Torn between toolboxes - HF or CMan

[WSMC633]

I had the HF box for a couple years. Used it in my shop, held up great day to day. The finish isn't awesome but a little simple green it wipes right off. Drawers opened and closed all day, rolled around the shop. When I sold it was still in almost perfect shape. No dents, dings, slides all still worked perfect.

I was looking at the 40" wide at Sears the other day. I think they are calling it their premium line or something. with the Base, the single drawer mid cabinet and the top it seemed like it offered a good amount of storage but you're well over $1000 for the Set. The quality seemed good for a weekend warrior and probably would last in a pro environment for a couple years depending on how heavy it's loaded. Still not in love with the drawer config/sizes.

For the money, the HF box really isn't bad. Especially with the coupon. What really drove me nuts about it it the drawers weren't deep enough or wide enough. As the collection really grew, I was having a hard time organizing everything the way I wanted.
BTW, I listed the top and bottom on CL for $500 and got almost 30 emails about it by the next morning. So despite what some on here say, there must be a used market for them out there.

Regardless, neither are US made, but they will both last a long time in a home shop. It would be my guess you'd outgrow them before they actually broke down. So get what you're comfortable spending the money on.

 

[Conrad283]

I had the HF box for a couple years. Used it in my shop, held up great day to day. The finish isn't awesome but a little simple green it wipes right off. Drawers opened and closed all day, rolled around the shop. When I sold it was still in almost perfect shape. No dents, dings, slides all still worked perfect.

I was looking at the 40" wide at Sears the other day. I think they are calling it their premium line or something. with the Base, the single drawer mid cabinet and the top it seemed like it offered a good amount of storage but you're well over $1000 for the Set. The quality seemed good for a weekend warrior and probably would last in a pro environment for a couple years depending on how heavy it's loaded. Still not in love with the drawer config/sizes.

For the money, the HF box really isn't bad. Especially with the coupon. What really drove me nuts about it it the drawers weren't deep enough or wide enough. As the collection really grew, I was having a hard time organizing everything the way I wanted.
BTW, I listed the top and bottom on CL for $500 and got almost 30 emails about it by the next morning. So despite what some on here say, there must be a used market for them out there.

Regardless, neither are US made, but they will both last a long time in a home shop. It would be my guess you'd outgrow them before they actually broke down. So get what you're comfortable spending the money on.

That's good to know .. Good post.

 

[sk farmer]

That's good to know .. Good post.

i agree, a good post. i get tired of people who post up links to used boxes hundreds of miles away. other than metropolitan areas that have a severely depressed economy those deals rarely show up. sometimes people need something now and can't wait for days ,weeks, monthes or even years. he asked for a advice between what he wanted.

 

[WSMC633]

i agree, a good post. i get tired of people who post up links to used boxes hundreds of miles away. other than metropolitan areas that have a severely depressed economy those deals rarely show up. sometimes people need something now and can't wait for days ,weeks, monthes or even years. he asked for a advice between what he wanted.

Thanks! Seems like every thread on here lately just turns into a Chinese product bashing thread. The OP just asked about 2 specific boxes, and wanted some opinions on them. That's all. Honesty, I prefer to buy U.S. products but it's just not always feasible. My Box has a bunch of SO, some Mac, some CMAN, some Toptul, Some HF, and more. They all do the job and help get the projects done and earn some money.

The HF Box served me very well. As did some CMan's in the past. Furthermore they allowed my tools to have a place to live while I got my work done. I set some money aside and bought the SO box I've wanted for awhile. Not everyone has the time to stalk CL, garage sales, flea markets, etc. etc. to find what they need. Some people just want to walk into a store and buy something that fits their needs.

 

[crewchief888]

He got tired of waiting for the steak and had himself a White Castle burger.

mmmmmmm sliders !!!

 

[crewchief888]

i was looking for a top box to use i my service truck to replace a very tired and very broken CM thats about 12 years old. the only "cheap" box that impressed me was the masterforce from menards. only problem with it was the thickness of the drawer pulls, the box is about 1/2" too deep to fit.
the old CM got pulled out and welded up once again.

 

[Conrad283]

Thanks! Seems like every thread on here lately just turns into a Chinese product bashing thread. The OP just asked about 2 specific boxes, and wanted some opinions on them. That's all. Honesty, I prefer to buy U.S. products but it's just not always feasible. My Box has a bunch of SO, some Mac, some CMAN, some Toptul, Some HF, and more. They all do the job and help get the projects done and earn some money.

The HF Box served me very well. As did some CMan's in the past. Furthermore they allowed my tools to have a place to live while I got my work done. I set some money aside and bought the SO box I've wanted for awhile. Not everyone has the time to stalk CL, garage sales, flea markets, etc. etc. to find what they need. Some people just want to walk into a store and buy something that fits their needs.

Reason I made the thread was because I don't see many of the new Cman tool boxes in the "lets see your toolbox" thread. So I was curious. This one will serve me for a while

 

[Eds_tls]

Since I've been on this site, I pay better attention to the quality of tool boxes. And I gotta say I won't be buying another Craftsman box in the future. I have noticed there are far better boxes for the same amount of money.

