Looking at a tool box. Performax vs Harbor Freight (US General)...

[moneyisflying]

So, walking through Menards today, I saw a nice Performax 40" on clearance today for $398 (this is a top and bottom piece). Plus 11% rebate so like $365.

My buddy says "Performax is junk, if you want cheap go to Harbor Freight and get a US General."

I did some research and others that have compared the two on here seem to be split. Some agree and think the Performax is junk. While others that own them chime in and mostly say they have had good luck with them and they are a good value.

I looked and did some research on my own.

Price on Performax: $365 (after rebate)
Price on US General $$550

Performax warranty: lifetime
US General warranty: manufacturer defect 90 day after purchase

Performax drawer weight limit: 100lbs
US General drawer weight limit: 80 lbs

I've seen both up close and both seem to be made of the same guage steel. I'm not sure. It seems by the numbers that the Performax is the better buy here.

My parents got me a cheap $100 small tool chest when I turned 18. I've had it for 20 years now and it's still working as well as it did when I got it. I should treat whatever I get the same as my old small one.

Thoughts?

 

[Parrothead]

I have seen both, and played with both and if we're talking about the same tool chest, I think they HF is a better buy and will hold up longer. That said, I think it would survive in a home shop reasonably well.

I'll agree with the ratings on the HF vs. the Performax, but remember the deep drawers on the HF are double slides so that makes a difference. Additionally, without measuring I would say the HF is a thicker gauge steel, and I am fairly good at noticing those types of differences.

There's also a rumor that the HF will soon be available in blue or black so keep that in mind if you hate red.

If you really want to step up your game, go check out the new Masterforce boxes...those are in an entirely different class! More expensive sure, but the last box you'll ever need, especially if you're using it at home.

*full disclosure I have the HF44.

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

Assuming you are looking at the 44" box, COUPONS MAN!

Save this to your phone and just tell them the coupon number.
http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/44",+13+DRAWER+INDUSTRIAL+QUALITY+ROLLER+CABINET

 

[ssdave]

Not sure what you're comparing from your prices; the typical HF 44 box is couponed for about $360 usually. If you're including a top, then the price is about right.

I bought a 26" 3 piece Performax stack a few years ago (probably about 10 years now). I bought it after comparing what I would get at HF. I've been a lot more pleased with it than I think I would have with the HF. It has held up real well, and had heavy stuff in it.

I later bought a Masterforce 41" box, again comparing to the HF. I liked the MF better than the HF, and bought the top and bottom for about the same price as the HF.

It's a much better box than the Performax, but it cost more, too.

The Performax isn't a very deep box at 18", but for $365, I don't think you can go wrong. It's a decent box, not top of the line, but good for the price. Same thing people say about the HF; not an excellent box, but okay because it's cheap. The Performax works smoother and better than the HF; that's what sold me on it. Might not be quite as heavy, but the design is better.

The question that is most relevant is do you like the drawer layout? I liked the drawer layout on the 26" stack, but not on the 40".

 

[Mikeske]

I am a cheap a$$ person and for that price if I needed a new box for the garage I be all over the Menards box in a heartbeat. Now for my opinion and it is this. If you are starting out and this box is remain in your garage and be parked in one spot and hardly ever be moved that box should last for years. Who cares if it gets abused a bit and I would know what abuse is to a toolbox as I had a old 27" Waterloo top and roller that I used my entire career of over 30 years. I was a aviation mechanic and my box would be rolled daily to the planes I would be working on and then back to the storage area at the end of the day and all I ever did was install a 1/4" aluminum plate on the bottom because it rusted out with new casters on it and a bar lock with a hasp on it to secure it as the lock cylinders on the bottom box rusted out.

After I retired I bought 2 new 44" Harbor Freight rollers with 2 side boxes and a locker but that was my retirement gift to myself and sold/donated to the kid down the street the old Waterloo.

 

[tonyciambrone]

The OP clearly states he is looking at a top and bottom box from peformax and gives pricing for the HF configured the same way.

That being said: the performax stuff seems decent for the money when I have checked it out in store. The biggest advantage to the HF boxes is they have a proven record and the platform is unlikely to change. Will the same performax combos be offered in two years? I doubt it. The U.S general line I would bet on it being around for a long time.

I see either line as a beginner box personally, meaning you are likely to outgrow or upgrade, although I have seen mechanics use HF boxes for years. Have no examples or history of Performax.

 

[moneyisflying]

Yeah it was top and bottom for $365 for the Performax 40" unit.

