Best Harbor Freight Tool Box?

[225]

I'm in the market for a new box as I've outgrown mine.

I really like the price point of the 44", however, I think I'll fill it up too fast. So I'm looking at the 56" or 72". They both have the same depth.

Is there another alternative close to HF boxes that's the same dimensions as a 56 or 72" box?

Thanks.

 

[JD3020]

Look at the Masterforce boxes at Menards, or the Homak's at Napa.

 

[Wamsutta]

There's also Montezuma.

 

[Mr_B]

Or some of the better husky options .
homak rs pro from napa pretty decent for the price.
HF introducing new us general line so you may want wait a bit or catch potential clearance .
also keep eye open for used 56" range boxes as some good deals can be had .

 

[BigBoreFan]

https://www.reddit.com/r/harborfreight/comments/7w2di5/new_44_box/

 

[Mr_B]

Two 44's instead of a bigger box.
Versatile
More mobile
Segregating
Front to back
Stacked if you're tall enough.

I would be inclined go 56" and add a second 56" or if HF doing clearance grab 2 old model 56"
2 of the new model 44" may do you but they likely be around 450bucks.

2 smaller boxes are better than a 72" as duckface mentioning, I use 2 7525's and a side cabinet .
just got 2 Husky international made 56" from HD for employee, had out of box one with no keys real cheap and he got another 50bucks off doing 2 boxes and sweet talking as the open box one is grubby and looks to of been in warehouse uncovered for some time, going key alike anyway and got pick the open box lock and see if side handle and liners present. worked out cheaper than a budget 72" too .

 

[Alpine4x4]

I'd wait for the new line to come out assuming drawers are deeper or pick up the current line on clearance.

I looked into doing two 44" or a single 56" and after playing with all in store settled on the 72" due to drawer size and layout. If the new 72" has deeper drawers it will be icing on the cake.

 

[marineman]

Sounds like the current 44" is out for you anyway but I definitely recommend you avoid it. Overall it does it's job just fine but if the drawers are 16" deep, every tool I own is 16 1/2" long. It's been a decent starter box but it's tough to get it set up decent because I can't fit much front to back in the drawers. I suppose some guys will have the same complaint with 30" deep boxes, nature of the beast.

 

[MushCreek]

Snap-On would be a nice upgrade. Every tool box thread leads to HF, so I thought I'd turn the tables.

 

[Mr_B]

Used truck brand or any used bargain always good first option .
I really like the old matco 75 and 85 series boxes and use to find some good deals on them but these days internet made selling far easier and prices increased or they gone within hours of listing going live .
Still some good bargains like the guy who grabbed the krl1001 at nice price for very tidy example of a great usable box .
For home user more interested in price then US general Husky masterforce international Homak tend be main players pending on individuals location and requirements .

 

[kctyphoon]

I just bought the dispaly unit for the side locker at a local store. Nobody has them.. I have a 44" top and bottom, one side locker already and didn't wanna chance not being able to get a second locker.. so now it's the top and bottom 44" side locker on each side, and 3 of the real small magnetic shelves, glove dispenser, and paper towel holder. I'm probably either gonna get the "red cart" also - OR buy the 4 drawer black one and mount just the drawer unit on my current 2 drawer Husky.. the HF boxes are the best bang for the buck, and the add ons make them customizable in many ways.. you can buy 2 or 3 lower 44" units and join the all together with the add on drawer unit for a wall of tool storage, and make a nice long work surface too.. there's just SO MANY options of configuration.

 

[225]

Thanks for all the input. I never thought about with doing 2 44" boxes.

HF is coming out with new models? I didn't know that.

 

[jonshonda]

My HF has floor models marked 20% regular price....which really isn't impressive imho.

 

[Mr_B]

^
yeh want 40% and for them to be pretty tidy .
Some of the floor ones I seen I would only want for like 50bucks .
Someone might get a bargain, HD seem better at open box clearance prices .

 

[C.L S2000]

Two 44's instead of a bigger box.
Versatile
More mobile
Segregating
Front to back
Stacked if you're tall enough.

