Need help deciding on a tool box purchase..

[AndrewH]

Hey all, I'm thinking about buying the HF 44" Roller Cabinet, I currently have the 26" Top and Bottom. It's served me well but I'm running out of room, well actually, I'm already out of room. I was planning to just get the bottom box at first because I think I'd like the flat work surface. However after looking online it appears that the 26" combo has more storage than just the 44" Bottom Box. I was thinking about purchasing both the top and the bottom together but then I'd lose the work surface. My biggest problem with the 26" combo is that the drawers on the top part are nowhere near deep enough, I can't get my Armstrong 1/2 flex ratchet in there because it's 18.5" long, or my pry bar set that tops out at 25" or my Snap On torque wrench or my Proto 24" breaker bar etc. Plus my wrench racks won't fit in any of the drawers except the bottom ones and that'd be a very inconvenient place to put my most used metric wrenches.

So I guess my question is what do you guys think I should do? Just buy the bottom and try to make it work, or buy both the top and bottom, or buy the bottom and one of the side cabinets? My only thing with the side cabinets is that I'm not sure what the smallest drawers would actually be useful for seeing as they are very narrow and not very deep.

One other thing, I plan to sell the 26" combo, something about trying to remember which tool box the tool I'm looking for is in totally turns me off to have multiple boxes. How much do you think I could sell it for? It does have a scratch down one side from the previous owner but I was thinking $250? It's in really great shape other than the scratch, looks nearly new.

I appreciate any ideas you guys have, I'm hoping to figure it out by this weekend so I can go pick whatever I choose to get.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[alinc100]

Do This:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237975

 

[outdoorsman310]

that thing is sweet! I recommend the 44s to many people. I am very happy with mine. I use wurth hhs-k to lube the slides occasionally.

 

[youngridge]

I tell everyone that plans on getting a hf 44 to check out the masterforce at menards, I have one of each in my shop, and like them both, but love them drawers and drawer latch system alot better on the masterforce, casters seem to be alot better also

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Do This:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237975

I was going to say that too. He had a good idea when he made that.

 

[AndrewH]

I tell everyone that plans on getting a hf 44 to check out the masterforce at menards, I have one of each in my shop, and like them both, but love them drawers and drawer latch system alot better on the masterforce, casters seem to be alot better also

I checked out the masterforce top and bottom today, I really like them, especially the pull out work area on the top. Plus it comes in other colors, however I have a $100 gift card to HF plus the Masterforce boxes are considerably more expensive at $898 for the top and bottom. The HF box is $630 (w/ coupon) plus tax. I just can't justify the price difference based on color and a pull out work space, because they are otherwise very similar boxes.

 

[jakemac]

Do This:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=237975

Or this :

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216796

 

[jim1987]

If you have a gift card to burn, and a box to sell, is the 56" price range doable at $699? Deeper then the 44" by 3".

 

[AndrewH]

If you have a gift card to burn, and a box to sell, is the 56" price range doable at $699? Deeper then the 44" by 3".

Actually, it is. I'm just not sure if I like the 'latch' on the drawers, I tend to always pull from the middle of the drawer versus one side. Though I'm sure like anything I'd get used to it. I'll have to give it some thought.

 

[jim1987]

Those are very easy to disable. Just put a piece of cardboard in there or if you feel drastic, cut the ear off. I love mine. So muchi have the top nd bottom. The drawers are 19.75 deep. Each drawer on the left bank is 37" across. The hf 44" top drawer is about the same.

 

[AndrewH]

Those are very easy to disable. Just put a piece of cardboard in there or if you feel drastic, cut the ear off. I love mine. So muchi have the top nd bottom. The drawers are 19.75 deep. Each drawer on the left bank is 37" across. The hf 44" top drawer is about the same.

Now that I've thought about it for a second, I'm not sure I have 56" of room to be honest. I have a single car garage, it's much easier to go vertically vs horizontally because that way I don't lose anymore of the precious floor space.

 

[oldldh]

I am/was a big fan of the 44" HF roller, until---


My Wife bought me a 56" Roller for Christmas!!!


It is a lot bigger, and has a top cabinet if you run out of space again....


If $ 999.00 is not out of your reach, the new HF 72" Roller Cabinet is absolute dynamite, for the money...


