tool chest

[troxlerld]

What side tool chest is the best for the money harbor freight or the craftman?

 

[jakemac]

If you're asking about new boxes then the answer is Harbor Freight. If you're talking about vintage (older) boxes, then it depends on the box and when it was made. The older the box, the more you swing towards Craftsman.

 

[oldldh]

I'd assume that it would depend on what you're going to bolt it to...

 

[stage20]

I like to have matching boxes but the hf is 2x the quality of the sears. Sears cheapest side box is 50 more than hf. No brainer.

 

[crewchief888]

iwasnt aware that CM still had a side box available

if you are looking at new boxes, i'd say HF

or hold out for an older truck brand

 

[zkling]

Best bang for the buck side cab, by far is either..
-HF 7 drawer
-Old file cabinet, no joke.

Very rarely will you find a used side cab for less than the the HF, nor will it be as good, storage or quality wise.

If you're asking about new boxes then the answer is Harbor Freight. If you're talking about vintage (older) boxes, then it depends on the box and when it was made. The older the box, the more you swing towards Craftsman.

Craftsman hasn't made side boxes for very long...To my knowledge. Even the oldest ones I've seen are pretty sad compared to the HF. That or you have to get into the high, high $ grip latch to match the HF.

BTW, you completed setup is really slick. Would you mind taking an accurate dimension on one of the side cabs. Like say I had to build a box for the side cab to fit in, how big would that box have to be? Including the lip for hanging?

iwasnt aware that CM still had a side box available

They have a few, you wouldn't like the quality for the $, trust me on that.

One thing I will say though, I wish craftsman still made their mini side boxes.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

What side tool chest is the best for the money harbor freight or the craftman?

Need to be a little more specific.

 

[jakemac]

BTW, you completed setup is really slick. Would you mind taking an accurate dimension on one of the side cabs. Like say I had to build a box for the side cab to fit in, how big would that box have to be? Including the lip for hanging?

Thanks.
I measured both side boxes to see if there was any variation. They were both spot on. (now that's quality)

17 3/8" wide (outside of the hanging lips)
18 3/16" deep (includes back lip, drawer pulls, and lock beezel)
33 1/4" tall (bottom to top of lip)

You could shorten the width and depth to exclude the lips, then rabbit the top of the new box to receive the lips. That would make your new box tight to the sides and back of the cabinet, eliminating the gap.

 

[zkling]

17 3/8" wide (outside of the hanging lips)
18 3/16" deep (includes back lip, drawer pulls, and lock beezel)
33 1/4" tall (bottom to top of lip)

Cool, thanks for the accurate dims. Ironically the HF site gives height and what we call depth, but not a width dimension. : just doing a little mental-bating.