56" toolbox shootout - HF vs Menards?

[jimmypet]

Hi Guys,
New poster, been a reader of this forum for a long time.
I'm looking for opinions on a 56" toolbox that will be mounted into the nose of my race trailer. I know the HF toolboxes get a lot of traffic here, but I could not search out a head to head comparison between these two 56" brands.

I find drawer storage way more useful than open cabinet storage in my trailer so in my new trailer I am going for a 56" box.
I kind of had my mind set on the HF box, and then while researching here I discovered some love for the Menards version.

We do not have Menards where I live,,, BUT,,, when I go out to Elkhart IN to pick up my new trailer there is literally a Menards right around the corner from the trailer factory. I "could" order one and pick it up on that trip in the trailer.

Question: Have any of you personally seen, pushed, pulled, opened, closed both 56" versions and if you have, comments on quality, preference?

The tool chest's wheels do not matter since I will not be using them.

The top of the chest does not matter because I will be inserting a work surface into whatever I buy, probably a wooden insert (butcher block or similar).

It will never see a top cab, so its weight rating is also not important.

What I do care about is general stiffness, construction, drawer pulls, latching, sliders, etc.
It seems like the Menards box is not packaged as well from the factory as the HF box from what I have read here on this forum.

I have a HF 44" in my current trailer that I am selling and the packaging was stellar from the factory. Bomb proof.

Thanks for your opinions guys. Much appreciated.

 

[unslow1]

My brother has the Menards and I have HF, Craftsman, Kobalt and Husky. The HF is much heavier duty than the others. Are you sure you want to put it in a trailer? That thing is heavy. Once you load it with tools it will be really heavy.

 

[Loscaldazar]

HF 56 I like the drawer layout way better.

The drawer latch system on the HF could be annoying (just a plastic spring loaded clip at one end), and I'm not sure how durable it would be in a trailer being bounced around vs the metal drawer retention of the Menards box.

Both boxes are well built. Can't remember if the Menards box has rolled corners on the edges of the drawers, but I know the HF one does (makes the drawers stiffer).

All i got, sorry.

 

[AA/FC]

I think the HF 56" box is a few inches deeper (front to back) than the Menards box. I could be dead wrong, check the specs for yourself.....

 

[ruffryder]

I think the HF 56" box is a few inches deeper (front to back) than the Menards box. I could be dead wrong, check the specs for yourself.....

Why make the comment then? Why don't you check the specs before making a statement you know could be wrong?

 

[jimmypet]

I like the drawer layout on the HF better, and I have touched / pushed / pulled the HF box in person to my satisfaction.
I have owned the 44" box in my current trailer for loads of miles and had zero issues with it.
So for me I was leaning towards the HF until I read about the Menards option on this board and figured I should consider.

Weight in the trailer isn't a huge issue, I can place the car where I need to to get the tongue weight right and it will have capacity beyond what I will be putting in it.

Honestly, the biggest advantage I saw to the Menards box was the choice of color, which I can get over if it seems the HF is the hands down build quality winner.

 

[jimmypet]

I think the HF 56" box is a few inches deeper (front to back) than the Menards box. I could be dead wrong, check the specs for yourself.....

HF has 2 1/2" deeper drawers than the Menards

Menards is 17" drawers
HF 56" is 19 1/2" drawers

 

[ssdave]

I compared the HF to the Menards before I bought my Menards box. The HF has some heavier metal in it, but the Menards is designed/built better. Brute force/weight vs. designed in strenghth. I picked the Menards because it seemed to work better and I liked the way the drawers worked way better. The only drawback is the drawer configuration isn't as good, for what I wanted. Still I picked it over the HF because of the quality. I don't think you could go wrong with either, pick which one works best for what you want it to do.

 

[AA/FC]

Why make the comment then? Why don't you check the specs before making a statement you know could be wrong?

LOLOLOL Because I'm not in the market anymore for a box..... But when I was, I seem to remember there being a difference in depth between the two boxes.

