Fellow Canadians

[theundermount]

do you think it's worth it to head on over the border to pick up a us general tookl box from harbour freight? the price is tempting even with exchange rate it still seem cheaper than anything else in the same category here even adding duty . what do you think?

 

[lis2323]

do you think it's worth it to head on over the border to pick up a us general tookl box from harbour freight? the price is tempting even with exchange rate it still seem cheaper than anything else in the same category here even adding duty . what do you think?

You won’t need to pay duty. Just applicable sales tax for your province.


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[lis2323]

You shouldn’t need to pay duty. Just applicable sales tax for your province.


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[The Cobbler]

if it's what you want, I would go for it.
you will pay HST on the purchase , based on the $CDN conversion

 

[couch67]

You are close to the border so def an advantage. I'm less than an hour to the border and definitely don't take enough advantage for some things.

Out of curiosity I searched border crossing duties. Not sure where a toolbox would land in this list. Might just be GST+PST (federal and provincial sales tax).
https://www.crossbordershopping.ca/duty-tax-import-guide/canada-customs-duty-rates-tariffs-and-taxes

 

[Zozr]

Looks like they are about $480USD at HF?

I saw this on facebook recently, apologies if you aren't on facebook but check it out if so.

face book dot com/marketplace/item/552159051931937/

 

[lewey]

I’ll probably be heading south for a tool box as well, just wish menards was on the west coast

 

[WittHay]

I think there would be duty on the Harbor Freight boxes as they are industrial grade made in China products not covered by NAFTA or the newer trade agreements

I have brought in Craftsman boxes from US Sears and didnt even have to pay GST as they were under $200 cad

With US state sales tax and dollar exchange a $480 HF box might be close to $700 cad. Enough that you might have to pay duty on it + GST/HST and provincial sales taxes

 

[buckwheat_la]

You know, despite all the hipe here, I have looked at these boxes first hand and honestly they are no better or worse than Home Depot Husky boxes. Have a look at a website called Uncle Weiners (I believe is out west only) but I have to think their boxes have a equivalent company out east. Just my opinion.

 

[bpankratz]

I did their 5 drawer cart a few years ago and wouldnt hesitate to do it again.

 

[PhantomEB]

How it looks for me as I only want black boxes.....it’s Home Depot Husky or US General.

I am 5 hours from the nearest HF but can’t wait to go down in the summer as GF wants to do a Montana vacation, I very well could come back with a HF box. Prices ain’t much different but I want the ultra deep drawers!

 

[buckwheat_la]

How it looks for me as I only want black boxes.....it’s Home Depot Husky or US General.

I am 5 hours from the nearest HF but can’t wait to go down in the summer as GF wants to do a Montana vacation, I very well could come back with a HF box. Prices ain’t much different but I want the ultra deep drawers!

Go to the one in Kalispell. Was there lasr year, it was fun, but really I think Princess Auto is by far better. Still fun to explore tool places in general.

 

[Francis_45]

Is the quality of the CanadianTire Maximum 5 drawer tool cart similar to the quality of the HF one ?

 

[lowside67]

Not even close.

I went through this recently - I wanted to buy some new strong tool chests and didn't want to spend Snap On money. There is nothing available from Canadian Home Depot or Canadian Tire that is the same gauge of steel and sturdiness of construction as the HF.

I ended up getting a close out deal on the SPG International SHD cabinets which made them cheaper than an HF unit but if I hadn't, I would have gone across the border and bought HF.

-Mark

 

[bpankratz]

Is the quality of the CanadianTire Maximum 5 drawer tool cart similar to the quality of the HF one ?

It is, but they never had them before, that being said that is the only box that Crappy Tire sells that can compare to the HF.

 

[Francis_45]

Thanks boys !!

 

[CTyankee]

I don't know why I clicked on this thread...I'm an American...

 

[matt_i]

Wait....We's All Amuuriccans!!

 

[theundermount]

You are close to the border so def an advantage. I'm less than an hour to the border and definitely don't take enough advantage for some things.



Out of curiosity I searched border crossing duties. Not sure where a toolbox would land in this list. Might just be GST+PST (federal and provincial sales tax).

https://www.crossbordershopping.ca/duty-tax-import-guide/canada-customs-duty-rates-tariffs-and-taxes

closest one for me is about an hour away, when I was looking at the duty calculator I used the tools duty pricing, I roughly calculated around 700 CND with exchange and duty but I could have the wrong category for duty... Princess autos comparable box is only 41in x 12 deep, just doesnt seem as nice either, plus I saw HF had some pretty good $$ off coupons

 

[theundermount]

You know, despite all the hipe here, I have looked at these boxes first hand and honestly they are no better or worse than Home Depot Husky boxes. Have a look at a website called Uncle Weiners (I believe is out west only) but I have to think their boxes have a equivalent company out east. Just my opinion.

just took a look over at home depot and damn you were right, not top notch quality but I must admit I was surprised at the 500 dollar price tag pretty cheap !

