“ Mid Priced” Box

[nichocha33]

Looking at mid priced boxes 56-72”. I’ve been researching and putting my hand on many mid priced larger boxes. So far the Homak RS 72 is my favorite, followed by HF 72 and the International 56”(I believe it was or maybe it was 52), knowing the International is out of business almost makes that not a choice

List your favorite mid priced boxes, please


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[Mr_B]

masterforce 72" if you near menards .

 

[Michael_in_DE]

If you have Cash, used Tool-truck boxes can be had cheaply.

 

[got2boostit2]

So bought Homak 54”, the drawer latch system takes some getting accustomed to using. Otherwise like the box and sale price.

 

[Brownsfan]

masterforce 72" if you near menards .

Yep. This one blows all the other store brands out of the water.

 

[Yarpo]

I bought the Homak and liked it better than the Masterforce options I've played with, and it also beats the HF box in my opinion. That stupid plastic latch system drove me crazy when I worked outta one. I got used to it, but not before breaking a few.

If work tops are your thing the stainless top on the Homak for the price makes it pretty appealing too.

 

[Brownsfan]

I bought the Homak and liked it better than the Masterforce options I've played with, and it also beats the HF box in my opinion. That stupid plastic latch system drove me crazy when I worked outta one. I got used to it, but not before breaking a few.

If work tops are your thing the stainless top on the Homak for the price makes it pretty appealing too.

Ive never seen a Homak up close. Ive read nothing but good things about them. Of the "box" store boxes the 72" Masterforce is hands down the clear winner. I bought a online only 66"husky box over the HF because of the latch system. Almost all on display were broken.

 

[thr3squared]

Ive never seen a Homak up close. Ive read nothing but good things about them. Of the "box" store boxes the 72" Masterforce is hands down the clear winner. I bought a online only 66"husky box over the HF because of the latch system. Almost all on display were broken.

How do you like the 66" Husky box? I was looking at the 52" version since it had double slides on the top drawer.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

HF and Masterforce flex about the same.

Check with your local tool truck guys and see what they have available in used boxes. Sometimes you can get a good from them.

 

[jsmeece]

OP how are you going to use the box? At home in your garage or in a professional work environment?

Home use: Masterforce (if available in your area) would be great, HF would be OK (horrible locking mechanism, but you can keep garage locked).

Professional use: I would go used tool-truck box or Homak (better built and better locks).

 

[Ign]

Yeah I just got into a HF 30" cart and it's got the same locking mechanism. The real mind **** is that if there's two drawers side-by-side one latches on the right and one on the left. There's no center support between the drawers so they had no choice but to go to the left or right sides.

I'll get used to it but it's my one significant complaint with the cart. 72" appears to use similar latches from what I've seen in store, but I think they're at least ALL slide-left?

 

[Ign]

Honestly I kinda like the 72" Husky with the top that cranks up.

I finally got to play with one in-store the other day and the mechanism that raises the top feels WAY better than I woulda expected. It makes for nice storage underneath for really long stuff

I can't speak to the quality of construction otherwise. They're 24" deep, too, which I like.

 

[DakotaMan]

The Homak I have does not have any locking latches. It is the "low" version from NT. The box is well built for the price, but if/when I upgrade, locking latches keep the drawers from randomly opening. Right now, I lock them with a key. It helps, but is an extra step.

 

[nichocha33]

masterforce 72" if you near menards .

I wish but I’m in Texas, would they ship?


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[nichocha33]

OP how are you going to use the box? At home in your garage or in a professional work environment?

Home use: Masterforce (if available in your area) would be great, HF would be OK (horrible locking mechanism, but you can keep garage locked).

Professional use: I would go used tool-truck box or Homak (better built and better locks).

Home use but used almost daily. I’d really like a used snappy box but tracking a truck down becomes an issue. A good friend of mine used to be a dealer and he has to get me in touch with people he knows to even get tools.


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[nichocha33]

Yeah I just got into a HF 30" cart and it's got the same locking mechanism. The real mind **** is that if there's two drawers side-by-side one latches on the right and one on the left. There's no center support between the drawers so they had no choice but to go to the left or right sides.



I'll get used to it but it's my one significant complaint with the cart. 72" appears to use similar latches from what I've seen in store, but I think they're at least ALL slide-left?

Yes they all latch, I thought it was the right, either way one of us is correct lol!


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[nichocha33]

Honestly I kinda like the 72" Husky with the top that cranks up.

I finally got to play with one in-store the other day and the mechanism that raises the top feels WAY better than I woulda expected. It makes for nice storage underneath for really long stuff

I can't speak to the quality of construction otherwise. They're 24" deep, too, which I like.

Do you have a link? I cannot find the specific box you’re speaking of.


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[Ign]

Yes they all latch, I thought it was the right, either way one of us is correct lol!


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SLIDE-LEFT means the action you take to open a RH latch

 

[nichocha33]

SLIDE-LEFT means the action you take to open a RH latch

Sorry, read that as “left side” not slide, my bad


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[Ign]

Do you have a link? I cannot find the specific box you’re speaking of.


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https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-7...d-Top-in-Matte-Black-HOLC7218BB1MYS/302255876

 

[oldwino]

Check out Extreme boxes. Strictly Tool Boxes ( a Garage Journal sponsor) are very good for a mid range box

 

[yellow wagon]

Look for a used Snappy box in the price range you can afford. Took me close to a year to find the one I wanted...but so worth it!

