James wrote in, asking about Milwaukee’s 46″ tool storage combo. He wanted to know whether it will go on sale for the holidays, and if it’s the best tool chest and cabinet combo for the money.
Do you think the Milwaukee 46″ chest will go on sale at all for the holidays? Or is $698 about as good as it gets? Also, do you think that’s the best for that price range?
Advertisement
Given past experiences, I think that $700 is the lowest this tool storage combo will go. Milwaukee or Home Depot do tend to raise the price outside of holiday seasons, to $800, but I don’t recall the last time that happened.
$700 is the lowest I’ve ever seen the 46″ combo sell for, or at least I can’t recall any time when it was priced any lower.
Black Friday 2016 Pricing: $698
It’s probably safe to wait to see if it goes on sale. There was greater demand than supply in past years, but I don’t think that will be a problem now. Home Depot’s Black Friday sales flyer shows this combo and the mobile workbench with a “Your Choice $698, while supplies last” price bubble.
Do I think this is the best tool storage combo in its price range? YES.
While perhaps not perfect, it was masterfully designed to offer a fantastic balance of features, quality, and bang for the buck.
Advertisement
How isn’t it perfect? I would like to see user-replaceable drawer slides, and Ben was right in pointing out the caster installation washers are too small. The drawers could be a little beefier, but they’re as good or better than anything else at similar pricing. Oh, and peel the sales stickers carefully!
There’s a Husky 52″ combo for the same price – see my take on it here – and it’s also quite good. One thing I didn’t like was the aluminum corner trim, which had sharp edges at the top chest corners, but my contact at Husky said they were working to improve it.
The Husky seems to have went with similarly designed but less expensive caster wheels, but I’d rather that than a drop in drawer strength or quality.
It’s a tough call.
There’s also a new Craftsman tool storage combo, but it’s a 41″ combo that gives you far less for the same $700.
The 30″ combo, reviewed here, has been heavily promoted for the holidays, at its $450 price point.
What do you guys think – is the 46″ combo a good buy for $700?
Tim
I got this last year and have been really happy with it. I got it just below 700 out the door using a 10% coupon. But yeah, man those stickers are no joke. Ripped a patch of paint right off the front of a drawer.
The yeti
Cheap paint .. my 2014 ram was plagued by it too . Every rock chip showed up . I think it’s one of the ways these multi nationals r saving money . Sucks that we have to pay full price for half the paint
Stuart
It’s actually a very nice powder coat. Well, I’m assuming it’s a powder coat, usually is with these types of products.
I don’t think there’s really an issue with the surface prep or coating. I think that the sales stickers have the wrong adhesive – maybe permanent or semi-permanent instead of temporary?
I ripped a good section of the coating right off the largest lower cabinet drawer.
jsbson
If it was painted in the USA you might want to blame the EPA. Paints are not quite the same now with VOC regulations. But being a former Chrysler owner they may just have forgotten how to prep the panel before painting.
Benjamen
I really didn’t have any problems removing the stickers. I might have subconsciously been more careful because Stuart warned me, but I don’t think I did it differently than I would have anyway.
I like the 30″ combo Milwaukee sent me for testing and have been using it as much as I can to get some long term insights. The thing I’ve noticed about the flat textured paint is that it attracts dirt and highlights it. I really think a smooth glossy finish would have been a better choice.
One thing that has been a minor annoyance lately is the keys. I’ve been keeping all the drawers locked, to simulate an unsecured environment.
I want to be able to grab the key out of my pocket and stick it in the lock, with the barrel key there is a 50/50 chance I’ll stick it in the wrong way. There is a tab on the key that shows you the proper orientation, but I don’t have to look at my other keys to know which way to stick it into the lock.
