Menards 36" Masterforce vs HF 44"

[BigBoreFan]

I need a new box. I'm in the tire kicking phase. I like the looks of this new 36" Masterforce stack. I like the drawer layout for my needs. However in a perfect world it would have way more shallow drawers. For my needs I do not need but maybe one deep drawer. I mainly tinker on motorcycles, so I don't have a lot of big tools.

I've seen the 36 in the flesh. It seems pretty stout. Drawers are deep. I like the latch system. No real complaints. I do like the wide drawers.

I am also considering the new HF 44 Series 2.

Beta does make a few carts that would be perfect, but Beta ain't inexpensive.

Thoughts? Things I should consider?


https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...-cabinet-combo/2907621mml/p-1501172464457.htm

 

[xin]

Get the Menards one the tread on them HF ones falls off and one has to spend another $100+ on casters along with rebuilding it after buying it...

-- Menards Manufacturer Warranty: Limited Lifetime

 

[225]

I think they're both good options. I've never seen a Masterforce box in person, but they look like good quality boxes.

The latching drawers do it for me.

 

[6PTsocket]

The word going around is that the HF 44" set is being discontinued. The side accessory cabinet is already gone. There will undoubtedly be a replacement, maybe deeper. I have them and I'm generally satisfied and would buy them again. Maybe there is a local HF deal. I don't know. The 44" has been very popular and the reviews are generally good. I don't know anything about the Menards. If it looks well made and reviews are good, buy it. I would not worry as much about bells and whistles as solid construction, sturdy drawer slides solidly mounted casters, etc. The novelty features help sell stuff but are worthless if the box falls apart.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[xin]

The word going around is that the HF 44" set is being discontinued. The side accessory cabinet is already gone. There will undoubtedly be a replacement, maybe deeper. I have them and I'm generally satisfied and would buy them again. Maybe there is a local HF deal. I don't know. The 44" has been very popular and the reviews are generally good. I don't know anything about the Menards. If it looks well made and reviews are good, buy it. I would not worry as much about bells and whistles as solid construction, sturdy drawer slides solidly mounted casters, etc. The novelty features help sell stuff but are worthless if the box falls apart.

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The problem with HF is the price is more or the same as a GOOD quality alternative. Those 'plastic' drawer holders will dry-rot and break then the drawers can fly open (after the wheels - the tire material rots off).

I would buy a Craftsman one over the HF one, plus Stanley is goin to bring it back to the USA.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

The problem with HF is the price is more or the same as a GOOD quality alternative. Those 'plastic' drawer holders will dry-rot and break then the drawers can fly open (after the wheels - the tire material rots off).

I would buy a Craftsman one over the HF one, plus Stanley is goin to bring it back to the USA.

Honestly harbor freight is good quality. I have had a 56 since about 2010. My plastic hasn't dry rotted and their have been no failures to speak of. I did however order a Masterforce 72" in blue. The HF was cheaper but it was the drawer layout that I liked better. Craftsman boxes aren't near the quality of the HF units.

 

[Mr_B]

HF 44" has more shallow drawers so probably best bet and be bit cheaper when comes out with coupon offer.
drawer latch on the masterforce is a win though . just detents on the 44" HF

 

[Tenex]

Get the Masterforce. I'll be getting the 41" chest once it's on sale at the same time as the 11% rebate. I had a HF 44" box and sold it because I couldn't stand the detents in the drawer.

 

[Boost Creep]

Get the Menards one the tread on them HF ones falls off and one has to spend another $100+ on casters along with rebuilding it after buying it...

-- Menards Manufacturer Warranty: Limited Lifetime

has this happened to you because i can't recall ever hearing anyone else having this problem?

 

[Fly YX]

has this happened to you because i can't recall ever hearing anyone else having this problem?

I can't remember where I have see the bad casters but it was on the HF box and the Lowe's box the one with the blue around it. Me personally I have not had any problems.

 

[Mr_B]

Is a few threads/posts on here regarding the poor casters, they may last a couple years and longer if stationary but get flat spots and rot .
OP's main concern should be drawer layout for his tool type .
HF new series-2 44" at 22" deep will be little bit cheaper than 36" masterforce if wait for coupon .

 

[abachman]

I have the 36inch bottom Master Force cabinet from several years ago and absolutely love it. I did not put a top box on it so I use a piece of pressed wood and then a rubber mat on top and use it as a rolling workbench. I think it is a great box.

