montezuma vs harborfreight box

[truckman5000]

Sorry to beet a dead horse

Ive been looking for a new tool chest for some time. And done allot of research.
Im a weekend hobbyist.

I was thinking about buying 2 of the general 44" and bolting them together. At about 850 with tax.

Or a stricktlytoolboxes 56" with the top chest. At about 1,600

As ive never seen a montezuma box in person. Is it worth the money over the u.s. general?

Saving the extra money would be cool. But i dont want to get the cheaper, then see a stricktlytoolboxes 56" and regret it.

 

[SteveCh]

Gonna be completely who you ask. Many here adore the HF. Personally, I think they are not something I would have. I do have a ToolVault [made by same co. that makes Montezuma and according to STB they are almost exactly the same, check the spec's on their site].

I was gonna get the HF, but then I went to the store to buy one, cash in hand, and left after actually seeing and touching one. Man, am I glad I went with the Strictly Toolboxes 56".....

 

[Hpozzuoli]

HF is the same if not better than all those others. They are more than likely sourced from similar chinese factories. I think the quality and construction in the HF is of a very high level. It's not a snap on, but it isn't $5000 either. I would say its a very close second to truck brand boxes. I wished the 44 had a grip latch system instead of detents. I wish the 56" had a full length top drawer and a grip latch system.

For different drawer locking options and drawer configurations others may be a better choice. To say HF is of a lesser quality than any other box (truck boxes excluded) is just wrong.

Lastly HF is literally thousands less than all comparable others. Not for lack of quality either. If I was around $2500 for a montezuma or tool vault type box I would take the $2500 and get a very nice snap on off Craigslist.

 

[usmc_noma]

First I think you should think which one would you get more use out of, the two 44" or one 56"? I personally have not seen the Montezuma either, but I was in Northern Tool the other day and saw a Homak Professional that was really nice. It had the deeper drawers, nice drawer layout, and smooth rolling. Obviously it was not loaded down, but the price point was under a $1000. It may or may not be the same quality as the HF box, but it's been awhile. I've heard great things on the Montezuma's so I don't think you'll be disappointed with them or STB. Good luck in the choice and post up pics when you get whatever you decide.

 

[Trey T]

44" wide box is relatively small and it was my first box. I got 56" with top and I would never buy another smaller box

 

[truckman5000]

like i said id get 2 of the 44" boxes and bolt them together.
This would be enough room for me. At half the cost.

I really like the looks of the 56 montezuma with the top box.

My main concern is the quality comparison between the us general and the montezuma.

 

[mikefromme]

Sorry to beet a dead horse

I was thinking about buying 2 of the general 44" and bolting them together. At about 850 with tax.

FYI there is a 359 coupon for the 44's good to the end of Feb.

You'd be at 720+ tax if it makes a difference.

 

[NUTTSGT]

What is the cost of getting the box to you ?

 

[truckman5000]

The only store within driving distance is, harbor f. I dont like the new husky/ craftsman.
And i can get the strictly montezuma shipped free.

If theres any better deals that shippings included im all ears

 

[truckman5000]

i may end up with the H.F
but seems the price is too cheap and i dont want a pile of ****. I already have craftsman that's ****, but its a non ball bearing.

 

[SteveCh]

What is the cost of getting the box to you ?

For which one? If you are talking about the StrictlyToolboxes selection [Montezuma, Extreme, ToolVault], shipping is free.

 

[gatewaysysop]

i may end up with the H.F
but seems the price is too cheap and i dont want a pile of ****. I already have craftsman that's ****, but its a non ball bearing.

My $.02, I've fondled every HF box that they sell, at one time or another, but haven't yet come across one that I would want to own. I eventually picked up a box from Strictly and the build quality difference could not have been more obvious.

If you don't want to be saddled with a pile of ****, as you put it, go with Strictly or something used from a tool truck if you must.

 

[truckman5000]

The other boxes he's considering are also made in China, I believe.

Or what else is great quality for under 2k?
I looked on craigs list for a snap on ext. for a year. So i narrowed these two down.

 

[truckman5000]

My $.02, I've fondled every HF box that they sell, at one time or another, but haven't yet come across one that I would want to own. I eventually picked up a box from Strictly and the build quality difference could not have been more obvious.

If you don't want to be saddled with a pile of ****, as you put it, go with Strictly or something used from a tool truck if you must.

Thanks, this is why im torn...allot of people love the H.F general. But it ***** that theres so many branded boxes and not allot of places to see them.

Mainly seems that one manufacture makes 10 labeled tool boxes at all different prices.
So i dont want to get a montezuma box and then a friend buys a H.F general and its the same thing.

And the local H.F dosnt have the tool boxes to look at them,id have to order and pick up.

I got to go out of state in a month so ill track a couple places down, and look. Unless you guys make my mind up for me lol.

