Masterforce Tool Boxes 24" Deep

[GrayFlattop]

The casters on the new Masterforce boxes are some of the best I've seen - this side of a $$ tool-truck box.

Just looking at this old thread, Like most here, I prefer shallower drawers to deeper ones. The ratio of shallow to deep was much better with their older 18" deep boxes. That said, I prefer to top drawer to be deeper as I keep most of my sockets on Hansen holders - they fit perfectly.

In general, I'd vote for blue over black. Black is classy looking, but it just makes a work area feel darker.

And on the question of a large 72" box vs. 2 x 36" boxes, I voted for the two smaller ones - easier to move and to configure in my cramped shop.

Even though they are from China, the quality of the masterforce boxes is very good overall - I've been very happy over the years. As much as I am happy with my Lista cabinets, it's a tough pill to swallow price-wise.

So now you all know my opinion on the subject - and no doubt others will disagree.

 

[Mr_B]

^ as above
under 100 bucks don't buy you much of a set of casters
Masterforce is very very decent for rebate/sale prices as it proper features like drawer latches and quality fittings many are lacking, biggest issue for me would be drawer depth, I would have buy 2 shallow drawers to replace each deep drawer I couldn't use to full benefit .
Only other 2 in same sort of class is homak rs pro and international pro series .

 

[milwaukeephil]

I'm putting a side cabinet on a forbidden 36" box and noticed that it has holes drilled for casters.

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Interesting, I just went back and looked at menards.com and they changed it to "Recommended to fit virtually any cabinet 41" or wider ". I bought it for my 30" wide box a few months back and I KNOW it said 30" or wider back then. I checked that multiple times. Anyway, it works great on the 30" ;-) I have it fully loaded and there's no chance of it tipping and definitely no need for casters. If it didn't have that nice power strip on the right side I'd get the side chest to balance it all out.

BTW, these chests are a step above the US General and Milwaukee (and all the other re-brands) that are in the home stores.

 

[GrayFlattop]

milwaukeephil - great screen name. Are you related to Phil Alderisio?Sorry to go off topic, but that name conjures up an interesting childhood memory...

And back on topic - as long as you are mindful of the weight balance, you won't have a problem.

 

[milwaukeephil]

Actually it's much simpler -- my name is Phil and I live near Milwaukee. Anyway, this post got me thinking about that side chest again. It's on sale for $219. The reason I didn't buy it in the past was because it would cover the power strip. I convinced myself that I can just live without the power strip but I remembered that right side is also where the whole chest plugs in. Has anybody ever seen if they thought that out and have a way to reroute the wiring? Hard to believe that whoever designed it didn't take that into consideration.

 

[Mr_B]

^
would be pretty easy custom move/add powerstrip, worth asking them if any built in adaption for mounting side box that end but expect concept is left side mount only, bit of a design blip if is ...

 

[milwaukeephil]

I'd say it's a pretty big design blip since the cabinet can only be mounted on the left side. I'm gonna take a drive and see what I can see.

 

[Mr_B]

From what I remember the lip plates for the side cabinets will mount left or right on actual side cabinet .
All you have to do is either custom remount original powerstrip or add own strip to side cabinet .
Never been a fan of the inbuilt power strips on any box .

 

[plinker]

The 18" depth side cabinet I used had the lip to hang from (either side), also a clamp/bracket for holding the bottom of the side box to the roller box.

The lower clamp didnt work for me as the roller I had was the 1st gen roller cab w/o the drawer latch, The side box had the drawer latch setup. Slight difference in height or something IIRC.

 

[NUTTSGT]

From what I remember the lip plates for the side cabinets will mount left or right on actual side cabinet .
All you have to do is either custom remount original powerstrip or add own strip to side cabinet .
Never been a fan of the inbuilt power strips on any box .

I cut a power strip down from 48 inches to fit the box I took into work. The top half was riveted to the lower half, drilled them out and cut it where I wanted. I added a new cord for the shorter end with a new end piece. I believe I bolted the lower/back piece on the box through the handle holes. Once all was set in place, I riveted the aluminum diamond plate top half on.


https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7190238&postcount=34

 

[Brownsfan]

I saw the 72" version today at Menards. It feels really solid and quality. First impression of this versus the HF 72". This one shits all over the HF box. Much better value for the money

 

[milwaukeephil]

I went in last night and took a good look. If you have the locker, which can only be mounted on the left side, you can only put the side chest on the right side, covering the outlets and more importantly the hole where the wall cord comes out. I'll have to do some drilling and send it out the back.

 

[Tallpilot]

I saw the 72" version today at Menards. It feels really solid and quality. First impression of this versus the HF 72". This one shits all over the HF box. Much better value for the money

I've outgrown my 44" but there aren't any Menards within 1000 miles of Orlando. I wish these boxes would make HF step up their game. Otherwise I'm going to end up dragging a trailer the next time I visit family in the midwest.

