Toolbox Decision: Costco Vs Harbor Freight?

[swavescatter]

So I’m going back and forth between the 42” CSPS toolbox from Costco and the 44” system from Harbor Freight. Costco would be $599 but not expandable and the Harbor Freight is $800 for the top/bottom, plus it’s expandable.

I think either box would serve my near term needs. Price is not a huge driver. Costco’s generous return policy gives me assurance on an unknown brand (store display model has a broken top drawer so that’s not a great sign, but... harbor freight right?) with Harbor Freight I’m SOL after 90 days.

The power strip would be kind of cool, plus it has the soft close drawers. In terms of volume, sky is the limit with the HF system.

Any big considerations I’m missing? I’m leaning HF but having a heck of a time finding matching sets with the three stores in town...

HF: links not allowed since I’m a noob

Costco: links not allowed since I’m a noob


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[u2slow]

Its been ~20 years since I bought my 42" stainless Costco toolbox. It is sturdier and better built than my other boxes from Sears (Craftsman; 22yo) and Canadian Tire (Mastercraft; 10yo).

Expandable? Buy two.... Lol! I never found the add-on pieces for a toolbox system to ever be as good a deal as a basic top/bottom drawer set.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

One of the millwrights where I use to work bought one those pretty stainless steel Costco tool boxes. It didn't stand up to our usage in short order. A Snap-On would have likely died ,too, but later. Feel the guage of the sheet metal. That's what makes the difference not the name.

 

[m6z]

https://www.costco.com/csps-42"-rolling-toolchest.product.100664129.html

Looks very similar to the Kobalt's that Lowes was selling. The video says it's all 20 gauge construction.

Weight: 354.06 lbs. So it's pretty light duty.

A similar sized Homak RS Pro weighs 500 lbs.

 

[swavescatter]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes - I am replacing two and a half frankenstein Craftsman toolboxes from about 15 years ago. They're still fine, but I'm looking to clean up my workshop and take things up a notch.

Someone else pointed out elsewhere that the Costco box was nearly identical to the Milwaukee boxes sold at the depot.

I just visited all three HF stores in town and none have a matching set of 44" boxes in a color I really want (there was one blue set, which I could live with but...) The issue with HF is that you have two wait a few weeks minimum for these things to come in, or constantly hunt around local stores trying to piece together a matching set. I suppose it's worth it in the end but geez...

 

[kngelv]

That Costco box is mediocre compared to the HF. It ***** to wait but ***** worse to have a box that you can’t buy additional matching items, or get parts for.

James

 

[BolognaBlake]

I work at Costco, and I can tell you the Costco box is garbage.

The old Kirkland boxes could go toe to toe with the HF series 1 box, but not the new ones.

 

[BassXB]

I'd vote HF of the two options you listed, mostly for expandability and accessories like the trays,glove box holder ect.

 

[Noworries]

I have the US General 26" set and the 14" side cabinet.. no complaintz at all. After checking out the boxes at lowes, home depot and the craftsman ones..there is no comparison to the harbor freight boxes.

 

[swavescatter]

Well I couldn't fight it. Blue was my dad's favorite color anyway...

 

[u2slow]

I work at Costco, and I can tell you the Costco box is garbage.

The old Kirkland boxes could go toe to toe with the HF series 1 box, but not the new ones.

Good point. The only decals on my 20yo stainless Costco box say "Mechanics Edge". Pre-Kirkland maybe? Anyhow - its the best toolbox I've owned.

No HF around here to compare to...

 

[sk farmer]

you did good on that set. nothing to be ashamed of there. for most people that is all the quality they ever need. now add another side box or tall cabinet and you are set for a long, long time.

 

[m6z]

Congrats.

I tried to buy one of those 44 combos last year, but my store never had the color I wanted and didn't have any interest selling me the display unit.

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[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I use Harbor Freight as a professional mechanic and it works amazing. I have the carts the boxes and the side cabinet and extra set of drawers it is amazing quality.


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[ZRX61]

Its been ~20 years since I bought my 42" stainless Costco toolbox. It is sturdier and better built than my other boxes from Sears (Craftsman; 22yo) and Canadian Tire (Mastercraft; 10yo)..

They sold a few under the Hammerhead brand, then it switched to CSPS (Even though CSPS made the Hammerhead boxes).
The actual CSPS badged ones are 100lb lighter than the original Hammerheads.

 

[ZRX61]

I work at Costco, and I can tell you the Costco box is garbage.

The old Kirkland boxes could go toe to toe with the HF series 1 box, but not the new ones.

What he said, spend your $$ at HF

 

[swavescatter]

The manager of the store rang me up. He took $50 off the bottom chest to match the usual sale price and gave me two years of inside track membership free.

Will be nice to help fill this baby up!

 

[Aquamoose]

I just bought two blue 26” tool boxes from my local HF after deciding that the $279 sale price was good enough. Cashier asked if I had any coupons but told her I’m out of luck. Besides, I thought coupons aren’t good for tool boxes and other certain items.

After the purchase of these two plus a few misc items, I noticed that I got 20% off each box, which translates to $223.20 each!


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[Mr_B]

The manager of the store rang me up. He took $50 off the bottom chest to match the usual sale price and gave me two years of inside track membership free.

Will be nice to help fill this baby up!

seems reasonable, you should get a 10buck voucher with membership and if you make smark use of it over 2yrs might pay off .
For home use/ stationary use HF US General do okay .
Is 2 factories making the 44" boxes, which one did you get ?
Drawer depth (front to back) lock mechanism, slides and metal folds vary between the 2 factories .

 

[DMAR]

Looks great. You’ll be glad you made that decision, those HF boxes are really nice, and a they’re a great value. I’ve had one for 15 years, no regrets.

 

[House Frau]

That blue set is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[swavescatter]

Is 2 factories making the 44" boxes, which one did you get ?
Drawer depth (front to back) lock mechanism, slides and metal folds vary between the 2 factories .

Interesting - got any more information about this? Although if I got the "bad" factory I'd rather not know!

 

[Jagmandave]

Good point. The only decals on my 20yo stainless Costco box say "Mechanics Edge". Pre-Kirkland maybe? Anyhow - its the best toolbox I've owned.

I have the twin to that stainless box, also bought about 20 years ago from Costco and it's really well made and durable.

I also have a pair of the HF 44's and they have been terrific, and I use both endlessly every day.

I don't think you can go wrong with the HF boxes.....

 

[NUTTSGT]

Well I couldn't fight it. Blue was my dad's favorite color anyway...

Nice looking box. I never thought I would care for a blue tool box but another member here bought a few of the HF boxes in blue and it looked sweet in his set up.

 

[Mr_B]

Interesting - got any more information about this? Although if I got the "bad" factory I'd rather not know!

Is a thread on here about it .
Some of the differences going be down to personal preference and 56" box factory features makes more of a difference .

 

[bwringer]

Niiiiice!

I love that blue.

I bought the red five drawer cart back when red was the only available color. I absolutely love it.

Aaaand of course about two weeks later they came out with that gorgeous blue. Not worth going to the trouble of buying a new one and selling the old one, not to mention the time to assemble etc.