HF US General Boxes, Are They Worth It?

[jpaw]

I have also seen plywood covered with bedliner as a low cost option.

 

[Raineman]

I have also seen plywood covered with bedliner as a low cost option.

Thats an idea. Didn't think of that. Probably be the economical route to go. Thanks.

 

[jpaw]

Thats an idea. Didn't think of that. Probably be the economical route to go. Thanks.

No problem.
Don't discount the HDPE as it makes a very nice top and can be had at Menards if it meets your needs.

 

[toyotadriver]

i have that cart, it's pretty nice. i did change the castors on the front, the ones it came with ****.

and i ordered one of these today, 20% off

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www.harborfreight.com

I don't mean to drift the thread but how do you like that welder? I have a 120v welder but am thinking of getting one of those. I don't do a lot of welding. Most of my welding can be handled by my 120v welder but every so often, I'd like to have a 240v for more capacity.

 

[toyotadriver]

I'm considering one of these boxes for welders.

https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...y-heavy-duty-large-welding-cabinet-63179.html




These boxes seem to be pretty nice too.

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...ge-cabinet-with-solid-wood-top-red-57805.html

 

[Bbknucks]

The icon boxes seem pretty legit. I have a general tool cart the one with a single drawer amd it does what it's suppose to. I've had snap on carts and while they are more durable with thicker steel and better wheels I didn't want to buy another one because I beat the sh@t out of them...hammering things and what not on the edges...so when they get too ragged I just get a new one

 

[Paco Pena]

HDPE makes for a nice smooth durable top. Not really sure how it would hold up to the solvents that you are using though.

I use a marine grade plastic that is used for boat dashboards etc. Half inch thick and cleans up great. Solvents I use have had no effect.

Paco

 

[gmcgeo]

I'm considering one of these boxes for welders.

https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...y-heavy-duty-large-welding-cabinet-63179.html




These boxes seem to be pretty nice too.

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...ge-cabinet-with-solid-wood-top-red-57805.html

I have a couple of these, love them

 

[emeraldcoupe]

I don't mean to drift the thread but how do you like that welder? I have a 120v welder but am thinking of getting one of those. I don't do a lot of welding. Most of my welding can be handled by my 120v welder but every so often, I'd like to have a 240v for more capacity.

i like it. i replaced a lincoln weld pak 100 (converted to gas) with the vulcan. i've had it since 2018, hasn't missed a beat. i don't use it every day, but i've run quite a bit of wire through it and haven't had any issues.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Wether you use ss or steel i would laminate to some plywood to give it some density. Don’t have to use 10ga but it would make one nice top. A couple of my guys made a temp work table out of some leftover 1/4” ss, it takes a beating and still looks good. I have a 26” usg I’m going to make a 12 ga to fit and just picked up a youkon 46” that I’ll make a top for as well.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I'm considering one of these boxes for welders.

https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...y-heavy-duty-large-welding-cabinet-63179.html




These boxes seem to be pretty nice too.

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...ge-cabinet-with-solid-wood-top-red-57805.html

I just picked up that box for our house upstate, we’re doing a lot of work and it made for a great mobile tool box to roll around the house. Basically all the tools i need fit in it and the chop saw and vise on top.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i finally moved my 72" into place. even completely loaded it rolls easy.

 

[javyLSU]

i finally moved my 72" into place. even completely loaded it rolls easy.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Here's a couple from when I got it and started filling it up

edit- man i take some ****** pictures

 

[javyLSU]

Nice! Congrats and thanks for sharing

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

I'm considering one of these boxes for welders.

https://www.harborfreight.com/weldi...y-heavy-duty-large-welding-cabinet-63179.html




These boxes seem to be pretty nice too.

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...ge-cabinet-with-solid-wood-top-red-57805.html

You should be able to use the coupon for the Vulcan welder cart/box/cabinet thing. Search for Vulcan coupon. It is 20% off and never expires. I haven't used it in a while but it has always worked for me.

 

[Mr_B]

Wether you use ss or steel i would laminate to some plywood to give it some density. Don’t have to use 10ga but it would make one nice top. A couple of my guys made a temp work table out of some leftover 1/4” ss, it takes a beating and still looks good. I have a 26” usg I’m going to make a 12 ga to fit and just picked up a youkon 46” that I’ll make a top for as well.