Check the wheels out on the 72"!!!

 

[Skin]

So I guess my question is what do you guys think I should do? Just buy the bottom and try to make it work, or buy both the top and bottom, or buy the bottom and one of the side cabinets? My only thing with the side cabinets is that I'm not sure what the smallest drawers would actually be useful for seeing as they are very narrow and not very deep.

Unless something has changed the side cabinet drawer dimensions are identical to those on the right side of the main box. If you're after larger drawers in general you don't want the HF 44" because that's its biggest downfall.

And unless your store is specifically offering a package deal there is no reason to rush into a top and bottom combo. If you want the work space it makes more sense to get a cabinet and two sides than a top and bottom.

Consider also 44+1 cabinet is roughly the same width as the 56" alone.

 

[jim1987]

Now that I've thought about it for a second, I'm not sure I have 56" of room to be honest. I have a single car garage, it's much easier to go vertically vs horizontally because that way I don't lose anymore of the precious floor space.

That's understandable. Its actually 57" across. But here's another thing to ponder on. You could buy the 56" bottom, and leave it as is for a work bench. OR buy the 56", and out a 26" on top for 30" of work space. Or, buy it and eventually get the top because you never stop buying tools. I bet if you really thought about it, it'll fit.

 

[ibedayank]

knowing what tools are in what drawer is why they invented LABELS for
keep the 26 stack add the 44 bottom when you fill that then get the top

 

[crewchief888]

OP mentioned he has a small garage

MY suggestion is multiple 26" boxes, easier to reconfigure and move around as storage needs change.
once you get the boxes organized, it's not really that difficult to remember where you put things.

i dont own a toolbox wider than 36"

but i've got a bunch of them.

work box pic from around '97 i sold one of the rollers, and the matching side box back in '05 when i took over a service truck.

and current garage boxes,
also have a 26" stack in my basement workshop, a vintage plvmb top, and a couple of cantilever boxes laying around.

 

[K-Dog]

My advice, is to think big.
I have a Matco triple bay with a hutch and a locker and I have out grown it in 12 years.
I have two options, start cramming things in there or get a bigger box Boxes like this are very very very expensive. I hate the thought of getting on another payment plan.
All that said if I had to do it all over again I would have gotten a bigger box the first time.

 

[Brownsfan]

I would do the 56". If you have room for the 44" plus the side cab you have room for th 56". It is a much more solid feeling box. I was considering the 56" top and bottom, until I saw the Craftsman premium heavy duty 52" top and bottom is going on sale for 999.99. Now that box is out of your price range but the HF 56" in not. There is a coupon in th HF coupon thread for 699.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hey all, I'm thinking about buying the HF 44" Roller Cabinet, I currently have the 26" Top and Bottom. It's served me well but I'm running out of room, well actually, I'm already out of room. I was planning to just get the bottom box at first because I think I'd like the flat work surface. However after looking online it appears that the 26" combo has more storage than just the 44" Bottom Box. I was thinking about purchasing both the top and the bottom together but then I'd lose the work surface. My biggest problem with the 26" combo is that the drawers on the top part are nowhere near deep enough, I can't get my Armstrong 1/2 flex ratchet in there because it's 18.5" long, or my pry bar set that tops out at 25" or my Snap On torque wrench or my Proto 24" breaker bar etc. Plus my wrench racks won't fit in any of the drawers except the bottom ones and that'd be a very inconvenient place to put my most used metric wrenches.

So I guess my question is what do you guys think I should do? Just buy the bottom and try to make it work, or buy both the top and bottom, or buy the bottom and one of the side cabinets? My only thing with the side cabinets is that I'm not sure what the smallest drawers would actually be useful for seeing as they are very narrow and not very deep.

One other thing, I plan to sell the 26" combo, something about trying to remember which tool box the tool I'm looking for is in totally turns me off to have multiple boxes. How much do you think I could sell it for? It does have a scratch down one side from the previous owner but I was thinking $250? It's in really great shape other than the scratch, looks nearly new.

I appreciate any ideas you guys have, I'm hoping to figure it out by this weekend so I can go pick whatever I choose to get.

Thanks,
Andrew

Get one of those magnet deals you can stick on the side. Keep the torque wrench in it's original case (shouldn't be out in the open get banged around anyway).

