HF 56'' Toolbox bolted together to another 56'' toolbox safe?

[TwinTurboSC300]

Hey there, I'm looking to add on another toolbox onto my existing toolbox that I purchased from Harbor Freight 3 years ago.

The reason being, I need more space but don't want to dump thousands of dollars for it. Already have a Snap on KRL Toolbox at the house.

The Harbor Freight toolbox that I've have been using is the 56'' 11 Drawer toolbox. Believe it or not I've used up all the space already. For the past two weeks, I've been thinking about purchasing another 56'' 11 Drawer toolbox from Harbor Freight and then side bolt them together to form 112'' inches. If I go this route, I would remove the drawers and bolt them from the inner side to the other inner side of the 2nd 56'' 11 Drawer toolbox. And brace it with two plates on the bottom side to connect both toolboxes.

Was wondering if this is safe? I move my toolbox alot at work, I work at huge automotive shop 12,000 square feet.

Just earlier today, I've notice that Harbor Freight made a 72'' 18 Drawer tool box with almost the exact height and diameter as the 56'' 11 Drawer tool box.

I'd like to know if anyone bolted together any of these toolboxes together whether it be the 56'' and the 56'' toolbox or the 56'' with the 72'' toolbox.

I need a longer top space to rest things on as I move across the 12,000 square feet shop and would like it to rest on top of my toolbox. Also need more tool space as well so I'm down to purchase another 56'' or a 72'' from Harbor Freight.

Main concern is, has anyone bolted these together before and have them moveable.

I"ve seen the smaller 44'' bolted together/braced together but it's not moveable.

Thanks in advance!

 

[RedneckWelder]

If I was going to join two units together I'd probably wind up building an angle iron frame and lots of casters to spread the weight.

I think "cumbersome as ****" is going to be your issue more than safety, because it's gong to be like pushing a barge across the shop, one that does not turn well.

My loaded 40" toolbox at work is aggravating enough in it's own right for movement, I could not imagine something nearly three times as long and moving it frequently as you seem to want to do in your post.

 

[txdude87]

If I was going to join two units together I'd probably wind up building an angle iron frame and lots of casters to spread the weight.

That's what I am going to do. How do you like the 56"?

 

[NC-Shaun]

That would kinda be impractical, Why not just organize your box better and setup a service cart? No one job requires every tool in your box?

 

[RedneckWelder]

That's what I am going to do. How do you like the 56"?

I don't own one at this moment (probably buy one in a few months) but the 56 toolbox is a decent box for the money. Better than most other new boxes you can get for the same money.

 

[Outlawmws]

First issue is casters. you will need them all to swivel. not a big deal, but... With only 18" front to back in a turn you will be swinging a "boat" over nine feet long. I think the risk of tipping while moving it is greatly increased.

Side cabinets? Or as mentioned, a service cart.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Personally what I would suggest is a three piece system.

Big toolbox stack to hold the majority of your tools.

Tool cart to hold your most frequently used tools and tools you want to take to the job

and then one of those big poly carts to hold a bunch of bins for fasteners and small components while you work on the job. Keep a bag of ziplocks and some sharpies on the cart and you can write down what group of bolts is for what and so forth.

Or if you must take your box to the job then I would not join two boxes like that, I'd keep 'em seperate and make two trips. Those long double boxes you see from other makers (Like Snap On's Mr Big) are meant to be stationary.

 

[AndrewV]

Top chest, side cab, and locker a questionable choice for you op?

 

[Adam.C]

I don't own one at this moment (probably buy one in a few months) but the 56 toolbox is a decent box for the money. Better than most other new boxes you can get for the same money.

Just curious, I've been comparing tool box specs lately. What other box can you buy for the price of HF 56" again? I couldn't find any. So I'm curious about your statement.

What I would say is, the HF 56, like the 72 and 44, are the cheapest boxes available in their spec range. Compared to other boxes, irrespective of price, they are either the worst, or close to the worst. Many here are happy with them because they are cheap. If the price were higher, and there was a Montezuma store in every strip mall across our great country, people would be singing the praises of Montezuma.

My advice is to seek out a truck tool box second hand and pay a small premium for it. The truck boxes are easily twice the box the HF's are.

