rogersmithiii
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- Jan 15, 2012
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I can't find a web page on the 42 inch top box, nor can I find one in a store. Has anyone seen any lately? How about a part number?
Thanks
Thanks
Harbor Freight U.S. General Tool Boxes. 56" vs. 42"
- Thread starter kngelv
- Start date
Super Sport
Well-known member
Considering they just brought out a new finish under a new item number, I doubt it's going anywhere. It's a popular box, so if anything they would raise the prices.
I personally like the 42" better myself because of the matching top and side boxes available. I also think the 56" looks kind of cheap. The additional depth of the drawers would be a plus though...
I am sitting at my 56" right now and still love it as much as I did when i got it last Nov.
I too built a wooden pegboard hutch and feel that it was a great add on to the box for almost no money.
I have no issues with the drawers. And I am a tech at a fleet/ rental company with over 80 vehicles that we service as well as running a full time auto repair shop and used car lot. the drawers def. see a lot of use. no gripes so far. .
I too built a wooden pegboard hutch and feel that it was a great add on to the box for almost no money.
I have no issues with the drawers. And I am a tech at a fleet/ rental company with over 80 vehicles that we service as well as running a full time auto repair shop and used car lot. the drawers def. see a lot of use. no gripes so far. .
AP_photo
Active member
Need to see some photos of the hutch. Thinking about getting the 56"
Yeah I would like to see the 42" in 22" - 24" depth as well.
saltysteve
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- Feb 9, 2012
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Yes just bought one.they are in the prices of getting out the old finish and bringing in the new gloss finish. The boxes have different numbers id why its not on site
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rogersmithiii
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Thought I'd read somewhere that the 56 inch box was not designed to support the weight of any top box.Reading this, I think I'll be getting me a 56" box and throw a 42" top box on... sure, it doesn't match perfectly, but then again, not much really does match in my shop anyhow.
Might as well get me the room for tools that I really need.
Might also get me that cheap 150 box set for storing nuts and bolts and random **** like that...
What do you guys think?
I think that will be about 1000 bucks or so right there...
powertrip
Well-known member
I would think it could support about 250lbs easily if it was stationary. Probably about what a loaded 41" top box with tools would likely weigh. Could be wrong though. Not sure what my 41" top weighs empty.
Super Sport
Well-known member
There's an argument several members like to bring up about the capacity of the 56" box and how that number shows it can not handle a top box. I believe HF also says you cannot add a top box. Other members have argued that the weight of the box and structural support it has versus the 42" tell that it can handle a top box. HF's numbers are also very inaccurate typically.
Honestly, If I really wanted the 56" and a top box I probably wouldn't hesitate to do it. Granted, my box is stationary so I wouldn't have to worry about it handling a whole lot of stress.
98TJ
Well-known member
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dlc
Well-known member
Going to pick up another 42" box tomorrow before they switch to the glossy finish. They have 6 in stock. Anyone have a $349 coupon or know where to get one?
onelochevy
Well-known member
Near the bottom of the page.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85668&highlight=harbor+freight+coupon&page=68
powertrip
Well-known member
Im sure it would but you might have to do some modifing to get a secure attached fit. Also, the depth is different.
98TJ
Well-known member
Steven, check out the images of the 4x" HF side lockers on my 56" In my garage thread. The 4x" side units aren't as deep as the 56" cabinet, but that's not a big deal to me. The lockers work great. My only complaint is that the lockers have to be locked to keep the door shut.
I have had my 56" box for over a year now and it has been getting filled up and I am beyond stoked on the performance and more importantly the price. If I where a pro and I could fit what I needed in this box and say the 5 drawer cart I would proudly take that to any shop because it is truly that good.
Just wanted to point something out i noticed today about the 56" box. If you look at the June 2012 Issue 8101 sales flyer that HF mails out, it says the 56" has a 3900lb capacity.
That is WAY over the 1985 lbs limit the manual says. Someone already pointed out that was the max capacity of the drawers. So that would leave almost 2k lbs left over for top and side boxes.
Which to me sounds accurate givin the 44" is 2900 lbs. The 56" has larger wheels and more reinforcement.
That is WAY over the 1985 lbs limit the manual says. Someone already pointed out that was the max capacity of the drawers. So that would leave almost 2k lbs left over for top and side boxes.
