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For a DIY mechanic, HF vs Husky 72”

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cobrakillerta

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So, I was all set on getting a US General 72” box. I got in on the sale and have one on order for $999, but now I just found a brand new in the box Husky Heavy Duty 72” (the matte black one) for $700.

I’ve read the reviews and watched the videos. But, for a DIY home mechanic who likes playing with cars and anything else that moves, do I really need the US General???

I will say I do like the Husky drawer layout a tad better, the tall drawer on the bottom left of the US General is useless to me.

I also like that the Husky is a little shorter and deeper. Although the Husky too may be gimmicky, it may be nice to be able to hide certain items in there.

Here is which I’m debating on...

Brand new Husky, locally for $700
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-H...-Height-Hardwood-Top-HOLC7218BB1MYS/302255876

US General which I already have on order, with tax came close to $1100
https://www.harborfreight.com/72-in-x-22-In-Triple-Bank-Roller-Cabinet-Red-64167.html
 
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The Fall

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A guy I knew used a stacked Husky box for a few years at a garage. It held up fine. Either one will work. I don't think there's a need to overthink this one.
 
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m6z

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There were a couple sale priced Huskey boxes at the front of my HD last night. Fit and finish seemed good. The bearing slides seemed light duty though. They're just light duty boxes in general and the prices usually reflect that.

The biggest thing that stood out was that the main (socket drawer) only had one slide on each side, but the box I was looking at was sale priced at $300.

This box.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...VRNbACh31rgHqEAQYASABEgIo3PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
 
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nichocha33

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I just bought a new box and from all my comparisons the 52” Husky at HD ( the one with the work table in one of the upper drawers)for $1000ish looked to be the only box I’d pick from there. I went a different route once I found my Homak on sale. I did research for close to a year so take that for what you will.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
 
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Motorman55

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IMO, I like the HF US General at 22" deep as compared to the Husky at only 18" deep. 4" of available tool storage in each drawer is a lot.

I don't like wood tops on roller cabinets and I especially do not like the flat black paint on the Husky. I do like the choice of colors on the HF US General line. Besides if I wanted it in black, the US General looks great in its gloss black paint.

The adjustable height wood top on the Husky is pretty cool though if your not going to put a top box of some kind on top of the Husky. And I guess they're using the space under the top as additional storage to give it a higher storage rating then the US General?

Buy what you like. Most times your first choice is usually the correct one.
 
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Ign

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Motorman55 said:
IMO, I like the HF US General at 22" deep as compared to the Husky at only 18" deep. 4" of available tool storage in each drawer is a lot.

I don't like wood tops on roller cabinets and I especially do not like the flat black paint on the Husky. I do like the choice of colors on the HF US General line. Besides if I wanted it in black, the US General looks great in its gloss black paint.

The adjustable height wood top on the Husky is pretty cool though if your not going to put a top box of some kind on top of the husky.
Click to expand...

The Husky he's considering is 24" deep. I think the description indicates 18 drawers (that's different than depth :) )

OP, the US General is more heavy duty but I think 22" depth is kinda dumb, and for $300 savings and considering you're DIY the Husky is probably the best choice for you.

Have you played with the latching system at HF? Some people hate it. I have it on my service cart and can't say I love it.
 
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Smokeem

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I like the husky better between the 2. I think that is has a better drawer layout and more usable space. The killer for me is the really deep drawer on the US general box. Having power in the side also would be really nice.
 
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cobrakillerta

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Thanks for all of the replies.

I will not be putting another box on top, so the raisable too will be usable by me. It seems like a good ‘hiding’ place.

I do wish Husky made a few more other pieces that matched. That’s one thing I really like about the US General stuff

Does anyone know if there is an actual difference between Husky’s ‘Heavy Duty’ box that I linked and their other 72” boxes in build material and such besides the obvious things like color and the movable top???
 
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Mr_B

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steel gauge is different .
That HD at 700bucks is pretty good deal for a home gamer.
2" extra depth and sensible drawer layout and butcher block top makes it quite usable and at 700bucks it a value box/bench
If you like it buy it, 300 bucks saved for more tools or a better christmas ...
 
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ScottsGT

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Tough call. I'd lean towards the HF because I can put a HF box on top to match. But $300 is $300. Can replacement drawer slides be found later for the Husky?
 