 

[scooby074]

Canadian Tire is blowing out the whatever old International (made in Canada) stuff they got.

Just saw a 54" (48 maybe?) Combo set (upper and lower), complete with powerbar and USB sockets for $750. I was super tempted. These are decent boxes. Napa is blowing out their International boxes too (check recent flyer) but I dont think the prices are as good as canadian tire.

It would be worthwhile to check what else Crappy has available. I think each store is setting their own pricing for this clearance stuff so there might be real good prices to be had.

 

[PhantomEB]

Go to the one in Kalispell. Was there lasr year, it was fun, but really I think Princess Auto is by far better. Still fun to explore tool places in general.

That’s the one I was planning to hit. Won’t see me bringing home a HF 44” until I get a truck once again.

 

[dalehsc]

I did their 5 drawer cart a few years ago and wouldnt hesitate to do it again.

Ditto, I'm glad they didn't have the choices of colours they have now. I was in Bangor,Maine,Saturday, I love the yellow, but Blue would be my pick...then get a black Mopar wrap to accent it.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Go check out whatever Canadian tire and Home Depot have before getting into the hassle of bringing back a US general box. That set of 2 big husky boxes at around $800 CAD don't look so bad for light duty use. I've been to Harbor Freight and the US general boxes are no better than the Maximum ones at Canadian Tire after I played around with them. The only boxes in the US general series of boxes that is significantly cheaper are the roll carts. As others have already stated, just worry about paying Canadian sales tax on top of your purchase.

 

[rmsg0040]

Should be worth it IMO, depending on how long you stay you may be exempt from taxes. Buffalo tax rate it 8.75%. Make sure you inspect the box just in case, it would **** if you got home and take it out of the packaging and find it to be damaged.

I get in and out in usually 4 hours or less, sometimes I pay taxes and sometimes the officer just waves me through, it's a hit or miss

https://www.crossbordershopping.ca/duty-tax-import-guide/personal-exemptions

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bring lots of stuff across the border. I always declare everything.
My experience has been this most often. $500 Canadian or more PST and GST, ONLY, if what you are importing is made in USA or Mexico. If what you are importing is made outside of the NAFTA agreement area you should be liable for duty on the Canadian dollar value.
If you want HF quality at HF prices, try Princess Auto.

 

[ItsNemo]

Wouldn't bother...for the price after getting it up here, they aren't that good. I'd look at either Canadian Tire or Napa for a box.

 

[rmsg0040]

Napa has removed boxes from their catalog, I guess because of International

 

[buckwheat_la]

Has anyone bought tool storage from Uncle Weiners?

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have bought about 20 quality toolboxes on Craigslist Watch for a deal. Maybe 6 are left, now. I am downsizing, again.
Watch for LISTA cabinets, they are excellent toolboxes.

 

[PartsGuy]

Was in Erie, PA yesterday and was amazed at the number of ON plates I saw. It's another hour past Buffalo, but PA doesn't tax clothing, so it's becoming quite a shopping destination for our Northern friends. I guess people are crossing, shopping in Erie, spending the night, and coming back with their tax-free purchases.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I understand some persons shopping in the USA because there are some savings. In the distant past the USA selection was so much better. I try to buy as much as I can in Canada. I am retired and it is important to me to keep Canadians working and contributing to my pension.
There have been many times in the last decade where buying American was the only option for the parts I needed to complete my 1940 Ford resto-mod.
USA has about ten time the population of Canada. This population makes an advantage for a person building and maintaining a business. I appreciate the American Quality and availability from companies like Bob Drake Ford, Denis Carpenter Ford, Electromotive TEC3r, Autometer and many more.

 

[scooby074]

Napa has removed boxes from their catalog, I guess because of International

Actually they have of boxes in their latest catalog.

They have a new made in Canada line called Metallia (?). They even do built in Lista style units. Looks cool. I think that Wurth is also selling the Metalia boxes too.https://www.wurth.ca/media/en/documents/catalogue/brochures/METALIA-CATALOGUE_WURTH_EN_FINAL_WEB.pdf

Also have the "Radical" series of rebrands. Might be the same as Montezuma?