 

[John in OH]

Since you are considering bolting two HF boxes together, I assume mobility is not a big issue for you. That being the case, two HF boxes should provide a lot more storage volume than a single 56" box, but without seeing the specific box and the listed cubic inches of capacity, I'm only guessing.

Another subject I didn't see mentioned was a comparison of drawer length (distance front to back). The HF box is only 18" which is minimum. So, what is the length of the Montezuma?

Last issue is drawer layout. I think someone above mentioned the 56" box does not have a full-width top drawer (side to side) so, again, what is the top drawer width? With the HF box you'll have two, 44" drawers. And, of course, which drawer configuration works best for you? IMHO, I like lots of shallow drawers rather than fewer deeper drawers.

 

[youngridge]

If your going to go with a hf, I would also recommend checking out the masterforce brand at menards, I just got one and it holds up well, ive kind of been asking others about them to see if anyone has had problems with them(too late for me if they do have faults, I already have it, but I definitely like it). I believe they do make a 56 inch too. Not saying anything bad about hf either, just another option.

 

[customh]

I have a buddy that bought 2 of those Masterforce boxes and I'd have to think long and hard when I'm buying my permanent setup about them vs Snap-On. The Masterforce has the grip latch setup I want and I'd have to find an Epiq to get that in Snap On. Also, they seem to be quite well built and tough.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

If I wasn't already pretty well set with my tool boxes, I'd have a Montezuma top box of some sort in a heartbeat...

Tommy

 

[wornoutoldman]

You mention that you are a hobbyist. The HF 44" should suit your needs if want to keep more $$ for your hobbies. It has been proven here that the resale on a clean lightly used HF box is pretty decent, definitely better than say a tool truck issue box. So maybe pick up a single HF 44 and try it out for a few months. Meanwhile hang on to the boxes you currently own during the "trial period" if the HF box lives up to or exceeds your expectations buy a second one. If not craigslist the first and start over.

 

[036.6turbo]

I looked long and hard, ended up with the Montezuma. I bought (3) 56" lowers, and (1) upper. The upper and lower set for my son, (Needed it for his school) and the (2) lowers for my workbench base. I could not be happier. As is my son.

strictlytoolboxes is awesome to deal with, one of my bases was basically free, scratch and model, they just shipped it with the rest of the order.

I am in my local HF once a month, I look at theirs, lets just say, I made the right choice.

 

[Brownsfan]

You could get 2 HF 56" boxes for $1600 or less as well. Have you considered the 56"? Or the 56" top and bottom for $1300 or less? They are deeper than the 44" and taller. You would have a ton of storage with 2 of the 56" bolted together as well as a lot of bench space

 

[NUTTSGT]

For which one? If you are talking about the StrictlyToolboxes selection [Montezuma, Extreme, ToolVault], shipping is free.

The OP responded to that after I posted my question. I wasn't aware that they ship for free.

And the local H.F dosnt have the tool boxes to look at them,id have to order and pick up.

I got to go out of state in a month so ill track a couple places down, and look. Unless you guys make my mind up for me lol.

If you order the HF one, you should be able to check it and return it if you don't like it or maybe another local GJ member might have one that you could check out.

If you are travelling out of town on a regular basis, I'd try to see what is available to look at while you are out of town. Another place to check if you are going to look while out of town is Rural King. I believe they carry Interenational (IIRC) boxes.

 

[BloodSweatMotorwerks]

As others have mentioned, drawer size is more important than you may think. As your tool collection grows in the future, you may find a 44" (or two of them) may not work.

When comparing any 44 to any 56, you will see that the bigger drawers are over all deeper and wider on a 56 than any 44. Some of my larger hammers, pry bars and files either don't fit my 44" craftsmen or have to go into the drawers diagonally.

Soon I plan to upgrade to a deep 56, and a full width top drawer would be nice for sockets. If craftsmen were just a little better quality, is buy their 56 since it has a full width top drawer. And at $1000 on sale vs HF at $800, it's worth looking into.

 

[truckman5000]

Thanks guys for the replies.

I had a job to look at an hour away, and said whats another 30mins and stopped by the H.F that had everything on display.

I like the H.F allot better than my craftsman set up. And the others around town like, sears, home depot,

I dont like the 56" draws that you have to push a plastic clip behind the draw handle to open it. Or is this a floor model only thing?

Also like all other cheaper boxes.
The H.F 44" +56" big draws have, right to left motion. Sloppier than id like. But could deal with it. Not sure with 100# in the draw would help that?

 

[ibedayank]

We all know the only one worth buying is this one with added side cabinets
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-Tool-Box-Mr-Big-RARE-NEW-Hard-to-Find/301066413229?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D4259929288929243682%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D181225321896%26

 

[Garage Dog]

Thanks guys for the replies.