 

[Adam.C]

If I was going to join two units together I'd probably wind up building an angle iron frame and lots of casters to spread the weight.

I think "cumbersome as ****" is going to be your issue more than safety, because it's gong to be like pushing a barge across the shop, one that does not turn well.

My loaded 40" toolbox at work is aggravating enough in it's own right for movement, I could not imagine something nearly three times as long and moving it frequently as you seem to want to do in your post.

I agree. The base needs to be very rigid. Those side panels aren't designed for out of plane loads (forces pulling or pushing perpendicular to the sheet metal. Also, these are very narrow boxes that may be difficult to control. My advice is to build up a base as Redneck says. I would also rivet a strap to the back and front to hold the tops together, then construct a huge X brace for the back. Tying them back to back would be better structurally.

Remember, when working with sheet metal, you don't want big fasteners, you want many small fasteners in extremely good quality holes (in terms of fit). Rivets are really best, since they are "hole filling".

 

[RedneckWelder]

What other box can you buy for the price of HF 56" again?

Stuff like the Lowes/Home Depot offerings and such. Also better than the Craftsman boxes.

If one had more to spend, then definitely Montezuma/Extreme would be a good step up.

My advice is to seek out a truck tool box second hand and pay a small premium for it. The truck boxes are easily twice the box the HF's are.

I agree but then again, this is GJ where people start screaming if you dare suggest buying better than an HF box. Look in the thread about the HF 72 vs. the used Snap On KRL box...

 

[Syntax_Error]

Someone has already suggested a side box on it. On the 56 I don't think they reach the bottom of the box fully but the tops do. With a side box on each side you would gain more top space and more tool space.

 

[mrvm]

Make two trips or organize the service cart as mentioned already. Going to be a spectacle to watch for when moving that "stretched limo" of a dual 56" tool boxes bolted end-to-end. Like the 56" back-to-back idea mentioned already but regardless of either way the weight of 2 loaded 56" is going to be heavy.

 

[RedneckWelder]

regardless of either way the weight of 2 loaded 56" is going to be heavy.

Not something that I would care to try to move around a shop with stuff that you don't want to hit (cars) around you.

 

[Syntax_Error]

People move Mr. Big's around and they weigh alot and are very tall. I still think best bang for buck is two side box's and still retain most of your portability.

 

[ChevyEFI]

The HF boxes aren't the best storage space to floor space ratio out there.
A used 30"deep is going to do wonders over the 18" stuff.

I would guess an audit of your tools is in order. Put certain ones in a bottom drawer in a cardboard box with a date. Zero hashmarks indicating use in a 3mo period, put them in a stationary box instead of the mobile.

If the price were higher, and there was a Montezuma store in every strip mall across our great country, people would be singing the praises of Montezuma.

Or it might rightfully be called Montezuma's revenge.

 

[Syntax_Error]

Jesus guys. The man already said he has a snap on krl at home.

 

[cheechi]

Asking the internet 'is this safe' is the same as admitting to yourself you already know it's unsafe.

That was only half joking btw. But anyway no I wouldn't do it. Get the 72 if you're going to get another from HF, since it sounds like you couldn't do what you need with a cart.

 

[redsand187]

If you need that much storage and that kind of mobility, a pit box setup is the only way to go.

 

[AA/FC]

Just in case you decide to buy another HF 56.....

(found in the HF coupon thread)

 

[Rickenbackerman]

I've got something sort of similar, but not really. It's two Cman lower cabs bolted together. Four heavy duty locking swivel casters and a solid core door top.



The right cab is full of nuts, bolts and nails, so it's loaded. And yes, it is cumbersome as all get-out to move around. But when I do move it, it only gets rolled about three feet away from the wall to serve as an island in the center of my shop when I need it.

 

[stikman56]

I'd say that's too much to move around a shop. Not sure how this would work for you, but what I ended up doing was a HF 44' for my roll cart, and my 56" stays put, never gets moved. It worked out pretty well,don't go to the main box too often.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Jesus guys. The man already said he has a snap on krl at home.

If someone has a KRL at home and 50-plus odd tools that never see action in the workplace box, then the focus should be on tools, not what home box he has or some other non-pertinent point.

 

[Syntax_Error]

It would if the post's it was aimed at were not deleted kinda makes my post way out in right field with out them.