HF Tool chests

[tcianci]

Hey all,

I just got the most recent HF flyer and was pleasantly surprised! The 44" roller cabinet is 30 bucks off. I have been looking at that cabinet and the top chest for a couple seasons now. I'm going to finally pull the trigger on it. And the 26"
stack is something like $289. That's a great price too. Just thought I'd throw it out there. I'm in NH a lot so I'll probably grab it up there with no sales tax too.

I have a SO box now but it's crowded and the HF stuff looks plenty good for a home garage.

I know there have been threads about these boxes before. I'll post my impression once I have it set up.

 

[kctyphoon]

They have a great reputation on here.. Definately the most for the money...

 

[firworks]

They're nice boxes but be aware that they are not deep. Front to back is 18" on the box. I have some trouble fitting everything in mine because there's just not a lot of room in the drawers. As long as you're OK with that it's a good buy.

 

[jdlong]

You'll be happy. I've had the 44" top and bottom for close to 10 years and they have held up incredibly well. I agree the drawers could be deeper but then isle space is a limited in my garage and it's a good fit. Otherwise they are a big bang for the buck.

 

[jd_1138]

And the rolling tool cart is on sale for $99 with coupon. A good supplement.

 

[tcianci]

I hear you about the depth of the drawers and the front to back dimension of the box but considering the top chest ion a normal 26" stack is about 12" deep and the crappy top chest I have now is about 11" front to back, I'm looking at much more space.

The shallow drawers don't bother me in the least, they're not any shallower than what I'm working with now and I rather like the fact that for certain tools like screwdrivers and pliers, I'd rather have them spread out one "layer" thick in the drawer.

I need to correct here: My bottom roller and side cabinet are SO, the intermediate box is a C'man or a Husky (can't remember right now) and the top chest is a little crappy thing That I took from a stack I bought at a K Mart almost 40 years ago.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

You're better off with a used Snap On box in good shape if you can find one for a good price.

 

[Waylander]

Anything on the hf 56? Can I put the side lockers on it ? Anyone have pics of any modifications

 

[wvrailroader]

You're better off with a used Snap On box in good shape if you can find one for a good price.

I haven't seen a used Snap On box around here for less than $1500 and it was beat to hell and was rusty. They usually run at least $2500-3000 for anything in decent shape. I can't justify spending that for a tool box. The HF fit my budget and works great me.

 

[jdlong]

I haven't seen a used Snap On box around here for less than $1500 and it was beat to hell and was rusty. They usually run at least $2500-3000 for anything in decent shape. I can't justify spending that for a tool box. The HF fit my budget and works great me.

The Harbor Freight box leaves you enough change for a Snap On torque wrench, ratchet and sockets.

 

[lightning02]

And the rolling tool cart is on sale for $99 with coupon. A good supplement.

red or black one?

 

[jdlong]

red or black one?

I'll chime in and say wait for a cupon sale for the red one. I got the black one and regret it.

 

[DFB]

red or black one?

Black one

http://www.harborfreight.com/580-lb...zIjoiOTkuOTkiLCJwcm9kdWN0X2lk IjoiMzI1OSJ9

 

[gungatim]

I just bought the side box a couple weeks ago. I absolutely love the setup now. added the side locking prybar deal which was originally on my black cart. too bad they don't have a red one.

you will enjoy it. some things to note: not all drawers have the end caps (look close where the strips on the handle are), keys switched styles (note top vs. bottom and sides).

so get everything at once if you can afford it if 100% matching matters, I bought three pieces over the course of 3 years and there are slight differences (ignore the snap-on badge on the bottom cabinet, I had it and stuck it on for kicks).

 

[DFB]

I'll chime in and say wait for a cupon sale for the red one. I got the black one and regret it.

What are the issues with the black one. They have stacks of them in my HF store

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Black one is the lesser of the two. It has 4 drawers and not quite as heavy duty as the red one that is 5 drawer. Red tool cart with 5 drawers is great buy at $169 or so.

