Just browsing - HF vs Sears toolbox

[Alchymist]

Craftsman EDGE Series 40 In. 13-Drawer:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-edge...0940771000P?prdNo=15&blockNo=15&blockType=G15

Harbor Freight U.S. General Pro - Item#68784:
http://www.harborfreight.com/tool-s...ossy-red-industrial-roller-cabinet-68784.html

Cost - Cman $649.99 HF $389.99
Wt # Cman 230 40" HF 245 44"
Both have ball bearing slides.
The HF bottom drawer has double slides, the Cman single.
Both come with drawer liners.

No wonder Sears is losing ..........I know which one is my pick.

 

[Fastbird]

US General from HF hands down. Not much is going to compare at that price. Nothing actually.

 

[martin666]

Not a fan of either but if I had to, it'd be the Harbor Freight box hands down

 

[CNGsaves]

Easy decision . . . HF every day and Sunday.

Gotta wonder how many warehouses at Sears are full of dusty toolboxes that will literally NEVER sell until they get 80% discounted at liquidation sale.

The ONLY thing in big Sears/Craftsman toolboxes I'd consider is INDUSTRIAL box that I have seen at Sears Outlet stores. Those are well-made boxes.

 

[mach2mack]

I just bought a HF 72" last weekend it is far better then the craftsman it replaced.




This was my old craftsman.

 

[Brownsfan]

You are comparing the HF box to a box not even sold in a Sears store and not the equivalent in feature. Here is the box it should be compared to. http://m.sears.com/craftsman-40-inch-all-steel-nine-drawer-rolling/p-00901157000P
Here is a damn good value from Sears. http://m.sears.com/bundle-selection/009CO56573312B

You picked the most expensive40" box they had. With the exception of the Harley branded one. The box I linked has similar drawer retention in detents. The premium heavy duty has grip latch which us superior in every way. Also these boxes are now USA made. Which makes a difference to some. Now here is the same box as the OP posted but this one is sold in stores and not a special edition. http://m.sears.com/craftsman-40-inch-11-drawer-premium-heavy-duty/p-00958624000P.
$100 less and a better value IMHO. Much better drawer retention system and comparable build quality. I have looked at these in person and compared and I just like the Craftsman better. Plus once again USA made.

 

[tjpavlov]

I have the craftsman edge box. It is really nice. There were no COO markings on it so it is probably USA or Mexico. Very similar to harbor freight but I preferred due to grip latch.

They come on sale for about a week twice per year. If you are going to buy do it today. The edge should be 599 in black.

One more thing. The edge top box has a better drawer layout than the harbor freight.

Don't forget coupons and upromise for 5% back.

 

[71goldss]

I just bought a HF 72" last weekend it is far better then the craftsman it replaced.




This was my old craftsman.

It's obvious that you really care about the appearance of that HF box simply by all the work you did to repaint it inside and out. And honestly, no offence intended, but how does a box of any brand get that beat (referring to the Craftsman)? Looks as though the bottom drawer has been kicked and maybe a few tools thrown at the top chest. I have both the HF and Craftsman in your photo and love them both! They both have their strengths and weakness and I find it difficult to choose one over the other. My Craftsman like yours is 4-5 years old and still looks and functions like new, and I use it daily. I do realize your box is used in a professional setting and I'm just a home DIY'er, but I'm still not understanding the condition of your?

 

[Super Sport]

If you compare the Harbor Freight model to nearly any other brand out there, it's a bargain. I don't know why Sears is singled out here.

Harbor Freight is experienced in getting products at the lowest cost and selling them at low margins. For one example, they only offer it in one color. I'm not experienced in this field, but I'm sure that the vast array of models Sears sells (in different colors and trims) adds a bit to the price of each. Also, making at least some parts of them here in the US is going to cost more.

 

[mach2mack]

It's obvious that you really care about the appearance of that HF box simply by all the work you did to repaint it inside and out. And honestly, no offence intended, but how does a box of any brand get that beat (referring to the Craftsman)? Looks as though the bottom drawer has been kicked and maybe a few tools thrown at the top chest. I have both the HF and Craftsman in your photo and love them both! They both have their strengths and weakness and I find it difficult to choose one over the other. My Craftsman like yours is 4-5 years old and still looks and functions like new, and I use it daily. I do realize your box is used in a professional setting and I'm just a home DIY'er, but I'm still not understanding the condition of your?

