Harbor Freight Tool Cabinet

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by cct1, Mar 21, 2011.

  1. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    Just a heads up for anyone looking for an affordable tool cabinet. I've been looking for awhile, and finally found a good one at a great price. I've given up on Craftsman; I have one, and, well, it's an overpriced piece of junk. I really can't justify forking out a grand for a snap on cabinet. Masterforge makes some nice heavy cabinets too, but I couldn't find one at a decent price.

    I'd heard harborfreight had some decent cabinets on sale, so I figured what the hell, I'll drive up to Appleton and check them out (Didn't want to buy one sight unseen online). And, although I was skeptical, I have to admit, the U.S. General cabinets are the bomb. They are HEAVY--built out of steel, have very good bearings on the cabinets--drawers slide easily, and the drawers can handle a ton of weight, unlike the Craftsman I have. Completely assembled, except for the handle, which takes a minute to install. Nice touch--all the shelves have a nice lining on the inside, so you're not dropping tools on the metal.

    Here's the one I bought--13 drawers of goodness, $369.00. Nothing comes close for this price (I've been shopping around awhile). I've seen cabinets twice as much as this that I seriously doubt will hold up as well.

    Anyway, they're on sale until the end of the month.

    Here's the one I bought:

    13 Drawer Red Roller Cabinet

    The picture doesn't do it much justice. It looks much nicer in the flesh.
     
  2. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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  3. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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  4. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    Me too:lol:

    Mark
     
  5. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    Mark--that one is nice too--saw it at the store. It wasn't what I needed, but if that's what you're looking for, it's MUCH sturdier than the similar offering from Sears (with nicer drawers, lined too, unlike Sears, which is a nice touch), and about half the price.

    If I didn't already have my smaller crappy craftsman cabinet, I've have been sorely tempted to pick that cabinet you're looking at too. It's got a very nice powder coat finish, looks better in person than in the picture.
     
  6. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    OK, I'm going to stop at Harbor Freight on my way home from work tomorrow:Thumbsup:

    Mark
     
  7. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    If you want a real quality box, I got one of these from Costco - I paid about $650 and it's the most well made box I've seen. Heavy too - over 600lbs empty. All stainless...

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    If I had stupid money I'd be buying Lista brand tool boxes.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

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    [​IMG]

    This one will work well for detailing stuff, and a few tools:D

    Mark
     
  10. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

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    Or something like this for detailing

    [​IMG]

    $50
     
  11. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    I've got the Rubbermaid version of that, was afraid if the metal one rolls into the car it's over :eek6:
     
  12. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

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    Good point! Think they do have a Rubbermaid knockoff as well, of course more expensive than metal :crazy:but worth it

    Considering the lenghts I go to to make sure my MINI maintains no door dings from others it would be the irony of ironies to put one in myself!
     
  13. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    Love those stainless steel boxes--that's similar to the one at Sears, but the one at Sears was so overrpriced (even on sale) I chuckled when I looked at it. I wanted something that I could use the top of for work space, so that was out. I checked Costco recently, and ours didn't have anything that would work. Costco is hit or miss in our area; I always check them out though, when they do have something, it's usually good quality and good price..
     
  14. Batrugger

    Batrugger New Member

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    I have both of the harbor freight rolling carts and they are well worth the money. There is a lot of assembly needed though.
     
  15. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    Mine came fully assembled, and it still had the wooden crate around it--they must be assembling them in the factory now.


    EDIT: That was the cabinet though, maybe the carts aren't assembled
     
  16. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    I really like mine, the drawer slides are smooth as glass and the whole box has a real quality feel to it. Like I said, very heavy tho - over 600lbs before you stuff it full of tools!

    They are hit or miss as to having them in stock, and they all don't look like this, some have a different drawer arrangement. I didn't really need another tool box, but compared to the cheezy cheap craftsman I was using, this was in a whole 'nother league! And a great buy for the price, especially as it's all stainless....
     
  17. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

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    I went back to HarborFreight site and they do not have a 3 shelf plastic one, think the 3 shelf would lend itself to detailing better than 2. Perhaps retrofit some bumpers? choices, choices
     
  18. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    You could buy some of those foam pipe insulation tubes, wrap them around the legs and over the edges of the trays, that should do it, and it will be inexpensive.
     
  19. TGS91

    TGS91 New Member

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    That was along the lines of what I was thinking

    Thanks Dave!
     
  20. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    That would really suk! I got mine from the last place I worked at when they were closing down cause they are expensive for what they are.
     

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