See the HF coupon thread as GJ member LeftyZ has done great job to post coupons in the database he created . . . . . see www.hfqpdb.com

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85668

Back to the 44" roller toolbox . . . . $349 for the bottom and $289 for the top.

 

[LB-1911]

Anything on the hf 56? Can I put the side lockers on it ? Anyone have pics of any modifications

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=340939

 

[kctyphoon]

What are the issues with the black one. They have stacks of them in my HF store

It's just smaller and a little more cheaply made.. I bought one of the husky carts when they went on clearance for $49. It's the same as the black hf but with 2 less drawers. For what I use it for its fine, I just added a shelf for storage, but I'll agree that those red carts are much better...

 

[DFB]

It's just smaller and a little more cheaply made.. I bought one of the husky carts when they went on clearance for $49. It's the same as the black hf but with 2 less drawers. For what I use it for its fine, I just added a shelf for storage, but I'll agree that those red carts are much better...

Yea the red one seems like a better bang for the buck, I guess its all in what you need. And I do see that the red one is overall larger with a deep small drawer. and screwdriver/nutdriver organization along the sides too. Looks like a decent box

I've been looking around and decided I need something more for my garage. without breaking the bank. I'm looking to lock up the majority of my Milwaukee 12v cordless equipment and generally keep them out sight. I notice in the video for the black box they store a large cordless in the bottom drawer and looks like flashlight was in the top box.

I always read all the reviews starting the lowest rating first.

 

[jdlong]

What are the issues with the black one. They have stacks of them in my HF store

Black one is not as robust as the red one. The drawers are so small and shallow I can barely fit anything in them except for screwdrivers, pliers and combo wrenches maybe and there is less of them (drawers). Red one is not much more money and worth twice the black one....at least that.

 

[DFB]

Black one is not as robust as the red one. The drawers are so small and shallow I can barely fit anything in them except for screwdrivers, pliers and combo wrenches maybe and there is less of them (drawers). Red one is not much more money and worth twice the black one....at least that.

Tks for that feedback. Many years back I bought a Craftsman top chest one with multiple small drawers learned quick I needed bigger and deeper for most tool storage!

 

[bigjeff94]

I bought a 44 bottom this summer when I was home from school, I love it. Was planning on getting the top box this winter. However I'm starting to think I might be better served by the 26, to keep the top open and have a lot of smaller drawers for small handtools. Haven't decided yet but I think I would like that route.

 

[nes999]

I regret buying my HF 44inch box, yes it's 18 inches front to back but the drawers are only 16 inches deep. It holds a lot less than I expected. If I was to do it all over again I would buy a different box,

 

[KMdef9]

I bought a 44 bottom this summer when I was home from school, I love it. Was planning on getting the top box this winter. However I'm starting to think I might be better served by the 26, to keep the top open and have a lot of smaller drawers for small handtools. Haven't decided yet but I think I would like that route.

Just buy more tools to fill it

I regret buying my HF 44inch box, yes it's 18 inches front to back but the drawers are only 16 inches deep. It holds a lot less than I expected. If I was to do it all over again I would buy a different box,

This was knowledge you could have known before purchasing.



I did a bunch research, and inspecting of boxes, before I made my purchase. Only problem I have is I've bought more tools recently than I planned on and the need to the top half sooner.

 

[sberry]

I wouldn't mind looking at one. I would like to retire an old girl to puller and bracket duty. I would like more drawers and a bit wider than the one I have but don't want the top. Like this but a bit wider and could hang the wrenches on the end.
This is a prototype and was planning on doing a template for a more common HF.

 

[sberry]

Tks for that feedback. Many years back I bought a Craftsman top chest one with multiple small drawers learned quick I needed bigger and deeper for most tool storage!

I bought a big Sears set in 81 or so and didn't get the boxes were offered up with the set. Seems it cost an extra 100 or so a piece at the time to get the deeper boxes. Got it loaded and even took the wheels off. They are fine for what it is, we really work from 2 other carts. Those are really too tall and in uncomfortable to work from.

