hf or cman bottom

[bobbar]

hey all, been lurking on here for a couple months, figured i would join up. anyways got a ?

I have seen a lot of people that have had good luck with the US General 13 drawer cabinet http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html I have been planning on picking one up cuz i have a coupon for $359.
well today i was looking on sears.com and found a 40 in wide 14 drawer quiet glide for $329 http://www.sears.com/craftsman-40-34-wide-14-drawer-quiet-glide-trade-tool-cart/p-00913991000P


my thoughts. the hf one only has a 30-90 day warranty and the cman has a 3 yr warranty. and the cman is 30 bucks cheaper (and I'm sure i can find a coupon code online for a couple more bucks off)
1st ? has anyone had any luck with sears and there warranty department?
2nd ? who's quality is better?
3rd ? the cman says it only has 50lb drawers and the hf has 88 to 121lb drawers. has anyone tested them?


thanks for the help.

 

[muddyjoe15]

Ive heard that HF box is a well bulit unit. I have there 5 drawer service cart, and believe that it is far better then craftsman.

 

[Jim85IROC]

I've got the HF box. In my opinion, the quality far exceeds any Craftman box except maybe their highest line. Between the HF and the one you posted, I'd take the HF box hands down.

 

[dieselmike]

id rather give my money to craftsman. they actaully have SOME stuff made in north america (mexico included)

 

[Halligan]

I bought the Craftsman with griplatch and ball bearing drawers. After looking at the Harbor freight/US general I realized I messed up. unless you buying Snap on or other tool truck boxes go US General.

My Box

 

[diesel research]

ball bearings vs slides?
full length drawer vs non?

dieselmike, both sotres sell some stuff made in the USA, but I am not sure that either box is made in north america.

Know a few guys with this box, it is nothing to get excited over.

 

[muddyjoe15]

id rather give my money to craftsman. they actaully have SOME stuff made in north america (mexico included)

My paint markers that i bought at HF are Made In USA!!!!

 

[mixxmstrmike]

I have two of the HF bottoms. No comparison between the two the OP referenced. The HF bottom having ball bearing sliders ALONE makes it a better box.

-Mike

 

[SMKS]

Check out the International boxes.

I have the HF box, and I've been happy with it. But, if I had it to do over again, I would seriously consider these. A little more money, but they should be made in Canada, not China.

Note - I haven't seen one in person. I know some members here have bought them, so you can probably find some info on them here.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916331000P?prdNo=12&blockNo=12&blockType=G12

 

[NUTTSGT]

I rather have ball bearing slides over the quiet glide slides.

A full width drawer is really nice to have too.

Before you decide, I'd suggest making a trip to Sears. It's been two weeks since Christmas, see what they have had come back, returned, damaged and clearance. I've seen some boxes marked down almost half price.

 

[bobcatdan]

Unless you spend the money for a higher end Craftsman with the griplock, the HF will be a better box, the lower lines have been cheapen so bad it is sad. No eles has said it so I will, look for a used box on craiglist, a 40" SO will blowe both those boxes out of the water and have a lifetime warranty. Also Kennedy makes nice boxes, but finding a 40" used would take a stroke of luck.

 

[Halligan]

Unless you spend the money for a higher end Craftsman with the griplock, the HF will be a better box, the lower lines have been cheapen so bad it is sad. No eles has said it so I will, look for a used box on craiglist, a 40" SO will blowe both those boxes out of the water and have a lifetime warranty. Also Kennedy makes nice boxes, but finding a 40" used would take a stroke of luck.

Not true. As posted above I have the "higher end" griplatch and it's still crappier than US General.

 

[dsimonl]

I'll disagree. I bought the griplatch after closely comparing it with the HF. It was made in Mexico, btw. Both can be found on deep discount, so make sure to compare apples w/apples.

 

[PECVD2]

Halligan,

Please give us some specifics as to why you think your box is crappy. Not trying to start anything, I am just looking to get feedback from you.

 

[bobbar]

thanks for the replies, a couple pple stated, look for a used snap on or mac, only problem is in so cal pple think there cabinets are worth what they paid when they bought them brand new.

backround, I'm only 24, plus I'm trying to replace what i lost in a theft. so I'm on a budget. really all i want to spend is UNDER 400 because I'm not making a lot of money, getting married, and I'm not relying on my tools for a living.

I'm just looking for the biggest, baddest, and beefiest cabinet for the funds i have right now.
Im not going to be filling this cabinet up right away, but I have out grown what I have right now (just a craftsman ball bearing top chest)
again, thanks for the replies, Im leaning towards the hf. just need to see if i can find it for under 359

 

[WRX/Z28]

This should be a no brainer craftsman choice. The HF fanboys will surely disagree, but the HF boxes aren't anything to write home about. Save some money and end up with a decent warranty.

 

[Carl B]

Someone here on GJ has a coupon for the US General at $349.99.

