[Shop-talk] toolbox review

[Mark Andy]

Howdy,

A while back, I asked about inexpensive versions of pro toolboxes... I.e. 
chinese versions that had a good strong design, but where the QC might be 
a little more hit and miss.

I didn't buy the full shopbox, but I did recently buy one of these to turn 
into a toolbox for our trailer / racing:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90321

I'm adding some wheels, a handle, a way to mount it to the wall, etc.  I 
figure by the time I'm done, I'll have put 30 hours into modifying the 
damn thing.  :-)  But it'll also be a toolbox that's the right size and 
setup for what I want.

But that's not really why I'm posting...  I'm posting because I've been 
quite impressed with the construction.  This thing is _much_ more heavy 
duty than my craftsman roller bearing toolbox... Fairly thick sheet metal, 
the bottom two double height drawers have double slides, good 
constuction/design choices, etc.  I could be happier with it.

If that translates to the other components for this system (and it seems 
to, from playing with them in the store), this toolbox is a heck of a buy.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92099
(the one I played with in the store had double slides on the bottom 
drawer)
and
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90320

They also have this one, that I've never seen in person:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94496
and
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94497

If its built the same way it seems like it would also be a great box. 
But, I've never seen one in person and with Harbor Freight I wouldn't buy 
it unless I could put my hands on it.

Now, all that said, I was at a buddy's shop today and was (once again) 
blown away by their pro Matco toolboxes.  But the one double bay rollaway 
I just looked at on their website lists for $3.6k...  Its too bad.  Those 
boxes just feel _so_ solid & smooth.  The harbor freight stuff feels 
similarly rugged in general, but not finished as well.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.  If I were upgrading from my current 26" 
craftsman box, I'd 100% go with the HF 42" combo above.

Mark