New blue Kobalt tool box at Lowe's
- Thread starter bchee
- Start date
mooman
Well-known member
Alright, I'll say it. Nice box!!!
Does Lowes send a hot girl to your house to help you assemble it?
I have been seriously considering this box for the past 2 weeks.
I went and measured all the drawers.
The other one I'm looking at is the NAPA 7 drawer for $399.
I find that way over the top. A tool box is going to outlast any electronics or a refrigerator, in my opinion. I saw that at a H/W show once and got a kick out of it but I don't think it is necessary. I use my trusty DeWalt jobsite radio/charger (the old analog one, not the new digital one that has a sucky tuner) as my shop radio.
lalaland
Banned
Wheres this thing made?
I definitely like the look of the paint on the blue kobalt chest wayyy more than the rough paint job on the Harbor freight one but the harbor freight one is about the same price as the kobalt right now assuimg you use the lowes 10% off coupon, at $369. Compare drawer space of the kobalt with the one pictured below. Honestly I'd prefer to buy this one if i could get it for under $300 but with both of them being made in china and the harbor freight one being regarded as having good build quality I feel hesitant that the kobalt is a better choice... and what is up with that huge bottom drawer... I like to keep my powertools in their individual plastic cases organized on the shelf.... the main reason I'd want a rolling tool chest is to store all my hand tools... If the harbor freight one had a paint job similar to the blue kobalt, I think that would be a no-brainier.
$369 with the coupon
$369 with the coupon
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Rarified27
Well-known member
Definitely was curious if Lowe's would have used two slides for that huge bottom drawer-glad to see there's more thought in a non-truck brand than just radios and refrigerators.
hifi_hokie
Well-known member
Does Lowes send a hot girl to your house to help you assemble it?
I think we need more clarification of this.
And by clarification, I mean pictures.
There were a few reasons I chose the Kobalt box over the Harbor Freight 13 drawer model.
1. I really dont care for the Finish on the HF one..the red is a turnoff for me,But the Value is great for the Money.
2.With the 10% coupon at Lowes..it was $355.50 before tax.
3. I really liked the Blue Finish.
4. The drawer fronts were welded on ,and it does have the Steel ball bearings on the slides.
Anyway..I looked at a lot of boxes.I was about to just wait to get the Homak setup that NAPA had in their stores,but could not justify at this time spending the $1000.
As far as a comparison to the Craftsmen boxes,I wasn't overly impressed with what Sears had for the money.I think its a Matter of personal preference .
If I could have stood the red color ,the HF was my other option.
1. I really dont care for the Finish on the HF one..the red is a turnoff for me,But the Value is great for the Money.
2.With the 10% coupon at Lowes..it was $355.50 before tax.
3. I really liked the Blue Finish.
4. The drawer fronts were welded on ,and it does have the Steel ball bearings on the slides.
Anyway..I looked at a lot of boxes.I was about to just wait to get the Homak setup that NAPA had in their stores,but could not justify at this time spending the $1000.
As far as a comparison to the Craftsmen boxes,I wasn't overly impressed with what Sears had for the money.I think its a Matter of personal preference .
If I could have stood the red color ,the HF was my other option.
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You just said exactly what I have been thinking.
I definitely like the look of the paint on the blue kobalt chest wayyy more than the rough paint job on the Harbor freight one but the harbor freight one is about the same price as the kobalt right now assuimg you use the lowes 10% off coupon, at $369. Compare drawer space of the kobalt with the one pictured below. Honestly I'd prefer to buy this one if i could get it for under $300 but with both of them being made in china and the harbor freight one being regarded as having good build quality I feel hesitant that the kobalt is a better choice... and what is up with that huge bottom drawer... I like to keep my powertools in their individual plastic cases organized on the shelf.... the main reason I'd want a rolling tool chest is to store all my hand tools... If the harbor freight one had a paint job similar to the blue kobalt, I think that would be a no-brainier.
$369 with the coupon
The biggest difference is the 10" of extra room the HF cabinet has over the Kobalt. Thats why i said, a bit expensive. If it were to fall into the HF pricing bracket i'd expect to pay closer to the $275/$300 range for a 35" box.