I too have two US General 13 Drawer roll cabinets - in addition to my Snap-On and Lista boxes. I looked at a lot of different options - nothing came close in terms of price/quality.

The US General Pro series roll cabinets, side boxes and top boxes are all very well made - and in todays market simply can not be beat.

I'm sure you would be very happy with it.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[dumper]

keep in mind that the CM box will hold more stuff than the HF box- I believe it is about 40% larger, by volume. It is also bigger, by square footage. If you can live without the full-width top drawer (this is a tough decision), I would go with the CM. As you said, with a coupon or a better sale, you can get that box under $300. The quiet glide slides aren't that bad, but thats something of a personal choice here. I had the CM box in the pre-quiet glide days, and it was a very solid box. Like I mentioned, it does hold a lot more stuff than the HF...I think the real decider is that full-width top drawer.

 

[SMKS]

This should be a no brainer craftsman choice. The HF fanboys will surely disagree, but the HF boxes aren't anything to write home about. Save some money and end up with a decent warranty.

If it's between only the two boxes the OP shows, than it should be a no-brainer HF choice.

To the OP-

Compare them both in the store and you'll see the HF is far better. It has ball bearing slides and the full-length top drawer. I'm also pretty sure that the HF unit has thicker metal. But, the HF box does have that ugly crinkle finish.

I'm not a Sears hater or a HF fanboy. But, the HF box is the better of the two, IMO.

 

[filtered]

Have a look at searsoutlet.com I got my 40" 11 drawer griplatch for $314. It was brand new, just discontinued in favor of the 14 drawer boxes. I have also loaded the drawers over 50lbs without issue.

I will say i'm not a fan of HF or their products. I'm sure it's not all junk, it's just not for me.

 

[larryq]

I have only Craftsman quiet glide 26" rollers (with an addition today of a used SO or Waterloo top box-- identity to be determined) and they're ok for me. They work. But some people absolutely rave about the HF boxes. No one ever stuck a cigar in their mouth and beamed after buying a quiet glide.

Stephen9666's link to the International box is _very_ interesting. By all means inspect as many boxes as you can before you buy one, and as another CA guy I know what you mean about locals asking top dollar for their used SO and Mac boxes.

 

[rsanter]

the Cman is friction slides
the HF is ball bearing

the HF has a full top drawer which I like
the Cman dosent

I actually have both (but my Cman version is the BB one) and each serves its purpose for what I do with is

you decide

bob

 

[Super Sport]

I have a 5 year old Craftsman QuietGlide 26" roller, and I really don't see any significant quality gain with the HF boxes. I'd say they are on par, but I don't think they are necessarily better quality.

But with the two you are considering, I would probably go with the HF. It has a full width drawer, numerous expansion options, and ball bearing slides. The minimal price difference is worth all those features.

While I know you do not have Menards stores locally, for anybody in the midwest I would take a look at Masterforce boxes they sell. I'm really thinking about grabbing one of the limited edition ones they have out.

 

[WR250F]

Let's talk about the Cman warranty on the boxes

Has anyone here ever actually tried to get a warranty repair/replacement ?

HF will sell you drawers for the 13 drawer roll cab for cheap. Bend one, order another, forget the warranty drama.

The HF drawers may be rated for 100 lbs each, but I have at least two drawers that are loaded well beyond that and have worked perfectly since I got them.

I bought the HF because the current lineup of Sears boxes (local to me) sucked big time, both in quality and price.

I have been a CMan fan for almost 40 years too. I own several 70's and 80's CMan boxes. Compared to what they sell today, the old school boxes are worth a fortune.

Don't be duped into believing what Sears offers today with the CMan name on it, is the same as the lineup that helped build their reputation - it ain't.

Buy the HF...

Really.

 

[JMcFly]

The craftsman box would be a lot better as a griplatch, but that large bottom right drawer seems useless to me.

If I had to choose I'd get the HF box. If I had to choose between a griplatch box on markdown at a sears outlet and a HF box, craftsman box, but the above post regarding warranty would sell me on the HF box.

Plus, the HF box has a pretty sweet top box and stuff for the side.

 

[geologist]

Bearings over friction slides. Take it to the bank.

 

[Jim85IROC]

Take a field trip to both stores, and examine the boxes for yourself, and make sure you're looking at the right boxes. The cheaper HF boxes are of significantly lower quality than the 41" box in question, and I suspect that some of the others are under the impression that all of the HF boxes are like the cheap ones.

I replaced a Snap On bottom with my HF box, and I have a Mac box on top of the HF box. I'm not going to tell you that the HF box is in the same league as the Mac, but it's a hell of a lot closer to the Mac than it is to a friction-slide Craftsman box.

 

[larryq]

Let's talk about the Cman warranty on the boxes

Has anyone here ever actually tried to get a warranty repair/replacement ?