That craftsman box has been through about 8 years of use in shops and a few moves think it got knocked over once. I would take the top box to the track with me racing bikes in the summer so it was moved around a lot. It wasn't a bad box. About 2 years ago it just started kinda falling apart. The drawers still slide fairly good but it won't lock anymore. Oh and yeah I had a lot of weight in the bottom drawer and the slides stopped uh slidding so yes it's been kicked a few times lol. I do prefer the grip latch on the craftsman better then the latches on the HF.

 

[fras_auto]

It's obvious that you really care about the appearance of that HF box simply by all the work you did to repaint it inside and out. And honestly, no offence intended, but how does a box of any brand get that beat (referring to the Craftsman)? Looks as though the bottom drawer has been kicked and maybe a few tools thrown at the top chest. I have both the HF and Craftsman in your photo and love them both! They both have their strengths and weakness and I find it difficult to choose one over the other. My Craftsman like yours is 4-5 years old and still looks and functions like new, and I use it daily. I do realize your box is used in a professional setting and I'm just a home DIY'er, but I'm still not understanding the condition of your?

I have the same signs in my garage lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chipss36]

Sears got me on the harley toolbox....
Not the best, but the paint and stickers did it for me

 

[71goldss]

I have the same signs in my garage lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Been collecting them from Hobby Lobby when they have their 50% off sales. One of the few stores my girlfriend has no trouble dragging me to! I go straight to the sign section, then wait for her to wander around the rest of the store. I have a few more that aren't in the photo.

 

[zendriver]

No wonder Sears is losing

Old habits die hard and besides, Harbor Freight is not Sears, who has many other issues to deal with, other than the price of toolboxes.

Traditionally, Snap-On, Mac, etc have high quality tool boxes, but they also have horrendous, almost ridiculous price mark-ups on them.

Sears was the "go-to" brand because, because they offered high quality, at a lower price markup.

Harbor Freight sells high quality tool chests, (made generically by a Chinese manufacturer) at a way lower price markup.

It's the present and the future. Eventually Snap-On, etc, will make tools and chests in China (or some else) also, if they expect to compete in the global tool market.

 

[Alchymist]

You are comparing the HF box to a box not even sold in a Sears store and not the equivalent in feature. Here is the box it should be compared to. http://m.sears.com/craftsman-40-inch-all-steel-nine-drawer-rolling/p-00901157000P
Here is a damn good value from Sears. http://m.sears.com/bundle-selection/009CO56573312B

You picked the most expensive40" box they had. With the exception of the Harley branded one. The box I linked has similar drawer retention in detents. The premium heavy duty has grip latch which us superior in every way. Also these boxes are now USA made. Which makes a difference to some. Now here is the same box as the OP posted but this one is sold in stores and not a special edition. http://m.sears.com/craftsman-40-inch-11-drawer-premium-heavy-duty/p-00958624000P.
$100 less and a better value IMHO. Much better drawer retention system and comparable build quality. I have looked at these in person and compared and I just like the Craftsman better. Plus once again USA made.

From the link - "Weight Rating:Heavy duty - 401 to 600 lb. capacity". See next quote.

The ad reads

"100 lb. drawer load rating"

Soooooo....13 drawers = 1300 lb.

however !

"5 x 2 casters support 1200 lbs."

Some new math needed here...

Just curious, I wonder if it is possible to buy additional drawer slides and made the bottom drawers double slides on your own?

Don't really have a dog in this fight, just pointing out some ratings. As to new math, yeah, I see your point, however, do you load every drawer to it's maximum weight in actual use?

 

[tjpavlov]

I get that it is quite popular to trash Craftsman on this forum. I get it.... nobody likes that they moved manufacturing overseas. Everyone always gripes that if they just moved things back to the USA and charged a little more, people would flock back to the stores.

Well, this is our chance. These Edge boxes appear to at least be partially made in the USA.... like I said, no markings anywhere on them or the boxes which generally indicates a USA made product.... yes, if it is equal to the Harbor Freight box, then shouldn't the American manufacturing be reflected in the price? Aren't these forums dedicated to supporting American jobs and manufacturing? Sears pricing is maddening, but really nobody should be paying even the sale price for these. There are always coupons, points deals, and cash back to calculate into these prices. You should be able to get one of these sub-$500.

I'm going to venture a guess that there are probably less than a dozen people on these forums that own the Edge Boxes. You can't see them in the stores generally, so few of us have actual experience with them.

Here's one thread where people actually bought these boxes:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281058

Just my two cents. Hope there's no hurt feelings, anyone!

