New Harbor Freight 72" Massive Toolbox Review

[gearhead1]

(I realize this is an old thread, but) Tooltrader, what did you use to screw the rails down to the aluminum flat bar? Did you drill and tap the flat bar or use nuts?

I really like how they can't fall over in the box and it keeps them organized. This would be a good winter project...

 

[Jazzman442]

Does anyone know who the factory in China was? Is?

 

[Climber]

Ping Yen Pong O.

Just kidding.

 

[niferous]

I can actually sell a Snap-On Williams box for the price that the above vendors are marketing their's for. It would be a 75" box and from the value line, but still a very good box. The weight is pretty low compared to the HF one. I will call the factory in the morning and see if that is accurate and if they have them in stock. I may just get one!

Snap-On Williams 50764

Also it looks like Snap-On Williams is making a box very similar to the HF one but I'll have to check on the country of origin, it should be Canada. The part number is 50990 and the list price is way up there. I think I'd be in the high $3k mark for this one shipping direct from the factory.

Snap-On Williams 50990

It's late so I'll have to check Wright and Proto in the morning. I believe both are going to be maybe in Canada or the USA and much higher though. My company reps those brands plus Channellock, Klein, Armstrong, Wilton, Eklind, etc etc. We move a heck of a lot of tools. Anyway if the name of the company who makes these is in the thread I'll try to find it in the morning. I bet I can have my guy in China call them and let me know how much a container load would be. If he's not bound by a contract I know he'd sell them. Some manufacturers over there will even sell when under contract if they don't come in with whoever's logo on them. I'm in charge of purchasing, new products, supply chain, and inventory at work so I can pull it off without catching grief if we got a little pre-paid deal going.

Goodnight all for now! Glad I found this forum. I'm a serious tool/shop/garage/car junkie and I work in the tool world so I'm glad I found a place I can talk about them off the clock!

 

[ishiboo]

I can actually sell a Snap-On Williams box for the price that the above vendors are marketing their's for. It would be a 75" box and from the value line, but still a very good box. The weight is pretty low compared to the HF one. I will call the factory in the morning and see if that is accurate and if they have them in stock. I may just get one!

Snap-On Williams 50764

Also it looks like Snap-On Williams is making a box very similar to the HF one but I'll have to check on the country of origin, it should be Canada. The part number is 50990 and the list price is way up there. I think I'd be in the high $3k mark for this one shipping direct from the factory.

Snap-On Williams 50990

It's late so I'll have to check Wright and Proto in the morning. I believe both are going to be maybe in Canada or the USA and much higher though. My company reps those brands plus Channellock, Klein, Armstrong, Wilton, Eklind, etc etc. We move a heck of a lot of tools. Anyway if the name of the company who makes these is in the thread I'll try to find it in the morning. I bet I can have my guy in China call them and let me know how much a container load would be. If he's not bound by a contract I know he'd sell them. Some manufacturers over there will even sell when under contract if they don't come in with whoever's logo on them. I'm in charge of purchasing, new products, supply chain, and inventory at work so I can pull it off without catching grief if we got a little pre-paid deal going.

Goodnight all for now! Glad I found this forum. I'm a serious tool/shop/garage/car junkie and I work in the tool world so I'm glad I found a place I can talk about them off the clock!

I'm keeping an eye on this as I'd be interested in a nice Williams box made in north america.

 

[Duker]

I'm keeping an eye on this as I'd be interested in a nice Williams box made in north america.

+1 who has an interest.

 

[niferous]

OK, I actually forgot I had our Williams factory rep coming by today so I could sign some paperwork. He filled me in on what's what.

The 50764 cabinet from their super value cabinet line is a good box but is not one that you'd want to load down with tools and then move around every day. His advice was that if you're going to have it up against the wall, store tools in it, and move it 3-4 times a month than it's a great box and will serve you well. However if you were working in a multiple car garage and moving it a few times a day you'd have issues with the casters and the box not wanting to move after a while. The box is "globally sourced", I'm trying to find out exactly where. The box does indeed weigh 455 which is a good bit lighter than the Harbor Freight unit that kicked off this thread. So I think this box would work for probably 90% of us.

The 50990 seems to be identical to the box they are selling at Northern Tool or that other here have gotten offline elsewhere. Honestly what some folks are saying they paid for their's is below my cost with Williams. I'm betting that there is some company in Chinese churning these out for anyone that will buy a container load.

A box that Williams offers that is made by Snap-On, and in the USA is their 55" Pro-Line series. For a top and bottom unit you should be paying about $3000 for the top and bottom unit which is what I'd charge for it. Most everyone is going to ship direct from Williams to you.

Edit to add: I'm going to research and see who makes the ones Northern is selling and I'll see about seeing how many fit into a container and what we could sell them for if we got a group deal going.

 

[blklegend]

The out of production US General 72" is 26.5" deep draws versus Snap-On Williams 50764
22" deep draws. This is probably where the weight difference is.

