Rolling tool chest/boxes on wheels harbor freight verses the others?

[CMV]

Not an expert but we use a LOT of the Proto and Westward brand ones from grainger at work. The westward for lighter duty, proto for the folks with more/heavier tools. Even with commercial account pricing both are a very poor value. Underloaded based on the per drawer, caster, and overall weight specs by a lot yet they still fail left and right. Our lightest use ones literally move a foot or two each day, have a light load of small hand tools and nothing heavier than a typical cordless drill, but the drawers do get opened 20 times a day. Some used by 90lb females so in no way abused. Lucky to get 5 yrs out of one in those light use conditions.

So I can稚 say what to buy or not to buy, but I doubt HF is any worse than those that are 2x the cost

 

[Industrial Toys]

Some guy on Youtube drove a long distance to buy a brand new 10' long tool box. When he got there, they didn't have what they said they had, but he got another. Just a bait and switch tactic. Getting it home, he saw, it didn't have good build quality, and screws were sheared off. Worse, the doors had nothing to keep them closed, and he had to tilt the thing backward to keep the drawers from opening. But that would not stop them from bouncing back open if you closed them quickly.

You gotta do your homework.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I didn't know HF offered a 10 foot long tool box?

 

[coobie]

I didn't know HF offered a 10 foot long tool box?

Longest one I seen at HF was 72 inches long.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Last year I broke down and bought the 44x22 red roller cart from Harbor Freight. This was with a super coupon and before the color changes that have raised the prices considerably. My unit for the most part has stayed stationary but is well made and IMHO is a great option for the home user. There is an older Craftsman double stacked unit up in the barn that my father used. I'm pretty certain it was purchased at a pawn shop and is OK but nothing to brag about.

IMHO Harbor Freight has done a good job of trying to raise the quality of some of their products. I think their tool boxes were one of the first better offerings.

 

[George2615]

In 1970 I bought a Craftsman 26 1/2" wide x 5' tall tool box. My Father also bought the same for his garage. I worked in various garages as a mechanic. When my Dad passed 29 years ago I inherited his tool box. I still have them both in my own garage now and both 49 yr. old boxes still work and roll around fine. To me, that is a good endorsement for Craftsman boxes of that time. I can't speak about todays tool box quality but if there are any Sears stores that haven't closed yet you may be able to find a good deal on close-outs.

Three years ago I decided I wanted a new tool box. I looked at HF, Kobalt, Craftsman, and Husky. Snap-on and Mac were way out of my price range. Home Depot happened to have boxes on sale and I bought a 52" wide 11 drawer Husky bottom with 6 caster wheels and the matching 6 drawer top approx. 5 1/2' tall. It was on sale for $700 plus an employee friend gave me their $50 empl. discount so got it for $650.

I cleaned out the Craftsman boxes moving the tools to the Husky and into other wall hung cabinets and now use the Craftsmans as hardware boxes for nuts, bolts, washers, screws, nails, etc. Since I retired all the boxes stay in one place in my garage. Since you are not a mechanic and I was, I saw no reason to spend big bucks on a tool box. The money I saved bought more tools.

 

[TractorNH]

In 1970 I bought a Craftsman 26 1/2" wide x 5' tall tool box. My Father also bought the same for his garage. I worked in various garages as a mechanic. When my Dad passed 29 years ago I inherited his tool box. I still have them both in my own garage now and both 49 yr. old boxes still work and roll around fine. To me, that is a good endorsement for Craftsman boxes of that time. I can't speak about todays tool box quality but if there are any Sears stores that haven't closed yet you may be able to find a good deal on close-outs.

Three years ago I decided I wanted a new tool box. I looked at HF, Kobalt, Craftsman, and Husky. Snap-on and Mac were way out of my price range. Home Depot happened to have boxes on sale and I bought a 52" wide 11 drawer Husky bottom with 6 caster wheels and the matching 6 drawer top approx. 5 1/2' tall. It was on sale for $700 plus an employee friend gave me their $50 empl. discount so got it for $650.

I cleaned out the Craftsman boxes moving the tools to the Husky and into other wall hung cabinets and now use the Craftsmans as hardware boxes for nuts, bolts, washers, screws, nails, etc. Since I retired all the boxes stay in one place in my garage. Since you are not a mechanic and I was, I saw no reason to spend big bucks on a tool box. The money I saved bought more tools.

I bought one about 3 or 4 years ago very similar to the black Husky one you posted but mine has a door cabinet on the lower right side instead of drawers there and is a 61" long version. The regular price was $598 but my local store also accepted competitor coupons so I brought in a Lowes 10% off coupon and they accepted it. As far as the quality I am VERY happy with it. No issues with the drawers.

My next purchase will be one of these Husky bench style ones but I'll be waiting since they were on sale last black friday for $298....I knew I should have bought it then but I'm not in a rush so maybe next time.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...PIPHorizontal3_rr-_-305220490-_-303101236-_-N

 

[coobie]

Last year I broke down and bought the 44x22 red roller cart from Harbor Freight. This was with a super coupon and before the color changes that have raised the prices considerably. My unit for the most part has stayed stationary but is well made and IMHO is a great option for the home user. There is an older Craftsman double stacked unit up in the barn that my father used. I'm pretty certain it was purchased at a pawn shop and is OK but nothing to brag about.

IMHO Harbor Freight has done a good job of trying to raise the quality of some of their products. I think their tool boxes were one of the first better offerings.

I think you have convinced me to purchase the same unit(44X22) roller cart tool chest.They have them on sale this weekend for $399.

 

[George2615]

I bought one about 3 or 4 years ago very similar to the black Husky one you posted but mine has a door cabinet on the lower right side instead of drawers there and is a 61" long version. The regular price was $598 but my local store also accepted competitor coupons so I brought in a Lowes 10% off coupon and they accepted it. As far as the quality I am VERY happy with it. No issues with the drawers.

My next purchase will be one of these Husky bench style ones but I'll be waiting since they were on sale last black friday for $298....I knew I should have bought it then but I'm not in a rush so maybe next time.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...PIPHorizontal3_rr-_-305220490-_-303101236-_-N

My Husky must be a discontinued model. I looked at over 6 pages on the HD site for mine but no longer see my model. Still very happy with it. If it lasts just half the time the Craftsman has my kids can sell it when I'm gone.

 

[shaeff]

I’m super happy with my Harbor Freight 48” roller. It’s awesome. Smooth drawers, hold a lot of weight, I have it loaded down pretty well. Going on 5 or 6 years at this point, not an issue. For the price it can’t be beat. They just released the new version that’s got 2” more depth.