Harbor Freight's Wobbler: 26 inch Tool Chest Review

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[@nicholasgeil6978]

"You can see there's a Bow here" Says the man filming with a camera that had a Fish eye lens...

[@Vicos]

Sorry :)

[@bigg4454]

You did what works for YOU! Good man! Appreciate the vid!

[@azmrblack]

You can fix the stiffness of the latching mechanism (I did it to my 44 inch) by taking the drawers out. On the rails ON THE DRAWERS, on the back, you will see they are bent inwards a little. Bend them in a little more and you can adjust them to be stiffer, or bend them out to be looser, or bend them flat for no locking at all.

[@dustinmoore4336]

I see alot of negitive comments, I just unboxed and set it up. No wobble, all the gaps are proportional. The packaging was good they have changed the box and the packing on these boxes as well. My only complaint is how heavy the box is. The construction is bare minimum but it's still constructed better then a craftsman. I'd personally rate this box a 7.5 out of 10. If your not wanting to spend the money on more expensive brand box I would choose this box over a kobalt, husky, craftsman, masterforce, dealt, Milwaukee. I would rate its quality beside a viper

[@truckerpeterose]

This is the original US General box and is no longer a valid assessment of this 26” cabinet. The new series 2 US General boxes have really improved on an already great valued box. Make sure you search for updated reviews to get a more accurate view of what is available for sale on the sales floor at HF

[@bowmaster24]

Really don't understand why this guy only had 1,800 subscribers. Always look forward to your uploads sir.

[@Vicos]

Thank you Jason for the very kind words.

[@warlockcommandcenter]

I inherited 2 Craftsman 18.5’ X 27” lower tool chest 1 with a Rem-Line upper, one without from my stepfather. He used it in aircraft where he worked the company had a number of tip overs on the ramps and they ended up buying new tool chests. Because of this they had an engineer work on the problem. He called for sheet of 1" plywood, cut 4" bigger the cabinet and the tool cabinet was centered on the 1”deck, the hollow area was filled with 2 layers of 1/4" plywood so the edge lip is above the plywood deck. He added 6" casters set as far outbound of the cabinet as he could this means only 1 bolt goes through the bottom of the cabinet on each corner. It rolls like brick shit house on wheels very smooth but slow. I repeated this on my cheap craftsman home duty tool box set, it rolls just like the original box from my stepfather.

[@johnvecchione528]

I got the same box , top and bottom, mine was damaged got the top and bottom for $200.00. repaired my self and holds tools fine.Craftsman no better.

[@jamescutler8055]

I have had mine for two years, just bought the 41 inch. Haven't had one issue with either.

[@milldawgj9598]

And yes the 44 is bang for the buck. Shift partner has one and its a good box.

[@DryDog5150]

Open the packaging without destroying it and check their boxes out before you load and leave the store. Alert the manager to any dents or other damage you see. You can then get another box from their stockroom if you do not want it or you may be able to barter with the store manager to get a discount on the damaged unit. This is why you do not destroy the packaging at the store - you repack in the original packaging and haul home. Local stores here put lightly damaged boxes in the clearance pile too.

[@marvinmachacek4896]

Just finished moving my tools from a fairly new Craftsman tool chest to the HF 26" . I think the HF is better than the craftsman. The top section has deeper drawers and they seem more solid than the Craftsman. Top opener with shocks lots better than the Craftsman hinge type. Also better handle and wheels. My first one I brought home was damaged, called store, had them open a new set and inspect. It was ready when I got there and they knocked some money off original sale price of $299.99. I had put in a fourth section in Craftsman which made it too tall and wobbly. All fit in the two section HF US General.

[@frankcrawford416]

Get a mid level Waterloo. They are the largest tool box maker in the world. Made here baby! Caterpillar has a line made by them, a mid level too, and for the square inch of capacity nearly as cheap as harbor.

[@GeorgeGraves]

CUTE CAT!

[@jewsjw50]

I took 1 1/2 inch angle built a frame for the box to set down in removed the rollers. added good rollers to the angle. But I've had to do that for Craftsman boxes also

[@toyman81]

It is 2019 and was wondering if your urethane on the caster wheels are starting to fall apart, My wheels have started becoming dry rotted.

[@edmundooliver7584]

looks top heavy could tip over when opening top draws

[@TheLexiconDevils]

They sell this box in Australia branded as Trojan. It’s ok for home use and USED to be the best option for a cheap box with a lot of thin drawers and full depth top chest but it’s too thin for how big it is

[@johnbates7424]

I love mine. No wobble no problems straight out of box.

[@Vicos]

Glad to hear you got a good one. I imagine quality can vary batch to batch and I'm sure they're improving as time goes on. The store manager told me that they get quite a few of them returned to the store---mainly because of lousy packaging. I'm dating myself, but I remember when the Japanese "junk" started hitting the American markets many decades ago. It wasn't much better than the initial stuff out of China. Now, some of the best stuff in the world comes out of Japan. Will this be the case with Chinese made goods? I'll guess we'll find out in the next decade.

