Rate rolling tool chest

[wfopete]

I was at a buddy's shop where he had just picked up a Kobalt rolling tool chest and I was getting the itch to do the same. I looked at a similar version of Craftsman and HF and didn't see much difference. HF Yukon is low dollar but sometimes their stuff ain't bad for the price. US General has a version for a couople of hundred more. My need is not professional use just my personal shop. So Husky, Craftsman, HF, Kobalt, etc. looking for how you would rate these for quality/value? Pictures for reference.

 

[FJ 432]

You didn't tell us the pricing on the one you want. They do appear to be very similar.

 

[wfopete]

The Yukon is about $350, US Gen/Craftsman $599, Kobalt $425

 

[Skellyii]

Don't overlook the differences in drawer configuration, getting that right will add to your satisfaction with the chest.

 

[LanceMc]

I recently went through this exercise and bought the Craftsman V Series 41" roller and chest. If I were to get the worktop roller I'd get the 52" or 63" Craftsman V series. Craftsman is still made/assembled in USA with some Chinese components like drawer slides.
I like how the drawer pulls felt on the Craftsman the best.
More info in this thread.



A less expensive Craftsman would be the 2000 Premium.

 

[Tynee]

Of the options you have pictured, the US General is the highest quality box. I have the Husky version of the Yukon and Kobalt you've shown. I got it at a reduced price because it was damaged, and it has done well for me, BUT I wouldn't pay the full asking price to buy it again in comparison to the US Gen.

I wouldn't even consider anything Craftsman is currently selling, I believe all of their rollers to be over-priced with terrible drawer layouts, lighter gauge steel, and cheap drawer slides and casters. ETA: The V-series may be an exception to this statement, I haven't gotten the chance to look them over in person.

 

[powertrip]

Which one weighs the most? I'd go by that and drawer configuration.

 

[dante2]

The Yukon and Kobalt aren't on the same level as the US General. I don't know about the Craftsman. The metal is thinner, drawer weight capacity is lower, and the drawers feel loose with nothing in them. I looked into the $300-350 boxes for the woodworking tools but even for a seldom used box they felt too cheaply made. I ended up with this monstrosity for about $400. I have a USG 42+15 with a 56 top on the auto side.

 

[wfopete]

I have a few Craftsman toolboxes and a roller from the 1970s. These were before ball bearing slides came in vogue. The V-series is out of my price range though and the ones that are, I fear would be low quality.

 

[LanceMc]

There are some really nice used toolboxes out there for the price of one new Chinesium roller. I bought a nice Craftsman Griplatch for $75.

The Yukon and Kobalt aren't on the same level as the US General. I don't know about the Craftsman. The metal is thinner, drawer weight capacity is lower, and the drawers feel loose with nothing in them. I looked into the $300-350 boxes for the woodworking tools but even for a seldom used box they felt too cheaply made. I ended up with this monstrosity for about $400. I have a USG 42+15 with a 56 top on the auto side.

 

[sk farmer]

i have a kobalt similar to the one you have pictured. i personally don't like the lower drawers. i use it for storage of rarelu used items. my issue is that the lower drawers are all the same width and for some reason they seem to be to wide for narrow things but to narrow for wide things. nothing ever seems to fit right. i would be happier with a stack of narrow drawers and a stack of wider drawers like the cman or us general.

 

[FLHCHAZ]

I have the Yukon. Works for me and for the price I couldn't pass it up.

 

[Rickster]

Another thing to consider is HF has a replacement parts website where you could possibly order slides in the future.

 

[whateg01]

When I looked at Yukon, it seemed extremely lightweight. Don't know if I would call it flimsy, but it tended that way.

 

[wfopete]

Hmmm...looks familiar.

 

[whateg01]

Hmmm...looks familiar.

Ok? What are you comparing it to?

 

[wfopete]

Yukon, Kobalt

 

[whateg01]

Yukon, Kobalt

The drawers are not the same on the Jegs box