Tool Storage?

[Maverick26]

Ok, this might turn into a pissing match but I would rather keep it to the facts and not bash any company or person that might own something from that company.

With that said, I am in the market for a tool box. I don't want to make payments or spend a load of money on the box its self so I naturally turned to harbor freight. I plan to go big so I like the look and layout of their US General 18 drawer 72" roller cab. They want $1400 to ship it to my house. I went to the store and played with the smaller version and it seems nice, stout, well built and has the standard 5" and 3" deep drawers. I then went and looked at Snap-on or what I like to call the industry standard or probably the best in the business. Snap-on online sells their Classic 96 Triple bank 18 drawer that looks almost identical. I would say USgeneral probably modeled the HF box after this one. Comparing the specs, I cant find much difference and even down to the weight is within 20lbs. This tells me the construction is almost the same. Snap-on wants $6025 for this beauty.

I really just want some feedback from other folks that may own other brands or the same boxes. Tell me what you like or dislike about them and if there are things the HF box is missing that I would want. I am really leaning to get the HF box since it fits my budget but I am open ears to other options if it truly is better. I realize everyone gets what they pay for. I am not making a living out of this box nor will it be moved around at all. I plan to build it in under a work bench or something like that. This is for home shop/personal use only.

 

[ish]

I did the Harbor freight that is 56" wide and I am a weekend warrior. I haven't had any problems with mine for the 1.5 years I have had it. I don't roll mine around at all. I had some sheets of 1/2" plate that I cut a piece to go on top of it so I don't worry about denting the top, that did add about 175lbs. to it. I would do it again for $700 it was.

 

[pokey]

I have always liked craftsman. Middle of the line easy to get parts if needed. Great for the home shop. Carry a fully loaded one around in my service van with no issues.

 

[ain'tstuckjustresting]

I bought a couple of US General boxes for extra storage in on of our old service trucks and was surprised at how well it held up. I wouldn't compare them to either of my Snap-on boxes but at a fraction of the price I think they are suited for home use as long as your not moving them around a lot.

I've been wondering about the quality of these for shop storage. https://www.rbauction.com/2015-XKW-28D4-7-Ft-Heavy-Duty-Work-Bench-UNUSED?invId=4402264&id=ci&auction=CHEHALIS-WA-2015253

Every RB auction has a bunch of them. They're brand new and usually sell between $1000-$1700. They have a couple different configurations and colors.

 

[skinny_pedal]

I would think for $1400 you could buy a used brand name box

 

[CHOP SHOP]

Do they make airplanes in China?

 

[mudmaster]

Do they make airplanes in China?

Yes they do, Airbus.

 

[CHOP SHOP]

Yes they do, Airbus.

Are they cheaper than say, a Boeing plane?

I mean I dont fly much anyways, so I dont really need a quality American made plane, do I?

 

[mudmaster]

They are cheaper, but I don't think they're as robust.

 

[pokey]

I know that if I was flying around on my toolbox over the ocean I would want a quality American made one.

 

[ish]

Haven't ridden and don't plan to ride mine - so went cheap

 

[Maverick26]

I think some of you guys are a little brain washed about quality and American made. Just cause its USA made don't make it better or worse... And using aircraft as a comparison to a tool box is a little crazy, trust me... I work at Boeing and it makes me not want to fly most days.

I have surfed CL for used boxes for over a month now, went and looked at a few. Most of them were smaller then 72" and most of them were beat to hell and wanted way more then $1400.

I pulled the trigger on the US General box today... shipping will be a while but I will update when it shows up.

 

[crash2]

My whole shop is one giant tool box :D

 

[Mark m.]

Do they make airplanes in China?

They are all assembled by chinese people right here in america

 

[Maverick26]

They are all assembled by chinese people right here in america

HAHAHAHAHA.... or others from the slant eye tribe. Its like we hired everyone out of Vancouver BC to work here.

 

[CHOP SHOP]

Your missing what Im saying.


I was just surprised that someone that makes a decent wage in the AMERICAN mfging industry would send HIS money to a chinese MFGer.



The reason you have a good job is because they havent sent YOURS over to china yet.


