Mac Tech 1000 vs Harbor Freight 41/44 tool boxes

[Thephranc]

I just dont understand the resale argument against HF boxes. How often are you guys selling boxes? Is it years worth of turn over time? Weeks? Decades?

 

[Wangstang]

To be fair, I cant recall any thread or site ever doing a side by side of a HF box to a truck box.
I would like to see a fair, unbiased, scientific comparison too.

I'd gladly compare the 56" HF to my KRL722 if someone sends me a gift card to buy the HF.

You know what, I'm to the point where I'd be willing to kick in a $10-15.00 just to get the info. I'd like to see an unbiased 3rd party oversee a side by side eval and dismantling of a HF 56, a HF 41/44 vs which ever truck box brands want to show up. I mean really, if the truck brand is so much better, where are the youtube videos from the truck dealers and big name corporate offices that explain what you get for your money.

I really am open to the idea of spending more for a box if it's a better product, but I want to know exactly why it's better, especially when we are talking more than $200-500 in price differences.

Wes

 

[rice rocket]

I don't have the KRL, but a friend does and I own the HF 44.

The HF 44 will never be as solid or as smooth as the KRL722. The drawers slide much easier on the KRL, and resist torsion a lot better. On the HF 44, I need to pull either with two hands or only on the center, or else the drawer will bind and I won't be able to open it. Once the drawer is out, the KRL is much more solid in the same type of force (i.e. pushing one side of the drawer in while pulling on the other side).

I don't for a second think the HF box is comparable, but at 1/15th the price and as a hobbyist, I don't mind that my drawers aren't as solid. Unless I line the top drawer with lead plates, I don't foresee load being an issue.

 

[Kent Skinner]

Challenge accepted

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R8EFRY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Made by Waterloo. They actually make a lot of boxes, in the USA, in that size range for ~$1000.

That's awesome. Perhaps that should be the default answer for all the trolls who scream about how evil HF is.
A link to that box (assuming its COO can be confirmed) could probably get a bunch of folks to buy American. In any case, it's a lot better than the SO guys raving like they do.

 

[oldldh]

I don't for a second think the HF box is comparable, but at 1/15th the price and as a hobbyist, I don't mind that my drawers aren't as solid. Unless I line the top drawer with lead plates, I don't foresee load being an issue.

We have a fairly wide range of members on this forum...(And if I don't loose a few pounds, it will be wider, yet...but I digress...)

The professionals, the folks that use their tools to make a living, versus the DIY'er, the weekend warrior type, like me...

For the professional, investing ten kilo-dollars in a tool box probably makes sense...tax deduction, longevity, strength, etc...for the DIY'er, it doesn't make too much sense to drop that kind of coin, on what amounts to a hobby purchase...

It's like the difference between "Want" and "Need"...

Needs are like food, clothing, and shelter...

Wants are like T-bone steak, a three hundred dollar tie, and a 4,000 sq ft penthouse condo in Miami, for partying on the weekend...

My Wife bought me a HF 56" Roller Cabinet for Christmas...I NEEDED a cabinet in that price and quality range...But I WANTED the Extreme 55" Professional Roller...The Extreme is about twice the weight, and four times the price, and twice as well built...

Both boxes are imports, but they ain't the same...After serving from 1965 to 1992 in the Air Force, no one can question my patriotism, but buying American, just isn't possible on my budget---I buy American when I can (Proto Screwdrivers, USA Craftsman wrenches, etc), but an American made roller cabinet just wasn't in the budget...

Both boxes are imports, but they ain't the same as SnapOn, Matco, Mac, et al---comparable, maybe---similar, maybe---but they ain't the same...

I never considered a "Truck Box"...Being retired, I don't have that kind of money just laying around, and a purchase of that magnitude just didn't make sense for my purposes...A NEED versus a WANT...

A discussion on the various merits of the different brands is illuminating, informative, humorous, patriotism elevating, etc---

In my humble opinion, difference is what makes the world go round...

None of us are the same, similar maybe, but not the same...

Aren't you glad we live in interesting times???

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

This isn't USA made, but this Williams box for $470 shipped is made in Canada, likely by SPG International. Who knows how it compares in quality to the HF box, though.

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...abinets-Super-Value-Series-44-Inch-Tool-Boxes

My HF box is working great, so I'm not in the market for a new box. Plus, I bought mine back when you could use 20% off coupons on them, so I only paid $279 + tax.

That's a great deal......I may get one to compliment my new HF 44". I have been wanting something like this with wide drawers to hold box sets, pry bars, and torque wrenches.

 

[MattPersman]

Yeah the top is 570; the bottom is quite a good deal black and blue are also avail.