Best Budget Tool Cabinet Buyer's Guide (Harbor Freight, Huskey, Craftsman & More!)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Best Budget Tool Cabinet Buyer's Guide (Harbor Freight, Huskey, Craftsman & More!)
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Links*
Yukon 46" 9 Drawer: bit.ly/3qn4C7l
Yukon 46" 2 Door: bit.ly/3H8TpNC
US General 44": bit.ly/30cHSfv
Craftsman 41" 7 Drawer: low.es/2ORktH6
Craftsman 41" 10 Drawer: low.es/3H3l2rr
Craftsman 52" 10 Drawer: low.es/3vwR8Xf
Husky 42" 10 Drawer: homedepot.sjv....
Husky 46" 9 Drawer: homedepot.sjv....
Stanley 41" 7 Drawer: homedepot.sjv....
Husky 46" Extension Top: homedepot.sjv....
Husky 46" w/Power Station: homedepot.sjv....
Husky 41" 11 Drawer: homedepot.sjv....
Husky 52" 10 Drawer: homedepot.sjv....
Hart 36" 5 Drawer: bit.ly/306GCKD
Rural King 46": bit.ly/3qoj0fh
Performax 40": bit.ly/31R0nGZ
Performax 41": bit.ly/3kmLpyu
Spreadsheet: docs.google.co...
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well i'll just build my own. (*strolls down the plywood aisle whistling. *circles around casually.). so how much were these boxes going for again?
That's funny ! 50+ a sheet of 1/2 plywood
@@michaelkolbe5963 you should see the prices here on Hawaii. It’s way cheaper to buy stuff than build stuff now.
i remember when the US general 44" was like 250 bucks. sad to see it at almost 600. those are used snappy prices.
I know. Crazy to see that Yukon at $400. That’s what I bought my 44 us general for
I bought my 44 inch bottom box for $350 and $250 for the top, 4 years ago. It's crazy seeing them at these prices.
I have a old Craftsman 8 drawer with no ball bearing slides and no wheels. I grease the slides about every 10 years. I replaced the top 3 or 4 times. I paid 99 bucks for it. I'll take a few more of these!
Non ball bearing has not held up for me as an everyday auto tech. Unfortunately thy just can't handle the weight of the tools and amount of abuse they take
@@CalebsCars yes I agree. The grease really helps alot. The amount of effort to open the drawers is the indication that the slides need to be greased. Hmmm, I'll look into some full extension ball bearing ones. 👍
I might have the same one since I bought mine about 10 years ago on a black Friday sale and it's the worst ever 🤣🤣 I need to upgrade with a sturdier box
It was a little flimsier than I expected. I had to add a 2x2 piece of wood to the bottom on the rear side in order to stabilize it better th-cam.com/users/postUgkxXTh-lz-8W6GcB219vTLp27-MxbZYObBX . It is also starting to bow a little at the outer wall ( I've had it up for about 6 months), I've already had a shelf tumble down because of the bow and the fact that the little shelf brackets are quite short. I went out to home depot and got some longer ones so that the shelves don't tumble down again. Overall, it looks very nice for the price and it holds a lot ( I use it as a pantry). I am very satisfied with my purchase. I just strongly suggest reinforcing it before putting it up.
I’m looking to pick up 2 of these boxes and will be going with the Husky 46” version. The 3 reasons are the 24” depth, the included power strip, and the build quality. The main one is the 24” depth as I will be using it as a workspace and 18” is just too narrow.
I love mine. It's my first tool chest so I have no frame of reference other than going from a very messy workshop to a less messy one, but it feels well built. Love the wood top. I was so amazed how much stuff I could fit in it.
Yes, please. I would like to see a mid tier tool cabinets.
Got the 42 in Husky and all they had was the floor model so I got 50 bucks off. Love it, still a good amount of space, casters are nice, and love the power strip.
Same, got mine for $225 after all the discounts I got. I love the size.
The husky 42 inch for 298 was 248 last year for black friday , I like them still good value I think.
One thing I hate about a lot of the newer workbench and tool chest combos is the lack of wide drawers.
This is crazy just got my first mechanic job and need to get a cheap tool cart and this shows up, thank you!!
Husky FTW. HF no longer the defacto choice for budget minded tool cart buyer
Thank goodness I got the 44in US General this spring for 399. Out of my price range now.
