Which tool cabinet should I get?

[Ran58]

I was thinking about getting a Harbor Freight US General 56“ rolling cabinet on Monday when they go on sale for $598 ( regularly $898). As some of you said, these are a good cabinet for the money. Well today I was in Home Depot and they had their Husky 27” 10 drawer rolling tool Cabinet on sale for $298, regularly $448. These things also look very nice for $298.

So now I’m trying to decide which one to get. Granted the Husky is much thinner metal but it’s still a nice looking cabinet for the money. i could actually buy two if these for the same price as one of the US General cabinets. I would also get 20 drawers vs 8 drawers on the US General. Another thing I noticed is that the US General drawers are thicker so unless you have a larger tool to store in the drawer a lot of the space in the drawer is wasted. Does anyone have opinions on the Husky drawer and which one would you get -
1 US General or 2 Huskys.

thanks

 

[four.cycle]

You are not asking the correct question.
The correct question would be "How many tool cabinets should I get?"

You can thank me later.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Get the US General 56" box. When you need more room, get the top box or make a nice top for it and use it as a work space.

 

[GarageHobbyist]

Long Version:
I have a 27" US General Roll Cab and Got a 52" Craftsman S2000 box last year, which is an 8 drawer with a slightly different layout than the US General you are looking at . I think I would like the drawer layout of the US General a little more, but I got over 50% off the S2000 and I couldn't pass it up. After having a wide box, I don't think I could go back to just a narrow one.

While you will have less drawers, it is easier to fit big/long/odd shaped tools in larger drawers. I also like having less drawers to open looking for "the thing I know I have somewhere". You can keep a lot of your most used tools at the front and not have to open the drawers all the way which is nice if your work area is tight.

The one thing I don't like about my S2000 box, and many other wide boxes including the US General, is the power tool drawer. I think that once you get to the point of needing/wanting a box that large you probably have more power tools than will fit, and most likely have another solution for them.
I put my circular saw and brad nailer in there even though they don't need to be, and haven't quite figured out how to better use it yet over a year later.

Short Version:
I would get the US General. If you feel like you need more smaller drawers, look for a used top or machinist's box to set on top of it if you aren't worried about matching the bottom.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I have a couple of Husky boxes, very pleased with layout and quality.

 

[1/4atatime]

You are not asking the correct question.
The correct question would be "How many tool cabinets should I get?"

You can thank me later.

This is the correct question. I haven't even got my garage completed yet and I have bought not one not two but 4 tool cabinets. All US general stuff because I think the quality is the best for the money especially with all the sales right now at harbor freight.

 

[MushCreek]

A lot depends upon what kind of tools/stuff you expect to be storing in it. I find that a lot of my stuff is too bulky for the thinner drawers. I don't have the vast array of wrenches and sockets that a pro has, though. I have two HF 42" boxes, and the drawer sizes work well for my stuff.

 

[wolfhawk73]

Get the US General 56" box. When you need more room, get the top box or make a nice top for it and use it as a work space.

That's the route I'd go. I have their 44" box and am about to cut down an old Wood Weld top for it. Wood Weld makes wood tops for Lista workbenches, if you're not familiar.

Question...how deep is the Husky? Two of them might be nearly as long, combined, as the 54, but you might lose volume if the Husky's depth is only 18. The extra depth in the US General might make up its lack of height.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Question...how deep is the Husky? Two of them might be nearly as long, combined, as the 54, but you might lose volume if the Husky's depth is only 18. The extra depth in the US General might make up its lack of height.

That is another good point.

The Series 3, newest version of the US General boxes, are 22" deep. While 4-6" in drawer depth over a regular 16-18" deep box may not seem like a lot, trust me, it is.

 

[JSutter]

The big one

 

[Renegade1LI]

Also with us gen lots of add ons. If you want more small drawers get a side cab,or add a locker and can get in matching color. Not to mention the mandatory service cart, the rabbit hole can get deep.

 

[MushCreek]

Yeah, I'm pretty far down the rabbit hole for a home gamer. Two 42" cabs, one 42" chest, one side cabinet, one 5 drawer service cart, and several paper towel holders, spray can holders, etc.

 

[pbon]

Buy the 56 inch HF. Longer drawers fit more, it is likely 24” deep instead of 22 and is a way better box. I went from two 27” stacks years ago to three HF 44” and later wished I had gotten two 72” instead.

 

[txvwnut]

I can't believe no one has said Snapon yet. Of those two the OP posted I'd go with the US General as they have gotten good reviews and seem to be well built. A couple of the techs in my shop have US General boxes and seem quite pleased with them and they seem to be holding up well in a heavy use shop environment, they also have a decent following on this forum.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Get the HF

 

[tworley]

I've got a Husky. It was discounted when I happened to come across it which is why I have it. Otherwise, I would have gone for the US General. My complaints on the husky; thin material, the paneling is just tack welded together in corners, the casters seem flimsy and the drawers are a smidge shallow. For me its a stationary toolbox, that I use on the weekends as a DIY'er. In a professional setting, I'd want something stronger/sturdier.

 

[mikedodge]

It really depends on what's more usable to you.
Between the 2 I like the HF one better. That home depot one looks like it's too easy to outgrow.

I have one of those home depot work bench box thigs that sort of looks like the HF one but with a wooden top. I'd buy it again.

 

[MushCreek]

My first HF box is over 20 years old, used in a work environment, stuffed with very heavy tool maker's tools and a big granite surface plate on top. It has been flawless the whole time.

