To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Harbor Freight 56" Tool Box

500sks

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2006
Messages
49
Location
Rhinelander WI
I currently have a Snap-On tools box with a bottom and top box and it is getting too full. I am considering buying a HF 56" toolbox as a second box. I plan to keep my existing box and move into the bigger box and use the existing box as extra space. Here is what I am looking for:
1. Have any of you bought this box?
2. Are you happy with it?
3. Would you buy it again?
4. Anything with the box you would change?
Thanks
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

LXCam

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
19,091
Location
AZ
All though I recently retired mine count me in those guys. I didn't have any complaints at all about my 56 other then it just wasn't near enough box for my needs.
 

Mr_B

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,374
Location
Reading
The plastic drawer latches need binning for better latch system. When go 56 or 72 the proce gets close to other choices.
They good deal at rock bottom sale pricing though .
 

PavelK313

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
207
Have one
Love it
Thinking about upgrading to 72
Wish it came with better drawer liners.
 

JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 20, 2010
Messages
1,157
Location
Bremerton, WA
I do not own one but have thought about picking up a top and bottom to have extra storage. The only things that I would change if I could would be a full length top drawer and different color rubber on the castors, the red is hideous imo.
 

Mr_B

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,374
Location
Reading
I'm not a fan on HF 56" as don't like the layout or fine details for the 700bucks.
44" or 72" are best buys.
72" when at $999 is a bargain and could live with plastic drawer latches but do need check your item before departing store as packing and QC not best so odd box will have factory issues or transport marks .
 

fordgasm

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2012
Messages
353
Location
Huntington Beach, Ca
I'm not a fan on HF 56" as don't like the layout or fine details for the 700bucks.
44" or 72" are best buys.
72" when at $999 is a bargain and could live with plastic drawer latches but do need check your item before departing store as packing and QC not best so odd box will have factory issues or transport marks .

How often does it go on sale for $999? Lowest Ive seen is $1099.
 

Mr_B

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,374
Location
Reading
Last time I seen it was a combination of displayed sale price plus a coupon option for another 100 bucks. Is a bargain at that low price but when near full price the masterforce 72" competes as come on offer at around 1,295 .
 

Mr_B

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,374
Location
Reading
^ Matching sidebox for 56 and 72" would be massive benefit .
at least one other color be nice too although 56 and 72 proper full length drawer latch would be my number 1 for improvement .
 
OP
5

500sks

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2006
Messages
49
Location
Rhinelander WI
Looks like this is my next big HF purchase I saw it on sale before Christmas for under $700 anybody know when they put them on sale?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 

gdpolk

Well-known member
Joined
May 16, 2016
Messages
238
The HF boxes are pretty good actually. They aren't as nice as SO but WELL worth the cost. The drawer liners and plastic sheet on top are kind of flimsy but a $50 roll of EPPCO drawer liners fixes the liners issue and I actually like it better than any other I've used. As for the box top cut some plywood and replace as needed. Also the latches are kind of flimsy compared to SnapOn and have to be disengaged on the right corner instead of anywhere along the drawers which is a minor thing in my opinion. In all honesty unless you just really demand or want the absolute best box you can have and the cost is a secondary concern, I think you'll really like the US General box. They are pretty nice boxes and an exceptional value as compared to most store bought boxes or even the cost of a truck brand box.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Mr_B

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,374
Location
Reading
^ Worth a try, saves 70 bucks and makes the buy a way better one, US General range is smart buy when at lowest sale pricing .
 

boostmiser

Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2016
Messages
10
I just bought a 44" and its pretty nice all things considered. We'll see if she lasts. I did consider the 56" but in the end decided that I'd rather have two of the 44" boxes....for less money too ($680 for two vs. $720 for one). Either way they're pretty good for the money.
 

Mr_B

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,374
Location
Reading
^ gives a good drawer layout and size for the money that, 88" of storage and worktop space. 2 44" far easier man handle and transport in future also so great bargain solution for those not needing box all in one .
 

tripplejl

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
335
Location
Mainer
I was in the same situation as you. I have a snap on box that loaded and I needed more space. I bought the HF 56" top and bottom and I am pleased with it. I would have went with the 72 but room was an issue with where I wanted to place the box. Is it comparable to a snap on box, no, not in quality or in price. I don't think you could park a dump truck on the top of these boxes like SO does in one of their ads and I haven't tried standing in one of the open drawers. Luckily for me I didn't need the box to store dump trucks and I already had a ladder to stand on if I needed to reach something high. If money was no object I would have another SO box in my garage but for the money paid I am happy. I like the layout and it holds everything I need it to. The latch mechanism isn't the greatest but for home use it really doesn't matter to me. The liners aren't the best but depending what you want to spend you could line the drawers with gold if you wanted to. I am using the supplied liners with no complaints. If they become a problem in the future I will upgrade them at that time. For me if I could go back I would make the same decision and buy it again. I have the bottom drawer stuffed with brass, copper, aluminum and steel round, flat and square stock which I am certain is over the recommended limits of the box and it still opens and closes with ease. Fit and finish are good. I took all the drawers out when I got the boxes as the drawer slides seemed to be a little dry and had some contamination. I cleaned them up and lubed all of them and they worked perfectly after that. Other than that No complaints. Open the shipping boxes up while at HF because it seems like a few people have found some damage once they got home and removed the packaging material with anything from dings and dents to complete corners being crushed. The money saved can help fill the box up.
 

Richard Cranium

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 22, 2011
Messages
18,552
Location
central Washington
I also purchased the 72 when it was on sale for 999.00, Then I got the 18in side box, it is not as deep as the 72, but that is where I mounted my pry bar rack. looks like it was made to go there. I have been happy with mine. It is missing one of the little plastic drawer locks. They are unable to get me one. The manager took one off of a different size box and gave it to me. It don't really matter to me, I not going to be moving my box any way.
 
OP
5

500sks

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2006
Messages
49
Location
Rhinelander WI
Not sound too stupid but you can print a picture of the coupon and they will take it?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 

Brownsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,974
Location
Cleveland Ohio
The one thing I would DEFINITELY Change it the drawer latch system. Detents would be better than what these have. I watched a 11 or 12 year old kid break one on display at the store with a good tug. Pure junk in my opinion. This is what kept me from buying the 72". This is just my opinion. Please don't jump down my throat. Other than this at 650 with the coupon posted it's probably one of the best values in tool boxes at that price. At 799 it gets more cloudy. And I believe others may be better choices.
 

Brownsfan

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 16, 2012
Messages
5,974
Location
Cleveland Ohio
Also in the coupon site link above. There is a coupon for the 72" for 999 valid until 5/31/17. That is what I would be looking at.
 

kngelv

Well-known member
Joined
May 25, 2011
Messages
2,216
Location
Detroit, MI
I have had the 56" top and bottom for a few years now. I can pretty much echo what everyone else has said. They are a great value for the money. The latches are probably the worst thing about them. Who cares about the liners - they are easily replaceable. It is a very solid box. I was about to get another one but I ended up getting in on the Milwaukee 60" Toolbox with the Home Depot $349.00 price glitch.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351924

I think the Harbor Freight is a better built box especially the drawers and slides but at $349.00 the Milwaukee is a great deal. At the Milwaukee's original $698.00 price the HF is a better buy all day long.

James
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom