Help me pick a tool box

[macs_rock]

I need to get a proper tool box and get organized this winter. I've done tons of research and now I'm getting bogged down with analysis paralysis, so it's time to just hear some opinions and make a decision.

For some background information: I'm a DIYer, in a rented space, and I haven't found any used truck brand boxes in my area worth considering, because everyone either wants list price, or has beaten theirs into the ground. I don't live close enough to a Menard's to make the trip worthwhile. I do mainly automotive work but also a little woodworking, getting more into both.

Option 1: Buy a 44 inch US General Series 2 for $400 on Black Friday. This will hold my current tools and I'll need to add more space as I get more tools. I like the colors and the quality is decent.

Option 2: Buy a cheaper 46 inch rolling Husky Workbench for ~$250 and upgrade later. This will also hold my tools but the quality doesn't inspire me too much.

Option 3: There's a pretty nice Husky 52ish inch combo and 52 inch rolling workbench for sale in my area for $700, but they're the 18 inch deep models. This would probably handle all my storage needs for the forseeable future, but I'm wondering if I could get more for my money. I'm not sure how negotiable the seller is but I'll call him soon.

Other choices I've overlooked? My maximum budget is around $700, which isn't much, so I've ruled out the Homak RS Pro boxes for now. I'd just like something so I can get organized and work on my cars and not spend half my time looking for tools. I'll probably be building a workbench soon, but I wouldn't mind a toolbox with a work surface especially if it were deep. I'd probably put an MDF top on the US General until I need the top box should I go that route.

 

[Wamsutta]

Don't get the Husky. Watch video.

 

[flying eyeball]

Maybe a HF 5-drawer and one of the new 26ers?

That way you could roll them outside to work on stuff.

If all your work is inside I would do the HF if you had a ton of heavier tools. If not, the Husky 24" deep 46 with the full length top drawer is pretty sweet (for the $$)

 

[Mr_B]

The HF 56" is 649 with coupon .

Main plus with these is in your price and easy add on to with side box or second roller cabinet of varying size .
The 56" with side cabinet added gives pretty much close to a 72" and if all done with coupons it pretty low cost .
Don't bother with 18" depth boxes, 22" is minimum depth for good storage and layout .

 

[dcs13]

I have the Harbor Freight 44" model. I will say I have been pleased with it. So much so that I will probably add a second box. For home use, its a deal.
Now, that said, if you watch the sale boards (Craigslist,Facebook,offerup), you can find good deals on a Snap on or Matco box.

 

[Negen]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-I...Combo-in-Textured-Black-H52CH6TR9HD/302962883


Costco has some like this for 600$. Seems like a good deal if you can get one. Csps is the brand or label but that means nothing to me since I do not who makes what brands of boxes. But that Costco one is a steal. Thinking hard about buying it just for the price.

I am looking I at homak rs pro , proto and some other boxes already mentioned. I really like the color of the channellock boxes they about the same quality as the lower priced Waterloo boxes such as the USA made ones at walmart. But the channel lock ones are Asian made not sure of coo. Should be good for home owners though.

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[winlinmac]

If you want warranty, Husky is a good option for the holidays, otherwise Harbor Freight would be decent in this category

 

[BBQguy]

I am in the same boat as you.
My current box is overflowing. I refuse to stop buying the tools i need.
I settled on the HF black friday deal. I like the 44" deal and with a side box it will suit my needs. I also can add another 44" in the future in the space that my tool box lives.

 

[Zewnten]

Definitely go with the Harbor Freight toolbox, only issue I have with the 56" is the lack of full length top drawer. But they are built solid, just make sure to inspect it thoroughly before taking it home.

 

[macs_rock]

I think I'll go with the Harbor Freight, thanks for the input gents. A local pawn shop has a 26 inch HF box for a decent price that I'll try to snag also for some miscellaneous storage.

 

[Wamsutta]

I think I'll go with the Harbor Freight, thanks for the input gents.

Did you watch the video? Husky puts their casters on with sheet metal screws. No mounting plates either.

 

[macs_rock]

Did you watch the video? Husky puts their casters on with sheet metal screws. No mounting plates either.

I've seen the video before, but I figured it might be worth it since I won't be moving the box around much. I'll get the US General box regardless. Has anyone ever joined up two of the larger boxed by using an end cabinet as a coupler? That might be something worth pursuing at some point.

