I find them to be a good value. I bought a 44" series 2 box to sit next to, and catch the overflow from, my Snappy KR761. I've found it to be far better than the Craftsman boxes that I've had experience with. For this former mechanic, now home-gamer, they're a perfect compromise between price and durability.
HF US General Boxes, Are They Worth It?
- Thread starter Renegade1LI
- Start date
I think they're a fine product for the money, I have a 44" OG box and one of those 5 drawer flip top things.
Would I buy them again? Probably not.
It's not so much that they're not the best bang for the buck (they probably are), but that I've rethought my storage needs. My shop is pretty large (1800 sqft? something like that), pallet racking workbench, repurposed phone company cabinets, map cabinet for fasteners, etc. I'd probably be better off with a couple of Hazet Assistents (sae & metric) and lateral file cabinets to stuff power tools into. Bummer that the Hazets are so pricey. I admit that I tend to think of great big tool boxes as storage more than something you work out of, I'd prefer something that's easier to maneuver around a car.
Would I buy them again? Probably not.
It's not so much that they're not the best bang for the buck (they probably are), but that I've rethought my storage needs. My shop is pretty large (1800 sqft? something like that), pallet racking workbench, repurposed phone company cabinets, map cabinet for fasteners, etc. I'd probably be better off with a couple of Hazet Assistents (sae & metric) and lateral file cabinets to stuff power tools into. Bummer that the Hazets are so pricey. I admit that I tend to think of great big tool boxes as storage more than something you work out of, I'd prefer something that's easier to maneuver around a car.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I just wanted to give an update since my last post in this thread. My boxes are holding up very well. I have the 44inch top, bottom and I have the side cabinet not locker. I wanted the locker but they said they don’t make it anymore. And I have the cart the 34 inch one with all drawers it is awesome. They hold up very well professionally. In this shop we have a few US General carts but I’m the only boxes. Money well spent wish I had gotten the 56 inch or bigger though as I’ll probably run out of room in these eventually too haha. Wish blue would of been available when I got mine they had orange or yellow and I needed one for work as my 5 drawer cart that is now at home I had outgrown so I got orange and built it up piece by piece.
XJSuperman
Well-known member
I don't think I've posted here yet, if so, I can't find my post.
I bought a 56" top/bottom set a couple months ago. I'm loving it. I replaced an old 26" Craftsman stack and an old Blackhawk box. The new HF is so much nicer with ball bearing drawers and detents (on the bottom). I really am enjoying the larger drawer layout, but thats apples to oranges...
I spent years looking at boxes in all the box stores, Lowes, HD, HF, Menards, Sears, etc. I found that HF boxes felt the most solid, especially against Craftsman and some Masterforce offerings. I was not impressed by what I consider junk at Lowes and HD. The drawers were the biggest difference for me in how they flex (or don't) and how well they slide. If they feel flimsy at all empty, are they really going to feel better full? No.
I expect, like most HF items, that the paint will be a weak point. I am doing what I can to keep from scratching or brushing things up against it. Im getting used to the latches and quickly adapting to the bottom having detents and the top not. Its a minor complaint, one I can live with for the price difference between my 56" setup and a comparable MAC or Snap-on. Without buying one of those two brands, I believe HF is the only way to go. That's just one man's opinion of course.
I bought a 56" top/bottom set a couple months ago. I'm loving it. I replaced an old 26" Craftsman stack and an old Blackhawk box. The new HF is so much nicer with ball bearing drawers and detents (on the bottom). I really am enjoying the larger drawer layout, but thats apples to oranges...
I spent years looking at boxes in all the box stores, Lowes, HD, HF, Menards, Sears, etc. I found that HF boxes felt the most solid, especially against Craftsman and some Masterforce offerings. I was not impressed by what I consider junk at Lowes and HD. The drawers were the biggest difference for me in how they flex (or don't) and how well they slide. If they feel flimsy at all empty, are they really going to feel better full? No.
