U.S. GENERAL SERIES 3 FTW Because Snap-on is trash!
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- Опубликовано: 21 сен 2024
- #harborfreight #usgeneral #toolboxtour
@harborfreight is the worst company we have in America today hands down its ran by a rat shop billionaire that's anti 2a.
www.harborfrei...
Hi CP, Being just an Old man home DIY, The USG has worked out great for me, Looks pretty cool in the garage, Next to motorcycles, truck and cars I don't use much either. And should last till I am done. I have zero experience and knowledge of what the pro mechanics actually require to be at the top of their profession. I would hope they seek some actual financial advice, (Not from the tool truck man) before taking on a big long-term debt for tools and storage. Thank you for the content you provide on the current tool market industry.
I bought one with a hutch and couldn`t be happier. Great looking at a Great price. The tool truck toolboxes do the same thing at ridiculously higher prices. I saved loads of cash and i`m very happy with my purchase, Great deal Harbor Freight !
Great video CP. I think it’s important to also look at the drawer space in square inches instead of cube. A lot of those cheap Chinese boxes have really deep drawers that are just a waste of space.
Absolutely 💯
Just ordered the 72 inch slate gray series 3. Got it 25% off and the store unit was pretty nice. My mentors snap on and schools snap on boxes while have way better steel construction just doesn’t blow me away. Especially not 10x the price brand new. I’ll stick with my cheap stuff that won’t last as long but I will be happier about the purchase
It's your money
@@TONYSTARK-jh2wu things get worn out, steel gets dented, slides start failing, paint gets chipped. Small things over time.
@@TONYSTARK-jh2wu it’s regular wear and tear, my bay is next to the tool room and gets smacked all the time, I don’t care because it’s just a box.
The drawers will start to stick and will eventually not close right. The cheaper boxes just don't hold up to the weight of the tools.
You get what you pay for. Still have my first MAC cart, main box EPIQ that I have added on over the last seven years. For me depth and full width drawers are way more important for organizing and tool access speed. Nice review keep up the strong updates
I totally agree with you CP, the depth is all the difference. 22" is just not enough. And what about a fully loaded top drawer with only 22" of depth? When you open it you risk it tipping on you. I'll stay with my sturdy as hell Matco box. Love ya man, keep doing what you're doing!!!
22” can be great in areas with limited access. Also, a godsend for anyone used to an older shallower box. Lol oh, also for us short guys 😂
The thing that annoys me is that past about 42”, the USG drawer sheet metal is too thin and the drawer slides too light duty to keep the drawer from shaking all over the place. The Icon is better for the longer length.
Totally agree on the power drawer.
One thing with the US General, if a person can get the HF credit card and buy with 0% interest, it could really get a guy started.
Agreed on the hutch too. Can’t imagine having it in an environment where you aren’t sharing space.
Now, not all Snap On boxes are worth buying used. We’ve got one at work that makes me cringe. Down about Kennedy quality level (Never seen a Kennedy I would give you $5 for)
The bargain brand isn't always a bargain. Keep em coming CP.
Looked for a tool in a 25 inch deep box at work. Drawers hadn't been fully opened in so long they were sticky 3 or four inches from fully extended.
I think the Husky heavy duty ones are the best deal. They use thicker steel than the standard Husky. they also come with a 5-year warranty as opposed to the three on the standard Husky. They're obviously more expensive than the standard Husky and almost overkill for a DIY person like me. so that's why I'm going to get the standard one which is still 24 in deep. And you're right the extra depth on the boxes makes a big difference
Good luck dealing with husky customer service. I bought a heavy duty husky box for my home garage. My top drawer slides broke after 6 months. It literally only has maybe 200 lbs in it. It took 7 weeks to get my new slides. Beware man.
@@puremayhemFTW well I'll agree with you 7 weeks a long time for a warranty claim, but if you're Harbor Freight toolbox broke after 6 months SOL because they only comes with a 90-day warranty. unless you paid for the extra one or two year extended plan.
I picked up a used Macsimizer 6627 with stainless top here in Iowa for $4000. Almost perfect condition. Also got my 40” Snap on cart used and now I’ve got a ton of storage for under 5 grand total. Takes time to find stuff in really good condition, but it’s worth it compared to buying new off the truck or buying cheap boxes then upgrading when they fall apart.
