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first box suggestions sub 2500 price

hicklinc

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Jul 3, 2019
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douglasville, ga
some years ago i was going to get my first box the 44" hf because of the price point and read that they werent ****. I was suggested to look into the homak rs pro line instead i like those boxes layout, look, etc. alot better. My main question is are their any other boxes worth looking at since i wouldnt say homak is budget anymore more mid range since its more than doubled in price since i last looked at them
 
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Bockscar

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Nov 28, 2017
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The Great State of Ohio
some years ago i was going to get my first box the 44" hf because of the price point and read that they werent ****. I was suggested to look into the homak rs pro line instead i like those boxes layout, look, etc. alot better. My main question is are their any other boxes worth looking at since i wouldnt say homak is budget anymore more mid range since its more than doubled in price since i last looked at them
You cannot go wrong with the us general from Harbor Freight......
 

tool_scrounge

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Tekon aka Rousseau is great. I buy Lista rolling tool boxes for work of similar quality level and am very happy with them. Zoro has lista with free shipping.

At that price point, also consider used Snap-on tool boxes.
 

GeoBruin

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I have many, many US General boxes and find them great for my purposes, but if I were looking for an upgrade and had 2500 to burn, I would look at the Icon 56".
 

charbar

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Midwest
I've never seen a Tekton box before but I did just look at their website. $2750 for a 48 inch box. Or you can get a 72x22 inch US General for $1600 or a 56x24 Icon for $2500. Both bigger and less money. Kind of a no brainer in my opinion.

A good friend of mine has a 72" US General that he works out of a few times a week and Ive also worked out of it quite a bit. No problems with it at all. It holds tools just as well as my Snap On boxes.
 

Crabman

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Alexandria, VA/Dameron, MD
Tekton is having a sale right now.

Double rewards, so 20% value rewards, through Wednesday 6/15/22. Might have to get a membership/account.

The 60" is $3250, so you would get $650 in rewards, $2600 net, a little over your budget, and the rewards you would have to buy Tekton tools, which are generally nice. Their customer service is also good. Good looking box. Full width drawers, all of them. Drawers rated 400 lb each. 24" deep, the box weighs 645 lb. Free shipping includes lift gate service.

The HF USG 72 is a nice box and also a good choice. Only 22" deep. Weighs 528 lb.



Probably can't go wrong with either one. Depends on what fits your space and drawer layout maybe. The Tekton is more. Over 100 lb more steel in a box a foot shorter (although deeper).

Good luck finding the right fit.
 

AirMech#406

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Sep 29, 2021
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My vote goes to Tekton, but US general is not a bad choice either. Tekton will have some distinct advantages though:

- Better drawer latches. You can lift anywhere on the drawer to unlatch it.
- Less drawer side-to-side play.
- 400 lb weight capacity per drawer (not sure what the USGs is but I know its not 400lb)
- Slightly wider at 24", unless you go with the wide body at 30", then its a lot wider.
- Higher quality castors (made in Germany... need I say more?)
- Lifetime warranty with OUTSTANDING customer service.
- the Tekton points that others have mentioned that you may use to buy more tools.

My coworker has the 72" HF that others have listed so I have had the chance to interact with it on many an occasion. Its not a bad box by any means, but my Tekton definitely has a few superior qualities to his, which I mentioned above. However, it all comes down on what you think will fit your budget/needs better.

Either box will be a quality choice.
 
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Shocker

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Olympia, WA
You could scan your local Craigslist. In my area, there are quite a few USA made Matco, Mac and Snap On boxes for around 2k.
 
OP
H

hicklinc

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Jul 3, 2019
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Location
douglasville, ga
Already did haven't seen anything yet I'm going to keep checking though and if hf or homak goes on sale I'm going to jump on it just ***** for the 72 rs pro now you used to get the combo and still have about 400 left over
 

Mr_B

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Reading
Yeah used market well worth a look if you got real money and transport .
Matco and MAC are generally brands that can be had at sensible money ...
All 4 of my Matco boxes are used buys, never needed buy a new box in over 30 years in auto repair .
The main trick used is not being in a rush and keep looking.
Marketplace can be a good source ...
 

Shelbylex

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MA
For the amount you are spending, consider used Snap On. MAC, MATCO and CORNWELL are also a possibility, but SO is more likely to have parts for them decades later.
... Also - you never mentioned what type of Box and for what purpose you are looking for. Lista might be a good choice as well...
 

BlackBowtie

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CA
Is this for home use or professional setting?

I've seen some nice used Snap On boxes around 3k on my local craigslist or facebook marketplace.

Personally my choices would be the following

#1 US General, decent quality box for the price and great for the weekend warrior.

#2 Tool Vault box from strictlytool box, Never seen one in person but from videos/photos/reviews that I have seen they look to be a better constructed box than ICON/US General from HF. Actually decently priced boxes, plus they have 30" depth versions available, I know their 84" and 72" box has drawer supports, not sure about the 54". I think only the 84" has better drawer latch system.

#3 Used Snap on or equivalent tool truck box. I typically see used Snap On classic series, sometimes a few Epiqs on a decent discount but still spendy for the used epiqs.

#4 Brand new tool truck box- Out of the damn question unless you're a profession in my opinion. I don't see the point unless youre literally working out of your home garage/shop on a daily basis.
 

Crabman

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consti2tion

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East Texas
I would love to get one of those Tekton boxes, for the money it seems like that's probably one of the stoutest out there.
 

Bockscar

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The Great State of Ohio
"I have seen they look to be a better constructed box than ICON/US General from HF"

From my experience and understanding Icon and US general are two different boxes entirely
 

BlackBowtie

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CA
"I have seen they look to be a better constructed box than ICON/US General from HF"

From my experience and understanding Icon and US general are two different boxes entirely

Yes they are two different boxes, sorry if not worded correctly. What I meant is that the boxes from strictlytoolboxes simply seem to be of better quality than anything HF has to offer entirely.

However, if you can get your hands on one of those rare 25% off coupons with no exclusions then the icon 73” would be worth it. IMO the power drawers on those is wasted real estate. Another downside to the icon is that they never seem to have anything in stock so it’s always made to order and they apparently take months to arrive.
 

Bockscar

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The Great State of Ohio
Yes they are two different boxes, sorry if not worded correctly. What I meant is that the boxes from strictlytoolboxes simply seem to be of better quality than anything HF has to offer entirely.

However, if you can get your hands on one of those rare 25% off coupons with no exclusions then the icon 73” would be worth it. IMO the power drawers on those is wasted real estate. Another downside to the icon is that they never seem to have anything in stock so it’s always made to order and they apparently take months to arrive.
Figured as much after I posted my response
 
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