Yeah, do the mid tier toolboxes. My choice for the workstation would be the 46" Husky, that 6" extra depth seals the deal for me. However, when they went from 18 to 24 they made several other improvements that surpassed the HF Yukon box. Do they still build them like the improved version was?
Husky boxes are build cheaper than us general
I'm tempted to take up metalworking and start building my own!
I love that the internet gives us subject matter experts for niche stuff. Tool Bear is THE authority on tool carts. When I pull the trigger I won't have to do the ciphering myself.
For those interested NAPA is selling a similar black 9 drawer cabinet with a power-strip for $350, it is pert near a spittin' image of the Husky version. The part number is BK 3151423. Their box is 18" deep, but what is odd the headline on the website says the box is 46" wide, but in the specs further down the width measurement is in cm at 125.5 which is almost 50 inches, I reckon that includes the handle. But the specs do not indicate that. I cain't believe the price of the 44" US General box now. My local HF has it advertised for almost $620! Oh yeah, the NAPA version is out of stock also.
They’ve gone up a lot at HF
Check out the Seville Classic workbench cabinet at Sam’s Club. May not be for everyone but for the money, it is primo!
Hello again Red
Thank you for another Great Video. Yes, please do another video on the mid-tier tool boxes. I have a Craftsman 9-drawer box. But it's time to go a little bigger. I use mine for work as a Aircraft Mechanic. The empty weight of the box is very important. Due the lack of a forklift. That's probably the best feature of the 9-drawer Craftsman tool box. Again thank you
Love my Husky 46" box, and that extra 6" of depth is more than worth the price difference if you have the extra room for it. I bought mine last black Friday, $300 minus 10% for Vet Discount. Have no regrets so far!
These new prices this year are crazy!
I missed that deal and kept waiting for it to go on sale again. I finally paid $400. It's great.
I just bought my 3rd Yukon 9-drawer from HF on sale for $319. They go on sale pretty often. I also opened a HF card just to get another 10% off, so before tax my price was $287. I love these cabinets, the build quality is excellent for the price. I do wish they came in 24" depth, but then I'm sure the price would be $50+ more.
Please do the mid tier tool boxes. I will definitely watch as this years market is absurd.
I’m going to get the 299 husky as I have the us general 5 drawn tool tech cart, then I’m going to remove the drawers portion and put it on top like a mini tool chest.
You were so right when you mentioned "prices shoot up and they float back down." You even forecasted "in 1.5yrs, 2yrs, maybe we'll start seeing reasonable prices again" and so far your prognostication has been correct. Prices for these tool storage units continue to remain ludicrously bloated (extremely high). Anyway, I suppose if you have to buy something now, the only sensible thing to do is buy something high quality and try to find a deal on a "free money" financing option (0.00% APR for 12-24 months) to offset the high sticker prices. Not to mention, by paying over time you are able to earn interest on those retained dollars (average ~4.75% high yield savings rate). Thus helping offset your monthly payments with the income generated in that savings account.
Been there last month with storage cubbies for my cargo trailer. Did the old turn around mid-store. I couldn't even justify the plus of acquiring a new tool in the building process.
Bear the prices have been crazy. Back in 2019 Lowe's and Home Depot gave me the deals to buy 2 types of tool Boxes at a bargain in that time frame. The Husky 48' 9 drawer, bought it on Black Friday for $199 just seen the same one at my home depot(2021) for $469. The Kobalt 41-in W x 22.5-in H 9-Drawer Steel Tool Chest $523 (Just the Top), I got it for 640 with tax (Top and bottom = Pre-Black Friday Sales) Lowes at the time was throwing the sales on tool boxes. It crazy some deals will never come back.
You should do a video comparison of all toolboxes no matter the tier. I want to see what the icon is comparable to in actuality.
i just boought the 46in 24 in husky ...im not disappointed or happy....i just have regret not getting a better tool chest last year for less money.
Fyi inflation never goes back to the way it was, if you keep hoping for prices to go down the why it was it'll be double and you'll have to pay out the nose for something you NEED.
start buying things you need or might need when they go on sale now or be that guy who pays full price on everything at the worse times.
I think this is the new normal. If you want it you are going to have to pay the new price. I would like to see a mid-tier box video. Thanks BEAR...