The Harbor Freight US General 44" top and bottom is actually $680, almost twice the price of the Performax.

I agree about the drawers, I like the smoother action of the Performax over the HF unit.

I will add that honestly I really like the Masterforce units a lot. But the same size top and bottom unit costs $700+. I have wanted it for years and just not had the money, and honestly it will be years more before I could on something like that. That is a big reason why at $365 this Performax has my interest peaked as I could do that now.

 

[moneyisflying]

The OP clearly states he is looking at a top and bottom box from peformax and gives pricing for the HF configured the same way.

That being said: the performax stuff seems decent for the money when I have checked it out in store. The biggest advantage to the HF boxes is they have a proven record and the platform is unlikely to change. Will the same performax combos be offered in two years? I doubt it. The U.S general line I would bet on it being around for a long time.

I see either line as a beginner box personally, meaning you are likely to outgrow or upgrade, although I have seen mechanics use HF boxes for years. Have no examples or history of Performax.

Very good points.

For a long time I always thought I needed the best everything and just would have to save for it all. Over time I have found myself using some junk tools that cost nearly nothing for a long time and they are still going. I will say that some tools I am very happy that I spent good money on, like my cordless DeWalt drill and impact, and some others. A tool box I think is more just a storage place that I need. Yeah, I don't want it falling apart, but it comes with a lifetime warranty, so that makes me feel pretty good about it.

I appreciate all the input. I would like more if anyone has more, but right now I am leaning towards getting it while they still have it. It would be awesome to finally have a good sized tool box that I have wanted for so very long!

 

[Mikeske]

Very good points.

For a long time I always thought I needed the best everything and just would have to save for it all. Over time I have found myself using some junk tools that cost nearly nothing for a long time and they are still going. I will say that some tools I am very happy that I spent good money on, like my cordless DeWalt drill and impact, and some others. A tool box I think is more just a storage place that I need. Yeah, I don't want it falling apart, but it comes with a lifetime warranty, so that makes me feel pretty good about it.

I appreciate all the input. I would like more if anyone has more, but right now I am leaning towards getting it while they still have it. It would be awesome to finally have a good sized tool box that I have wanted for so very long!

There you go a lifetime warranty and the box might not be filled anytime soon but IT WILL GET FILLED in the future. For the price that it selling and a roller and top box, don't let the door hit in the a$$ on the way over to Menards. The clearance sell will be gone before long so HURRY UP!!!!!!

 

[dan.brown]

So, walking through Menards today, I saw a nice Performax 40" on clearance today for $398 (this is a top and bottom piece). Plus 11% rebate so like $365.

My buddy says "Performax is junk, if you want cheap go to Harbor Freight and get a US General."

I did some research and others that have compared the two on here seem to be split. Some agree and think the Performax is junk. While others that own them chime in and mostly say they have had good luck with them and they are a good value.

I looked and did some research on my own.

Price on Performax: $365 (after rebate)
Price on US General $$550

Performax warranty: lifetime
US General warranty: manufacturer defect 90 day after purchase

Performax drawer weight limit: 100lbs
US General drawer weight limit: 80 lbs

I've seen both up close and both seem to be made of the same guage steel. I'm not sure. It seems by the numbers that the Performax is the better buy here.

My parents got me a cheap $100 small tool chest when I turned 18. I've had it for 20 years now and it's still working as well as it did when I got it. I should treat whatever I get the same as my old small one.

Thoughts?

I have a Menard's Performax Tool Chest. Top and bottom box. I also have a U.S. General from HF. I am going to say that the Menard's "special" is the better of the two. I have had the boxes for a number of years now. The Performax was a replacement for a Mac tool chest that got ruined when the garage burned to the ground. I was not going to get a box from the "truck tool peddler" so I shopped around and found the good deal at Menard's. I too caught it on sale with the same rebate. It's a good box with plenty of room and great wheels so I can move it when needed. There you go, a little review of the Menard's Performax tool chest. The U. S. General, well it does hold my tools and it took a lot of time to assemble. Get the Performax.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[moneyisflying]

Thank you all for the input. I'll be picking the Performax one up in a few hours.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thank you all for the input. I'll be picking the Performax one up in a few hours.

You have to buy what makes you happy, what you like and what you can afford.

However, a tool box is not just storage, it's a tool itself. A tool that holds the rest of your tools, like a shepherd tending it's flock. Your current box is 20 years old and hopefully, the box you're about to purchase will last that long or longer. Consider the new box an investment and sometimes you have to spend more for a better investment.