Because I have followed your advice I'm a nobody diyer with a matco 4s and 55in classic snapon box full of matco snapon and Mac. All bought second hand and in brand new condition. For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart cp! Keep the great videos coming
I just recently got out of series 2 us general and went into a 54” masters series snap on and couldn’t be happier. Box and the LED bed liner power top for under 7k brand new off the truck.
At the end of the day, they are all sheet metal and paint. $12,000????
I'm sorry you are offended by a toolbox and I'm sorry you have never experienced or owned one.
@@CPthetooladdict Offended? Nah. I'm just a guy in a home garage that has no need for something that hight end, but, my point is, when you spend $12,000 for a box like that, what you are paying for, more than anything else, is their business model, name, and all the middle men. There's a perceived value that people are willing to pay for, but it's still sheet metal and paint.
@@alandesgrange9703umm. The sides of my skid steer and the sides of my truck are both “sheet metal and paint”. If you took a hammer to both of them then all you will damage on the skid steer is the paint. Your thought would be valid if sheet metal was all the same
@@Scummy_shovelI just bought a 4'x8' sheet of 20ga for $60. 14ga would be a bit more. Still don't know how that adds up to $12,000. I do have some Snap-on tools, but those box prices are insane!
@@alandesgrange9703 what’s your location. I buy a bunch of 20 gauge and it’s almost 100$ a sheet right now.
But surly you know the difference in a sheet of metal and a completely fabricated box. And like most companies they arnt a charity.
When I started back in 1994 as a mechanic, you had to buy a nice box or people didn’t believe that you knew what you were doing but nowadays they don’t care because they can change the plates on it with the Snap-on or Matco or Cornwell or Mac toolbox🛠️
Thanks for this vid! I’m a home DIY guy. The HD 72” with wood top looks really good for the price. I’m gonna wait for em to go on sale again!
Glad I could help
bought a series 2 single bay for tech school, I haven't felt the need to upgrade yet.
I wouldn’t hate having that husky to be honest. But I’ll probably get a MAC or snappy if it doesn’t affect the purchase of my house in the future. If so well I’ll just get a husky or a Milwaukee.
I had a classic series snap on box, but ran out of space. I bought an epiq series for the drawer depth. I totally agree deeper drawers are better.
I have to say, I bought three US General 4 drawer tool carts in 2011 for my first shop, and I still have them today. They've literally been through hell and back, had subframes/engines/transmissions/rear ends dropped on them, hit by cars, hit with tools, and they just keep on keepin' on.
I think your exaggeration is pretty typical when someone tries to defend the adult wanna be mechanic toy store.
@CP The Tool Addict It's not really an exaggeration; I used them for everything because they were all I could afford at the time. One drawer slide puked out all its ball bearings, and the lids of all them are a little dished from being used as transmission jacks, but they've withstood the abuse.
That was 100% definitely an exaggeration
@@mikeday8826 How so? Please explain how I am exaggerating.
Because I've Owed one and it fell apart from normal use the drawers are riveted and they break from the slides the boxes have crappie spot welds you show me a video of a subframe being dropped and I will believe you but I know for a fact you won't.
Hello again CP
Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I agree with you about the Box Depth being more important than having a hutch. I would rather have more room for tools!!!!! One point is you didn't mention Estate Sales. It's another avenue to finding great deals. Again thank you 😊
I had the exact same mindset that you’re talking about when I was looking for my box. I’m a DIYer with quality tools but I use them regularly. I wanted a better home for them. So a little over 2 years ago I saw the masters box in the colors I wanted on marketplace. He wanted 4 grand but I didn’t want to spend that much on a used box. So I told him if he still had it 6 months later and he wanted to get rid of it that I’d give him $2k cash. 6 months later rolls around and boom he reaches out and I’ve loved that box ever since. Be patient folks!
It's amazing what I can fit in the 57" Gen 3. The drawer depth is 19.5" the box depth is 22". I put a lot of thought into it, but it's a second box. My first box is a 24" deep. US gen feels very solid. If you can organize, you can fit a lot!
Right on
Six years ago I picked up a barely used one year old Cornwell Pro Series 76" for $1750 off Craigslist. I waited for months to find that deal and jumped on it immediately.
My Husky that I got for 697 bucks and it’s 2.4 inches deeper and it’s 41 W and it’s a double decker.
