HF 72 roller bottom with 56 top

[healey]

I'm looking to upgrade from my HF 44 rolling tool box and checking out both the 56 and the 72 models. Eventually I'd like to add a top chest as well - but it doesn't appear that HF sells the 72 top chest anymore.

Has anybody bought a 72" roller bottom and put the 56" top box on it? Seems like the weight support would be focused in the middle and away from the support structure.

Second, I see that the 56" bottom is on sale for 699 right now. How often does it go on sale? I was hoping to pick this new box up in 2-4 weeks (need to find time to run over there with the truck).

 

[oldldh]

Buy the 56" Roller cabinet and the top chest for it...

You'd be price competitive with the 72" roller...

I'd rather have the 56" combination set...

I have a 56" Roller Cabinet, and I love it...the unit goes on sale several times per year...

I don't remember ever seeing the top chest on sale...

 

[toddacimer]

I hate having a full width top box. The 72" with the 56" on top would be a good compromise and it would give you a place to set tools when cleaning up or a work surface.

 

[zkling]

It would be wise to put a piece of wood or steel plate over the entire top of the bottom box then place the top box on that to distribute the weight.

 

[gipraw]

Do a 56" roller with a 44" top box if you are looking for space on the roller top.

 

[toddacimer]

It would be wise to put a piece of wood or steel plate over the entire top of the bottom box then place the top box on that to distribute the weight.

Small chinese tool box problems??

 

[zkling]

Small chinese tool box problems??

Don't worry, it happens to the expensive truck brand boxes too.

 

[toddacimer]

Don't worry, it happens to the expensive truck brand boxes too.

The HF 72 doesnt even have a full width top drawer. So if the top box is offset to the left all 4 corners are supported and if it was offset to the right the top box would be supported on 3 corners and the middle across the front. Seems some what overkill to worry about. If it had a full width drawer it may over a long time become an issue but even then I see it being unlikely.

 

[kctyphoon]

Buy the 56" Roller cabinet and the top chest for it...

You'd be price competitive with the 72" roller...

I'd rather have the 56" combination set...

I have a 56" Roller Cabinet, and I love it...the unit goes on sale several times per year...

I don't remember ever seeing the top chest on sale...

agreed, and you can always add onto the sides with lockers or small drawer cabinet additions if you needed to, or wanted to..

 

[cheechi]

The HF 72 doesnt even have a full width top drawer. So if the top box is offset to the left all 4 corners are supported and if it was offset to the right the top box would be supported on 3 corners and the middle across the front. Seems some what overkill to worry about. If it had a full width drawer it may over a long time become an issue but even then I see it being unlikely.

This is the most useful suggestion. The 72 is basically a 56 with an extra bay on the left. So if you were all feng shuei or OCD or whatever, you would not really be happy no matter how you orient it.

But if you're coming from a 44" are you just the bottom, or top & bottom, or any of the side cabinets as add on? what kind of environment/usage? is it a stationary box? All of these are factors in whether to go one way or another in your particular situation.

 

[astroracer]

As an alternative think about this...
I just got the 44" to put under my Smithy lathe/mill. I also got the 18" hang on. The 44 has 13 drawers, the hang on has 7. That's 20 drawers for less then the cost of the 56" which only has 11. My set up is about 58' long. Right now the 44" is on sale for $370 and the hang is $170. That's $540 for twice the storage the 56" offers.

Holds the machine very well with tons of organization available.

Mark

 

[stage20]

As an alternative think about this...
I just got the 44" to put under my Smithy lathe/mill. I also got the 18" hang on. The 44 has 13 drawers, the hang on has 7. That's 20 drawers for less then the cost of the 56" which only has 11. My set up is about 58' long. Right now the 44" is on sale for $370 and the hang is $170. That's $540 for twice the storage the 56" offer

Hard to beat the extra depth of the 56 and 72

 

[92integra]

the top part of the 44 top box is more accomidating to sockets and such..... u can acutually stand sockets upright in the top portion of it, where as if i remeber right you can't do that with the 56" top box, the upper compartment on that is not very tall, some remarked it as useless at one point, but i don't own one so i dont know!................. me personally i would probably do a 72" bottom with a 44" top...... more useful top compartment of the top box with plently of extra work space, on the bottom box........................................

also crazy ideas pop into my head what about a 72" bottom with a piece of counter top on it about 80ish inch's long with 2! 44inch top box's on it................

or just a full 44"combo and another bottom roller 44 for a work bench!

 

[RedneckWelder]

some remarked it as useless at one point

The shallow top compartment of the 56 box is useful for flatter items but not a whole lot otherwise. Would be good for sticking layout tools up there, or using as a paperwork area (hold work orders, catalogs, flyers, etc). But being that is also "up there" as far as height goes, one might would prefer to store frequently used tools down lower.

I do like having a top box smaller than the bottom box. I have a 40" KRA series at work with a KRA59 up on top, the little area off to the side makes a great writing surface or a place to lay tools while they are out and in use before you put them back up.

 

[juwasco]

Also need to look at adding a set of casters in the middle of the 72...iirc the 72 only has 4...just a thought

 

[healey]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I might just go pickup the 56" on sale tomorrow (especially if I can get a buyer for my 44")

..the unit goes on sale several times per year...

I don't remember ever seeing the top chest on sale...

Yeah, I'm a bit worried about it not going on sale for another month or two and having to wait. No clue with the 72" will go on sale either ( for $999, the lowest I've seen).

So if the top box is offset to the left all 4 corners are supported and if it was offset to the right the top box would be supported on 3 corners and the middle across the front.

I guess this is what I was wondering. I see that the drawer is close in length, but I have no clue if it'll matchup fully. I supposed even it if does match up, I won't know for years if the additional 300lbs of a top chest will warp or otherwise damage the bottom roll around unit.