 

[AA/FC]

I think the HF 56" box is a few inches deeper (front to back) than the Menards box. I could be dead wrong, check the specs for yourself.....

Why make the comment then? Why don't you check the specs before making a statement you know could be wrong?

HF has 2 1/2" deeper drawers than the Menards

Menards is 17" drawers
HF 56" is 19 1/2" drawers

Oh, so I was correct? Thanks jimmypet!

Maybe ruffryder should think before he speaks (types) and makes a fool out of himself.

lol

 

[jimmypet]

Here is a question, do any of the Menards stores typically stock the 56" box on the floor to look at?

I travel a lot with my job and may get to a market that has Menards and be able to stop in and see one, if they are typically on the floor.

 

[rjohnson]

I personally have a Masterforce 56". I purchased it in 2012, so before they changed the drawer configuration. The drawers are really smooth and I have a ton of weight in the drawers. No complaints so far, other than that I'm running out of room.

 

[AA/FC]

Here is a question, do any of the Menards stores typically stock the 56" box on the floor to look at?

I travel a lot with my job and may get to a market that has Menards and be able to stop in and see one, if they are typically on the floor.

About a yea ago when I was looking at boxes the local Menards near my house DID have a 56" in stock on the sales floor. I haven't looked in a while to see what they have but I might be in a Menards store tomorrow and can let you know what they have...

 

[jimmypet]

About a yea ago when I was looking at boxes the local Menards near my house DID have a 56" in stock on the sales floor. I haven't looked in a while to see what they have but I might be in a Menards store tomorrow and can let you know what they have...

Thank you for that.
It seems whenever I search the Menards site for that box it always says special order so I was starting to believe I would never see one in person if I wanted to buy one.

EDIT: I just called a Menards in Columbus OH, where I have a day off coming up and could have gone to see one, they don't have one and said its special order only.
Then the girl checked and said it was that way all through every Menards in OH and IN.
I asked so if I wanted to buy this box, I have no way of see in one before purchasing and she said "yes",,, so that may wrap this discussion for me.
Hard to drop $800 on a box I can't ever even see first despite the fine reviews by stand up guys like yourselves.

 

[fordnut85]

When I was looking at the two I did see that the Masterforce uses a detent to retain the drawers as where the HF box uses a latch on the right side of the drawer. I didn't care for the latch setup but for your application where the trailer may not be level that might be a better option for you. Something to consider anyways.

Edit: Just looked online and it shows a lift and latch type setup on the Masterforce unit, NOT a detent type like I thought.

 

[zkling]

How has your 44" held up to being inside a on the road trailer full of tools, especially with just drawer detents?

The 56" masterforce should have a (forgive me) "griplatch" style latching system on the drawers.

 

[jimmypet]

How has your 44" held up to being inside a on the road trailer full of tools, especially with just drawer detents?

Very well, I lock the box when rolling down the road.
The only annoying thing is "some" of the detents are less solid than the others and if the trailer isn't level the drawers slide open.

I have started to play with the detent mods that I found online (I think here on this site) to try and tighten them up. Most of the mods are to loosen the detents. I want to make some of mine stiffer.

But the box itself has survived perfectly fully loaded with tools over thousands of miles.
Its like new really. Very well built box.

The positive locking mechanism is part of the attraction of the 56" box over the detents of the 44" for me. The Griplatch of the Menards was also a solid seller.

EDIT: here is a testimony on how well built the HF 44" box is...
My 3rd drawer is my ratchets and sockets drawer in my trailer.
One day I "missed" catching that drawer when I locked the box, and rolled out of the track.
I towed 200 miles home, then to my horror realized the drawer had ridden home 200 miles fully loaded with tools bouncing at full extension. I figured no way this thing ever closes again,,, it slid closed as easy as it did the first time I opened it.
That is a well built drawer.

 

[Kyle.F]

I just bought the International 56" 10 drawer and I love it. full 24" deep drawers and 6 casters. It is a pretty heavy duty box. I got it on sale at sears online for 799 shipped to my door. I've had many other brands before including the harbor freight ones and this thing is way heavier duty.

