Looking to upgrade my 20+ year old 26” Craftsman tool chest. While it’s served me well for many years it’s just too small (has been for years). I’d love to have a unit that has the built in power ports for charging and top storage of battery powered hand tools. Looking at the 37” and 46” width units.

Not looking to break the bank as it’s not my
Livelihood, just want something of decent quality that will last for some time.

Suggestions on brands that have served you well and insight into recent build quality.

Thanks all!

I have been getting very positive reports about Harbor Freight's U.S. General line.

Very nicely priced and reported to be better than the current Craftsman line and every bit the equal of, if not better than, Home Depot's Husky line.

I've been eyeballing a Husky Industral Tool Cabinet for a couple of years. It's made out of 18 gauge steel and has ball bearing slides. I just haven't been able to justify the cost yet.

I have a couple of the Harbor Freight U.S. General boxes, they are great. I would not hesitate to get another if I needed one.

My brother in law works at Home Depot. He bought the US General boxes for his home use.

No personal experience with them here.

I have had a U.S. General for over a decade now and it has worked great.
https://www.harborfreight.com/...binet-red-64281.html

Steel is thicker than my Craftsman and the slides are just as smooth.
I have a underside truck box attached to the top full of ammo. The weight does not bother it at all.
I removed the casters and built a platform for it to sit on and it is rock solid.

I have had this Masterforce unit from Menards for about 10 years. Has been good for me.



If you need mobility the Milwaukee Packout line is pretty solid.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I have been getting very positive reports about Harbor Freight's U.S. General line.

Happy with mine. Of course it just sits there. Seems well made.

I bought the 56" with a 14.5" End Cabinet. SAE on one side and Metric on the other end. Watch for sales and coupons.

If you’re in no rush, check the usual suspects for any display models they’re getting rid of and you might come out super cheap on the deal.

I had this issue pop into my mind two weeks ago. My 26" Craftsman is becoming too small. I thought upgrading to a 37" or 42" but it won't fit in the little spot I have. My box has to fit in one spot in my single car garage to make room for my four post lift (humble brag). What I found effect was to make room elsewhere for tools I seldom use but take up room and weight within my Craftsman.

I too was leaning toward US General from HF. Solid. I also found some good deals on used professional level boxes on FB Marketplace or Craigslist.

Screw the Chinese (US General). Get a Waterloo.

One thing I've noticed is they look impressive, but are not as big as they seem.

Costs are cut by making them shallow in depth.

The front to back depth is cut by design as a cost saving measure.

Be sure to open the drawers and visualize how much space is available for your tools from front to back. You might even be able to grab some tools and put them in the drawers as a visual aid.

Of course your available space at home or your shop will dictate how big you can go.

Be sure to look at the weight load limit rating on the drawers. It doesn’t take much to exceed a 100 pound drawer limit with sockets and wrenches.

Good luck to you.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OKCGene,

I shopped pawn shops for a couple months for mine
Finally found an early 70’s 14 drawer snap-on for $250. Needed a good clean but my son will end up with it

I would be very tempted to shop around for a good used QUALITY toolbox....i.e. Snapon, old model Craftsman, etc. The old boxes were really built well.

I have this one from Husky. I am very happy with the value.

I have the same Husky unit Ryanp
225 has only in black. NO issues and I would purchase again.

Husky from Home Depot offers some good deals on rolling tool chests.

Husky 36" in red.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hu...121/306928304?NCNI-5

Husky 41" in black.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hu...ALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

The red one was on sale for $448 this Summer. If you need a bigger box, buy two and end up with 72" for a grand.

Big Husky fan, but really prefer the heavy duty “industrial” models.
Right now supply of these is short as with many manufactured items.
Waiting on a 52 inch combo unit with 12 in deep bottom drawers fir bigger power tools.

Another vote for the cheaper Husky line. I’ve got a 42” tall cabinet that I’ve had for about 8 years and a 56 that I just bought last month. I don’t work out of them, I don’t load the drawers down, they won’t move unless I move to a different house, and I don’t need security. My older one still looks and functions like it did when i bought it. Not bad for $300.

FWIW, for you guys buying an old Snap On tool chest. The old ones used metal slides on the drawers. Simply metal on metal slides, no bearings. They wear out, drawer gets difficult to move in and out and goes all kattywampus in doing so.

Replacement slides are available from SnapOn parts and are EZ PZ to replace.

Newer ones use ball bearing slides and are also available from Snap On parts department and are easy and simple to replace.

If ya got an old one, don't fight and cuss it, just get some new parts.
.