Oh, we had a high ASE certified mechanic that had just a craftsman sears toolbox, and they did not believe him at all, that he knew what he was doing as an ASE certified high master mechanic:(
I’m not a mechanic. The tool box in the house has other tools beside the mechanic tools. Yet a 40 inches breaker bar and couple over 30 pry bars would make me think of buy a bigger tool box with enough depth
Good video CP
I decided on a new Mac tools box because used boxes in my area for snappy, matco, and Mac was ranging around 5-6k 😳 and Mac had a 20% off sale and so I got me the 67" for 7800. So far I like it.
Just recently bought a Series 2 44-inch combo when they were on sale for a little under $1000. So far, I've been very happy with my purchase. I'm a bowling center mechanic so it's honestly overkill for what I do. I upgraded from a 26-inch 18-inch-deep Craftsman 2000 series box that I've had for the past 5 years which treated me extremely well with zero issues. Needed the room for my ever-growing ratchet and screwdriver collection. I guess I'm in a bit of a different situation due to the fact that I don't have to store a ton of heavy specialty tools and such. 80-100 lb drawer slides is more than adequate for what I'll be putting in my box. Also, a lot of my heavier tools such as hammers, and pry bars I hang on the side of my box with heavy duty magnet holders. I've never once locked a tool box since I started working in the industry 12 years ago. Lol
I have a 56-inch series 2 top and bottom chest $1300 after tax and its more than enough for me, I feel like most people do not understand there are all kinds of professions that use tool boxes not just auto mechanics for example body piercers and tattoo artists do not need 30" deep drawers, yet they use tool chests.
@@projectjfk972 like I said I rocked a craftsman 26 inch 18 deep combo for multiple years. I made it work by being creative and spending money on tool organizers and magnetic accessories to hang things on the outside of my box. Was able to cram a crap ton of shit into/on it. Granted, my new set up is much cleaner and less cluttered. Absolutely loving it so far.
I bought a used Snap On KTL1022 for $3300 and it was in great shape. I feel buying a used name brand box is a better option than buying a new HF box. Great video.
I just got a email from Matco tools about a technician in Marysville ohio we’re the shop caught fire and his Matco toolbox was the toolbox that survived
Those matco boxes are tanks
Ya that was crazy I saw that the black one with green trim
Great video CP👍
CP, it’s rated 22” deep but if it’s interchangeable with the series 2, it’s actually closer to 20” deep. If you want to check mine out with a tape, send me a link and I’ll show you mine. A 24” deep 36” tool box holds just as much.
It’s a great box for the home garage or somewhere your space is severely limited but for the money, it’s just not deep enough.
Gotcha
A hutch for DIY in your garage is a waste. Absolutely agree.
HF’s US General and ICON toolboxes are more than enough for the at-home hobbyist or weekend warrior. I worked in shops and while yes, the Snap-On and Matco boxes are built the best, there is no real value in buying these boxes unless you’re going to be putting them through hell and opening and closing the drawers 1000x a day. There is no reason to going into DEBT for a toolbox. It holds tools after all.. that’s it’s SOLE PURPOSE. THATS IT.
Would you buy a pair of shoes because the box they came in were of better quality or would you care about the quality of the shoes INSIDE of the box? Unless you’re looking at owning and then eventually selling your toolbox, by all means buy a Snap-On, MAC, or Matco for its ability to retain monetary value. Don’t impress others but instead get what suits your needs (both aesthetically and financially) and be happy.
I’ve known guys go into 10-15 year long debts over their toolboxes. Even seen them get repo’d right in front of my eyes. Pure stupidity.
I know more guys that own harbor freight tools that are on meth and felons than that own boxes that were repoed lol
@@CPthetooladdictThat’s a pretty classless thing to say especially with you being a content creator..
You can’t afford it just admit it you are projecting with envy
I will completely agree on the hutch, the pro will use that for many things including workbench space. I see the top cabinet a better investment as long as a workbench is availiable. For me, my Homak 72 H2pro is great, top and bottom allows alot of space and the depth is fine. I did look at the HFT hutch for my 2nd Homak, but the bottom of the roll up hits my forehead and I would have to bend over just to use it, so OUT for me. BTW, the Homaks from Northern have doubled in price, glad I got in when I did. Nice review if the buyer is in a pro shop and I am not......
