Home Depot has launched a new Husky steel tool box, which they say has a “unique triangle lid design to lock your tools in place.”
I’ve seen this type of tool box before – never in person, only online – and it seems like an interesting concept.
Basically, it’s just a one-lid tool box with a triangular shape.
Advertisement
With this type of tool box, which is like squeezing an entire pegboard wall into a storage-dense triangular benchtop footprint, you can quickly open the lid and grab any of your tools.
It seems that Home Depot has partnered with Montezuma for the new Husky tool chest.
Here’s a look at the Montezuma-branded box.
It appears to be identical to the Husky.
Both tool boxes measure 30″ wide x 15″ deep, and the hook and shelf configurations are all the same.
I considered and dismissed this type of storage concept over the years, but I can see how it could be convenient for certain users or environments.
Advertisement
Strictly Tool Boxes’ also appears to have an identical product under their Tool Vault branding.
Let’s get into why I think the Husky tool box is a bad value.
You can buy the Husky tool chest for $549, or get the Montezuma or Tool Vault versions for $480-$481.
At the time of this posting, Amazon has the Montezuma for $480.71, and the Strictly Tools’ Tool Vault is $479.99 at their Amazon store. Even Home Depot has the Montezuma tool box for $480.71 right now.
Home Depot’s Husky tool box is prices at $549, which is around $70 more.
All of the versions of these that are discussed here are sold with free shipping. There are other sizes, but these all appear to be the same 30″ x 15″ box with 16 gauge construction.
One might argue that maybe the sizes are different, but the dimensions are simply rounded up or down differently; both Home Depot listings have the same storage volume and weight specs.
It looks like you get the same 5-year warranty period from both Montezuma and Husky.
$549 seems like a bad value to me, considering you can buy what looks to be the same exact tool box for $70 less – even from Home Depot.
I’m not saying that $480 is a good value, but it’s a better price than $549 for what looks to be the same exact product once you open the lid and look past the branding.
Or maybe I’m not seeing some kind of hidden feature or benefit that warrants the higher price tag? Why does the Husky tool chest cost nearly 15% more than the Montezuma?
At the least, this seems like a huge missed opportunity. Home Depot could have launched something new, innovative, or special under Husky branding. Instead, they’re selling the same Montezuma tool box with a different name on the front, and charging customers $70 extra for it.
Ken
The $549 price leaves room for at least $70 off to make it a “special buy” at $480 around the upcoming holidays 🙂
Kyle
So, those prices include the tools right?
The prices seem hilariously divorced from reality. Depending on the brand, they’re encroaching on, or in excess of, an entry level 42″ rolling tool box, and both are well in excess of the cost of an entry level drawer topper for aforementioned rolling tool box.
As you said, maybe I’m just not imagining the niche this is supposed to fill.
Stuart
Montezuma triangle tool boxes have always cost a couple of hundred dollars.
It’s essentially a specialized top chest.
Dave P
These are not “essentially a specialized top chest”-they can sit on top of a bottom cabinet for sure but they ae a “road box”. And for those who can’t “imagine the niche this is supposed to fill”, I’ll tell you–they are the BEST EVER for carrying a LOT of tolls in a portable situation. I am a farmer and excavator (and use tools nearly DAILY at remote places). I have 3 of them stuffed full and they are HEAVY when loaded, and they will not “topple over” if you slam into them, I guarantee it.
The lid holds everything in place and everything stays on the pegs, etc, even bouncing off-road with these boxes in the back of service trucks. AND to those who think the box is top and rear heavy- that’s wrong as well. ONE of them would hold 3 times the amount of tool that the average homeowner would have. They are very well-designed and thought out.
OF COURSE no tools are included–the tens of thousands (I bet they’ve sold HUNDREDS of thousands of them) of serious repair people who own them wouldn’t be caught dead with someone elses’s idea of what they need to carry. At $4-500 a pop, they pay for themselves THE FIRST DAY that you are way out in a remote area and have everything you need to do the repair with you.
