Harbor Freight-I crash on your rocks

[Umclemrbig]

So, I have been looking at upgrading my Craftsman boxes that can no longer hold all my tools. I looked at used Snap On, Matco, Mac and anything else I could compare. I almost pulled the trigger on a nice, used Snap On KRA box for $900 but changed my mind and am leaning with Harbor Freight. Here is my rationale:

1. I am not a day to day or even week to week user. I have an administrative job at a University and from mid August to May I am off the grid in terms of being home. So, I may turn wrenches on my old car twice per month.

2. It will not take a beating or be rolled around. Once in the garage, that is it.

3. If I buy the 44" model, I can add a top chest for $300 and almost double space. It would cost a ton more with the truck brands.

4. For the price of a roughly equivalent size truck brand, I can replace a 44" HF model every 5 years if need be until I am 75!

My main question at this stage is whether I should consider the 56" HF chest. I am not so worried about durability in comparing the HF models but functionality. I am leaning to the 44 since I can add a top chest so easily for a relatively marginal cost.

I have also not given up on the truck brands but I am leaning HF based on my needs and value.

I would appreciate some opinions or experiences on the two HF models and not a debate on off-shore vs. US loyalties. I debate that constantly internally having come from a family of four generations of textile workers and seeing the demise of that industry. But, I also see my dad (a 50 year employee in said field) drive an Acura so I am removing that part of the decision for the time being. I am interested in value (VALUE) for the weekend piddler. I have also read the previous threads but they tend to migrate away from the topic and I would like more comparison between the HF 44 and 56.

Thanks!

And sorry for the Odysseus reference in the title.

 

[Davefr]

Rule #1 is that you can never have too much storage.

I'd get the 56" which gives you nearly 2.5X the cu. in.storage of the 44". That extra storage of the 56" might free up the top work surface for other items.

And Rule #2 is you can never have too much benchtop/horizontal work area.

You can still add a chest later if you want. There's no reason it has to be the exact same footprint as the roll cab.

Feedback on the 56" is generally very positive.

 

[Big Gus]

What's the model number of the kra you passed up? I probably would've just bought the kra and been done with it...unless it was all beat up and such or too small.

 

[Umclemrbig]

This is one of the Snap On chests I considered-Kra4107dpc

This is a MAtco I have considered--

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/tls/3196826796.html

 

[mayday0017]

Wow that matco box is ugly, and he had it "custom made" for him....

 

[chris142]

I use my hf box every day at my shop. I have it packed full and roll it around as needed. does fine. I've had it about 4 yrs now.

 

[Big Gus]

That Matco is a pretty good box although 1991 called and wants its graphics back. It'd be nice if you could get those off. I'd probably offer $ 700-800 for it. Snap-on box probably worth 700ish if in good condition.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

as of right now I plan to one day buy a nice Snap on box. I will be the first to say that they are over priced but they seem to be the best. I do hope to one day be able to leave everything to my son.

 

[Tomato]

The only thing about hf is if a part breaks down the road your screwed

 

[Chadwilliam1]

Well thats why he stated he would still save money if he bought a new HF box.

 

[thehazmatguy]

I'm pretty tight with money most of the time. I really like buying things used. In part, because I figure that if things go bad (get sick, loose job, etc.) then I can sell whatever I bought for about what I bought it for.

So... if you buy the Matco or Snap On box, in a week or month or year you can probably sell the box for about what you paid for it.

If you buy the HF box, how much could you sell it for?

And finally, how about waiting for an HF box to show up on Craigslist?

 

[bluechevy94]

I have debated the same question as to which one to go with.The 44 or the 56.I made my decision to go with the 44" box due to the fact I can easily expand with it.Both are nice boxes and they will do the job of holding tools well.For the price of the 56" I can get both the top and bottom 44" and for a little more money buy the 7 drawer side cabinet and have even more space.IMO opinion the 44" is the better value when you factor in the available add ons for it.

 

[goodspeed]

He also said it won't be moved around, so breaking down on the road isn't an issue it seems.

 

[Tomato]

He also said it won't be moved around, so breaking down on the road isn't an issue it seems.

Wen the slides wear out or if it takes a nose dive on the floor some night he will need parts

 

[eborcim]

Why didn't you just ask for a comparison of the two HF boxes?

 

[bigbearcraig]

I would buy what your needs and budget dictate. I'm not a professional mechanic, just a weekend user, and I have never worn an average box out, or even broken a decent tool. There are quality differences between the best and the lower priced brands, but most of us who are not professionals, and don't abuse our tools, will not need to pay for the difference. If money is no object, go for the best!

 

[jmscollinsiii]

I have a snap on krl 722 and work out of it every day and i love it. If i piddled out of it twice a month i wouldn't have bought it. I try to buy usa stuff but with boxes you dont have alot of options so id say if u don't need the top as a work space buy the hf 44 if u would like the top as a workspace buy the bigger 56. Just my opinion. Snap on mac and matco are made for mechanics who make a living slinging wrenches out of a box i open my drawers more in one day then u probably will in 3 months so u wont dont need something as heavy duty as a mechanic would. Thats just my opinion.

