New tool chest combo recommendation

[thetruck454]

I currently have a Gladiator 52" combo that's 18" deep and a separate 28" bottom that's 24" deep. They are overfilled and I now have tools lying on my work bench which bothers me more than it probably should. I used to have them so we'll organized as I'm the type of person the like to be able to reach into any drawer blind and know where everything is.

For some background, I'm just a self taught handyman for fun as my daytime job is sitting behind a desk. The gladiator tool chest was nice when I first got it, but it's gotten quite flimsy as I've filled it up. I'm also not a huge fan of the detent drawer locks.

I'm been eyeing the black heavy duty 52" & 56" tool chest combos from Husky, but not sure how much they'll gain me. I could probably buy two 52" ones and be done with it, but then I made the mistake of using the search function here and found the 72" combos made by Montezuma, Tool Vault, Extreme Tools.

If I go the more expensive route I'm kinda leaning towards the 72"x24" Montezuma combo as it's 24" deep and has the latch closures for the drawers. My only concern is I can't find how thick the metal is. I don't want another tool chest that's flimsy when loaded.
Thoughts?

 

[plinker]

If you have a Menards in your area, check out their Masterforce line of boxes, IMO they are the best box store tool box. https://www.menards.com/main/tools/tool-storage/tool-chests/masterforce-reg-72-x-24-15-drawer-mobile-tool-cabinet/me7215tc1gmm/p-1490163928178-c-9188.htm

Homak also has some decent boxes from what I gather.
https://homak.com/product/72-rs-pro-roller-cabinet/

Montezuma has a pretty good rep IIRC, keep in mind that short of something like a Snap-on KRL or equivalent box, most of the import boxes will be similar in capacity. IMO they're equivalent to a KRA series Snap-on box, which are still good boxes, just that the imports are about the same thing for typically less money. My problem is I like to see what I'm buying in person if it's what I consider big ticket price.

 

[nichocha33]

I too wasin the market or something similar to what you’re looking for. I looked at the newer Husky(the one with the wood work top in the upper chest $ 998ish if I remember). I was 100% sold till Northern Tool put their Homak Pro2 on sale for about $300 more. Glad I went with the Homak and would easily pay $500 more for the box!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Mr_B]

Another vote for menards Masterforce .
Lift latch drawer pulls that you will like and well built and 24" depth .
Masterforce 72" is about best lower cost new triple bay ...
The Montezuma is overpriced for what it is .
If you got Montezuma money you be better looking at used MAC and Matco at 25 to 28" depth .

 

[bobcatdan]

I'd recommend the Menards masterforce 72" triple as well. For what you already I have, I see that as a break even for what you already have for storage. While menards doesn't offer a matching top, buying a big bottom allows you do up to gain more storage. If you find the need for more room, adding the 36" top chest as an example gives more storage while still leaving some work top surface on the main box.

 

[thetruck454]

Unfortunately as good as the Masterforce ones looks, there isn't a Menards even remotely close and shipping is pretty steep for them. They do look like good boxes though.

When looking at bottom chests, I plan to keep all of my sockets. ratchets, extensions in the top long drawer. I'm finding a bunch of bottom chests that only have two 100lb slides fora 50" wide drawer. Is this enough or should I look at ones that have higher capacity slides for that top long drawer?

 

[thetruck454]

Still haven't pulled the trigger, I have analysis paralysis haha. After looking and the Masterforce chests I really do like them, but the shipping cost kills it. On this forum the Montezuma chests seam to be viewed as good, just overpriced. Is that based on the msrp or the real world price? The 72x30 combo and 72x24 combo are $5,200 and $3,500, but I can get them shipped to my door for $3,600 or $2,610. If they truly are a step above the
husky/US General boxes, those prices don't seam bad to me with the 30" having 250/500 lb slides and the 24" having 150/300lb. Thoughts?

 

[seber]

You can compare stiffness by simply comparing weight. Steel gauge is not the only way some boxes are made better. One that is not obvious but incredibly effective is using double walls with two or three inches of empty space between them at the top. It may seem like lost space, but the difference in rigidity is enormous. Another is the gauge of steel and reinforcement used on the bottom that supports the casters. Light weight here means a box that is very hard to roll around and can contribute to drawers that get hard to open.

