Need help with HF tool box decision!

[machine_punk]

I was really set on getting one of the 13-drawer units from HF. From a quality standpoint, I don't have any trouble with it. I have the 5-drawer service cart and the 7-drawer end unit. The quality of both of those are great, for what I am using them for.

What has gotten to me lately, when I go in the store and look at the 13-drawer unit, is just how shallow those drawers really are. I think they are something like 18" deep...and it is too deep to store just one row of tools, but too shallow for two rows. The depth bothered me enough that I am now looking for other options.

I really think the quality of the HF boxes is fine...but the shallow drawer layout isn't going to work for me.

 

[GoFaster2]

I am in the same boat, the depth of the 42" one isnt deep enough. I am now looking for a 24"-30" deep no longer then 56" as thats all the room I have for right now in the shop. The 56" at HF doesnt have side cabs or tops available so they are out. I did find a brand called Renegade at the tool store but I cant find any info. It was 56" in three colors that cost 1400 for top and bottom. There is no deals on Snap on boxed on CL in this area. Most guys sell for what they paid.

 

[Carl B]

If you can visit a more or less Local Harbor Freight Store.. and pick the roll cabinet and side cabinets up yourself...... I'd do that.

I'd also recommend getting the 40", 13 drawer - especially if you have the coupon for $349.99. Nothing comes close in terms of Price vs Quality, nor Price vs Storage. Next I'd add the 42" side cabinet, for which you can order extra shelves {they are only $9.95 each}. That will give you plenty of room for tools that are in their own blow molded cases. You can drill a hole in the back/side and run an extension cord to one of the shelves, to put battery chargers for the wireless tools on. Third I'd buy the side box with drawers.. For $750.00 plus tax you have a huge amount of storage, in a very solid box.

That - or I'd buy two of the 40" roll cabinets - and then order a couple extra deep drawers for one of them.

I have a top, side and bottom Snap-On set up - circa 1985/86. I now have the 40" US General Pro roll cabinet. I would highly recommend getting the US General Pro 40" roll cabinet... As someone else mentioned - you simply can not beat the quality for anywhere near the price.

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[diesel research]

The 56" at HF doesnt have side cabs or tops available so they are out.

Where does this myth come from. It is a very basic rectangle in a very basic color and a very basic dimension.

I hear it over and over, as if a mythical force prevents anything from being added on?

 

[Carl B]

Where does this myth come from. It is a very basic rectangle in a very basic color and a very basic dimension.

I hear it over and over, as if a mythical force prevents anything from being added on?

Not a mythical force - but two things perhaps. 1. No matching side nor top box is sold by HF/USG for the 56" and 2. Reading the Product manuals for both the 40" and 56" one notices they are quite different

The manual for the 40" states that it is designed to be used side by side with the side and top boxes listed.

The 40" 13 drawer manual shows:
1221 lbs capacity for the drawers
1673 lbs capacity for the Top Panel
total = 2894 lbs

The manual for the 56" shows
7 drawers x 154 lbs = 1078 lbs
4 drawers x 220 lbs = 880 lbs
Total = 1958 lbs.

It makes no mention of side nor top boxes - and in fact has the warning:
DO NOT EXCEED the 1958 lbs weight capacity. & Do not stand or climb on the cabinet

Maybe that is what gives people the impression that one should not hang additional weight on the 56".

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[toxiclows]

I had two of the craftsman 26" boxes with the. Middle sections. Not the best setup. But it worked. My buddy introduced me to harbor frieght. Fell in love with the 40 and 56 inch boxes. I was able to sells 2 crapsman boxes and pay for the new one. I myself was in the same scenario as you. I wanted a roll cab so I could have desk space but I was still drawn to the whole 42 inch setup with all of its add ons . I picked up the56 inch 2 weeks ago and could not be happier. The drawer latches. I like one day and hate the next. But the best part is I can enable or disable them in Seconds. The glossy finish is really nice. I do all of my personal work at my work garage. Or I would really consider the crinkle coat box for my go
E garage. The box I bought was 999.99 and on sale for 799 and I got another 100 off fOr signing up for the inside track club. I lOve my new box and am in the process of building a wooden hutch for it. Stay tuned.

 

[Steevo]

A tool truck box won't make me more money, more tools make more money!

You, sir, have a very solid grasp on reality.
Buy enough room to house the tools that do make you money.

 

[bhclark]

I just bought the 42" HFT box and love it. I could not go with the 56" due the extra depth made it stick out too far in my garage.
I plan on adding the 7 drawer side cabinet next time they go on sale for $199.

 

[kngelv]

Not a mythical force - but two things perhaps. 1. No matching side nor top box is sold by HF/USG for the 56" and 2. Reading the Product manuals for both the 40" and 56" one notices they are quite different

The manual for the 40" states that it is designed to be used side by side with the side and top boxes listed.

The 40" 13 drawer manual shows:
1221 lbs capacity for the drawers
1673 lbs capacity for the Top Panel
total = 2894 lbs

The manual for the 56" shows
7 drawers x 154 lbs = 1078 lbs
4 drawers x 220 lbs = 880 lbs
Total = 1958 lbs.

It makes no mention of side nor top boxes - and in fact has the warning:
DO NOT EXCEED the 1958 lbs weight capacity. & Do not stand or climb on the cabinet

Maybe that is what gives people the impression that one should not hang additional weight on the 56".

FWIW,
Carl B.

This is a myth as shown here by MN4x4 in another thread.

**************************************************


I originally posted this in the 'HOT DEALS' thread, but I think it bears repeating here.

I have been wrestling with this comparison myself and researching this information, and I've found out that - while the Total Load Capacity quoted by HF is 1900 or so lbs for the 56" and 2900 or so lbs. for the 44" - it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. IN FACT, IT'S DOWNRIGHT MISLEADING!

I compared the boxes in the store, and it just didn't seem those numbers could be right. Well, it turns out that the 2900 lb rating for the 13 drawer box includes an allowance for 1473 pounds on the top of the cabinet (likely due to the availability of a matching top chest) while the 56" cabinet has no weight allowance listed for the top at all. This makes an "at-a-glance" comparison impossible.

I decided that the only fair comparison is to add up the weight capacity of each drawer...which I did. (If you'd like to research this on your own, simply download the manuals for each cabinet. All of the drawer weight info is in there. Also, I have used their alphabetical drawer designation, so if you want to know which drawer is which, well - download the manual.

So, without further ado, here is the accurate comparison:

44" 13 Drawer Cabinet
Drawer Qty Lbs Total
Drawer A 5 88 440
Drawer B 1 110 110
Drawer C 5 88 440
Drawer D 1 110 110
Drawer E 1 121 121
Total weight for all drawers - 1221 pounds

56" 11 Drawer Cabinet
Drawer Qty Lbs Total
Drawer A 1 220 220
Drawer B 2 154 308
Drawer C 1 154 154
Drawer D 1 220 220
Drawer E 1 220 220
Drawer F 1 154 154
Drawer G 2 154 308
Drawer H 1 154 154
Drawer I 1 220 220
Total weight for all drawers - 1958 pounds

What this says is that not only is the 56" cabinet capable of holding more weight, if you compare the two box sizes (44" to 56") the 56" cabinet is proportionally MUCH stronger. So much for that myth...

Obviously, weight will likely not be the ONLY consideration for most potential purchasers. Cabinet width, number of drawers, available accessories, and type of finish all come to mind.



Here is a link to the thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115098&highlight=harbor+freight&showall=1

James

 

[NWphotog]

Looking over the 2 boxes they seem similar in construction although the 56" drawers seem a little more wobbly in their slides.