 

[wmartin]

To the op....maybe it would make sense to buy the HF top box instead and build a super strong work bench to sit it on. You could store stuff (air compressor, tool cases, whatever) underneath.

It's worth thinking about whether you ever move or not, also. It might make sense just to buy multiple portable tool chests. Since you'll probably work on the same type of cars,etc all the time, you probably could get by with less tools in a reasonably sized chest, spend the money on quality instead. Looking back on my own history, I might have well just as bought a Snap on KRP chest (as an example) and stuff it with the few hand tools you need on the few types of cars I've ever owned while leaving the less used items in a box somewhere.

Just a thought anyway.

 

[srmofo]

Rule #1 is that you can never have too much storage.

I'd get the 56" which gives you nearly 2.5X the cu. in.storage of the 44". That extra storage of the 56" might free up the top work surface for other items.

And Rule #2 is you can never have too much benchtop/horizontal work area.

You can still add a chest later if you want. There's no reason it has to be the exact same footprint as the roll cab.

Feedback on the 56" is generally very positive.

This is all that needs to be said. Buy a big a you can afford and have room for

 

[Mickey O]

I have also not given up on the truck brands but I am leaning HF based on my needs and value.

Best to avoid the HF box, not much of a box and it will only depreciate. Better to find a quality USA made toolbox used and you won't have to rip off the name plate and/or put a truck brand emblem on it.

 

[gbh]

I'll jump in now with a comment before thread reaches the traditional derailment and arguments around page 3.
I bought a Homak and filled it with snap on tools. I work on my bike and car at home.
It gets zero heavy use. The money I didn't spend on an expensive box was better spent on higher quality and number of tools. That was more important to me.
If I had to use a box everyday I could see the preference for a snap on box.
Your call.

 

[Hawk]

I had a 44' for seven years, had a problem with one slide. took a week for them to send a replacement and have not had a problem since. No I do not use it everyday, probably only two or three times a week, and it has been through 4 moves over quite a bit of distance.
If it fits what you need, buy it, enjoy it. And yes I have it full of a variety of tools ie: S/O, Mac, HF and others as well as all my IR air tools.

 

[ArkTinkerer]

Two things to consider--

Check used via Craigslist or put out word at shops--mechanics leave the industry all the time.

If you buy HF and plan to roll the cart anywhere, invest in better/larger casters. I hate wheels that catch.

ArkTinkerer

 

[fflintstone]

IMO you would be better buying two 44” boxes than one 56” box. I find that more shallow drawers are better than less deep ones. For the occasional user there is no reason to spend 4 times as much on a used box.

 

[pipsters]

I sold my HF 44" box for $300 on CL in less than 3 hours. Even if bought new you're talking about losing roughly $60-$80 even if you were to buy it new (with coupon). Not like there is that much depreciation involved.

Biggest difference between the 44" and 56" is the depth. There is a large difference between going from 18" to 22.5" (HF 56" box) and 24" deep (Matco I assume).

The HF 44" is much more maneuverable (sans top box) than the 56" versions, but if putting a top box on it that would make it stationary.

If you already plan on adding the top box, if you have the floor space and ability to open up a 2' wide box, I would get the 56". The drawers using sliding locking pins as opposed to bumpers which will wear out over time, and the extra depth gives you a lot more freedom in organizing.

For $900 I would at least go look at the Matco box. You're not that much more than the 56" HF box and 44" top and bottom at that price point . What are the dimensions? The HF boxes are built very sturdy, they will last you a long time. In my area that Matco box would be probably closer to $2000.

You might also be interested eventually in getting some sort of service cart. I find even in my small garage that it would be useful to have.

Post a pic of your current set up now and let's see what you got. Do you plan on adding any more?

 

[Umclemrbig]

Thanks Pipsters. I will snap some pics tonight.

 

[lennoxlennox]

1. I am not a day to day or even week to week user. ... So, I may turn wrenches on my old car twice per month.

2. It will not take a beating or be rolled around. Once in the garage, that is it.

I am interested in value (VALUE) for the weekend piddler.

Given this insight, for sure you should avoid the truck brands, but also, why would you consider even the money on harbor freight boxes?

How many tools do you have? how many do you plan to acquire? what do you currently use for a box? is it adequate? is it over filled? is it not working?

Why not consider buying a used craftsman/kobalt/hf or whatever off of CL for $100. Buying a new HF while it might be shiny, seems to me just as much a waste of money as buying a tool truck box. Use the savings and buy yourself tools that you want.

As a way of comparison, i am a tech. I have a 72" krl at work.

But for my house I bought a used craftsman - i'm not sure of the model number but its the 3 stacker - i bought it for $75 off of CL. I use my home tools way more than you state you will use yours - but this is more than a satisfactory box. I couldn't justify the price for a HF box for my home use..

just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Umclemrbig]

I had a couple of the Craftsman friction boxes. It got to the point I thought I was going to pull them over when I opened them.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I would never buy a tool box without bearings.