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floreys
Member
I have had this box for a little over two month. I am supper pleased with the fit and finish. Casters appear to be of good quality. I don't move my box a lot. I am thinking about getting the top box. i like the full length drawers.
I've got one of the old Kobalt waterloo box from around 2002. Outstanding box. I also have a full SAE set of the polished Kobalt Williams and both the SAE and Metric polish boxed set. They put the current Kobalt line to shame. They were also twice the price of the current Kobalt stuff, but well worth the money.
thrifty bill
Well-known member
Well now Lowes has the 41 inch stainless steel cabinet for $485. Knock 10% off, that would take it under $450. Appears to be a little deeper than the HF roller.
On line reviews are pretty poor, but most of them are dated. I will go to the store and see what it looks like in person.
http://dealnews.com/Kobalt-11-Drawer-41-Stainless-Steel-Tool-Cabinet-for-485-pickup/428621.html
On line reviews are pretty poor, but most of them are dated. I will go to the store and see what it looks like in person.
http://dealnews.com/Kobalt-11-Drawer-41-Stainless-Steel-Tool-Cabinet-for-485-pickup/428621.html
allinon72
Well-known member
That stainless cabinet is made of metal so thin you'd think it was made from recycled tin cans. The HF cabinet is 2x better.
thrifty bill
Well-known member
+1 That's what I figured. The drawer configuration on the HF box is better for me anyway. And for about $50 more than the cost of the stainless Kobalt box, I can get the HF box plus one side box. The more I thought about the stainless Kobalt box, the less I liked it....
Trying to find a worthy alternative to the HF cabinet, so far, nothing compares at that price point.
I just made a noontime trip to HF, Sears and Lowes (all near each other in Fremont, CA), in that order. I can say without any reservations that the Kobalt cabinet is at a different order of quality above the HF model. The "fit and finish" (I hate that descriptor) is not even close. The Kobalt slides are much tighter, quieter and firmer. I don't think it is sensible to compare pricing because of the build quality difference, in my opinion.
allinon72
Well-known member
I think you are definitely in the minority on that one.
digdug18
Well-known member
The Kobalt tool boxes are nicer, but not much. I think the paint jobs are nicer then the HF ones. Basically I figure if I get a HF box, then get it resprayed to a nicer color, I'll be happy.
Did you compare the gauge of the metal? I could swear that it was at least one notch thicker in gauge. Also, there is no comparison to the action of the drawer slides. I found the HF ones to be quite cheap in feel compared to the Kobalt one. I made this comparison within 30 minutes so it wasn't a day later or anything like that.
archirelic
Well-known member
This box is by far the best that Lowes does carry...they can barely keep these ones stocked at my location after the price drop down to 395.00 not too long ago. Even the floor model was sold.
the HF box is powder coated. If it was done correctly the stuff is as tough as it gets.
Bumping this back up for anyone interested. I visited Lowe's last week and found the lower 35" cabinet was marked down to $276. I almost bought one, but saw the upper was still $500 and I didn't want to spend that money (or end up with just the lower).
Fast forward to today and I am at Lowe's again, lucky enough to find the upper was now marked down to $276 also. I didn't have my truck, but I decided to buy both for under $600 out the door. Bang for the buck that's a great deal, in my opinion. I got the last upper (floor model) and one of 3 lower's left in the store. Going to try and get back with the truck to move em home sometime later this week. Finally get to upgrade from my tiny cheap craftsman box I bought when I was a teenager. The drawers barely open with one hand now!
If any of you who said's they'd be interested at <$300, now's your chance. In doing my due diligence, I found them listed on the site but I wasn't able to make a purchase for the store locations I checked. You might only be able to get it in store now.
I did NOT buy because of the radio (forgot about it, actually) but I'll happily use it once I get it home!
Fast forward to today and I am at Lowe's again, lucky enough to find the upper was now marked down to $276 also. I didn't have my truck, but I decided to buy both for under $600 out the door. Bang for the buck that's a great deal, in my opinion. I got the last upper (floor model) and one of 3 lower's left in the store. Going to try and get back with the truck to move em home sometime later this week. Finally get to upgrade from my tiny cheap craftsman box I bought when I was a teenager. The drawers barely open with one hand now!
If any of you who said's they'd be interested at <$300, now's your chance. In doing my due diligence, I found them listed on the site but I wasn't able to make a purchase for the store locations I checked. You might only be able to get it in store now.