 

[Richard Cranium]

You get a lot of box for your money. I have two equipto, two snap on and two harbor freight boxes, The only comment I get is wow. I have never had any one look down their nose at my harbor freight boxes. Rich

 

[tcianci]

You're better off with a used Snap On box in good shape if you can find one for a good price.

I have 2 used SO boxes so, no I'm not better off with them or I wouldn't be replacing them.

BTW both Snap On boxes I have were really tired looking when I got them, so I disassembled, sand blasted, cleaned and repainted them before I put them into service. I also had to add reinforcement plates where the casters mounted on the roller cabinet because the bottom of the box was flimsy as all get out.

My takeaway from that project is that Snap On tool boxes are very much like their tools...their legendary quality is mostly legend. it's a tool chest, nothing more, nothing less. If I took the badges off them, they would be just like any other tool chest in the world, red, full of drawers full of tools.

I've looked around and determined that the HF boxes I'm buying fit the bill nicely for the amount of tools I need to store, and they're at a great price point. Hopefully I can find someone who thinks the Snap On boxes are all that and they will pay me to take them away.

According to the ad, the boxes come with drawer liners too. I'm down in Hershey PA right now for the fall AACA show and I have hit the tool vendors for some socket strips and wrench organizers. I currently have the chrome metal socket strips with the 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive clips on them for holding sockets. They're zip screwed into the top of my current box and have been great for organizing all my sockets. I picked up a few more of them today because some of them I'm using now are short to fit into spaces I have in the top of the box.
My wrench organizers are C'man and they're held into the drawers with double faced tape. I just figured I'd grab some new stuff incase the old ones don't take kindly to being removed.

My garage was finished and decorated many years ago and I'm looking forward to this new addition as the launch point of a general "refurb" of the space. I use the garage somewhat differently now than I did years ago so some things will be changed. I'm thinking about axing my antique coke machine, the arc welder, an antique commercial sewing machine, and possibly the powder coating oven. I Love all this junk but sometimes you gotta hit the reset button on things.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I have 2 used SO boxes so, no I'm not better off with them or I wouldn't be replacing them.

BTW both Snap On boxes I have were really tired looking when I got them, so I disassembled, sand blasted, cleaned and repainted them before I put them into service. I also had to add reinforcement plates where the casters mounted on the roller cabinet because the bottom of the box was flimsy as all get out.

My takeaway from that project is that Snap On tool boxes are very much like their tools...their legendary quality is mostly legend. it's a tool chest, nothing more, nothing less. If I took the badges off them, they would be just like any other tool chest in the world, red, full of drawers full of tools.

So you bought some old, well used Snap On boxes, and because they were beat up, you conclude all Snap On boxes are similar to Stack On, Craftsman, etc?!

That's laughable, but whatever. I'm more than happy with my '80s Snap On boxes that are much better quality than any HF box I've ever seen. And before you go talking about how a Snap On box costs as much as a new small car, I got them used for very favorable prices compared to new HF boxes. Did it take patience and effort to find them? Yes it did, but well worth it.

That 26" HF combo for $300 is cheap and flimsy. But if buying Chicom **** does it for you, have at it!

 

[tcianci]

So you bought some old, well used Snap On boxes, and because they were beat up, you conclude all Snap On boxes are similar to Stack On, Craftsman, etc?!

That's laughable, but whatever. I'm more than happy with my '80s Snap On boxes that are much better quality than any HF box I've ever seen. And before you go talking about how a Snap On box costs as much as a new small car, I got them used for very favorable prices compared to new HF boxes. Did it take patience and effort to find them? Yes it did, but well worth it.

That 26" HF combo for $300 is cheap and flimsy. But if buying Chicom **** does it for you, have at it!

I'll keep my comment short since you're doing just fine at putting words into my mouth you could probably do a great job of finishing the whole thread without any more input from me.

