Harbor Freight 44" box slides

[camd64]

So my plan is to pick up one of the Harbor Freight/US General 44" toolboxes for at home. I like the good thicker gauge steel and the construction of the box looks to be fairly solid. However one thing that has me concerned is the weight rating of the deep drawers, especially the top drawer being the one I plan to really load up. Are there any upgrades available for the slides or am I worried over nothing? Who has there setup loaded to the hilt? Thanks.

 

[ryan20021982]

Don't have the 44" but I have the 56" and the top drawer is about the same size. I have no problem with it and mine has a good amount of weight in it. Remember the top drawer has 2 sets of drawer slides on it.

 

[Rewind97]

I have mine loaded pretty good and no problems. Haven't heard of anyone having any problems either. You should be good to go!

 

[bert1913]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192786

 

[1982fxr]

The 44 has shallow drawers so that's good in that it makes it harder to overload. That's the only positive though

 

[Stevenn1]

I have the 2005 dull red powder coated version.
Keep every socket I own in bottom-box top-drawer. Use it often, in a non Pro setting. I have all 4-pieces loaded very heavy just like this drawer. My only concern was if the casters will hold up. 12 years later and no issues. I'm not a HF fan, but these boxes have surprised me.

 

[6PTsocket]

I have the 2005 dull red powder coated version.
Keep every socket I own in bottom-box top-drawer. Use it often, in a non Pro setting. I have all 4-pieces loaded very heavy just like this drawer. My only concern was if the casters will hold up. 12 years later and no issues. I'm not a HF fan, but these boxes have surprised me.

Me too. I like my old sand finish set. Some felt it was easier to wipe grease off a smooth finish. I am not sure if that is why they switched or if the smoorh finish is cheaper to produce. The sand finish reminds me of the Kennedy machinist's boxes that I always associated with quality.

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[MCM1]

I have the 44'' old style dull red bottom and new style smooth top.
I have many drawers loaded with no issues of any kind.
this is my home basement work shop, it is a good solid box. If you buy one open it at the store before you leave lots of damage in transit sometimes only minor damage and check all the drawers for function. I went through some hassles with lack of quality control but HF was very understanding.

 

[6PTsocket]

I cannot verify this but I have seen posts claiming that HF will not supply parts for any item that they list for under $400. Somebody said they could not get a replacement drawer slide for rhis box until the discovered that it used the same slide as the 56" box. I don't know if it was an upper or a lower but they got a match. HD takes returns and does exchanges and sells extended coverage but they do not want to deal with parts. That is a good reason to cosider what and where you buy.

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[Stevenn1]

Also for some reason the US General top-box bottom two deep drawers come with only 1 slide when there is a spot for 2. I guess they figure you won't load top-box down like the roller cab.