 

[Mr_B]

Still haven't pulled the trigger, I have analysis paralysis haha. After looking and the Masterforce chests I really do like them, but the shipping cost kills it. On this forum the Montezuma chests seam to be viewed as good, just overpriced. Is that based on the msrp or the real world price? The 72x30 combo and 72x24 combo are $5,200 and $3,500, but I can get them shipped to my door for $3,600 or $2,610. If they truly are a step above the
husky/US General boxes, those prices don't seam bad to me with the 30" having 250/500 lb slides and the 24" having 150/300lb. Thoughts?

seems it home use and you not near menards i'd suggest making wise choice on couple boxes from us general.
You could get a 44" and 56" which give you good 8' of storage for minimal cost if make effort with vouchers, would give good range of drawer sizes and easy future expansion .
Another option if you haven't looked already is look at current napa flyer and see what deals they got on boxes .

 

[kngelv]

The U.S. General boxes are much better than the Husky boxes. They have nicer paint, better construction and much better slides. They are literally the same as the Masterforce, Homak Pro, Montezuma and Tool Vault as far as construction and slide quality. That said, some of the others are better in regards to depth and drawer layout. The one glaring weakness of the U.S. General is their latching mechanisms on the 56" and 72" boxes. If they had latches like the Masterforce they would probably double their sales.

James

 

[Flared Base]

I do recommend the Montezuma box. I went with the 46" chest and cabinet combo. I have been very happy with it. Even with the drawers filled with hundreds of pounds of tools, they still pull very smoothly and with little effort. The casters roll easily when I need to move the box around. I would have liked to go with a larger box, but this is fit best in my garage.

Getting the 72x24 shipped to your door for 2,600 seems like a good deal for the Montezuma.

 

[Ign]

Still haven't pulled the trigger, I have analysis paralysis haha. After looking and the Masterforce chests I really do like them, but the shipping cost kills it. On this forum the Montezuma chests seam to be viewed as good, just overpriced. Is that based on the msrp or the real world price? The 72x30 combo and 72x24 combo are $5,200 and $3,500, but I can get them shipped to my door for $3,600 or $2,610. If they truly are a step above the
husky/US General boxes, those prices don't seam bad to me with the 30" having 250/500 lb slides and the 24" having 150/300lb. Thoughts?

I dunno where you're getting those prices but that makes them reasonable and I'd go for it -- whichever size you prefer

Otherwise I'm satisfied with my 72" Homak, but it's not as sturdy as tool truck brands. I'd say I'm "light commercial" use as probably half my business right now is auto repair and it's been good.

I've never actually handled Montezuma stuff but from what I know it's a step up from Homak...could be wrong

 

[Jersey Drew]

Used snap on

 

[Mr_B]

^
Used matco or mac be possible solution if want keep price and options easy .

 

[thetruck454]

I do recommend the Montezuma box. I went with the 46" chest and cabinet combo. I have been very happy with it. Even with the drawers filled with hundreds of pounds of tools, they still pull very smoothly and with little effort. The casters roll easily when I need to move the box around. I would have liked to go with a larger box, but this is fit best in my garage.

Getting the 72x24 shipped to your door for 2,600 seems like a good deal for the Montezuma.

I'm glad you like the Montezuma. It's hard to find a review on them from people that weren't "encouraged" to review them positively.

I dunno where you're getting those prices but that makes them reasonable and I'd go for it -- whichever size you prefer

I just googled the part numbers and I found a distributor. Doubting the price I sent an email and got back what seams like a legit response.

 

[Mr_B]

Montezuma boxes is same manufacturer that making Masterforce current boxes .

 

[dsaabm]

Montezuma also offers some sweet accessories that they don't offer (yet?) on the Menards branded Monezumas

https://www.montezumastorage.com/collections/cabinet-combo-accessories

 

[pbon]

Buy the HF next time there is a good sale. I used to have 3 of the 44s. If you can afford it, the 72 is more versatile with the drawer layout. If you have money and space buy 2 and use the top for a work bench.

 

[Wamsutta]

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[thetruck454]

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Now we're talking!