Whatever you buy, we expect pictures this afternoon after you unbox it in the garage. . . .

 

[moneyisflying]

Thanks NUTTSGT.

I did get it, however it's gonna be a few days before I can get it out of the box for proper pictures.

Man, what a steal! Actual price after rebate was $338!

 

[moneyisflying]

Got time to un-box and put it in place today! I'm looking forward to getting some tools organized in it!

I really like the outlet strip and the USB ports on top. It's gonna be a great tool box I think!
Thanks for all the input!

 

[quadrcr87]

I like the blacked out color scheme! Now lets get some pictures full of tools

 

[IowaDon]

Menards has this vinyl floor runner material that I've found to work great for lining the drawers:

https://www.menards.com/main/p-1444444114129.htm

BTW, nice score on the boxes!

 

[moneyisflying]

I like the blacked out color scheme! Now lets get some pictures full of tools

Lol, I am working on it. Some tools I have, many more still need to be purchased. To fill it may take some years.

Menards has this vinyl floor runner material that I've found to work great for lining the drawers:

https://www.menards.com/main/p-1444444114129.htm

BTW, nice score on the boxes!

Awesome! This was my next step to find something cheap to put in an cut around for my tools. Is this a thick like 1/2" material? Or just super thin like 2mm that just sits at the bottom?

 

[IowaDon]

It's super thin. The first two photos are of a small scrap I had left over. The third is obviously how it looks cut to size in a drawer.

I spent some time researching what to use, and I'm happy I went with this stuff.

 

[Mr_B]

not bad for sale price, I would say the HF 44" or 56" (more depth) makes better box due to drawer layout, bit more rigidity and expansion options.
For 350bucks and home use though you can't go far wrong really and in caring hands it will last .
That lining material pretty good option and low cost .

 

[ssdave]

I no longer live near a Menards. If I did, I'd buy 6 or 8 of them at $209 each; they'd make great garage shelving. For that, the drawer layout would be much better than the HF 44, which I'm planning to use instead. It's too far a drive to the nearest Menards to make it worthwhile.

 

[Aaron_W]

I just bought a Husky 26" chest in November. I was having a hard time finding the drawer liner material like that posted above, nobody seemed to have it. I happened to run across a post somewhere that suggested kitchen drawer liner. It comes in a roll and is maybe 2mm thick, just slightly tacky feeling so it has a slight grip to keep the tools in place when you open and close the drawers. It isn't actually sticky, just sort of rubbery, it doesn't leave any kind of residue. Some sort of soft PVC product.

It comes in a variety of colors, not just black. I went with a sort of beige with the idea of more light in the drawer. Its pretty cheap, I think I paid about $10 for a roll big enough to do 4 drawers and the top section.

https://www.duckbrand.com/products/shelf-liner-bath/non-adhesive-shelf-liner/brownstone-12-in-x-20-ft


The tool chest with liner material. I thought this was a really nice chest for $70.

 

[petercookies]

The little "ball bearing" logo on the Performax looks quite similar to the decal they used on the Craftsman boxes in the 90s.

Anyone know if that's significant?

 

[ssdave]

I just bought a Husky 26" chest in November. I was having a hard time finding the drawer liner material like that posted above, nobody seemed to have it. I happened to run across a post somewhere that suggested kitchen drawer liner. It comes in a roll and is maybe 2mm thick, just slightly tacky feeling so it has a slight grip to keep the tools in place when you open and close the drawers. It isn't actually sticky, just sort of rubbery, it doesn't leave any kind of residue. Some sort of soft PVC product.

It comes in a variety of colors, not just black. I went with a sort of beige with the idea of more light in the drawer. Its pretty cheap, I think I paid about $10 for a roll big enough to do 4 drawers and the top section.

https://www.duckbrand.com/products/shelf-liner-bath/non-adhesive-shelf-liner/brownstone-12-in-x-20-ft


The tool chest with liner material. I thought this was a really nice chest for $70.

Be careful of that rubber grid liner you're using. It will dissolve and weld itself to plastic handles.....Been there, done that.

 

[Aaron_W]

Be careful of that rubber grid liner you're using. It will dissolve and weld itself to plastic handles.....Been there, done that.

Good to know. The person that suggested it had been using it for sometime, but I will definitely keep an eye on it. Mostly metal tools, but there are plastic boxes in there.

I swear the was a conspiracy on the black rubber liner usually used, not one store in the area had it in stock when I bought the tool box.