"BIG" HF Tool Cabinet

[goodfellow]

-- my neighbor's kid just graduated from Wyotech as a diesel mechanic and the father has been buggin' the heck out of me asking what kind of toolbox the kid should get as a graduation present.

I told him to look at the name brand and/or tool truck options (it goes in one ear and out the other), but he wants my opinion on this monster --

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94496

it's supposed to be the newest, largest HF box. Does anyone know anything about this box? It looks big enough to use as a camper in an emergency.

Knowing that Diesel techs have heavier/larger tool requirements -- would this be a good choice? Does anyone own this thing?

 

[dxdexter]

I do not have any first hand knowledge of this box, but the shipping weight of 578lbs suggests the gauge of steel used is much less than that of the higher end boxes.
This is a large 56" box, but when compared to the smaller 53" Snap-on box at 685lbs and the smaller Gray Tools 41" box at 600lbs, it seems light. I would assume the packaging materials would be similar.
This observation/comparison is one which I often perform when I see the lower cost boxes at most box stores. It can be quite apparent when you flex the drawer sides and top covers and see how much they move under the slightest force.
With such a long drawer on the roller cabinet I would suggest there should be two slides on each side.
The crinkle finish may also not be to most peoples liking.
As the saying goes "you get what you pay for". You don't get a $6000.00 box for $859.00 unless they are charging $5000.00+ for shipping.
Hope this helps.

 

[Tscott]

My opinion on HF is sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't. Thin metal can be made strong with bends, but that only goes so far. I have had pretty good luck with HF so far I will only buy hand tools though and even then only certain ones (i.e. Ones without moving parts (wrenches, srew drivers etc.) I hate their pliers. I got a good set of car dollies pretty cheap, but I have heard some people who purchased the same thing complain they do not like them. If I were a professional mechanic I would probably like help buying a nice box as opposed to the gift of one with questionable qulaity.

Just my .02
Tom

 

[JB740i]

I would think the graduate would have a good idea on what he needs, wouldn't he? And couldn't he also get a huge discount on a box through the school? Maybe the dad should just offer to put up the money for it...

 

[Uncle Buck]

I think even a regular Cman chest and rollcab, even one with compound slides would be miles ahead of the HF job. Not the homeowner version though.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

we have a harbor freight store in saddle brook, nj . the red box was fairly thin gauge sheetmetal . good size , the locks look like something from a toy . ATD makes pretty sturdy chinese boxes , available from your local parts store

 

[PanelDeland]

I would suggest looking at some of the pro series Craftsman cabinets.The pricing is not as good as the HF but if the kid has completed diesel training and is planning on being in the feild for a lifetime or at least 20 years he will need a box that lasts.I think the HF one would be junk in a couple years and then he would still need to pony up for a pro box.I have been a maintainence mechanic for 35 years and have gotten by with lesser boxes but they get replaced every 3-4 years.Usually they are carry boxes and get banged around a lot.I have a Craftsman rollaway ordered that I should have bought years ago.It is for my shop at home.I work for a company that supplies my tools now but still collect every tool I can.

 

[Rickster]

At that price $850 plus tax will get you to $900. I would take that $900 and search ebay for a decent Snapon-Mac-Matco-Kennedy tool box. Do a search within 200 miles of your city and I'm sure you'll be able to find a top quality used box. The cheaper other HF box looks to be an OK unit for what it is but this one kind of propels you into a higher league.

 

[MustangRick]

Send him to craigslist if he wants a deal and is willing to wait for a good one to pop up. I would take the HF one if some one gave it to me and it would probably last me the rest of my life. But I bet it wouldn't last a year for a pro. Nothing like being the newb and getting harrassed fom the old guys because of your new tool box that is falling apart already.

 

[chevy302dz]

I would tell him to pass on the HF box, and go for something better built. Proto has similar designs to Mac but usually sells cheaper if I had to buy a new box Proto is what I would look at first.

 

[kythri]

As the saying goes "you get what you pay for". You don't get a $6000.00 box for $859.00 unless they are charging $5000.00+ for shipping.

You don't get a $6000.00 box for $6000.00, either.

 

[Coach James]

If I was the dad, I would decide how much I was willing to spend then have the kid find the best box for that price through the votech program. At our community college, students can get most things for 50% discount from several companies.

Coach

 

[dxdexter]

You don't get a $6000.00 box for $6000.00, either.

I agree, but that could be applied to just about anything you purchase, but maybe not with such a high profit margin for the manufacturers.

The ad did say comparable to a $6000 box.The point was that generally speaking the higher priced boxes are of much better quality, but of course I think you knew what I was trying to say.

 

[Deafautotech]

well i would suggest you to look for tool truck dealers to see if they have any used toolboxes. i own KR1200 and KRL1001b (both are USED). i paid both for less than new KRL1201 (4,460 dollars). i already paid it off when my snap on guy give me discount and know that i am pay full for it. then i have 1/4 wrench to 2 in wrenches and 6mm to 36mm wrenches in one drawer of my KRL1001 as it is fit inside no problem (2 inch and shallow of drawer not four inch and deep drawer.)

