HF 44" vs Masterforce 56"

[moserjj]

Having just completed our move into a new home, I'm working on getting through organizing my tools and various other parts and pieces. We built most of the home ourselves and acquired a few new tools and many extras throughout the ordeal. I've completely filled my old 26" craftsman roller with side cabinet and a 5 drawer HF cart, with lots of stuff needing room yet. I debated on a full height wall cabinet like Gladiator or similar, but would rather keep everything bench height in the attached garage (have a detached for other bulk storage). So I'm looking at another roller cabinet, narrowed down to the HF 44" or the Masterforce 56" currently on sale until this weekend for $499

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...-56-rolling-tool-cabinet/p-1457702-c-9188.htm

Best coupon I can find on the HF unit is 369, also currently on sale for 389. It seems for less than $150 more I can get much more space, not quite the depth, similar build quality, a longer top drawer, an uglier color but overall a better deal. I do also have a $100 rebate to use up at Menards, plus the additional 2% contractor card year end rebate and an additional 1 or 2% year end rebate on Masterforce stuff.

$500 for a 56" roller seems hard to beat and I'm leaning heavily in that direction. Any input?

 

[mayday0017]

Would say they arn't the same quality.... 44" HF is 306lbs 56" is 536lbs and your Masterforce 56" is 313lbs...

All this translates to the Masterforce being almost 1/2 the quality of the HF units

 

[The Frisco Kid]

that's a little simplified, but pretty much right on point! if you have enough tools to even begin to fill the 56, you won't be happy with it.

 

[somedumbname]

Look in the harbor freight coupon thread. I'm almost positive you can get a $349 coupon for the 44" cabinet currently in there. Also, the 56" US General also has a pretty good coupon right now from what I remember if you'd rather go for that instead.

 

[Super Sport]

Would say they arn't the same quality.... 44" HF is 306lbs 56" is 536lbs and your Masterforce 56" is 313lbs...

All this translates to the Masterforce being almost 1/2 the quality of the HF units

While I've never seen either loaded down to compare, they certainly feel similar quality. Definitely not as different as you suggest at least.

And isn't it well known that the weight of the HF units listed is wrong?

 

[mayday0017]

Weight could be listed wrong I guess? Assuming both are listed with proper weight there is no way the Masterforce could compair. Weight = thickness of the metal used.... But we arn't lucky enough to have Menards here in TX so I can't give any first hand opinions.

 

[moserjj]

Our Menards around here (in the city with the corporate headquarters) doesn't have the 56" model on the floor, only the 41" model. Comparing that to the HF 44" they do appear similar quality but I do wish I could touch and feel the 56" to compare as well. I do like the HF 56", seems beefy but for several hundred less, I could make the Masterforce work. If the weights listed are correct, the HF unit does appear to be significantly heavier in the 41" models, 90 pounds or so

 

[somedumbname]

Attached is a coupon for the 44" cabinet for $349.

 

[twincam00]

I have the HF 42" and I use the Masterforce 4-some inch at work. Both are built abaout the same, the only distinguishing features are:

-Masterforce has much nicer alloy drawer pulls

-US General (HF) has much better detents

-US General box is red so its much easier to buy a matching side cabinet or top box down the road

 

[jhelrey]

I own the 56 inch Masterforce box. I love it and I would not trade it!