US General vs Tool Vault- any thoughts?

[spike95]

Hi Guys,
I'm getting ready to start a new job as an apprentice tech and weighing all of my options for tool boxes to get started. My home box isn't quite big enough for a professional environment. I'm looking for something with a little bit of room to grow into and options to possibly add on side pieces if needed. I do prefer having a work surface on top instead of adding a top chest.

From everything I've read and looked at online, I am leaning toward either the US General Pro or the Tool Vault 56". The US General is $812 (after tax) and there is a guy locally selling a Tool Vault in excellent condition asking $850.

The main pros I can see on each side are that the Tool Vault has a wider top drawer going the full length of the box...and the US General features a deeper bottom drawer that could hold some bulkier items. Also, the USG would be cheaper to add on to.

Given the choice, what would you guys go with? Is the tool vault substantially better made to justify the extra expense if I decide to expand? I haven't gotten to look at one in person as the guy selling is about an hour away.

 

[tarmy]

I just bought 3 of that exact Tool Vault.

I looked at the General...and am happy I went to the tool vault box. Way beefier, stronger drawers, way heavier frame and great drawer sliders...





I built mine all in...love them.

Strictly Toolboxes was great to deal with. They tracked everything to my door and they pack their boxes spectacularly...if you buy...use them.

 

[Mikeske]

I would be incline to go with the Tool Vault. The reason is the fact that it appears to be stronger with more casters and a heavier frame plus it actually be cheaper if sales tax is factored in. Sure no warranty but fixing would be still money ahead.

You can always upgrade later or do something like I did and go 30 plus years with a cheapo tool box and rebuild it a couple times. When I retired I actually bought Harbor Freight US General 44” toolbox and expanded it with a 2nd and two side boxes and top box and locker. It just made sense for me as I will not be moving my anymore and I have it in my garage.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I'd go Tool Vault. They're a more respected brand than US General.

Also.. you can get that same box brand new for $836..... I would try to talk the guy down to $700 or so.
http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/to...1-drawer-tool-cabinet-scratcn-n-dent-589.html

IMO, deep drawers are kind of a waste. If you look, in general the higher up the quality tiers you go, the fewer deep drawers toolboxes have. I think its better to have more shallower drawers to put tools in, and anything you would put in a deep drawer can go in a cabinet or hang on the wall, etc. I would be more inclined to get the Tool Vault box because its drawers are not as deep.

 

[spike95]

@PhysicsDude I was definitely planning to offer less than $850. I do think that's the very top of the mark for a used box that normally costs $1045 brand new. I figure if I could get it down some, it would be a fair deal. I appreciate the link for that one you put on there.

I am definitely leaning toward the tool vault. I think the biggest selling point to me in the other direction was the ability to get extra add ons for cheap with the USG one... but I guess by the time I really require add ons, spending a few hundred extra shouldn't be a make or break expense when it comes to having a quality box to work with every day. Still tremendously cheaper than a truck brand box. I don't want to be a slave to the tool truck just to say I have a fancy box.

 

[spike95]

@tarmy that is a beautiful set up you have. No reason to run out of space there for sure.

 

[Mr_B]

If starting out I would consider the 56" US Gen and buy it on coupon below before end of month (649bucks)
Spend on the tools not the box ;-)

The tool vault 56" is 20" deep box and pretty flimsy 20gauge plus has single slides.
US Gen 56" is 50lbs heavier and has double slides on deeper drawers.
Comparable (better) toolvault is the 55" (TV-5524TC) which about 1,500bucks .
Have a look at this thread on HF 56" >
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376263

 

[bcradio]

If starting out I would consider the 56" US Gen and buy it on coupon below before end of month (649bucks)
Spend on the tools not the box ;-)

The tool vault 56" is 20" deep box and pretty flimsy 20gauge plus has single slides.
US Gen 56" is 50lbs heavier and has double slides on deeper drawers.
Comparable (better) toolvault is the 55" (TV-5524TC) which about 1,500bucks .
Have a look at this thread on HF 56" >
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376263

This would definitely be the route I would take as well. $649 is an excellent deal for this box.

 

[Mhyde52]

Keep shopping Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. In your price range you certainly can find a well used truck brand as well. In my area particularly, Matco and older Mac Tech 1000 seems to be next to worthless. A double bank 55-56" can be found for $800-1200 regularly. I bought mine (Matco) for $400.

 

[kythri]

Even at the coupon price of $649.99 for the US General and the used price of $850 for the Tool Vault, I'd opt for the Tool Vault.

