Us General Tool Box

[pressure teck]

Can anybody tell if the tool boxes sold by harbour freight are any good. I am wondering if the draw slides are cheap

 

[geojag]

You will find infinity threads on here about harbor freight tool boxes. The crinkled paint, black, cheaper boxes are pretty much ****. The red US General Pro are great boxes, IMO superior to any newer craftsman. The slides are ball bearing and hold weight well. They have a huge following among people ranging from hobbyist to professional.

 

[SMKS]

↑↑↑↑ What he said ↑↑↑↑

Many threads on this topic.

Since you are new, I'll help you out. The search function here *****.

This link will take you to google search results related to the HF toolbox:
http://bit.ly/1C3hvVz

Or, copy and paste this into google:
site:garagejournal.com harbor freight toolbox

Using the "site:garagejournal.com" function in google will search only Garage Journal for whatever other terms you include in the search.

 

[Steevo]

There are no draw slides on them.
But the ball-bearing drawer slides are pretty good.

 

[BajaBound]

I have had the 56" for years and it is an incredible tool box.

 

[erty67]

Why can't people SEARCH?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

No, they're the biggest POS you ever saw!

 

[thesilverone]

Search

 

[Herod]

Only a matter of time before someone says......."Ohh...heyyy...geeee mister....those boxes are better than snap on.......urrrrr. hurrrr"

Wait forrr it............

 

[Cato]

You will find infinity threads on here about harbor freight tool boxes. The crinkled paint, black, cheaper boxes are pretty much ****. The red US General Pro are great boxes, IMO superior to any newer craftsman. The slides are ball bearing and hold weight well. They have a huge following among people ranging from hobbyist to professional.

Yes, he hit the nail on the head. One important thing to consider is that the Craftsman boxes are not made in China. They are made in the USA or Mexico. While HF boxes are better made, you'll never wear out a Craftsman box.

 

[kctyphoon]

I think the reviews on their website and youtube speak for themselves.. Do so looking around.. It's your money, you should decide..

 

[oldldh]

There are no draw slides on them.
But the ball-bearing drawer slides are pretty good.

Thank you Steevo...

 

[yjWrangler]

As many people have said in many threads, the red ones are very good for their price range.

Just don't get the black stack of **** they also sell

 

[Leadberry]

Yes, he hit the nail on the head. One important thing to consider is that the Craftsman boxes are not made in China. They are made in the USA or Mexico. While HF boxes are better made, you'll never wear out a Craftsman box.

The Craftsman "basic" line is made in China. Some others appear to have China or Taiwan slides and casters.

Edit: I've been pretty happy with my Craftsman Griplatch box that was "Made in USA of US and global components."

Edit #2: It's the guy's first post, maybe cut him some slack?

 

[shanny19]

Thank you Steevo...

+1. Fighting the fight for drawers. Keep on brother, win, lose, or, um, well, tie.

 

[justme-]

Yes, he hit the nail on the head. One important thing to consider is that the Craftsman boxes are not made in China. They are made in the USA or Mexico. While HF boxes are better made, you'll never wear out a Craftsman box.

Have you seen anything Craftsman has produced in tool boxes in the past 10 years?
A home owner could truly wear out any of those. I have a base line I was using to hold some tools under my workbench - tore the rails out of it several times - worn some of the cabinet rail side away and that's home use. Even the current Grip-latch ain't but a shadow of what it should be, and I would wager won't survive professional use for more than a few years.
I bought a HF 44" to replace 2 other boxes at home, the aforementioned base line and my Husky (also I believe Waterloo) from the 90's which went to work. Just because it's not made in china doesn't automatically make it a quality product.

 

[zkling]

Depends

 

[stikman56]

Have you seen anything Craftsman has produced in tool boxes in the past 10 years?
A home owner could truly wear out any of those. I have a base line I was using to hold some tools under my workbench - tore the rails out of it several times - worn some of the cabinet rail side away and that's home use. Even the current Grip-latch ain't but a shadow of what it should be, and I would wager won't survive professional use for more than a few years.
I bought a HF 44" to replace 2 other boxes at home, the aforementioned base line and my Husky (also I believe Waterloo) from the 90's which went to work. Just because it's not made in china doesn't automatically make it a quality product.

