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Shop tool chest questions

Pt_Ranger_v8

Pt_Ranger_v8

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Looking at a harbor freight toolbox for the (farm) shop.

It's not going to be moved once it's in place.

Icon vs Hercules vs Yukon?

Probably just get a 72" top & bottom chest.


So what's the better buy for the price? Is there something better in the sub $3k range? When do they go on sale the most?
 
It'd be us general vs icon.


I bought the usg earlier this year when they went on clearance. No way I could justify nearly double the price for icon.

I think you can still get the series 2 on clearance right now. May even be able to stack one of the elusive 25% coupons of you can get your hands on one.
 
I bought the top and bottom 56” USG boxes last year and am happy with them. These were series 2 so idk what the new series 3 improves on. I’d say it feels plenty sturdy, the only thing I’m not totally stoked on is the latch release for opening the drawers but it’s not that big of a deal.
 
I saw they have a big box on sale this weekend. Might be a member club thing, but it was a few hundred off so it’d be worth joining just for that. I think they had a one item 25% coupon.
 
Pt_Ranger_v8 said:
Looking at a harbor freight toolbox for the (farm) shop.

It's not going to be moved once it's in place.

Icon vs Hercules vs Yukon?

Probably just get a 72" top & bottom chest.


So what's the better buy for the price? Is there something better in the sub $3k range? When do they go on sale the most?
Click to expand...
I bought the ICON for my personal use, the US General is a great box, I just didn't like the latch release. If the latch was a detent rather than the slide lock I would have looked real hard at it
 
flexy flatty said:
I bought the top and bottom 56” USG boxes last year and am happy with them. These were series 2 so idk what the new series 3 improves on.
Click to expand...
I bought a black USG Series 2 56" box last year. I somewhat wish I waited for the Series 3 just because I really like the slate grey color.

Other than that, I'm not sure I'm really missing that much. I store my rechargeable tools elsewhere, so the power drawer isn't a big deal. The full width latch would be nice. The single point locking would be nice. The two full width drawers would be nice. But none of those are really anything I'd consider exchanging my Series 2 for.

The ICON is definitely a step up, but also nearly three times the price. Some more drawer space, but not 3x worth...
 
Costco had some nice boxes at one time
might want to check before you pull a trigger on one
 
I keep waffling on actually buying, but I've looked enough to know Husky and Costco is about as affordable as it gets without being crap.
 
I just recently bought a 56" USG bottom cabinet after putting my hands on all the boxes in that price range. Husky, Milwaukee, Kobalt. The USG is just a nicer, better built box imo. Its way better than my 25 year old Snap On box that is severely overloaded. I do like the full length latch on the series 3 boxes..but not enough to pay like $300 more so S2 it is. Almost all the S2 rollers are clearance these days so good deals to be had.
 
I'm in the market since my current Craftsman had a drawer open underneath a tire and I lowered my buggy on the hoist twisting the shit out of it. :mad3::flipoff: JohnnyJ sent me a coupon for the 46" box but I'm thinking I want the 52". Just not sure I want to spend another couple hundy for it. I need take the time to think through how I want to reorganize my shop. Thinking I may wait till Black Friday sales.
 
That's what I'm waiting on - black Friday.


I really just want to pay for it and have it dropped off - 1K miles away as an early Christmas present
 
Huge fan of US General first gen boxes that I have. I'd have a hard time justifying spending more, despite the clumsy latches.
 
Looking at the current USG vs. comparable current Husky, I just don't see the Husky winning. It seems that to get better quality than the USG, you're paying significantly more for Husky, Craftsman, etc.
 
Get the US General. I spent more time than I should have looking over the differences in the box store tool boxes. Most are so similar, if they are made in the same factory and sold under different labels I'd be really surprised.

I've got two mechanic style carts (they get moved a lot) and a Yukon bench that hold my lathe (mostly stationary). Taking care during assembly is key. Lock-tite the bolts. Reinforce the casters if you know it's going to have a heavy load. Of the three I have the worst is the one the store assembled.
 
I’ve been looking hard at the Husky and US general boxes. I’m mostly torn on what size to get. Local HF has a 72” series 3 in stock as well as the 56” in series 2 or 3. Home Depot has all of the Husky sizes in stock, but most of the in store ones look beat already.