 

[Houdini5150]

The US General in the Grey with Black Trim

 

[NUTTSGT]

The US General in the Grey with Black Trim

Oh Hell yeah. . . .


BTW if you don't have it.

 

[MongoTA]

While the drawer count may lure you in, also look at cubic feet of storage. Not that one is going to necessarily offset the other, but more from the idea that 20 drawers might not give you twice as much storage space as 10 drawers. It might only give you 1.4X the space.

Wider drawers sometimes allow for a more efficient layout. You can group things how you want to group them versus having to split them up due to smaller drawers.

Thicker gauge metal and smoother drawer slide action, you'll always appreciate that, especially after the novelty wears off and you stop babying them. That written, wider drawers can sometimes rack on you. But with the heavier metal, probably not.

Look at shallow drawers versus deeper versus your current tool inventory versus anything you'll get in the future. You can't plan everything out, but shallow drawers can be limiting.

If you're tight on floor space consider going vertical with the Husky. If not I'd go with USG. Depends on your usage as well. If this will be rolled all over, in the garage, ourside on the parking apron, drawers opened and closed often, etc, the heavier gauge might be better.

My wife has maybe 7 Husky 42" boxes off the casters and on welded up racking for her home business along with a couple of narrow Husky rollers. She has no complaints. While the drawers get used regularly, her rollers don't get rolled around much. I have 5 small Husky rollers and 3 Kennedy stacked sets. The Husky's are all good. The Husky rollers get moved maybe 2-3 times a week, but they always stay on the same concrete slab surface. The carcasses are still square and the drawers are still solid and slide well. I've had the Husky's for well over 10 years.

All that written, if I was starting from scratch and had to go one way or the other, I'd go USGeneral, but that's for me and my intended use.

 

[Ran58]

Thanks for all the input guys. Here’s what I decided to do. I’m going to get the US General and one of the Husky’s. It’s a good deal on both these cabinets and I think Kim will be able to find a use for both of them.

 

[Tundra1]

Have you looked at the higher tier heavy duty huskies. They are a bit more than the usg but the latch and overall feel of the husky heavy duty draws is really nice. Always seems like there is something wrong with the usg floor models and the side latch stinks. Listed as 24"d but I don't know if that is a true 2" more than usg.

 

[Fixr]

Thanks for all the input guys. Here’s what I decided to do. I’m going to get the US General and one of the Husky’s. It’s a good deal on both these cabinets and I think Kim will be able to find a use for both of them.

Now there's a proper GJ decision!

 

[Crabman]

For anyone following, the Kobalt 71 inch cabinet is $400 off today only 12/26 down to $999.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-71-4-in-W-x-71-in-L-x-42-7-in-H-15-Drawers-Rolling-Black-Wood-Work-Bench/5014688617

 

[Swegner99]

I have the Husky 50", not as heavy duty as some available boxes, but more than good for anything i'm DIY'ing at home.

Especially at the current $498 price point.

 

[TonyG109]

The one thing I don't like about my S2000 box, and many other wide boxes including the US General, is the power tool drawer. I think that once you get to the point of needing/wanting a box that large you probably have more power tools than will fit, and most likely have another solution for them.
I put my circular saw and brad nailer in there even though they don't need to be, and haven't quite figured out how to better use it yet over a year later.

For a possible solution to the deep drawer dilemma, check out this:

New tool cabinet deep drawer expansion idea?

Not sure if this is a new idea or not but here goes. I just "upgraded" a 44" rolling tool box to a 56" box with a 15" end drawer hang on unit. Somehow, I seem to barely be able to fit everything from the 44" into the new setup! Now, the new setup is much neater and organized but the real...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[b-boy]

Have you looked at the higher tier heavy duty huskies. They are a bit more than the usg but the latch and overall feel of the husky heavy duty draws is really nice. Always seems like there is something wrong with the usg floor models and the side latch stinks. Listed as 24"d but I don't know if that is a true 2" more than usg.

I have one of the heavy duty huskies. Got a floor model for a great price. It's well built and more than I'll ever need.

 

[GarageHobbyist]

For a possible solution to the deep drawer dilemma, check out this:

New tool cabinet deep drawer expansion idea?

Not sure if this is a new idea or not but here goes. I just "upgraded" a 44" rolling tool box to a 56" box with a 15" end drawer hang on unit. Somehow, I seem to barely be able to fit everything from the 44" into the new setup! Now, the new setup is much neater and organized but the real...

www.garagejournal.com

Thanks for that link. That is a GREAT idea!

 

[toolspower]

You are not asking the correct question.
The correct question would be "How many tool cabinets should I get?"

You can thank me later.

Exactly this came to my mind

 

[Theronswanson]

Of the 2, I would get the bigger US General. That being said, I have a Huskey and have been very happy with the quality.

 

[southalabama]

I’ve got four older Huskey 26” boxes. Tops and bottoms. Bought on closeout years ago. Better than craftsman.

I’ve also got a couple craftsman 26” top/middle/bottom and four more craftsman bottoms.

I’d get the Harbor Freight.

The HF wasn’t available when I started buying boxes. Most of mine are ball bearing and a few friction. I got most of mine with gift cards. I’d get a gift card to Sears and we had a store in town.

 

[Kent_B]

I have a 26" stack from the late 1970's, It's getting crowded. Today if I were looking for a new box I'd in all likelihood buy the 56" from Harbor Freight