Definitely have some valid points , I saw the series 3 in person and the depth just kills that whole box , you said 22inches in the video but that’s outside dimensions the inner drawer is only 19.5 . My Matco two bay is 25” inner drawer. Depth is where it’s at. It’s def a fancy diyers tool box or maybe retired mechanics that just want something to hold thier crap. Any who good video
Ya your right I was giving it way more credit lol
I couldn't handle a 22inch deep box after owning a 28 inch. You loose so much room
Amen
Good Evening Fellow Toolhaulics, Friends, And Supporters of the World Famous CP The Tool Addict 🔧 😊: Mr.Chad IMHO sir this was one of your most important videos to date. Many new techs to your channel can't possibly visualize the width vs depth parameters, are not aware of the structural quality
Of some of these boxes, + the main difference between a tool cart / actual box. If you only focus on Garbage Freight 🗑 with the plastic rollers odds are that's what your going to purchase. IMHO Tool boxes are like cars, you must do your homework !!!!! CP this was a terrific video, a little too fast but ok, + my best to you and Henry 😊😊😊😊😊😊, TMP from N.J.
I wonder if they used thinner gauge steel on series 3. 72" Series 2 weighs 528lbs vs 490lbs for the Series 3.
How come nobody ever brings up the Extreme line of boxes? Ive had the 72x30 bottom chest for over 10 years and never had a problem. Added the full top to it and would never own any other box. Btw ive had several SO boxes as well.
Because of the price
I haven't looked recently and they might've gone up a lot but I think I have around 4500 in the setup.
Hell I just looked them up and they're still nowhere as bad as the big truck boxes. Rockin toolboxes have some damn good deals if you don't mind a scratch and dent
I would buy a used snap-on if I was sending $ 4500, and also, they don't have the ability to trade in boxes
No sales tax either when using offer up and facebook marketplace lol
That's actually a great point
Perhaps the follow up video to this one should be on shipping / getting it home!!
So much for previous videos about Snap On, Mac toolboxes holding any value then. So I guess no one should buy a new tool truck box new unless you want to get ripped off on the financing.
Lol sure bud
Cp see how your SO digital multimeter are you using 9v lithium batteries in it? The lithium last long in it but it burns through the others.
Had to put a hutch on my box to keep a holes from using my box as a work bench when I was off.
That's another good reason in. Shop
I've always found the 18 and 20" deep boxes to be tippy if get any weight in drawer or if try rolling it around. There's deals out there just need to be patient like you said.
My Mac three bay tech is five years old. Is way way overloaded and used every day. Still like new. Buy that used before I bought a cheap box every time.
Used a 2 bay tech with at least 300lbs in top drawer over 20 years dragged from job to job. It’s still fine warranted 2 drawer slides in it.
Being a hf box owner i totally agree with box depth. It would of been nice to have at least a 24 deep. I have a 72 with a 54 top side locker and cab.. i bought it all 5yrs ago before the husky hd came out.. im alao a top box guy vs a hutch. So much more room to put stuff. Great video cp.. take care
Not gonna lie I was thinking of the 3series HF but after seeing the used better quality tool boxes not buying HF any more I’m a DIY so makes sense
I’m not interested in the US General box line up at all for multiple reasons. A 73” icon setup with hutch and two side lockers would be about $8,300 before Tax. Local market place ads for me are around $3500 +\- for a used 55” Snap on or Matco box. Cheapest 84” Epiq Snap on box I seen locally is $8,000 for cabinet only. Now I am a home gamer/DIY guy. However I’m a bit more advance than your typical DIY guy that’s literally just changing their own oil and install “cold air” intakes lol. I’ve got multiple power train conversion under my belt that comes with a crazy amount of wiring skills that have developed. I have thousands of $$ in crimp tools for harness building itself. Plenty of engine swaps from Hondas, Toyotas, various GM vehicles. Complete suspension etc etc. I spend time either catching your videos on tools or watching good RUclipsrs that can actually diagnose and repair vehicles like South Main Auto and a few others. With all the blow molded cases I have, Id love to have the option of locking them up in a side cabinet and would kill for a nice hutch to setup a lap top or PC and monitor for referencing schematics + option of closing the lid when doing a lot of sanding and grinding in the garage.