As far as value, Montezuma (the original patent holder/original brand) often holds half-price sales. So the only thing I agree with in this post is that the Husky one isn’t a good deal.
Otherwise, you guys are all wet–these are the BEST portable box ever and they are CHEAP for what they can do for anyone who works away from their shop on a critical machine that has gone down.
The next time Montezuma has their 50% off sale, I’m adding a fourth one.
Josh H
Dave P, how robust are these boxes? Have you had any issues with any parts of them breaking? If they’re pretty bulletproof, half off seems like a good deal for one of these boxes.
Brayden
I believe they’ve had some issues out of the latches but i don’thave one myself. Guy in my deisel tech class bought one and it worked great.
Dave P
All 3 of mine are genuine Montezuma–I have no idea on the copies or something that Montezuma may make cheaper to the specs required for another retailer… that being said, the genuine Montezuma STEEL ones are bulletproof. On one we replaced the rubber waterproofing gasket on the lid but we’ve never had one bend or break in any way. I have one large aluminum one that we only use in the back of a truck several weeks a year (seasonally for planting and harvest) and it is also still in perfect shape after many seasons, but I’d prefer a steel one for permanent tough/rough outside “leave it in the service truck” usage.
We put them in and out of the trucks and pickups (a pickup- even if a one-ton, IS NOT a truck) using pallet forks–they are THAT HEAVY if fully-loaded–they can hold A LOT of tools…. (2 guys can do it but why break our backs?)
I would not buy one as an upper cabinet on a tool chest. Not saying that my aluminum one doesn’t spend a lot of time that way but there are cheaper options–these are basically a “road box”.
Archer
I’ve used one as both a top box AND a mobile box – I worked for a motorsports shop that had its own race team and we used a Montezuma triangle on top of a matching roller as our pit box. It was excellent in that application, not only was it insanely space efficient but it was also extremely fast to work with, all the tools right there in plain sight and no opening and closing drawers looking for stuff. When the top is open it keeps the sun and rain off the tools when you’re forced to work trackside without cover too.
I’m no longer with that shop and they’ve since moved up to a more professional level of racing and have a huge multi-car stacker trailer and two monster pit boxes to go with the two cars they run but I still fondly remember our “little” 26′ bumper pull enclosed trailer and the Montezuma box we kept in it.
Jerry
I’m with Dave.
They are not a ‘specialized top chest’, they are a mobile tool box that sits on the side of a utility flatbed or in the back of a work truck. The lid is designed to hold tools in place while driving around in the back of a truck, be reasonably weathertight, yet still allow for easy access and organizing of your tools. People with service trucks that need to carry hand tools of any size would not be without their Montezuma boxes (think people who fix tractors in the field).
If you are going to top a tool chest with one, and only roll it around your shop floor, you can save a bunch of money and get something cheaper. However, if you are wanting a tool box to ride in the back of a service truck or van while bouncing around rough roads and expect your tools to still be organized, get a Montezuma or similar.
Stuart
Specialized – designed for a particular purpose.
These are not a general purpose “everyone could benefit from their use” type of tool box.
Adding to what you said about placement/installation on a truck, the finish is advertised as being UV-resistant.
Dave P
Yes they are for a specialized application, but they are not a specialized top chest, they are a road box…
JR Ramos
I don’t even know if I’d call these specialized – ubiquitous, maybe. Just a different form factor. Around here you see them on virtually every mobile weldor’s truck, oil field trucks, most ranchers that aren’t using side boxes on a pickup, some fence install guys, and one of our new construction HVAC vendors even had a setup with them. At one time our main electric company had several trucks outfitted with them but I think those all went away in favor of their newer more expensive fleet choice.
