Harbor Freight US General Tool Cabinet

[dsaunier]

So I stumbled upon this beauty: http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-68784.html and found what appears to be the identical one used for $200 obo here: http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/for/4100806014.html

This one is said to be a year old. I've seen a few of them listed used and looked pretty used. I've seen the rave reviews of these things on here and am just wondering if it is more of an environment of use issue than product. Or do they not hold up to abuse well? If I drop $350 on a tool cabinet, it won't be junk that will last me 5 years and then to trash or give away for basically free. Not impressed with what Home Depot, Lowe's or Sears have to offer under $1k. Looking in the 300-400 range. Your thoughts?

Derek

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

It's a steal. Buy it and be happy with it. There are about 4000 threads here re: these toolboxes.

 

[dsaunier]

That's what my gut tells me. Husky is junk. Craftsman is sad compared to what it was 10 years ago. Kobalt is trying to become what Craftsman was, but they got a long way to go. Task Force is hokey with the exception of a few pieces. I haven't seen these US General "pro" boxes, but from what I read, they should meet what I'm looking for. Maximum bang for buck and actual usability. I hate buying overpriced **** like Craftsman and finding out it is just riding the name bandwagon. Regular US General may be ****, but from what I gather, the "pro" series is good weld, double thickness metal.

 

[moronmountain]

I have a 44" dull version, and I'm pretty sure both of the links you posted are the same constructiong. I think what most think of as the "pro" version is 56" or something, but I could be wrong. The first one to me looks just like the one I have but with glossy paint, and that's probably exactly what it is. The second one actually looks to me like the older dull finish one. At any rate, even if that's the case, they are fairly tough, but I don't move my around, so I can't talk about weld strength.

 

[dsaunier]

the one in the 1st link is the 44" pro version. In my area (Tampa), they only have this 44" top and bottom cabinet along with the full 8 drawer bottom and top as seen here: http://www.harborfreight.com/26-in-8-drawer-roller-cabinet-with-8-drawer-top-chest-67831.html

The price point on everything else leads me to believe that it is absolute ****.

 

[rsanter]

Environment
Mine is several years old and has no more than a few scratches in it

Bob

 

[moronmountain]

the one in the 1st link is the 44" pro version. In my area (Tampa), they only have this 44" top and bottom cabinet along with the full 8 drawer bottom and top as seen here: http://www.harborfreight.com/26-in-8-drawer-roller-cabinet-with-8-drawer-top-chest-67831.html

The price point on everything else leads me to believe that it is absolute ****.

Yeah, but I guess I'm thinking that the "pro" version is simply glossy paint. I digress.....

 

[dsaunier]

going to take a look at it and will let you know what i find.

 

[malibulvr]

Don't worry at all about purchasing that box. We have probably 200 guys on the floor at my company and 50 probably have those boxes. We move them around daily filled with tools. The only upgrade I would make would be to build a frame for it and attach some better wheels. The wheels supplied are fine if its stationary but if your moving it around some then I would upgrade. Good luck!

Just saw this was my first post....HI! ha

 

[Super Sport]

The "Pro" version, I believe, is the same as the old version sans new glossy paint and the addition of the "Pro" name. I'm not 100% sure on that, but regardless, if it is US General and painted a shade of red, it is a quality box.

You better not wait too long, chances are that one for $200 won't last!

 

[indept]

I have that box from harbor freight. I like it but just 1 warning: DON'T MOVE IT FULL OF TOOLS without locking the drawers. The roller drawers work real well. I was moving mine & forgot to lock it and all the drawers opened. Luckily I caught it, but not before it scratched my legs up.It would be nice if it had individual drawer latches.

 

[Beowulf]

Does anyone know if you can buy just the bottom 26" roller cabinet? I've only seen it as a combo with the top chest.

http://www.harborfreight.com/26-in-...-with-8-drawer-top-chest-67831.html?hftref=cj

 

[shocksandstrutz]

^^^^nope, unless its been damaged and they are selling it seperate

 

[Two Door]

Has anyone noticed that HF has downgraded this box over time? I was looking at this Utube video

yesterday which showed higher capacities on the old dull finish boxes than are being shown on the HF website now.

For instance, the cabinet used to be rated for 2900 pounds, now it is 2633. The drawers used to be rated at 88 and 121 each, now their owners manual shows 59 and 79 (I speaking from memory here). The chest has been similarly downgraded. The video claims 840 pound capacity, now the website shows 559.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Has anyone noticed that HF has downgraded this box

Search here re: dual-slides. I think they did some of the drawers with dual before and now single.