US General Blue 44 chest differences

[fatchamp]

I recently purchased two blue 44s with the sku #64445. The drawers when pulled out extend out all the way even with the front of the box which i like. The locking system though uses square stock that floats up and down in the lock mechanism so the drawers can be shut when the box is locked. It works but the mechanism rattles and is noisy as hell when opening and closing the drawers. The drawer slides on the boxes are only riveted on the front side of the drawers and cabinet which makes the drawers squeak when opening and closing the drawers. Was wondering what the owners of the two other sku numbers for the blue 44s the 64444 and 64446 think of their tool chest and which one has the best build quality. Also the differences between my 64445 cabinet and theirs,Thanks

 

[fatchamp]

Nobody with the blue 44s here ? I am looking for the best box over all out of the three different sku #s the 64444,64445 and 64446 and the differences thanks, by the way these are the bottom roller cabinets.

 

[Corvair]

Interested in this, too. Likely grabbing a 44" in blue in coming months.

 

[erty67]

I have a blue one, but it's also a 5.

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[Corvair]

Another thread with some info: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=411358&highlight=64446

 

[fatchamp]

Thanks Corvair thats the kind stuff im looking for

 

[fatchamp]

The 44 roller cabinets are on sale march 8,9,10 for 399 at the parking lot sale

 

[danb35]

...and they'll price-protect you for up to 30 days after you buy--so you can buy today and get a refund of the difference during the sale.

 

[osumet]

I just purchased a series 2 44” chest in blue. They gave me item number 64445. The chest had a lot of damage so I ended up returning and getting another chest that was item number 64444. Here are the differences I noticed between the two item numbers.

Item number 64445:
- Did not have the “Series 2” decal on the front of the chest. It only had the “U.S. General” decal.
- The drawer locking mechanism was noisy. I removed one of the drawers and notice that the back of the drawers has a formed sheet metal hook that was spot welded to the drawer. The latching mechanism on the chest contained small steel square bars that were approximately 2” long and 1/8” square (they closely resemble a piece of square key stock). These bars were floating in the mechanism so that you would still be able to close the drawer if the chest was locked. The problem I had with the design was that it was noisy. Every time I closed a drawer all of those bars would rattle.
- All of the drawers fully extended flush with the front face of the chest.
- The top edges of the drawers were hemmed except for the back edge. The back edge was a 90 degree bend that extended about 3/4” towards the inside of the drawer.

Item number 64444:
- Did not have the “Series 2” decal on the front of the chest. It only had the “U.S. General” decal.
- The drawer locking mechanism was quiet. I removed one of the drawers and notice that a spring loaded catch was riveted to the back of the drawer. This served the same function as the other design and allows you to close the door when the chest is locked.
- None of the drawers fully extend. They are approximately 1.5” from full extension.
- The top edges of the drawers were hemmed, including the back edge.
- The top of the chest and the drawer bottoms all have a hole in each corner. The hole is somewhere around 3/8” diameter. Not sure what purpose these serve other than maybe used to hang from wire when powder coating.

Overall, I’m happy that I ended up with Item number 64444 simply because of the quiet lock mechanism that doesn’t rattle when you close a drawer.

 

[isuhunter]

The 44 roller cabinets are on sale march 8,9,10 for 399 at the parking lot sale

any idea bout the 26" cabinets?

 

[fatchamp]

The paper only shows the 44s and the 5 drawer tool cart for 189.99

 

[danb35]

I think I'm going to want to keep an eye out for a sale on the top chest and/or the end (drawer) cabinet...

 

[fatchamp]

I bought one for 269.99 with a coupon the 44 top box that is,dont know what the lowest price thats it available for now though.

 

[fatchamp]

Got ahold of a 64444 and it seems made of a little thicker metal than the 64445s that i bought. The product weight of all three sku #s show 291.28,but the shipping weight is 330# for the 64445 and 345# for the 64444. The 64444 locks and drawers dont rattle like 64445,just the drawers on the 64444 dont pull out all the way even with the front of the box. They are only back under 1.5 inches from the front of the box , which is no big deal really when you look at the other differences. Im gonna return the 45s and get the 44s if they dont try to give me any **** about it. Ive only had the 45s for a month and havent loaded them up with tool trying to find and compare the different part numbers. Anyway i hope this helps somebody else thats looking at the blue 44 roller cabinet.

 

[fatchamp]

bump

 

[isuhunter]

Got ahold of a 64444 and it seems made of a little thicker metal than the 64445s that i bought. The product weight of all three sku #s show 291.28,but the shipping weight is 330# for the 64445 and 345# for the 64444. The 64444 locks and drawers dont rattle like 64445,just the drawers on the 64444 dont pull out all the way even with the front of the box. They are only back under 1.5 inches from the front of the box , which is no big deal really when you look at the other differences. Im gonna return the 45s and get the 44s if they dont try to give me any **** about it. Ive only had the 45s for a month and havent loaded them up with tool trying to find and compare the different part numbers. Anyway i hope this helps somebody else thats looking at the blue 44 roller cabinet.

I have one on presale but no idea when it what will arrive.



I just purchased a 26" box and noticed some differences in the drawers. The 64433 back of drawer was folded down. the 64434 back of drawer was folded forward at a 90* taking up about 3/8 of an inch. The drawers on the 64444 extended out farther.

 

[sheriffwoody]

The 44 roller cabinets are on sale march 8,9,10 for 399 at the parking lot sale

Is this confirmed there is a parking lot sale this weekend and the price is 399?

 

[isuhunter]

Is this confirmed there is a parking lot sale this weekend and the price is 399?

Yes - add is sitting on the seat of my truck. I have presaled one at full price and will be going back for the price adjustment.