Which to me sounds accurate givin the 44" is 2900 lbs. The 56" has larger wheels and more reinforcement.
camaro0991
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so basically the ruleing is the 56" box should be able to handel a small top box, like the 41"?
dttheliman
Member
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- Feb 15, 2012
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- 17
It will handle the Homak 56" top box with no issues (other than color match , before anyone starts) 
,
I posted a photo in another older thread just search on the HF56" you will find it
eta: this one http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97947&highlight=harbor+freight&page=10
, I posted a photo in another older thread just search on the HF56" you will find it
eta: this one http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=97947&highlight=harbor+freight&page=10
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O_M_Jeep
Banned
I have read in a post that the side cabnets (7 drawer) wont fit on a 56" cabnet. Anyone have more info about this?
That would be a deal killer for me on the 56", and it only became a possibility in the last post.
Thank you dttheliman for the 56" top and bottom info and pic.
That would be a deal killer for me on the 56", and it only became a possibility in the last post.
Thank you dttheliman for the 56" top and bottom info and pic.
TwoInch
Well-known member
the side cabinets will bolt up to the 56" box, but they are of different depths. the front will be flush, but the back will be of different depths.
someone posted pictures of the side box on the 56" some months ago, and it looked totally fine from the front, only from the top could you see the difference in depth...
oldldh
Well-known member
LATE NEWS FLASH!!!
As of this posting, the online prices are: 44"- $379.99....56" $799.99!!!
Let me think.........AHA!!!...TWO FOR ONE!!!!
And a case of good beer...
As of this posting, the online prices are: 44"- $379.99....56" $799.99!!!
Let me think.........AHA!!!...TWO FOR ONE!!!!
And a case of good beer...
TwoInch
Well-known member
news flash!!!
one 56" roller capacity is more than the capacity of two 44" rollers
one 56" box = 28,000 cubic inches of tool storage, 1958lb true drawer capacity for tools...
one 44" box = 11,528cubic inches of tool storage, and 818lbs true drawer capacity for tools....
44" box x2 = 23,056 cubic inches of storage space, and 1636lbs drawer capacity for tools...
and the 56" always has coupons for $699..... 44" coupons for $349. for the money, the 56" is more storage than two 44"s.... simply stated.
beelsr
Well-known member
How about for square inches? cubic inches can be deceiving with tall drawers. sockets & pliers (with a rack) need a taller drawer. pretty much everything else, not so much.
if you keep everything in a tray or box, well... just double how much space you need...
TwoInch
Well-known member
How about for square inches? cubic inches can be deceiving with tall drawers. sockets & pliers (with a rack) need a taller drawer. pretty much everything else, not so much.
if you keep everything in a tray or box, well... just double how much space you need...
56" = 5542.875 sq.in
44" = 3876 sq.in
44" x2 = 7752 sq.in
i own the 44", and i like it, but its shallow, the drawers are only 16" deep, and pry bars, breaker bars, etc... just dont fit well in it. that is the limiting factor in most people eyes i believe. you are also limited in which direction wrenches can be layed out, and socket rails must be layed side to side.
not to mention the highest capacity drawer in the 44" is only 80lbs, while the 56" smallest drawer capacity is 154lbs, practically double that of the full length drawer on the 44". the larger drawers on the 56" are rated at 220lbs each....
the two 44"s are considerably more square inches of space, but still limited in how much you can put in those drawers by dimensions and by weight capacity. all depends on what you are doing with them.
if the 56" came with a couple more shallow drawers, and only a few less deep drawers, with a total of 13 or 14 drawers, it would be a better use of layout space... imo
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TwoInch
Well-known member
also noticed that both are currently OUT OF STOCK on the site... i know they have been selling like hot cakes since the switch to gloss
i have been waiting to see the price jump up a bit. time will tell.
i have been waiting to see the price jump up a bit. time will tell.
beelsr
Well-known member
5542.875 sq.in? I would have rounded... 
16" drawers are annoying, my current chests have 16 and 18" drawers. Drooling over 24-30" drawers but that means I'd need to move the lift. The 22" depth on the 56" chest are a good compromise. If I could fit 2 of them in the space between my columns (109"), I'd be golden. Connect them ala Blast9000 with some solid maple chopping block counter top material I got a couple years ago.
The lack of large item space is a killer for me - Wilde prybars, 3/4" torque wrench, etc... It's why I don't have the 44" boxes already. So, I continue to dig through drawers...
16" drawers are annoying, my current chests have 16 and 18" drawers. Drooling over 24-30" drawers but that means I'd need to move the lift. The 22" depth on the 56" chest are a good compromise. If I could fit 2 of them in the space between my columns (109"), I'd be golden. Connect them ala Blast9000 with some solid maple chopping block counter top material I got a couple years ago.
