I'm looking to buy a new tool box - the rolling cabinet and top box. What does the collective recommend?

It's for basic tool storage, home use, so it won't see a lot of wear. Probably a 42" wide base and matching top box.

I'm looking at the Harbor Freight US General line as a baseline, don't want to spend much more than that. Combo would cost about $1500+/-.

If I were in the market again, I'd go directly to Harbor Freight. Equal to or better than any of the Big Box stuff and there ARE folk (The Horror!) that say in the "bang for the buck" department, they're the equal of SnapOn.

I was impressed with the Harbor Freight line. You can always wait until closer to Thanksgiving (or Black Friday) for a sale.

HF is always running a sale . No more than a week or two and something will pop up .

My timing is mid December. We just bought a house (separate thread not written yet, Lewisville TX), and that's move-in.

I have read reviews, and the HF line is well regarded.

This will replace a basic Craftsman set I got around 1990.

Snap-On dealers usually have trade-ins. Probably 40% off the new price if they are a few years old. They work soooo well. Would be worth checking into.

I have a US General ball bearing cabinet from Harbor Freight that I've owned for close to 20 years. It's has been awesome and held up to a lot more use than your average homeowner would put one theough, and the drawers still work like new. It's better than the old Craftsman cabinet that I have by far, and these days they're all made in China anyway, so why spend more just for the name?

Mine is a copy of My FIL's Snap-On, and having used both of them it's 95% of the quality for 1/10 the price.

Check out the Homak boxes as sold through NAPA; they occasionally have close-out models heavily discounted.

Check out there scratch and dent web site, free shipping.

Harbor freight is my go to for toolboxes. I have 3 now and would buy another if the need arises.

quote:

Originally posted by aileron:
Check out the Homak boxes as sold through NAPA; they occasionally have close-out models heavily discounted.

I have a 41 inch set of Homak lower and upper boxes and they are great. I got them at Northern Tool. They were on sale for around $850.00 for the set. They are a solid box and are in perfect shape after years in my garage.

I bought a consumer grade Husky 46" box (top & bottom)at Home Depot for around $700. Its been a great box for many years. Its easy to tell its not a professional box, but it never gets moved around and I'm not working out of it day in and day out. If i had the space, I'd buy a second one without hesitation.

Twenty years ago I bought the brand from Home Depot. It's served me well over the years. Having said that, I would head to Harbor Freight if I ever needed another one. Better quality and less money.

I hate to agree but Harbor Freight's boxes may be one of their most impressive products.

My harbor freight 56" is a series 2, so lacks some of the fancy stuff the newer boxes have. It seems well built enough for a home user. Some of the interior isn't powder coated, but if you aren't sticking your head in the box to look you'll never see it(got a look while bolting on the top box). I do like the full width drawers on the series 3 boxes. I can't get all my sockets into the drawer on mine, but that is partially because of my chosen socket storage rails. Westling makes pretty stuff and its functional too, but it does waste a bit of space. The taller lid on the top box will allow you to keep batteries and chargers in the box as well. And I like that they removed the chrome trim on the new boxes.
I know you said a 40" box, bit it's kinda like a gun safe. You really should buy bigger Tham u think you'll need. I've pretty much filled my 56 and am feeling like i should've bought the 72. I also like the color options on the new boxes.

Costco

I've been pleased with my Kennedy for over 40 years. Didn't get the red, I got the brown color.

Probably smaller than your needs, but I bought a red and black 26" Craftsman toolbox combo (top chest / bottom chest w/rollers) from Lowes for just under $500 earlier this year. Made in USA. Not the same quality as 30 years ago, but it suits my needs. I looked at HF, but decided on this deal.

Wolfe,

Funny you should say that. I’ve already “negotiated” a new gun safe for the house with the wife! I may likely go for the larger one. I’ll go to HF this weekend to look at them.

I just got a US General 27" roller and top (Series 3). HF was running a 20% coupon on storage and I took advantage. As others have said, watch the coupons and jump on them quickly!