Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

[wildxplora]

Happy holidays...so x-mas has come and gone but the plan for the holidays was a tool chest and cabinet combo. Granted it's going stay put in the garage, the tools stored will all be a mix of commercial grade hand and power tools. Not going the crazy bargain basement route nor the sell your soul to the devil expensive route either when it comes to a 41" chest and cabinet combo.

So that leads me to searching literally all the companies you all have mentioned more or less on here for a high grade home garage combo unit, with that being said I have narrowed it down to two combo units:

Menards Masterforce 41" chest n cabinet combo, and Homak's H2Pro 41" chest n cabinet combo. I really would like to know your opinions. Both look great online, layouts certainly vary obviously, but since either unit will have to be shipped (I live in Queens, NY) I can't check them out, hence if you had to pick one over the other which would u pick and why? All advice is appreciated, since I cannot tear this units apart online to see which one is the clear better choice.

Btw Harbor Fright recommendations as much as they are raved about I simply cannot bring myself to purchase, so that's not happening lol...

Looking to hear your comments...and thanks for your help....

 

[Tenex]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

The Masterforce latch system is nice. If I had the space I would have purchased the Masterforce 72" cabinet when it was on sale for $1K.

 

[liam.fenemore]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I have a Homak box that I've used for a couple years in the shop. I've never seen a Masterforce in person so I can't tell you which is better, but I can say I have no complaints about my Homak.

 

[btbsandman]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I have seen both in person. I would recommend Masterforce.

 

[ssdave]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I've seen both and I voted with my own money. I own the Masterforce. I think much better made than the Homak. Good decision to bypass the HF, the masterforce is much better quality as long as the drawer layout works for you.

 

[metaldad]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

masterforce. menards is having an 11% off sale going on right now. (in rebate form)
i believe that savings may carry over to mail order.
http://www.menards.com/main/flyer.h...stal_code=60139&getGoogleKey=true&flyer=flyer

 

[David W]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I have the Homak and I'm not impressed. Buyers remorse here.
What I hate is the lower drawers are all the same size height wise. There's just too much wasted space for tools that can lie flat. The overall quality is just so so.
I only got the lower section as I like to mount a vise on top and have a bit of bench space so I can't comment on how anyone may like or dislike the top section.

 

[78C-10]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

As others have stated, I have seen both and I would go with Masterforce.

 

[Tinner]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

Are some of you confusing the Homak Pro Series and the H2Pro? There is a difference. I have the 36" H2Pro at work and it's been wonderful. Almost 3 years of daily use and I have no complaints. I just got the top box on year end sale to replace a Waterloo box that I never was happy with.

Compared to the Masterforce boxes several of my coworkers have, it's no contest. The H2Pro is built heavier, has better casters and slides and in the 41" model is 3 3/4 deeper, front to back. It also costs more.

The Masterforce is a real good box, for the money. A couple guys had caster and slide problems, Menards supplied replacement parts quickly.

The Homak Pro Series and down are another story. They are real pieces of ****. Poorly constructed and cheezy hardware. I'd take a Masterforce over a Pro Series any day.

Here are some links for comparison:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200580600_200580600

http://www.menards.com/main/masterforce-tool-storage/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/masterforce-41-11-drawer-tool-cabinet/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/masterforce-reg-41-11-drawer-mobile-tool-cabinet/p-1444451675527.htm;jsessionid=30F5B7A0B8AE349B9EA6097A79BFE352.tndm-prodapp6-external-mcom

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200580598_200580598

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/tool-chests-boxes/masterforce-reg-41-8-drawer-tool-chest/p-1444451669595.htm

 

[Snapped-off]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I'm biased towards Masterforce. I had the old style 41" and now the new style. Used to be used daily at my previous job. Still works just fine after 2 years of daily use.

 

[wildxplora]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

Keep the info coming guys, definitely appreciate your opinions on these two...
So many units available in this price range, but these were the two grabbed my attention...still without being able to mess around with them locally its damm hard to pick which one I want. Thanks in advance for the help...

 

[wildxplora]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

So any last comments from anyone out there?

Sounds like the most of you prefer the Masterforce 41" tool chest/cabinet combo over the Homak H2Pro 41" tool chest/cabinet combo.

I think I prefer the drawer layout better on the Masterforce than the Homak, more usable space overall and less huge drawers, plus the latching system on the Masteforce units seem more secure. Still hard to tell which one has the better build quality. Anyone know the gauge thickness of the sheet metal on the Masterforce? Any other combo units that any of you may suggest, similar to the two I have been looking at? Would like to keep the cost around the same as both of these....thanks for the info so far btw...

 

[ssdave]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

The drawer thickness is .050". The Homak must be heavier somewhere, because it weighs about 25% more according to their specs. I do know it doesn't feel as sturdy and well made, so no idea where the extra weight lies.

