Masterforce/Menards Tool Box Refresh - July 2024

[Madjik Man]

So I am ready to pull the trigger on a Masterforce 72" tool box. Went to the website and see that there's no more pricing available. And that pick up at my store is also not available.

I called the store and asked what's going on. The gentleman I spoke to said that the current Masterforce tool boxes are discontinued and there's going to be a refresh in July 2024.

I used my Google-Fu found these Reddit threads about the same questions I have: https://www.reddit.com/r/menards/comments/1d2al0z reddit.com/r/menards/comments/1cqd4kw/new_masterforce_tool_chests/



My questions, if anyone here has any insight:

1. Will Montezuma still be the OEM?

2. Will it still retain the latch handle system?

3. Will it still retain the three full size top drawers?

 

[Madjik Man]

Knowing my luck the new version will be of lesser quality and lacking the features I wanted in the old version, lol

 

[51dueller]

Slightly off topic, but I've been wondering so a bit if Montezuma was going to update as well. They've been pretty much sold out on the website for the past 6 months. They introduced the new tool carts under the pro series so I wonder if the new chests/cabinet will match.

 

[Hakeem]

Knowing my luck the new version will be of lesser quality and lacking the features I wanted in the old version, lol

As someone who was looking at getting one (down the road) I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s just the color scheme that they’re improving.

 

[Madjik Man]

As someone who was looking at getting one (down the road) I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s just the color scheme that they’re improving.

One reply in one of those Reddit threads is that it was a materials shortage. That doesn't seem congruent with what's happening though.

Another reply from someone who works in the hardware dept at Menards:

"I work in hardware and have seen the posting. They will be different but there isn’t a lot of information yet on what’s changing."

 

[Madjik Man]

Another reply (not sure what "GO" stands for):

"The guy from GO says that have new models coming out soon. But don’t worry, the new models and old models will work together. (like if you bought a current bottom, and then bought a new top)...

...Not anything on sizes but with how he worded the email, they should be the same sizes as the current. He said late summer, so maybe July/August?"

 

[Snapped-off]

I don't believe Montezuma was ever the actual OEM. However, I don't recall the name of the OEM. It was posted here before. Montezuma just slaps their name on them.

Interested to see if there's any changes though. I've got a gen 2 Masterforce, when they were still 18" deep.

 

[dscheidt]

I don't believe Montezuma was ever the actual OEM. However, I don't recall the name of the OEM. It was posted here before. Montezuma just slaps their name on them.

Interested to see if there's any changes though. I've got a gen 2 Masterforce, when they were still 18" deep.

the paper work that came with mine listed quality craft as the contact for parts, etc. That's who sell Montezuma, and they're the oem of some other brands (there was a thread about it somewhere.) I called to see about getting matching locks, which they were willing to sell me, but I thought they wanted too much for them.

 

[david3921]

Where are you located? The website shows that there are 97 available. I'm assuming that's nationwide. None at "my" store but 4 within 50 miles of me. There is a line that says 'check availability at other stores' on the webpage.

Masterforce® 72"W x 24"D Blue 15-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet

The Masterforce® 72" Tool Cabinet features a 24-inch depth for a larger work surface. It includes a patented Raise & Release™ drawer latching system with full extension 150-pound ball-bearing drawer slides. The secure keyed locking system (includes two keys), hardened steel side handle, 6-inch...

www.menards.com

 

[Madjik Man]

Where are you located? The website shows that there are 97 available. I'm assuming that's nationwide. None at "my" store but 4 within 50 miles of me. There is a line that says 'check availability at other stores' on the webpage.

Masterforce® 72"W x 24"D Blue 15-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet

The Masterforce® 72" Tool Cabinet features a 24-inch depth for a larger work surface. It includes a patented Raise & Release™ drawer latching system with full extension 150-pound ball-bearing drawer slides. The secure keyed locking system (includes two keys), hardened steel side handle, 6-inch...

www.menards.com

Closest store to me, and it’s still 80 miles away, is Cheyenne WY.

 

[Snapped-off]

the paper work that came with mine listed quality craft as the contact for parts, etc. That's who sell Montezuma, and they're the oem of some other brands (there was a thread about it somewhere.) I called to see about getting matching locks, which they were willing to sell me, but I thought they wanted too much for them.