Harbor freight could own that market again if they would take off $100 or more on their boxes. Or look into bringing in boxes from other countries.
Bringing in boxes from other countries? You do realize the "US General" boxes have quite a trip here on the big boat from China right??
Love my HF US General 56 x 22". Wish they made it a bit deeper like 24 or 30". The specs listed are the outside dimensions. Inside the drawer is only 19.5" deep. I had to cut the ends off my 19.7" Tekton socket trays to make them fit. I have many tools that are 24" long and they only fit sideways. Measure what you plan to put in the box and buy the size you need. The HF 72" boxes are nice but those real big ones are hard to move. I plan to buy another 56" when the one I have is full.
Please do a tool chest box combo. I hvaent seen anything for this year.
I have been looking at lowes, harbor freight and home depot. I was set on craftsman until i saw the Milwaukee and husky at home depot. Milwaukee tool chest with work bench hands down best 61".
I love using the extension honey to see price history and seeing all the harbor freight stuff go UP in price for "black friday" so then when you use your coupon you still arent even paying original msrp, I was looking at the 26 inch single bay us general, was 300 now is 350 for black friday
It almost seems that waiting for the harbor freight unrestricted 20% off coupons are the best bet as far as these go.
These videos are so helpful, thank you! There are so many variations of these cabinets that keep coming and going.
The huskys are 24 wide while harbor freight is only 18 picked up the husky 46 for 398
Of course we want you to do a video on mid-tier toolboxes. It might even be a chance to mention an Australian made product - DSM !! 😉 Check them out. They might be too expensive though, but their quality is pretty good. I dont own one (yet) but I want one.
I bought a 2nd Olympia 46" 9 drawer for $229 @ Rural King, on Dec 24, 2020. I bought 2 of those, versus one lower cabinet from HF.
Yes please do a mid-tier tool box review. I am looking for more space. Also if you can find deals on stainless, I would like to match my Kobalt I got for cheap
I've got a kennedy 44" I picked up used for $200. A US general 4 drawer cart, a 5 drawer cart with side cabinet, and a kennedy machinist box. The big kennedy holds specialty and spare tools, the 4 drawer cart is mill tools and work holding, the 5 drawer has all my mechanic tools, and the machinist box holds my measuring tools. Total invested is around $1100 over a few years. Way more invested in tools, but I've been more than happy with the US general carts, the 4 drawer has probably 150lbs of vises and rotary tables plus generic milling tools.
I'd probably go with the 52" husky. It's tough to pick them over us general because of the quality difference but I don't see that lineup as the great value it used to be
What quality difference? I've seen both and right now would pick husky over us General everytime. I use the 52 Husky daily at work and it's a solid box, and is better than the us General IMHO.
The 52 husky is very nice and I'd pick that over any of these. I worked with a guy that had a ton of weight in one and really liked it. I bought the 40" stack that's from the same line as the one in the video and had multiple problems in the first year due to thin metal and weak slides. This one has smaller drawers so it probably will hold up better than mine did
Dang, wish I knew about that all black Husky with the bins for $440 though. I love the all black look and got the all black Husky 46" for $449. I know, I paid full price, but don't regret it, love the box.
I know that I'm late to this dance but thanks for all the great information its been very helpful and I realize that I can't have it all so I'll end up going with what the wallet will allow for now...
Thanks for you knowledge and experience it really helped 👍... have a great day...
Happy I got one of the husky 24 inch deep carts a couple of years ago.
I just unboxed my Kobalt 9 drawer from last year. So glad I purchased it last year. Power strip, soft close. I will say not as good as HB US General too cart though. Assuming the work bench is same craftsmanship.
I have the husky cabinet with wood top full size and has been great. Major reason was it was 22" depth
I like the Husky colors but the US General series 2 quality.
I like the White color because in Marine service engine rooms are mostly White for multiple different reasons; like more light and easy to spot any issues.
lol on some Mega Yachts there is White Carpet in the engine rooms for owner inspection lol.
I was gonna ask if you looked at menards but boy oh boy they skyrocketed!
Yes please do a mid tier more of a cabinet style tool storage video.
Really appreciate the indepth reviews and price analysis. Thanks for the spreadsheet.
"What's four inches?"
So many dirty jokes could be made.
People sleep on Masterforce boxes from Menards.
Ehh, I guess those aren't "budget" compared to some of these others.