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MileHighRover

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OP
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cobrakillerta

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ScottsGT said:
Tough call. I'd lean towards the HF because I can put a HF box on top to match. But $300 is $300. Can replacement drawer slides be found later for the Husky?
Click to expand...

I don’t plan on getting another box to put on top, so I should be fine.

Slides are basically universal once you have the dimensions. If a slide completely shits the bed I can figure out a way to replace it.
 
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Robbie B

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I actually found GJ because of this question. I needed a bigger box and ran across a post via google comparing boxes. Someone went and measured several high end brands for all kinds of different specs. Ended up for the value the HF 44” box won, at least for me. I’ve had mine since 13’ or 14’ and haven’t regretted it for a second.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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cobrakillerta

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Hmmmmm, this is a tough one because I feel like most reviews compare the cheaper Husky boxes, while the one I’m looking at is the ‘Heavy Duty’ which I think is actually made out of better materials...or, it’s just painted Matte black vs gloss black
 
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MileHighRover

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If you like the drawer layout of the Husky, then go with that. If you plan on adding onto the cabinet with a side box or chest, go with the HF. Pretty simple.

$300 is not an insignificant amount of money. And you've already stated you're not adding to the box.

My Husky I linked earlier is described as 'heavy duty'. It is certainly heavy duty and very heavy. It is far from being a cheap (in quality) box.
 
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cobrakillerta

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MileHighRover said:
If you like the drawer layout of the Husky, then go with that. If you plan on adding onto the cabinet with a side box or chest, go with the HF. Pretty simple.

$300 is not an insignificant amount of money. And you've already stated you're not adding to the box.

My Husky I linked earlier is described as 'heavy duty'. It is certainly heavy duty and very heavy. It is far from being a cheap (in quality) box.
Click to expand...

I don’t plan on adding on top or to the side. If anything, I’d get a separate 26” roller

Yup, the one you linked looks to be in the same line. Which I’m unsure is just painted matte black to look tough or is actually made out of heavier materials
 
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ChrisLS8

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The HD is over 100lbs heavier and has double the weight capacity than the gloss black
 
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jgromada

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Unless you got all the specs lined up side by side its tough to call. A $300 savings is not inconsequential amount of money though....

I have never been this huge fan of HF boxes, in fact never understood how people on here can completely hate on HF for their tools yet there seems to be a whole lot of love for HF boxes. I mean the build quality is just ok and yes they do come in many pretty colors now....
 
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cobrakillerta

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And now it turns out I can get the Husky for $600!
Apparently this guy had 3 brand new ones and I got him to unload this last one. Now we’re at close to a $500 difference in price
 
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Mr_B

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You have be mad not buy it at 600 bucks, that a total steal .
The HD is 2 gauges thicker steal and better construction in general over the other models . It also a pretty close equal to the us general .
I really don't see it as that bad a box, the frame running under top drawer helps stiffen them up massively, would of liked seen better casters and u channel on base but that being picky .
For 600 bucks buy it before it gone . 400+ bucks well worth saving and do a lot of good somewhere else .
 
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junkyardwarrior

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I have a HF. I need another one (for work). Looked at the husky box.

HF box beats the husky by a country mile in a lot of ways. Weight capacity being one of them. Just look at the wheels. I don't really care much for the drawer layout on my HF, but I've made it work-and it works fine for what I used it for. Dual slides (vs single on husky). Reinforced wheel mounting (vs sheet metal on the husky).

 
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ScottsGT

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junkyardwarrior said:
I have a HF. I need another one (for work). Looked at the husky box.

HF box beats the husky by a country mile in a lot of ways. Weight capacity being one of them. Just look at the wheels. I don't really care much for the drawer layout on my HF, but I've made it work-and it works fine for what I used it for. Dual slides (vs single on husky). Reinforced wheel mounting (vs sheet metal on the husky).

Click to expand...

Wow! No brainer after seeing that. HF all the way. Especially the two points about the Husky with the lack of caster reinforcement and single drawer guide on the top drawer.
 
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Mr_B

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The husky HD really not that bad and for 600 bucks it great deal,
It doesn't have double slides but has a centre bottom slide, it 2" deeper than the US Gen and more than capable for a home diy'er .
If compared to Masterforce 72" then a big difference but against the US Gen besides casters and u channel not a lot in it and for good 400+ bucks less the Husky be a good buy .
Only OP going know what most important to him but if he likes the Husky drawer layout and price point no need overlook it .
 
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