HF tool cabinets question

[gtixpress]

I was originally looking at purchasing the HF 11 drawer tool cabinet (here) but the general opinion is that it isn't worth the money (although it is cheap). How does the 26" rolling cabinet (here) hold up? I haven't seen too many reviews of this particular combo.

I'm just a normal home/weekend mechanic and would like to actually be able to put all of my tools in one place rather than being spread across multiple small toolboxes or bins.

Thanks!

 

[porcupine73]

That 11 drawer one (your first link) is actually pretty small. It's hard to tell that from the picture but if you look at it in person you'll notice the drawers, especially at the top, are quite small and not very tall, so only the smallest of items would fit in there. The mid chest is narrower and shallower than the bottom, then the top box is narrower and shallower yet. Plus that huge opening at the bottom really detracts from the usefulness instead of having drawers there.

The second one looks very similar to the their popular larger carts, which seem to hold up OK. They are actually a reasonably heavy gauge for the price.

 

[fatboyf150]

Do not buy the black unit. IT'S ****!!!!!!! You will be much happier with the red unit.

 

[The Lazy Destroyer]

I saw the smaller 11-drawer unit (your first link) at the local HF this past Friday. Definitely check it out in person before you buy it if you decide on that one. It was smaller than I thought it was going to be, and the drawers are definitely cheaper feeling. I agree that the top drawers in the top box won't fit much in them. If you can find it for $150 it would be a decent deal but for $200 I would pass and save up for the red 16 drawer cabinet you mentioned.

I did see two cabinets that actually impressed me. The 16-drawer red unit you linked and the popular 13-drawer cabinet that people always talk about on here. Both looked really solid and the drawers felt pretty strong. I thought seeing those two in person might make me reconsider... but it did the opposite, I was on the fence but now I think I'll get them when I can afford it. Really nice tool boxes and I thought they compared to some of the $600-800 toolboxes I saw at Sears that same morning.

 

[Zeke]

The black one does not have ball bearing drawers and is light weight. No much of a cabinet, but OK for hobby stuff like art supplies.

 

[Bill Anderson]

In the November edition of The Family Handyman, there is a coupon for the 26 inch red tool box. $289 for top and bottom box. That is a great deal on that box. I have looked at both boxes at the store, and I would definitely get the red 26", I would not get the black one that you listed. The difference is night and day. Also, Menards has their 56" bottom box (tool cabinet) on Cyber Monday sale for $499 with free shipping to the store. The dimensions wasn't listed so I called the store, and the dim. are 56"w X 20"d X 41"h. Which is a great deal on this one as well. Only on sale today though. Go to Menards website and click on their Cyber Monday sale. Hope this helps. Good Luck, Bill

 

[dumper]

I saw the black 11-drawer unit on craigslist for $40, as in forty dollars for the whole thing ( he was moving) and I passed on it- like everyone else says, its not worth it. Save your money for something better.

 

[NUTTSGT]

As a home mechanic, do you have any workbench space or just a place to work at ?

The HF 13 drawer bottom roller has good report around here for what it is. You could get it for about the same money, use the top as a work area and room to grow in the future.

http://www.harborfreight.com/13-drawer-red-industrial-quality-roller-cabinet-90320.html

 

[gtixpress]

Thanks for the input everyone! I think I will pass on the black cabinet then and check out the 26 inch model. I've seen the ads for the 13-drawer model as well and it's very tempting. I already have a pretty sturdy wood workbench to work on. Would the 13-drawer model have enough space on the top to hold comfortably hold a desktop PC? I have a PC in my garage that I use for my diagnostic software and it's just stuck on some metal shelves that I have. I would be nice if I could move it out and return the shelves to storage space. I don't plan on rolling the cabinet around at any time unless something rolls under it. lol.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I can't really answer your question about the PC usage. I don not have one but I have looked at them a few times and they seem like a decent box, great for a beginner or home use. Maybe try checking out this thread

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68183&highlight=drawer+harbor+frieght

I know some guys have posted pics and their experiences in there.