Harbor Freight Tool Box

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galaxy

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Dude...just got done looking at a huge tool box at Harbor Freight. Typically their stuff doesn't hold up and I'm skeptical of getting tools and stuff from there, but I gotta say, I was impressed. I'm a Snap-On / Mac kinda guy, but this was descent. I mean even from a perspective that it looked like it might hold up nice. I don't make a living out of mine, so for home use I'm guessing it would be just fine. Anyone have a box from there or any experience? This equivalent tool box from Snap-On is $5,000+.
 
Has gotten great reviews on garagejournal.com and a lot of those guys are die hard SnapOn guys.
 
Look at the brand stack-on, no, not snap on stack-on. They make usa made tool boxes and chests just like snap on or habor freight. Very good quality it looks like.
 
Husky has a nice new box top and bottom combo for around 850 looks very nice and comes in all black!
 
A lot of folks on Garage Journal are using the Harbor Freight boxes as a built in toolbox for their workbench. Makes a lot of sense if you are limited on space and want your tools close at hand. If you really have the room, get two and build both into the workbench.


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I have wanted one of the HF ones for a while. I finally went to the Husky when they were on Black Friday sale for $200. 40" really nice box and for a home owner its going to be plenty heavy duty. Im sure that HF box would be just fine in the same situation. My friends dad has one but its more of tool storage now he doesnt really use it much. Pretty heavy duty for $300
 
Check out Strictly Toolboxes line? They have great reviews. I have a large box for my FT job and it holds all my heavy tools without any issues. Pretty heavy gauge steel and drawer slides for the price if you're looking for a good investment that won't break the bank.
 
galaxy said:
Dude...just got done looking at a huge tool box at Harbor Freight. Typically their stuff doesn't hold up and I'm skeptical of getting tools and stuff from there, but I gotta say, I was impressed. I'm a Snap-On / Mac kinda guy, but this was descent. I mean even from a perspective that it looked like it might hold up nice. I don't make a living out of mine, so for home use I'm guessing it would be just fine. Anyone have a box from there or any experience? This equivalent tool box from Snap-On is $5,000+.
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I have been looking at getting one as well. They get great reviews. I am looking at getting rid of my Snap-On and upgrading to a larger HF box!

Keep us posted!
 
I work for a Chevy dealer with about a dozen techs. As you might expect, Snap-On, Matco and Cornwell are the predominant toolbox brands. One of the younger guys bought a HF 40" lower box last summer. I asked if he'd do it again and he replied "definitely". He added " I make my living with my tools, so I buy the best stuff I can. The box is just a place to keep them. As long as it holds the weight and the drawers function well, I can live without the big-buck badge. I'd rather own this box outright than be making payments forever on a box from one of the tool trucks."
Our techs have their own work bays, so nobody has to push their boxes around the shop constantly or use it as a workbench, which is where the pro-level boxes may have a definite edge in durability.
I'm a Snap-On guy, even though I'm not a pro, but it's hard to argue with his logic.

Bill
 
For $359, plus a 20% off coupon, I'd say its worth a shot.

I currently use old filing-style cabinets that I buy at auction for $5 each, but they are obviously not perfect for tools.


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I have been researching toolboxes lately also. The US General boxes from Harbor Freight are good quality and have received good reviews online. Last week I went to look at Husky and Milwaukee boxes at a Home Depot. The quality of the 40" and bigger boxes at HF is much better than the comparable Husky boxes, especially the stiffness of the side walls, the bigger drawer slides, and the reinforcement where the casters mount on the bottom.


KirkH said:
For $359, plus a 20% off coupon, I'd say its worth a shot.

I currently use old filing-style cabinets that I buy at auction for $5 each, but they are obviously not perfect for tools.


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I don't think coupons can be used towards tool boxes anymore.
 
I have that one with the associated top. For the money it's great. Very sturdy, drawers work well. Has some ok magnetic accessories for the side - paper towel holder, glove box holder, maybe other things.

Overall I'd give it a B on usability and an A+ on value. Some things I don't like:

- Some of the drawers in the top part are very shallow. I know it really shouldn't matter some stuff (like open/box wrenches) lay very flat. Still don't like it. Limits my options. I like my sockets to stand up in my holders. Can't do this in the shallow drawers. I like my wrenches to lay at a 45 in a holder. The biggest wrenches won't fit. If you add foam or liners it's even more challenging. It's not a showstopper, but I'd rather have 1-2 fewer drawers and more space in them.

Bottom part from the link above is good. I wish the bottom drawer was a little deeper. But it's pretty good as is. I want to be able to fit a few more larger items in it. I know have them on a shelf.

Lastly, it's a little taller than I like. I'm not 6', so maybe it's just me. The top of the top box I can see, but it's just a little too tall. 1-2" shorter would be ideal.
For the money it's very hard to beat. If you're 5'11 or taller it's probably fine.

The other two I really like are the Milwaukee with charging outlets in the top. The very top is much nicer and more usable. That's a nice toolbox for me. Somebody else mentioned that Husky ones. The newer ones look pretty good as well.

If I hadn't already bought this I'd be looking hard at the Milwaukee on sale.
 
BillyJack said:
I'm a Snap-On guy, even though I'm not a pro, but it's hard to argue with his logic.
Click to expand...
Off-topic, but how have you found warranty replacements? My concern with Snap-On is that it seems to rolling-tool-truck driver dependent. Craftsman is ok with replacements. Problem is I longer want many of their tools: a replacement Phillips driver that sucks is of no use to me. Struggling right now to find the right tool brand.

(Maybe this needs its own thread?)
 
RippyD said:
Off-topic, but how have you found warranty replacements? My concern with Snap-On is that it seems to rolling-tool-truck driver dependent. Craftsman is ok with replacements. Problem is I longer want many of their tools: a replacement Phillips driver that sucks is of no use to me. Struggling right now to find the right tool brand.

(Maybe this needs its own thread?)
Click to expand...



Masterforce by menards makes alot of tools in the USA and has a lifetime warranty on them =)
 
Bill1234 said:
Masterforce by menards makes alot of tools in the USA and has a lifetime warranty on them =)
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No Menards near me. How is the quality? I'm pretty good on wrenches and sockets until I break one. Replacement screwdrivers from Craftsman are worthless. The Wiha and Wera screwdrivers I have are very good. May just get a set and be done. Lowe's and Home Depot have their on brands with lifetime warranty as well. Quality isn't there for me.
 
galaxy said:
Dude...just got done looking at a huge tool box at Harbor Freight. Typically their stuff doesn't hold up and I'm skeptical of getting tools and stuff from there, but I gotta say, I was impressed. I'm a Snap-On / Mac kinda guy, but this was descent. I mean even from a perspective that it looked like it might hold up nice. I don't make a living out of mine, so for home use I'm guessing it would be just fine. Anyone have a box from there or any experience? This equivalent tool box from Snap-On is $5,000+.
Click to expand...

We bought my son one. They are good tool boxes. The bearings in the drawers are better than the ones in my Craftman. Good heavy duty tool box.
 
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