I expect, like most HF items, that the paint will be a weak point. I am doing what I can to keep from scratching or brushing things up against it. Im getting used to the latches and quickly adapting to the bottom having detents and the top not. Its a minor complaint, one I can live with for the price difference between my 56" setup and a comparable MAC or Snap-on. Without buying one of those two brands, I believe HF is the only way to go. That's just one man's opinion of course.
fordgasm
Well-known member
I bought a gen 1 56” top and bottom 5 years ago and it’s been great. Bought a 44” top and bottom last week. Bottom was perfect, top has some issues (one drawer slide was installed wrong causing the drawer to slightly touch the one below it on one side, the aluminum trim piece on one drawer was cut 1” too short, another was on very loose and would slide right off). I had had the boxes delivered to my house so I called up HF and they had a truck here a few days later to take it back. Only bad thing is they won’t ship out a new one til they receive the return, so I’m looking at 2 or more weeks til I get a replacement.
Yeah, judging by the frequency of your "new tool arrival" posts, in about a year you'll need a larger box
Which is fine, get something much larger and take your current boxes home and use them there.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
OK, so I am very happy with my US General boxes & carts, really have zero complaints. Does anyone have one of HFs welding carts? I'm thinking of of getting one of the 286lb cart/cabinet was curious if anyone had any complaints with them?
www.harborfreight.com
286 lb. Capacity Welding Cabinet
Amazing deals on this Welding Cabinet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
Harbor Freight has come a long way compared to the junk they use to sell in the past. I’ve said in the past I would never shop there again, and had to eat my words. They’re improved a lot of their tools and the toolboxes look impressive. All they have to do is hold tools. If I was starting over as a young tech, I would have a hard time paying for what Snap on or Matco wants.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Doesn't hurt they are open sat & sun.
Bockscar
Well-known member
I have the cheaper one and it is great....I have looked at the one you are looking in the store and the seem very solid....I don't think I'd hesitate in getting oneOK, so I am very happy with my US General boxes & carts, really have zero complaints. Does anyone have one of HFs welding carts? I'm thinking of of getting one of the 286lb cart/cabinet was curious if anyone had any complaints with them?
286 lb. Capacity Welding Cabinet
Amazing deals on this Welding Cabinet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I agree, it looks pretty solid & I'm sure there are things to upgrade like all HF stuff, I have some HF money I have to use before the end of the month & it's in stock. I was recally hoping the US General side lockers would come back in stock, for some reason they show only a red one on line & it's out of stock, really?
OK, so I am very happy with my US General boxes & carts, really have zero complaints. Does anyone have one of HFs welding carts? I'm thinking of of getting one of the 286lb cart/cabinet was curious if anyone had any complaints with them?
286 lb. Capacity Welding Cabinet
Amazing deals on this Welding Cabinet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
i havent seen that exact cart but some of the other are total ****. the $60 three shelf material cart ,you could bend it in half with your bare hands. some of the similar built welding carts are just as flimsy and junky.
if you dont need the drawers , just make your own cart. will be 10x better in every way
Jeff
Well-known member
I recently upgraded a 26" USG top box on one of my benches. It's a well made cabinet. If I ever need to upgrade my 26" top/bottom stack I will go with USG.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Would be a great project but just don't have time for fun stuff, sometimes the convenience of out of the box stuff just makes life a little easier. For that matter a work cart or 26" cabinet might be a better option with better storage?
I haven't found an exact match as far as steel tops go, though there are some out there that are close. Homak has this one that should fit the "44" box though I would want to confirm the exact depth.
Homak 41 Inch Pro II Stainless Steel Top SS05024412
They also make a 56. Also check out viper tools stainless tops and Husky.
Homak 41 Inch Pro II Stainless Steel Top SS05024412
They also make a 56. Also check out viper tools stainless tops and Husky.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
The tool boxes in the home improvement stores have weird vibes. HF just has more functional looking boxes. Groovy colors, too.
-Ryan
-Ryan
Jayman17
Well-known member
I bought this cabinet for my welder and medium sized bottle of gas. I like it. I am a novice welder and wanted something I could use right away as opposed to building my own cart.OK, so I am very happy with my US General boxes & carts, really have zero complaints. Does anyone have one of HFs welding carts? I'm thinking of of getting one of the 286lb cart/cabinet was curious if anyone had any complaints with them?