Please put a video together on higher price point boxes Started looking at the HF up to $1k, but would prefer a made in USA (even if smaller).
Let’s go Brandon…!!!
Glad you included the US General 64954. I got it for $400 on 12/9. The list price was 499 but got $100 for joining the Club. I went shopping with my wife and she was drawn to the US Gen and with the discount she really liked it. Was limited on color and got the Orange on5. Should see it on Jan 2 2022. Thanks again.
I’ve
Please do a video on garage storage. Either using specific systems or creative setups. But keep focus on budget. I have been looking for garage storage for my at home professional detail shop. I just can't decide between size budget or quality. I would love to find something in between. That Goldilocks set up as you would say. I would appreciate it. I am a long time fan of your channel and like how thorough you are in your reviews.
You should do a video on larger toolboxes.
All this data, plus a spreadsheet? You rock!
I would love to see a mid tier tool box video hopefully including some Homak and Sunex stuff
The HF 9 drawer was $349 like 2 weeks ago.
Hmm I have an extra set of husky castors I took off of one of those 48” boxes…I may have to pickup that foldout one and swap swivels onto all 4
Make a 2023. I used the lowes card and did the 46" Kobalt - x18" . It's a terrible market! 425$ with tax by getting the lowest card. They're not very tall drawers either. I'd prefer keeping my tools in their blow moulded cases. In 2018 $ 500- I was getting a 52"×24" for $500. 😮 The Kobalt in the black with purple looking handles is the best looking box but it is tiny!
Can't beat a General they been around a long time ! Great boxes !
Feeling pretty glad I got a really big Montezuma workbench drawer thing a few years ago for Christmas from Menards black Friday. That said, these more mobile carts look pretty tempting, might have to get one.
Latest Menards ad said last 11% of the year.
I can never remember which one is higher up, weekend warriors or diy...
My home Depot had six 46 x18 boxes yesterday at 348 bucks. I bought one.
I want the lowes 600$ tool cabinet. I'm invested in the kobolt line so i think ill support that line any way i can
I've been comparing these myself lately. Ended up grabbing the husky 46 inch 14 drawer cabinet/ chest combo for 550 in store yesterday and am quite pleased!
Was almost gonna pull trigger on husky with the extra cubbies then sold out.
Btw the hart is 367 locally to me.
Thanks for the vid red
It not just new, I don’t know if you have hit up market place/Craig’s list recently but prices there are crazy as well.
That 52" 10-drawer Husky is a bad @$$ box for the price. 19 gauge steel, nice soft close drawer slides, nice and smooth, well worth the money.
I know this video is a year old but if I could make a suggestion if you do this kind of thing again (and yeah, prices have gone up again on some of these)...
The better Husky models have those soft-close drawer slides that at least give the impression of quality. When you get close enough to closing the drawer, it pulls it in all the way.
If I recall correctly, the harbor freight brands don't have that feature- but I haven't checked them all so I could be wrong.
So, my rambling, somewhat incoherent point is, all other things being equal- size, number of drawers, weight capacity, etc. - there are some other things that might be worth paying a little extra and to me, the Husky seems to be a better quality unit than the harbor freight ones.
And, it looks like some are on sale for this memorial day weekend.
Video on tool carts. Carts with hutch top or sliding top. Great for shops
Best toolboxes to buy are Masterforce!!! I have the biggest upper and lower box from Menards and it’s the same price of a Milwaukee or Husky box… and those boxes from Home Depot are same price but lack quality, size and self locking drawers
I'm a day weekender. I've found harbor freight is tge store I end up going to. I hv drills and impacts all bauer. I think bauer is a good compromise between quality for the price. I hv many hand tools and a 5 drawer cart I got for 200 on sale!
I bought the 9 drawer Yukon in December 2019 for 300 for my brother. Wish I had bought myself one as well.
Do a review of the Hyper Tough 20 inch tool chest. They're the cheapest and smallest tool box set a person can buy.
just went to walmart today in pensacola and they had the larger heard cabnet on sale for 350 something. I'm not sure its the same as you have on here but it had the wood top on it. they had a whole display with several heart items in the isle.
Bear definitely do a mid tier even top tier like up to 1k box deals. I know cheap stuff is nice but often times people want a nice box that will last their lifetime and sometimes those bigger boxes like the 70 incher ones might actually be a better deal down the line not having to buy 2 of the entry level boxes.