Thanks for another great video my brother ❤
Thanks buddy for supporting!!!
Thanks for sharing brother. A lot of nice toolboxes. Keep the content coming. Hope you have an incredible night. Much love and RESPECT
Anybody ever heard of 52” waterloo tool box?
Yep, I owned one for years
Haha it’s basically a older us general isn’t it?
The us general is creeping up on the SO "classic" series, Mac Tech,matco 2s price range.🤷♂️🤦♂️
Snap on for your main box Mac for the blow mold cases and extras and the us general for the butt connectors!
Great idea
I like the harbor freight 72 for the money but for serious tool storage, I’d rather get a snap on from marketplace rather than spend $4-5,000 on a look a like with 22 inch drawers that’s going to frustrate me every time I open it
I wouldn't buy a snap on box anyway, I prefer matco, much stronger
Oh, you're that guy you prefer to pay for more steel and less storage copy that lll
@@CPthetooladdict I don't need so much storage I'd rather durability
Last box i picked up was a used US GENERAL 56 " paid 400 put another 300 in all new slides.
In the end i wish I would have just bought a used snapon/matco ect.. off market place.
I agree i got a roll cart cornwell 34 inch for 250
i have 2 of the 44” top and bottoms side by side plus a locker from us general and i like them. i just fill them with quality tools. i love the idea of that 2nd wide drawer for wrenches and the hutch is cool but for home i can’t see it. also i agree with the power drawer…. for home, not needed. glad harbor freight is stepping it up but i’ll pass on this one. i heard the 56” and the 44 will go series 3 this fall??
My Matco 5s was a 56"x 25" box, and it was too small for me? Now I got the HF 72" x 22" Series 2, don't actually have the drawer slides done, if you don't want the drawers to squeak, you must drill and rivet another section of the slide? One rivet in the rear and a few hooks on the slides is not sufficient or acceptable to me, it's sloppy, and creaks and squeaks every time you open or close the damn drawers? With a total of 48 separate drawer slides and 18 drawers, it's a real pita? Not to mention the total lack of quality control? One drawer was not operational at delivery? Had to remove drawers around the drawer to try and release the locking tab in the rear of it? They used rivets to hold the sliding hook , and it was seized in the lock position, so I had to drill the head of the rivet down to release the press on it, so the hook could move properly? Yeah, not damaged in shipping, just non-existent quality and control? I didn't sell my Matco box, to replace it with this thing, it was sold out of necessity, nothing to do with the box being bad? Not working professionally anymore, and it's been 4 years in between selling and getting the new HF box, since I was sick of my fortune of tools being in boxes all over the place, that's all? I'd recommend getting a used professional box, before buying a HF box, if you value your money, and don't want to be aggravated by what I have been through, and haven't even got to use the thing, until all this crap is sorted being brand new? I forgot to mention, if you plan on rolling the HF box at work, think again, the rubber on the casters is glued on and falling off, just being rolled 10 ft., from the front of my garage, where I had to spend half a day cutting the crate away from underneath the damn box, to the middle of my garage wall? I really miss my Matco box? Great video, as usual, CP.
well I've had a snap on tool box and was disappointed with the built quality and for the price I was more upset that l paid too much and I've seen people buy used tool boxes and as they say they don't make like they use to, snap on once made good boxes but I don't see it they sort make over priced low quality tool boxes and bought a us general 5 drawer cart and took with me where I go and was built like a tank and on the plus side I didn't care if it got scratched or dented because I didn't that much, now I have us general 72 inch series 2 box and its been going strong for three years now, best investment I ever made and I am a technician for Lexus. I'm telling you guys that the tool truck days are numbered and there's better stuff out there, most people want you to buy snap on or tool truck boxes because they think if you can't afford tool truck tools boxes then what kinda mechanic are you.
Quite the bullspit artist 🎨 👌
@@CPthetooladdict nope what I tell you is the truth
Sure bud glad you think so we both know you're a liar
@@CPthetooladdict how can I prove it to you cause I love for you to eat those words
Doubt it also I wouldn’t want u working on expensive Lexus with junk
I realize this video is 6 months old, but FB marketplace is highly dependent on where you're located.
True if you live In a city we're there are no tool trucks I can see that.