286 lb. Capacity Welding Cabinet
Amazing deals on this Welding Cabinet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
It was probably cheaper than buying the materials to make my own too. I don’t do a ton of welding though just an occasional project for now.
Jay
cheap way do similar drawer layout is pick up a used half height under desk style filing cabinet .
I done one with a 20buck cabinet off marketplace, super simple and some of the older filing cabinets are stout and have metal handles much like older mac toolboxes .
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I have to stay with HF I’m all in with blue us general boxes and accessories.
I almost always agree. For me, I could drive 10 minutes to HF and spend $100-200 for something like this and bolt it together in an hour and I'm done. The other option for me is to drive 45 minutes to where I can buy steel, pay 3X what the HF steel costs, have to buy 4X as much as I need, then have no shear to cut plate.... Then have to source casters... at HF. What's the point?
A year ago I needed to do rear wheel bearings on a Tacoma. This requires an adapter. I could certainly build it, I have a welder, drill press, chop saw..... but by the time I went to get the steel, cut, welded, drilled holes.... It'd be almost 8 hours of my time. I bought one from Ebay for $75 and had it in 3 days. Why would I go thru the trouble of building one???
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
If only they made a blue welding cart!My wife thinks it's funny me having matching tool boxes but I will wear 2 different socks.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
FYI, 20% at HF for ITC members this week end, decided on using this one draw cart as a welding cart & it comes in blue! If it doesn't work out it can easily be repurposed.
www.harborfreight.com
30 in. Service Cart with Drawer, Blue
Amazing deals on this Blue 30In Service Cart With Drawer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
We’ll i was able to get one blue one, 20% off and had 45$ in hf money so it’s a 50$ cart. This will work out fine for a welding cart, can customize as needed, thinking of setting up a second one for plasma cutter and a small torch and cutting tools.
Attachments
emeraldcoupe
Well-known member
i have that cart, it's pretty nice. i did change the castors on the front, the ones it came with ****.OK, so I am very happy with my US General boxes & carts, really have zero complaints. Does anyone have one of HFs welding carts? I'm thinking of of getting one of the 286lb cart/cabinet was curious if anyone had any complaints with them?
286 lb. Capacity Welding Cabinet
Amazing deals on this Welding Cabinet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
and i ordered one of these today, 20% off
Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977
Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!
www.harborfreight.com
Terra Nova
Well-known member
I have one with for my mig welder. It’s functional but I would give it a pretty solid ‘meh’. The big door on the bottom is handy to stash a helmet but it’s pretty flimsy and doesn’t open or close well. Rest of the car is serviceable enough for what I do.OK, so I am very happy with my US General boxes & carts, really have zero complaints. Does anyone have one of HFs welding carts? I'm thinking of of getting one of the 286lb cart/cabinet was curious if anyone had any complaints with them?
286 lb. Capacity Welding Cabinet
Amazing deals on this Welding Cabinet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
you could get a blue 26” tool cabinet and the welding cart kit from ZTFab and have your matching blue welding cart. I’m thinking of going this route for the next one. Match my 56” box.
Tool Box Welding Cart Kit
Husky, Kobalt, Craftsman, US General Tool Box Welding Cart conversion kits
www.all-a-cart.com
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Thanks, thats a great set up & I have a 26" base cabinet, I've built a few shop carts from base boxes the drawers work out great.I have one with for my mig welder. It’s functional but I would give it a pretty solid ‘meh’. The big door on the bottom is handy to stash a helmet but it’s pretty flimsy and doesn’t open or close well. Rest of the car is serviceable enough for what I do.
you could get a blue 26” tool cabinet and the welding cart kit from ZTFab and have your matching blue welding cart. I’m thinking of going this route for the next one. Match my 56” box.
