HF vs Craftsman Tool Cabinet

[s2kattracks]

Ok, so I am in a town home with a 1 car garage. I do not have much room, garage is fairly deep, deep enough that I can put a workbench against the back wall.

I just purchased 2 Craftsman standard duty cabinets, but they are really flimsy.

I have not yet gone and looked the the HF, but I have seen some actually decent reviews on here from folks.

My plan is two buy two of whatever cabinet/tool chest bottom and do a 2x4 top on it to form my bench.


Craftsman 4 drawer unit Pro - Has Casters, large drawers..Con - Flimsy and only have larger drawers.


HF 7 drawer unit Pro - little bit taller, have 7 drawers..Con - no casters and???

Would you keep the craftsman or would you return the craftsman and spend another 200 and get the HF unit?

I am going to try and run by HF tomorrow to get a better look at it. Wish those 25% off coupons worked on tool cabinets

 

[zkling]

If it is in the budget I would go with this and return the craftsman boxes

http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-13-Drawer-Glossy-Red-Industrial-Roller-Cabinet-68784.html

 

[nine4gmc]

For less than the price of two of the HF side cabinets, you could have a 44" HF roller that is highly praised around here. The two side cabinets are not enough storage and the crappy Craftsman boxes are not only flimsy, but two of those are wider than the single 44" HF but less than 1/4 capacity. I would totally rethink your possibilities.

EDIT: Z got me while I was typing.

 

[s2kattracks]

If it is in the budget I would go with this and return the craftsman boxes

http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-13-Drawer-Glossy-Red-Industrial-Roller-Cabinet-68784.html

I guess I could go this route, but was thinking of having more of a work bench setup.

 

[s2kattracks]

For less than the price of two of the HF side cabinets, you could have a 44" HF roller that is highly praised around here. The two side cabinets are not enough storage and the crappy Craftsman boxes are not only flimsy, but two of those are wider than the single 44" HF but less than 1/4 capacity. I would totally rethink your possibilities.

EDIT: Z got me while I was typing.

Thanks for the input.

I will be returning the craftsman stuff for sure.

I don't have a ton of tools, and don't use them as much as I used too. That's why I was thinking of the two smaller units, and wanting an actual bench area I could sit down at with a stool.

 

[s2kattracks]

^This if at all possible.

Definitely return the Craftsman. I have a 2-drawer middle unit that I put on my workbench. They are definitely flimsy as hell, unlike the HF.

Yea, it's amazing how flimsy they really are. Saddening!!

Going back to a barn sale this weekend, maybe they found some new stuff in the 3 barns they had not been in yet.

 

[nine4gmc]

If you are dead set on a workbench with stool, I'd consider an industrial desk and a couple top boxes to sit on top of it. You will not be happy with the wobble of two tool boxes with a board across them and the storage will be pretty slim.

Read this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39224&highlight=industrial+desks

and imagine a couple of these on top: http://www.sears.com/craftsman-26-i...p-00937711000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

Or better yet the HF 44" with a top that hangs over one end enough to put a stool under.

 

[MrJason]

I have a HF44, and highly recommend it. Yes, I have a big Snap-On box, but there is no missing the value of Harbor Freight 44" box.

HF gives you a big return on investment.

If you buy the HF, unbox the chest on the truck. If it's bent, it's easier to return. Little tip I learned the hard way.

 

[s2kattracks]

Sounds good thanks!!

 

[rsanter]

You should look at two options.
Get the 44" unit from HF and build a workbench that hoes over it. Roll the toolbox under it and you have the option to pull the toolbox out for an added surface to use or to take closer to the project. Under the bench you use it like you were thinking in the first place.

Option 2 is to remove the wheels and keep for another project. Install the toolbox and put a top that attaches to it and goes ofer to the wall on one end and attaches there. Now you have a place to sit and work with the tool drawers next to where you are

Bob

 

[mrvm]

HF 26 or 44 are well built imported MIC tool boxes, but comparing them to the lower level CM standard boxes is not accurate, mainly because of the 30lb drawer rating. CM has different tiers and price levels for different end users. If you got the change, grab a HF 44 or two, otherwise the standard CM bottom cabinet which was a deal last week at $40 makes for good+cheaper storage under a work bench. It just depends on what will be stored under the work bench.

 

[s2kattracks]

Yea, I am at sears now picking up the rest of my order and returning the cabinets. I will probably end up with a 40-44" single cabinet now instead of two separate cabinets.

Just was playing around with the display model of the cabinet I bought(@92 EA) and they are just cheap. Would rather get something a little better right off the start.