Its the "Ill buy the cheapest **** I can find" attitude that promotes bizz landing off shores.


I wasnt advocating buying an overpriced SnapOn box. They are nice but not a value.


I would shop used myself and buy a nice American tax FREE used box of any MFG you like.



Keep YOUR money in the states, your neighbor (and your) jobs depend on it.

Have the chineese ever helped pay your wages? Why pay theirs?

 

[zukkev]

Your missing what Im saying.


I was just surprised that someone that makes a decent wage in the AMERICAN mfging industry would send HIS money to a chinese MFGer.



The reason you have a good job is because they havent sent YOURS over to china yet.


Its the "Ill buy the cheapest **** I can find" attitude that promotes bizz landing off shores.


I wasnt advocating buying an overpriced SnapOn box. They are nice but not a value.


I would shop used myself and buy a nice American tax FREE used box of any MFG you like.



Keep YOUR money in the states, your neighbor (and your) jobs depend on it.

Have the chineese ever helped pay your wages? Why pay theirs?

Agreed...Look for a good used Matco unit---they are (or at least were) the best built box right here in the States back when I bought mine 10 yrs ago. They can be had for a decent deal if you look.:awesomework:

 

[Zoediak]

Agreed...Look for a good used Matco unit---they are (or at least were) the best built box right here in the States back when I bought mine 10 yrs ago. They can be had for a decent deal if you look.:awesomework:

I've been pretty darn happy with my used SnapOn boxes... :D

 

[t1h5ta3]

ive got a snap on box, i work out of it for a living.
that said, pull out the drawers, how do they slide? now put your body weight on the drawer does it still slide smooth? can you twist the drawer? ie: push one side in but not the other? how do the drawers latch? can you lock the drawers for transport?
id say for the average joe home box, as long as they slide nice with weight in them, it'll prob be fine. i personaly wouldnt get one with shalow drawers ie: need to be atleast 4" tall/deep drawers so your deep sockets can stand up while in a rack etc...

if you want a " tool truck " box cornwell makes some nice boxes for about half the snapon price.

 

[tomsbrokeagain]

http://www.montezumamfg.com/ get good reviews.

I like my Mac box and the Stanley vidmars I've got. I've thrown out all the crapsman boxes I've owned.

 

[zukkev]

I've been pretty darn happy with my used SnapOn boxes... :D

:haha: :awesomework: You can't beat vintage man! :redneck:

 

[nowires]

Your missing what Im saying.


I was just surprised that someone that makes a decent wage in the AMERICAN mfging industry would send HIS money to a chinese MFGer.



The reason you have a good job is because they havent sent YOURS over to china yet.


Its the "Ill buy the cheapest **** I can find" attitude that promotes bizz landing off shores.


I wasnt advocating buying an overpriced SnapOn box. They are nice but not a value.


I would shop used myself and buy a nice American tax FREE used box of any MFG you like.



Keep YOUR money in the states, your neighbor (and your) jobs depend on it.

Have the chineese ever helped pay your wages? Why pay theirs?

This is what needs to be said. Well worded:awesomework: :awesomework: :awesomework: :awesomework:

 

[WenusWheeler]

Costco has a big kirkland box for half the price.

 

[Maverick26]

Ya I looked at the Costco box also, a friend has one. I wanted one that was work bench high and long. Not really stacked high. I did end up buying the cheap china HF junk 72" tool box. Damn near EVERYTHING is built over seas these days. If you ask me, SnapOn and others of the same price range are a rip off. I have had the chance to use a snapon box and I cant really tell you it is even worth $100 more than this Us General box. I sure as hell cant tell where the extra $4500 is at.

Anyway, I looked for used boxes for quite some time and even drove to look at some and they just were not what I really wanted. I have Rainman issues sometimes and I wanted the perfect box that matched my space and needs. Sounds crazy but its true. You can trust me, I hate buying new and paying tax and avoid it when I can but sometimes I break down and do it.

 

[WHITE TRASH1]

My brother went with the 44" bottom box and it's pretty nice. The drawers roll in and out even loaded to the max with tools. He really should have got the 56" at minimum but the 44" will go to his son when he pulls the trigger on the biggest one.