Love to see a review or opinions on styrke tool boxes? only snap on competitor
Thanks, I just became in the market for one of these. Well requested, anonymous viewer.
I got the 46x24 husky box, love it.
Bear, you said you would do a spreadsheet of features and value etc. Please include spec on metal gauge thickness too.
How are casters attached and overall finish etc. These items vary wildly and don't always reflect in the price.
Looking as Master Force from Menards, they command very high price but have very light gauge steel.
Yukon uses a large cap screw into well nut for casters, HUSKY uses sheet metal screws... and on and on. These are important matters that I wish you and other reviewers would look at when you assess the value of one cabinet over another.
Thank you.
I'm pretty sure that today both husky and Yukon use the riv nuts. I thought about including the gauge of sheet metal but there is no consistent gauge across the board. Each piece might have four or five different gauges of sheet metal used in it depending on where it's located. On top of that it's almost more important what the quality of the steel is then the gauge of the steel.
@@denoftools I just picked up the husky 42” to use in my reloading room and it did have rivnuts for mounting the wheels, seemed pretty well built for the price.
Yes, please do the mid-tier comparison
The Yukon is not worth that price. I have one, it's just ok. I like the husky with adjustable top.
I love your opinion, so mid tier boxes would be cool.
Yukon is still a good choice.
The wood top is actually bolted on.
Yes I would love to see the mid tier comparison.
I gave up buying anything but Holiday Decorations from Menard's. Home Depot and Lowe's get my money for one major reason I get the Veterans Discount plus if it's on sale I get it also. I have hated Menard for their mail in rebates. Why can't they do instant discounts, they know most people will misplace the receipt and never use it so you never get the discount, so screw Menard's.
BOTTOM LINE..... The BEST "Bang For Your Buck" is the husky HD 52" wide Chest Combo! All of the way around. I went and looked at all of the big box store chest including the crap at HF (They were good in my opinion) and the Husky took the cake. Every every way..
The US General is the best bet. I have the 44 inch series 1 top and bottom, and it's much better than all those other ones. You talk about the build quality of the Craftsman, but the rest of the big box store boxes have almost the same exact build quality.
Not true. I have both a Crapsman and Husky 52" and it's night and day difference in quality. Apparently you haven't actually seen the husky in person, it's a much more solid box. The drawer slides are 10x smother, they close 10x better, the trim is nicer, the sheet metal is thicker, the casters roll better, and it just plain feels like a much better box, and is a better choice than us General by far.
@@zackhaas3267 no. I looked at both of them the other day at the stores. There's no difference.
I felt the prices were ridiculous, but i sucked it up and got 2 52" huskies and a 36" work cart. My garage is outta control and i can't takes it no more! Looks like my timing stinks though.
I hope Santa brings me one of these for my garage!!!!
You should look at the new DieHard line of power tools coming out at Advance Auto Parts
Handful of years back I came home with a new Craftsman kit at a great deal. Told my step dad all about it and he patiently waited for me to end the story and he then a few days later he mentions he got his for 20$ used. And I had been babying it like he spent his first paycheck on it 😆 🤣
gauge of steel used in manufacture should be a factor to consider in the price point. the benefit of soft close doors is if your tools aren't stored edge to edge then they won't roll around as the drawers will never slam, of close quickly, shut.
just remembered, should consider if the drawers are full extension. also, how do the drawers latch/unlatch
the Hart 36"x24" box at walmart for $350 is also a solid piece in this category.
Yeah, I just wish they'd offer more sizes. Right now Walmart only does the 20 inch Hyper Tough (wish it could be locked) and the 36 inch Hart.
Video on service carts would be nice
Hi Bear, you did a previous video where you you compared buying versus building, but were disappointed at the quality and corner cutting. With the new pricing, would you still buy versus building?
Mechanics generally use the large drawer for sockets, and they're standing up. The husky boxes they're too short. I've been looking at boxes wishing I'd have bought last year before they went up so much. The US General 72" was 1100, now its 1500. If you're saying they're priced like a mid tier now but don't have the build quality - what should I be looking at instead?
Believe it or not TH-cam channels that show you the deals are actually helping companies to justify a raise in price each year.
Yes do the Mechanic Toolbox video pls