 

[GingerKid]

Thank you for that.
It seems whenever I search the Menards site for that box it always says special order so I was starting to believe I would never see one in person if I wanted to buy one.

EDIT: I just called a Menards in Columbus OH, where I have a day off coming up and could have gone to see one, they don't have one and said its special order only.
Then the girl checked and said it was that way all through every Menards in OH and IN.
I asked so if I wanted to buy this box, I have no way of see in one before purchasing and she said "yes",,, so that may wrap this discussion for me.
Hard to drop $800 on a box I can't ever even see first despite the fine reviews by stand up guys like yourselves.

The menards in Schererville, IN typically has the masterforce boxes of all sizes on the sales floor, so she doesn't necessarily know what she's talking about

 

[SMKS]

My local Menards often has bigger boxes on display, but I don't know off the top of my head whether they have the exact one the OP is considering.

 

[jimmypet]

I just bought the International 56" 10 drawer and I love it. full 24" deep drawers and 6 casters. It is a pretty heavy duty box. I got it on sale at sears online for 799 shipped to my door. I've had many other brands before including the harbor freight ones and this thing is way heavier duty.

Interesting.
I saw references to the International boxes on here but never followed through to investigate. Nice looking box. Love the 24" actual depth.

So you have compared / owned this as well as the HF and think this is comparable or better quality?

It seems this box is sold by many outlets under many labels?
I searched International 10 Drawer and it came up everywhere for a huge range of prices on the same piece.

Were you able to find one on the floor to see one anywhere before you purchased or did you just take a leap of faith?

Thanks for the heads up.
I like this box drawer configuration better than the Menards, looks about equally as useful as the HF.
Any additional info you can post on it is appreciated.
Cheers
jimmy p

 

[Scooterfish]

I live in Elkhart, so thanks for buying a trailer here. What mfg built it?
What type of racing are you involved in?

I have never seen the 56" box at the local store. That doesn`t mean they would not have one. You know your space width and drawer layout needs.
Have you considered a combination of two boxes? a 36" & 26" or two 36"?

 

[jimmypet]

I live in Elkhart, so thanks for buying a trailer here. What mfg built it?
What type of racing are you involved in?

I have never seen the 56" box at the local store. That doesn`t mean they would not have one. You know your space width and drawer layout needs.
Have you considered a combination of two boxes? a 36" & 26" or two 36"?

I ordered from Vintage.

http://www.vintagetrailers.com/trailers.php?trailer_id=2

I had it narrowed down to either Vintage or United and simply liked the way the Vintage looked better.
They were so close in every other technical / cost / option aspect that I could research I ended up picking the one that I thought looked nicer.

I'm an SCCA Road Racer, I race an old BMW M3 in a Production Class called SPU (Super Production Under 2.5 litres). Its a regional only catch all class, very much run what ya brung, which makes it fun, you never know whats going to turn up to race against.

 

[jimmypet]

I just bought the International 56" 10 drawer and I love it. full 24" deep drawers and 6 casters. It is a pretty heavy duty box. I got it on sale at sears online for 799 shipped to my door. I've had many other brands before including the harbor freight ones and this thing is way heavier duty.

Hey Kyle,
Does your International box have positive latching drawers or detents?
Detents may ruin that for me.
I am looking for positive locking drawers on this next one. That was the only thing I did not love about my HF44". Iloved the box, but I wished for positive drawer latching.

I found the parent site for the International importing company, they seem to make / import a wide line of boxes.
Some models have the positive drawer lock, some have detents.

http://www.spginternational.com/cli...Fichiers/International Catalogue 2015 ANG.pdf

 

[jhelrey]

Menards. I had their 56 box and now at a 72. The 72 I got has grip latch where the 56 did not. I prefer the grip latch

 

[Kyle.F]

I took the leap and just purchased it. I have the 44" harbor freight box still too and I think about 8 drawer slides need replaced in it so far. Open the drawers and they just fall out. The international box has detent drawer slides but if your putting it in your trailer it's as simple as just locking it during transport. All the deeper drawers have double slides on it but the other ones have the cut outs for second slides so I am gonna order some and it'll be as heavy duty as I'll ever need. Comes with really nice drawer liners and a top mat. Overall I'm really happy with it. I am ordering the top and 2 side cabinets after for it.

