Deliberation on Harbor Freight Toolboxes

[Radana]

Hello all, I'm writing my first post here to address a somewhat unique situation.
I work at a manufacturer in the maintenance department, and am in need of a new toolbox. Our toolboxes are on the shop floor, and due to location restraints, I am going with a bottom cabinet and locker combo for bulkier things. I have narrowed it down to the HF Series 2 End Locker (#64453/64454) and either the Series 2 44" tool cabinet (#64444/64445/64446) or the 26" cabinet (#64433/64434).

I prefer the drawer layout of the 44" since I currently have my hand tools located vertically with dividers which requires 3-4" of height, but the overall length with a locker is long enough I'm afraid with my location on the floor it's going to get banged up from forklifts/coworkers/etc.
I'm also looking at the 26" cabinet instead, but the top drawers are only about 1.5" tall. If Drawer #6 could be brought up top (new order being 6-1-2-3-4-5-7-8) I've seen that on the Series 1 boxes drawers could be moved or swapped, and am thinking about swapping out but have found conflicting information.
While I'm not trying to be cheap, this is enough of a financial investment for me that I want to do it right the first time. The 26" box would suit me fine--I don't foresee having to take on a significant amount of new tools in the future, but if I do, I could add on a side cabinet. The 44" box gives me breathing space if I need it, but it is a bit more and I don't want to sink any more into this than I need to (if it were for home it would be different).

In summation, my questions are thus:
1) Can drawers be rearranged/swapped in the Series 2 toolboxes?
2) What does the internal construction of the frame look like on the Series 2 that makes this possible/not possible?
3) Does it matter which model number I order? For example, is #64445 made by a different manufacturer than #64444 and #64446 and therefore superior in some way?
4) Can drawers be ordered so I could replace two thinner drawers with a taller drawer without sacrificing a pre-existing drawer?
5) What is the width on the door for the locker? I use their medium sized organizers (#93928) at my house in a Sortimo-like setup, and was hoping the keep some in the locker. The manual online doesn't give dimensions.

Thanks in advance. I'll try to attach a quick mock-up I did so you folks can get a better picture of what I'm talking about.

 

[Mr_B]

1 can not rearrange drawers on series 2
2 because slide mounting square slots not stamped out at continuous spacing like the series 1 boxes .

Would need cut the square slots make it possible

If you wheeling these about a 26" with a side locker could be an issue, ideally need strengthening frame on base too and that best done right off the bat as makes huge difference to box lifespan .

 

[Mr_B]

If you near a menards look at the masterforce boxes, good size range and better quality/features for more pro/daily use .

 

[Radana]

1 can not rearrange drawers on series 2
2 because slide mounting square slots not stamped out at continuous spacing like the series 1 boxes .

Would need cut the square slots make it possible

If you wheeling these about a 26" with a side locker could be an issue, ideally need strengthening frame on base too and that best done right off the bat as makes huge difference to box lifespan .

Do you know of any pictures or visual references to better illustrate what the Series 2 looks like now since they did away with the pre-stamping?

If you near a menards look at the masterforce boxes, good size range and better quality/features for more pro/daily use .

The nearest Menards is several hours away. Yes, they are nice. My dad got one of the last Masterforce toolboxes made in the US before they started making them overseas IIRC. I am in a position where the additional time and money (several hundred dollars more) doesn't really make it justifiable from my assessment.

 

[Mr_B]

I will try find a link with pics, pretty sure it in current HF 26" series 2 thread .

Is your box mainly stationary or doing lot of moving ?

 

[Radana]

If for no other reason than to help someone else, here are the height measurements for the Series 2 26" drawers.

 

[Radana]

And Series 2 44" box respectively.

 

[Radana]

I will try find a link with pics, pretty sure it in current HF 26" series 2 thread .

Is your box mainly stationary or doing lot of moving ?

Stationary. My current toolbox is a frankensteined monstrosity I fabbed up from some scrap 2" box tube welded around two cheap 27 toolboxes to make a long workbench. They're super thin gauged boxes, and the sliding lock I made for the setup has curled up the drawer lips. Not to mention I was in a hurry cobbling it together and put the boxes in at a fractional incline, so when bogged down with tools, they tend to slide open.

 

[Radana]

Throw a deeper drawer on top for a plier rack and this is pretty much my plans for a layout.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7353815&postcount=30

 

[PugetDude]

If for no other reason than to help someone else, here are the height measurements for the Series 2 26" drawers.

Are those actual dimensions or approximate dimensions using a free HF Tape Measure?

 

[Radana]

Are those actual dimensions or approximate dimensions using a free HF Tape Measure?

More approximate I suppose, but at least it gives a ballpark since YMMV. In my experience so far, when basing layout decisions on an absolute measurement, sometimes there isn't much wiggle room and I'm generally on the losing end of tolerance wagers.

 

[Mr_B]

page 3 of above thread has the images of slide stamps.
you would have cut new ones make layout change .
Deep drawer right at top be hardest to do .
Think I live with it or find another option .

 

[Radana]

An update on a few things:

1. Sorry about the "ballpark" dimensions on the drawer heights, I totally forgot they give that info out on the back of the boxes .

2. I ended up going with a totally different option, the 56" 11 Drawer Bottom Cabinet.

I had originally decided on the 44" cabinet and side locker in blue, which wasn't in stock at the local HF. I called around and the closest store that had the 44 in blue was an hour+ drive each way. I saw that the black 56 was in stock locally though and including discounts was a bit cheaper than my original option. So chalk it up to being impatient, but I bit the bullet and have had the 56 at work for a week now and am very pleased with it so far. Definitely an upgrade from my last "toolbox", this monstrosity I cobbled together out of two 27" cabinets and some scrap from work.

 

[Mr_B]

Bit different than your initial concept of wanting side locker .
56" not bad for lowest sale/coupon price.
drawer pull latch bolts are junk but besides that they do okay for stationary use .
Look quite classy in black, like a krl compared to your previous cabinet lol ...