I can’t imagine why anyone would want it in a shop or on a bottom chest unless they just had an extra sitting around and chose to use it that way. They’re very stable, though, even unmounted…hard to even get to start to tip, not sure you could load it so unbalanced as to make that happen, but where there’s a will….
Stuart
It could be regional; I’ve never seen one in person – not in stores or mounted to any trucks.
From some of the comments, it seems I took for granted that a lot of people have never seen triangle boxes at all.
JR Ramos
They’re one of those things that workin’ men use. lol. But I mean that some things just exist in certain circles and will never be seen in – call it normal retail channels or something. We never sold them in our stores or had people asking for them that I recall. We did stock several of the big Greenlee and Knack jobsite boxes – another thing that many don’t seem to know exist – but those were mostly contract items for a few outfits. There are always tools and tooling that are popular or widespread but not well known outside of the places that need them. I still see things fairly frequently that I didn’t know existed…which is kind of neat. All the methods and devices people come up with in the world of tools to make things work…it’s incredible really.
Stuart
@JR Ramos
So… what you’re saying is that it’s specialized tool box for particular user needs and work environments? =)
JR Ramos
Nay. 🙂
Adam Stein
These are for trucks and outside. Have even seen mounted on farm equipment. Not intended to replace a 42″ rolling tool box. Mine sits on back of forklift if not in bed of truck. Need to work on something drive the forklift over to it with a pallet, have a work bench and tools.
D3t
Montezuma toolboxes were originally built in Montezuma, KS. They were sold as truck toolboxes because everything stayed where it belonged and was easily accessible.
They started adding rolling toolboxes and other imported boxes that seemed(to me) to lessen their worth. Then their patent ran out and now you see that style box made by several manufacturers.
mizzourob
Something tells me that before long there will be a “new everyday low price” or some similar language of $449 or less and this current price is an FTC requirement for future pricing and promotional language.
Menards has nearly the same box (though 26″ instead of 30″) for $359 (and a separate matching cart too).
ColeTrain
The 9 at the end must be a typo
bg100
Stuart, you missed that the Husky says “Heavy-Duty.” That’s worth another $50 right there, ain’t it? 😁
But seriously, doesn’t Husky do lifetime in store exchange warranty? I’m picturing a scenario where I buy the Husky set and in 61 months I break a ratchet, and go exchange it for one on the shelf at my local HD. That would maybe explain the premium.
Stuart
This advertised the same 5-year warranty as for Montezuma.
Regarding Husky or Kobalt warranties, I’ve heard nothing but complaints over the years.
Also, the price is for the *empty* tool box. Tools and accessories are not included.
Billy
As far as husky and Cobalt warranties I have broken tools from both companies and it’s a walk-in walkout type affair easy as could be.
Stuart
From all of the complaints I’ve heard, I think it comes down to store training and customer service, and the availability (or not) of open stock items or suitable replacements.
Dave P
My issue with Husky or Kobalt is that they continue to “cheapen stuff up”, so that when (when, not if) your 1/2′ drive ratchet that’s 14″ long breaks, they’ll give you their current one which is 11″ long (or whatever). So you break a better one (and it broke)only to get a cheaper one (not worth even using) in return… happened every time for me, so I gave my big box wrench sets away…
Dark
Husky in store is legit. Replaced a broken hex to impact adapter with it. The quality and tolerance are garbage and will break anything your working on if you use it on them enough times so…
bg100
Holy cow, it did not dawn on me that the box would be empty. This is a terrible deal.
Robert
I’m not sure I even like the design. The way it is shown loaded in the top and 7th picture it looks top heavy and with center of gravity towards the back. A wrong jolt and it topples over backwards. I could be way off, but it’s selling point is a hard no for me.
D3t
They were originally designed to be minted in trucks so that with the lid closed, the wrenches, sockets etc. would stay in place. They have a wide base and are stable even if not bolted down. For a larger version, look up Baumbox on Facebook.
