Menards Toolboxes?

[lawfarm]

I'm in the market for a 41" lower chest to put my Craftsman 41" upper on...and I'm on a budget for this purchase. I had looked at the Harbor Freight models as they seem to get very good reviews on here, but while I was at Menards yesterday, they had a green (Masterforce?) toolbox set that was very reasonably priced, had nice, beefy roller drawers, and seemed to be a bit more stout than the HF models.

Anyone have experience with these?

 

[Scooterfish]

No experence with them , only seen them in store. They look well made compared to C-man and other non tool truck boxes. They are on sale often. Just wonder how many more they would sell in a color other than green.

 

[JeepHD]

I have had one for 6 months. I don't store tools in it just miscellaneous bolts, screws, parts, etc. Really saved on space in the garage. I have a lot of weight in a couple of the drawers that loaded with hardware and it handles it well. I have been really happy with it.

I replaced 3 of these that took up lots of wall space, for my small amount of hardware


And bought the 36 inch top and bottom, from the profit of above.

 

[JeepHD]

Here is couple clips from for sale ads that I have on the computer from when I was shopping for a good cheap box. These are from back in December, not current.

I did some actual storage comparisons on the 41 and 36 menard box, by the time you take a couple inches off the 41 for all the additional split drawers and loose a drawer to the pop out work surface, actual storage room is pretty comparable. For me, the fact that the 36 has nearly as much storage, takes up less space, and is $120 cheaper, was an easy choice.

I think it's just as good my old craftsman. I have had my craftsman for 8 or 9 years and it was made by waterloo. I did just get a top box for the craftsman to match, and it seems to be not as well made.

 

[Mike83]

They appear to be really good boxes (I drool over them at Menards). The deal breaker for me is the color, but they do have a lifetime warranty and 100 lb drawer capacity. The drawers are solid as heck. As JeepHD said, the 36" box seems to have a more efficient drawer layout.

 

[Fins/413]

What kind of store is Menards? Trarctor supply has similar boxes, not sure about the JD green but I could get over that. That looks like a deal.

 

[JeepHD]

Menards is a Home Improvement store similiar to lowes and Home Depot. It is mostly found in the mid west.

Color has grown on me, more of a deep green than John Deere. Also they seem to be nicer than the Tractor supply boxes that I have seen

 

[Scooterfish]

Fins

I was in Tractor Supply this past weekend and I`m 99% sure they have the same box as Menards (mostly midwest locations). Not sure about price comparisons. I certainly would be ok with the green in my garage if I were looking for a box,but as I said above I think they would sell more if they were a different color.

 

[jdcompman]

I have looked at these many times and they feel like super solid boxes. I would probably spring for one if it wasn't for that TERRIBLE color. Even if they made it simple black they would sell a ton more IMO.

 

[BigK600]

I like these boxes, I think there well made. For $688 they cant be beat, even at Harbor Freight.

 

[tonydanzah]

i actually just bought a bottom 41" chest and the 16" inch side cabinet. I like them alot and will be using them in a shop environment. I cannot talk myself to spending thousands for a similar setup for the snapon or matco. I bought a stainless steel top and bottom 26" box from sears 3 years ago, only saw them on sale a few months and never again. Sears always told me the model number was not good either. I was at menards a few days and immediatly recognized them. The part numbers were even the same and drawers are interchangeable. I may weld on some plates to run bars across the front for extra security.

 

[jshillin]

Like he said above, Tractor Supply has the same boxes as well. Same brand, color, etc.

 

[Kevin54]

I have 2 bottom 41" rollarounds, one top 41" box and a side cabinet. I'm going to get another side cabinet this weekend I think. The only think I have noticed is the side cabinet, you have to push it hard to get the drawers shut. Maybe after the rubbers wear in it will be fine. Other than that I like them real well. Well other than the color. I've never been a fan of green like that, but you overlook it after a while.

 

[JeepHD]

I could be wrong, but I am not convinced that the Tractor supply and Menards boxes are the same.

The drawers do tend to open easier the more you use them

 

[BigK600]

I havent been in tractor supply for a while but when i was last there, there "masterhand'' boxes looked differant to me than the menards boxes.