I never said I bought 2 old snap on boxes, I actually got them for free. And, no I never said they were beat up. I said I cleaned them up and repainted them. And the bottom of the roller needed to be reinforced to handle it being loaded with tools again.

Remember, I didn't call you out and trash you for owning Snap on boxes. I didn't even know you existed until you posted, they're just fine for you and thousands of other guys and they were just fine me as well until my needs changed. You need to chill a bit. Just because someone is not a lifetime convert to tool boxes you prefer, don't get your ******* in a knot over it. I only made my comments to convey that my impression is that they're overrated. I have Snap On, Husky, Craftsman, Kennedy and a little piece of nothing top chest from K Mart of all places, and when you take them apart and look at them, the biggest difference is the chrome thing that says "Snap On"
Every morning I go out to the garage and all the tools are safe inside the SO box, just like they're safe inside all the other boxes. To me, it really doesn't matter who made the tool box, right now, there's a good deal available on tool boxes that will work just fine for what I need. It really not such a difficult concept to grasp if you give your mind a little wandering space.

 

[Rodbuster56]

I looked at used Snap on boxes in my area, and for my usage, I just couldn't see the value for the money. I bought a 56" harbor freight box, and it has proven quite useful for me. A little while later, I finally decided to replace my 35 - 40 year old Craftsman boxes, and bought a Harbor freight 44" bottom unit. It has worked out well, and now I am waiting to see what kind of deals they will have for black friday, as I am interested in the 44" top unit.

I think that if the Harbor Freight boxes are taken care of, they will last for many years.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I'll keep my comment short since you're doing just fine at putting words into my mouth you could probably do a great job of finishing the whole thread without any more input from me.

I never said I bought 2 old snap on boxes, I actually got them for free. And, no I never said they were beat up. I said I cleaned them up and repainted them. And the bottom of the roller needed to be reinforced to handle it being loaded with tools again.

Remember, I didn't call you out and trash you for owning Snap on boxes. I didn't even know you existed until you posted, they're just fine for you and thousands of other guys and they were just fine me as well until my needs changed. You need to chill a bit. Just because someone is not a lifetime convert to tool boxes you prefer, don't get your ******* in a knot over it. I only made my comments to convey that my impression is that they're overrated. I have Snap On, Husky, Craftsman, Kennedy and a little piece of nothing top chest from K Mart of all places, and when you take them apart and look at them, the biggest difference is the chrome thing that says "Snap On"
Every morning I go out to the garage and all the tools are safe inside the SO box, just like they're safe inside all the other boxes. To me, it really doesn't matter who made the tool box, right now, there's a good deal available on tool boxes that will work just fine for what I need. It really not such a difficult concept to grasp if you give your mind a little wandering space.

i called you out on a couple of comments you indeed made. As to whether the boxes were beat up, that's your opinion. I've never seen a Snap On box that wasn't abused that needed reinforcing. And I've owned a lot of them. It's because of their quality that I have. So I know b/s when I read it.

You posted a snarky response to my post and I responded with the facts as I see them, that's how this works. The fact you got the snap on boxes for free is beside the point. Yes, I do exist but that was rather self evident. As for keeping your comments short, you should work on that.

I could care less what you buy, but you shouldn't expect to make silly comments and not have them challenged. Perhaps it's time you check your *******, might be time for a change.

 

[tcianci]

i called you out on a couple of comments you indeed made. As to whether the boxes were beat up, that's your opinion. I've never seen a Snap On box that wasn't abused that needed reinforcing. And I've owned a lot of them. It's because of their quality that I have. So I know b/s when I read it.

You posted a snarky response to my post and I responded with the facts as I see them, that's how this works. The fact you got the snap on boxes for free is beside the point. Yes, I do exist but that was rather self evident. As for keeping your comments short, you should work on that.

I could care less what you buy, but you shouldn't expect to make silly comments and not have them challenged. Perhaps it's time you check your *******, might be time for a change.

