Just one more Menards comparo.:-)

[M.I.N.E.220]

Here's what I'm wondering. I want to buy a 56" Masterforce box (even green), but no Menards within 200 miles. So, I guess I will order and at worst sacrafice the trip.

Or is there someone out there that can tell me what these things really are. Mainly because the reviews I've found are old. Everyone has old. Did you notice they had a design change. Now the top box is more 50/50 drawer and open front (by the way old top boxes are on sale for $299), but it is thelook down in style.

I guess when I think about a box I want the old built like a safe feel. Does that even exist anymore?

Hope someone knows. If these are just the same as HF then I would probably rather used tool truck.Also does anyone else think the drawer release on one side (HF) would get anoying? r

 

[vartz04]

I like the masterforce boxes a lot. Def well built. Id say its a step above the hf box.

 

[Rockuf8]

The older ones seemed to have extruded aluminum handles like the Vipers and flush fronts. The newer ones on the site seem to be different now, no more flush front design or add on handles.

I don't have any Menards here in NJ so now sure on quality.

 

[danski0224]

I wrote this up: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2841139&postcount=1

 

[M.I.N.E.220]

Thanks.. What do you think about your international (if I'm correct in thinking that is SPG)? I was looking at them too, but got a little scared once I saw the Profesional and then Value. Of course I can find a great price on the Value.

 

[M.I.N.E.220]

Also pretty sure Masterforce is made by montezuma. And Montezuma is manfactured in Mexico. And SPG obviously has some affiliation with Sears. Which is weird because Sears is supposedly made by Danaher (THE ALL MIGHTY).?

 

[danski0224]

The International Pro series boxes have not arrived yet. I ordered them through Sears when they had a shipping promo happening and I could only choose the color blue in the style I wanted. The time between order and arrival has been a disappointment. They are not expected until next week, and I'll be PO'd if there is damage.

Yes, the International SHD line is a lot more money, but those drawer slides cost an arm and a leg. Price out some cabinet slides and you will see.

The International Professional line isn't much more than Masterforce, less than 50%. The SHD line may give you more bang for the buck in comparison to tool truck boxes, but now that Lista has mobile tool boxes in more traditional layouts, those are tough to beat. Worth looking at if you are shopping in the $4k+ range.

The Masterforce boxes I bought were made in China. That manufacturer probably makes them for a few other badge engineers.

The detent slide Masterforce boxes are a dead ringer for the Viper stuff I saw at Sears.

I don't think there is any connection between Sears and SPG, other than a distribution agreement.

 

[M.I.N.E.220]

Sweet I was going to ask you if you saw "made in china", on your boxes. That might be enough for me to walk away. China is doing alot of crazy stuff to undermind our market and economy. If you don't mind get back to me about your international. And do you think the value line would be straight junk? If I were to spend 4k I would go used tool truck on cl. I have too many toys that I could replace with new if I spent 4k or better. Plus is it me or are the better line of boxes not quite what they used to be for 4k.

 

[kristoreie]

The newer ones on the site seem to be different now, no more flush front design or add on handles.

 

[danski0224]

Sweet I was going to ask you if you saw "made in china", on your boxes. That might be enough for me to walk away. China is doing alot of crazy stuff to undermind our market and economy. If you don't mind get back to me about your international. And do you think the value line would be straight junk? If I were to spend 4k I would go used tool truck on cl. I have too many toys that I could replace with new if I spent 4k or better. Plus is it me or are the better line of boxes not quite what they used to be for 4k.

Of the Made in China toolboxes I looked at, Masterforce delivers some value, much as I hate to combine "Made in China" and "value" in the same sentence. They are 11% off this week to boot... (Menards rebate, not really a discount per se)

Sears doesn't offer much between the entry level homeowner stuff and their top of the line.

The HF offerings didn't appeal to me. Not just COO, but drawer layout.

The (2) 27" International Pro series chests (one of each drawer configuration) will give me meaningful storage- I'm pulling the wheels off. I didn't want a bunch of narrow width or height drawers. Unless you go >56", you typically get a bank of narrow width drawers in a tool chest.

I would think that the "Value" line at International toolboxes is no different from other comparable Chinese import products. No one in my area has some on display, so I can't make a specific comment. "Get what you pay for" is probably fair.

I have a Lista toolbox too. I would take a $4k Lista over a $4k tool truck box any day of the week.

 

[volaredon]

check CL for a Mac, Matco or SO.

 

[frankush]

The Masterforce boxes are not going to have that "built like a safe feel" you describe. They are good for what they are which is a mid grade box. (IMHO) What sets them apart is that they are sometimes found for very good prices. The newer boxes use the "griplatch" style drawers. I know that the 56" top box is on sale for $299 online this week. From pictures I saw, it looked like the older version.

 

[Swan]

I saw a sign for the 56" top box on sale for $299 at my Local Menards. It is the older style and the ugly green color (part #245-1786).

 

[danski0224]

If you don't mind get back to me about your international.

I picked them up from the freight depot today.

They don't seem to be any better or any worse compared to Masterforce.

The slides have a pretty strong detent, which I don't care for. Maybe it will "feel" better with some weight in the drawers or when it is warmer out.

The drawers have a similar latching system.

Appearance wise (fit and finish), I would give a slight nod to Masterforce.

For my intended use, the drawer configuration on these International boxes works where Masterforce doesn't.

I'm also willing to pay a little extra for Canadian country of origin vs China, without getting into or knowing what exactly is made in Canada. All I know is it says "Made in Canada" on the shipping box and on the product.