Jm2000
Lots of farmers use them. I’ve built a swing mount for mine. Folds back flat along the headache rack on my flatbed, then unpin and swing out to the edge of the bed for easier access when working on equipment
Stuart
If you’re slamming into it with huge force, the same could topple any tool box of similar size.
David
I know this style of tool box is liked for putting in the back of service trucks on farms. It is fairly water proof and it doesn’t take up much space. Mounted on the side of a flat bed truck, tipping over is less of a concern
Adam
If you have it loaded with tools including the bottom, it will not topple over. Rather heavy once loaded.
S
Menards has a house brand version that looks identical as well
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/tool-storage/tool-chests/masterforce-reg-26-black-triangle-tool-truck-box/mf250g/p-1444451671273-c-9188.htm?exp=false
And blains farm and fleet stocks all three of the Montezuma boxes in-store. I had put my hands on them last year for a little while.
https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/1455477-montezuma-hand-held-shopbox.html
https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/1474634-montezuma-30-x-15-triangle-toolbox.html
https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/1317682-montezuma-36×17-triangle-tool-box.html
The last one, the 36×17″ version, was most interesting to me, and I spent extra time looking into how it fits my typical tool use. The others appear to be ‘general use’, where equal slots are given for sockets and screwdrivers. But how many people need 20 sockets and 15 screwdriver-shafted tools?
What I found interesting as a mechanic is that the 36×17 prioritizes socket and wrench storage over everything else, which makes it a potential for a top shelf add-on to drawer-equipped utility cart.
My most commonly-used sockets and wrenches take up two full drawers, and that upper box would make those drawers available for other things while also giving easier access to sockets and wrenches.
The drawback for me, and why I didn’t get it last year, or even now, regardless of price, is that it means I lose the upper flat ‘catch-all’ surface of my rolling box. I use that as a workbench surface to set tools, paperwork, and parts that are in use at the moment so I don’t need to be digging in the drawers for the same thing over and over. And I can’t give up such a daily used work surface for faster wrench access.
I can only use 2 sockets at any given time because I only have two arms like a typical human. The faster access and easier locked tool locations to see what’s missing at the end of a project is nice, but I use socket rails and metal mesh bins that mostly accomplish the same organizational task.
Can I justify $700 for it? Sure, if it’s got a purpose. My current utility box is 36″ wide(which i can’t imagine going bigger without risking more damage between vehicles while moving it around). If I worked off a 60-72″ tool box as a utility box where I could still keep a large flat work surface, and keep sockets and wrenches easier to access, I’d definitely buy and try it for a few weeks.
Archer
Giving equal space to drivers and sockets can actually make sense in some applications, if you’re doing service for specific vehicles of equipment you’ll know which sizes you need and which ones you don’t. I mentioned in another reply that we used to use a Montezuma cart with one of their triangle boxes on top as our pit box at my old job, and since that was only for use with one specific race car we didn’t need a huge range of socket sizes, but we did need a lot of driver space since it was a European car with a lot various torx and phillips sizes plus flatheads for Dzus fasteners (and as pry tools) and we had to have backups for everything.
I could see a similar situation existing for a farmer who only needs to service his own machines, knows exactly which sizes he needs to keep on hand for them, and has to work fast and efficiently like a pit crew when a machine goes down during harvest or whatever.
Jm2000
Their biggest use is in agriculture and field service techs. Look on any farm truck and you’ll see a montezuma box. Tbh, I don’t know why they even show them being used any other way on their site other than on the back of a flatbed truck. I don’t understand why it would be priced higher than the original brand that everyone already knows.
Michael
What the article really isn’t hitting on is that those style boxes are not really ment to be used as top boxes.. way the lids are designed there waterproof… ment to b on a service truck/farm truck out on jobs not sitting as a top in a garage that’s also the reason for the triangle designed lid it locks all the tools in place so the don’t bounce around as bad
Stuart
Is that relevant to how Home Depot/Husky is charging $70 extra for the same product?
