HF 7-drawer side vs end locker/cabinet

[MrBreeze]

Expanding my two 44" HF tool chests and considering between adding two of the 7 drawer side cabinets or going with one 7 drawer and one tall end locker cabinet. While it obviously depends on what I need to store, I'm curious with those of you who have either/or would you choose differently now that you have lived with them?

http://www.harborfreight.com/tool-s...-end-cabinet-for-roller-tool-chest-62580.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/tool-s...-end-cabinet-for-roller-tool-chest-62661.html

Same price, just wondering what you have found to be more useful?

 

[619DioFan]

I have one of each. mine are part of my craftsman 40 inch top and bottom unit. needed the locker for the specialty tools that come in plastic cases and the seven drawer for various smaller tools. I feel they were both a very good value. problem is now I am out of room so now looking at the hf 72 inch and adding the 56 inch top box to it. I will also add the 7 drawer and locker to the new set up as well when I get it.

 

[pstemari]

... needed the locker for the specialty tools that come in plastic cases ...

Hmm, I need a solution for those, too. I've got 6-8 cases of various sorts, plus a few power tools without cases. Some sort of a rack or shelf unit might make sense.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[crewchief888]

extra drawer space is nice, but having some bulk storage is nice too...

for the price they are now, get both.

i dont think you can beat the locker for that price.
if i needed or wanted a bulk storage locker for the garage, i'd buy HF.

 

[Sharpest]

I got the locker lightly used off craigslist and have almost zero use for it. Most tools that come in cases, I keep out of their case in toolbox drawers. I'd take the side drawer box all day 'er day.

For the record I have two of the HF 44" boxes, one with the side locker and a 44" top box and a ~30" Craftsman top and bottom. I like drawers.

 

[Tonellin]

Two 7 drawer cabinets will give you nearly 2/3rds of the storage of your current 44" which is a ton of extra space plus you could mount a grinder or something on top. Probably would be my choice if I needed a good amount of extra storage

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have the 7 drawer cabinet on my 72" harbor freight box.

 

[machine_punk]

The only one I have experience with is the 7-drawer end cabinet. For the cost, it is amazing. Would not hesitate to buy it again, even at full price. You can move the drawers around (if you want the deep drawers at the top, you can re-position them from the bottom.

I've put this on the 5-drawer, red tool cart and if you fill up the drawers, it can make it a little 'tippy.' On the larger tool boxes, it should be fine.

Kev

 

[Tonellin]

The only one I have experience with is the 7-drawer end cabinet. For the cost, it is amazing. Would not hesitate to buy it again, even at full price. You can move the drawers around (if you want the deep drawers at the top, you can re-position them from the bottom.

I've put this on the 5-drawer, red tool cart and if you fill up the drawers, it can make it a little 'tippy.' On the larger tool boxes, it should be fine.

Kev

Do you think putting casters on the 7 drawer and then two grinders on top would work well? It would be stationary most of the time and only moved around to use either grinder

 

[watican]

I've got one of each. I like the locker for the blow molded cases, MAP bottles, extra shop towel rolls, phone/key rack/wallet, etc. I use the drawers in the locker for the junk I don't need access to daily, like batteries, extra sets of gloves, extra boxes of latex gloves, and the like. The side cab is great for more tool space. If I had to to it again with a 44, I think one of each is the way to go. I just need more space now, I'm in the same boat as 619, I am looking at a 72 (considering other than HF solely for increased depth). I don't want to get a top box because I don't want to sacrifice the work/charger space on top and I need a drawer wider than 44" anyways.

 

[machine_punk]

Do you think putting casters on the 7 drawer and then two grinders on top would work well? It would be stationary most of the time and only moved around to use either grinder

It is a HEAVY ******...that might work. I don't think you could get 2 grinders side-by-side, but back-to-back would work.

If I recall, there is no solid bottom to it...you are likely going to need to build a base and attach casters to that. I'm not 100% on that...just that I seem to remember the bottom edges really cutting into my hands, when trying to lift it...like I said, it is HEAVY for what it is (probably a good thing...more metal).

Kev

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I have the drawer unit attached to my Snap On box and I love it.

 

[cheechi]

I've had a couple of each over the years. At one point I had 3 bottoms, two tops, two side lockers, and two 7 drawers, all attached to each other so I had a work surface in the center of the two tops and the lockers on either side.

Since, I've sold the tops and lockers and one of the 7 drawers. To me, the lockers didn't make much sense without a top. You could build the locker(s) a stand and have it freestanding or wall mounted if you want, they are good lockers. Just didn't feel like it all 'belonged' without a top for the heights to match. I know it's weird.

For the money I think you get a lot more usable storage from the drawers than the lockers, unless your plan is to fab more shelves for the locker.