For those interested, the Ball Bearing/Heavy Duty level is the minimum anyone should consider when buying Craftsman tool chests. The sheet metal is just thick enough and the drawer detents work OK as long as the drawers have enough weight in them.
If you go up a level to Premium you'll get latching drawers, a sturdier cabinet shell, and a higher weight rating per drawer, which is worth the extra money.
Go down a level to Standard or worse, Homeowner, and you'll have VERY thin sheet metal, and a locking bar that goes across the front if you want to lock it.
does husky have that middle box right now cheaper?
I would like that middle one for under my Kennedy.
The middle box from husky is $50 online but they clearanced them out for around $15 a month or so ago in store. It is smaller than the craftsman version.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-27-in-W-2-Drawer-Intermediate-Chest-Black-HTA-102B12/205157324
I have the craftsman grip latch top and bottom. I assume this middle unit isn't as deep as grip latch ones.... am I wrong? How silly/unstable would it be?I was debating on getting a HF side box or a middle unit.
Pretty much my debate. When I see the grip latch middle units they are in the $150 range. Never got lucky with the dented ones in person.The CM/Husky middle chest at that price point (<$100) is usually 12" depth and it will be silly/unstable under a full-depth top chest. 12" middle chests typically offer limited additional space and may make the stack too tall for some people. Side boxes offer more storage space but at a fairly steep price ($200) compared to another sub $300 base roller cabinet if you have the room.
The CM/Husky middle chest at that price point (<$100) is usually 12" depth and it will be silly/unstable under a full-depth top chest. 12" middle chests typically offer limited additional space and may make the stack too tall for some people. Side boxes offer more storage space but at a fairly steep price ($200) compared to another sub $300 base roller cabinet if you have the room.
I have a couple of classic C-man boxes given to me by my dad. They are shallow at around 12" deep and really are near useless for full tool storage. I have relegated them to specialty tool storage. One is in the woodshop
Agreed. I have a couple of classic C-man boxes given to me by my dad. They are shallow at around 12" deep and really are near useless for full tool storage. I have relegated them to specialty tool storage. One is in the woodshop.
OP. Unless this is your intention look for something to serve for a long time down the road.