 

[Druder]

If I had a Menards closer I would have gone with the Masterforce just for the deeper drawers and latches despite the price difference but I settled for a HF 44 before the series 2 came out. The sad thing is that the company that makes HF's boxes makes a really nice ball bearing latch system and HF just doesn't order that option. IMO that option on the series 2 would make it an unbeatable value if they could price it under $600.

 

[dscheidt]

Is a few threads/posts on here regarding the poor casters, they may last a couple years and longer if stationary but get flat spots and rot .
OP's main concern should be drawer layout for his tool type .
HF new series-2 44" at 22" deep will be little bit cheaper than 36" masterforce if wait for coupon .

The Menards boxes are 24" deep. Almost 22" deep drawers...

 

[evercl92]

I've been tire-kicking boxes as of recent myself. I think I have mine narrowed down to:

masterforce 36x24 $781

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...-cabinet-combo/2907623mml/p-1501172464588.htm


masterforce 41x24 $906

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...-cabinet-combo/2907633mml/p-1501172463845.htm


husky 52x19 $698

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5...Chest-and-Cabinet-Combo-H52CH6TR9HD/302962883

At least at the HF near me, the drawer liners were the cheaper versions that had the checkered pattern of holes, not a solid mat. That plus the detents and/or the goofy latch on the far right side, I decided that HF wasn't for me for this.

 

[ishiboo]

I've been tire-kicking boxes as of recent myself. I think I have mine narrowed down to:

masterforce 36x24 $781

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...-cabinet-combo/2907623mml/p-1501172464588.htm


masterforce 41x24 $906

https://www.menards.com/main/tools-...-cabinet-combo/2907633mml/p-1501172463845.htm


husky 52x19 $698

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5...Chest-and-Cabinet-Combo-H52CH6TR9HD/302962883

At least at the HF near me, the drawer liners were the cheaper versions that had the checkered pattern of holes, not a solid mat. That plus the detents and/or the goofy latch on the far right side, I decided that HF wasn't for me for this.

They're all nice boxes... I have the Husky 56". I will point out that the Husky 52" and 56" have socket drawers which are too shallow to hold 1/2" deep sockets, and have only a single drawer slide on each size for whats a HUGE drawer. Once they fix those two problems (the manufacturer said they plan on it) they will be perfect.

 

[225]

The Masterforce boxes are so nice. The nearest Menards is 5 hours away. Shipping is $250. So worth it to ship I guess. But I would drive it too.

I'm in desperate need of a new box. Mine sits under a carport, since I don't have a garage yet. So I don't wanna buy a Snap On box until we move.

I may just break down and buy a 56" HF box.

 

[Mr_B]

^HF 56" at lowest coupon deal not bad, plastic latch is biggest disgrace of that box and perhaps they improved that !
I certainly wouldn't pay full retail or even 699bucks.
I had matco 7525 used cheaper so don't overlook the used market .

 

[6PTsocket]

The problem with HF is the price is more or the same as a GOOD quality alternative. Those 'plastic' drawer holders will dry-rot and break then the drawers can fly open (after the wheels - the tire material rots off).

I would buy a Craftsman one over the HF one, plus Stanley is goin to bring it back to the USA.

I have an older HF 44 set, when they still had a sand or textured finish. No plastic has broken, no casters have rotted away. It lives in an unheated garage that sometimes gets wet as a swamp with condensation on everything. No problems. I have an old Cman red and gray set, as well. I had a later version 26" at work that was issued to me. It was a total POS and even the far better red and gray doesn't come close to the HF. I have no idea which Waterloo or Chinese import you are referring to. I know they have had some higher end boxes. The later model Waterloo had replaced the drawer slide retaining clips with bent sheet metal that was part of the drawer side. Crude and cheap. The drawer lock broke and the whole drawer lock mechanism was garbage. The drawers,were flimsy and the slides were non ball bearing as is the red and gray.

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[plc268]

The Masterforce boxes are so nice. The nearest Menards is 5 hours away. Shipping is $250. So worth it to ship I guess. But I would drive it too.

I'm in desperate need of a new box. Mine sits under a carport, since I don't have a garage yet. So I don't wanna buy a Snap On box until we move.

I may just break down and buy a 56" HF box.

I'm about a 10 hour drive away from a Menards. Shipping price is about the same.

I was waiting on the new US General 44" boxes, but honestly they're not doing it for me.

I'm holding out a little longer to see what Home Depot and husky will have in store, if anything at all.

 

[evercl92]

For what it's worth, I started a similar thread, more about when to buy:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386111