Ok, so I guess it's not wrong to say Montezuma makes them. It's just Quality Crafts toolbox brand.

 

[Snapped-off]

My local store has a 72 on the floor.

 

[Bruteforce79]

Updated boxes are on the Menards website. The only change I see are new power outlets and a lockable drawer.

 

[Mr_B]

Masterforce 72" is about best designed/made low cost option, around 1400 bucks with rebate (beats HF 72" pricing)
24" depth (beats US Gen lol), 15 drawers (beats US Gen again lol), drawer layout pretty universal balance, features and build pretty good, drawer latches are proper effort unlike US Gen (yet another beats US Gen) .
Check out the new box and if still seem pretty solid and crisp finish quality buy one .

 

[dscheidt]

Updated boxes are on the Menards website. The only change I see are new power outlets and a lockable drawer.

no color choices.

 

[Bruteforce79]

no color choices.

Black is available.

 

[Madjik Man]

Black is available.

Am I missing something?

Masterforce® 72"W x 24"D Gunmetal 15-Drawer Tool Cabinet

This gunmetal 15-drawer tool cabinet provides you with ample storage and organization for your tools and equipment in your garage, shed, or workspace. Complete with Raise & Release™ latches that keep drawers closed and secure, as well as heavy-duty, full-extension, ball-bearing drawer slides...

www.menards.com

I see the old style with gunmetal and blue options.

No changes to the power strip.

 

[Mr_B]

Am I missing something?

Masterforce® 72"W x 24"D Gunmetal 15-Drawer Tool Cabinet

This gunmetal 15-drawer tool cabinet provides you with ample storage and organization for your tools and equipment in your garage, shed, or workspace. Complete with Raise & Release™ latches that keep drawers closed and secure, as well as heavy-duty, full-extension, ball-bearing drawer slides...

www.menards.com

I see the old style with gunmetal and blue options.

No changes to the power strip.

I think this the old one

Masterforce® 72"W x 24"D Blue 15-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet

The Masterforce® 72" Tool Cabinet features a 24-inch depth for a larger work surface. It includes a patented Raise & Release™ drawer latching system with full extension 150-pound ball-bearing drawer slides. The secure keyed locking system (includes two keys), hardened steel side handle, 6-inch...

www.menards.com

this the new one

Masterforce® 72"W x 24"D Blue 15-Drawer Tool Cabinet

This blue 15-drawer tool cabinet provides you with ample storage and organization for your tools and equipment in your garage, shed, or workspace. Complete with Raise & Release™ latches that keep drawers closed and secure, as well as heavy-duty, full-extension, ball-bearing drawer slides that...

www.menards.com

Old was rated at 4000lbs capacity new at 3000lbs, seems price same I would assume newer model cheaper manufacture/less metal than old one (gross shipping weight is about 26lbs difference) .
In the current retail game new version never means better for consumer, new models going need good look over preferably by someone who can compare/got experience with old model

 

[51dueller]

The new model is the one rated for 4000 lbs and the old one is 3000 lbs. Looks like the power bar has got a slight upgrade with surge protection and a usb C port.

 

[Mr_B]

The new model is the one rated for 4000 lbs and the old one is 3000 lbs. Looks like the power bar has got a slight upgrade with surge protection and a usb C port.

My bad I got them wrong way round,.Amazed price still same as before, although i suppose good chance it will go up once stock and marketing transition smoothed out .
Amazed how they got extra 1000lbs rating in lighter shipped package .
Hopefully they still a proper made effort as at under 1,500 bucks range nothing much else available at 24" depth that proper good and stout and has nice drawer pulls/latch system .

 

[Madjik Man]

Looks like they added a power drawer too. From the description:

• Integrated power drawer stores and charges your tools

 

[Snapped-off]

I wonder if it's to compete with Icon.

Masterforce would've been my third choice if they still offered red boxes. Icon was my 4th choice

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Masterforce boxes are a good middle ground between USG and Masterforce. Comparable, IMO, to Homak RS Pro before the Homak price increase.

I do wish they had more color options and a more traditional hutch door. Then again, the fact that they offer a stainless or wood top option is a welcome feature.