[@johnbates7424]

Vicos I checked the box over for tears and gouches before walking out of the store because I read in reviews people getting 2 or 3 before getting one that wasn't damaged in shipping process. I bought mine in June 17. I really wish they had it in the blue that the new cart is available in. I want one of them to put by my air compressor to put all my air tools in. I'm just an avid diy guy so this stuff suits me great. Have a great day where you are on this first day of spring. It's turning winter in west TN again today.

[@TheLexiconDevils]

These are sold worldwide under different badges. They all wobble. The drawers all suck. They all flex. They serve a purpose but for the same price point there are better options. I was a 6 year owner of one of these

[@TheLexiconDevils]

The casters are very sloppy themselves. I drilled out the pin and used a bolt to tighten them up more to where they swivel but not loose. I think I’m going to swap them out for a size down bolt stem 🤔

[@jasonb4370]

mine was badly dented on the bottom cabinet. I just beat it back out can't tell to bad. I paid 249.00 for it so not to bad at all. I would like to see some wood on the bottom to help save the corner better. as for over spray on the handles it come off with acetone very well.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

I did add some angle iron to the floor, made a good difference

[@mhlaw229]

Quality tool boxes! Do you often work in your shop bare footed?

[@briman113]

Only when he feels like losing a toe

[@bryanbahling2877]

holy fish eye effect on the camera lens

[@Vicos]

Yes, that's the new Olympus Stylus camera. On one hand, it is very easy to video with since I don't have to stand so far away to get everything in the frame. On the other hand, there is the fisheye. The new version of the Video Editing software is supposed to have the capability to correct the fisheye, but not sure I make enough from this channel to justify the upgrade cost.

[@bencolangelo3302]

When I got my box from harbor freight i went into the back and cut the box over and inspected it. There was a small dent they took 20% off the sale price

[@akbychoice]

It appears nearly half the purchases of HF items have to be worked on, fixed, pounded out or taken back. I'll go with an extreme tools box.

[@stangman1268]

I think they have improved shipping packing,i just bought the red tool cart and that thing was packed right like fort knox.

[@Vicos]

That would be a welcome thing. It would save them money in the end and result in more happy customers.

[@jasperjones6962]

put four 1/8" thick stainless steel flat washers under the short caster fixed my problem.

[@Vicos]

Nice! They're worth a little extra effort given the price and quality otherwise.

[@bones007able]

Sears has been selling their boxes very competitive with HF should check them out

[@warlockcommandcenter]

I have a craftsman small base with that the same size my step father used in aircraft because they had a number of tip overs on the ramps. They had an engineer solve the problem. They took 1" plywood 4" bigger the the cabinet and then mounted the lower cabinet, the hollow area was filled with 1/4" plywood so the edge lip is a above the deck then they added 6" casters as far outbound of the cabinet It rolls like brick shit house on wheels. I repeated this on my cheap craftsman home duty tool box set it rolls just like the original box from my step father.

[@warlockcommandcenter]

The

[@erikodinson9288]

I had to return the first one I got also the second 1 I got was in good condition but mine doesn't wobble at all though it's a shame we have to go back and forth to get what we payed for

[@gothinking3705]

How tall are you in comparison to be able to get into the top shelf of the top box?

[@MrSTOUT73]

You wanted cheap, you got cheap. You got what you paid for.

[@Vicos]

For the price I paid, they do exactly what I wanted them to do. A++ rating in that regard.

[@1995dresser]

I hate to say it But they are much Better than Craftsman . the old Craftsman were great but now they are like a soup can with wheels. and so were the Husky Line of Boxes which were Both made by Waterloo in the USA but now both are made in China

[@milldawgj9598]

Bought one last year for a second job I was working. The top box bent as soon as set my 1/2 inch impact sockets in it. It's out of square also have to shun it to keep the drawers shut. The top box lock is a joke had to put a hasp on it. It's a classy look, pad lock hanging off the front. The bottom box is also out of square. The wheels are crap to be nice. It never rolled right and the wobble was unacceptable. I ended up taking the crap wheels off and building a new frame with shims to level it. And put a set of roll quite industrial wheels from work on them. Moved the wheels out as far as possible. Now it rolls and doesn't wobble. Sad part is the wheels are worth more than the entire box. I use it at work but never really roll it. With all that being said for the home owner that never moves it it would be fine. And I'm not a snob my other 3 tool boxes are 30 year old mac boxes. As far as stiffeners get some low profile unistrut. Remember it's not the tools or the box it's the tool using the tools that make the difference.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

George Washington was from Fredericksburg

[@shawnmacritchie5351]

im sure it will wobble but he has the top full and nothing in the bottom

[@mudfowl2599]

what brand socket holders are those??

[@Vicos]

Lisle 40900 Red 1/2" Magnetic Socket Holder amzn.to/2D9060x Lisle 40200 Red 3/8" Magnetic Socket Holder amzn.to/2FMCAsc Love them!