As far as the Menards boxes they look really nice, not a big fan of the green. I want the 56" box, you have to special order it. Its for $650 full price can't beat that!!!!

 

[fatboy99]

If they special order the 56" box can they get it in any other color's? Ive looked at these boxes also just never asked if other color's are available. I like the boxes but HATE the color

 

[Motofixxer]

I've had the 41" top and bottom for a few months now from Menards. I didn't like the green at first. But it's growing on me. I debadged it so it just looks like a nice green box. I'm rather impressed with it and the price is very reasonable. Seems rather well built. Ball bearing drawer slides, drawer liners. I also didn't think I would use the slide out work surface but find myself using it more and kind of like it. I would definitely recommend it. You may not want to use it in a professional shop where you will never hear the end of the harassment for not having a box that rolled off an overpriced truck. But for any normal use in a home shop or light duty kind of use etc... it should work fine and hold up. I'm very happy with mine.

 

[crbnfbr]

To everyone who doesn't like the green color of the boxes, the last time I was at Tractor Supply they had a bunch of brand new boxes in black not the usual green. I'm not sure if every Tractor Supply will be getting them, but it seems it's possible to get them.

 

[philw]

I have the bottom 41" with side cabinet for over a year now. The top large drawer is loaded heavy with air tools and pullers and I have had no problems with it.

Was never crazy about the green but after shopping around it seemed to be the best built for the money. I really disliked the cheap "masterforce" plastic badge and found that it is only glued on and comes off easily.

 

[tonydanzah]

You may not want to use it in a professional shop where you will never hear the end of the harassment for not having a box that rolled off an overpriced truck. But for any normal use in a home shop or light duty kind of use etc... it should work fine and hold up. I'm very happy with mine.

As far a the guys giving me a hard time, i usually just say i wish i could afford their nicer box. Then ask them to give me 5k in cash. Its really not a problem, especially since I spent my money on tools instead. Never have to ask to borrow anything. I by the way am a fan of the color, im thinking about painting my aluminum handles yellow for the john deere look. I'm also thinking of getting a 26" top box to put up to top so i dont lose my work space when i wheel the box around.

 

[stricht8]

I think the color is quite nice.

 

[Miked37945]

Those organizers are a great idea, nice setup. I'm headed to menards now!

I have had one for 6 months. I don't store tools in it just miscellaneous bolts, screws, parts, etc. Really saved on space in the garage. I have a lot of weight in a couple of the drawers that loaded with hardware and it handles it well. I have been really happy with it.

I replaced 3 of these that took up lots of wall space, for my small amount of hardware


And bought the 36 inch top and bottom, from the profit of above.

 

[lodemia]

I ordered the 56 top chest friday, and it's in stock already. I'm off to pick it up, along with another side cabinet. I really like these toolboxes, and will probably line my shed with them when I build it.

 

[jakeb]

I have a complete 36" unit and just picked up a 26" lower. I am hoping that this will be enough storage for a long time. Still debating if I should have gotten the 41"...

They are made by quality craft, http://www.qualitycraft.com/secondarynavigation/products/toolstorage/heavydutyproseries

I have been looking into buy some of the drawer pulls to put on some metal kitchen cabinets I recently bought that will be installed next to my tool boxes. Then everything will get painted to match

Here is my 36"

 

[rodm1]

The only problem I've had with my 4 are the drawer locks seem to be stiff or don't work well.


p.s. Many have been looking for http://www.qualitycraft.com/secondar...ydutyproseries for sometime!

 

[jhelrey]

I love my 56 inch Masterforce...

RODM- Try pushing all of your drawers in before you lock. I know I think mine are closed and I push and they close a little more.

 

[JC327]

Just got a 41" set home, $688 sale. Here are my observations:

Drawers seem much sturdier than similarly priced models.

Drawer attachment hardware that sticks out on the inside of the drawer on the sides is annoying. Haven't seen other brands have this problem.

Annoying stickers all over the shipped product, not just the floor display. Theres, like, 10 of them!

The biggest sticker claims a 6" drawer, but it's only 5" by measurement. How can they claim this? I am ok with the drawer size, but wtf?

A couple of ball bearings fell out when I was attaching the bottom caster wheel. Not a big deal, but didn't fill me with sense of great confidence.