 

[David W]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

Here is mine at home.

 

[David W]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I added this internal sliding drawer to capture some of the wasted vertical drawer space.

 

[David W]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

It slides to the right to get at anything underneath it.

 

[Yankee]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I looked real hard at the Masterforce boxes.... Thought they were well built, had the drawer layout that I liked. The only reason I didn't get one was they were shallower than even my old Craftsman stack. (the inside of the drawers are less than 16 inches..)

Going by the specs it would seem they would be a little deeper, but since the drawers are recessed some, you lose at least an inch due to that.

Don't know anything about the Homak..

 

[tonyciambrone]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I own a lower series of Homak box that I am satisfied with for the price (350 for a 41" lower and upper)...

But I would recommend the masterforce. They are sturdy, nice drawer locks and layout, and if you want to expand with a side, top, or larger box it's all out there and available. That's a good amount of Homak owners suggesting masterforce..

Happy Hunting

 

[retDAC]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I added this internal sliding drawer to capture some of the wasted vertical drawer space.

Where did you get the sliding drawer?

 

[David W]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

Where did you get the sliding drawer?

I made most of it. Flat sheet metal for the bottom and aluminum angle. I bought the roller slides and the mounting brackets and bolted it all together.

 

[reader2580]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

masterforce. menards is having an 11% off sale going on right now. (in rebate form)
i believe that savings may carry over to mail order.
http://www.menards.com/main/flyer.h...stal_code=60139&getGoogleKey=true&flyer=flyer

You can get the 11% for an online order, but I would verify if you can use the 11% rebate check online since it is store credit and not cash. I thought in the past you could not use the store credit as payment for an online order.

 

[retDAC]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I made most of it. Flat sheet metal for the bottom and aluminum angle. I bought the roller slides and the mounting brackets and bolted it all together.

Really good job!

 

[David W]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

Thank you.

 

[wildxplora]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

Well I have to say you all have convinced me the benefits of going with the Masterforce combo. Ironically that was actually my first choice. I had come across the Homak H2Pro while looking around but read mixed reviews and after reading everything you all said it's out of the running.

BUT....

A friend of mine today said I should take a look at the SPG International Professional Series 42". I see the price jumps significantly compared to the Masterforce. Also see they have two versions, one longer than other draw size wise (18" vs 24"), with the 24" depth being substantially more price wise.
The 18"'depth still is more but if the quality is leaps and bounds better than the Masterforce it could be worth it. Somehow I am guessing it's not, but I could be wrong...

Any thoughts on the International? I think that's the only other unit I would consider other than the Masterforce...thanks for the info, most appreciated.

 

[MWEric]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I really like the depth of the Homak but for the price the masterforce is a better box. The latch system is better than the Homak which only has the detents. When it is cold the drawers are very stiff on the Homak and to open them all the way you have to pull hard the last couple inches. I'd go for the Masterforce.

 

[wildxplora]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

Hey there MWEric, it certainly sounds like you and the majority of people answering back really like the Masterforce boxes. Curious to know what the other boxes you have are in that pic u posted.

One of my friends said I should take a look at the International Professional series 41" chest/cabinet combo. I don't known how they would compare to the Masterforce boxes, would be curious to know.

If Menards can do me a deal for a 41" combo and I for another rolling chest too a 56"' for a brewery I am opening with a close friend, I think I may drop the hammer and purchase them. But the shipping to NY is obscene. Plus their 11% off deal you can do online BUT the rebate then is only redeemable in the store lol, totally defeats the purpose and why even offer it online then. Emailed Menards and they said they will get back to me to see what they can offer me...

Still if any of you think the International Pro series is just as good let me know since Home Depot near me can hook me up with a sweet offer, plus no shipping.

The search continues, but I'd luv to resolve this in the next day or two...

 

[MWEric]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

The other boxes are snap on, and Homak pro. The only international boxes I have seen were at Home Depot. The cheap ones were unremarkable, steel was thin and they only had 1 set of drawer slides on the deep drawers. If the international you are looking at has at least double slides on the deep drawers I would pull the trigger. Read the reviews on the HD website. Good luck.

 

[David W]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I also have an International 56" x 24" value series, called tech series these days. I'm very happy with it. The one you are interested in is a step up from the value series so I have every confidence that you will like it.

 

[vartz04]

Re: Masterforce 41" Combo or Homak H2Pro 41" Combo?? need your advice, Please!

I have a 27" international that is packed to the gills. Had it about 4 years now and really like it. It's just too small. That one might land in my little shed workshop and then I've been eyeing the master forces as well too. I'm stockpiling rebates.

Sad thing. If this would have been two months ago I could have met you with the boxes at the PA/OH border as I wasn't far from there for work and there are Menards stores in Ohio.


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