ran across what I think is a newer husky tool chest at Home Depot today. It’s an 80” 10 drawer model hotc8010. Looks nice but I know some of the Home Depot chests I have looked at ove the years are built kinda flimsy. some of the display models had defects on them in the store so I can’t imagine them lasting long in real use. Anyone have one of these or recommend what to look for in the husky line? Thanks for any help.
Husky tool chest
- Thread starter smz
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JatoTheRipper
Well-known member
My recommendation would to be look elsewhere. The Harbor Freight US General boxes are higher quality than the Husky stuff.
hefnerconstructionlc
Well-known member
The husky tool boxes are not the heaviest duty. Obviously the ones at harbor freight are sturdier. What I do like about the husky is the drawer layouts are a little better for what I'm using mine for. The large 66 workbench I have had four years in my shop. We use it to service all our shop vehicles and construction equipment. And the thing has worked really really well. I just added the 46 top and bottom combo a few weeks ago. And I'm finding out it's working out well. I think they're fine if you're not moving them around all the time. For example the 66-in box I only spent $500 for that and $650 for the top bottom combo. So yes they're not the heaviest duty. But if you're not moving them around all the time. It's a lot of toolbox for not a lot of money. All depends on what a person plans to do with it.
Ricky Joe
Well-known member
E
ever get confused and open the wrong door, the one on the far right? Reaching for a tool, come up with a brew?The husky tool boxes are not the heaviest duty. Obviously the ones at harbor freight are sturdier. What I do like about the husky is the drawer layouts are a little better for what I'm using mine for. The large 66 workbench I have had four years in my shop. We use it to service all our shop vehicles and construction equipment. And the thing has worked really really well. I just added the 46 top and bottom combo a few weeks ago. And I'm finding out it's working out well. I think they're fine if you're not moving them around all the time. For example the 66-in box I only spent $500 for that and $650 for the top bottom combo. So yes they're not the heaviest duty. But if you're not moving them around all the time. It's a lot of toolbox for not a lot of money. All depends on what a person plans to do with it.
hefnerconstructionlc
Well-known member
Ha ha that's good. No I don't. I have the fridge pretty stocked with beer Gatorade, water, soda all that. Wait for the beer till end of work. Power tools and beer don't mix too well. Got the fridge from a brother in law. All the original parts are there including all shelves and trays. Pretty amazing considering it's age. All the sheet metal is straight too. Will Post about one of these days
JatoTheRipper
Well-known member
You made me think of something that Husky toolboxes have that my US General boxes do not, but should - soft close drawers. It drives me absolutely nuts that Harbor Freight doesn't put soft close on their toolboxes. The problem with the Husky soft closes that I've played with is they are too stiff to open. You can pull the Husky box with the drawer before it opens. Have you found that to get easier over time as the toolbox wears or breaks-in?
Xcursion88
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Xcursion88
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That said may I ask... (I don't know) as I get truck services at the garage can't you find a nice Matco/Mac/SO box used for a similar price?
The truck guys always get trade in's and have to do something with them.
A nice used classic 78 box with a bedlined ss top on it or similar box can't be too terribly much used I wouldn't think so.
The truck guys like selling new boxes but don't like dealing with the used pieces as they take up a ton of room and they still have to do something with them.
Perhaps the HF or Home Depot or Lowes boxes are still that much cheaper...
The truck guys always get trade in's and have to do something with them.
A nice used classic 78 box with a bedlined ss top on it or similar box can't be too terribly much used I wouldn't think so.
The truck guys like selling new boxes but don't like dealing with the used pieces as they take up a ton of room and they still have to do something with them.
Perhaps the HF or Home Depot or Lowes boxes are still that much cheaper...
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
anyone have experience with the newer Husky heavy duty boxes? they say 18 gauge steel and the pricing is about the same as HF for a 56" stack
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wow, thanks. I liked the looks and had high hopes. Oh well.
My older HF 44 is working fine, it's just too small. A deeper 56" would be a nice upgrade
PhantomEB
Well-known member
Down there I am sure I would go US General, but up here I dont find Magnums from KMS to have a good selection whereas Husky has a wide selection and if the store don’t have, just order one in for pick up.
really depends on use, light use it good enough just but I would want buy on an offer as they not worth normal retail pricing .
Husky boxes really have become garbage ...
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Just working on dozers and excavators while storing the box in a body shop.
Or fixing my wife's prius and storing a **** load of sockets and wrenches that I don't really need
One or the other
hefnerconstructionlc
Well-known member
This is the largest drawer this toolbox has and also the heaviest. I think the soft close works fine in both opening or shutting. It seems like the right amount of tension. One thing to ask with any tool or toolbox is what kind of person are you. If you're rough on everything then sure you're going to tear these tool boxes up quickly just like any other tool.. you're easy on stuff they last longer. There are some guys that are just hard on everything and some guys that aren't. So that should weigh into the equation too.
engineer2
Well-known member
I have the Husky 52" in a similar set up with the beer fridge next to it.
General observations:
General observations:
Husky has fewer but deeper drawers which are better for large tools and power tools
HF has more but shallower drawers which are better for hand tools and wrenches
Husky con: Sort of lightweight construction but fine for homeowner use.
Drawers are about 19-20" deep. HF might be 20"? Menards and Icon are ~24" deep
Drawers sag down when you pull them open all the way when it's full of tools.