Man I have I got you jacked up. But then it's doesn't seem that hard to do. Now, smarten up, move on and go whine to someone who gives a ****.

Believe it or not, I started this thread to let guys know that a particular tool box that many find to be perfectly suited for their needs was on sale and that I planned to buy one. Then you come in here and hijack the thread and act like a total ******. If you want to start trouble, go start your own thread.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Man I have I got you jacked up. But then it's doesn't seem that hard to do. Now, smarten up, move on and go whine to someone who gives a ****.

Believe it or not, I started this thread to let guys know that a particular tool box that many find to be perfectly suited for their needs was on sale and that I planned to buy one. Then you come in here and hijack the thread and act like a total ******. If you want to start trouble, go start your own thread.

Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't aware it's frowned upon here to actually disagree with someone else's comments. Very well, HF rules, Snap On *****.

 

[ssdave]

The comments that you'll wait a long time before you find a used snap-on at decent price to compete with the HF are spot on. I looked for years, and decided to buy new instead when I couldn't find a good SO or Proto or similar at a reasonable price. The HF is a very decent buy for what it is. It's not professional level, but it's definitely good enough, and it's priced to compete with the bottom feeding Craftsman and Husky, which it is much better than.

I looked at HF and was hot to buy one after reading up on them here, but ultimately bought a 26" Performax and a 41" Masterforce at Menards instead. The Masterforce 41" set directly compares to the HF, costs maybe $100 more (selling for $435 right now), and is a lot better box for the money. It all depends on whether you like the drawer configuration. It's different than the HF, and a lot of guys don't like the bigger drawers.

The MF has better slides, better latches, and overall just has a higher quality of construction. The HF has slightly heavier drawer materials as I recall. The storage is similar in volume, and the weight capacity is similar. The MF has better paint. When you try out the drawers, the MF works a huge amount better. Subjective, but it's real. The best comparison I can give is that the HF uses brute force (weight and thickness of metal) and the MF uses better design to arrive at about the same place.

So, if you live near a Menards, you might want to check them out. If HF is your only option, you won't go wrong with their box.

I like the Performax 26" also, but it's not nearly as good a box as the Masterforce, and although it works better than the HF, it's not as robust as the HF44. Like Craftsman and HF, it has it's place, competing for the less rigorous users share of the market.

Oh, just for comparison, let me throw this out for the fanboys. I have a SO master series, a Williams, a SO KRA, and a set of Kennedy's. They are all undoubtedly better than the HF, but they cost from 3 to 20 times as much also.

Oh, one more thing: I'm building a new garage. The HF44 are a good enough buy that I'm going to wait till they're on sale, and buy maybe 4 of them to use as garage cabinets. They'll work great for that.

 

[jdlong]

As much as I love my 44" HF combo, I doubt it would survive daily wrench turning like a Snap On or Waterloo or whatever. But for the weekend warrior, it has served me well. One must ask himself how he will use his box and what he will stuff in it. Secondly, a cheap box isn't going to effect the quality of your work. It's the quality of the tools you stuff in it that effects the quality of your work. I'll take the Snap On name on a torque wrench over a box any day.

 

[sk farmer]

just my .02 worth. i won't tell anyone that the hf is better than any other or worse than any other. i don't care what people buy or use. but i will say this.

in some parts of the world, telling people to wait for a deal on a used snap-on box for cheap is ********. if lookin4 can find cheap boxes, good for him. without looking it up i can't tell how many people live within 50 miles of him in atlanta. a million? 2 million? maybe more? now factor in how much light industrial, mfg, aviation, mechanics and military there is. there is not 10,000 people within 20 miles of me or 100,000 within 50. there is not a million people in my whole state. factor in that most of it is agriculture and that a lot of people hold onto things for a very long time and don't ever sell them.

cheap boxes do not exist here and waiting for years and years for the chance to "maybe" buy one when the need is "right now" makes absolutely no sense. for those that can find them, more power to them and i envy their finds. i would love a taco cart someday but the reality is that i will more than likely never find one cheap. the last thing i saw similar was a proto made taco wagon type that i ran up to 800 at an auction at a former 3m facility. the lista cabinets were going for a 1000 a pop. hardly dirt cheap.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

SK, I never said cheap, I said at a good price. I take your point and you're entirely correct, for some, based on where they live it's not an option. I stand by my original post, however.