 

[Alchymist]

Here's one thread where people actually bought these boxes:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281058

Just my two cents. Hope there's no hurt feelings, anyone!

Looks like some people were happy with them, some not. Some appeared to be happy enough to justify paying a higher price. Some preferred the HF. Like anything else (Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge for example), one pays the money and takes their choice. For the record, I have 7 Craftsman boxes, 4 HF, one Lowes, and about 6 Kennedy, all different configurations. Bottom line is cost vs perceived benefits.

 

[justanengineer]

No wonder Sears is losing ..........I know which one is my pick.

No wonder our society is rapidly going downhill.

If you want to buy HF go ahead and do so. If youre posting just to be a douchebag troll, walk into most shops or manufacturing plants here and talk **** about US companies.

FWIW, a former colleague of mine with extensive tool-design experience recently was hired to spec tools for Cman. Yes, there are many US jobs involved and everything has cost:benefit tradeoffs. If you want those jobs to continue to be here and our manufacturing/economic situation to reverse, quit posting ****-talking posts like the OP.

 

[Alchymist]

No wonder our society is rapidly going downhill.

If you want to buy HF go ahead and do so. If youre posting just to be a douchebag troll, walk into most shops or manufacturing plants here and talk **** about US companies.

FWIW, a former colleague of mine with extensive tool-design experience recently was hired to spec tools for Cman. Yes, there are many US jobs involved and everything has cost:benefit tradeoffs. If you want those jobs to continue to be here and our manufacturing/economic situation to reverse, quit posting ****-talking posts like the OP.

If posting one's observations is "****-talking" posting, then I guess I stand convicted. I for one will buy US made when the quality is there along with a competitive price, but in many cases it's not.

As far as supporting US companies, a large portion of Sears merchandise is foreign made, and even some of HF merchandise is US made. Question - even if we buy foreign made products from Sears, are we not in a way supporting a US company - namely Sears? And is not HF, like it or hate it, a US company?

There are those who bash Snap-ON, and those who bash the bashers - yet Snap On is a US company, but still some of their products are foreign made.

As far as - "If you want those jobs to continue to be here and our manufacturing/economic situation to reverse, quit posting ****-talking posts like the OP", if no one is allowed to call attention to such, how will Sears and the general public even know where the problem is?

 

[mach2mack]

No wonder our society is rapidly going downhill.

If you want to buy HF go ahead and do so. If youre posting just to be a douchebag troll, walk into most shops or manufacturing plants here and talk **** about US companies.

FWIW, a former colleague of mine with extensive tool-design experience recently was hired to spec tools for Cman. Yes, there are many US jobs involved and everything has cost:benefit tradeoffs. If you want those jobs to continue to be here and our manufacturing/economic situation to reverse, quit posting ****-talking posts like the OP.

Yeah this post was a pretty good example of why our society is going down hill.

I'll buy what gives me the most for the least money. As a huge craftsman fan boy who bought the $10k craftsman 1470 piece set when I first started as a tech I'll be the first to say I'll buy the HF over the craftsman box every time.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

US General from HF hands down. Not much is going to compare at that price. Nothing actually.

I don't know about right now, but the Masterforce boxes at Menard's used to seem competitive with Harbor Freight.

 

[stikman56]

I looked at Husky, Kobalt, Craftsman and HF before I bought. I have the 56" and the 44" Us General. No regrets at all for what I spent.

 

[justanengineer]

If posting one's observations is "****-talking" posting, then I guess I stand convicted. I for one will buy US made when the quality is there along with a competitive price, but in many cases it's not.

As far as - "If you want those jobs to continue to be here and our manufacturing/economic situation to reverse, quit posting ****-talking posts like the OP", if no one is allowed to call attention to such, how will Sears and the general public even know where the problem is?

Youre not posting "observations," you created this thread to trash the Cman box. You're comparing two boxes from a mile-high perspective, pushing everybody to YOUR conclusion, and putting down the one you dont like. Youre even laughing about it in your first post. Yes, thats ****-talking, dont try and backpeddle from your pettiness just bc most others dont agree and I called you out on it.

If youre happy with a product wherever its made - go buy it. I've got a few imported HF tools leftover from 20 years ago when they still sold pretty decent quality items, a buddy in KY still has his 42"(?), 18 ga, ballbearing drawer, stainless top&bottom box full of body tools that cost $150 for the set ~Y2k. I also occasionally still buy consumables at HF, I probably spend ~3x as much there as I do in Sears (~$60 vs $20 annually). I have literally NO dog in this fight other than the desire as a concerned customer to see Sears business improve, I've got more and better boxes than anything mentioned here already and am tired of seeing business legacies fail.

