2 44’s or a 72

[barrybeefburger]

I’m looking at some options for tool chests for my garage, I was in HF looking at chests, in particular the 72” box but I’m thinking two 44’s side by side might be the way to go, I’m no pro just want to have a tidy and orderly garage again, am I missing something? I will probably buy 2 end boxes as well for my cased tools.

If any of you guys have done the same pics would help

 

[Mr_B]

buy what works best for drawer layout for your tools .
another advantage of 2x 44" is easier logistics/handling .
you might want think about 2x 56"

 

[BroncoAZ]

The 2x44” boxes costs less and allows more flexibility. You could also do a 56” and a 26” if you like the drawer layout better. I do like the 2x56” option if you have the space. You could build a single frame for the two separate boxes if you want the mono box look. If you want the longest single drawer as an altar to sockets then the 72” box is for you.

 

[619DioFan]

Since the 44's are now the same depth as the 72 I would get the 44's as you get 26 drawers combined vs 18 in the 72 for about the same cost.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

My suggestion would be to go with two 44's. You could have an SAE and a metric box. I personally would prefer their 26 in the middle of two 44's for ratchets, screw drivers and punches. It All depends on you needs.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[kythri]

Buy a red 44" for your SAE tools, and a blue 44" for your metric.

 

[JBradley500]

I would go with two 72’s

 

[Tallpilot]

Full length drawers. The HF options all stink for this reason. A 68” with 3 full length drawers will hold all of your sockets in one, all of your wrenches in the second and all of your drivers, pry bars, picks, etc in the third. No other option will do that and you have to stick your long prybar in the corner.

 

[Spiffers]

Buy a red 44" for your SAE tools, and a blue 44" for your metric.

Ohhhhhhhhh!!!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Buy a red 44" for your SAE tools, and a blue 44" for your metric.

SAE on the left and metric on the Right.

 

[Mr_B]

^^
masterforce 72" about best low cost if want 3 decent width drawers .
HF 72" has about best drawer config out of HF boxes, it basically a mix of a 56" box and end cabinet in one but wider top drawer which good for long tool .
All down to individuals needs though & only they know what works best for them ...

 

[barrybeefburger]

Thanks guys, as It’s just to keep my tools and garage tidy I don’t know what the best draw layout would be, also, I have little use of sae so don’t have that to deal with. I would also like to keep it less than $1000 as I’m in Canada which will bring the cost up to about $1500

 

[Mr_B]

If you in canada I would go international boxes perhaps !
https://www.lowes.ca/tool-cabinets/...series-15-drawer-wide-tool-chest_g703121.html

 

[JMLangford]

If you in canada I would go international boxes perhaps !
https://www.lowes.ca/tool-cabinets/...series-15-drawer-wide-tool-chest_g703121.html

That box is made out of aluminum.......

 

[Mr_B]

^ main material is steel . it tech series, was also available with craftsman badge and was also main material steel

 

[Al Borland]

SAE on the left and metric on the Right.

SAE goes on the Right in a Red box. Metric goes on the Left in a Blue box,

 

[BigBoreFan]

I looked at the HF 26" today. That's a nice box for the price. looks good in blue. I like shallow drawers myself, height wise, not depth, and my tools do not require deep drawers height wise. It seems the wider toolboxes have deeper drawers. For me I think two Menard's Masterforce 36's would be a great setup, or one HF 26 and one MF 36.

 

[Wamsutta]

Those Harbor Freight boxes have some serious issues with drawer depth (front to back). Just a reminder before somebody forks out the dollars.

 

[ARFLY]

Or go with 3 44's and an end cabinet and 2 top boxes.
View media item 85523
I bought these boxes last year before I knew HF was coming out with the deeper chests. I wish I had the new boxes. Oh well. At least this gives you an idea of what they might look like.

 

[scooby074]

Have you checked out the Tool Crown boxes at Princess? I dont have one but they sure look like you can jam a ton of stuff into them considering their small footprint. Canadian made too.

Also I seem to remember hearing that Costco is offering the International SHD boxes for a real good price right now. Thought there was a thread on here about it. They are considerably better boxes than the Value Series, depending on who you ask, they are as good as the truck brands.

Edit: I think the sale might be over. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396466

 

[bert1913]

these are the older boxes in my 2 car attached garage. i like the shallow boxes to save as much room as possible.

 

[Revere Cycles]

I bought a HF 26 from the clearance section (small dent) and built it as my mobile station. I liked the thin drawers; useful for holding gaskets, manuals, small parts and fasteners, and the lower drawers hold specialty or diagnostic tools. A few weeks later, they had a Gen 2 56, also on clearance, supposedly because someone took the key. I bought that too, and replaced my old Snap-On KRA300 stack. The 56 is super nice, way more room than I was ready for, although I miss all the tiny drawers of my old Snap On.

I am now debating on whether or not to add a top box to the 56. Right now I am rebuilding a transmission on it, so the added surface area is welcome, but I could better use the thinner drawers of the top box for pliers, screwdrivers, taps, etc.

 

[Mr_B]

Those Harbor Freight boxes have some serious issues with drawer depth (front to back). Just a reminder before somebody forks out the dollars.

wouldn't call it a serious issue, it is was it is - a 22" depth box with 19-3/8" depth drawers . Some prefer that and some don't .
In canada for home gamer wanting more depth international or husky reasonably priced and pretty usable .

 

[crewchief888]

between the 2 choices, i'd take the 2 44's.

for me it's easier to rearrange (placement wise) 2 smaller boxes, than trying to cram 1 large box into a limited area.

ive mentioned it before, but i'm in the multiple smaller box club. i dont have any boxes wider than 36".

i dont have all my tools in 1 place.

my largest "assortment" of tools are in my service truck, which has the smallest boxes.


all depends on your personal storage needs/wants

 

[abachman]

If you are like me atall, sometimes I roll my toolbox out on the driveway to work on things, thus the 44's would be much easier to handle and do that, especially once full of tools.

 

[barrybeefburger]

How does the Husky 46" box https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...-with-Solid-Wood-Top-Black-7440946R/206839475 compare for quality etc, for the price Im thinking I could get a couple and still be in for around $600

 

[BroncoAZ]

How does the Husky 46" box https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...-with-Solid-Wood-Top-Black-7440946R/206839475 compare for quality etc, for the price Im thinking I could get a couple and still be in for around $600

I found the drawers on those Husky units to be flimsy when I was shopping. The only Husky that impressed me were the 36” wide 24.5” deep ones for $600:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3...d-Cabinet-Combo-in-Red-H36Ch6TR6RXD/303411385

 

[Mr_B]

the husky 52" industrial not bad either .
masterforce boxes better made but drawer layout not the best .

 

[Hpozzuoli]

72” is the way to go