The lack of large item space is a killer for me - Wilde prybars, 3/4" torque wrench, etc... It's why I don't have the 44" boxes already. So, I continue to dig through drawers...
TwoInch
Well-known member
5542.875 sq.in? I would have rounded...
thats what the calculator said, and i copy and pasted
just happened the 44" was a whole numberand i hear that, finding something to fit a particular spot, while still filling your needs can be daunting..
Mastermind
Well-known member
i saw something a while back about ordering shallow drawers for the 44...can this be done for the 56? i would gladly spend some extra cash to buy some more shallow drawers...
TwoInch
Well-known member
I recently purchased the 44" box and couldn't be happier with it. I spent a few months researching and contemplating multiple options and finally bit the bullet with this one. For the space, construction, and most of all the price it was well worth it.
I do need a little help though. I seemed to have misplaced both keys. Does anyone have a suggestion on how I can get a replacement? Or if anyone who has multiple boxes that would be generous enough to sell me a set I would be very appreciative
I do need a little help though. I seemed to have misplaced both keys. Does anyone have a suggestion on how I can get a replacement? Or if anyone who has multiple boxes that would be generous enough to sell me a set I would be very appreciative
O_M_Jeep
Banned
I recently purchased the 44" box and couldn't be happier with it. I spent a few months researching and contemplating multiple options and finally bit the bullet with this one. For the space, construction, and most of all the price it was well worth it.
I do need a little help though. I seemed to have misplaced both keys. Does anyone have a suggestion on how I can get a replacement? Or if anyone who has multiple boxes that would be generous enough to sell me a set I would be very appreciative
you can go to a True Value or similar hardware store and buy the barrell locks with keys, this is also the easy way to get all your boxes keyed alike.
56" = 5542.875 sq.in
44" = 3876 sq.in
44" x2 = 7752 sq.in
i own the 44", and i like it, but its shallow, the drawers are only 16" deep, and pry bars, breaker bars, etc... just dont fit well in it. that is the limiting factor in most people eyes i believe. you are also limited in which direction wrenches can be layed out, and socket rails must be layed side to side.
not to mention the highest capacity drawer in the 44" is only 80lbs, while the 56" smallest drawer capacity is 154lbs, practically double that of the full length drawer on the 44". the larger drawers on the 56" are rated at 220lbs each....
the two 44"s are considerably more square inches of space, but still limited in how much you can put in those drawers by dimensions and by weight capacity. all depends on what you are doing with them.
if the 56" came with a couple more shallow drawers, and only a few less deep drawers, with a total of 13 or 14 drawers, it would be a better use of layout space... imo
I upgraded from the 42"/44" (what have you) to a 56" 24" deep box. Not the HF as I got mine for $550 or so used (International). It also has a full length top drawer that was a big selling point to me.
If the HF box had a full length top drawer I probably would've bought it instead even at a higher price point. I think it's built better. But lack of a full length drawer IMO really limits your storage. I keep all my sockets, ratchets, and extensions in that drawer and it pretty much fills it all. I didn't want to have to open/close drawers just to get different sockets out.
Hey guys! First post to date regarding the HF boxes. Leaning towards a 56 over the 44. Seems to be some concern about upper drawer flex. I may cut a piece of 1/4" Masonite and put it on the bottom then lay the the liner back in. Same for the top of the 56. If you do set another box on top it should be no biggy. My box will be stationary in the basement. I am also going to snag a 7 drawer side box. I don't think there are matching holes that align between the to boxes. Should be ok just hanging there. 799.00 is the best price I can find. Don't belong to the inside track club so no coupon that I'm aware of. I just have to figure out how to get it in the garage. I guess it's a bit of a trick getting out of the skid. I may saw the skid into pieces unless someone has a fool proof idea. I wish I had a overhead hoist. Can't wait to get her home but it will be a few weeks. I am buying it tomorrow. They agreed to store it in the warehouse until I trailer it home. Should be an adventure. Great site, I really appreciate all the input. Ultimately I may set a 44 top box on top. That would complete the tool storage condo. Look forward to your responses.
zx2slow
Well-known member
Does the HF end cabinet work with the 56" box as well?
chipper
Well-known member
Yes!
zx2slow
Well-known member
Does it look like it belongs on the 56" box, are there significant height or depth differences?