Not knocking the HF box, I just like the Tool Vault more:

Detent retained drawers vs the funky latches on the HF

Significantly heftier drawers/slides:

The US General box advertises "Tall drawers feature two pairs of ball-bearing slides to support up to 80lbs per drawer." (https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...ossy-red-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html)

The Tool Vault drawers/slides support 100lbs on the shallow drawers (1 pair of slides) and 200lbs on the tall drawers (2 pairs of slides) (http://www.strictlytoolboxes.com/al...xes/tool-vault-56-11-drawer-tool-cabinet.html)

 

[spike95]

One other concern I have is that it seems HF has add ons available for the 44" box, but not the 56". Will the the HF side locker also fit onto the 56" model?
Also, I see Tool Vault has a hutch available for the 72" version but not the 56". Is there a hutch anyone knows of that would fit either of these boxes?

 

[spike95]

Keep shopping Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. In your price range you certainly can find a well used truck brand as well. In my area particularly, Matco and older Mac Tech 1000 seems to be next to worthless. A double bank 55-56" can be found for $800-1200 regularly. I bought mine (Matco) for $400.

There are some deals here and there. I have been watching craigslist like a hawk checking it several times a day for the last month+, but most of them are still far over a grand for any truck brands. I found one 54" SO Classic series for $1k, but it sold before I could get it. Seems anything that does pop up in my price range is very old with very shallow drawers. They are beautiful boxes that I'd still be proud to own and restore, but I know from home experience that the super shallow drawers are very limiting. I have a vintage KRA380 that I restored and use at home. Also, most of the older good priced ones tend to be narrower designs... great for saving space in a small shop, but in the massive shop I'll be working in I'd much prefer to have a wider box with a top that can serve as a work surface. Seems that sort of design tends to be more specific to later model boxes from most of what I've seen during my search.

 

[Mr_B]

HF side cabinet still fits, lot of other brands can too.
I wouldn't want pay much for the 20" deep 56" TVault (only 1 full width drawer model)as it a cheaper model, they do some real nice boxes but that model not that great, I would consider it for 700bucks tops .
The one in tarmy post with pics of cabinet in bench is the 55" and that a decent box and come in 25" and 30" depth, would pay 850bucks for one of them used .
If the used TVault is 56" I would spend at HF unless you like the TVault and he drop price massively .

 

[Mhyde52]

I considered buying a HF box, and actually have a HF cart at work now. Deal breaker is/was the goofy latch system. Maybe for home, or light use it's ok. I regret having work buy me the HF cart. I'm in and out of it many times a day, the latches ****.

 

[Mikeske]

I considered buying a HF box, and actually have a HF cart at work now. Deal breaker is/was the goofy latch system. Maybe for home, or light use it's ok. I regret having work buy me the HF cart. I'm in and out of it many times a day, the latches ****.

One pop rivet inside the drawer and drill out the pop rivet and the goofy latch is gone. Just close the lid when moving and the drawers stay closed.

 

[Mhyde52]

One pop rivet inside the drawer and drill out the pop rivet and the goofy latch is gone. Just close the lid when moving and the drawers stay closed.

May have to try that out. I figured boxes with latches (no detents) would bounce back open easily, if the latch were to be removed.

 

[Mikeske]

May have to try that out. I figured boxes with latches (no detents) would bounce back open easily, if the latch were to be removed.

I have the tool cart also and bought it as a damaged/open box at HF and it had the big drawer with the latch broken. It also had the left hand lid/drawer lock had been assembled out of its track. I had to remove the rivets on the back side and used a piece wood and hammer to push up the bar and then reinstall it. I simply removed all the plastic locks on the drawers and when I move the cart in my shop I just close the lid. I found no issues when I push the drawers close of them not staying closed when I work on a project.

 

[ptgarcia]

The US General box advertises "Tall drawers feature two pairs of ball-bearing slides to support up to 80lbs per drawer." (https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...ossy-red-industrial-roller-cabinet-67681.html)

That's a typo:

 

[spike95]

That's a typo:

Thank you so much for clarifying that! What a terrible typo for them to make! I was wondering what the story was there after looking at their site and then having read posts on here saying the drawers were rated for 200lbs. This definitely makes me feel much better about the USG.

 

[donno21]

Any thoughts on the HF / USG 72" box? I need to get rid of 3 roll a ways and have all tools in one location. Box will not be moved.

 

[ptgarcia]

Any thoughts on the HF / USG 72" box? I need to get rid of 3 roll a ways and have all tools in one location. Box will not be moved.

By all accounts its a great box. I've don't have one myself but every report I've seen from people that do is positive.

 

[babylou]

I bought Montezuma from Strictly Toolboxes & guessing the same factory makes Tool Vault. Been pleased with the metalwork and paintwork. Casters disintegrated over a few years and may have only rolled 100 ft in their lifetime. Casters appear to be TPE when phenolic or polyurethane would've lasted much longer.

