Can't decide between Harbor Freight 44" and 56" top and bottom

[Doug427]

As the title says, I am trying to decide between the two different top and bottom setups. I certainly prefer the 56", what is stopping me at this point is the top shelf of the 56" top box, under the lid up top, looks so shallow as to be virtually unusable. Anyone who has the 56" top box, can you tell me if the top shelf is usable, and what you guys put up there? The top of the 44" top box appears to be much more usable.

In my current C'Man box, I have all my ratchets, extensions and sockets up there. The ratchets and extensions would certainly fit up there, but it appears by eye that there's no way anything but the shortest sockets would stand up with the lid closed. Any other ideas on what would be better to store up there would be great. by the way, for those of you who have bought the 56" set ,do both top and bottom come with drawer lines? I believe both the 44" top and bottom do.

Any input, thoughts, etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bobbycos]

56 bottom with the 44 top

Mechanic I know did that,

 

[LXCam]

Top of the 56 is worthless.

I gave up and since I don't need to close mine I did this. But there's a ton more space in the 56 verses the other if the lay out works for you.

 

[Lavern23]

I would go for the 56

 

[Chrisjr123]

I have all my chargers on the top of my 56 also some chemicals! I can't close it so if that's a need all are useless.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I am rearranging mine right now.... Torque wrenches, rails of flare nut sockets, smaller case tools. Hansen racks with 1/4" drive sockets fit ok if not placed under that reinforcement panel on the lid..... I don't plan on leaving that socket rack up there, that fits nicely in the side drawers...... Not a bad place for a lap-top and some test equipment, either.

 

[Nekit]

I have all my chargers on the top of my 56 also some chemicals! I can't close it so if that's a need all are useless.

Is the top of the 56" too shallow to store anything up there?

 

[rsanter]

Go with the 56. The days of the sockets in the top of the top box have gone away as the boxes have gotten taller.
The sockets now go in the top deep drawer of the bottom box. The top of the top anymore so where you put the breaker bars, pry bars and other long stuff

Bob

 

[LXCam]

Is the top of the 56" too shallow to store anything up there?

No, I used to store my cordless stuff up there and as long as none of had a belt loop on it, you could close the top. But it really does ****, even one more inch would have made all the difference in the world.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

The bigger the better, can never have enough storage space.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[Conductor562]

I've been thinking about the 44" top and bottom with a side chest on each end.

But I'll probably go with the 56"

 

[Doug427]

I was thinking about the 44" with a side set of drawers on one side and a cabinet on the other. I know it sounds silly, but I just like the way one big toolbox looks better. It's just a shame that they didn't see fit to increase the height of the top compartment another inch or two. Had they done that, this decision would be a no brainer. I guess I am still leaning toward the 56", but darn, what a boneheaded decision they made with the dimensions of the top compartment.

 

[Doug427]

Is the top of the 56" too shallow to store anything up there?

By memory, id say that it's only about 1" to 1.5" tall. Like others have said, you could lay down torque wrenches and breaker bars and similar stuff up there, but not much else.

 

[jim1987]

Doug, read these next two threads :thumbup
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236944

 

[jim1987]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242833

 

[shorton]

I wished I would have purchased 2x the 44"and left the tops off one or bith

 

[Shootingblanks]

I was at this crossroad since my Craftsman 3 stack and Harbor Fright 5 drawer cart are overloaded. I was contemplating on doing the Steevo bench with 2 44" and looked at the displays at Harbor Freight. I read several threads here, watched a few YouTube videos and even private messaged Jim1987 for some insight considering he has owned both. I have decided that I will be pulling the trigger and geting the 56". I also have the $699 coupon to use. As for the workbench, I will wait till spring to figure out something to fab up and weld.

 

[Doug427]

I was at this crossroad since my Craftsman 3 stack and Harbor Fright 5 drawer cart are overloaded. I was contemplating on doing the Steevo bench with 2 44" and looked at the displays at Harbor Freight. I read several threads here, watched a few YouTube videos and even private messaged Jim1987 for some insight considering he has owned both. I have decided that I will be pulling the trigger and geting the 56". I also have the $699 coupon to use. As for the workbench, I will wait till spring to figure out something to fab up and weld.

The $699 coupon ???!!!???
Please tell more......

 

[jim1987]

The $699 coupon ???!!!???
Please tell more......

What more is there to tell? That's the "sale" price. They all flunctuate.

 

[Shootingblanks]

I'll take a pic of it and post it on this thread when I get home.

Currently my store has the 56" on sale for $799.99. So you save $100.

Believe it was good till end of month.

 

[Doug427]

I guess it's meant to be......

I just checked my email routinely and there's the 56" box $699 coupon in the latest HF mailing that just arrived in my inbox.

Ha!

 

[Casey69]

i also got 2 44's & put them under a bench, but i got my 44's a few years back when they were $350 each. figured $700 for one 56" or $700 for 2 44's (& get more storage space).

 

[brendelac]

Having never seen a HF box in person, but being very interested based on the hype alone, I'm looking for a little more insight - I live in Canada about 3.5 hours to the border and then another 25 mins to the nearest HF store. I'm heading down near the border for a family get-together and was considering going to check out the HF44, but if I do, I will most likely buy it to justify the drive and enduring the potential border lineup. The thing is though, I have to factor in the exchange rate and canadian taxes getting it back across the border. All said and done, the $389 roller cabinet will cost me about $565, not factoring in fuel.

Alternatively, my local costco has the 41" kirkland signature box (cabinet and chest)for $784 all-in which seems like a well built unit aside from the silly cabinet door. The layout of the HF is better, but for anyone that has seen both first hand, is it worth it if you were in my situation?

Thanks.

 

[ProCharger]

For those of you wanting the 56" bottom and still want a top you can put the 44" on there and still have plenty of room in the top shelf as well as giving you bench top area for chargers or the like plus about a 4" lip across the entire front since the 44" is not nearly as deep as the 56". Doesn't look out of place either. If that is not enough space add the side box(es) or the locker for the 44" as well.

 

[yuk]

here is a previous thread i did some "numbers" on, comparing the mula vs sq/in space of the two boxes.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182831