 

[sgtgeo]

So is it confirmed the 64444 is the “better” option?

I’m going to call around.

If I can find the correct 44” blue I’m in this weekend.

If not I might wait on the Black 56” to go on sale.

 

[MushCreek]

As far as metal thickness- a few months back, someone was saying that the newer 5 drawers are thinner than the old ones. I took a micrometer, and measured my old 5 drawer versus a new yellow one I had just bought. Some places were a little thinner on the new one, other places were thicker! I think they just use whatever steel comes in, so they vary. They're cheap boxes- what do you expect. Just go pony up for a Snap-On, your tools will be happier. (J/K)

 

[Clcartagena89]

So is it confirmed the 64444 is the “better” option?

I’m going to call around.

If I can find the correct 44” blue I’m in this weekend.

If not I might wait on the Black 56” to go on sale.

Always on sale everything every where if you look hard enough. Black 56 for 649.00 or a 72 for 999.99

 

[sgtgeo]

Found a 64444.

Manager said no price adjustment if I buy early.

So much for that plan

 

[fatchamp]

I bought another 64444 today got it for the 399 but i had to buy the inside track club for 29.99 to get sale price. I called around and it was the only 64444 at the 5 closest stores, It worked out to be the same as the others i bought with the 429.99 coupons. The 64444 beats hell out of the 64445 in my opinion. Ive got two 64445 boxes im going to return and pickup another 64444 when i can locate one.

 

[65k10]

I bought another 64444 today got it for the 399 but i had to buy the inside track club for 29.99 to get sale price. I called around and it was the only 64444 at the 5 closest stores, It worked out to be the same as the others i bought with the 429.99 coupons. The 64444 beats hell out of the 64445 in my opinion. Ive got two 64445 boxes im going to return and pickup another 64444 when i can locate one.

That kind of ***** to hear. I ended up with a 64445 when I got mine. It was the only one they had and seeing how far I had driven (about 140 miles, but I was in that town for a few things. Not just the box) I figured I'd get what they had. Oh well, probably not worth the effort to return it in my case. Hope it's functional enough.

 

[fatchamp]

The differences i found are the 64444 has a little thicker metal,the locks dont rattle and the drawers dont sqeek like the 64445 but for the money the 64445 is still a good box . I am just **** about the little things .

 

[Farmall450]

I love the light blue. I was planning on getting a second red when I eventually move out but I keep seeing the promoted blue cart and am thinking that will be the move down the road.

 

[ATC]

I really want a blue one, but I don't think it will match my orange MAC box or my red 44"HF top box. LoL!

I'll either stick with red and put my red top box on it, or get matching blue top & bottom and sell the red top...hmmm....

 

[ATC]

Well I struck out. 0 in stock (red one)...and I got there within the first hour of the sale. None in any of the 3 stores in my area.

Why even have a sale when you have no damn stock?

I did get a rain check...so we'll see if they honor the price "next Tuesday" when the next truck shows up. Grrrr

 

[sgtgeo]

Found a 64444.

Manager said no price adjustment if I buy early.

So much for that plan

Well that was a fail. Showed up to buy it with a borrowed truck and they didn’t hold it.

They offered to order it at the $399 price plus some additional discount but could not guarantee 64444 so I walked

Found one about an hour away. Luckily I have about 20 HFs within an hour

 

[sheriffwoody]

Same here, showed up first hour of sale and no 64444. They had a 64446 that was slightly dented for 20% off the $399 sale price. They pointed out a small dent but on further inspection I notices all of the drawers were higher on one side scraping as they closed on the top of the drawer handle. I took a chance, got it home, pulled the drawers and it was manufactured wrong on the left side, the tack weld on the lower side where the drawer slides mount, was broken off and the entire interior left side where drawers slides mount was crooked. I was able to take a long pry bar and push it back into place so when I reinstalled drawers they lined up now. There is still a few very small dents here and there but the drawers work fine now and not noisy, although they do not full extension but pretty close. I got lucky with the repair. Best of luck to everyone. Now I need to pick up the side drawer box for it when it goes on sale.

 

[isuhunter]

I just picked up a 64445 and the thing is built like a tank. No rattling.






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[fatchamp]

Did you have any luck with the price adjustment on day of the sale ? I asked here in texas and was told no. I bought one 64444 on thursday but had to buy itc membership to get the sell price so it worked out to 429 same as best coupon that i used on the others i bought. Did you try closing the drawers hard enough to overcome the detents both of the 45s i had rattled like hell on mine. I have one 45 left im gonna hang on two untill i see if i can find one more 44 before the 90 day return policy is up so i dont have to pay 480 for one when i find it.

 

[danb35]

Did you have any luck with the price adjustment on day of the sale ?

No problem here, except that the cashier didn't know how to do it and had to ask his manager.

 

[isuhunter]

Did you have any luck with the price adjustment on day of the sale ? I asked here in texas and was told no. I bought one 64444 on thursday but had to buy itc membership to get the sell price so it worked out to 429 same as best coupon that i used on the others i bought. Did you try closing the drawers hard enough to overcome the detents both of the 45s i had rattled like hell on mine. I have one 45 left im gonna hang on two untill i see if i can find one more 44 before the 90 day return policy is up so i dont have to pay 480 for one when i find it.

Yep - i bought mine a week earlier and they adjusted no problem.

 

[86turbodsl]

Just picked up a couple of 64445 and no rattling although the lock mechanism is as described. I'm pretty happy. Presaled 64446 as the only offered and they delivered 64445. I like the full extension slides better than the ones in store display.

 

[erty67]

Bumping this out of curiosity. Has anyone picked up a top box to match? Any comparisons on the top?

64440, 64438, 64439

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