 

[niferous]

OK, I did some research and found out who the manufacturer is in China and I have their contact information. I am waiting on them to send me a price list and then I can figure up shipping and customs expenses. I'm also going to see if they are dealing with a wholesaler that warehouses from them here in the states. A lot of times these Chinese firms will have a lot of their popular products on the ground to fill shorts with their regular distributors. The products are not marked and the wholesaler or distributor just labels the product as needed. Typically a distributor will pay 5-10% more through one of these wholesalers than going direct to the manufacturer, but the lead time is eliminated.

I found this one and it looks to be the 42" that Harbor Freight sells for $399.


I already do a little importing through Shanghai which is where this company is located. If I'm lucky I can time it so that I can ship half a container of these stacked two deep on the bottom of the container and then do a bunch of oil absorbent pads on top. They're light but they take up a lot of room. Doing so would save on shipping.

Anyway, once I get some idea on pricing I will start a new thread with the details and post a link here so those who are interested can take a look. I will also check with a mod first as I don't want it to look like I'm trying to drum up business. If I do this deal it would be as a buy through for the members here. I'm not certain yet but I'm willing to bet the various distributors (Northern, HF, etc) have varying amount of mark-up in these. Depending how much interest it generates will depend on the cost. Splitting up cost on a 20' container is a lot more expensive than a 40'.

 

[k-os]

I found this one and it looks to be the 42" that Harbor Freight sells for $399.

Not the same as the HF one. May be the same maker though. The Harbor Freight box has a full width drawer at the top and drawers instead of the cabinet shown on the one above.

 

[TiredDude]

OK, I did some research and found out who the manufacturer is in China and I have their contact information. I am waiting on them to send me a price list and then I can figure up shipping and customs expenses. I'm also going to see if they are dealing with a wholesaler that warehouses from them here in the states. A lot of times these Chinese firms will have a lot of their popular products on the ground to fill shorts with their regular distributors. The products are not marked and the wholesaler or distributor just labels the product as needed. Typically a distributor will pay 5-10% more through one of these wholesalers than going direct to the manufacturer, but the lead time is eliminated.

I found this one and it looks to be the 42" that Harbor Freight sells for $399.


I already do a little importing through Shanghai which is where this company is located. If I'm lucky I can time it so that I can ship half a container of these stacked two deep on the bottom of the container and then do a bunch of oil absorbent pads on top. They're light but they take up a lot of room. Doing so would save on shipping.

Anyway, once I get some idea on pricing I will start a new thread with the details and post a link here so those who are interested can take a look. I will also check with a mod first as I don't want it to look like I'm trying to drum up business. If I do this deal it would be as a buy through for the members here. I'm not certain yet but I'm willing to bet the various distributors (Northern, HF, etc) have varying amount of mark-up in these. Depending how much interest it generates will depend on the cost. Splitting up cost on a 20' container is a lot more expensive than a 40'.

One good thing about buying from Harbor Freight is that if there is something wrong with the box, you can take it back with little to no hassle. Committing to purchase one straight off the boat from china seems a bit risky.

 

[niferous]

Well I'm trying to see if they have a stocking warehouse in the US. I'll post as to whether they do or not when I hear back.

 

[niferous]

Not the same as the HF one. May be the same maker though. The Harbor Freight box has a full width drawer at the top and drawers instead of the cabinet shown on the one above.

You are correct! I went and looked at he HF one again and realized it was different. I heard back from them but so far just have a catalog and some media. I believe this is the correct one and it's from the PDF catalog they sent me.

Here it is in blue:

They had some various photos of this monster. Looks to be 72" wide, 30" deep, and 58" tall with 33 drawers.

Anyone ever seen one of those before? It's a new one on me, I can't find it anywhere else.

 

[JasonCAT]

Blue version of the 44" HF box? NICE!

 

[peterbilr98]

i like the monster

 

[niferous]

I started a thread (disregard, thread seems to have been deleted) with more details. Didn't want to continue to hijack this one.

 

[Fastbird]

That "Monster" looks awesome.

 

[peterbilr98]

hell nothing to hijack here the 72 hf is done has been done for a couple years and not comeing back we need 72" alternatives at a affordable price. when the hf was on its way out the door you could get one for 1400.00 i tryed but couldnt get my hands on one.

 

[ibedayank]

You are correct! I went and looked at he HF one again and realized it was different. I heard back from them but so far just have a catalog and some media. I believe this is the correct one and it's from the PDF catalog they sent me.



Here it is in blue:
[

They had some various photos of this monster. Looks to be 72" wide, 30" deep, and 58" tall with 33 drawers.



Anyone ever seen one of those before? It's a new one on me, I can't find it anywhere else.

the hf bottom has 13 drawers taking 5 minutes to visit hf's webite would have shown you this

 

[niferous]

the hf bottom has 13 drawers taking 5 minutes to visit hf's webite would have shown you this

Post #4 & #5: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223202

 

[IONH]

I started a thread (disregard, thread seems to have been deleted) with more details. Didn't want to continue to hijack this one.

Where is it?

 

[niferous]

Where is it?

It got deleted.

 

[IONH]

It got deleted.

So much for that then I guess..

