I need some input on roll around tool boxes

[5030]

It's time to purchase a new roll cab tool box and upper as well. My ancient Waterloo double box has seen better days and I'm candidly out of room. I have one roll around just for SAE tools and another smaller one for Metric.

Been looking at the Harbor Freight Icon and US General tool boxes as well as the ones at Menards. Not gonna buy a tool truck Snap On or MAC box, just too expensive for me.

I need some input as to quality and personal experiences. I like the US General Series 2 boxes in Kubota orange naturally.

Don't want to take out a second mortgage for a tool box but I don't mind paying a couple grand for them either.

Input please???

 

[WM75Guy]

We got a US General 30" 5-drawer from Harbour Freight for the stables. We keep tools and misc horse equipment in it. I was surprised at how heavy it was when I put it together. The latches have held up fine and it gets opened quite frequently. I wouldn't hesitate a bit at getting another one.

30 in. 5 Drawer Mechanics Cart, Blue

Amazing deals on this 30In 5 Drawer Mechanics Cart, Blue at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Topzide]

I've got the HF series 2 44" base box with 15" side cabinet and it fit the need! Price was right and plenty of room. Have a series 1 26c top and bottom that I've had for more then 10 years! Slides haven't given me any issues. There Icon series is on the same level as the big name boxes with much better pricing. Any more boxes will be HF for sure!

 

[5030]

I almost fainted over the Snap On tool truck price for a new just lower box. I certainly don't need anything that high buck, guess you pay to have the 'Snap On' name on the front. I read somewhere that the Icon drawers will interchange with the Snap On drawers.

US general is fine with me and I see HF gives a zero percent finance charge on them if you hold one of their credit cards, which I do.

My old Waterloo has been good for 30 years but it's just getting worn out from use. Thousands of drawer openings and closings and the lid hinge is crapping out too.

 

[5030]

I do wonder if HF will deliver the US General boxes like they do with the Icon's? I know Menards will deliver them to your door.

 

[WM75Guy]

Mine was delivered to our farm. I added the biggest one to the cart and it showed $96 for shipping.

 

[joecdeere]

I almost fainted over the Snap On tool truck price for a new just lower box. I certainly don't need anything that high buck, guess you pay to have the 'Snap On' name on the front. I read somewhere that the Icon drawers will interchange with the Snap On drawers.

US general is fine with me and I see HF gives a zero percent finance charge on them if you hold one of their credit cards, which I do.

My old Waterloo has been good for 30 years but it's just getting worn out from use. Thousands of drawer openings and closings and the lid hinge is crapping out too.

Have you asked the snapon guy about the used trade in boxes he has?, most have a mini warehouse full, they start to pile up and often can be gotten at a great deal, especially the one side with scratches or small dents in a panel.

 

[bcp]

I like multiple small cabinets instead of a huge one.

Bruce

 

[Rustyiron]

Of all the cheap chinesium stuff in HF, there's not a thing wrong with their boxes. I think US general is the line that I've looked at, this was before they introduced the supposedly fancy line. I have the same roll around 5? drawer as in post#2 and give it a high recommendation also.

 

[5030]

Some of that Chineseum stuff at HF has become high quality stuff as of late.

 

[5030]

Have you asked the snapon guy about the used trade in boxes he has?, most have a mini warehouse full, they start to pile up and often can be gotten at a great deal, especially the one side with scratches or small dents in a panel.

Didn't know that, I will inquire. Always wondered what became of older used or repo'd boxes.

 

[TimberFarm]

I have two of the HF 44" boxes.
One is the new 22" deep one and the other I bought used off my step son. It is the older 18" deep one.
Definitely a big difference in the old US General vs new US General. Nicer locks. Smoother drawer glides.
I bought mine a couple years ago and also got the tall side cabinet and side drawer base too. Price was cheaper back then.

 

[5030]

I have two of the HF 44" boxes.
One is the new 22" deep one and the other I bought used off my step son. It is the older 18" deep one.
Definitely a big difference in the old US General vs new US General. Nicer locks. Smoother drawer glides.
I bought mine a couple years ago and also got the tall side cabinet and side drawer base too. Price was cheaper back then.

Today nothing is cheap except your wages..

 

[jjeff]

Have you looked at the Milwaukee tool chest combos? I think there probably rebranded, and the price has went up some but still a decent combo with deep soft close drawers power outlets, USB charger, heavier gauge steel than others and really decent casters to roll it around, I did mount two side boxes on it though, one hf and one craftsman. Will probably be inherited by the kids and overall Couldn't be happier with it.

 

[5030]

Have you looked at the Milwaukee tool chest combos? I think there probably rebranded, and the price has went up some but still a decent combo with deep soft close drawers power outlets, USB charger, heavier gauge steel than others and really decent casters to roll it around, I did mount two side boxes on it though, one hf and one craftsman. Will probably be inherited by the kids and overall Couldn't be happier with it.

I'll take a look at them as I'm open to anything so long as it works well and the drawer slides last. All my metric tools are in an old school Craftsman roll around cab with a top box on it that I purchased at an estate auction that was still in the cartons. Nice box, don't have a clue who made it but I believe it was American made. Got to be 40 years old. Only gave 200 bucks for it. Sometimes estate sales are good, sometimes not. depends on who is bidding I guess. My Waterloo was American made too but It's about wore out.

 

[jjeff]

I'll take a look at them as I'm open to anything so long as it works well and the drawer slides last. All my metric tools are in an old school Craftsman roll around cab with a top box on it that I purchased at an estate auction that was still in the cartons. Nice box, don't have a clue who made it but I believe it was American made. Got to be 40 years old. Only gave 200 bucks for it. Sometimes estate sales are good, sometimes not. depends on who is bidding I guess. My Waterloo was American made too but It's about wore out.

They have several designs the model I got has been discontinued I believe. Mine has the deep 22" drawers, I believe it was replaced by the 56" wide model. The drawers and frame are a lot heavier duty steel than any craftsman I've owned and HF brand I looked at however this was over 5 yrs ago.

 

[jfsawatzky]

Have you considered costco? In canada their inhouse Kirkland signature branded tool chest is, I believe, made by torin. It's a 44 inch 2 piece set. Before covid, was priced in store at 899 cdn but after a recent restock... now priced at 1199 cdn. I don't know prices in US but should be 25% less due to exchange rates. I can attach a photo later.

 

[5030]

Don't have a membership but the neighbor gal does. I'll have to look there as well. Lots of choices out there I wasn't aware of. I do like Kirkland Microwave popcorn, better than the regular store brands and I'm a microwave popcorn eater...

 

[jfsawatzky]

Main downside with Costco is they only offer this one model in canada

 

[5030]

About what the Waterloo I currently have now looks like. Not enough room for all my 'junk'.