Harbor Freight 44" Box. Advice?

[PAK325]

I'm planning to buy one of the US General 44" boxes at Harbor Freight this weekend.

I've definitely seen that the bulk of users on here have had good experiences with these boxes, but I've also heard of the need to switch out slides, ball bearings, handles, drawers, etc.

Does anyone have advice regarding picking a good one? Should I even worry about checking them out in store if it's crated?

 

[mayday0017]

Haven't heard anyone complain about some being good and some being bad. Leave it in the crate or if it's a really long drive take it out and look at it. But other then cosmetic I'm sure it will be a great toolbox every time. Also HF is pretty good about if something is damaged sending out replacement parts so I wouldn't worry to much if a drawer has a scratch or a ding.

Congrats on the new box!

 

[jim1987]

YES open the crate. You don't want to go through the hassel of taking it home to find something's that's not perfect. As far as getting a good one, just open and close everything and make sure it locks. Check very closely for paint damage and make sure the drawers are straight.

 

[PAK325]

Thanks for the quick replies fellas.

It's a pretty quick drive for me, but I've seen some of the contributors here post pictures of the crates and packaging. Would be nice not to have to dispose of that at home, but I'd certainly want to make sure it gets to my garage okay.

Couple other questions:
Does it come assembled (except for the casters, presumably)?
Are the boxes a tip hazard if it just sits in a truck bed (obviously, again, without the casters)? Nothing is more cringe-worthy than thinking of that new red box scuffed and dented from a tip.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I remember seeing that the crating slides over the top and the cabinet is still sitting in a bottom piece of cardboard. I would take the cardboard , etc off and inspect it. Then re crate it and take it home. It will save your truck and the box. If you really need more tools to recrate, you might find them at your local HF.

 

[wmartin]

Thanks for the quick replies fellas.

It's a pretty quick drive for me, but I've seen some of the contributors here post pictures of the crates and packaging. Would be nice not to have to dispose of that at home, but I'd certainly want to make sure it gets to my garage okay.

Couple other questions:
Does it come assembled (except for the casters, presumably)?
Are the boxes a tip hazard if it just sits in a truck bed (obviously, again, without the casters)? Nothing is more cringe-worthy than thinking of that new red box scuffed and dented from a tip.

I seem to remember that it was fully assembled including casters. The packaging is laughable given the weight of the item, but that's one small reason it's so cheap I suppose.

Personally, I'd definitely take a quick look under the covers and make sure it didn't slam into anything during transit.

 

[PAK325]

I remember seeing that the crating slides over the top and the cabinet is still sitting in a bottom piece of cardboard. I would take the cardboard , etc off and inspect it. Then re crate it and take it home. It will save your truck and the box. If you really need more tools to recrate, you might find them at your local HF.

So, the bottom of the crate unscrews to slide off like a sleeve? That certainly sounds easier than I was thinking.

Are these things monstrously heavy? Trying to think of which neighbor I will pick on to help me.

 

[wmartin]

So, the bottom of the crate unscrews to slide off like a sleeve? That certainly sounds easier than I was thinking.

Are these things monstrously heavy? Trying to think of which neighbor I will pick on to help me.

Pretty heavy. When I bought one, the store orcs helped me put it in my truck. At home, I just took out the drawers and slid the body onto the ground using the cardboard to avoid scratching. Easy peasy.

 

[jim1987]

Its a descent heft, 400lbs with the crate?

 

[chris142]

Mine lasted several years used every day in my shop with severly overloaded drawers. I upgraded and its at home. Still works fine.

 

[PAK325]

Mine lasted several years used every day in my shop with severly overloaded drawers. I upgraded and its at home. Still works fine.

I'm excited about it. I had a random mix of Craftsman cabs and kobalt chests for a while, sold all and bought the black 11 drawer setup at HF.

As rough as the reviews are, I do quite like it, but I'm pretty easy on it and so it hasn't been tested much.

I need more horizontal workspace in my small 2 car garage though, and the footprint of the 30" isn't that much smaller than the 44" but of course it offers NO top space.


Has anyone made a hardwood top for theirs? How about vice mounting?