Home Depot has a 40" wide husky(60" tall stacked) on sale for 250(website says 350 on sale for 300) and I don't even need/want the top. So I could either sell the top or give to my wife for her schools shop(highschool theater teacher)

 

[s2kattracks]

Also just got a 5 dollar coupon because on my pickup it took more than 5 minutes as something wasn't pulled already.

 

[nine4gmc]

My friend has that same HD box and it ***** just as bad as the cheap Craftsman boxes, it's just wider and flimsier.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Those Craftsman boxes **** more than a ***** on dollar day, plus they are CONSTANTLY at the outlet stores for $30-$40.

 

[rsanter]

The husky box is not better than the Cman ones you are returning

Bob

 

[Farmall450]

If it is in the budget I would go with this and return the craftsman boxes

http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-13-Drawer-Glossy-Red-Industrial-Roller-Cabinet-68784.html

2 of 'em so you can have a 86" long bench, assuming you have 1" overhang and no handles.

 

[John in OH]

Plus a 24" opening for his seat area. 110" workbench ftw!

+1 I'd definitely go with one or two 44" HF boxes and incorporate the into the base of a workbench with a space between for a "knee hole". I don't own the HF box, but I've looked at them numerous times at HF and think they are a great value.

 

[SASORacing]

Hf 44, don't beat around the bush just get it!

 

[s2kattracks]

My friend has that same HD box and it ***** just as bad as the cheap Craftsman boxes, it's just wider and flimsier.

DOH! Well hell.....

Those Craftsman boxes **** more than a ***** on dollar day, plus they are CONSTANTLY at the outlet stores for $30-$40.

Yea, I see why now

The husky box is not better than the Cman ones you are returning

Bob

So, I am learning!!

 

[s2kattracks]

+1 I'd definitely go with one or two 44" HF boxes and incorporate the into the base of a workbench with a space between for a "knee hole". I don't own the HF box, but I've looked at them numerous times at HF and think they are a great value.

That is possible, just one though. I can not fill the whole length of the wall. Need to have a place for the trash and recycling.

2 of 'em so you can have a 86" long bench, assuming you have 1" overhang and no handles.

Would be sweet! Next house I will do this!

Plus a 24" opening for his seat area. 110" workbench ftw!

Or I will do this!

Hf 44, don't beat around the bush just get it!

Trying to swing by tomorrow to take a look at it!

 

[Cruzomatic]

I have both HF and Craftsman boxes.....I like the HF better.

 

[s2kattracks]

I think I will end up with a HF one

 

[s2kattracks]

So the 44" cabinet will be 350 during the parking lot sale. Will probably pick it up then. For me that basically saves the tax.

 

[SASORacing]

The hf 44 and the hf red 5 drawer cart with gas shocks is a prefect combo for about $550, incredible value for a beginner mechanic.

 

[s2kattracks]

Yea, its a really nice setup. I just need the bottom for my needs. Really am wanting the top surface for a work bench.

 

[Makapuu]

It is so hard to judge the real quality of Craftsman cabinets. I have a stainless steel 42" Griplatch model from about 6 years ago and absolutely love it. It is of high quality, both in terms of strength, fit, and finish. I was going to buy the smaller 31" to match for under my Gladiator workbench but read somewhere here where Sears/Craftsman has continued to make the same models - and same appearance as well - but with much cheaper quality materials and designs.

I went into the store and took pictures of the slides and handles and griplatch feature, and in fact the toolchests look the same, but on closer inspection have been redesigned with cheaper materials and a poorer design. And the price is the same as 5 years ago! They look the same - but are not the same. The handles are screwed onto the side vs. inset handles and are of much cheaper quality. The current model is even 1/2" smaller in width, and the drawers are 1/2" smaller too! But it costs the same as the one I bought, and basically looks the same before close inspection.

I haven't gotten around to doing complete write-up on the differences, but suffice it to say the quality has been lowered, and the outward appearance would trick most into thinking they are of the same quality as those made 5 years ago. For this reason, I question Craftsman's quality (as well as their ethics) when it comes to tool storage now. For the same price, you are getting less, and they are being dishonest about it.

So for Craftsman I say this: Proceed with caution.

 

[TexF18]

 

[wmartin]

How deep is the garage?

I setup I think works pretty well is to put together a pallet rack work bench (I did one for $120) and set it high enough to slide the HF 44" box under.

 

[s2kattracks]

Not deep enough for that. 16-18'

 

[chicane]

+1 I'd definitely go with one or two 44" HF boxes and incorporate the into the base of a workbench with a space between for a "knee hole". I don't own the HF box, but I've looked at them numerous times at HF and think they are a great value.

If they end up making them in something other than red I would consider but I can't have a red box in my garage.

 

[s2kattracks]

Paint it

Thought about painting whatever I get like a sea foam green. If I buy brand new I probably won't, but used for sure lol