 

[Kaane]

I like my USG. I noticed Tool Vault is 20 gauge steel. USG is 16 gauge. I like the extra heft.

Also USG with coupon is almost 40% cheaper.

273lbs vs 400lbs for USG.

 

[ptgarcia]

I like my USG. I noticed Tool Vault is 20 gauge steel. USG is 16 gauge. I like the extra heft.

Also USG with coupon is almost 40% cheaper.

273lbs vs 400lbs for USG.

16ga? Maybe the frame but not the sheet metal. That would be more like 19ga-20ga, too.

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[tarmy]

i like my usg. I noticed tool vault is 20 gauge steel. Usg is 16 gauge. I like the extra heft.

Also usg with coupon is almost 40% cheaper.

273lbs vs 400lbs for usg.

Not sure where you are getting your info. I just got that same Tool Vault...

It weighs 520 and is way beefier than General.. it also costs more too. But the numbers you have are nowhere close to the OP chest he is looking at.
I spent alot of time thinking about getting the General...so I think that the old adage, you get what you pay for applys here...

 

[Mr_B]

^ no your box not same, yours is the 55" model (3 long drawers) which a good box at over 500lbs
The OP's if look at pic is the 56" single long drawer model and about 700bucks cheaper than your 55" and only weighs a little over 300lbs . it a pretty flimsy low cost box.

I would also try look at Napa for the Homak RS Pro boxes as sound interesting for prices
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=372181

 

[Kaane]

Not sure where you are getting your info. I just got that same Tool Vault...

It weighs 520 and is way beefier than General.. it also costs more too. But the numbers you have are nowhere close to the OP chest he is looking at.
I spent alot of time thinking about getting the General...so I think that the old adage, you get what you pay for applys here...

Your box costs $1485 vs $699 for USG. You could buy 2, so not really in the same class.

The only complaint on USG ever is the crappy latches and maybe the liners. I am sure Tool Truck boxes are better, but the cost just doesn't justify the expense.

I've tried other Cheap boxes (Costco, Husky, Craftsman, Kobalt) They all fell apart after a few years, usually split at the welds or in case of Kobalt at the rivets.

for $699 nothing really compares.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I have John Deere boxes and they’re manufactured by the same company that makes Tool Vault, Montezuma, and Masterforce. They’re good boxes. I have a 72” and a 56”. The 72” is loaded down in the top drawers with sockets abs wrenches. I’ve had it for going on 3 years now and I’ve had zero issues. They’re built much better than the Craftsman box I used to have. I think they’re worth it.

Then again I’m not the biggest fan on HF. I’ll admit I do have a one drawers HF cart. But that’s just to use to move a few tools across the shop and hold some supplies. Not to mention it was the only one I felt was cheap enough that I could repaint to match my JD boxes.


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[tarmy]

^ no your box not same, yours is the 55" model (3 long drawers) which a good box at over 500lbs
The OP's if look at pic is the 56" single long drawer model and about 700bucks cheaper than your 55" and only weighs a little over 300lbs . it a pretty flimsy low cost box.

I would also try look at Napa for the Homak RS Pro boxes as sound interesting for prices
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=372181

You are correct...I am wrong.

 

[spike95]

If starting out I would consider the 56" US Gen and buy it on coupon below before end of month (649bucks)
Spend on the tools not the box ;-)

The tool vault 56" is 20" deep box and pretty flimsy 20gauge plus has single slides.
US Gen 56" is 50lbs heavier and has double slides on deeper drawers.
Comparable (better) toolvault is the 55" (TV-5524TC) which about 1,500bucks .
Have a look at this thread on HF 56" >
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376263

Thank you for posting that coupon! I went on the last day it was valid. They were sold out, but the manager gave me a voucher to come back and get it when they had more come in. I picked it up yesterday and took it to the shop where I'll be working. I couldn't be more pleased. Especially for the price. It is built like a tank. So glad I went ahead and got the 56" instead of the 44", too. It looked right at home in a shop full of professional's boxes.

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

thumbs up!!

 

[Mr_B]

Thank you for posting that coupon! I went on the last day it was valid. They were sold out, but the manager gave me a voucher to come back and get it when they had more come in. I picked it up yesterday and took it to the shop where I'll be working. I couldn't be more pleased. Especially for the price. It is built like a tank. So glad I went ahead and got the 56" instead of the 44", too. It looked right at home in a shop full of professional's boxes.

Can't go too far wrong at 650bucks, biggest downside is the plastic latches but besides that they ideal starter box solution when that cheap .
They look the part and trimming gives a pro look once loose the chincy designed us-general badge . really could of done a better logo design and those latches should of been improved by now.
If moving it around a lot get decent caster upgrade pretty soon but expect pay good 80bucks to do it .
Good luck and have fun filling it with tools ...