In addition to being placed on pickup trucks, Montezuma shows them as top boxes in marketing photos, sitting on roller cabinets.
fred
Maybe you can get one on the cheap at their annual “tent sale”:
https://www.qualitycraft.com/pages/tentsale
Adam
https://www.menards.com/main/tools/tool-storage/tool-chests/masterforce-reg-26-black-triangle-tool-truck-box/mf250g/p-1444451671273-c-9188.htm?exp=false
Menards has had this one for years produced by Montezuma. Have had one since could get them under $200. Absolutely love it for a truck box working off the tailgate. Has held up well, is watertight, and the tools stay in place. Can cram alot of stuff in there.
Wayne R.
That watertight aspect is key to its purpose. This isn’t a “top box” at all, but a truck box, designed to pull up next to what you’re working on.
It’s normally $360 at Menards, too.
Looks to me like a top choice for that work environment.
Rog
You could always spring for the Dewalt version (built by Montezuma) for a mere $620!
https://www.montezumastorage.com/collections/triangle-toolboxes-and-shopboxes/products/dewalt-30-x-15-triangle-toolbox-in-yellow
Stuart
The Dewalts have different interiors; they’re not the same.
Rog
A $200 different interior?
Stuart
It’s on my list to look more closely.
The retail prices on the Dewalt-branded boxes range from just under $600 to over $1000, depending on the color (at the least?).
I considered including it in the post, but the different internals made a separate discussion a better idea.
eddiesky
Once again, HD sales reps disconnected from reality. Soon to be at Harbor Freight for $199 !!! (sarcasm)
BigTimeTommy
Hard to find a good value in post-covid, late-stage capitalist society. Everything is just getting more expensive and worse.
Stuart
No politics.
BigTimeTommy
I guess “Obvious observations about reality” are politics now 🙄
Stuart
“late-stage capitalist society” is going to trigger lots of folks who will add more politics. We don’t need that here.
Rog
Sadly, he’s not wrong tho
RCWARD
Amen to that!
fred
Having lived through a World War, several inflationary times, boom times, the “70’s oil embargo, mild recessions, what was called the Great Recession, COVID and post COVID times – I can counsel that change is the only certainty. It is easy to get caught up in the circumstances (good, bad or so-so) that impact us at some particular moment in time. The truth is that if you live long enough – you realize that the old adage: “that this too will pass” is likely the only real truth – and that it applies to both good times and bad times.
JR Ramos
Fred, so were you voting for Axis or Allied? 🙂
“The only constant is Change”
and
“You can’t push a river”
Two of the wisest snippets I ever had the pleasure of hearing and making a part of my thinking.
fred
My first vote was cast for JFK – having been too young (21 was the voting age). I had sort of liked Eisenhower as president (definitely the Allies) – but VP Nixon didn’t appeal to me compared to JFK
RC WARD
That price is a joke right? Right?
Bruce B
These are side access toolboxes for flatbed trucks. They are slanted that way, so your side mirrors are still able to be used since the flat bed itself sits out on the sides farther than the cab.
skfarmer
oh my, absolutely not.
the slanted front is to keep tools in place. why do i know this?
i have 4 of them going back nearly 25 years on the first one. they were originally called a cpl box (compact position lock) i also have original literature for them going back that long. vince from montezuma, the original owner/mfg used to travel to shows promoting them. they actually had one loaded with tools on stand that could be rotated. he would lock it, rotate it several times and then reopen it. most items would stay exactly where they were supposed to with no damage to them or the box. try that with any other box.
i have 2 20 inch boxes. they have logged thousands of hours moving from one piece of equipment to the next. oldest has probably clocked over 10,000 hrs itself. zero issues with either. quite a feat considering the beating they take offroad.
i have a 30 inch that has logged in excess of 175,00 miles on my pickups. it has been on its current truck since day one for over 93,000 miles and has been painted red, grey and now white to match the vehicle it currently rides on. it was used and abused before i owned it and will be moved to the next truck with no hesitation. at this rate a million miles should be no issue.
my newest is a crossover model and was a factory demo i received from the company. it lives in my shop and lives a much easier life than the others but.
much of the disparaging comments made about montezuma boxes in this article are nonsense and made by people who have never seen, used or owned one. owning several i know of what i speak and those that are relaying there actual experience’s are spot on about their qualities and features.