I had a job to look at an hour away, and said whats another 30mins and stopped by the H.F that had everything on display. I like the H.F allot better than my craftsman set up. And the others around town like, sears, home depot,

I dont like the 56" draws that you have to push a plastic clip behind the draw handle to open it. Or is this a floor model only thing?

Also like all other cheaper boxes. The H.F 44" +56" big draws have, right to left motion. Sloppier than id like. But could deal with it. Not sure with 100# in the draw would help that?

You mean you could learn to deal with it even though you don't like it initally? Or would it really just keep bugging you?

What ever you do be confident with your choice - Buyer's Remorse isn't a pleasant feeling and it lasts a long time.

I read all the great reviews here on the HF boxes; went and played with one at the store and thought it was fine, but knew it wasn't for me for the same reasons you list above... I ended up buying a used "truck" box.

So you have looked the the HF, now go touch and feel your other options. Maybe you could ask on GJ if anyone around you has the other brand of boxes you are considering and would let you take a look? Sometimes the retailers know some of their customers well enough to find a place for you to look as well...

BTW - you can always search nearby cities for other "truck" boxes that are within a days drive if there are not a lot of boxes listed where you live.

Happy Hunting

 

[4AudiQ]

This is what I got at Costco..........................

I bought it in June of 2007.
Love it. No problems with anything.
http://www.costco.com/TRINITY-27”-Stainless-Steel-Tool-Chest.product.11258277.html

 

[70C-10]

I dont like the 56" draws that you have to push a plastic clip behind the draw handle to open it. Or is this a floor model only thing?


The H.F 44" +56" big draws have, right to left motion. Not sure with 100# in the draw would help that?

I thought the plastic clips for drawer opening could be disabled.

I talked a co worker into buying a 56" top & he commented the drawers had slop left to right. I asked how they worked loaded. He was happy once they were full of tools. Good Luck

 

[AndrewV]

Only issue with that AudiQ, is he wants a total of 88 inch. The trinity is only 27inch.

But buy what feels right man.
Put some of your weight on the drawrs, and check how sturdy it is. You said you already dislike the latching systems on some, so skip it.

But why not do a 44 lower, and top?

 

[4AudiQ]

Edit above^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

After I looked at the Costco website, I realized the 27" seemed smaller than mine. Sure enough, here are the specs on mine:
Depth = 18"
Height = 61.5"
Width = 41"
# Drawers = 17 + Top Lid Opens

 

[truckman5000]

yah the 44" felt sloppy also.
I didnt mean to sound like "i could live with it". I meant to say if it was good once loaded up.
Quote:
I read all the great reviews here on the HF boxes; went and played with one at the store and thought it was fine, but knew it wasn't for me for the same reasons you list above... I ended up buying a used "truck" box.

Ive used the very expensive boxes, and my crapsman.
I want something like the H.F that is built with heavier casters for the big draws. That wont wobble.

Dose the big draws on the montezuma box wobble? Side to side?

I want something quality under 2k..and ive looked clist allot.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I want something quality under 2k..and ive looked clist allot.

You could get a 72" from Strictly, to your door, for just a hair over 2100 (maybe less if they still do a GJ discount) with a 5 year warranty at that. Empty weight is almost 800 pounds, smallest drawer's capacity is 250 pounds, big top drawer will hold 500. Just sayin'

 

[Drunken Yak inc]

Whether one box is slightly better then the other is irrelevant; they are both great boxes. What each box brings to the table in comparison to their individual price is what matters. Whichever box represents the most value to you is the one you should choose.

If the only question is of buying the most robust box for under $2K, then the only answer is neither, buy a used Snap-on.

 

[regguy1]

If you've been on the Strictly Tool Boxes site you may have seen my reviews of the Tool Vault, I gave them permission to use them.

Close up review:

Regular review:

I have to agree with other posts about the side to side flex of drawers on the Harbor Freight boxes, I've noticed that looking at them in the stores. The Tool Vault in my opinion has a better build quality. I won my boxes in the naming contest STB had here about 3 years ago, I originally intended to sell the boxes but after seeing them I changed my mind. The HF boxes have less drawers because they're deeper but remember that the 2" deep drawers are an efficient use of space for wrenches/ screwdrivers etc. that don't require a very deeep drawer. Below are a few photos of the boxes with tools.

 

[jkrswld]

I like my HF 44 but just got it. I don't detect enough side-to-side to bother me, and my top drawer is full of sockets and ratchets so it's got a bit of weight. The box itself is heavy in my opinion and should stay put pretty well - especially if you bolt two together and possibly swap the casters out for feet. Another member on here built a hell of a workbench setup with just these things - i'm sure you've seen it. masterforce from menards is pretty beefy too (for the price range) and has the latching drawers. I would definitely buy another HF for myself, and probably add one of the side cabinet attachments.