 

[Bo Heck]

You are correct! I went and looked at he HF one again and realized it was different. I heard back from them but so far just have a catalog and some media. I believe this is the correct one and it's from the PDF catalog they sent me.

Here it is in blue:

They had some various photos of this monster. Looks to be 72" wide, 30" deep, and 58" tall with 33 drawers.

Anyone ever seen one of those before? It's a new one on me, I can't find it anywhere else.

The Red 41" looks like the Extreme tools box. Exact same drawer layout, and pull handles.

 

[Oldchevypickup]

I was just at a Harbor Freight in Allentown Pa buying the 56" cabinet and they showed me a flyer saying the 72" rolling tool chest is coming back and will be out in February. They said it will be mail-order only since they will not have a way to load something that heavy into a vehicle at the local stores. Price on the flyer was $1000 for bottom. No mention of a top box though.

 

[Wangstang]

I was just at a Harbor Freight in Allentown Pa buying the 56" cabinet and they showed me a flyer saying the 72" rolling tool chest is coming back and will be out in February. They said it will be mail-order only since they will not have a way to load something that heavy into a vehicle at the local stores. Price on the flyer was $1000 for bottom. No mention of a top box though.

Interesting...I wonder what the shipping fees will be, gotta be over $200.

Wes

 

[dave_]

New guy here, but figured I'd chime in...

The 72" is on the HF website now. Shipping is $89.95.

http://www.harborfreight.com/72-in-18-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-61656.html

 

[Cedge]

At $1500, plus shipping, the 72" box sort of makes my purchase of the two 56 inch boxes look like pretty good move, at $699 each.

Steve

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Looks pretty sharp. HF is getting up there with their pricing on this box. I could grab a very good used SO box for the 2k this will cost after tax and shipping. I hope someone gets one so we can see some good pics and get a review.

1708.92 to my door with tax and shipping. Maybe a small used SO box.

 

[peterbilr98]

thats the price it was at before they got rid of it im getting one before they quit handeling them agine i tryed last time but they rin out of stock

 

[justin1795]

I purchased my matco 56in box for about 1600 when I was in school with the student discount.

 

[archirelic]

Far too many deep drawers to make a box like that practical to someone like me. Good to see though that they're at least offering it again.

 

[fhemm20]

I like the the fact that this in the assembly instructions:

"5. Do not assemble when tired or when under the
influence of alcohol, drugs or medication."

 

[Wangstang]

Far too many deep drawers to make a box like that impractical to someone like me.

?

Can you rephrase that?


If they work it out so the on sale + tax + shipping price is $1100-1200, I might just pull the pin on one.

Heck if they offered it for a few hundred less with adjustable bench leg feet instead of casters I am sure it would sell well as a stationary bench.

Wes

 

[yuk]

Looking at the HF site, it says that the 5 drawer red cart and the 7 drawer side box are grip latch type drawers now.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Looking at the HF site, it says that the 5 drawer red cart and the 7 drawer side box are grip latch type drawers now.

Figures...first grip latch drawers and next we will prob see a full length drawer on the 56"

 

[bimmerZ5]

this is getting interesting. although that new 72" is only 19-1/2" front to back depth.

 

[archirelic]

?

Can you rephrase that?


If they work it out so the on sale + tax + shipping price is $1100-1200, I might just pull the pin on one.

Heck if they offered it for a few hundred less with adjustable bench leg feet instead of casters I am sure it would sell well as a stationary bench.

Wes

haha, practical is what I meant!

 

[Rawlins87]

New guy here, but figured I'd chime in...

The 72" is on the HF website now. Shipping is $89.95.

http://www.harborfreight.com/72-in-18-drawer-industrial-roller-cabinet-61656.html

An additional lift-gate charge may apply.

 

[tooltrader]

Hi everybody,
I started this thread almost four and a half years ago (time flies). I'm glad (and surprised) to see this available again at Harbor Freight. I've had the box since I originally posted this thread and it has been a great box. I moved from Cleveland to Northern California a couple of years ago. When the moving company came to move all my stuff they said it was the largest and heaviest toolbox they had ever moved. I believe it weighs about 1300 pounds fully loaded. It does take two people to roll it around easily (on a flat floor) due to the weight but it can be done with one person with some effort. The wheels definitely made the move easier but it took 4 guys and a hand winch to get it up the ramp and into the moving truck. I'm still impressed (as are my neighbors) with the durability and quality of this toolbox. At almost 900 pounds empty, it will definitely last a long time under a lot of abuse. Mine still looks brand new after 4.5 years (although I am not a professional mechanic and don't use it all the time). I can post a video of it (if that's possible on this site??) with the drawers being pulled out to show how it works with the ball bearing slides. It appears that the only difference with the new box for sale on the HF website is that it has different wheels/castors on it (not a big deal). I had a Matco two bay toolbox that I replaced with this toolbox (see original post at beginning of this thread) because I had outgrown it and this toolbox is just as heavy and durable as the Matco line (in my opinion). I really believe it is a great buy for someone looking for a large heavy duty tool box (72" x 29" x 46") and almost 900 pounds empty weight.