CMF
I remember around 2010 or there about, seeing these kinds of boxes on Montezuma’s website, but they were e $700-$900. They looked cool, having so much at arm’s length and at a perfect height, and not pulling drawers all the time. But at that price, it wasn’t going to happen.
Fast forward to about a month ago. I was at Costco and saw this Powerbuilt one for $299 CDN!
https://www.amazon.com/Powerbuilt-Portable-Stairstep-Hardware-Weather-Resistant/dp/B07L513TBS/
I liked it and wanted it, but said bah, and finished shopping. That night it was gnawing at me. I checked Costco’s website…they did not carry it online. Checked around for Power built and other of these slanted tool boxes, and prices were at least double CDN$. (I live in Canada but find myself in the US 1-3 a month) I checked places in the US and still, nothing close.
I decided I needed to get it at that price and did. The whole drive there (about 30 minutes) I was sweating it, sure they would be gone, but they still had some!
Only after buying it did I find out it is a truck box. If you look at the Amazon pictures, the 4th shows the removable tray. And the last slide has a short video, not 1 example as a truck box on Toughbuilt’s video. I do not remember what website, but they had a video showing a guy talking about how he loved his box as he had it on the side of his truck. The truck looking like a tow truck.
Overall, it is very tough built,(or should I say Powerbuilt). It states max load 2000 lbs., which seems quite sturdy. I am using it on a bottom roller box, about the same width, and worry about this box, which is not light, with 2000 lbs. of tools, the roller box on the bottom, better be strong.
It is pretty cool and convenient but has shortcomings also. Some sockets don’t fit side by side. Then, some deep sockets must go in certain areas, because in other areas, the cover won’t close, as the cover comes very close to all the tool, to help keep them in place. Although you can stash a lot, some items will have to go in the drawers of the roller box below, because I have to many sockets and wrenches, between SAE and metric. Which is fine. I do like having almost everything in 1 box…sockets, ratchets, extensions and adapters, screw drivers and some wrenches + a couple of other nick knacks.
I do not know how many Costco’s have or had these, but for $299CDN, at least for me, very happy customer.
CMF
Last thing, almost all of the comments are about the boxes costing too much or others stating what the main intention for these boxes is. But actually regarding the jest of the article by Stuart, whether these boxes fit your price and need…or not. I see no reason to get the Husky when the others Stuart showed were cheaper and legit brands.
D3t
I’ll call your $549 and raise you $1754. https://www.acmetools.com/extreme-tools-pws-series-portable-workstation-41in-red-pws4105txrd/817895010614.html
It must be marketed to the US military.
Jager
I have a love/hate relationship with triangle boxes. I’ve had one on the side of my truck bed for years. Almost every single farm truck has one. I have a lot of complaints with the box, but for the life of me can’t think of a better replacement. The DeWalt badged one addressed some of the complaints with the new layout.
Biggest complaint is the awful insanely high price which makes it even more absurd that they’re charging more for it. When I read the title I was hoping husky had released a $300 knockoff or something. A marked up rebrand when Montezuma is a more trusted name is bonkos. If I somehow wanted to pay even more for a Montezuma I’d get the Deere painted one.
CMF
Not sure why, but I fond a Powerbuilt triangle type box, like this Husky and the Montezuma’s, at a great price; the whole comment was deleted
Stuart
Certain links trigger the spam filter; it’s in the moderation queue along with a couple of others. It’s on my to-do list to clear the queue in a couple of minutes.