 

[Fluxion]

I went in last night and took a good look. If you have the locker, which can only be mounted on the left side, you can only put the side chest on the right side, covering the outlets and more importantly the hole where the wall cord comes out. I'll have to do some drilling and send it out the back.

I have the 56" upper and lower in blue on order and was thinking about getting the side locker and a side cabinet. I'm curious, Is the locker only drilled on one side? I know the website says it can be mounted on either side and that the door is reversable. I had envisioned mounting the locker on the right, since my old box had a side cabinet on the left. I kinda got used to having a small space on the left to place a beer and a few tools.

 

[milwaukeephil]

I stand corrected! Just went and took a look at my locker and IT IS reversible. There are threaded inserts not only on the left side of it (so it could be mounted on the right side), but also on the right door jamb so you could reverse the door. I don't know why I thought it could only go on the left, must be my old age. It still doesn't change the fact that you can't mount anything on the right side without covering the outlets and the power cord that runs into the wall. The cord comes out the side and can't be rerouted out the back because there is a drawer right there. I'm off to Menards to grab the side chest while it's on sale. Stay tuned! Sorry for the earlier misinformation!

 

[Mr_B]

You can route a cord out back but be pointless as with side covered you want relocate it totally .

 

[milwaukeephil]

I went and got the side chest over the weekend. I thought I'd post a few pics for those on the fence. In a prior post, I had my info wrong and claimed the locker had to be mounted on the left side -- that was not correct and I apologize. Either way, whatever you mount on the right side will cover the power strip and the cord that plugs into the wall. In my case, I attached the chest on the right side and it seems like the 3/8" or so gap is enough not to pinch the wire too much... I can live with that. I'm going to still take a look and see if I can move the power strip to the chest with a little cutting.
In the meantime, here are some pics of my setup, showing threaded inserts on BOTH sides of the locker and chest, and also the inserts provided to change the locker's swing direction. Hope this clears some things up!

 

[archirelic]

Man, I really wish there was a Menards closer to me. The nearest location would be a 16 hour round trip.

I've debated btwn paying shipping costs on the boxes I want vs. setting aside the time to go pick up what I want. Time is money + gas...perhaps paying for shipping the boxes would just be the easier option.

 

[milwaukeephil]

Ran to HF and got this magnetic power strip. Problem solved. I was going to try to relocate the original strip but as you can see it would take some intricate cutting.

 

[PT Doc]

I too recommend a 72 box with 3 wide drawers. Sockets/ratchets, screwdrivers and pliers all have a home. This box looks like my Montezuma from a few years ago.

 

[Brownsfan]

I may be wrong. But Montezuma makes the Masterforce boxes.

 

[Mr_B]

I may be wrong. But Montezuma makes the Masterforce boxes.

Montezuma don't even make their roller cabinets and top boxes, they import from chinese manufacturer and it happens be possibly same manufacturer Menards use for Masterforce line - Quality Craft International Q-C Intl .

 

[Fluxion]

I'm happy to see your setup milwaukeephil!

I almost went with the gunmetal but ordered the blue 56". The upper cabinet actually came in on Saturday and went to pick it up today, I was afraid of leaving it there and getting damage. I was to late, they had already managed to smash one corner so I have another on order. The base roller cabinet isn't due in to the distribution center until Oc. 1st,

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I'm happy to see your setup milwaukeephil!

I almost went with the gunmetal but ordered the blue 56". The upper cabinet actually came in on Saturday and went to pick it up today, I was afraid of leaving it there and getting damage. I was to late, they had already managed to smash one corner so I have another on order. The base roller cabinet isn't due in to the distribution center until Oc. 1st,

Glad to hear You caught the damage before accepting it. A forklift commando at a nearby store ran a forklift fork thru a kitchen cabinet that was being delivered to a worksite. Being the damage was not reported to Menards within 72 hours, the customer was stuck with it.

 

[Fly YX]

The locker will go on the left or right. Just got one last weekend.

 

[TheSasquatch]

Has anyone bought one of the black boxes? I’m in need of a side cabinet for my classic series snapon. I’m not really looking to buy a new one off the truck and have seen how these are the same depth and the price is right I’ve been looking into them. I have a menards just town over , and they have several in store. One of the larger blue boxes and several of the hammer tone grey boxes. I asked one of the associates about the black asking if it was truly gloss black and he said it was, but he had never seen one so I’m not to sure. Anyone seen one?


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[dscheidt]

The casters on the new Masterforce boxes are some of the best I've seen - this side of a $$ tool-truck box.

