Hey everyone, long time lurker here making his first post. I first want to extend a huge thank you to all of you for the vast amount of knowledge that you share on this forum. I learn more and more every day, and always look forward to those few moments a day when I can log on and read.
I'm looking for some guidance on the purchase of my first box. A little background, I'm a weekend DIY guy who primarily works on my cars (Hyundai, Kia). Nothing too daunting yet, but I'm venturing out more and more thanks to the knowledge I am picking up on this forum. I also do some household stuff. Although I'm not a home owner at the moment (still renting), I expect to own within the next 5 years.
I've been living out of a HF 4 drawer cart for a few years now, because at the time that was all I had room for. Circumstances are different now, both in regards to my available space and the growing size of my tool collection. I'm looking to purchase my first box. Criteria include a long life expectancy of the box, and a budget of ~$400. Being somebody who does not earn a living with my tools and who values taking care of things so that they last a long time, I think 15 years at a bare minimum is a reasonable life expectancy for a first box, in my mind at least. The ~$400 budget was established with the intent of purchasing the highly regarded HF 44" roller cab, as it meets all of my criteria. I'm not crazy about the color or drawer detents, the drawer layout isn't perfect but I can live with it, and I wish it was 2-3" wider and a little deeper, but it's been well established that it's the ultimate weekend DIY box for those who don't have a less-then-ideal budget for tool storage.
Here's where I need the guidance...Menards has recently put out a new box near my price range. It is not from the well reviewed Masterforce line, but rather from their mid-tier Performax line. It's a 40" top and bottom combo. Here's the links:
https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/performax-reg-40-5-drawer-tool-cabinet/p-1462879416537-c-9188.htm?tid=864826699421843769
https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/performax-reg-40-5-drawer-tool-chest/p-1462879416604-c-9188.htm?tid=864826699421843769
Since my wife works at a Menards, I can get both pieces for about $450 after tax, plus about $50 back in rebates if I buy the pieces separately on an 11% sale. I like the hood on the top box (something the HF top box does not have, would I decide to expand at a later point), and like the fact that all the drawers on the bottom box are full length. I also love the "Secure Latch" drawers. They're not as nice as the griplatch drawers on the Masterforce boxes, but they operate much more smoothly and efficiently than the detents on the HF 44 in my opinion. I'm not sure if these features are enough to overlook the gauge of the metal used on the box, though, which is clearly inferior to the beefy build of the HF 44. There is definitely some flex in the drawers. The slides are rated for 100 lbs, and I don't think I would extend beyond those limits. Even if I did, the Performax boxes have a lifetime warranty that come with them. Presumably that only covers slides and the gas struts for the hood, but it's still better than the 90 day HF warranty.
After this rambling post, I guess my question comes down to this...I take good care of my possessions, and would not be opening my toolbox 200 times a day. Given my set of circumstances, which box would you go with -- the HF 44 roller cab or the Performax top and bottom set? Thanks in advance for all your responses, and everybody have fun and be safe this upcoming holiday season.
I'm looking for some guidance on the purchase of my first box. A little background, I'm a weekend DIY guy who primarily works on my cars (Hyundai, Kia). Nothing too daunting yet, but I'm venturing out more and more thanks to the knowledge I am picking up on this forum. I also do some household stuff. Although I'm not a home owner at the moment (still renting), I expect to own within the next 5 years.
I've been living out of a HF 4 drawer cart for a few years now, because at the time that was all I had room for. Circumstances are different now, both in regards to my available space and the growing size of my tool collection. I'm looking to purchase my first box. Criteria include a long life expectancy of the box, and a budget of ~$400. Being somebody who does not earn a living with my tools and who values taking care of things so that they last a long time, I think 15 years at a bare minimum is a reasonable life expectancy for a first box, in my mind at least. The ~$400 budget was established with the intent of purchasing the highly regarded HF 44" roller cab, as it meets all of my criteria. I'm not crazy about the color or drawer detents, the drawer layout isn't perfect but I can live with it, and I wish it was 2-3" wider and a little deeper, but it's been well established that it's the ultimate weekend DIY box for those who don't have a less-then-ideal budget for tool storage.
Here's where I need the guidance...Menards has recently put out a new box near my price range. It is not from the well reviewed Masterforce line, but rather from their mid-tier Performax line. It's a 40" top and bottom combo. Here's the links:
https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/performax-reg-40-5-drawer-tool-cabinet/p-1462879416537-c-9188.htm?tid=864826699421843769
https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/performax-reg-40-5-drawer-tool-chest/p-1462879416604-c-9188.htm?tid=864826699421843769
Since my wife works at a Menards, I can get both pieces for about $450 after tax, plus about $50 back in rebates if I buy the pieces separately on an 11% sale. I like the hood on the top box (something the HF top box does not have, would I decide to expand at a later point), and like the fact that all the drawers on the bottom box are full length. I also love the "Secure Latch" drawers. They're not as nice as the griplatch drawers on the Masterforce boxes, but they operate much more smoothly and efficiently than the detents on the HF 44 in my opinion. I'm not sure if these features are enough to overlook the gauge of the metal used on the box, though, which is clearly inferior to the beefy build of the HF 44. There is definitely some flex in the drawers. The slides are rated for 100 lbs, and I don't think I would extend beyond those limits. Even if I did, the Performax boxes have a lifetime warranty that come with them. Presumably that only covers slides and the gas struts for the hood, but it's still better than the 90 day HF warranty.
After this rambling post, I guess my question comes down to this...I take good care of my possessions, and would not be opening my toolbox 200 times a day. Given my set of circumstances, which box would you go with -- the HF 44 roller cab or the Performax top and bottom set? Thanks in advance for all your responses, and everybody have fun and be safe this upcoming holiday season.
