I have to ask...

[Mickey O]

You want an honest answer?
I have this cart so I can actually give some insight. I have alos owned snap on boxes (not carts)
It is not junk. It does take a few shortcuts that would add expense like a quality locking system for the top. It is the lock that is flimsy, the top is heavy steel.
It is 85% of the quality of a top shelf truck brand item and 10% of the price. It is a much better value.
That said, someone pushing this thing around everyday for years may find the extra $900 worth it. Some of the shortcuts used to keep costs down would catch up in that situation.

But IMHO the guts are nearly as good if not as good as a $1000 cart. It really comes down to better slides (maybe) slightly better casters (on some) and a better locking system. Essentialy the only wear parts and not the bulk of the expense of building one of these. The rest is all the same as any fool can tell. Just 4 solid uprights bolted to the body. This cart is thick steel (thicker than my old Snap-on box and others I have seen and well formed. Where casters bolt to the bottom shelf is a little weak. Some people may convince themsleves that Snap-On uses magic sheetmetal or casters from the lunar rover.

My guess without having all of them lined up is this HF one would be no better or worse than some of the lower end truck versions.

You are not dumb. At best, slightly better slides, casters and minor higher quality finish details do not add up to $900 more in expense. I would guess any import cart by blue point would have a production cost very close to this ones.

Kind of think of it this way. They all have the same basic quality base unit. The top ones finish it out to be the best it can be and HF takes it the other way and figures where it can cut corners. Makes you realize how much a brand like SO can mark something up!

It may be no different than the craftsman vs. snap-on wrench debate. Yes, the Craftsman may be 95, 97 or even 99% as good. But if that snap-on wrench takes off one more nut a year the craftsman would have rounded off...well. Over a few years the Snap-On set will have paid for itslef in saved labor and headache. Perhaps even one falure like this alone could cost a pro more than the better wrench set.

I saw the very same cart on display at the local Harbor Freight store when I purchased the made in the USA wrench rack they have. It was broken, the drawers and lock mechanism didn't operate properly and one of the legs was bent (if you think I'm kidding, it's the Harbor Freight on Roosevelt Rd. in Lombard, IL, you can check for yourself). And that's just from it being on display, what's going to happen when it's put into service? The guts are not anywhere as good as or equal to the US made carts.

Even if the Chinese stuff was comparable I still wouldn't buy it for reasons that would take hours to explain. I started out buying cheaper priced American tools (Wards Power Kraft, Craftsman and used), still have them, they are all usable and I can sell them for more than what I paid for them over 30 years ago, I don't think the same will happen with the Chinese tools. The future is clear, if people keep buying Chinese ****, the manufacturing will stop here, people will lose jobs, gas prices will continue rise, taxes will rise, as will the price of inferior Chinese products.

But as I said earlier, to each his own, you don't have to justify the purchase, I'm just stating my opinion, you don't have to like it or agree with it, everyone has their own. The OP ask for opinions he's going to get them, some he may not like.

 

[back2class]

I saw the very same cart on display at the local Harbor Freight store when I purchased the made in the USA wrench rack they have. It was broken, the drawers and lock mechanism didn't operate properly and one of the legs was bent (if you think I'm kidding, it's the Harbor Freight on Roosevelt Rd. in Lombard, IL, you can check for yourself). And that's just from it being on display, what's going to happen when it's put into service? The guts are not anywhere as good as or equal to the US made carts.

Even if the Chinese stuff was comparable I still wouldn't buy it for reasons that would take hours to explain. I started out buying cheaper priced American tools (Wards Power Kraft, Craftsman and used), still have them, they are all usable and I can sell them for more than what I paid for them over 30 years ago, I don't think the same will happen with the Chinese tools. The future is clear, if people keep buying Chinese ****, the manufacturing will stop here, people will lose jobs, gas prices will continue rise, taxes will rise, as will the price of inferior Chinese products.

But as I said earlier, to each his own, you don't have to justify the purchase, I'm just stating my opinion, you don't have to like it or agree with it, everyone has their own. The OP ask for opinions he's going to get them, some he may not like.

Please please don't lump me in with people who try to justify Chinese tools. I don't own a single chinese hand tool except for the Cornwell pliers. I will not buy that ****. But storage, well for $80 I tried it.
Beware of HF floor samples. My first $80 cart was all smashed up when I opened it. I took it back and they said they were going to use it as a floor demo. My guess is you were seeing the same stupid move by the people there. But we may disagree and that is what such a discussion is about.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Some people may convince themsleves that Snap-On uses magic sheetmetal or casters from the lunar rover.

Not having owned one of these carts but seeing them at the store, your review is basically what I've thought. For a homeowner or someone not intending to use it in a shop, it will do just fine.