I think the UltraPro stuff was made by International, so that stuff likely was dropped, at least until they find another supplier, likely from Asia.

I wish theyd pick up the Tool Crown stuff that Princess carries. Princess is letting the brand die IMHO. They really arent promoting it at all. If they could get the prices down from $599/section to something like $299/section, the Toolcrown products would sell 100x better.

I cant see Napa dropping toolboxes as a product.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Next time you are at NAPA Canada store, ask for their catalogue. You have to be early or the catalogues will be gone. I have the big and little catalogues.
I do not like the Canadian Tire toolboxes that I have seen. I would like to think CT might sell a premium model.
If I were starting my apprenticeship in 2019, I would buy all of my tools and toolboxes at NAPA. I told my son I would buy his tools and any NAPA box he chose, if he would take an apprenticeship where he works. He does not want to go to school and put the extra work into preparing for a career in mechanics. I think he will end up in management. Good luck to him.
Where I worked, we had to move our toolboxes to where the job was. The floors were smooth concrete. The floors were not level to accommodate water flowing to the drains.
I bought a MAC Professional work station and within three years the lower roller case had split from the moving. The wheels were destroyed in 6 months. My employer replaced the wheels with a very expensive set.
Good wheels with ball bearings or rollers should be on the list of must-haves. Roller drawer slides are a must. The modern dry slides do not last. I have SnapOn non-roller slide tool cabinets that are 50 years old and still good and working.

 

[Ton ton]

I realize that this is an ancient thread. But I want to call your attention to Millbank Country Hardware in Millbank, Ontario. It should be an easy drive from Hamilton, Ontario. Much better quality than Harbor freight. I have been to Millbank Country Hardware. 1866 595 5015. 7 am to 6pm. M-F.

 

[Off_kilter]

Thought I'd post in here instead of starting a new thread.

What options for midgrade boxes are available in Canada now?

I'm after a 54-60" box with 24-30" depth and under $1500.

Currently Leaning towards the Carlyle

Options I've found

Lowes:

Craftsman 54" $1200 weight 344lbs (only 8 drawers and 22" deep)
https://www.lowes.ca/product/tool-cabinets/craftsman-54-in-w-x-37-in-h-red-8-drawer-steel-tool-cabinet-1048619

Craftsman 56" $1300 weight 270lbs (only 8 drawers and 22" deep)
https://www.lowes.ca/product/tool-cabinets/craftsman-63-wx-37-h-8-drawer-steel-tool-cabinet-red-1048620

Montezuma 56" $1780 weight 372lbs (power bar, odd colour, 24" deep)
https://www.lowes.ca/product/tool-cabinets/montezuma-cabinet-tool-chest-with-power-and-usb-outlets-11-drawer-56-in-x-24-in-330735008


Home depot

Milwaukee 56" $1260 packaged weight 409lbs (odd drawers, power bar, 22" deep)
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/milwaukee-tool-56-inch-10-drawer-mobile-high-capacity-industrial-steel-tool-storage-cabinet-in-red-and-black/1001241503

Husky 66" $1500 weight 418lbs (21 guage, 24" depth)
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-66-inch-12-drawer-heavy-duty-mobile-tool-storage-workbench-in-black/1001015307

G2S

TOBEQ 60" $1350 weight 397lbs (19 guage, 24" depth, COLOURS!)
https://g2s-tobeq.dcatalog.com/r/CATALOG---EN/?page=214&fbclid=IwAR3SUS8qs7k8zwvz9ILuobJfsxrY3JDnQvShUaLa-g3NDTHTcw5b76d3UwE

NAPA

Carlyle 54" $1500 (18 gauge, 24" depth, Homak rs pro rebrand)
https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/CSXB5424BU?impressionRank=16&searchCategory=c68.s25&searchIndex=Universal
https://homak.com/product/54-rs-pro-roller-cabinet-2/

 

[anndel]

I think it would be worth it.

 

[Yorkshireeater77]

I know this is old. But I wanted to say I agree with you. Just picked up a bunch of the tool cube boxes on clearance at princesses auto. I really don't understand why they are not more popular. I believe its awesome for a basement workshop organization.

 

[winnipegtibook]

I just googled "Tobeq" as I recently came into their stratosphere and will be outfitting our second shop. I had a peek at the boxes next to a Homak (the "Pro" type box, sorry I don't have the proper name). I currently have a SPG Internaitonal 73 inch (in daily use for 5 years) and picked up a Snap roll cart. The Tobeq surprised me (in a good way). Canadian designed, fourth "generation". Solid bang for the buck. We will be using a few of them in the near future.