HF 56" vs. Tool Vault 56 combo

[KMdef9]

Couple people here, including the OP are misjudging HF quality based on the instore display. When I did my box shopping, I went to all the stores to try them all out, and yes, the HF boxes all felt like **** (honestly, so did all the others at the big box stores). But the price was very good on the 44 and I brought it home anyways. Once home, right out the box there was a huge difference in feel when opening/closing the drawers! Once loaded with tools and freshly greased, they felt even better. People seem to forget that display models are used and abused by "shoppers". Not sure how your local HF is, but the ones near me are always busier than the big box stores and I'm sure their displays take much more abuse.

So don't judge the "feel" of the HF based on an abused floor model that's been there for years.

I'm just worried I may outgrow the 44 combo pretty fast is all. Though I do like the drawer arrangement of it best.

I'd say your worry is valid. I bought the 44" about 1.5 years ago and thought I'd never fill it. Now I'm contemplating buying the 56". If you can afford it and have the space, I'd go ahead and get the 56" unless you know someone who's going to pay you decent money for the 44" down the road.

Like kc said, they have alot of expandable options.

For the price, when/if I grow out of it, I'd just buy another 44.

I'm sure they resell pretty well, especially with their popularity here.

 

[alex3610]

Couple people here, including the OP are misjudging HF quality based on the instore display. When I did my box shopping, I went to all the stores to try them all out, and yes, the HF boxes all felt like **** (honestly, so did all the others at the big box stores). But the price was very good on the 44 and I brought it home anyways. Once home, right out the box there was a huge difference in feel when opening/closing the drawers! Once loaded with tools and freshly greased, they felt even better. People seem to forget that display models are used and abused by "shoppers". Not sure how your local HF is, but the ones near me are always busier than the big box stores and I'm sure their displays take much more abuse.

So don't judge the "feel" of the HF based on an abused floor model that's been there for years.





Like kc said, they have alot of expandable options.

For the price, when/if I grow out of it, I'd just buy another 44.

I'm sure they resell pretty well, especially with their popularity here.

I've often wondered about the floor models vs. fresh stock. Still a tough choice though. HF is a great deal for the 44+ side cabinets, the Masterforce has the best latching mechanism far as I can tell, and the ToolVault has very few detractors other than price. (and I'm still mesmerized by that damn lime green paint)

Lots to think about, I appreciate everyone's input greatly.

 

[Greg85mcss]

Op if you're on Facebook check out rockin toolboxes. I saw here on gj that it's related to strictly toolboxes & has a lot of extreme scratch and dent deals. Earlier today they posted a 55 or 56" top & bottom for $1000 plus shipping.


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[ryan20021982]

Couple people here, including the OP are misjudging HF quality based on the instore display. When I did my box shopping, I went to all the stores to try them all out, and yes, the HF boxes all felt like **** (honestly, so did all the others at the big box stores). But the price was very good on the 44 and I brought it home anyways. Once home, right out the box there was a huge difference in feel when opening/closing the drawers! Once loaded with tools and freshly greased, they felt even better. People seem to forget that display models are used and abused by "shoppers". Not sure how your local HF is, but the ones near me are always busier than the big box stores and I'm sure their displays take much more abuse.

So don't judge the "feel" of the HF based on an abused floor model that's been there for years.





Like kc said, they have alot of expandable options.

For the price, when/if I grow out of it, I'd just buy another 44.

I'm sure they resell pretty well, especially with their popularity here.

Very well put, when I looked at the 56" in store it had a couple issues but the one I got was great and still is. When I need another box I am going straight to HF.

 

[Jake40]

Carid website has the Montezuma rebadged OEM tools 56" box for $1000 and $26 for shipping

https://www.carid.com/oem/56-18-drawer-chest-and-cabinet-combo-mpn-24581.html

 

[alex3610]

Carid website has the Montezuma rebadged OEM tools 56" box for $1000 and $26 for shipping

https://www.carid.com/oem/56-18-drawer-chest-and-cabinet-combo-mpn-24581.html

Wow that is quite a deal.

 

[alex3610]

Op if you're on Facebook check out rockin toolboxes. I saw here on gj that it's related to strictly toolboxes & has a lot of extreme scratch and dent deals. Earlier today they posted a 55 or 56" top & bottom for $1000 plus shipping.


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Thanks for the tip!

 

[tonyciambrone]

Have you checked out the new flat black husky boxes? The 56" combo for $999 is actually really nice if the drawer layout works in your favor. They are much sturdier than previous Husky offerings and typically deeper drawers too. I personally don't like the drawer latch style of the 56" and think it is overpriced compared to the very very solid value of the 44" box.