 

[cascivic]

there great boxes at a great price.. i would say it comes down to how much tools you have now and the amount of workbench space you have/ need. If its gonna be your main work surface i would get the 56 and be done with it

 

[Umclemrbig]

Benchtop space is not an issue. I have a ton of that as I was able to scavenge some leftover floor cabinets and countertop during a renovation. You currently can't see them from all the stuff i pulled out of those boxes but I will post "before" pics tonight and "after" pics once I get my box in.

 

[O_M_Jeep]

Best to avoid the HF box, not much of a box and it will only depreciate. Better to find a quality USA made toolbox used and you won't have to rip off the name plate and/or put a truck brand emblem on it.

lmao, it must be a sad scared little world you live in, I'm starting to feel sympathy for you, but I'm sure you'll give an opinion again and the closed minded smallness will drive that away.


OP, if you want to do some reading about the quality of the HF 44" box compared to other store brands this thread is full of great information.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153445&showall=1

 

[Davefr]

As a way of comparison, i am a tech. I have a 72" krl at work.

But for my house I bought a used craftsman - i'm not sure of the model number but its the 3 stacker - i bought it for $75 off of CL. I use my home tools way more than you state you will use yours - but this is more than a satisfactory box. I couldn't justify the price for a HF box for my home use..

just my 2 cents worth.

I think of it differently. A tech only need to worry about mechanics tools.

A DIY homeowner needs the following:
- Mechanics tools
- Woodworking/carpentry tools
- Plumbing tools
- Machinist tools
- Electronics tools
- HVAC tools

That's way more storage requirements then a tech.

 

[Umclemrbig]

Here is the next dumb question. HOw in the world would I get the 56 home? I am trailerless but have a pickup. They will put it on a forklift to get it on but getting it off the truck is the issue. I have a keg so I can get the manpower-do the drawers remove? If so we probably can get it moved.

 

[O_M_Jeep]

the best thing to do is go to U-haul, for $25-$30 get the small open top utility trailer with the built in rear ramp, then you can just roll it in to your garage, they are seriously heavy.

 

[sberry]

Wen the slides wear out or if it takes a nose dive on the floor some night he will need parts

Every part available,,, 350$

 

[wmartin]

I think of it differently. A tech only need to worry about mechanics tools.

A DIY homeowner needs the following:
- Mechanics tools
- Woodworking/carpentry tools
- Plumbing tools
- Machinist tools
- Electronics tools
- HVAC tools

That's way more storage requirements then a tech.

You know, that's a good point. Personally, I'd go the route of a big portable box to jam the house stuff into, and a nice box with drawers for car stuff.

I wonder sometimes how small a car kit you could get away with for a home hobbyist. For an experiment, let's say you have a 69 COPO Camaro. Really, how many fastener sizes are on the whole car? multiplied by the different ways to present it (deep offset wrench, 3/8 socket, nut driver). It wouldn't surprise me if a small hand box wouldn't be enough if you had a BFH and a prybar in the house box.

 

[spongerich]

Why not consider buying a used craftsman/kobalt/hf or whatever off of CL for $100. Buying a new HF while it might be shiny, seems to me just as much a waste of money as buying a tool truck box. Use the savings and buy yourself tools that you want.

Definitely worth considering. I have 3 main boxes in my shop... one's a Craftsman Quite Glide that I bought new before I knew how reasonable used boxes could be found, one's a Husky 13 drawer that I picked up at an auction for $100 and the third is an older Snap-On that I grabbed from CL for $100. All work well as long as I occasionally lube the tracks on the heavier drawers. I also have a few Snap-On and a Matco top chests that sit on some of my work areas. I actually like having several smaller chests rather than one large one. I have more flexibility in terms of where I put them and I find it easier to remember where stuff is... (The old Snap-On is all SAE, the Husky is all metric, plus screwdrivers and hammers).

 

[amolaver]

the 44 is a great box. i've got one and am going to buy a second, put swivel casters on all points, and build a bench that spans them - mobile 10' bench (2' space between them for a chair) with lots of tools right at hand. my only real complaint is the depth (front to back, not height) of the drawers. i have wrench sets that just don't fit. while the 56" might add enough space, at that price, i probably will add a montezuma or extreme instead.

the 44 is a phenomenal deal and will serve you well. i prefer to keep the top clear as another workspace and would prefer to add a 2nd roller if you have the floor space rather than a top box, but that's just me.

ahm

 

[ElectroLight]

Best to avoid the HF box, not much of a box and it will only depreciate.

Too funny! Better to buy that truck box on credit so you can pay interest while it depreciates big time.

FWIW, I have the HF 26 inch combo box and the 5-drawer cart, both are well made and strong. Total investment ~$465 out the door. As noted on the HF site, the casters on the 26 are cheapish (plastic wheels) but that won't matter for me since I do not have the need to roll the box anywhere once it is placed and loaded. The 5-drawer has better casters, understandable as a tool cart needs to be able to log some miles. As mentioned, the 56 and 44 boxes have the advantage of providing horizontal work surface. All good stuff, take your pick.