I do like the green Masterforce boxes from Menards and I like the Kobalt boxes, (except I hate the stainless steel look). Both of them seem to be much better quality than the Craftsaman boxes. The Griplatch boxes in particular seem really cheap

I look for number of slides on the big drawers, side to side play of the drawers, and the thickness of the steel. The Craftsman boxes really fail at all three of those IMO.

If my only choices were between the CM or the HF, I would pick the HF

 

[Coleman]

I'm torn between which tool chest to get.

I currently don't have one at all and I think that a 26" would be too small. I'd rather do it right the first time.

I am looking at the CMan 40" Ball bearing with Griplatch, and the HF 44" chest.

Looking through the HF pass/fail thread the chest didn't get any fails from what I saw, only complaint was that people wanted more drawers.

I really like the way the CMan drawers slide and I like their red.

Snap-on and Matco are too expensive for me, even on craigslist.

Is the HF tool chest worth it? Or just save up a little more and get the Cman?

I was just looking at the craftsman stuff last weekend. I can't beleive how poor the quality has become. The ball bearing stuff is okay i suppose..but I would definitely stay away from the slide guide. They are flippin junk.

 

[Art From De Leon]

'Tis a sad day in Mudville, when the once mighty Craftsman, is outranked by Harbor Freight.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Now currently, I have MULTIPLE 26" boxes (most of them gloats), but I would like a larger one. At this point, I have a few projects and am considering a Extreme or such down the road (after projects).

I see the HF and the Menards being compared, but I don't see sizes listed. Being that I was at one yesterday (hour and a half drive), what Menards model are you talking about? The one I saw, while the slides and drawers felt better, was a smaller chest, then the HF one.

I also saw a grey Performax cart ($169), that matched a Cornwall pro cart shown here recently (where is the Cornwall made):
http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTBMM100NY-%2d-Pro-Series-Cart-Yellow#

EDIT: Cornwall (they emailed me back) is made in China.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

'Tis a sad day in Mudville, when the once mighty Craftsman, is outranked by Harbor Freight.

You're absolutely right.

 

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

Putting all snob appeal aside, you will never go wrong with a Craftsman Box or Craftsman tool. If you beat a Craftsman tool to death, the counterman fixes the problem in minutes or a new one mailed within 2 business days. I have the CM 42 inch box with the 26 inch box. The griplatch has a great feel. You are wrong as far as it being made in the USA. The box that my cabinet came in said "Made in Mexico." I still have the box as I keep large pieces of flat cardboard in the garage to help me diagnose oil leaks. You will never go wrong with Craftsman anything.

 

[mcdtommy23]

Putting all snob appeal aside, you will never go wrong with a Craftsman Box or Craftsman tool. If you beat a Craftsman tool to death, the counterman fixes the problem in minutes or a new one mailed within 2 business days. I have the CM 42 inch box with the 26 inch box. The griplatch has a great feel. You are wrong as far as it being made in the USA. The box that my cabinet came in said "Made in Mexico." I still have the box as I keep large pieces of flat cardboard in the garage to help me diagnose oil leaks. You will never go wrong with Craftsman anything.

Sure........... China wrenches for premium price, crappy boxes, re-labeled and over priced Ryobi power tools, crappy ratchets, over-priced china gimick junk, over-priced low quality air tools, I could go on. Harbor Freight is far superior on warantee. "Counterman" usually doesn't know a wrench from an air compressor, let alone how to fix anything. Mailed within 2 business days, if it's in stock, the store agrees to do it and not "substitute". Ya Smears is GREEEAAAATTT ---- NOT!

 

[EZH]

'Tis a sad day in Mudville, when the once mighty Craftsman, is outranked by Harbor Freight.

Sheesh. You can say that again. I haven't been in a Sears in forever. Quality must have really fallen off.

Eric

 

[sk farmer]

Sheesh. You can say that again. I haven't been in a Sears in forever. Quality must have really fallen off.

Eric

not necessarily. hard to believe but the hf boxes are that good.

 

[mjozefow]

No offense to the OP, but I had the opportunity today to compare the HF and Masterforce boxes back-to-back, and the Masterforce is a MUCH nicer box. The slides are smoother, the finish is PC not paint, the big top drawer doesn't rack when pulled from one side, the metal is thicker, etc, etc, etc. I will be buying one of those if I can't get my hands on some good deals otherwise (read used SO, Cornwell, Matco, Lista, etc).

FWIW the 41" Masterforce is $449, goes on sale for $400. It is worth the extra money in my book. Oh yeah, the Masterforce has been on display (same 41" box) for over two years now. You start to recognize the same drawings people have made on them. It has held up well to store abuse, it should be fine for home shop use!

 

[classic70]

I have a HF box for my personal use and at work we have a craftsman 41'' bb griplatch, after using them both i prefer the craftsman, the drawer detents on the HF are too stiff and the drawers are only 16'' deep and the craftsman is 18''. they both are very smooth. they both are a good buy when on sale.