Regarding product feedback to Sears, vote with your wallet, give them feedback online, and quit repeating how bad you believe things are otherwise. Repeating rumors and past history doesnt do one bit of good for either people or companies, most of us learned that in kindegarten. Speaking from experience, when you replace a product with a higher quality replacement its dam difficult to overcome preconceived notions about quality. You've likely already gone out on a limb to convince management theres a need to improve quality and justify significantly higher costs, and for a few years after there are still plenty of asshats who have ZERO experience with the new product who talk ****.....reminiscent of this thread.

 

[Alchymist]

Youre not posting "observations," you created this thread to trash the Cman box. You're comparing two boxes from a mile-high perspective, pushing everybody to YOUR conclusion, and putting down the one you dont like. Youre even laughing about it in your first post. Yes, thats ****-talking, dont try and backpeddle from your pettiness just bc most others dont agree and I called you out on it.

If youre happy with a product wherever its made - go buy it. I've got a few imported HF tools leftover from 20 years ago when they still sold pretty decent quality items, a buddy in KY still has his 42"(?), 18 ga, ballbearing drawer, stainless top&bottom box full of body tools that cost $150 for the set ~Y2k. I also occasionally still buy consumables at HF, I probably spend ~3x as much there as I do in Sears (~$60 vs $20 annually). I have literally NO dog in this fight other than the desire as a concerned customer to see Sears business improve, I've got more and better boxes than anything mentioned here already and am tired of seeing business legacies fail.

Regarding product feedback to Sears, vote with your wallet, give them feedback online, and quit repeating how bad you believe things are otherwise. Repeating rumors and past history doesnt do one bit of good for either people or companies, most of us learned that in kindegarten. Speaking from experience, when you replace a product with a higher quality replacement its dam difficult to overcome preconceived notions about quality. You've likely already gone out on a limb to convince management theres a need to improve quality and justify significantly higher costs, and for a few years after there are still plenty of asshats who have ZERO experience with the new product who talk ****.....reminiscent of this thread.

My my, knickers in a twist much? Read with a little more comprehension. I didn't say that the Craftsman box was trash, I said the HF was the better buy. If you read all my posts, you would have seen that I own a number of Craftsman boxes. And others. I guess anyone who voices an opinion had best make sure it's politically correct? And I's still take the HF box over the Craftsman based on a perceived value.

 

[Don53]

I bought the 26" Craftsman Edge (top & bottom) over the HF. Quality wise, and spec wise, they seemed about even. Craftsman was over $100 more, but the the color, drawer layout, and griplatch were on Craftman's side for me. Huge plus for me was assembled in US.

It's been a great box so far. No regrets.

 

[Alchymist]

I bought the 26" Craftsman Edge (top & bottom) over the HF. Quality wise, and spec wise, they seemed about even. Craftsman was over $100 more, but the the color, drawer layout, and griplatch were on Craftman's side for me. Huge plus for me was assembled in US.

It's been a great box so far. No regrets.

Nothing wrong with that. The features you wanted obviously offset the price difference.

 

[Alchymist]

Not that I wouldn't pay extra for features I wanted either. The red Craftsman boxes were bought in the early '70s, paid good money for them, and they have held up well and still look pretty good after 45 or so years. While in the early 2000's my main occupation was electronics instead of mechanics, I bought the brown set, primarily because I wanted the multiple smaller drawers instead of the fewer larger ones. Work much better in an electronics environment.

 

[tgraham2000]

Well, this is our chance. These Edge boxes appear to at least be partially made in the USA.... like I said, no markings anywhere on them or the boxes which generally indicates a USA made product....

This is an old thread, I know, but I found it whilst searching and ultimately found the answer elsewhere, so why not provide an update...

I just picked up a 26" Craftsman EDGE cabinet and it says "Made in USA" on the box - see the attached photo. Why Sears does not plaster this all over the place, I do not know (probably because the other offerings are not). This was the Midnight Blue color, if that makes a difference (other than an extra $60 for the blue!).

Other thoughts: I have other Craftsman "premium" boxes that have survived many years of use and they still look like new - I expect this one will be no exception. I've always liked the "Griplatch" drawers - just grab a tool, give it a shove, and it's securely closed. And they are sturdy. Leagues better than the flimsy low-end cabinets' drawers - those are garbage.