Or just buy the box if you feel you need it.

 

[rsanter]

If you want a really 'off the wall' suggestion...read on
Buy the top and the bottom. Then either build a bench or a wall bracket that the top will go on and the bottom will go under. Pull the bottom box out to make a work surface and put it back when done. The bad thing about flat surfaces is that they tend to collect stuff so you then can't use them as a work surface anymore. This will force you to keep it clear

Bob

 

[AndrewH]

I just wanted to let everyone that gave suggestions that I picked up the 56" bottom today. It's a beast, I can't believe how heavy it is! Time to put my 26" combo on CL to recoup some money. I won't be able to get it out of my buddies truck until we get out of work tonight.. So here's how it currently sits...

 

[jim1987]

Sweet man! I still suggest for now anyways popping the 26" top on the new bottom. I think that'd be perfect for smaller stuff. Plus you'd still have 30" of work surface. Rock on! Now to show the contents when its loaded.

 

[JSharp]

lets see some pics setup...

 

[AndrewH]

Sweet man! I still suggest for now anyways popping the 26" top on the new bottom. I think that'd be perfect for smaller stuff. Plus you'd still have 30" of work surface. Rock on! Now to show the contents when its loaded.

lets see some pics setup...

I won't be able to get it out of his SUV until after I get out of work at 10pm. I should have some pictures tomorrow early afternoon.

Andrew

 

[oldldh]

You will love it!!!


It's 440 lbs, in case you missed that bit of knowledge...


Don't drop it on your toe...


That would smart a smidge...

 

[AndrewH]

You will love it!!!


It's 440 lbs, in case you missed that bit of knowledge...


Don't drop it on your toe...


That would smart a smidge...

Well, seeing as it took me, my buddy, and 2 Harbor freight employees to get it in the truck, I know all about that 441 lbs lol

Oh yeah, good thing I'll be wearing my steel toe boots!

 

[usmc_noma]

Tell them you're sick and need to go home early. lol.

Nice buy. I was about to post as I was reading all the older ones that you should get that 56". Glad you got it, and I'm sure you'll be happy.

I have a 41" and 26" Craftsman, and wish I had the room to have one long/deep tool box. The way my garage is there's no way I could have everything I want in there with a 56".

 

[jim1987]

Tell them you're sick and need to go home early. lol.

Nice buy. I was about to post as I was reading all the older ones that you should get that 56". Glad you got it, and I'm sure you'll be happy.

I have a 41" and 26" Craftsman, and wish I had the room to have one long/deep tool box. The way my garage is there's no way I could have everything I want in there with a 56".

Yes you could. 56" top and bottom. Bigger and deeper. You'd be surprised what all it holds.

 

[usmc_noma]

I have one wall that is flat. the other two walls not against the house have the little knee wall from the block foundation. Currently I have a tall cabinet, 41" bottom, and deep freezer along the flat wall. This is where I'd like the 56" to be so I don't lose the space if it was up by block that sticks out. It's a good 4" deep in some locations. Minimal, but along a 56" space, there's a lot of storage at that depth.

 

[AndrewH]

The depth is actually what swayed me. I also don't *really* have the room for the 56" but I decided I'd make it fit in my single car garage. The thought of having multiple tool boxes is not appealing to me, which is the second reason I went with the 56". I may not be able to fill it up right now but I feel confident that this box should last me a long time. I do however see the top box in my future at some point.

 

[AndrewH]

Well, got it out of the car and into the garage safely. Here's a quick shot of it and my 26" in the background.

 

[jim1987]

Rocking!

 

[beakie]

man I really like the lay out of those boxes (other than maybe having 1 full width drawer at the top)

our version of HF (Princess Auto up here) doesn't carry a box like this. I found a 56" chest, 22" deep at TSC, but it has an odd very tall drawer bottom right for hanging stuff in. I will end up getting it, but all in good time.

nice looking set up.

food for thought, how long did it take you to outgrow the 26" boxes? while I understand liking tools centralized for use, my expectation is to use the 56" for certain types of tools (used around the shop), and my 26" top (currently on bench) for more stationary tools (drill bits, grinder consumables, saw blades, etc)

hate to see you back in a few years asking thoughts on another tool box to replace the ones you want to sell now.