[@donaldhollums3278]

Typical China quality. I was considering a chest/cabinet from HF and this is why I had changed my mind. I have an older Craftsman 10 drawer, 26" combo set and it has held up well for almost 15 years. I'm running out of room as I continue to add needed tools, so I'm looking at finding a larger combo set up from Craftsman Industrial or something equivalent from being made over here. I don't mind paying a little more for it.

[@Vicos]

I think the HF 44" cabinet is awesome. Assuming they still build them as good as the one I bought a few years ago.

[@SHAKA38]

Donald Hollums This isn't typical IMO. I've had this set for 6 years and it was nothing like that. Two buddies bought them after me and theirs didn't have those issues either. Maybe they switched plants or get materials from a different source or something. Those casters are even different.

[@soup5220]

+Donald Hollums Craftsman has been on it's way out for years. Their hand tools are made in Asia now just like most other brands. Their boxes have been made in Asia/Mexico/etc for years as well. Finally, if you weren't aware, Craftsman was just sold to STANLEY a few months ago..

[@donaldhollums3278]

Yeah, I read about the Craftsman acquisition by Stanley back in January. Oh well!

[@bigg4454]

Hey Donald Hollums! Check out the Craftsman Professional line! They're a pretty good haul for what ya get. I got one for expansion as I couldn't $tand the $train of a $econd $nap On box.

[@MysteryMycology]

What the hell did you film this with, jesus christ

[@Vicos]

I can confirm that Jesus Christ was not directly involved with the filming of this video.

[@steveeaton9126]

@@Vicos....and no animals tortured except the purchaser.

[@markbeeby9707]

the guy pays 100 bucks for it then picks it apart. should have paid for a craftsman or snap on

[@Vicos]

Are you for real? It's a review, the idea is to pick it apart and give a critical analysis of the product so other people can judge if it meets their needs. If you want a cheery promo video for Harbor Freight products, go watch their advertising videos. And if you had bothered to watch the entire video, you would have noted that I concluded that even with the problems, it is still probably the best in its class, given the price and competition. I also noted that the 44" cabinet is an excellent product. And finally, it was $300 on sale, not $100.

[@markbeeby9707]

Picker a parter

[@soup5220]

Craftsman has been going down for years... They're owned by Stanley as of a few months ago.. No thanks.

[@milldawgj9598]

They are more than a 100 bucks 330bu is to be exact I Bought one last year.

[@MAXTORRACER]

you sir should not comment. u you include craftsman and snap on in the same sentence. no one who knows tools would do this. plus the price points are no where close.

[@lusifer_sellpot2194]

i guess u got a bad one. because mines work great

[@Vicos]

Hi San, The one I bought a few years ago had no unexpected problems. This last one was a different story. Might just have been a bad batch, and of course we know there was shipping damage with the one I had to return. But, someone else noted here in the comments that they seem to have fixed the packaging issues with the one he bought.

[@lusifer_sellpot2194]

Hey Vicos, me personally if I order something and the package is damaged I'll call them right away and return it. But it's true there are some bad batches sometimes.. Maybe one day I'll make a video of all the tools I bought from Harbor Freight..

[@stevenpetty1694]

This is more of a machinist tool box set up. If you wanted a better tool box you should have gone out and bought the 44-inch and made for it. And judging from you buying this tool box I don't think you could buy Snap-on and Craftsman is worse quality it's thinner metal. here's an idea if you don't like it take it back

[@thomassmith2058]

Puppy? I'm outta here.

[@Vicos]

Well Thomas, some times you spend a lot time filming something and then a few days later you sit down for the long process of editing it and then you see your mistakes. Yes, I can't believe how many times I said the word "puppy" while filming. So, what do I do at this point? Do I go out and take the thing apart and refilm the video, or maybe I should do voice-overs? No, I decide to cut out as many "puppies" as I can and just go with it. I figure most people will understand and either go with it or click away. Now, I know to stop and think about what I'm saying and hopefully the future videos will be better for it. It is inevitable that someone will eventually feel the need to sling an insult in the ultimate demonstration of their superiority. But, that's just the way things go. Thanks for the feedback and being that guy!

[@reallyhappenings5597]

snob... mine is fine

[@soup5220]

Being honest makes him a snob? Yours being "fine" should mean that it's good enough for anyone? Yours being "find" means that there is no room for improvement? Yours being "fine" means no one else gets an opinion? Get over yourself.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Justin Mancini Glad we had this chat!

[@milldawgj9598]

Fine is not what I would call it.

[@soup5220]

You mean you ignoring the questions I asked? Yeah, good chat, I guess.

[@jarvisrinklebaker5450]

Really Happenings your logic is that of a 5 year old child. Your box has literally nothing to do with the box in this video. Go troll somewhere else, troll.

[@tombob671]

build quality by folks making 2 bucks a day with a bowl of rice .....?

[@Vicos]

I didn't think they were earning that much. Last I read, some factories had suicide nets ( www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103798/Revealed-Inside-Apples-Chinese-sweatshop-factory-workers-paid-just-1-12-hour.html ) and mothers chained their kids to utility poles as makeshift daycare.