I agree if HF is coming out with a new line, then the older 44" models should go on discount. I would wait for them to go on discount and get 2 44". 2x 44" should run you around $800 (before tax) when a 72" is $999.

 

[Mr_B]

^ 800bucks would be like normal price range, on coupon the 44" is 349, On clearance sale I would want expect better like 325 a box .
HF not great at floor model, open box or clearance prices so wouldn't expect to much chance of a worthy deal.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

The best HF tool box was the one I didn't buy.

 

[ddawg16]

Snap-On would be a nice upgrade. Every tool box thread leads to HF, so I thought I'd turn the tables.

And upgrade the air lines to PVC.


(there....that should get it rolling)

 

[BreeStephany]

I love my 72" HF box and honestly feel its better built, heavy gauge than most of the Husky or similar boxes and is by far the heaviest built out of all of the HF models. With that said, I definitely will say that I really dislike having to get a trailer, 4 guys, and a chunk of 1-1/4" ply reinforced with 2x6 every time I want to move the thing. Having 2 smaller boxes would have been awesome, but overall, at the end of the day, I can't complain, especially for getting as much storage as I have for less than $1500 ($1000 for the box, $500 for the powercab I built).

Just my two cents.

 

[Ramage97]

I was at Home Depot the other day and they had a really nice 16 draw box made by Milwaukee for like $700 it was a good sized sturdy box for the money it seemed like

 

[Youngguns]

What's this about new models?

 

[GTO]

I will repeat what I post in every thread like this:
Save your money and buy a used KRL (29" deep) you will thank me.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

29 inches deep versus 18 inches(insert any combination of numbers that lets you get into a bind) deep is the difference between
Opening a car door in a confined garage
Or not.

Other than depth and the huge loss when you sell it why the recommendation blindly across the board?

You're assuming a huge loss. If you get a good deal on a used one, you very well may make a profit if you re-sell.

 

[Alpine4x4]

You're still looking at 4-5x the cost of a Harbor Freight 72". Be very interesting to see how deep the new boxes are.

 

[Mikeske]

I just bought the dispaly unit for the side locker at a local store. Nobody has them.. I have a 44" top and bottom, one side locker already and didn't wanna chance not being able to get a second locker.. so now it's the top and bottom 44" side locker on each side, and 3 of the real small magnetic shelves, glove dispenser, and paper towel holder. I'm probably either gonna get the "red cart" also - OR buy the 4 drawer black one and mount just the drawer unit on my current 2 drawer Husky.. the HF boxes are the best bang for the buck, and the add ons make them customizable in many ways.. you can buy 2 or 3 lower 44" units and join the all together with the add on drawer unit for a wall of tool storage, and make a nice long work surface too.. there's just SO MANY options of configuration.

. I agree and did the same exact thing as you described. I do have the locker on the end of the this unit that I bolted all together.

 

[Mr_B]

I will repeat what I post in every thread like this:
Save your money and buy a used KRL (29" deep) you will thank me.

I don't think OP kind of guy who wants 29" deep krl and it's price even used bargain .
I hunt used boxes weekly and very rare get snapon krl at profitable prices .
He seems more like a 400 to 700 buck guy and something 22 to 24" from new or old line US General, Masterforce 24", Husky 24" likely be his price and spec.

 

[-OSIS-]

I was at Home Depot the other day and they had a really nice 16 draw box made by Milwaukee for like $700 it was a good sized sturdy box for the money it seemed like

I have one. The drawer layout is retarded but it’s still a good box.

 

[Kaane]

I have both 44 and 56, I wish bought 2 56's. The 44 just feels too small. The 56 is just perfect. The extra depth makes it so worth it.

Here is my setup.

I've had the 56 for 4 years and still perfect.

 

[Mr_B]

^ Yeh the 56" quite a deent box for home guys and new techs on budget, coupon deal at 649 like had end of last year is pretty reasonable, plastic latches and sloppy slides only major issue for fussy guys or more pro scenario where in and out of drawers a lot .
The new 44" will be same depth as the 56 and 72" .
2 56" boxes give a lot of storage and easier move transport and layout in a shop over a hunking 72"
after having 2 56" 25" deep boxes I would never go back to 72" boxes .