 

[Mikeske]

I have the old series 1 Harbor Freight 44" boxes and 2 side boxes and 2 upper boxes and the locker. I started out with buying the first box, top box and side box and quickly filling it up. So I bought the 2nd box with the top box, side box and locker. I ended up bolting together all the boxes, side boxes and locker into one long massive tool storage area. I am sure I will rarely if ever move these so it works for me. I also have the 5 drawer tool cart.

Some of things that do not apply to the 44" boxes versus the 56" and 72" boxes is the slide plastic lock is not installed on the 26"and the 44" only the 56" and the 72" and the higher priced tool carts get those slide locks, for me the slide lock is annoying as in my shop the tool cart is loaded with tools and I forget and reach over to grab a tool out fo the cart I reach over and pull then remember to have to disengage the lock. I learned real quick to open the drawer and drill out the rivet inside the drawer and remove the lock. If I move the cart I simply close the lid and move it.

My Series 1 toolboxes are not as deep as the newer Series 2 and some folks that it is a disadvantage but for me it is actually a advantage as the boxes do not take up a few valuable inches if they are stored to the side of my garage also the less room they actually take allows a few more inches of work space. since I bought before the new boxes came out these are still nice boxes and since I am a old fashioned mechanic I do not need the gimmicks like a power strip, soft close drawer closer (my god the soft close feature looks like a spring loaded piece of plastic) according to the video of the Husky box in the post above.

No matter what Harbor Freight advertised the box as a competitor of Snap-on the real matter that these boxes are not even close to Snap-On quality or durability and they really are not meant to be as they are more for the home owner like I am that just wants a secure place to store my tools at home. Since I am retired I find that these are more then adequate for my intended use and will last well into the 20-30 mark and then I will most likely never care.

I am a retired aircraft mechanic and have worked out of a old Waterloo manufactured 26" upper and lower chest arrangement for around 30 plus years after I sold my tire shop and I used this box until I retired and bought all my tools home and started to sort separate, clean and put them in place and discovered I had no room in the inn for all the tools I bought over the years for home use plus the tools I had professionally so that ended up buying those Harbor Freight toolboxes. When I worked yeah I had access to various brands and the very best boxes I ever found was actually Widmar and Lista but those are even at times much more costly then Snap-On

 

[Mr_B]

I've seen the video before, but I figured it might be worth it since I won't be moving the box around much. I'll get the US General box regardless. Has anyone ever joined up two of the larger boxed by using an end cabinet as a coupler? That might be something worth pursuing at some point.

Yes you can join 2 boxes of matching height with the hangon end drawer unit .
Just be sure you like drawer layout for tools you got/getting.
If you got space avoid 18" depth as really is limiting over 22" and up .
Main bonus with us general is plenty expansion options and range likely be around for many years .

 

[Craftfab]

This one is $599 in stores https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...Red-and-Black-Matte-48-22-8510-8520/306136151

 

[Mr_B]

Those milwauke boxes aren't very good, they 22" depth but drawers same as many 18" boxes, flimsy 20gauge which not good much past a 36" box .

 

[macs_rock]

So now it's a tossup between the HF 44inch and the used Snap-On ssdave mentioned. I'll have to do some more reading and figure out if I want to spend more up front on a better box. I do like the drawer layout of the HF box, and that it would be expandable in the future. ssdave's going to send me some more information on the box and I'll make a decision then. Thanks for all the help guys! I'll have to make a thread about cleaning out the garage and building some workspace and such over in that forum in a couple weeks.

 

[Craftfab]

Those milwauke boxes aren't very good, they 22" depth but drawers same as many 18" boxes, flimsy 20gauge which not good much past a 36" box .

Thanks. Had only seen positive reviews of it as I'm in similar boat/budget as OP and the Milwaukee was high on my list.

 

[Mr_B]

cheapest good boxes are masterforce and homak rs pro.
If want cheaper then hand picked better Husky models with thicker steel or us general pretty good pending on how used .
Drawer layout super important and expansion, us general bonus is easy addons of side cabinets or buying a matching cart or 26" box pair with it as you grow .

 

[macs_rock]

I'd love to get a Masterforce 56 inch or 72 inch but shipping to Idaho puts those way out of my price range. I'm kind of envisioning a pair of 44 inch HF boxes stuck together, we'll see how it all plays out.