I cannot compare this to the Harbor Freight box. I've never thought highly of any tool/equipment that I've bought/seen from Harbor Freight, so I don't go there anymore. I was, however, set on a Homak cabinet... until I saw it in person, at which time I decided that I would be far better off spending twice as much on this one. I'm happy with my decision.

Travis

 

[Stuart96]

I just bought a HF 72" last weekend it is far better then the craftsman it replaced.




This was my old craftsman.

Box looks awesome what'd you paint it with??

 

[Mr_B]

HF if low cost is top priority if got little more to spend then masterforce 46" is very good option on a promotion deal and has 4 colors plus good expansion options.
quality slides and drawer rigidity more important than double slides, HF is pretty good when see some of the sale and coupon final paying prices, drawer latches or detents and finish is bit lacking though so if unlucky you will have imperfections/poor drawer closed fitment ....

 

[gsmith22]

Since I own craftsman edge series in 26, 40, and 52" long variations (top and bottom), I feel compelled to contribute for anyone that stumbles upon this in the future. They are simply awesome for home use - can't comment on professional/industrial use as that isn't what I use them for. The edge series isn't in any store so that makes it hard to compare (Sears "marketing" at its best), but after buying the lower rolling 52" cabinet, I was sold. Wait for a 50% off sale and use points (if you have them) and that makes them very competitive price wise. And as others have pointed out these are some combo of USA/mexico assembled/made but definitely not Chinese (almost assuredly made by Waterloo). Everyone always talks about supporting North American businesses -this is your chance and I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[jfull]

US General from HF hands down. Not much is going to compare at that price. Nothing actually.

HF is much better than crapsman, esp for the money. I've had both. (Currently have a 56 toolvault/montesuma with side locker, and if i was to do over, i'd just do HF)

 

[RH2]

I also have the 26 inch edge bottom box and think it is perfect for home use. It seems like very high quality, the blue color is great, and the layout is nice. I got this for less than $300 on sale.

 

[tonyciambrone]

Youre not posting "observations," you created this thread to trash the Cman box. You're comparing two boxes from a mile-high perspective, pushing everybody to YOUR conclusion, and putting down the one you dont like. Youre even laughing about it in your first post. Yes, thats ****-talking, dont try and backpeddle from your pettiness just bc most others dont agree and I called you out on it.

If youre happy with a product wherever its made - go buy it. I've got a few imported HF tools leftover from 20 years ago when they still sold pretty decent quality items, a buddy in KY still has his 42"(?), 18 ga, ballbearing drawer, stainless top&bottom box full of body tools that cost $150 for the set ~Y2k. I also occasionally still buy consumables at HF, I probably spend ~3x as much there as I do in Sears (~$60 vs $20 annually). I have literally NO dog in this fight other than the desire as a concerned customer to see Sears business improve, I've got more and better boxes than anything mentioned here already and am tired of seeing business legacies fail.

Regarding product feedback to Sears, vote with your wallet, give them feedback online, and quit repeating how bad you believe things are otherwise. Repeating rumors and past history doesnt do one bit of good for either people or companies, most of us learned that in kindegarten. Speaking from experience, when you replace a product with a higher quality replacement its dam difficult to overcome preconceived notions about quality. You've likely already gone out on a limb to convince management theres a need to improve quality and justify significantly higher costs, and for a few years after there are still plenty of asshats who have ZERO experience with the new product who talk ****.....reminiscent of this thread.

TL;DR.

Do you own this forum? My observation is that your are ACTING and TALKING like you own the exclusive rights to what is posted on this forum? Maybe take a walk or some deep breaths.

 

[Ree75]

One of the very few times I recommend HF.

Sears is **** on their toolboxes, I haven't seen one hold up yet, too many busted slides and bent drawers. My HF 44" is holding up very well

 

[yamaha0343]

I'd venture to say that the new Husky boxes have gotten pretty much there. I like the depth and drawer layouts.

 

[gsmith22]

just to clarity, the comparison being discussed is Craftsman EDGE boxes. I would agree that the lower end stuff isn't great and better things can be found elsewhere. But no sears that I have ever been in has the EDGE boxes on display or in stock. So unless you own one, you probably haven't put your hands on one. Craftsman takes a beating on here, sometimes deservedly so, but EDGE boxes are something they have done well. Correct me if I am wrong, but I doubt "Sears is **** on their toolboxes" is an opinion based on the use of EDGE boxes (Their prior Premium line with ballbearing slides and griplatch handles is essentially the same product).