The lock cylinder popped out of my craftsman, and it was $16 for a new one. Only a 1 year warranty on the locks according to the manager.

 

[pipsters]

Check out the International boxes.

I have the HF box, and I've been happy with it. But, if I had it to do over again, I would seriously consider these. A little more money, but they should be made in Canada, not China.

Note - I haven't seen one in person. I know some members here have bought them, so you can probably find some info on them here.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916331000P?prdNo=12&blockNo=12&blockType=G12

I own the 56" International (OEM) and checked out the 42" ones actually in Canada at a Sears there. No comparison the HF tool boxes are built better.

The only thing the Sears has over the Harbor Freight is Griplatch. If you can spring for BB griplatch, IMO, that is better than the Harbor Freight 42" tool box (the HF 56" has locking drawer slides, but is almost 2x as much at $700).

The detents in the drawers of the Harbor Freight and Craftsman Internationals will go after a year or so of moderate DIY use.

 

[oldtools]

Any sears box below the BB griplatch is not that good. I have the sears BB griplatch, and I am not impressed. It seem kinda flimsy. I don't own the HF so I can't comment on that. As other noted, you can add side and top cabinet to the HF (it is expandable). That is a big plus. If I start over again, I would not get the CM box.

 

[Steve_P]

I have a bunch of the cman ball bearing griplatch boxes and like them. I'm sure I have many of the drawers loaded well beyond whatever the specs are, but I've had no issues. I would not get any cman box but the bb griplatch model; their low end boxes are definitely for light homeowner use only.

 

[bobemmerich]

I was looking and looking. I looked at the C-Man and HF boxes. The HF box seemed to be better built. I went to Home Depot for some stuff for the house, and I noticed they had a 52" 9 drawer for 298. I already have thier 52" 8 drawer top, so I figured why the hell not. It's not the baddest box, but it DOES have BB slides and matches my top box. Come to find out it was a "Black Friday" deal, and the one I got hadn't sold yet. See my post here...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1984103#post1984103
I'm happy with it so far.

 

[binkcat16]

i would go with the hf box compare the wight diff and you will see i have seen the hf box and it is nice way better than the new cf.

 

[outcast99]

I had a Cman box and recently sold it to purchase my HF bottom box. Will never look back. This box is the best for the price, bar none. The ball bearing slides are worth their weight in gold, the drawer material is thicker, the powder coating is nice, it comes with the mats in every drawer and on top, and the casters are 5" and roll perfect. I would not go any other way and will soon be buying at least one more.

 

[JMorrison4371]

dont get the craftsman quiet glide, thats the flimsy-iest thing ive ever seen, if your going with craftsman, get ball bearing griplatch, it's a little more expensive, but its much better quality stuff. as far as the HF box, I have no experience w it whatsoever. I have read some good reviews though.

 

[bobbar]

mini update. (some people asked in pm) havent pulled the trigger on either yet
i currently have the quietglide sittin in my "cart" i guess its down to 283. went to my local hf and sears to check the boxes out.
my hf didnt have any in stock, so i might head over to a different one tomorrow, they have 3 in stock.
my sears again, dissappoints. they didnt have the cabinet in stock. I had printed bout the internet listing and showed them what box i was wanted. i pressed the saleman on what the 3 year warranty would cover if i needed to use it. they told me it would cost $120 for the warranty. I told them i was not interested in the sears discount but the craftsman warranty, they said it doesnt come with a warranty.... anyone else ever encounter this???

 

[jdv]

$120 for a 3 year warranty or a replacement program? It comes with a 3 year warranty so the salesman was probably mistaken. It even advertises the warranty under the product listing on the website.

- Tool Storage, Heavy Duty Level FOR THREE YEARS from the date of purchase, this product is warranted against any defects in material or workmanship. With proof of purchase, a defective part will be replaced free of charge. If a replacement part is unavailable, the product will be replaced with one of equal value. This warranty does not apply to a product that is damaged or altered through misuse, abuse, accident, neglect, modification or mishandling.

 

[BajaBound]

HF 56" is an awesome box!!!

 

[monster1]

I have cmans top and bottom with quiet glides. The top is smooth as its only filled with light stufflike wrenches, screwdrivers,piers, etc. The bottom box is filled with sockets, impact tools, 3/4" drive tools etc. None of the drawers are overloaded but they don't slide freely and I have to lift the heavier drawers while sliding them in. I'm buying a new HF when I get my tax refund.

 

[bobcatdan]

If I was look for a box in that price range, the only new box I would buy is a 36" Masterforce from menards. I like the drawer layout and feel a guy could get more tools in it then a 40". I had a SO 40" at home for a while and the drawers where too small for how I wanted to arrange stuff. I got rid of it and have a SO classic 60 now and it is much nicer. Watch craiglist, there can be steals on there if you watch long enough.