Husky pro:Plenty of outlets for the top compartment
LED light in the top lid
Soft close top lid
Soft close drawers
Flip up wooden top for one drawer. I mainly use it as a bar.
HD makes it easy to arrange home delivery. Not sure about HF.
JatoTheRipper
Well-known member
I got my 44" US General box delivered to my house. Harbor Freight charged around $100 though.
merkyworks
Well-known member
How long it take for your 44” to arrive? Ordered a 44” through website last week during 10% off sale and chose home delivery as well.
JatoTheRipper
Well-known member
I ordered it on June 24th, it shipped June 27th and was delivered on July 1st.
MarvinBerry
Well-known member
Dunno about current Husky boxes but a handful of years ago I bought a 26" bottom, tossed an old cman top on and its been completely fine. Drawers open & close just as good as the day I dragged it home.
That I guess is the disclaimer. Home owner & while it's been stuffed full was never filled with 500 pounds of sockets. Also never gets moved. Maybe once a year to vac. Maybe.
I doubt it'd hold up to daily abuse in a busy commercial shop but for my needs it's been great.
That I guess is the disclaimer. Home owner & while it's been stuffed full was never filled with 500 pounds of sockets. Also never gets moved. Maybe once a year to vac. Maybe.
I doubt it'd hold up to daily abuse in a busy commercial shop but for my needs it's been great.
merkyworks
Well-known member
Cool, thank you
Disagree.
Have 2, one is my box at the shop. Everyday use 2 years and going.
They are on par to my $$$ Snap On box. Drawers open smoother actually.
Not even close to decent truck boxes .
Had one in my auto shop and drawer bow like crazy as so flimsy .
Seen few of the wood topped ones in shops as went real cheap deal few years ago and they didn't stay good for long .
Light use and light load is all they good for .
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Feels like the comments here are broadly about any husky box. They have a few lines now, from basic to "heavy duty"
model i had was HD pre matte finish.
Seen a few matte HD wood topped 60"to 72" models in the shops as had some good deal prices pre covid times and owners also complained on drawer sag and slide issues, If you move them when loaded frames distort/spot welds pop easily too .
Matte finish is not very resistant to scratches or basic shop chemicals .
soft close slides may seem good idea but when quality not great they a pita quickly if use them a lot .
For light use and sale price it can work and has good range but use them fairly hard and they garbage pretty darn quick .
masterforce and us general better built store brand boxes .
JatoTheRipper
Well-known member
Buyer's remorse makes people say a lot of untrue stuff. People don't want to admit they wasted their money on a subpar product. All you have to do to realize the quality of Husky boxes is go to any Depot and check them out.
Its really hard for a diyer to figure out what the local trucks in his area are, tried all three tool trucks looking for a specific thing and none of them either on the website or over the phone where able to give me contact info, even though I know there is a driver around here I see them on the road from time to timeThat said may I ask... (I don't know) as I get truck services at the garage can't you find a nice Matco/Mac/SO box used for a similar price?
The truck guys always get trade in's and have to do something with them.
A nice used classic 78 box with a bedlined ss top on it or similar box can't be too terribly much used I wouldn't think so.
The truck guys like selling new boxes but don't like dealing with the used pieces as they take up a ton of room and they still have to do something with them.
Perhaps the HF or Home Depot or Lowes boxes are still that much cheaper...
RAS61
Well-known member
I'd go used, your money will go farther, and I find the older stuff was better made with heavier gauge steel. I have no experience with Husky, but I've found the older Craftsman boxes good for moderate use - of course a used pro box would be a home run
Some sources other than CL I've had success with is Facebook Marketplace and even OfferUp, good luck!
Some sources other than CL I've had success with is Facebook Marketplace and even OfferUp, good luck!
I work on heavy equipment. It's loaded fairly heavy with big tools. The one at home is mostly empty.
They are on par with my Snap On boxes.
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Xcursion88
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If you call them...I promise you they'll put you in touch with someone in your area (if there is)
You might reside in BFE with a population of 1 counting yourself....
Again though these tool companies jump all over that ****. If you were a tool dealer you'd be pissed if the mother ship didn't pass along info of a potential customer in your territory.
Try again and if you haven't call them and explain you're in the market for a "bunch of stuff."
Someone will definitely be in touch unless you're located in that place that "you just can't get there from here."
Good luck
Yes this way to go .
All my shop boxes are older Matco picked up used . Facebook marketplace well worth keeping eye on .
Mac can be good price used too, snapon even overpriced in used market these days unless lucky and quick .
Xcursion88
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As I said above unless he's located in BFE...some truck of Matco, Mac, Snap-on has to be somewhat near him. They get trades all the time and really in a hurry to rid them. Especially the big boxes and not the carts. They take up so much room.
All that said I don't understand all this email communication. Not saying the OP only used Email to reach out to the truck people but I see this all littered throughout GJ and posters trying to contact the mfg's and getting upset over the lack of response or time thereof.
Pick up the phone...still the best way.
I have no remorse. Awesome box for the money.
It's design and materials are the same as my Snap On box. Same thickness steel.
One is my main box at work, it's held up great
JatoTheRipper
Well-known member
Really? Which Husky and Snap-On boxes exactly because I'd love to verify that one myself.
I put pictures yesterday.
Absoluty NOT.
I have that Husky, purchased 4yrs ago @ $199/ea. Its definitely not a pro level box. **** slides, thin gauge steel, poor casters.
It works for my light usage needs, but my Equipto storage system (similar to Lista) is superior in every way.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
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