 

[Curmudgeon]

They also have a matching side cabinet for that set. All of my other boxes are Snap-On or Waterloo, but I bought the HF U.S. General side cabinet a couple of years ago when it was on sale. I am very pleased with it. I am impressed with the weight and the quality. It has better drawer glides than my old Snap-On. I wouldn't suggest that it compares to Snap-On quality, but it is definitely better than Waterloo/Craftsman boxes I have. Especially the newer stuff.

The kid is just starting out, and needs something functional. I think this would be a great cabinet to start with. Then he can upgrade as he gets his feet on the ground.

 

[dxdexter]

I think this would be a great cabinet to start with. Then he can upgrade as he gets his feet on the ground.

Curmudgeon, I know what your saying that this is a good box to start with at such a low price and I agree its a great bargain, but when a tech gets use to having a box this size where do you go from there? He will probably not want to go smaller, and replacing/upgrading a box this size with a top of the line box would cost an arm and a leg and your first born, unless he gets a good used one.
This box may last a lifetime, whose to say, but the smart money says the quality is not there. I feel its better to put the money into something that will give decades of service especially in Heavy Equipment Repair, which has heavy tools equaling high drawer and caster loads and harsh working conditions. At least it did for me.

 

[TxDoc]

If you want feedback from someone who has the top and bottom boxes, I do. I bought them after they made the offer of no shipping. You order them at the store and pick them up at the store.

Northern tool makes a very similar set of boxes. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200321997_200321997

I am very pleased with the HF boxes. I have never seen this particular box on display. I thought it was a special order item, only. This set of boxes does not have a side cabinet available. That set is not a 56" set, but a 44-3/4" set. I have that set of three, also. They have been in use for a year and a half, or so. They have held up well and would buy them again.

Anyway, they have a consistent fit and finish. The drawers slide without any dragging, with full loads. The draws have a locking mechanism that engages with full closure. If you are in and out a lot, you can push it to where it is almost closed.

I guess you could build a storage box from 3/8" steel, but with normal use I am very happy with what I spent and what I got for my money. I needed central storage space, for various wrenches, sockets, hand tools, and this was perfect for me. I am very happy with what I got for what I spent.

I am not a professional mechanic, I don't work as mechanic for the Ferrari F1 team, for John Force Racing or for OCC. The surgical tools and handpieces I use in my daily practice are the highest quality (and usually cost). But, those are in in continous, daily use.

If you would like some digital pics of what kind of space is available with tools in the drawers, let me know and I will take some. If some pics of the two 56" boxes side by side with the 44-3/4" boxes will help, let me know.

For starting out, he may want the 44-3/4" set of three to begin. But, I don't know for sure. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91361

Good luck on your search.

 

[goodfellow]

Thanks TxDOC -- excellent review. I'll print your review out and will give it to my neighbor. Personally, I think that the kid should work a bit and then see what the rest of his colleagues are using, but it''s not my call.

Much obliged for the review.

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

Like one of the statements above, that students of votec schools get discounts and should not pass em by, the tool box is the most expensive purchase/investment you can make in the game. I really recamend a quality box over a cheap one if put to everyday use. You can stand in one of my dawers full of tools and still open it smoothly.

 

[TNToy]

Avoid at all costs.

I collapsed a drawer in the display model at the local HF by putting all of my weight on one drawer - The metal was so thin to it's hard to even classify as sheetmetal. This amount of weight wouldn't even phase a craftsman, much less a professional-level box.

 

[icnsltmfg]

I think these are all the same basic box (HF, Northern Torin, and Atlas from Greg Smith) http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Tool-Cabinets-s/38.htm

I bought the smaller one from Greg Smith when I bought my lift. I had seen the one at HF, and it was not quite as robust as the Atlas. The only thing that I need to do on the smaller one, is add a few extra slides on the big drawers. The notches are there, but they only put the doubles on the large box. BTW, I paid $550 for the small one, both top and bottom. I do not turn wrenches for a living, but still try to buy something once. For me this is perfect.

 

[mulepackin]

There is a thread on here somewhere about a similiar sized Proto combo. I would sure try to steer in that direction at least, if not a truck company. Like most people I too want decent quality at a reasonable price. I don't think you will get that with the HF unit, but I do think there are alternatives to the truck companies.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Avoid at all costs.

I collapsed a drawer in the display model at the local HF by putting all of my weight on one drawer - The metal was so thin to it's hard to even classify as sheetmetal. This amount of weight wouldn't even phase a craftsman, much less a professional-level box.

I am suprised they didn't make you pay for that damage.
I have never been overly impressed with the mentality of I will jump my 150-200 pound frame into a drawer of this roll cab to make a point.

I am trying to be polite here cause I really do not want to piss on your Wheaties but I have always considered that a downright ignorant proclamation/test some guys like to use or make. It just strikes me as very Jethro. What the heck did you expect the drawer on a HF roll cab to do? (Lord, please do not tell me pass the test!)

 

[-lecroix-]

So because you can't stand in the drawer of a HF box that automatically makes it junk?

Hell, even I can tear up the highest dollar of Snap On boxes with nothing more than my bare hands and a pair of Doc Martens.

Then again, I am 160 lbs. of romping-stomping hell! YMMV