Tool Chest Recommendation

[coultsy]

I'm a backyard mechanic looking for a decent quality tool chest. I don't need Snap-On quality but something that will last. I am in Canada but close to the border so I dont mind buying out of the US. I've looked at Harbor Freight, Sears, Home Depot, and Menards, as well as Princess Auto and Canadian Tire in Canada. Any recommendations on what has lasted or what to stay away from?

 

[jakemac]

Stay away from the new craftsman boxes, unless they're made by Beech. If you can swing it with the exchange rate and tarrifs, then go with one of the Harbor Freight red boxes. I don't know anything about what PA or CT are offering, so I can't help you there.

 

[vsbeen]

What size toolbox are you looking for? HD has 52" husky $600
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-in-18-Drawer-Tool-Chest-and-Rolling-Tool-Cabinet-Set-Black-HOTC5218B1QES/204825971

 

[KamiCrit]

If you want to buy Canadian, Beach toolboxes is alive again and producing.

I hear the DeWalt tool boxes at Canadian Tire are ok.

 

[Flivver250]

Extreme tool box

 

[bcradio]

Extreme tool box

 

[Mustang1167]

Oh yeah another thread about hf toolboxes!!
I'll contribute. I have a hf 44" box with all the add ons. It's a great box. The masterforce boxes at menards seem to be good quality also. Stay away from craftsman boxes. I see your new here so just buy the hf box and put a snap-on badge on it everyone loves that.

 

[colin39]

Extreem

 

[Lobo74]

I'm a backyard mechanic looking for a decent quality tool chest. I don't need Snap-On quality but something that will last. I am in Canada but close to the border so I dont mind buying out of the US. I've looked at Harbor Freight, Sears, Home Depot, and Menards, as well as Princess Auto and Canadian Tire in Canada. Any recommendations on what has lasted or what to stay away from?

I just purchased this from Home Depot. It was on display and last in the store. Listed for $119 and got it for $100. Deeper than others in same price range. I think the quality is more than excellent for the price. A matching bottom cabinet is also available for $179. I'm not an expert but I would highly recommend it. I'll take some shots of how I currently have it organized and post them so you might get an idea if it would work for you.

 

[bobcatdan]

I'd give the Beach boxes a good hard look to see if their classic style apeals to you. I don't know their prices or overall quality since I don't know of any reviews here yet. If you see one in person, post back your impressions on it and why or why not you'd buy.

 

[930dreamer]

I'd look for a nice vintage chest/top box from CL. I've found aviation Snap On cabinets for under $100 on CL.

 

[rtull32]

I just purchased this from Home Depot. It was on display and last in the store. Listed for $119 and got it for $100. Deeper than others in same price range. I think the quality is more than excellent for the price. A matching bottom cabinet is also available for $179. I'm not an expert but I would highly recommend it. I'll take some shots of how I currently have it organized and post them so you might get an idea if it would work for you.

I got the same deal on this box driving home with it as we speak. Quality seems great for the price. However the Home Depot employee said that they get these limited edition boxes in once a year and you may not ever see them again after that.

 

[Ernie pepsi]

I followed the hf band wagon and now 2 hf 44s. They are good boxes for the money. I too just work in my own garage and they are fine for what I use them for.

 

[upgrading]

That Husky is looking nice.
The black is nice too.
Maybe a lower price clearance deal soon ?

 

[Lobo74]

I got the same deal on this box driving home with it as we speak. Quality seems great for the price. However the Home Depot employee said that they get these limited edition boxes in once a year and you may not ever see them again after that.

Cool and you're probably right about availability. Below are some pics of what I have in mine so far. I really like it. I think you'll be happy with it.

 

[coultsy]

Thanks for all the feedback so far. I am heading to check out the Husky one at Home Depot and see how it compares to the Princess Auto ones I have checked and the Canadian Tire ones. If it looks alright I might pick it up and hold onto it for a week as Im headed to the US in the next 10 days to check out the ones at Menards and Fleet Farm (they carry Homak).

I will update once I see it I will update this thread.

 

[CJM8515]

One thing to note: Im not sure how much you plan on storing in said box, but if its any sort of considerable weight dont buy the husky, sears or similar light duty boxes.

I had a similar top box to the husky stainless shown here and literally bent the drawers. There honestly wasnt even that much weight in them either. The sheet metal is just thin. I got a HF 44 box and I have a drawer with nothing but my 1/2 stuff in it. Impacts, chromes, extensions, ratchets, etc. Sucker is HEAVY and the drawer is fine.

 

[tomwmn]

Coultsy

Since you're in Canada, you should check out international tool boxes. They have several lines from d-i-y to top end pro.

http://www.spginternational.com/Home.aspx

 

[Lobo74]

One thing to note: Im not sure how much you plan on storing in said box, but if its any sort of considerable weight dont buy the husky, sears or similar light duty boxes.

I had a similar top box to the husky stainless shown here and literally bent the drawers. There honestly wasnt even that much weight in them either. The sheet metal is just thin. I got a HF 44 box and I have a drawer with nothing but my 1/2 stuff in it. Impacts, chromes, extensions, ratchets, etc. Sucker is HEAVY and the drawer is fine.

I respectfully disagree, the Silver Husky that I purchased seems to be pretty stout. I've looked at others in this price range and they almost seem tinny. Not the husky. And the slides and drawers are rated for 100# each.

 

[knobby]

http://www.costco.ca/tool-chests.html

 

[Bouchard93]

I may be young but have had many boxes for cheapest hf 44 is by far the best bang for ur buck if want to spent a little more look at extreme tool boxes like said above all newer craftsman,husky,ect. Is thin flimsy China ****

 

[Sine Swept]

I bought a big Husky chest. First thing I did was rivet all the drawers at the front of the pull handles. Worth the $3!