I just got a 36" bottom box (I've ordered a top one, too, but it's not here yet.). I was pleased to see that the swivel casters have grease *******. They, and the locking mechanism, are stout enough that I had no problems flipping the box from its side unto the wheels by myself. (and it's no light weight, it's about 220 pounds empty.)

The only defect I found on inspection was that one of the threaded inserts for the handle bolts was not perfectly perpendicular to the box. Not enough to be a problem, but enough that I noticed putting the bolts in. the paint is perfect, the slides are straight (and work well, at least empty).

 

[milwaukeephil]

Great... Just noticed you can't reach the caster locks easily with the side box on.
Anyway, I cut a 3/4" piece of MDF and gave it a few coats of shellac for a work surface.

 

[Mr_B]

Love the single handle on the top box, think they at least put 2 each end
They are great boxes for the money and one of best low cost options that truly pro usable, drawer layout biggest issue but even that likely fixable if could afford order spare drawers and slides to custom the layout a little .
other thing that poor design if being picky is the logo, always looks pissed and it cheap effort, only like another 50cents a box to of done something worthy with logo plate .

 

[milwaukeephil]

I agree. At least one or two came with the logo plate separate and I had to peel and stick it on!

 

[Mr_B]

I just can't believe what **** would of given the thumbs up on that logo plate design .
Boxes are pretty amazing for potential price besides few minor details, pretty much kra grade without the glamour .
If HF had these with their retail outlets it would wipe most other store box brands out, few minir changes and some drawer config options and it be in mid range bracket class of its own .

 

[9C1]

Has anyone bought one of the black boxes? I’m in need of a side cabinet for my classic series snapon. I’m not really looking to buy a new one off the truck and have seen how these are the same depth and the price is right I’ve been looking into them. I have a menards just town over , and they have several in store. One of the larger blue boxes and several of the hammer tone grey boxes. I asked one of the associates about the black asking if it was truly gloss black and he said it was, but he had never seen one so I’m not to sure. Anyone seen one?


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Sasquatch:
I have these in black, and I would call it semi-gloss. It is low reflection, with poor distinctness of reflected image. I am used to judging car finishes, so my idea of gloss and someone else's might be significantly different.
You can see poor distinctness of reflected image in milwaukeephil's photos. Black is no different.

 

[dscheidt]

If you buy one, inspect it. I got my 36" top box this weeked. I got it home, and discovered that it had been whacked with a fork lift, and the hole taped shut. My fault for not looking closer before we loaded it up. I took ti back and had a replacement ordered. I got it today; the box was perfect, all six sides. Box has a dent on side (annoying, but trivial, and scrape on the back. I'm not bothering with replacing it, but it's pretty annoying.

I'm now figuring out how to put tools into the things. I wish the top had a 3" drawer, so I could put pliers in it. (I have a rack that holds them sideways, and it doesn't fit in the 2" drawers.) They're going to end up on the second bottom drawer in the bottom unit, which is pretty low for as often as I use them.

 

[milwaukeephil]

To anybody who bought a set and got mismatched locks:
I bought the top chest, bottom chest, side locker, and side chest and got 4 different lock numbers. I got fed up with having 4 different keys, so I went and got a matching keyed-alike set.
I now have one each of unused 1201, 1205, and 1209 lock sets. If anybody can use one to make yourself a matching set, let me know and I'll send you a lock to match yours.

 

[dscheidt]

To anybody who bought a set and got mismatched locks:
I bought the top chest, bottom chest, side locker, and side chest and got 4 different lock numbers. I got fed up with having 4 different keys, so I went and got a matching keyed-alike set.
I now have one each of unused 1201, 1205, and 1209 lock sets. If anybody can use one to make yourself a matching set, let me know and I'll send you a lock to match yours.

Did you get replacement locks from menards, or elsewhere? I'd like to make mine match.

 

[milwaukeephil]

Called quality craft. They charge $12 a lock! You can buy a matching set of 3 on Amazon for $12 but I didn't want to risk bad quality or fitment. What number do you need -- I'd be glad to send you one if I have it.

 

[Fluxion]

I almost went with the gunmetal but ordered the blue 56". The upper cabinet actually came in on Saturday and went to pick it up today, I was afraid of leaving it there and getting damage. I was to late, they had already managed to smash one corner so I have another on order. The base roller cabinet isn't due in to the distribution center until Oc. 1st,

Just thought I would update. I was in the local Menards today and happened upon the first upper cabinet that I ordered on display. The second pic shows the damage I saw through torn cardboard when I wet to pick it up. the third pic shows the other end, the cardboard had a crinkle but not torn so I didn't bother to cut it open. Just proves that on an item like this even a small amount of damage to the box could be hiding major damage to the contents.

 

[goldie lox]

i would like to get the black one and put the gun metal drawers in it, if i cant do that probably just get the blue

 

[Jeffgage]

+1 on the blue one....just cover the silver handles and make it one of a kind