 

[kngelv]

I like the Masterforce drawer latches but their slides feel a little flimsier than the U.S. Generals but that could be my imagination. I've never looked at them side by side. I don't like the latches on my HF 56" top and bottom or the latches on the newer 34" service cart. If I could sell my HF boxes today I would be all over a 60" Tekton box with all wide drawers. I'm tired of multiple drawers that don't hold all that much.

James

 

[mngundog]

If you click on through the photos of the wheels (new model), the zoomed in wheel photos looks different than the photo showing all 4 wheels.

 

[jad3675]

Looks like the new boxes went live last week.
Different wheels...and a power strip in the top hutch.

 

[dsaabm]

I wish they brought the green color back

 

[jad3675]

I just picked up (well, had delivered) the 41" tool chest combo. As others have noted, the pull-out work table is now wood and not metal as in the previous version.
And this surprised me - if only because it's not mentioned anywhere on the website - the bottom left drawer is 'powered' and has 4 outlets inside for charging devices.

 

[Tynee]

I like the Masterforce drawer latches but their slides feel a little flimsier than the U.S. Generals but that could be my imagination. I've never looked at them side by side. I don't like the latches on my HF 56" top and bottom or the latches on the newer 34" service cart. If I could sell my HF boxes today I would be all over a 60" Tekton box with all wide drawers. I'm tired of multiple drawers that don't hold all that much.

James

I had no idea Tekton was offering these now. This makes a ton of send to me, with the ability to partition the drawers any way you want, or to use any kind of schaller-style bins, it's a little like a budget Lista.

 

[whateg01]

Closest store to me, and it’s still 80 miles away, is Cheyenne WY.

If I wanted it and it was 80 miles away I would be placing an online order and getting in the truck!

 

[Madjik Man]

If I wanted it and it was 80 miles away I would be placing an online order and getting in the truck!

I’m eventually buying the new version.

Will rent a box truck with a lift gate so I don’t end up on YouTube as “that guy trying to unload a tool box down a ramp.”

 

[whateg01]

I’m eventually buying the new version.

Will rent a box truck with a lift gate so I don’t end up on YouTube as “that guy trying to unload a tool box down a ramp.”

Engine hoist works well as long as you know how to rig it.

 

[Madjik Man]

Engine hoist works well as long as you know how to rig it.

Yeah, I don’t have a cherry picker or a truck bed big enough to haul the 72” box.

I don’t mind dropping $150 on a rental that is going safely get the box from the store to my garage.

 

[Jtels85]

It isn’t just Masterforce tool boxes, some of their tool line as well is changing. I popped in briefly to pick up an item for the shop and noticed the dark green vinyl handle pliers are being replaced with textured grip.

 

[Hakeem]

Yeah, I don’t have a cherry picker or a truck bed big enough to haul the 72” box.

I don’t mind dropping $150 on a rental that is going safely get the box from the store to my garage.

Money well spent. I didn’t plan ahead and had to cobble a ramp together to get my 56” box off the rental truck. It worked but could have easily ended in disaster.

 

[jad3675]

Money well spent. I didn’t plan ahead and had to cobble a ramp together to get my 56” box off the rental truck. It worked but could have easily ended in disaster.

That's why I had mine delivered. I have a foldable HF utility trailer that you can 'dump' the bed on by pulling out the pins on the a-frame but I was leery of working with heavy, oversized boxes that way by myself.

As it was, I removed all of the drawers from the lower chest so I could lift each side to install the casters. Did the same to the top chest so that myself and my 16 year-old son could lift it on the bottom chest.

I really do like the 'lift-n-slide' drawer latches. They're worlds better than the plastic ones that HF uses on the Series 3 boxes.

 

[speed88]

Was down at my local Menards the other day and took a few pics of the 41” box they had on display.

 

[Hakeem]

24” depth?? Incredible. I didn’t know about the pullout work surface either. That 41” stack looks real nice.

@jad3675 - share some photos please!

 

[Madjik Man]

Was down at my local Menards the other day and took a few pics of the 41” box they had on display.

Ooooh nice. I always thought the top drawer of the lower box was not full extension. At least that's what I've seen on the 72" tours on youtube.

 

[Madjik Man]

24” depth?? Incredible. I didn’t know about the pullout work surface either. That 41” stack looks real nice.

@jad3675 - share some photos please!

Box is 24" deep.

Drawer depth is 21 3/16"