Newbie question: Thoughts on these tool chests?

[lyonkster]

I am looking for a wide and relatively short tool chest, that can double up as a work surface.

I am considering these units: Harbor Freight, Excel, and Craftsman.

Do you guys have any strong pro/con thoughts on any of these?

Thanks,

Leon

 

[GTO]

As far as price goes,I don't think you can go wrong with the HF.
Wait until it goes on sale for $399 and use the 20% off coupon.

Do a search on the HF unit.Lots of threads will come up.

 

[shovel]

I bought the bigger HF model. It is hell for stout and is built better than any Craftsman model. The drawbacks is the drawers are not deep enough and the dull red powdercoating is fading. I guess if I keep it long enough, I'll have a pink toolbox. Overall, good value for the money.

 

[Danglerb]

If you don't need it to move around, its easy to find cheap work benches with drawers on craigslist etc.

I prefer a slightly lower work surface, so I use banquet tables (those brown fold out leg things) or a service cart.

 

[strkar]

I've been looking at the HF chest for a long time now. I'm just waiting for it to go on sale and use the coupon.

I've also though about just getting the bottom one and using it at a workbench but I think I'd kick myself in the *** later for not getting the top one as well.

 

[Mickey O]

I'd look for a good used American made box, it will last you a lifetime and the older one when they just started using bearings are usually a heavier gauge steel. I've still got my first box that I purchase when I was in high school over 25 years ago.

 

[FastEddieG]

Check out this thread for info on the HF toolbox possibly being ons ale and also a 20% off coupon.
-Ed

 

[tpolley]

i like the excel and the horrible freight because of the wide/deep top drawer. i also like the fact that the larger bottom drawers have dual slides. i like that the craftsman has an extra deep drawer on the bottom. can't count how many times i wish i had a drawer that deep on my box. i don't like that the craftsman only uses single slides on the larger drawers. the horrible freight has a much more attractive price. if the paint fades in a few years bust out the camouflage krylon or dura coat it.

 

[lyonkster]

Thanks for the replies, I'll plan to swing by Harbor Freight and check out the tool chest in person, then if it seems satisfactory, to wait for the sale!

Mickey O, I hear you on getting a used American made box, but around here, I see severely beat up Snap-on boxes still going for $1200 and up. And I just cannot justify to myself spending that much more for something that only stores my tools, I'd rather apply that difference to the tools themselves. Yes, I'd love to have the real thing, but I am just a hobbyist, and it's hard to justify such a price difference.

Leon