 

[Mr_B]

^
For the price us general 44" at 22" depth not bad, i'd be inclined mix it with a 56" for better drawer size range .
The snappy have be something special and a steal or it not really worth it to you long term home use with expansion plans .
I like the old matco boxes as find sweet price boxes or at least did do before craigslist went viral ... can take a while these days get used nice box and nice price .

 

[classic boost]

This one is $599 in stores https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...Red-and-Black-Matte-48-22-8510-8520/306136151

my local stores have those on display. they seem fairly sturdy. imo, it's a MUCH nicer box than hf.

 

[untchabl]

I'd go with the 56" HF box with the $649 coupon. I've had my 56" HF top & bottom combo for a few years now and I've got no complaints with the quality of the box. I'm not a professional mechanic but I turn plenty of wrenches on my own personal stuff and the box hasn't had any issues yet. I do wish it was a few inches deeper but none of the boxes in that price range are any deeper.

 

[Griff79]

I have a NAPA distribution store here in Denver and they have a Homak RS 46" top and bottom chest for $700. There is one small chip in the paint, that could be fixed with touch up paint or not. You could go check at NAPA to see if there are any close to you.
Just a thought, they are much better than HF.
Griff

 

[macs_rock]

I have a NAPA distribution store here in Denver and they have a Homak RS 46" top and bottom chest for $700. There is one small chip in the paint, that could be fixed with touch up paint or not. You could go check at NAPA to see if there are any close to you.
Just a thought, they are much better than HF.
Griff

The NAPA near me doesn't keep any in stock unfortunately. I'll try the other two nearby and see if they have anything.

 

[macs_rock]

So what's everyone's thoughts on the Craftsman from Lowes this year?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...all-bearing-Steel-Tool-Cabinet-Red/1000462565

Similar to the Husky I imagine?

 

[Mr_B]

^
18" depth is pretty useless/limiting ...

 

[Wamsutta]

So what's everyone's thoughts on the Craftsman from Lowes this year?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...all-bearing-Steel-Tool-Cabinet-Red/1000462565

Similar to the Husky I imagine?

18-20 gage sheet metal? I can bend 20 gage sheet metal by just pushing it in with my thumb. I found that out one day while visiting Sears. It's too bad Walmart doesn't stock tool boxes because you'd probably like those.

 

[71goldss]

So what's everyone's thoughts on the Craftsman from Lowes this year?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-...all-bearing-Steel-Tool-Cabinet-Red/1000462565

Similar to the Husky I imagine?

If I’m going to purchase and make room for a 52” box, it better have at least one full width drawer. That box is just two 26” boxes stuck together.

 

[Gears_call]

the HF 44" might be suitable to your needs and a good choice. If your buying with the thought of growing in mind it may be wise since you have options to add the top chest, side locker/cabinet. and then the 7(?) drawer attachments they make for the side. Hell you could add one on each side and a top chest if you really grow your tool collection. Side note also have you looked at carts? I recently bought a snappy krsc46 in my area that was basically new for $600. Id say I keep about 70% of what was in my box in there now and I still have space left over in it. Just food for thought

 

[macs_rock]

I definitely didn't notice they were only 18" deep. Harbor Freight box it is, I guess.

 

[Craftfab]

Is there any quality difference between the 44" and 56" HF gen 2 boxes? I know the 44" doesn't have the slide latches.

I could see lifting off the box of the 44" at the store to check it but unsure I will hammer and crowbar the crate from around the 56" to look it over before leaving.

Asking because I have the gen 2 5 drawer tool cart (first one badly damaged even though box was spotless, second has bent drawer side but it functions so I kept it) and the Vulcan large welding cabinet (top front edges had the black paint peeling off backside right out of the box).

 

[DJL50]

I have this one from Home Depot.
I was not expecting such a heavy well built box for the money. Box comes in at around 341 lbs.
This box is a bargain in my book.
Very happy with my purchase.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Frontie...-Mobile-Workbench-in-Black-XTB6210B/302782148

 

[71goldss]

I could see lifting off the box of the 44" at the store to check it but unsure I will hammer and crowbar the crate from around the 56" to look it over before leaving.

I don’t know if HF has changed their packaging on the Gen II’s, but I bought two of the black 56’s a few weeks ago when on sale for $649, and neither had wood
crating around them. Bought them at two different local stores also. I was allowed to inspect before loading and employee’s just cut the plastic bands and lifted of the cardboard box. Both were in excellent condition btw.