My observation, either brand will do what I want, and likely last me a lifetime. I’m not a professional mechanic, I just work on my own junk. The US General steel feels less flimsy than the equivalent Husky, but it cost around $300-600 more for a series 3 than the Husky box. I messed around with the crank top on the 72” husky, and while a cool feature when new, I question how long it will actually work.
 
Aggie06 said:
I’ve been looking hard at the Husky and US general boxes. I’m mostly torn on what size to get. Local HF has a 72” series 3 in stock as well as the 56” in series 2 or 3. Home Depot has all of the Husky sizes in stock, but most of the in store ones look beat already.

My observation, either brand will do what I want, and likely last me a lifetime. I’m not a professional mechanic, I just work on my own junk. The US General steel feels less flimsy than the equivalent Husky, but it cost around $300-600 more for a series 3 than the Husky box. I messed around with the crank top on the 72” husky, and while a cool feature when new, I question how long it will actually work.
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There's a huge difference in quality between anything from HD and the USG boxes. Nobody else can touch what you get from USG for the money. Worth the few hundred $$ extra, IMO.
 
bgaidan said:
There's a huge difference in quality between anything from HD and the USG boxes. Nobody else can touch what you get from USG for the money. Worth the few hundred $$ extra, IMO.
Click to expand...
That’s my consensus after looking at the over the past few days. I also like the quality of side lockers and top boxes that can be added to the US General boxes vs the husky.

I’ve had one of the 5 drawer mechanic carts for a few years. It’s held up well to being woefully overloaded its whole life.
 
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I have both. The husky has the doodads that appeal to those who need fancy up to date kinda stuff. The HF boxes just flat work. If it explains it, over time, the things I use the most have migrated to the HF box simply because the drawers work better and are easier to use. If I was replacing a box, the husky would hit the dumpster/craigslist and I would buy another HF box.
 
I ended up with a 72" series 2 for $1K off the marketplace. It wasn't new, but it might as well be.

PXL_20231031_002820762.jpg




Now on the hunt for a matching length top, but I may end up with an icon or series 3 scratch and dent.
 
Menards' Masterforce is (or at least used to be) a Montezuma box made exclusively for Menards.

If you've got a Menards within a few hours of you, I'd pick it over the HF options, it's at least as good as the US General and the drawer latches kick ass.

1699372512035.jpeg



I wish they had more color options, they used to. I've had a red 36" bottom box for about 12 years, I love it, and would like to get a 41" or 56" to sit next to it. Red is no longer a color choice though.

Search Results at Menards®

Organize your tools with our selection of tool chests and boxes, available in a variety of styles.
www.menards.com www.menards.com
 
I've been burned too many times by Menards shit. They do have some occasional jewels, but most everything is trash in that store.
 
Pt_Ranger_v8 said:
I ended up with a 72" series 2 for $1K off the marketplace. It wasn't new, but it might as well be.

PXL_20231031_002820762.jpg




Now on the hunt for a matching length top, but I may end up with an icon or series 3 scratch and dent.
Click to expand...
26 or 56 on top of the 72 gives you a nice horizontal surface to work pile up other shit you don't actually need.

1699375419183.png
 
Pt_Ranger_v8 said:
I've been burned too many times by Menards shit. They do have some occasional jewels, but most everything is trash in that store.
Click to expand...
I probably romanticize it a little, but Menards and Schmidt's are about the only thing I miss about Columbus, OH.

Southern MO is the closest Menards, so not really convenient for me. They announced plans for one in Joplin a few years ago, I got excited about that, as we're in NWA pretty often. I think those plans got shelved or canceled during covid though.
 
I like Menards, but they are like the harbor freight of home improvement. Much better prices, but... quality to match too.

Still a preferred stormy weekend day activity ... wander around menards.
 
Does anyone have enough experience with the US genera series 2 vs. 3 to see if the added cost is justified?

Local store has some of the 44” series 2 boxes in stock for $349 or the 56” series 3 for $899. I was wanting to find a used series 2 72” but they’re like hens teeth in store.
 
If you can get the Series 2 at the clearance price it'd be really hard to justify paying extra for a series 3. Most of the change is in the looks (black vs. chrome trim) and I think the drawer latches work from anywhere along the handle instead of just the side.
 
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