Shopping for a Tool Cabinet

[branimal]

I'm looking for a tool cabinet with a worktop space. I am not going to move the tool cabinet around a lot.

I am comparing these two models. What do you guys think? Are there any other's i should consider under $400

Kobalt 41-in x 41-in 11-Drawer Ball-Bearing Steel Tool Cabinet (Blue)
41 H X 41 W X 18 DEEP $279 @ lowes

20K cu inches

pros: price, capacity
cons: drawers don't open all the way (3" unusable), bearings wear down over time (based on reviews on the stainless steel version)

vs

US General HARBOR FREIGHT $389
14k cu. in

pros: seems like it gets alot of great reviews
cons: price, less capacity,


What struck me as odd is kobalt has 6K more capacity but they are both similiar dimensions.


Links to both cabinets

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...277&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&rememberMe=true


http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-...cabinet-68784.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link

 

[454ragtop]

HF, no brainer of the 2 choices. Box weighs 50 lbs. more, has a way better drawer layout, and regardless of what they say, I think will have pretty much the same capacity. Suspect the Kobalt measured the volume of the whole box without deducting for the drawers, HF is probably actual usable space. Have you considered used? Biggest drawback to both of these, IMO, is the shallow 18" depth, but then I guess I'm spoiled by 25" and 29" deep boxes.

 

[djcslice]

I'm looking for a tool cabinet with a worktop space. I am not going to move the tool cabinet around a lot.

I am comparing these two models. What do you guys think? Are there any other's i should consider under $400

Kobalt 41-in x 41-in 11-Drawer Ball-Bearing Steel Tool Cabinet (Blue)
41 H X 41 W X 18 DEEP $279 @ lowes

20K cu inches

pros: price, capacity
cons: drawers don't open all the way (3" unusable), bearings wear down over time (based on reviews on the stainless steel version)

vs

US General HARBOR FREIGHT $389
14k cu. in

pros: seems like it gets alot of great reviews
cons: price, less capacity,


What struck me as odd is kobalt has 6K more capacity but they are both similiar dimensions.


Links to both cabinets

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...277&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&rememberMe=true


http://www.harborfreight.com/44-in-...cabinet-68784.html#pr-header-back-to-top-link

The extra space has a lot to do with the number of drawers. Honestly, I would take look at both in store (if possible) and see which one you like better. I have the HF one and its very good for the money but I would prefer a different drawer layout.

 

[branimal]

Why is the layout on the HF way better? Im new to tool cabinets. I've been adding more an more toolboxes and I can see why that is not a good organization strategy.

I'll check them out in person. I'm putting this in a "work area" in an apartment and 18" is the biggest i can go.

 

[a52-830]

as i get further into the whole tool chest "thang", i have come to the decision that layout is everything.

the best quality multi-thousand dollar cabinet isn't right if it won't hold your tools. sure, you need to get something that won't fall apart, but if the cabinet has all 2" drawers, and you need 3", all the quality in the world won't help.

i find that the fascination with short drawers in these chests is not helpful with the tools i have. 12" wide drawers are going to cause me to have to split a lot of stuff between two drawers, which won't help my organization at all. buying two 26" stacks will cost about the same as buying one 40" stack, but seems to provide more storage and a better assortment of drawers.

 

[bfm336]

Close to Menards? Look there, too.

 

[619DioFan]

Check both out in person. open the drawers and push down on the drawer bottom. I think you will find the HF unit to be much stronger. also , with the HF unit comes the ability to easily expand as your tool collection grows ( and as a member here I guarantee you it will grow ) you can add the 8 drawer top box then a 7 drawer side cab and or a side locker.

 

[454ragtop]

Why is the layout on the HF way better? Im new to tool cabinets. I've been adding more an more toolboxes and I can see why that is not a good organization strategy.

I'll check them out in person. I'm putting this in a "work area" in an apartment and 18" is the biggest i can go.

I guess I should have said the layout seems better to me. I prefer more shallow drawers versus fewer deeper drawers, I don't like to stack tools on top of each other. But maybe the deeper drawers work better for you, only you can answer that.

 

[Strouty]

You could always buy two HF 44s and reconfigure as you like, then sell the second one with a brand new snap on sticker and get twice what you paid for it.

 

[branimal]

I guess I should have said the layout seems better to me. I prefer more shallow drawers versus fewer deeper drawers, I don't like to stack tools on top of each other. But maybe the deeper drawers work better for you, only you can answer that.

looking at my tools i can see why the HF is a better layout for me. thanks!

that HF 44" is on sale for $369 + 3.5% sales tax in NJ. Anyway to improve that price?

 

[TomB19]

Check out CostCo. I've seen some great deals on nice boxes there.

 

[branimal]

Check out CostCo. I've seen some great deals on nice boxes there.

looked at the costco box online.... seemed pretty nice and would be nice to have indoors b/c of the stainless steeel. But unless its in your local costco you will have to pay the shipping = $100.

 

[branimal]

I ended up buying the 44" Harbor Freight Tool Cabinet. Here's what I've noticed so far:

1. Chest seems to be a solid weight

2. The drawers roll smooth but need an extra nudge when pushing in all the way. Especially the top drawer. Anyone have any solutions?

3. The rubber protective mat on the top of the cabinet STINKS. It smells horrifically - almost like burnt rubber. I will temporarily replace with cardboard until i can find a permanent solution. Anyone have luck washing the STINK OFF the mat with chemicals or dish soap?

4. The rubber protective mats in the drawers smell, but not nearly as bad as the top protective mat.

Thanks

 

[PelicanPines]

I lubed all the drawer slides.. i found the original lube dried to something similar to peanut brittle... removed that with a toothbrush and relubed... smooth as a baby tossed on a slip and slide.

The smelly liners... gone... replaced with funky purple tool box liner that i had to cut for each drawer.

Smelly top... replace with 3/4 plywood or butcherblock top...

 

[branimal]

Letting the top liner air out in the sun. Will soak it in ammonia & water tonight.

The drawer liners are not so bad. It was the overpowering smell of the HORRIFIC top that made me think the drawer liners stunk as well.