I'm a homeowner/hobbyist and don't rely on this thing for my livelihood. The box feels stable and I would imagine it to be very difficult to not get your money's worth, even if they don't last a life time. I'm early into it but I can't imagine my breaking with the amount I use it and the way I take care of my belongings. Even if you throw down a grand on two plus a side cabinet and some organizational goodies, that's still a grand left over for some kind of other storage or to set back in the bank/invest to make some more money. Then IF your HF give you trouble or you just don't like them, pass them on to somebody else for $500 and grab your other grand you saved and pow you're into a bigger name box - that may or may not have rolled out of the same factory but with different drawer slides and labels.

 

[wniemann]

Here is my 46" Montezuma box. Someone mentioned Orscheln's earilier I believe. That is where this box came from. I paid 600 for the set, I think they sell for around 350 for the top and a little over 500 for the bottom now. This box was a special ordered box just for orscheln's. I'm pretty impressed with the quality of the box, drawers slide nice, looks awesome in my opinion, nice open top. The only knock I have on this particular set is the drawer layout and how they are all split in half. It'd be nice if the top was 2/3, 1/3 or something similar. After reading all the praise for the HF box I was kind of upset I hadn't heard about it before I bought mine, but after checking it out in person, I'm still happy with my purchase.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9f521i9ycvqdgq9/Photo Jan 20, 6 18 16 PM.jpg

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you've been on the Strictly Tool Boxes site you may have seen my reviews of the Tool Vault, I gave them permission to use them.

Close up review:

Regular review:

I have to agree with other posts about the side to side flex of drawers on the Harbor Freight boxes, I've noticed that looking at them in the stores. The Tool Vault in my opinion has a better build quality. I won my boxes in the naming contest STB had here about 3 years ago, I originally intended to sell the boxes but after seeing them I changed my mind. The HF boxes have less drawers because they're deeper but remember that the 2" deep drawers are an efficient use of space foe wrenches/ screwdrivers etc. that don't require a very deeep drawer. Below are a few photos of the boxes with tools.

That looks like a nice box.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I have the Extreme Tool chest which is like the same as montezuma but thicker gauge metal in certain spots... I got the 56" wide model a year or so ago. LOVE IT. I was blowing out of the seams with my little 18"(?) craftsman model that my parents got me for a Christmas present 4-5 years ago. The craftsman served me very well but no thanks to joining this forum and purchasing all the tools that never seem to stop flowing proved that I needed a larger box..

I can only speak on my purchasing experience. I have read many reviews on strictlytoolboxe's website along with members here loving their tool chest from them. I think I paid just shy of $2100 for the top and bottom. I ended up still very reserved spending this much amount of money for a tool chest that I was not able to see in person nor touch or feel how it operated.

I trusted what I read and took more from here honestly because most people on here are very blunt about stuff... they don't try and fluff stuff up or make it all about how they bought a turd and it's so awesome, when in reality it's a turd.

Fast forward and Joe and Shannon were EXTREMELY accommodating with getting me exactly what I wanted and holding it at their warehouse for months while I was in the process of closing on a house. I LOVE this tool chest. It by far the best one I have used... Key word on ME. Others might say well it's no snap on and that is fine. But I also didn't spend 5k on a tool chest. For me this was a very worth $2k purchase. I thought this would be a tool chest that I would never fill... A year later the entire tool chest minus the top flip top lid is full. Why? This forum will try and consume your money...hahah ;-p

Figure out what size you want and go from there. Honestly everyone that has seen or played with this tool chest likes it. So from my experience and others who have posted you can't go wrong with Strictlytoolboxes.

Great people there and the fact that they are a sponsor on the forum is nice as well! I like to support those that spend time and answer questions... all of which they have done on this forum MANY times.

I'll attach some pictures. First 3 are when I was in the process of doing the garage/floor..etc. Last picture is the garage done and you can kind of get a feel for how big the tool chest is with the other stuff in the garage.

Hope that helps. Going forward I'd purchase either another 56" from them if I could get another yellow one, or just get the 72"... It's probably more cost efficient to get another 56" once we move and I have a larger garage. For now though this fits PERFECTLY in MY setup with the stuff that I have...

-Nigel

 

[truckman5000]

Thank you for the great reviews.

So now i have a question about quality comparison. I know the extreme box is "better" than the montezuma, supposedly 2 ga. thicker draw case seems it . But:

Off of the web site's states, (all 56" box base)
H.F roller tool box 56" is 440#

Extreme is 2" shorter depth wise. At 310#

montezuma or tool vault is 2" shorter depth wise than H.F at 307#

If H.F is 120# heavier, id think that it may be better...IDK?

 

[spamhammer]

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FYI, this is a post by somebody working on some forum issues with Admin. No need to quote or respond to this post. Thank you, Eric