New Tool Box For Christmas

[bcrazycramer]

Hello,

I'm looking for a tool box for around the $1000 price point. I've looked at the Craftsman 52" 2000 series and the US General from Harbor Freight. I'm looking for the upper and lower tool box. I'm leaning torwads the US General since the drawers are deeper, but I've never actually seen one in person.

What would you recommend?

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[highland512]

If you want new, the box from HF is heavier built than the craftsman. If I was wanting a tool box and wanted to spend around a grand I would be looking at the used market and find a nice Matco or Snap On for nearly the same $$ in many areas.

 

[RKA]

I would make the drive to see an HF box in person. For their price point they are built very well and the drawer layout is good as well.

It's been ages since I've looked at a Cman box, but my nitpicks with them start with build quality and end with the drawer layouts (too many deeper drawers and not enough shallow ones which encourages the piling of tools or wasted space or both).

 

[javyLSU]

For home use, HF U.S. General without a doubt. The construction of the U.S. General is noticeably better than anything in that price range from Craftsman. I've owned the U.S. General 26" tool cart, and the 30", 44", 56", and 72" roller cabinets. They were all awesome, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of them again.

 

[BigBoreFan]

I'd buy US General over Craftsman, but I'd also buy Menards Masteforce over US General. But the Menards box is a little pricier. You can't go with a US General though IMO.

 

[parks31]

I really like the US Generals. In the last month I have bought 3. A 56, 72, and a mechanics cart.

 

[dodge610]

I have two of the US General service carts and they are great. Quality is there price point is there. I have looked at the bigger boxes also and they are right on point and good quality. Would not hesitate to go with US General. You could also check Husky there boxes are not bad.

 

[GForceJunky]

I'd buy US General over Craftsman, but I'd also buy Menards Masteforce over US General. But the Menards box is a little pricier. You can't go with a US General though IMO.

Is this generally considered to be true (Masterforce being better than US General)?

I hear a ton of praise for US General all the time but haven't heard much about Masterforce.

 

[engineer2]

Check out the Husky 52" at Home Depot. It's $998. I was looking at the online info, and it looks pretty good. Did find out they were on sale for $800-ish last year. Maybe another sale is coming.

If you are near a Menards check out Masterforce, especially if you want 24" depth drawers.

 

[dodge610]

Is this generally considered to be true (Masterforce being better than US General)?

I hear a ton of praise for US General all the time but haven't heard much about Masterforce.

Maybe at first but the US General has stepped up there game. Masterforce not so sure about.

 

[bcrazycramer]

I think I need to go with the US General over the Craftsman. Do you know if Harbor Freight ever has coupons for these?

 

[81turbota]

I’m very happy with my 72” US General. Another friend was very impressed and subsequently bought the 56.

They do have coupons, usually to the tune of $100 off.

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

...

 

[mikester]

A friend of mine just bought the HF 72" in green. He bought it for use in his shop. Ive looked at them a few times in the store and if I was in the market for a new box I would buy one over most other store brands.

 

[SunsetsAndFriends]

...

 

[GForceJunky]

I live near several of each of these stores: Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Menards, and Sears. Consequently, I've also spent a fair amount of time inspecting the tool cabinets at each of these stores. For me and my dollar, the Craftsman and Husky cabinets are out of the running. The Masterforce at Menards and US General Gen 2 at Harbor Freight have thicker metal and better features overall.

*Masterforce boxes are 24" deep which is super nice; US General boxes are 22" - respectable.

*Masterforce has a five sizes: 30", 36", 41", 46", and 72"; US General has four sizes: 26", 44", 56", and 72".

*Masterforce boxes come in 4 colors; US General boxes come in 6 colors.

*Masterforce boxes come with built in power strips that include USB charging, which is very well implemented; US General have a magnetic power strip accessory for $30.

*Masterforce top boxes have more usable height in the upper compartment located under the flip top (from Menards website "...tall open till design...", which makes use of that space perfect for battery chargers, etc.; US General boxes have less height and thus that space is less usable.

*Masterforce 41" and 46" top boxes have a stainless steel pull out work surface which I personally really like. I'm not sure how much it would get used but it's a unique feature.

*Both Masterforce and US General lines have various side box options.

Personally, I like the US General boxes over the Masterforce. But, the Masterforce beat US General in three areas: "tall open till design", built in charging/power (top and bottom boxes), and 2" of extra depth. For me the 22" vs 24" is trivial. But the "tall open till design" is a huge deal; it really makes that upper compartment in the top box very usable. And the built in power strips are perfectly implemented.

Masterforce boxes and, especially, side boxes are noticeably more expensive, which makes a huge difference. Noticeably, the Masterforce 16" side locker is $390 vs US General 16" side locker is $220. The Masterforce cabinets go on sale and sometimes also have an 11% off during the sale price. US General boxes go on various sales or have coupons. But, in the above side locker example, one could buy two US General side lockers to one of the Masterforce.

Here's a video from ifirefight1 on Youtube about the drawers on the US General Gen 2 box. He has a couple other videos about the Gen 2 boxes on his channel.

Here's a Masterforce 56 Tool Box Review search on Youtube.

Here's a Masterfoce 41 Tool Box Review search.

Thanks for this. Very informative! Will do some more digging/research.

 

[2001ZR2]

I just bought the Masterforce 56" lower. It has more capacity and I like the drawer latches better. I liked the large drawer across the bottom.

With a purchase of this size pick the one you'll be happiest with. For me it was the MasterForce as soon as I realized they were about $100 different before a coupon. The 11% rebate narrows this. Now the top box is much higher in the MF line versus US General. I will shop.Menards hard next year to get the top chest for the best price.

Sent from my SM-G975U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[VinceG]

look here https://rockintoolboxes.com/scratch-and-dent/

 

[Mr_B]

yeh masterforce is a better made box and 2" deeper

if buying us-gen boxes research the 2 factory model numbers and be sure buying version differences you prefer and matching if buying top/bottom or more than 1 box .

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would suggest checking out a few places very soon and try to make a decision as the Black Friday ads roll out. You may find what you're looking for at a better than expected price and get more for your money.

 

[Spiffers]

Check out the Husky 52" at Home Depot. It's $998. I was looking at the online info, and it looks pretty good. Did find out they were on sale for $800-ish last year. Maybe another sale is coming.

If you are near a Menards check out Masterforce, especially if you want 24" depth drawers.

My sister got me the big Husky, 56" I think, for helping her rehab her mother in laws house to put it on the market. I love it! I was just looking at bottom boxes leaning toward the Extreme Tools 55" and I have the combo box just about full with all my stuff.

 

[redneck79]

In my opinion the master force and the shop version of Montezuma tool boxes remind me of the extreme tools boxes I like the extreme tools boxes..