 

[kctyphoon]

What's nice about the HF boxes, the 44" ESP - is you don't HAVE to buy it all now.. you can get a top & bottom, then add a drawer unit later, maybe a locker for the other side after that.. or just get two or 3 lower units if you have the space. Add 2 drawer units and you have a garage WALL OF TOOL BOX.. the resale on these boxes are pretty excellent despite what the s/o guys will say.. in good shape you'd quickly sell one locally taking $100 loss on each piece if the time ever came..

ALSO, don't forget about the matching 5 drawer tool cart which also gets rave reviews.. all the magnetic accessories like paper towel, glove holders, spray can holder, screwdriver and mini shelf too.. folding shelf for the tool carts.. all that stuff matches, AND IS CHEAP..

Kinda hard to beat when you consider the entire collection.. and a store to goto also to see things in person before you leave with it and get it in the house.. don't know about the new ones, but the husky boxes were not as good as the HF models when I bought mine.

 

[Mr_B]

^ HF 44" is hard beat at best offer deals. larger ones more compromise on features and price closer to other good options, Masterforce also has side unit options for expansion along with good size range of boxes so don't get too blinded by HF only, at end of day buy what works for you ... If I was OP I would be going with toolvault or masterforce, if he had a menards local think he would of already had one as deal offer was quite good on 56" combo plus you got color choices ...

 

[alex3610]

Have you checked out the new flat black husky boxes? The 56" combo for $999 is actually really nice if the drawer layout works in your favor. They are much sturdier than previous Husky offerings and typically deeper drawers too. I personally don't like the drawer latch style of the 56" and think it is overpriced compared to the very very solid value of the 44" box.

I checked out I think a 52 and 60 from Husky with the flat black paint and "murdered out" trim. Really nice boxes for the money but the killer for me was the top shelf in the cabinet was only like 3 7/8" deep. I store all of my sockets upright and really want about 5" depth for that drawer.

 

[My Old Tools]

I think the 44" HF is a steal at the current $340 deal. I ended up with 5 of them, 4 built into Steevo benches and one top and bottom roll around. When I fill all that up I'll figure something else out. The roll around set is full of lathe and mill tooling, really heavily loaded and its holding up well.

 

[alex3610]

Carid website has the Montezuma rebadged OEM tools 56" box for $1000 and $26 for shipping

https://www.carid.com/oem/56-18-drawer-chest-and-cabinet-combo-mpn-24581.html

I was getting ready to pull the trigger on this one, but once you add it to your shopping cart and get ready to check out it shows truck freight of $244.44. Still a pretty good deal but not the fantastic one it was with $26 shipping. I had a feeling it was a little too good to be true. The hunt continues.

 

[gabeancounter]

I was getting ready to pull the trigger on this one, but once you add it to your shopping cart and get ready to check out it shows truck freight of $244.44. Still a pretty good deal but not the fantastic one it was with $26 shipping. I had a feeling it was a little too good to be true. The hunt continues.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Tools-B...074328?hash=item35fdaa7898:g:XKEAAOSwMtxXr8zI

The one above is $25 shipping? I was looking at the combo 72 version for $1470 below

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Tools-2...143802?hash=item4651dcecfa:g:fj0AAOSwtnpXqPTm

 

[tylersautodetailing]

I'm selling my harbor freight 56" box currently as my 72" extreme box just came. The customer service you will receive from Shannon is worth the purchase at strictlytoolboxes.com. He is most excellent. The quality of my extreme box is unbelievable for the price! I say get the tool vault box.


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[lightning02]

I'm selling my harbor freight 56" box currently as my 72" extreme box just came. The customer service you will receive from Shannon is worth the purchase at strictlytoolboxes.com. He is most excellent. The quality of my extreme box is unbelievable for the price! I say get the tool vault box.


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i dealt with Shannon as well. i 2nd what you said. great people

i might put my 56 TV top/button for sale sometimes soon to get the 72in long/30in deep boxes. i really want one lol should got that but was on a budget at that time. maybe when i sell one of my cars that i dont need lol

 

[alex3610]

i dealt with Shannon as well. i 2nd what you said. great people

i might put my 56 TV top/button for sale sometimes soon to get the 72in long/30in deep boxes. i really want one lol should got that but was on a budget at that time. maybe when i sell one of my cars that i dont need lol

What color is your TV 56? And what part of the country are you in? I may be interested...

 

[Jake40]

I was getting ready to pull the trigger on this one, but once you add it to your shopping cart and get ready to check out it shows truck freight of $244.44. Still a pretty good deal but not the fantastic one it was with $26 shipping. I had a feeling it was a little too good to be true. The hunt continues.

