Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[DFB]

That picture has about put me over the edge for buying a bunch next time they go on sale.

BUT I've four "workshops"

I've managed to line most of the interior walls with pallet racking

And I've got about 100 linear feet of what I use for "project surfaces", all have 3/4 PT plywood topped by 3/4 Masonite, and as in the pics the project surface level is about waist high. Clearance under the beams is 31.75 inches for about half of them, and 36" for the rest of them.

This is where the BUT comes in, reading the HF web site the height of the 44" (and up) wide cabinets is 40 inches plus. Not enough clearance

I would really like to be able to put a bunch in and still have the capability to roll them in and out from under the project surfaces. All the shops have nice concrete floors

However I've got one of the old HF 2 piece 27" wide combos on casters and the base unit on that is only about 28 inches high.

So my question is - does anyone know of similar rolling cabinets that are fairly wide but not higher than 36"? Northern Tool sells a 41" wide that's 38.75 inches high, close but not low enough.

I'd prefer NOT to buy a bunch of 2 piece unit just so I could slide the lower piece under.

I have seen just one a Craftsman unit has 4 " casters and says it is 32.5 inches tall

Sears.com


And there was also one 46" Husky at 36.8 tall with 5 inch wheels but could lose inch with 4" casters

Husky 46 in. 9-Drawer Black Out Mobile Workbench with Solid Wood Top-744946B - The Home Depot

Can't say anything about the quality of any those units

I do like the bench top style of tool cabinet if you have the room xtra work space never have enough table space it seems

I have a 40" Craftsman ball bearing top box and lower cabinet with self locking drawers (you lift up on the drawer handle and they open) and its pretty nice but it is tall.The lower cabinet on the 40" alone is 41"tall with the 5 inch casters wheels. Plus I have a 27" wide 3pc tower that has intermediate 4 drawer unit. I originally had the middle full width single drawer box for the 40" too but I sent it back the unit was just waay too high overall, and still I have to use a step to see into the top of either unit as it is now :laughing:

The 27 in tower only has 3 inch casters but the bigger wheels obviously can carry more weight

 

[Tonyinohio]

HF Tools That Catch Fire ... Just a Heads Up - another post in the HF forum over at Welding Web:



Has anyone here had a similar experience?

My experience with HF chop saws is that they don't have enough umph to cut through anything. I gave up before smoking was even a possibility....

 

[Tonyinohio]

I talked to a HF store manager yesterday, he told me HF opens a new store every 5 days. They must be doing something right.

I'm building 6 window boxes and after buying the lumber and tools I have less invested than buying pre-made boxes on line. I just picked up the mitre saw with slide and laser. I also picked up a set of retainer ring pliers for a different project.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I know this is a HF thread but I bought the Menards tool boxes (upper and lower roll around) in blue and it's a heck of a box. Much better built than the HF stuff.

5030;

I'm betting that the Menards boxes come from same factory, in China, as the HF boxes.

Here's one that looks identical to the HF Boxes I'm looking at.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...rawer-mobile-tool-cabinet/p-1444451680550.htm


Roller Cabinet - 44" Red Rolling Tool Cabinet w/ 13 Drawers

More expensive that same HF Box, even with their "mail in rebate", which means you pay full price and eventually Menards will send you a coupon to save money on a future purchase. So, not really a sale price.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Another HF tool that works.

14 gauge 4 Amp Heavy Duty Metal Shears

This shear works great on sheet metal but, my most common use is cutting Formica sheet for projects in my woodworking shop. I have white Formica on work surfaces, jigs, etc.

On sale for $50 but, with 20% coupon its $40. Well worth the price.

 

[5030]

..........and another one (I just sang the praises on another thread)...........HF 2500 PSI cold water pressure washer, gas powered, Pred of course. I got mine a couple years ago for 250 clams and a coupon. Runs like a top (so long as it's maintained)... Dang good buy. Aint no paint peeler, but who needs to strip paint off a tractor (or your car) for that matter.

 

[Ford850]

5030;

I'm betting that the Menards boxes come from same factory, in China, as the HF boxes.

Here's one that looks identical to the HF Boxes I'm looking at.

http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...rawer-mobile-tool-cabinet/p-1444451680550.htm


Roller Cabinet - 44" Red Rolling Tool Cabinet w/ 13 Drawers

More expensive that same HF Box, even with their "mail in rebate", which means you pay full price and eventually Menards will send you a coupon to save money on a future purchase. So, not really a sale price.

I compared them when I was buying a couple years ago. The Menard's boxes are definitely better cabinets, but cost a little more usually. When I bought mine, they were on sale. The last day of the sale was also the first day of their 11% rebate week. I got both discounts so the price was close to or lower than HF for me. After 2 years of use, I would buy them again even without the double discount. I really like the auto lock and release drawers. In the end, you get what you pay for. Both HF and Menards make cheaper boxes too (I have some of them from HF too). Menards also has some more expensive styles. I think the series being discussed here give the most bang for your buck from either store.

 

[5030]

Problem is, the HF boxes only come in RED. The Menards boxes (the good ones), come in RED, BLUE, and BLACK and GREEN. I prefer anything but RED myself.

Kobalt (Lowes) makes a nice box too and then there is MAC and SNAP-ON if you have really deep pockets and require a status symbol box. I don't myself. I do keep my precision tools (in the machine shop) in Gerstner boxes that are insanely expensive...but then, so are the tools.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I was looking online at HF, and I can't seem to find any middle ground between small "tool boxes" and the large "tool chests". Do they have anything in the 2 or 3 drawer, plus top open type? I probably need to stop in and look in store... something similar to this from Home Depot
GearWrench 20 in. 3-Drawer Steel Tool Box, Black 83151 at The Home Depot - Mobile

 

[DFB]

Oh man I was at the store today I got myself another of the little 6 x 8 polycarbonate/aluminum greenhouses for my yard. $219 with coupon and I don't believe you can best that deal anywhere

And the gals you know they just love them little things.

I had one once before like a good 10 years ago and it did me quite well. I liked it plus it withstood a full Nor'easter and several Maine winters with just a little TLC. (For the record I left it behind when I moved full time back to Vermont so how long it lasted after that I don't know.)

But what really got me excited was that they had stacks of the 26 in. 4 Drawer 580 lb. Capacity Glossy Black Roller Carts right by the checkout today and I think I might get one for garage. They have pretty decent reviews and in all the different flyers I have, 7 different ads right now the prices run all the way from the reg. $159 down to 107.47 with coupon but with one other current coupon I just found it is only $99! So I don't think it gets much better than that!

I brought my buddy with me it was laugh. :laughing: Yesterday he was working a mountain bike and couldn't figure why his 5/8"wrench didn't fit...duh metrics.


So first I suggested he use an adjustable wrench (hey a whole metric wrench set in one tool right?)

But he didn't have one! So I then suggested he get a Pittsburg 9 pc polished metric wrench set with a coupon for $5.67 AND he was still hesitant so I said hey you can get something "free" by just showing the ad and now he had had his choice of flashlight, mutimeter, or screwdrivers, and at first he couldn't make up his mind but boy did he go home happy :confused2: