DORIGTT · Dec 29, 2009

I was in HF a couple days ago and picked up several coupons listing 25% off.

BWright · Dec 29, 2009

For those of you wondering about the black boxes, here is a picture of mine.

BTG · Dec 29, 2009

BWright said:
For those of you wondering about the black boxes, here is a picture of mine.

Does the black have a texture like the red? Also, did you order these? I've never seen a black or yellow one in the stores..only the red.

BWright · Dec 29, 2009

BTG said:
BWright said:

For those of you wondering about the black boxes, here is a picture of mine.

Does the black have a texture like the red? Also, did you order these? I've never seen a black or yellow one in the stores..only the red.

Click to expand...

Yep it is textured and I ordered it in the store.

sgrammel · Dec 29, 2009

Anybody know if you can get these re-keyed so all boxes use the same key? Also, can you get touch up paint?

greg · Jan 1, 2010

Mine are all heavily loaded and so far so good . For the money I couldnt find anything remotely similar in specs .

CamarosRus · Jan 1, 2010

Please SHOW ME the drawer arrangement open and close up, before the Big
January sale coming up.........

If I wont spend $1000 adding more shallower drawers to my KRL1022

I'll buy one of these H.F. rollers for some of my overflow.............

Thanks,

jimmy p · Jan 2, 2010

BWright said:
For those of you wondering about the black boxes, here is a picture of mine.

Man I really like that black look over the pale red look version. When you order that through the store can you still get the sale prices/discount coupons?

Can you easily remove the chrome trim on the handles? I need to make a trip to my local store to take a look at these in person.

jpoe · Jan 5, 2010

SGRAMMEL: I bought the top and bottom boxes over the weekend. I think one would be able to remove the lock from boxes with little effort and replace them with little effort.

Joe H · Jan 9, 2010

jimmy p said:
Man I really like that black look over the pale red look version. When you order that through the store can you still get the sale prices/discount coupons?

Anyone know the answer to this question? I would like to know as I don't think most stores stock the box in black. Which is a shame because I think the black looks 5x better than its red counterpart.

BWright · Jan 10, 2010

You can use the 20% coupon, but the sale prices only apply to the red box.

skeletonizer · Jan 18, 2010

BWright said:
You can use the 20% coupon, but the sale prices only apply to the red box.

What he said. I even begged them to let me order a black one at the sale price as the store I went to was out of the red.

No go, red only for the sale price.

GeorgiaHybrid · Jan 19, 2010

jimmy p said:
Man I really like that black look over the pale red look version. When you order that through the store can you still get the sale prices/discount coupons?

Can you easily remove the chrome trim on the handles? I need to make a trip to my local store to take a look at these in person.

You might be able to remove it but it would not be easy. The trim is extruded and fits over a "T" shaped flange on the drawer front. They come with a piece of white paper and a plastic cover to allow you to add labels to the drawers. You could replace the white paper with something to contrast with or complement the black color though.

Lookin4'67Galaxieconv · Jan 19, 2010

Mickey O has to be loving this thread! :lol_hitti

ncfireman1918 · Jan 21, 2010

I just brought a red one home last night, and couldn't be happier. Of course, it is my first rolling chest, so I don't have the best basis for comparison. I am impressed with the quality of construction, and for the money, I don't think I could beat it. I missed $339 the sale by a day, but I talked to the manager, and told him that I would return a crappy Kobalt box to Lowes if he would honor the sale price. He actually discounted it to $299, to get the business from Lowes. Just my $.02.

Chris

BC iron works · Feb 4, 2010

the 44" #90320 is on sale untill 2/25/10
for $349.99 and with 20% off i dont think
you can go wrong with that going to
get one next week

emeraldcoupe · Feb 7, 2010

i have the 13 drawer roller in red. had it a few months now and i'm happy with it. beats the **** out of all the crapsman boxes at the local sears.

hayfarmer · Feb 8, 2010

Does anyone have a 20% coupon that I can download. The coupons above are expired. I would like to pick up a box and 20% off buys some extra tools. Thank you in advance.

crbnfbr · Feb 8, 2010

hayfarmer said:
Does anyone have a 20% coupon that I can download. The coupons above are expired. I would like to pick up a box and 20% off buys some extra tools. Thank you in advance.

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/common/displayPage.do?pageFile=magurl1.html

kbkna · Feb 8, 2010

Has anyone ever used one of roller carts that are on sale? 99.99 sounds reasonable.

katit · Feb 8, 2010

I have one of those HF boxes and identical Ranger box. Ranger definitely much better as far as paint and drawer slides/locks but they both equal in sturdiness. I find my HF lower and upper drowers not latching very good since they pretty loaded. For the money - you can't go wrong. Sears for that price will be absolute POS

Hawk · Feb 8, 2010

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/html/MagazineLanders/3-general/images/20_c.jpg
Should get you there Good till 3-1-10

hayfarmer · Feb 8, 2010

crbnfbr, and Hawk thank you very much for posting the coupon. I really appreciate it.

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