Crooked drawers on HF US General 44" toolbox

[82SC]

got my tool chest at the recent 3 day sale. was happy with quality, but after loading all my drawers up I noticed...top left sided drawer is all cockeyed

Looks like the culprit is the chest side sliders...the right side one looks to be the worst, but the left is also very high making the top gap very tight...all the others look fairly even...

Yes I know its not a snapon and you get what you pay for. so please don't have to state the obvious

just wanted to see if other guys have seen similar problems and see if anyone had a fix?

I'm gonna take pics of drawers to HF to see what they think. I really don't want to load up a 300# tool chest myself...

 

[82SC]

pulled all four sliders across the top row and laid a straight edge across

 

[Rosso]

Had a similar issue with a similar type box here in europe.

HF might be different but on my old box nothing could be done, the slides had been riveted to the box.

Take the drawer out and see if it's riveted/clipped in etc

If it's clipped in you should be able to adjust it.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Could the box have been racked from dropping it at the store or during shipping? I cant tell if the box is twisted or its just the slides that got installed wrong. If the slides got riveted in cockeyed you can drill them and re-rivet. I know its the last thing you want to do with a new box.

 

[82SC]

Well I think I can def take it back and get a new box.
But that is such a pain...

Box doesn't look twisted. All other drawers are level and even

But yes they are rivited. And I may have to dril them out and redo it if I end up keeping the box

 

[colin39]

Stainless rivets? Had a similar issue with a kra snappy box, scue wiff draw like yours but when loaded the left corner stuck out, however if I emptied the draw it shut square and even, strange.

 

[MikeF2316]

Well I think I can def take it back and get a new box.
But that is such a pain...

Box doesn't look twisted. All other drawers are level and even

But yes they are rivited. And I may have to dril them out and redo it if I end up keeping the box

I'd do this. It should take less than an hour, less time than changing the box. Those uneven drawers would drive me batty. Just make sure you protect all the slides from the metal chips you're going to be making.

 

[82SC]

Yeah I'm hoping Hf gives me a partial refund or offers me another box at a steep discount to make up for it.

And yeah might as well fix it. I'm too neurotic to look at that crooked drawer with neat organized tools in them.

 

[Givl Reggin]

You know its not a Snap-On and you get what you pay for? Hope I'm not stating the obvious.

Try swapping the drawers around - there may be a drawer that fits that slot better - from that photo the 4th drawer down (of the 1/2 drawers) looks like it may be cocked the other way and will look better in the #1 spot.

 

[82SC]

thanks...hahaha

so HF said either bring it back for a new one or will sell me a new box for 300...says that is about cost for him.

Will prob take him up on the offer. and fix the box as a side project...

will try to document the process in case anyone else gets a bum box

while I was there noticed the floor model 44 was nice and even but the top chest had same issue with one of the drawers...

guess its not a snapon...

 

[82SC]

i did try swapping the drawers...don't know if I tried every combination...but maybe will give that a try to save me from having to drill out rivets...

 

[4x4gearhead]

Stainless rivets? Had a similar issue with a kra snappy box, scue wiff draw like yours but when loaded the left corner stuck out, however if I emptied the draw it shut square and even, strange.

Could it be you weren't on level ground and the weight of your tools made the left side (side without lock n roll latch I might add) kick out a bit? This happens with my road chest in my van when it is on a bit of a side hill with drawers downhill.

To the op: I suppose now its all about how easy it is for you to return the box to hf vs drilling and properly setting some rivets. I hate when that happens.

 

[stage20]

i dont know if the HF boxes have stainless rivots or not. i drilled out an old hammerhead box lid that had stainless rivots and oh boy. burn up some good bits doing it! those things have to be installed with a hydrualic tool. stout material.

 

[82SC]

Found the culprit

After doing a little more digging, the front of the drawers are literally coming off all of the drawers. 100% of the large ones. None of the small. I attached the biggest offender. That sag is contributing to the unevenness. On a couple of the drawer, the front panels is bent forward a few mm.

I guess this one is going back the the store. And I'm gonna hope he honors the deal of a second box at discount.

Something that anyone looking to get this box should do is check the evenness of the drawers (eventually I did find a combo pattern where the drawers were mostly even).

Remember what order you took them all out to unload, so you end up with even drawers.

And check that front seam.

And anyone that bought one recently should check so you are still in your return window.

Yes buyer beware. Why still go back to HF? Cuz as a DIY amateur mechanic I still think spending $1000 plus on a box is not a good way to spend my capital. On tools I am willing to shell out. But the cost return on a box still doesn't work for me.

I'll just have him open the boxes so I can check each one...

 

[FriendOfYours]

I have never heard of anyone having that issue. Actually, aside from shipping damage you rarely hear of any problems

 

[Givl Reggin]

you rarely hear of any problems

Well, I guess it's one of those that got built on a Monday and got past quality control (do they have quality control at Harbor Freight manufacturing plants?). Also, some people might be less concerned about some cosmetic damage, as long as it holds tools and the drawers open they may not care the drawers are crooked. Knowing what a PITA returning something like that is, and no guarantee the replacement will be any better, why not just drill and use some self-tapping screws (or thru-bolts) to hold the fronts on? Will be a lot stronger than the spot welds.

 

[82SC]

Yeah I haven't heard anyone with this problem before. Guess it's a bad batch....

And I doubt quality control is anything more then a 16 year old glancing at it.

It looks like there is paint between the surfaces. Not sure if they painted it and then tried to weld or glue it?? Or maybe the weld machine missed and it was loose allowing paint to get in??

Hope this isn't a trend as the box has held up well and has a pretty good reputation among a lot of guys using it. I do remember a post on the 54" review saying that welds were popping...

Ugg....I'm definitely taking it back. And double checking the box before brining it home.

(Screws won't work as the tips will come out the front of the drawer)

 

[paranoid56]

where are you located? as if you do return it maybe a fellow GJ person can go pick it up for half price after. as thats an easy repair