My thoughts exactly. Wasn't impressed with Craftsman's offerings at all when I went looking. Flimsy is what I thought and they are, along with Husky. The review on here clearly shows it.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Your first post,,

So Welcome to the group..

The top of your screen has a search function;;; but Google search is justifiably recommended.

The Harbor Freight toolboxes, and their competitors, are frequently discussed..

Again,, Welcome

 

[PureLeaf]

When new members under a certain threshold of posts attempt to start a thread it should be automatically re-directed to the search function instead

 

[Cato]

Have you seen anything Craftsman has produced in tool boxes in the past 10 years?

Actually I have - and I've seen the older stuff too. Even the lowest grade boxes will last unless you run them over with a bus. The middle grade is fine. The Griplatch Premium Heavy Duty is more box than anyone needs. If you buy them on the sales Sears has on holidays, they are a great buy - often 50% or more off.

The old Craftsman boxes are over rated. Just 'cause they are vintage doesn't make them better.

Someone should bust out the calipers and measure the gauge of steel and compare slides to bring some objectivity to the comparison.

 

[eeprete]

Actually I have - and I've seen the older stuff too. Even the lowest grade boxes will last unless you run them over with a bus. The middle grade is fine. The Griplatch Premium Heavy Duty is more box than anyone needs. If you buy them on the sales Sears has on holidays, they are a great buy - often 50% or more off.

The old Craftsman boxes are over rated. Just 'cause they are vintage doesn't make them better.

Someone should bust out the calipers and measure the gauge of steel and compare slides to bring some objectivity to the comparison.

I have both a 26" three stack 1970s Craftsman box, plus a mid 80s C-man 35" Rally Roller box. Both are well made, hold plenty, and I'd put them up against anything "comparable" today. My 35" box, the drawers are smoother than the newer Craftsman, US General (HF), and even Snap On KRA boxes (older and newer). The only advantage I saw with any other box was the newer SO box was the Lock and Roll Feature and better drawer configuration, and it's the only reason I am considering one. I've also compared my boxes against the newer Craftsman stuff which all feel weaker with decreased quality. Go to your local Sears and check where they usually have the scratch and dent stuff, every toolbox is usually bashed. Couldn't do that with the old stuff.

 

[bobbycos]

Mechanic I know just pulled the trigger on a 72" HF box over the weekend

He spent Sat afternoon loading it up from his old Craftsman box

So far he is happy with all the space he has with it

 

[stage20]

where in south ms are you? im in pensacola and have a 44 for sale for way less than store price if you want to drive a couple hours.

 

[stage20]

Actually I have - and I've seen the older stuff too. Even the lowest grade boxes will last unless you run them over with a bus. The middle grade is fine. The Griplatch Premium Heavy Duty is more box than anyone needs. If you buy them on the sales Sears has on holidays, they are a great buy - often 50% or more off.

The old Craftsman boxes are over rated. Just 'cause they are vintage doesn't make them better.

Someone should bust out the calipers and measure the gauge of steel and compare slides to bring some objectivity to the comparison.

i had a bottom roller from 1990 with friction slides and it was more heavy duty than the old style grip latch with roller bearings i bought for a top box a couple years ago. the metal may have been a different gauge or not. could be the type of steel and also how its formed and braced between newer and older boxes that you really cant see unless you take all the drawers out and start dissecting them.

sold a buddy of mine an old quiet glide box i had from 2005 or so and it was friction slides. miles better than the standard duty roller bearing offered today.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Only a matter of time before someone says......."Ohh...heyyy...geeee mister....those boxes are better than snap on.......urrrrr. hurrrr"

Wait forrr it............

Not better, just rebadged snap on

 

[chipper]

Never heard of them

 

[RAYJAY]

Only a matter of time before someone says......."Ohh...heyyy...geeee mister....those boxes are better than snap on.......urrrrr. hurrrr"

Wait forrr it............

please don't feed him got the last thread shut down

 

[stage20]

Not better, just rebadged snap on

LMAO.
they are great boxes for the money, but snap on is better quality.