 

[Kyle.F]

I'll try to get a side by side picture this weekend of the international 56" and the HF 44"

 

[jimmypet]

I'll try to get a side by side picture this weekend of the international 56" and the HF 44"

That would be great.

 

[Kyle.F]

Heres the 2 side by side.

 

[Two Door]

Seems like a lot of box for $800, delivered.

 

[jimmypet]

Heres the 2 side by side.

Wow, that extra depth dwarfs the HF.
Thanks for the pics

Since you own both, How are the drawer detents on the International vs. the HF44? I wished the HF ones were firmer.

Would you mind terribly adding a picture of a drawer open?
I'm curious about drawer wall thickness / stiffness comparison?
Is the International drawer metal gauge on par with the HF?

 

[jimmypet]

Seems like a lot of box for $800, delivered.

Agreed. Thats a lot of box for $800

 

[Kyle.F]

I havn't actually measured it but the drawers definitely feel and look alot heavier. No flexing or sagging and very minimal slop on the international. The international drawer detents are alot firmer than the harbor freight but no matter what the drawers are I would always just lock it before moving it. Even on grip latch boxes. Especially if your keeping it in a race trailer. Like I said before my 44" HF box needs about 8 slides replaced. I will definitely never buy another one. It's ok if it stays still but if you need to wheel it, it flexes too much. I don't have any drawer pics of the international box yet. I'll try to remember to get some when I go to work tomorrow. When I ordered the box it was 100 bucks cheaper than the same box with the craftsman labels but right now the craftsman labeled international box is like 700$. Damn sears for changing prices every other day.

 

[Kyle.F]

http://www.sears.com/international-...0916423000P?prdNo=29&blockNo=29&blockType=G29

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-56-i...0950779000P?prdNo=11&blockNo=11&blockType=G11

If you look at the model numbers all they do is add a "SE" at the end and switch the badges

 

[jimmypet]

I just thought I would update this thread.
Despite a strong pull at the end by the SPG International after Kyles posts I ended up buying the Harbor Freight 56" today.

I actually had set my mind on the SPG International and then did a reversal.

The pros of the International was that I could get it in a choice of colors and the large single top drawer. It also seemed like a really nicely made box from everything I had read.

The downside for me were:
(a) the detents which I had grown to dislike on my HF44,
(b) it was one less drawer overall and
(c) I was concerned about the 3 shallow / small drawers.
I know the stuff I put in my small drawers in my HF44" and the depth of the comparable drawers in the SPG had me wondering if it would fit.

So just before I was about to order an SPG International (I was going to get the black Sears branded one Kyle pointed out) I changed course back to my original plan of the HF 56".

The drawer sizes just worked better for me, and I still was fixated on having a positive latching drawer. I also liked that the HF was a bit taller. Since I will be installing without the wheels, the couple inches of added height on the HF box worked better for me.
Plus HF just popped a $699 coupon on the 56" box and that sweetened the deal enough to push me over the edge.
Its sitting at my place now.
I won't bore you with pics of an HF 56, but once my trailer comes in and I get it set up I'll post a picture.
Thanks for the great posts and information.
This is a great forum. I hope to be able to contribute more in the future.

 

[Voi]

I havn't actually measured it...

If you ever think about it please measure the length of the box without the handles. The greater depth and shorter height of this box seems like it will be perfect for my next shop project. Only questions is how many of them can I fit in the space I have in mind.

 

[arroberts]

Here is a question, do any of the Menards stores typically stock the 56" box on the floor to look at?

I travel a lot with my job and may get to a market that has Menards and be able to stop in and see one, if they are typically on the floor.

Just looking through the website, it looks like it is special order everywhere. OH, IN, MI, IL, and WI were all showing special order.