+1
I used ply underlay on all my old matco box worktops, one steel and 3 in thick rubber.
Wood helps absorb impacts, can strengthen box top and allow some level of final height adjustment and can allow for some over hang if wanted .
the steel was bonded to the ply with tube of windscreen pu adhesive, had front edge and rear raiser folded when shop cut the steel, was a pretty cheap but really nice long term top solution .
I do 1" overhang on front as protects box and creates bit of a dirt fluid drip lip to drawers/front of boxes.

 

[toyotadriver]

You should be able to use the coupon for the Vulcan welder cart/box/cabinet thing. Search for Vulcan coupon. It is 20% off and never expires. I haven't used it in a while but it has always worked for me.

Best I could find is $359...normally $399.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

Best I could find is $359...normally $399.

Bummer.

 

[toyotadriver]

Bummer.

Thanks!!

 

[Aileron]

I bought two 44" and took of casters, installed adjustable feet and put them under a 8' bench. For what ever reason I just cant put everything in the 44's that i had stuffed in one upright Craftsman 26. In fairness i had a center box on the Craftsman. I think the issue i have is they need a couple deeper, maybe by a inch or two, drawers. One other issue i have since doing this is age. I have to bend down to get at most tools but to read a wrench i sometimes have to get on my knees to get up close. I have too many and actually takes up one of the smaller drawers and two of the upper wide drawers. Not enough room to lay them out by sizes so they get thrown in a rats nest.

 

[Odd-job]

While definitely worth it, have a 44 and am wishing it had one or two full length shallow drawers in terms of layout. Putting anything over 20 inches or so in the top deep drawer like a pipe wrench/pry bar/breaker bar just isn't all that efficient use of space. Heck if they had a version with all full length drawers I would buy it in a heart beat just to hold my longer low profile stuff.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Was in another HF & asked again about the side locker, this time manager said they only have red & no date for any other colors, he doesn't know why either. Asked if he would let me know when he had a couple blue ones coming in he took my # but tried to sell me 2 red ones instead, even offering 20% off. I just couldn't do it, have too much blue, but I asked a few friends to see if they were interested. The new lockers seem to be a little sturdier built than the last ones, not sure but they felt pretty good, now just have to be patient.

 

[Renegade1LI]

After about 18 months of usage, not as a mechanic but I am in the box every day I have to say I am very happy with them. Being a casual user I can say at 60 yrs old these boxes will last me till the end, same with the carts, I bought a 6 dr, 5dr & a few 1 dr & happy with all of them. The only thing I'm still waiting on is the side locker in blue, the manager laughs when I walk in & I get the same answer, no blue lockers yet. They do have yellow in stock plus I see the price went from 279 to 349, wtf, does anyone have yellow boxes?

 

[Renegade1LI]

I see HF has 15% off US General not great but better than what they have been offering, hoping they have a blue side locker.

 

[Mr_B]

15% helps fair bit, only 10% if not ITC


coupon for sockets/ratchets air tools welders work lights that might be useful to some and 20% ITC and 15% if not .

Promotions – Harbor Freight Tools

Stretch your dollar even further at Harbor Freight with our latest promotions.

www.harborfreight.com

Can't see getting much better than 15-20% these days and the basic price and availability not likely be altering in consumers favour .

 

[Renegade1LI]

Figured it was time for an update, coming up on 2 years and I really have no complaints or issues. I use them in my home shop, but I'm in them almost everyday and I can see them outlasting me, and I just looked at what I paid, made me feel even better. But even at today's price I think they're still a good value, I've added a side locker, 5 and 7 drawer carts and a couple of one drawer carts, all good. I will say for the home shop it's a good bang for the buck.

 

[rick carpenter]

I realize this is a HF box thread, but several posters have mentioned their HF service carts, and some in particular their 30" single-drawer carts. I bought a single-drawer cart and have found it to be every bit as good as I expected HF boxes and carts to be from this thread and the HF 4 & 5 drawer cart mods thread.

Here's some older shots of my cart as a work in progress. It's being set up for Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Rogue tools only. I added a metal pegboard to each side with a power strip w/USB ports zip-tied into place. I dremeled off the slider 'ears' that held the drawer shut and put in a series of HF magnets on the back wall so the drawer gently but firmly snaps shut. The side tray is good and I've figured out where to glue magnets in spots that keep it from banging around when undeployed.

So yes, US General for the win!

 

[Renegade1LI]

I realize this is a HF box thread, but several posters have mentioned their HF service carts, and some in particular their 30" single-drawer carts. I bought a single-drawer cart and have found it to be every bit as good as I expected HF boxes and carts to be from this thread and the HF 4 & 5 drawer cart mods thread.