I had used the 26" tool cart for 5 years 3-5 days a week I was working out of it, rolling it around etc with it loaded to the gills. Its rated for 560 lbs and I easily had 800 lbs of tools loaded in it. I picked up the 30" cart this winter and split the tool load between them. The little black carts drawers still open perfectly smooth as they did waaay overloaded. The red cart kicks ass, it's basically the cart that goes with the 56 and 72" cabinets since it has the locks on the drawers and the same style handles etc.


Here's my black cart and here is the bluepoint version. Sure the bluepoint cart has struts to hold the lid up, a side tray and a little shelf on the side. It also has a $600 higher price tag. They are both made in china so itwouldn't shock me if they came from the same building. :haha:

 

[Maverick26]

My brother went with the 44" bottom box and it's pretty nice. The drawers roll in and out even loaded to the max with tools. He really should have got the 56" at minimum but the 44" will go to his son when he pulls the trigger on the biggest one.


I had used the 26" tool cart for 5 years 3-5 days a week I was working out of it, rolling it around etc with it loaded to the gills. Its rated for 560 lbs and I easily had 800 lbs of tools loaded in it. I picked up the 30" cart this winter and split the tool load between them. The little black carts drawers still open perfectly smooth as they did waaay overloaded. The red cart kicks ass, it's basically the cart that goes with the 56 and 72" cabinets since it has the locks on the drawers and the same style handles etc.


Here's my black cart and here is the bluepoint version. Sure the bluepoint cart has struts to hold the lid up, a side tray and a little shelf on the side. It also has a $600 higher price tag. They are both made in china so itwouldn't shock me if they came from the same building. :haha:

I had the same black cart for 6 years... loaded also! I just gave it to my dad for his new shop. He will probably use it for a good 20 more years since he never upgrades anything. I for one pick and chose what I get at HF... so far, I am beyond impressed with this big toolbox.

 

[WHITE TRASH1]

I had the same black cart for 6 years... loaded also! I just gave it to my dad for his new shop. He will probably use it for a good 20 more years since he never upgrades anything. I for one pick and chose what I get at HF... so far, I am beyond impressed with this big toolbox.

Yea I have been extremely happy with both carts so far for sure. I pick and choose at harbor freight too. Their blue handled screwdrivers with the hex on the end are fantastic and they are priced under some of the others that are brittle junk go figure. Their impact sockets are incredibly durable. I have a few metric deep well sockets finally starting to get mushroomed on the drive side and the hex is getting sloppy but I've been using them since the 90's :redneck:

Their consumables are utter junk, skinny whees, sand paper etc aren't worth their weight in dirt. Their low end ratchets are absolute junk but their high end, (for them) are pretty nice and they are cheap. :D

 

[CHOP SHOP]

I have a few metric deep well sockets finally starting to get mushroomed on the drive side and the hex is getting sloppy but I've been using them since the 90's :redneck:

I have a set too. Within a week most sizes I use were shroomed out like a bell.

I aint kiddin, impact sockets that will stretch like muffler tubing, not split like hard steel. :rolleyes:

So maybe the ones from the 90s were ok, but they are **** now!

 

[pokey]

Ya I looked at the Costco box also, a friend has one. I wanted one that was work bench high and long. Not really stacked high. I did end up buying the cheap china HF junk 72" tool box. Damn near EVERYTHING is built over seas these days. If you ask me, SnapOn and others of the same price range are a rip off. I have had the chance to use a snapon box and I cant really tell you it is even worth $100 more than this Us General box. I sure as hell cant tell where the extra $4500 is at.

Anyway, I looked for used boxes for quite some time and even drove to look at some and they just were not what I really wanted. I have Rainman issues sometimes and I wanted the perfect box that matched my space and needs. Sounds crazy but its true. You can trust me, I hate buying new and paying tax and avoid it when I can but sometimes I break down and do it.

Snap on sells at ridiculous prices because nobody pays in full for them. By having the high end market cornered because of their easy financing they can list them for whatever they want as long as they keep the financing "affordable" snap on doesn't sell just tools their real product is financing.

 

[t1h5ta3]

mmmmm.... tool boxes.... running out of organised room is a problem when you work out of them for a living.