At $1250 for the oem box delivered from carid that's still a bargain compared to the same box with Montezuma stickers at $1800 from Strictlytoolboxes.com.

 

[lightning02]

What color is your TV 56? And what part of the country are you in? I may be interested...

im in FL, mine is the 3pc combo in blue. id want more then most are willing to pay just bc it will stop me from selling it since the new one will cost me $3k to $4k more lol but if you want a price id say $1800 and not a penny less.

 

[alex3610]

Op if you're on Facebook check out rockin toolboxes. I saw here on gj that it's related to strictly toolboxes & has a lot of extreme scratch and dent deals. Earlier today they posted a 55 or 56" top & bottom for $1000 plus shipping.


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I almost bought this box last week after seeing this. Got an initial shipping quote for $150~ or so and I was going to do it. Then I found out that was shipped to a business. Residential + lift gate added about $90. This morning I was scanning his page again and noticed he dropped this box to $900! So I finally pulled the trigger and it should be here next week. It's a prototype model and brand new, doesn't have any discernible damage. I actually like the layout better than the typical Extreme Tools RXE56 plus it has a taller top hatch area on it that I like a lot. It also has the Montezuma style grip latches which I really like as well. No it's not my dream kawasaki lime green color but at about $500 less and a better layout I'll get over it! I'll put up some pics when it gets here. Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[cnk]

Op if you're on Facebook check out rockin toolboxes. I saw here on gj that it's related to strictly toolboxes & has a lot of extreme scratch and dent deals. Earlier today they posted a 55 or 56" top & bottom for $1000 plus shipping.


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Thank you for this information. I was able to negotiate a deal on a EX56 combo from them for a pretty good price in "like new" condition. Definitely easy guys to work with.

 

[ilovevocs]

I have two 72" Masterforce boxes. Have been using them in my shop for four years now.

Would buy again.

Just wait for them to go on sale.

At the time I purchased mine the tool boxes would all rotate being on sale.

I watched the sales for 6 months while I was contemplating where I was going to spend my money.

 

[alex3610]

Update: I finally received the Extreme Tools EX5610/EX5611 combo that I ordered from Rockin' Tool Boxes on Facebook after I was turned on to them by someone on this thread. My box is basically the same as the EX56 combos that sell for about $2000 shipped from Strictly Toolboxes, but with a different drawer layout. They said my particular box was probably used at a trade show or something.

I started to question what I was doing when i received the shipping information and realized that the pallet weighed 725 lbs. It just looks enormous sitting in my garage. For a "scratch & dent" box I really had to search to find any damage. There was one scratch/gouge about 4 inches long on the back on the cabinet, and a few TINY little scratches on the corners of 2 or 3 drawers. For $900+shipping I feel like I stole this thing. Not to knock it but this is no comparison to the HF 56 combo in both size and construction. Not to mention this also has the grip latches like the Masterforce boxes from Menards. If you are looking for a box definitely check out Rockin Tool Boxes on Facebook and check in with him daily as he's always putting stuff up.

Both boxes were well secured to a pallet with cardboard cartons and pieces of MDF to act as armor. Second shot is it sitting next to my old Craftsmen set. Talk about an upgrade. Finally, in it's new home. Lot's of rearranging to do in the garage now. I really need a shed soon.

 

[chrisingrassia]

I sure have my eyes on the new TV Elite 84" box vs my two 44" HF boxes. 30" deep vs. 18" deep? Yes please.

 

[PNWguy]

What's nice about the HF boxes, the 44" ESP - is you don't HAVE to buy it all now.. you can get a top & bottom, then add a drawer unit later, maybe a locker for the other side after that.. or just get two or 3 lower units if you have the space. Add 2 drawer units and you have a garage WALL OF TOOL BOX.. the resale on these boxes are pretty excellent despite what the s/o guys will say.. in good shape you'd quickly sell one locally taking $100 loss on each piece if the time ever came..

This. Exactly.
I just helped a friend pick up a box at HD (she decided on a big (48" 52"?) Milwaulkee. It's a nice box, especially for the things she's putting in it. For $600 it's a good deal too. But I don't need another top box, and they don't sell just a bottom.

I think I'm going the Steve-O route of building a few frames from 2" sqware stock and dropping in HF 44" lower boxes. I'm not a professional mechanic, and doubt I'll be wearing it out.

 

[Greg85mcss]

They sell the husky 52" bottom for $400

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[Farmall450]

My HF is holding up really well. (2013 vintage)