Geez I hope those drawers eventually get easier to open/close. Better than them flopping open accidentally though.

Somebody here mentioned cheap plastic glued-on badges, but mine are decent aluminum so they must have upgraded.

Side handles on the upper cabinet seem cheap and flimsy, they felt like they were going to snap when I used them to lower the upper onto the lower.

Included liners seem nice, and the unit locks/unlocks nicely. Both my top and bottom are keyed the same, was I just lucky or is there only one key set?

Overall nice units and seems to be the best value I could find.

 

[tw33k2514]

I am a proud owner of the 41" top and bottom box's. They have held up great in the almost year I have had them, and they will be moving to a professional shop very shortly.

On a side note does anyone have pictures of the side box? and does anyone know if they make a locker?

 

[jhelrey]

I only had one sticker and it was the badge.

No issues with casters, etc. but it is getting harder to open being that it is much colder out and the garage is not heated.

I have pics of it somewhere.

 

[Kevin54]

I am a proud owner of the 41" top and bottom box's. They have held up great in the almost year I have had them, and they will be moving to a professional shop very shortly.

On a side note does anyone have pictures of the side box? and does anyone know if they make a locker?

This is the only pic I have of the sidebox. As far as I know they do not make a locker. I asked the salesman at Menards about a locker when I bought my third bottom box.

On a sidenote, the light on the neon above my box is busted. It happened when I was hanging it

 

[tw33k2514]

Sidebox looks nice. I just really need a locker, I have way to many special tools in blow molded cases. I almost wonder if a montezuma locker would work with it.

Though, I would have to paint it to match....

 

[precisionworks]

Geez, I was all set to buy the Tractor Supply Masterhand 52" top & bottom for $825 (plus about $60 tax) ... until seeing a thread about the Montezuma products. Just ordered the Montezuma 56" top & bottom for $1495 delivered.

The TSC box does not have a full width top drawer, which is a drawback. The Montezuma box looks perfect, and the price isn't bad.

StrictlyToolBoxes.com website.

 

[Miked37945]

Sorry fellas but i never understood how people get hung up on stickers or name tags - who cares? I take them both off anyway. I have no interest in these cheap forms of advertising nor care who wants to compare his snap-on to my masterforce. I do have color preferences, i don't like extremely bright colors or wrinkle finish. I want ball bearing slides and soft coated heavy duty casters. Mine is at home so the key locks don't matter. If someone breaks in my garage I rather them just take the tools than pry the box open. I also leave my cars unlocked in the garage for the same reason. Harbor freight would have won the box choice if it was in a dark non-wrinkle finish. My boxes don't get beat on, leaned on, worked on or rolled around, it just sits there and waits for me to grab a tool now and then. For you guys that do all those things that I don't with the box, I understand how your needs are different than mine. For those that worry about what material the name plate is made of . . . . i really dont know what to say about that.

 

[jakeb]

I really like them....took the 26" back and got the 41"

 

[tonydanzah]

only current photo I could find

 

[JeepHD]

Those interested may want to note, unless you need the deeper drawers in the 41, you actually get more surface area for storing tools in the 36 inch. This is due to it being 7 drawers high in comparison to 6 drawers high. You also lose about 3-4 inches on the the 41 inch box where they have the drawers split.

I found the 36 to be a better value for my use.

I recently de-badged mine. Looks much nicer without the masterforce logos. They came off easily, can't tell anything was there.

I have actually considered selling my craftsmen boxes and replacing with the Masterforce to match.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

now, if they would offer a 36" top w/ full width drawers...

 

[Travo131]

I agree I really wish I would have just bought the 36in top and bottom. I have the 41in and i really think there is alot of wasted space.

 

[Miked37945]

Better to have too much than not enough. You never know what tool you might want to pick up next.

I agree I really wish I would have just bought the 36in top and bottom. I have the 41in and i really think there is alot of wasted space.

 

[Northstar9126]

I have the largest set, bottom, top and two side cabinets. Have had them for about a year. On mine some of the drawers roll open on their own. The paint on one of the top drawers bubbled up in two spots with rust under the paint, looks like somebody put thumb prints on the drawers before they were painted.
For the price I think they are great.