HF box Vs Cman

[Machinist2b]

Hello, I'm new to the the forums. After a quick search I'm pretty sure what the community as a whole is going to say, but I'm going to ask anyway.


I'm buying everything from scratch for work. I have time, but I'm starting early. My first purchase is a toolbox and at first I was dead set on buying the Harbor Freight 16 drawer combo:

http://tinyurl.com/HF16drawercombo $359.99

I was really impressed with the quality and there was no doubt in my mind that this was the chest for me, but then I went to Sears...and I stumbled upon this:

http://tinyurl.com/craftsman10drawercombo $359.99

The HF box holds about 200lbs more total weight, but the Cman holds 25lbs more per drawer

The HF box has a 90 day warranty and the Cman has a 3 year warranty.

The casters on the HF box seem to have issues, but I can upgrade those, while people seem to be taking issue with the "Self Closing" drawers on the Cman...although the closing should smooth out once it has some weight in them, I haven't seen any owners of the box speak on the issue.

When I was a kid my father told me to always buy quality the first time, he's no longer with us or I'd be asking his advise right now and not all of you. I want to buy the Craftsman, but another recent purchase has me doubting the reputation of quality products I grew up with.

I'd like to hear from people that actually own these boxes first, but any advise is welcome. Thank you!

 

[mayday0017]

Can I offer a 3rd choice....
http://www.harborfreight.com/44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-roller-cabinet-68784.html

If you have the room for it I would go this route. Same amount of storage as the others you mentioned. BUT for now you can use the top as a bench and later when you need more storage you will have room to grow by getting a top box.

I own 2 larger craftsman boxes and they are fine for me, but doing it over again I might would buy the Harborfreight boxes. I really hate to say it but they are built very well...

 

[MR_T]

Can I offer a 3rd choice....
http://www.harborfreight.com/44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-roller-cabinet-68784.html

If you have the room for it I would go this route. Same amount of storage as the others you mentioned. BUT for now you can use the top as a bench and later when you need more storage you will have room to grow by getting a top box.

I own 2 larger craftsman boxes and they are fine for me, but doing it over again I might would buy the Harborfreight boxes. I really hate to say it but they are built very well...

x2 on the 44" HF box

 

[c_mccann]

x3. the cman box is junk compared to the HF. I have both.

 

[John in OH]

Can I offer a 3rd choice....
http://www.harborfreight.com/44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-roller-cabinet-68784.html

If you have the room for it I would go this route. Same amount of storage as the others you mentioned. BUT for now you can use the top as a bench and later when you need more storage you will have room to grow by getting a top box.

I own 2 larger craftsman boxes and they are fine for me, but doing it over again I might would buy the Harborfreight boxes. I really hate to say it but they are built very well...

Mayday0017 offers good advice. If you are going to use this box for work, the ability to expand with a 44" top box is a good consideration. As you've probably read in many postings on this board, the HF 44" - 13 drawer chest is highly regarded as to the good quality and low price.

From my personal viewpoint, more shallow drawers are better than fewer deeper drawers. And the full width top drawer is a very good feature of the 44" box.

 

[NWphotog]

x2 on the 44" HF box

x3. I have two of 'em. The second one I bought off of CL for $200.

 

[Machinist2b]

Can I offer a 3rd choice....
http://www.harborfreight.com/44-13-drawer-gloss-red-industrial-uality-roller-cabinet-68784.html

If you have the room for it I would go this route. Same amount of storage as the others you mentioned. BUT for now you can use the top as a bench and later when you need more storage you will have room to grow by getting a top box.

I own 2 larger craftsman boxes and they are fine for me, but doing it over again I might would buy the Harborfreight boxes. I really hate to say it but they are built very well...

I really liked this box too, especially the latches on the drawers. I had to take it out of the consideration because I need a lighter footprint for my box and there is plenty of table space to work on.

 

[mf44]

If you do go with the HF 26" box, take a look in the coupon threads...there is usually a coupon bringing it down to $299 or so.

 

[mf44]

Here's the coupon, FYI, good until mid August:

http://personalpages.tds.net/~slabacks/images/HFToolCabinets.jpg

 

[slugworks]

I have the HF 26" combo as well as a 26" Cman 26" ball bearing combo. Had the Cman for 4 years now and the HF for 3. Never had a problem with either, but I like the HF better. The drawers seem to slide smoother in the HF when fully loaded.

 

[BD1]

x3. the cman box is junk compared to the HF. I have both.

Me too! Have the craftsman griplatch 40'' along with 2 hf bottoms, 2 sides, and one top box. The craftsman does not compare with the hf. Get the 44''
and you will be delighted with it. Cheap tool storage for the money. I use one bottom just for welding tool storage.

 

[TwoInch]

+100 on the HF box. i have a craftsman and the 44" HF box. i would not spend another dollar on a new craftsman box, although they will handle homeowner, light use for a few years, they are just not the quality they used to be.

DO NOT be fooled into thinking the craftsman is of higher quality, it is not. the HF box has it by a mile. and the 44" box is not huge. it is 42" wide X 18" deep. i have it next to my craftsman 26" stack, and the 1.5 foot difference is not much at all. if you want to go with the right box the first time, go with a 44"HF box you wont be disappointed

 

[gritsngumbo]

x3. I have two of 'em. The second one I bought off of CL for $200.