I did NOT buy because of the radio (forgot about it, actually) but I'll happily use it once I get it home!
mooman
Well-known member
Is it possible to use the Harbor Freight 20% coupon on top of this price?
EDIT: I tried last night and the Manager at my Lowes saw the exclusion that it does not apply to tool storage and thanked me for trying.
EDIT: I tried last night and the Manager at my Lowes saw the exclusion that it does not apply to tool storage and thanked me for trying.
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TK LP
Well-known member
The HF box is 41", so it's only 6" wider than the Lowes box. The 45" they advertise includes the side handle. Factor in the space lost for the split drawers, and it's more like 3". Personally, I think the finish on the HF box is horrible, and I'm not as impressed with their quality as many here are, but my biggest issue with the HF combo is the glaring lack of full length drawers. My thinking is that the biggest reason for buying a wider box is for the wider drawers, and the HF box only gives you one.
I didn't think about that but that would be awesome if you could.
You have to at least try. I know the dickheads at my store would give me dirty looks, especially on a clearance price of $276
archirelic
Well-known member
Bumping this back up for anyone interested. I visited Lowe's last week and found the lower 35" cabinet was marked down to $276. I almost bought one, but saw the upper was still $500 and I didn't want to spend that money (or end up with just the lower).
Fast forward to today and I am at Lowe's again, lucky enough to find the upper was now marked down to $276 also. I didn't have my truck, but I decided to buy both for under $600 out the door. Bang for the buck that's a great deal, in my opinion. I got the last upper (floor model) and one of 3 lower's left in the store. Going to try and get back with the truck to move em home sometime later this week. Finally get to upgrade from my tiny cheap craftsman box I bought when I was a teenager. The drawers barely open with one hand now!
If any of you who said's they'd be interested at <$300, now's your chance. In doing my due diligence, I found them listed on the site but I wasn't able to make a purchase for the store locations I checked. You might only be able to get it in store now.
I did NOT buy because of the radio (forgot about it, actually) but I'll happily use it once I get it home!
grrr...at that price point, I'd definitely pick one or both pieces up. As I've said, this is the best box that Lowes currently carries...just too bad the last time I was there they didn't have any.
After posting last night, I'm thinking I may actually return the top cabinet and buy another base, provided there is still one left. The base should provide more storage for the $ and I'm thinking I could make a nice big bench using two of them.
I have a few 1.5"x48"x60" maple table tops. I am thinking I'll rip one in half lengthwise to make (2) that are 24" deep and 60" long. Place the base cabinets 4' apart and I can make a 10' long workbench with a 4' opening beneath to sit at.
I like the idea of the tall cabinet using a base and top, however the use of the bases for a bench seems to fit better with my needs. Plus I might rather spend the money on added storage than on a stereo built in that I don't really care about.
I have a few 1.5"x48"x60" maple table tops. I am thinking I'll rip one in half lengthwise to make (2) that are 24" deep and 60" long. Place the base cabinets 4' apart and I can make a 10' long workbench with a 4' opening beneath to sit at.
I like the idea of the tall cabinet using a base and top, however the use of the bases for a bench seems to fit better with my needs. Plus I might rather spend the money on added storage than on a stereo built in that I don't really care about.
Actually its 42". You wont find much more storage for the price without getting something made out of very thin steel. Same for the drawer configuration. How many 40"+ boxes do you see with full length drawers all the way down? Finish isnt great but could be worse, at least for me. If it was one of those hideous neon yellow or lime green colors i wouldnt care one bit for it no matter how cheap it was.
Maybe you can stack one base on top of the other.
True - two stacked might be a good option as well, though I like the idea of sticking them under the 10' maple bench. In reality, two of these is probably overkill for me at the moment. The storage in one would be sufficient for my needs.
Similarly, the HF unit would also probably handle everything I need to store for now. hmmmm
Almost thinking I don't need these and I could just use one HF unit instead, saving myself around $200 (which would go into my welding table top). What to do, what to do..
Similarly, the HF unit would also probably handle everything I need to store for now. hmmmm
Almost thinking I don't need these and I could just use one HF unit instead, saving myself around $200 (which would go into my welding table top). What to do, what to do..