 

[mstewart]

I went to buy my first 44" HF box, took the top of the box off and saw that the flange was bent. I wasn't sure if a chest would fit on top so I took pictures and sent it to the HF store. They were willing to take $100 off. I returned it and bought the Menards Masterforce 56" boxes. I had three of those boxes damaged as well. Saved about $275 on those plus the sale price (three 56" rollers and one cab).

so depending how far away HF is from you, I'd check it at the store and maybe bring duct tape to seal the box/crate back up if it will be blowing in the wind on the way home.

 

[PAK325]

Wow. That one did take quite the beating. The $100 off would be tempting if it were going up against a wall or something, but I guess that confirms my plan to open it and check it out before leaving.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

They pack their boxes really well. I have the 44" and 56". I did a quick look at the crates and saw they were perfect so I took them home. If you live far away then I would slid the cardboard up to see the box to make sure. The slides need some lube and exercise once you get it. After that they slide well. Enjoy your new box!

 

[cagullett1]

They pack their boxes really well. I have the 44" and 56". I did a quick look at the crates and saw they were perfect so I took them home. If you live far away then I would slid the cardboard up to see the box to make sure. The slides need some lube and exercise once you get it. After that they slide well. Enjoy your new box!

What did you use to lube the slides? Super Lube work?

 

[paranoid56]

also check to see if they have any scratch and dent ones in the back. normally you can get a great discount on them (unless you are uber picky about how perfect your tool box is )

 

[PAK325]

also check to see if they have any scratch and dent ones in the back. normally you can get a great discount on them (unless you are uber picky about how perfect your tool box is )

I'm pickier about my wallet than the back that will only be against a wall! Thanks!

 

[PAK325]

What did you use to lube the slides? Super Lube work?

Would love to know about this too.

 

[tadwolfe]

I went to buy my first 44" HF box, took the top of the box off and saw that the flange was bent. I wasn't sure if a chest would fit on top so I took pictures and sent it to the HF store. They were willing to take $100 off. I returned it and bought the Menards Masterforce 56" boxes. I had three of those boxes damaged as well. Saved about $275 on those plus the sale price (three 56" rollers and one cab).

so depending how far away HF is from you, I'd check it at the store and maybe bring duct tape to seal the box/crate back up if it will be blowing in the wind on the way home.

Why did you choose the Masterforce over the HF box?

Just wondering since I bought 2 46" Masterforce

 

[PAK325]

Thanks for the advice guys. I got mine tonight! Appears to be in perfect shape!


Now to clean up my hell hole corner of the the garage and get it integrated.

 

[OmNommNom]

PAK, was yours 389 or did you have a different coupon?

 

[PAK325]

PAK, was yours 389 or did you have a different coupon?

I had a $359 coupon I found on here in another thread...

 

[ibedayank]

you will be serprized how much damage some hamfist idiot can do to a crate with a forklift. I have had them puch holes in crates made from 3/4 chipboard and 2x4s for the frame punched a hole through both chipboard and 2 2x4s just think what that much force would do to a toolbox

 

[chipper]

Would love to know about this too.

Yes superlube works great!!

 

[PAK325]

Well yesterday I was knocked out by a wicked case of food poisoning and I didn't get to enjoy my new purchase, but today I did.

I am loving it BUT I found some dings, rubs and dents.

Here's one shot, the second drawer from the top about an inch in, but there are about 3 areas that have similar issues. I'd prefer a credit rather than having to return or replace pieces. What is a fair amount?

 

[97nismo]

Prolly 15-25 dollars depending on whether paint is missing?

 

[jim1987]

If you have a good camera take pictures and then tell them how far you are from the store then let them decide. Probably $50 at least

 

[DanCo]

Casters are already mounted, while it's empty check the hardware mine box had numerous loose bolts and was missing one as well. As for the weight, I left the box as is and unloaded by myself.

Dan

 

[mstewart]

Why did you choose the Masterforce over the HF box?

Just wondering since I bought 2 46" Masterforce

Different colors, more sizes and I thought they would be in better condition than the 44" HF box I got. Little did I know that the damages would be the same....

If the first HF box wasn't damaged, I've probably be on my 4th or 5th box and buying more as I fill them up.