A lot of people have been writing in, asking for help in finding Milwaukee’s 46″ premium tool storage combo. It was on sale last December. But recently? Nobody can find it anywhere.
So what happened?
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Remember a few months ago, when I wondered aloud about what would happen to the pricing of tool chests and cabinets due to new tariffs? Well, I was told that the counterveiling duties are in effect now. I thought that this is why the 46″ premium combo isn’t available for purchase anywhere, but I asked just to be sure.
I’m told that the 46″ units are “simply out of stock right now.” So either they escaped the duties by being imported before they went into effect, or are exempt from them.
The original units were constructed from 19 gauge steel. In order to be exempt from the counterveiling duties, they’ll need to be made from slightly thicker 18 gauge steel. The body depth already exceeds 21″ (they’re 22″ deep), and I’m guessing that if the unit weight can be increased if it doesn’t already meet the exemption criteria.
See Also: Harbor Freight’s new tool storage combo
Milwaukee showed off a new tool storage combo at NPS18. It’s 56″ long, 22″ deep, and the frame is constructed from 18 gauge steel. These characteristics presumably allow it to meet criteria that exempts it from the countervailing duty and tariffs brought on as a result of the Waterloo-initiated ITC investigation.
The 30″ tool storage combo, on the other hand, will be phased out. I’m told it’s in the process of being redesigned. Most likely, it’ll have to be deeper and heavier duty than its present design, or the tariffs will price it too high to be competitive.
If you’ve been asking about this 46″ premium storage combo, I’d say look for it to come back in late May or early June, for Father’s Day. That’ll likely be your best chance of getting one. I’ll keep you posted if or when I find out more.
Stephen Garvin says
Hi Stuart:
I have fairly limited garage space and had been planning to get a 26″ harbor freight combination chest. Now those have disappeared. Next I had been impressed with your reviews of the 30″ Milwaukee chest but a bit concerned about the $50 price. Now this looks to be disappearing also. Should I just bite the bullet? I really can’t fit anything wider than about 36″ in the space I have to work with in my garage. do you think this entire category of tool storage is about to disappear? Advice ?
Thanks much, Steve.
Stuart says
Tool chests and cabinets made overseas that are under 60″ in length and under 21″ deep might become a scarcity.
The 30″ combo was priced at $500. It’s going to be so much higher, because of the tariffs, that even if a retailer carried it, it’ll be priced too high to sell.
If the 30″ is redesigned, it’ll likely have to get deeper. 21″ is the cut-off for the duty exemption, which means a 22″ depth.
There will still be Waterloo’s USA-built options, but with less competition, what will that mean for their features and quality?
Larger tool boxes have become more “standard” than smaller ones, but 26″ is still a good size. 30″ offers more.
But if everything is pushed to higher pricing, whether by the duty or attempts to be exempted by it, wider tool storage combos could appear to be even more attractive.
Would you rather spend the same money on a 26″ or 30″ combo with a duty-inflated retailer price, or a 42″ combo?
Brands know that there’s still a market for smaller tool storage products, but their hands are tied.
There’s risk no matter what one decides. Maybe the duties will be removed if Waterloo/SBD retracts their petition (if that’s even possible). Maybe there’s some workaround that I haven’t heard about yet.
If you are limited in width but not depth, it might be worthwhile waiting to see what brands do. It’s very much possible for a 26″, 30″, 36″ combo to be released, with 22″ depth and 18 gauge construction. But at what price? That’s the tough part. Bigger and heavier tool storage products will also have higher transportation costs.
There’s risk in buying now, but if one waits, there might be greater risk of having to spend more later.
It’s not a good situation for consumers either way.
AdrianB says
same exact boat you are in… had been planning on the 26″ HF for the last year while building my house/shop and as soon as I had my driveway poured the HF box disappeared and now the 30″ Milwaukee might too. ugh.
Gary T. says
Hi Stuart,
I was in Harbor Freight this weekend and asked about the 26″ tool chest.
They also had a tag on the older 26″ box. It looks like the new version will be 22″ deep and they will sell the top and bottom separately. The catch is the price will be higher. I’ve seen the price for the lower cabinet to be almost the same price as the older top and bottom combination.
fred says
Quite interesting. Almost some corollary to Newton’s Third Law.
We don’t like the thought that other countries (in this case China and Vietnam) might have some unfair (e.g. through dumping – at an alleged 167.5% margin in this case for China ) competitive advantage in the US market. If I understand it, in this case Waterloo (now part of SBD) petitioned the ITC. The ITC heard the arguments – weighed the evidence and imposed countervailing duty tariffs on a narrowly defined set of steel toolboxes. Those tariffs (14.39% on about 20 of the Chinese companies – but 95.96% imposed on 29 other companies) result in US consumers have fewer choices in low cost 30 inch or narrower rolling toolboxes. Waterloo may gain some momentary market advantage, while the OEM’s in China scramble on ways to avoid the tariffs – by changing sizes and material gauges. I wonder if Waterloo has a basis to and/or will expand their claims to include the larger or heavier gauge steel cabinets?
The yeti says
It wouldnt save money . However i bet you could order the 30 inch boxes from Canada
DrunkViking says
Wonder when we will see the 52 in. 11-Drawer Mobile Work Center again ?
Nick says
So is the new storage unit super secret or something? I think I saw a pic in some of the NSP18 coverage but didn’t see it discussed anywhere. The chest I saw appeared to have a pin unlock mechanism. I didn’t see coverage anywhere so I reached out to a few sources, amount them Milwaukee. First Milwaukee sent me a link for Packout. After explaining I am the market for a chest and not Packout systems they responded and said they hadn’t announced new chests. Really, I want to purchase a chest but if they are releasing a new one I would rather wait and see what has been upgraded. Any insight into this and do you have a recommendation on whether I should hold off on buying a chest?
Stuart says
New features include electronic locks, new 52″ size, 150 lb drawer slides, new power strip with one outlet that has “wall wart” power adapter spacing and an angled plug. I believe it’ll be $1400.
Nick says
Awesome. Thank you sir.
John S says
I just bought two of the 30″ model from my local HD…. but I will be rather bummed if they come out with a smaller premium version in a few months.
Brian says
The blowback is going to be in Waterloo imo. I have no issue paying a premium for a well-made American product, but their offerings have lagged in innovation and quality. I am frustrated since I wanted a 30″ Milwaukee and right as I figured that out they all disappeared. I have no desire or need for a giant 60″ box and a 22″ depth vs 18″ is a negative. If I had the space I’d love a huge one but I just don’t need it.
Bottom line for me.. bad PR for Waterloo as they are blaming others for their lack of innovation. Production costs may be cheaper in PRC, but they can offset that by innovative production and lower shipping costs.
Hang Fire says
“I’m told that the 46″ units are “simply out of stock right now.” So either they escaped the duties by being imported before they went into effect, or are exempt from them.”
That conclusion does not necessarily follow.
Stuart says
If they’re out of stock now, that implies more are on the way.
So either there are a bunch in a warehouse or shipping facility, imported just before the duties went into effect, or they modified the product to be exempt from them. With the 46″ combo, the drawer depth passes, but the sheet metal construction needs to be bumped up to 18 gauge. I haven’t checked whether the weight passes.
As they were, the 46″ combos would not have been exempt from the counterveiling duties.
https://toolguyd.com/what-will-happen-to-pricing-of-tool-chests-cabinets-combos-and-mobile-workbenches/
loup68 says
Is Waterloo the only American tool chest maker?
Stuart says
In consumer space? I believe so.
There are quite a few industrial brands that offer USA-made tool storage.