Tool Box Welding Cart Kit
Husky, Kobalt, Craftsman, US General Tool Box Welding Cart conversion kits
Attachments
Well I screwed up. I had a 28 year old 26" craftsman roller that I couldn't put anymore into. I got the bright idea to use two 44" bottoms and mount them permanently under a work bench, gave the 26 to my son and put a 30"wide x18"deep upright cabinet in its place. Here the problem now, The two 44" cant hold what i had in the 26". There is no small parts drawers like the top drawers in the 26 and now when i need a tool , i am on my knees looking through the drawers.I really want my 26 back for the height. I did try to put a few things in the 44's that were in other old bench drawers when i redid the bench. but the us general 44's really dont have deep enough drawers. I think other than the kneeling issue that's were the problem lies. I thought i would go buy a new us general 26 BUT they are not 18" deep they went to 22" and to put it were my old box was will ****. Its by a entry door.I may try and buyy a new 26" general and trade it to my son for my old box. The getting up and down trying to work on something *****. the other issue i would put a 26"top on my 8' bench but cannot afford to lose 2 ft of bench top.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I just saw HF has a coupon for the 34" service cart, 499$, expires 3/20/22 if anyone is looking for one. Have to be an ITC member & you get a free tool if you spend over 50$.
What are these tools called "socks" used for?
I am blessed to wear shorts 11 months of the year and even when I wear jeans I haven't felt the need to wear socks in over 3 years.. I do use a lot of gold bond in my sperrys tho..Raineman
Well-known member
I came to this thread wondering exactly that. Planning to get a 72" bottom sometime this year (after the new shed [workshop] arrives). Would like to get a stainless top for it but haven't seen anyone do that. Is the existing top panel that strong that you just need a rubber mat or is there a need to reinforce it? Would be adding a vice to it, and one of my Snap on 26" top boxes.
redwrench60
Well-known member
Well so far in 4 years of owning a HF 44” roll cab I’ve replaced two pairs of slides that literally fell apart, had to tighten the nut retaining the locking rod link to the lock cylinder and now the rivets fastening the locking bar have fallen out and the left drawer bank won’t lock. I’m installing new rivets now. It’s a nice little toolbox but not without problems in a high duty cycle environment.
OP
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
If you can't find one see if there is a sheet metal fabricator that makes chimney liners & parts out of SS. The company we buy from has coils down to 10ga of 304 & the equipment to cut, bend & weld anything you want. We get chimney caps made out of 10ga that are 6' x 12' with folded edges so making a top for a box shouldn't be a problem & it would be custom fit.
It's a great box for someone like me. Occasional use in my workshop. I've worked in a shop and while I'm not a tech, it's pretty obvious to me that the USG isn't a pro level box. It's not sold as one and it doesn't cost like one. The Icon's are obviously a lot better made and priced accordingly. But sometimes it's worth putting out the minimum and get to making money vs waiting until you can afford the big stuff. I also wasn't a fan of seeing the new young techs owing thousands of dollars to the box truck companies. There are better ways to invest in tools.
Stainless not that great as a work surface and ideally you want a ply/mdf layer under it and bonded .
Thick piece of ply or 2 thinner pieces glued together with rubber mat on top (inlay with a edge trim) works great, no marring & slipping, easy clean and cheaper.
Works good with a vise as adds strength and wood adds some absorption, add a steel/ally or ply backing plate on inside of box for the vise fixings & you got a nice usable box vise and good usable work surface for little cost .
I had 2 boxes with stainless, got rid of them as wood rubber or steel plate is far better in use in general mechanical shop use imo .
Raineman
Well-known member
Thanks Mr B, I work with a lot of oils and solvents and my current wood working surface is saturated with all kinds of it. Don't like it. I want a metal work surface (steel plate would be fine). Also easier to clean up metal bits from drilling.
Totally agree, I think the US Gen 56" can make a good starter box and available to all and sensible cost at sale coupon times .
Big purchase box to a new guy is nothing but a ball & chain slowing useful tool purchase down and wearing him down financially/mentally .
See a few US Gen in pro shops and they can holdout well enough especially if stationary, if going that route being proactive and buying 2 or 3 spare sets of slides and the lock latches makes longer term ownership smoother process .
Used Matco or Mac is always my top recommendation but that not always quick and easy find or deal with for all .
I would go steel then, thick non ribbed rubber is pretty sweet , I like it for engine parts as non marring/damaging and slill easy clean .
stainless better for clinical/catering type scenarios .
HDPE makes for a nice smooth durable top. Not really sure how it would hold up to the solvents that you are using though.