Maybe I just need to learn to grab the key so I feel the tab like I do with the teeth of my house keys.
fred
Sometimes warming with a hair dryer or heat gun (if yours can be set on low temps) helps with peeling stickers
firefly
Do you think the textured paint attracts more dirt or just highlights it more? How easy is this to clean vs the typical smooth finish? The reason I am asking is that I am thinking of getting either this or the textured Husky. I really like the textured paint. My garage is rather dusty though I don’t particular care if it just highlight the dirt but if it hinder cleaning that could be problematic…
Benjamen
I just keep noticing white/grey dirt streaks in the paint. I’m not sure if I’m brushing my jacket up against the chest or what.
I can usually clean them up by rubbing them out with my thumb.
firefly
Thanks Ben, That doesn’t sound so bad then.
Scott
Fred,
I have to say, you’re a great asset as a member on this blog. I often marvel at the amount of experience you bring here and always read your posts. Thanks for all the info you share!
Stuart – thanks for a great site. Sorry for the topic swerve.
Scott
fred
In commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy it was said: “In vain you have acquired knowledge if you have not passed it on to others.”
Stuart provides a good vehicle for this purpose in life.
Tcmault
How does this compare to HF 44″ combo set?
Skye
I’d like to know the answer to that as well.
Rudy
Thinking of getting this…or how bout the husky 52 inch at the same price with powdered coated paint? Any ideas or suggestions?
Stuart
I mentioned the 52″ in the post. Did you have any specific questions?
Rudy
Ya broad question. Specifically pointing towards the paint and ruggedness. I work outside most of the time. Given a side by side comparison which one do you think will hold up more to scratches or scrapes. Either one feel more robust or well built?
Stuart
So you’d pull these outside frequently? Honestly, neither. They’re both designed for interior use.
I think the Milwaukee might be more resilient to scratches and scrapes.
I have both in an outside storage container for over a month now. I’ll let you know in 1-2 weeks how well they held up.
After taking the Milwaukee 30″ upstairs, I saw red streaks on trim, but didn’t see where on the box it came from. I think the Husky might have a more traditional powder coat, vs. Milwaukee’s textured finish.
Tim
I currently own this Milwaukee 46″ combo and was considering returning it and picking up the Husky 66″ that’s on sale for $599. Its 24″ deep and has the solid wooden top. This one http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-66-in-W-24-in-D-12-Drawer-Heavy-Duty-Mobile-Workbench-Black-76812A24/204398429
My complaint with the Milwaukee is probably personal but I loathe the drawer that has the flip-up lid on it. Ive had it slam down on my hand twice already and find the drawer a pain to use. I also wish the drawers were a bit deeper but thats more of a personal choice.
Can anyone comment/compare the Husky 66″?
Stuart
I don’t know how difficult it would be to remove the ball detents that keep that drawer extended, but remember hearing that you can drill out the rivets that hold the lid hinge to the drawer bottom.
BRed
The Husky 52″ does have roughly 31% more storage space than the Milwaukee unit. 35,767 cu. in. VS. 27,223 cu. in. (per HomeDepot.com). That’s quite a bit more for the same money.
ACT
I bought the ’46 combo February last year. At the time; I was starter lube tech at a dealership. When the Snap-On rep came by that week: I caught him playing with it.
Anyway; it was good. Until my job’s shop got broken into. That’s when I realized ’46 box can get thrown into a pickup truck and be driven off. Or be quite easy to prybar the locks out.
Snap-On agreed to buy it off from me for $1500 to use towards larger professional box. So I sold it to them.
I was planning on buying the new ’60 Milwaukee cabinet for my garage at home BUT I recently changed careers. So my fancy ’72 Snap-On box stays quite comfortable in my garage.
Since I’m doing manufacturing now. With management hopes for me to become machine operator which requires my own tools….If Milwaukee is reading this: you guys build a rolling tool cart: I will be happy to buy one for the factory!
Wojo
I scored a hell of a deal on the Milwaukee 46″ tool chest. They had just the 1 marked down to $500.00. Couldn’t pass that deal up so I bought it. I think it’s a great tool chest. Milwaukee and Dewalt are the only brands I have come across that have soft close drawers. Not even the way to over price snap-on tool chest have soft close drawers. The Milwaukee tool chest are as good as snap-on and thousands cheaper.