 

[ephotrod]

To me its like driving an ****** compared to a BMW. Technically they accomplish the same thing, getting you from point a to point b. The BMW has a name, following and extras that just make it a bit more pleasurable, especially if you can afford it. But if all you have ever driven is the ****** and its accomplishing the goal, you may be none the wiser to the BMW and still be in a state of bliss. Due to the fact you are not walking or in a pinto.
Josh

 

[Art From De Leon]

I wonder what the difference is between my 15 year old Snap On labeled tool cart, and the current Blue Point labled one?

 

[Major Ramifications]

The Snap-On costs eight-and-a-half-times as much because there are people out there who are willing to pay eight-and-a-half times as much for it. There are people who pay ten times as much for clothes with a certain label that are not any better than the store brand. Fortunately, I have enough brains to not be one of these people. Snap-On is criminally overpriced, period. I don't mind if other people want to buy Snap-On, but some of us have more sense.

 

[Stick Figure]

hey on the plus side at the rate the dollar exchange is changing, how long can it really be before the USA built are the cheap brands?

and I'll say again, i've had my cart in the shop for over a year and my HF tool box in a shop environment for around 2.5 years, both have held up great for the money. Cart has had ZERO issues, and the box had only had a problem w/ one lock. They aren't the best quality, nor the best design, but really for all around price, ease of obtaining, and quality, i have yet to see a better one offered. I've tried to upgrade to a tool truck brand box because i need more space, but its just to much money for me. I'm not being cheap, w/ my other bills, i simply can not afford it.

Mickey O ..... maybe this is a good business opportunity for you start producing reasonably priced american made goods. I'll even let you crush my harbor freight cart and box if you can produce one in america that isn't double the money and equal or better quality.

 

[Kurt4440]

To me its like driving an ****** compared to a BMW. Technically they accomplish the same thing, getting you from point a to point b. The BMW has a name, following and extras that just make it a bit more pleasurable, especially if you can afford it. But if all you have ever driven is the ****** and its accomplishing the goal, you may be none the wiser to the BMW and still be in a state of bliss. Due to the fact you are not walking or in a pinto.
Josh

Would we be comparing a 1989 BMW 325is to an ******?

 

[DDavis89325is]

I agree with the ******/BMW comparison, but there are many more factors that go into a car vs. toolbox comparison.

I am sorry this thread had to get so heated, I was just wondering if there were certain things that make one box way more expensive than another.

Kurt- What E30's are you working on? I LOVE E30's with a passion. I've had a 86 325e, 89 325iS, and a 90 325iS. I can't wait to get my hands on another one soon as I'm done with my Geology degree. I'd really like to get behind the wheel of a 135i though... Seems like a new age E30 to me!

 

[ephotrod]

I'm talking in general senor. But i take it you get my drift just poking a little fun at me. No worries I would rather compare a 2000 to the ******.
Josh

 

[dieseldodge01]

I was looking to get a cart. At the beginning of the month i went to the Kennedy seconds store at there factory. The had a Homak/Kennedy cart there for $150. Three drawers locking top and gas struts to hold the lid up. Not sure of where it was made, thinking USA, but if I would have bought it, it would have supported a American company and helped my local economy.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

The Snap-On costs eight-and-a-half-times as much because there are people out there who are willing to pay eight-and-a-half times as much for it. There are people who pay ten times as much for clothes with a certain label that are not any better than the store brand. Fortunately, I have enough brains to not be one of these people. Snap-On is criminally overpriced, period. I don't mind if other people want to buy Snap-On, but some of us have more sense.

You're looking at this through the eyes of the homeowner. It's different for the pro who needs that cart to be durable enough for everday shop use. It makes sense for the homeowner to buy the HF cart, and for the pro to get the Snap on.

Your analogy doesn't work b/c the quality is different. While the clothes may be the same quality, the carts are most definitely not.

I do the best thing, IMO, buy the older, used Snap on for pennies on the dollar. I get the quality at a fraction of the cost.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

DDavis,Don't feel bad,you initially said you were not trying to cause problems and just trying to find out the differences between the carts,those who might suggest you're "trolling" usually says this about everyone who doesn't agree with their theory.

The China and the US debate will be around longer than any of us here,its just comes with the territory whenever people extremely passionate about tools are discussing tools.

 

[southpier]

what happens if it breaks? who fixes it. do they send you parts?

you could buy 5 or 6 more and still be financially ahead

 

[daveblank]

you could buy 5 or 6 more and still be financially ahead

Yes you would. But, what's your time & trouble worth?

 

[Kurt4440]

I'm talking in general senor. But i take it you get my drift just poking a little fun at me. No worries I would rather compare a 2000 to the ******.
Josh

ephotrod,
The 1989 BMW 325is comparison comment was due to DDavis89325is screen name. I have a 1986 BMW 325es so I actually thought the comparison you made was right on track.