Here's some older shots of my cart as a work in progress. It's being set up for Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Rogue tools only. I added a metal pegboard to each side with a power strip w/USB ports zip-tied into place. I dremeled off the slider 'ears' that held the drawer shut and put in a series of HF magnets on the back wall so the drawer gently but firmly snaps shut. The side tray is good and I've figured out where to glue magnets in spots that keep it from banging around when undeployed.

So yes, US General for the win!

Your cart looks great! This thread is really for all hf boxes, carts or cabinets, nice to see and hear of real experience with them.

 

[GeoBruin]

I realize this is a HF box thread, but several posters have mentioned their HF service carts, and some in particular their 30" single-drawer carts. I bought a single-drawer cart and have found it to be every bit as good as I expected HF boxes and carts to be from this thread and the HF 4 & 5 drawer cart mods thread.

Here's some older shots of my cart as a work in progress. It's being set up for Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Rogue tools only. I added a metal pegboard to each side with a power strip w/USB ports zip-tied into place. I dremeled off the slider 'ears' that held the drawer shut and put in a series of HF magnets on the back wall so the drawer gently but firmly snaps shut. The side tray is good and I've figured out where to glue magnets in spots that keep it from banging around when undeployed.

So yes, US General for the win!

The single drawer service cart is the best bargain going. They're also quite hackable. The drawers on the 4 and 5 drawer carts depend on the rest of the cart to provide structure but the drawer on the 1 drawer cart can be removed and has its own frame so it can be bolted to the underside of a workbench, a welding table, or even under another 1 drawer cart. They can also be stacked. They're super heavy duty as well. And with the cost of the 1 drawer cart, you can realistically buy one just for the drawer box cheaper than many equivalent mountable drawers and still be left with a fully functional cart.

Here's how I used mine.

 

[Renegade1LI]

The single drawer service cart is the best bargain going. They're also quite hackable. The drawers on the 4 and 5 drawer carts depend on the rest of the cart to provide structure but the drawer on the 1 drawer cart can be removed and has its own frame so it can be bolted to the underside of a workbench, a welding table, or even under another 1 drawer cart. They can also be stacked. They're super heavy duty as well. And with the cost of the 1 drawer cart, you can realistically buy one just for the drawer box cheaper than many equivalent mountable drawers and still be left with a fully functional cart.

Very nice! I really like what you did with the cart, i may have to copy that. I agree, the one drawer cart for the money can’t be beat, very hackable.

Here's how I used mine.

 

[rick carpenter]

The single drawer service cart is the best bargain going. They're also quite hackable. The drawers on the 4 and 5 drawer carts depend on the rest of the cart to provide structure but the drawer on the 1 drawer cart can be removed and has its own frame so it can be bolted to the underside of a workbench, a welding table, or even under another 1 drawer cart. They can also be stacked. They're super heavy duty as well. And with the cost of the 1 drawer cart, you can realistically buy one just for the drawer box cheaper than many equivalent mountable drawers and still be left with a fully functional cart.

Here's how I used mine.

They're going for $109 if you're a HF ITC member.

@GeoBruin and I have communicated via the 4 & 5 drawer cart mods thread before and I got some good tips from him and others there that I used on my cart. The carcass is indeed removable and can be mounted elsewhere (see GeoBruin's fourth pic), but I've always kinda wondered why it's only suspended by four bolts. Some angle iron like the "Cross Supports" on page 4 of the four-drawer cart instructions... or even those parts themselves probably... could be added to the single-drawer cart for added support if needed. My cart will never be loaded to its max or more so I don't need them myself, however the four-drawer cross supports have tool holder holes in them. HD has 16" square metal and plastic pegboards that fit perfectly inside the legs. I have two of the metal ones in case I need to hang something magnetic from them.

 

[chtucker]

Wrong thread

 

[NorDel Garage]

I have bought 2 five drawer, one for metric, one for standard. A 44 inch box, and a 4 drawer cart. In addition,
I had two smaller top boxes. I had tools all over the garage! So over 3 years ago I bought the 72 inch box and
got rid of all the excess boxes. I absolutely love the 72. It is strong, the drawer slides great, and the drawer locks and latches work fine. I was lucky when I bought it for $1000 on a sale. The real value of my toolbox is what is inside it. I saved a lot of money, and I could not be happier with my decision. And now my tools are in one place.

When I got the box home, I lubed all the slides, and lightly sanded and primed the inside. HF could do a better job of the interior case paint. Other than that, no complaints.