@@CPthetooladdict That has been my experience while looking locally. The used SO, Mac, etc. boxes that are even close in price to a Icon box are absolutely beat, and the ones that are in good shape are generally 2-3x the price. I'm jealous of the folks that have better options on FB marketplace.
I've got the first gen US General locker hanging off my Snap-on box, was great for a couple of years, now it's getting weird, the door doesn't close right anymore, almost like it twisted somehow.
But, don't let that deter you from getting one, I just abuse the heck out of mine, it has more weight in it and on top of it than it probably should have. For the money, it's really not that bad, a warm dry place for extra gear.
No harbour freight up in Canada but we do get us general boxes up here. Seen 2 fall apart they can’t take daily abuse in a heavy equipment shop with a rough floor. My Mac tech 1000 20 years going strong. Just ordered a new Mac titan to replace it.
I'm not sure what the quality is on the us general gen 3. But I think it's valuable to start with the 5 drawer tool cart and build your way up if you're new to the industry.
TEKTON boxes. Canadian made by Rousseau, they've been making commercial boxes forever. Lifetime warranty, when you compute cubic inches per dollar between US General and Icon/used truck toolboxes. Absolute TANKS, 400lbs per drawer 12000 lb capacity on top of 48" box w/o wheels. All 27" or 30" deep
Put hands on one today and was not impressed at all way too pricey in my opinion. Now that us general snap on look alike cart is worth it way better quality then the gen 3
I checked one out yesterday. I was disappointed in the quality. Shocked how much the drawers shook side to side.
This is the video I’ve been waiting for. I’m a DIY guy, but I’d rather spend money on a used Snap On box.
And you should add......save your money, don't finance.
Depends on the financial situation zero percent finance isn't bad if you pay it off
100 % right CP
DEPTH IS EVERYTHING
Always fun when the lubey is grinning ear to ear because he got the best box made in history for the lowest price because he's smarter than all those senior techs that got fooled, but not him, he's smart, that's why he's a lube tech!
Lol thats facts and only mechanics know this!!
My 40 inch snap on roll cart is 20 inches deep and I wish it was deeper. Problem with harbor freight is they will finance it 😂. I'll never get rid of my 30 inch deep master series
👍
You can still warranty snap on boxes even if you’re not original owners
Show me where that says that on the snap-on warranty policy ding dong.
I'm not buying someone old beatup box. And most nice boxes in California used from Mac, matco and snap on aren't cheap. Might as well buy a new box.
Ya buy a new box that won't be worth anything or buy something that I'd worth what you paid for. It seems like a super intelligent decision financially.
@CPthetooladdict I would rather save up and buy a nice box. You want to be a ni e used box here in California you might as well buy it new.
2nd hand tool truck box values have massive differences in depreciation depending on where you live. Anywhere in Cali youre better off just buying a new one tbh. I also think you arent taking into account the fact that most guys are struggling to scrape together the $1800 much less $3-$4k. And at least in NorCal there is basically zero depreciation on US General stuff if it isnt trashed.
If you're paying retail for a used us general you are silly. Just saying
@@CPthetooladdict I mean u can save a coupke hundred... but in all reality any used US gen ive looked at that was a good deal was trashed. Any that were nice I may as well find another $2-$300 and get a brand new one myself.
Yup my friend bought a matco 4s for 500 dollars haha cheaper then harbor freight
You nailed it. Why buy China junk when you can buy American for over half off
CP, you are 1000% right on the money! Greater box depth is THE #1 size factor in my opinion.
Another BRILLIANT video by the tool KING of RUclips….CP! 🔧👑
Dang it now I gotta get on Facebook marketplace😂
It's a rabbit hole lol
@@CPthetooladdict every time
👍👍👍
Cornwell boxes all the way!!!! Lol
They kept it at 22" so that it doesn't compete with the Icon boxes.
Basically, they could jack the price up while adding minimal overhead is what you mean.
@@CPthetooladdict Yep. I bet they already have hard time selling Icon boxes. If they make US General the same size as Icon, they won't sell any Icon boxes.
I qant that 2s thats a great deal that is less than i paid for my 80s seires cart
How are you long time no see my friend!! Hope all is well!!
@@CPthetooladdict just work and life i dont get many of your vids on my feed hope all is well with you sir
🔧😃🔧
I’ve seen a triple bank 4s for 4k