My disagreement with tcianci is the third paragraph of his post, #28. However, as he pointed out, it's not allowed to disagree with someone who starts a thread. So I'll worship at the altar of Mao: HF is great, HF is great, HF is great... you're getting sleepy...

 

[wvrailroader]

SK, I never said cheap, I said at a good price. I take your point and you're entirely correct, for some, based on where they live it's not an option. I stand by my original post, however.

My disagreement with tcianci is the third paragraph of his post, #28. However, as he pointed out, it's not allowed to disagree with someone who starts a thread. So I'll worship at the altar of Mao: HF is great, HF is great, HF is great... you're getting sleepy...

What do you consider to be a "good" price? I am on a limited tool budget and cannot afford to spend thousands of dollars on tool storage. I am a home hobbyist and cannot justify a $2000 tool box. I am also not going to store my tools in cardboard boxes while I wait for that Holy Grail low priced Snap On box to come along, that in my area will never happen.

The whole "look for a used Snap On box" comes up every time there is a HF (or Craftsman, etc.) box thread. For most people, the "good priced" used Snap On box is a pie in the sky dream.

 

[KMdef9]

The comments that you'll wait a long time before you find a used snap-on at decent price to compete with the HF are spot on. I looked for years, and decided to buy new instead when I couldn't find a good SO or Proto or similar at a reasonable price. The HF is a very decent buy for what it is. It's not professional level, but it's definitely good enough, and it's priced to compete with the bottom feeding Craftsman and Husky, which it is much better than.

I looked at HF and was hot to buy one after reading up on them here, but ultimately bought a 26" Performax and a 41" Masterforce at Menards instead. The Masterforce 41" set directly compares to the HF, costs maybe $100 more (selling for $435 right now), and is a lot better box for the money. It all depends on whether you like the drawer configuration. It's different than the HF, and a lot of guys don't like the bigger drawers.

The MF has better slides, better latches, and overall just has a higher quality of construction. The HF has slightly heavier drawer materials as I recall. The storage is similar in volume, and the weight capacity is similar. The MF has better paint. When you try out the drawers, the MF works a huge amount better. Subjective, but it's real. The best comparison I can give is that the HF uses brute force (weight and thickness of metal) and the MF uses better design to arrive at about the same place.

So, if you live near a Menards, you might want to check them out. If HF is your only option, you won't go wrong with their box.

I like the Performax 26" also, but it's not nearly as good a box as the Masterforce, and although it works better than the HF, it's not as robust as the HF44. Like Craftsman and HF, it has it's place, competing for the less rigorous users share of the market.

Oh, just for comparison, let me throw this out for the fanboys. I have a SO master series, a Williams, a SO KRA, and a set of Kennedy's. They are all undoubtedly better than the HF, but they cost from 3 to 20 times as much also.

Oh, one more thing: I'm building a new garage. The HF44 are a good enough buy that I'm going to wait till they're on sale, and buy maybe 4 of them to use as garage cabinets. They'll work great for that.

I have the MF at work and the HF at home and out of the box my experiences are opposite of yours. The MF is much flimsier than the HF. The drawers open much smoother on the MF, but that could change with time as the HF breaks in. The handles are thinner and there's a lot more slop to them when locked on the MF. And I like the drawer layout better on the HF, it has more of them too, but that's personal preference. So if it's 100 more than the HF, I'd pass.

I got the MF 5 years ago, so it's possible they've redesigned them.

Everyone's needs, preferences and judgement are all different. There isn't one box that's the best for everyone.