X4. I love my HF 44 inch base and top box. I will buy another base when the budget allows, but they've changed from a textured finish (which I have) and a smooth finish, so they wouldn't match (yes I'm **** about things like that).
FWIW: They no longer allow the 20% off coupon on the tool boxes. It's in the fine print.

 

[twincam00]

Another vote for the HF 44" roller cabinet

 

[tcianci]

There was a thread on here where some guy went through a lot of pains to compare the boxes from HF C'man and Kolbalt and IIRC, Tractor supply and maybe a few others. It seems the HF box won hands down in metal gage, drawer depth, capacity and even the number of balls in the ball bearing slides. I have 2 SO boxes, a C'man middle box and my top box is an old thing I got from Kmart of all places. I have been looking for a new top box lately, so I have been comparing boxes as well. YOU CAN"T GO WRONG WITH THE HF BOX!

 

[Mister Moose]

There was a thread on here where some guy went through a lot of pains to compare the boxes from HF C'man and Kolbalt and IIRC, Tractor supply and maybe a few others. It seems the HF box won hands down in metal gage, drawer depth, capacity and even the number of balls in the ball bearing slides. I have 2 SO boxes, a C'man middle box and my top box is an old thing I got from Kmart of all places. I have been looking for a new top box lately, so I have been comparing boxes as well. YOU CAN"T GO WRONG WITH THE HF BOX!

That would be me.

Yes, the HF casters might not be good enough for someone who rolls the box on a daily basis, but even then they should last for a while. The Sears plastic casters are an embarassment by comparison. Smaller riveted axle. No bearing whatsoever. There is no redeeming reason to buy the Craftsman box, in my opinion.

The weight per drawer Sears states is an inflated figure. Their slides are inferior. The sheet metal is much thinner. Read the review I wrote, it took enough time, and the whole purpose was to help guys like you make an informed decision.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153445

 

[pain]

HF all the way. Bag for your buck and I think it holds up just as well as a Cman.

 

[rburke65]

After the **** I have bought at Sears....they don't make a thing here. HF in my opinion. I bought a Crapsmen alum. floor jack, and after 3 uses.......no, not 3 years......3 uses, the one seals blew. Me and Mr. Sears are done. Most...all?....of there tools are not made here. And if you return a tool for a replacement, don't expect to get a 'like quality' in exchange.

 

[c/o say]

My vote is for the hf sears boxes are not what they once were.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

I unfortunately have a cheapo Craftsman box (my first one, it was a Christmas gift before school) and since then I bought the 5 drawer service cart from HF and I have to say the HF wins with almost no comparison. Clearly its not all apples and apples but its close enough to judge or craftsmanship of both companies.

 

[Mickey O]

I'd look for a decent used box, they can be had for the same or a little more and you'll get a much nicer box that will retain it's value and your tools will appreciate it.

My tool storage ranking:

1. Good used box (Made in USA or Canada)
2. Cardboard box
3. Plastic bags
4. Leave them scattered about on the garage floor
5. Night stand
6. Produce drawer in fridge
7. HF box of new Craftsman box

As you can see the HF box ranks real low, you couldn't give me one.

 

[steel 35]

13 drawer HF bottom is a really nice start; and if its not enough get another or two.

 

[DFW-LSX]

I'd look for a decent used box, they can be had for the same or a little more and you'll get a much nicer box that will retain it's value and your tools will appreciate it.

My tool storage ranking:

1. Good used box (Made in USA or Canada)
2. Cardboard box
3. Plastic bags
4. Leave them scattered about on the garage floor
5. Night stand
6. Produce drawer in fridge
7. HF box of new Craftsman box

As you can see the HF box ranks real low, you couldn't give me one.

And King Douche speaks!

To the OP- go with the HF box, you wont be dissapointed.

 

[tribbles]

Another vote for the 44" HF box. Buy it and don't look back.

 

[mr.speaker]

I'd look for a decent used box, they can be had for the same or a little more and you'll get a much nicer box that will retain it's value and your tools will appreciate it.

My tool storage ranking:

1. Good used box (Made in USA or Canada)
2. Cardboard box
3. Plastic bags
4. Leave them scattered about on the garage floor
5. Night stand
6. Produce drawer in fridge
7. HF box of new Craftsman box

As you can see the HF box ranks real low, you couldn't give me one.

You're either full of **** or you don't have a clue .

 

[dsprint2000]

Just get the HF 44. Buddy of mine has the set and it is awesome. He's pretty hard on it and it takes it all. When it is time for me to get mine - it will be the 44....

David

 

[DFW-LSX]

You're either full of **** or you don't have a clue .

Both...believe me

 

[csp]

And King Douche speaks!

Yep, apparently the temptation to spout out nonsense is too great to resist.

 

[ElectroLight]

IBTL!

FWIW, I have the old ('80s) Cman boxes which are non-bb slides; they were nice in their day... I recently bought the HF 5-drawer cart and the HF 26 inch box combo. The HF boxes are strong and well made. IMO it's tough to beat the $/quality of the HF boxes.