 

[nichocha33]

Check out Extreme boxes. Strictly Tool Boxes ( a Garage Journal sponsor) are very good for a mid range box

Ive been eyeing theirs as well but would prefer to put my hands on one first

 

[nichocha33]

Look for a used Snappy box in the price range you can afford. Took me close to a year to find the one I wanted...but so worth it!

Yeah keeping my eyes peeled for one

 

[nichocha33]

Does anyone know if Menards will ship out of state? I live in Texas but as you know we have no Menards.

 

[Newell33]

Does anyone know if Menards will ship out of state? I live in Texas but as you know we have no Menards.

Go to Menards.com and select the Masterforce box you want. Once you add it to your cart there's an option for shipping it to your home. It will provide you with LTL shipment pricing based on your zip code. Looks to me like they'll ship anywhere, but you're likely going to pay $300.00 to $400.00 to get it to you.

 

[Banshee365]

I would have to classify 'mid-range' as $1,500 or less. The HF 72 is a solid choice, especially for $999 with coupon. It's hard to beat at that price. The Masterforce from Menards is a solid upgrade. The box feels nicer and has a much better drawer latching mechanism. That's the main thing that drives me nuts on the HF 72. I was in love with the Masterforce 72" when I was in Wichita recently. I live in FL and the website had it at like $800 to ship to me. No thanks...

The Masterforce box is sourced from the same company that makes the boxes for Montezuma and/or Tool Vault from StrictlyToolboxes.com. Except they charge $3k for them.

The bottom line is this, if you want to spend less than $1,500 the Masterforce is the way to go if you can take a little drive north to your closest Menards. The HF 72 is also in there. If you're willing to spend over $1,500 at all you just need to get into the used Snap-On market. I got my Master Series KRL1022 for $2,250. It's like 8 times the quality as the Masterforce and 12 times the quality of the HF 72. Paying a couple extra hundred on top of what you're looking at for an import box to get a Snappy box is about the best money anyone who frequents this board can invest in.

 

[Mr_B]

^
I would say the HF box only worth the 999, wouldn't want pay more as it not 24" and latch system is cheap and cheesy as possible ...

 

[archirelic]

Honestly I kinda like the 72" Husky with the top that cranks up.

I finally got to play with one in-store the other day and the mechanism that raises the top feels WAY better than I woulda expected. It makes for nice storage underneath for really long stuff

I can't speak to the quality of construction otherwise. They're 24" deep, too, which I like.

This.

But make sure if you do order the Husky, get the flat black version. Thicker gauge steel on that unit.

I've handled one in-store as well and they're very nicely built for the price and you don't have to pay shipping like you would with a box from Menards.

 

[lightning struck]

Honestly I kinda like the 72" Husky with the top that cranks up.

I finally got to play with one in-store the other day and the mechanism that raises the top feels WAY better than I woulda expected. It makes for nice storage underneath for really long stuff

I can't speak to the quality of construction otherwise. They're 24" deep, too, which I like.

I bought this box about a month ago. I would have prefered the fixed top model that is gloss black, but the store had this one in stock. I wanted double slide large drawers, which some of the other Husky models didn't have. The textured finish is a dust magnet, but other than that I like it. Having almost 70" of under top storage length is handy for some things. I like the taller top drawer(5") compared to other Husky box's which are mostly 4". I would have liked a couple less 2" drawers and a few more 3" and 4" drawers, but that's being picky. I also like the fact that all 6 casters swivel, which makes manuevering it around the shop pretty painless, when/if you do have to move it.

 

[Ign]

I bought this box about a month ago. I would have prefered the fixed top model that is gloss black, but the store had this one in stock. I wanted double slide large drawers, which some of the other Husky models didn't have. The textured finish is a dust magnet, but other than that I like it. Having almost 70" of under top storage length is handy for some things. I like the taller top drawer(5") compared to other Husky box's which are mostly 4". I would have liked a couple less 2" drawers and a few more 3" and 4" drawers, but that's being picky. I also like the fact that all 6 casters swivel, which makes manuevering it around the shop pretty painless, when/if you do have to move it.

Yeah, it's kinda unique in the market and while I could see the elevating top being gimmicky it does have some practical applications, primarily if there are really long things you want to store.

One problematic thing for me is 48" caliper extenders, but I might be the only one on this board with that. Most actual huge calipers will come with their own box, but the extenders don't (which is a little bit of what makes them an affordable alternative, coupled with reduced accuracy of course). Add in the sliding jaw of the calipers and they barely fit in a ~50" drawer.

 

[lightning struck]

All I've got stored under the top at the moment, is a 50" saw guide. I'm still in the process of filling and organizing it.

 

[Ign]

I checked out the new Milwaukee today in store. I personally think it's their best yet w a drawer layout more for mechanics than homeowners. Others hate it based upon a thread here

 

[nichocha33]

I checked out the new Milwaukee today in store. I personally think it's their best yet w a drawer layout more for mechanics than homeowners. Others hate it based upon a thread here

Two slides on socket drawer?

 

[Mr_B]

^
no

 

[Yarpo]

https://homak.com/product/72-rs-pro-roller-cabinet-2/

Homak was on your radar and they offer (or offered) free shipping on their boxes which would probably put you a little cheaper than the 72" masterforce box if you had to pay hundreds to ship it, and they're awesome.