Not in the market for any of these. But I have an idea some people might like. Slide out shelves for the lockers. Maybe with a one or two inch tall sides and back. Maybe as a conversion kit.
The problem with depth, it's not really just a troll thing nor should it be dismissed. None of the techs in the shop i work for have any room to build more left or right. We can go a bit deeper or we can go vertical. As a diesel tech those extra inches of depth has made storing my larger tools and sockets so much less of a pain in the ass. That said for the price point i am 100% getting one of these for the home shop, and any tech needing a box on a budget these are amazing.
I'm hoping they'll come out with these in the new purple. I'm already in Team Blue with the 34" full cart and Yukon 9 drawer, but I'd go to the purple in a heartbeat. Yesterday was my first day at our newest local store as a part-time employee. Looking forward to working there and the discount.
@@shawnevans827 Is that 20% off the ORIGINAL price, in addition to the sale discount? Because, if it is, that's potentially 40% off, since my understanding of retail is that the average sale is 20% off of the regular price...
@@larrywildes4004 from what I hear there's no employee discount there as a good friend if mine from high school worked there for about 3 years. He said their margins are so thin the company can't give a discount. I call BS on that regarding HD. I trust my friends telling me the truth though.
I had a 25% off coupon (not valid on boxes) so I went to HF today to buy a hand-held planer. Anyway, there are NO Series 2 boxes left at my local store, or any store within a hundred miles of where I live (North Jersey). I asked a store employee if he knew when the new Series 3 27 inch was coming in and he didn't have a clue Dude was like, "US Gen-what???" Way to go on employee training HF.
Where in North Jersey are you located. There are a few North Jersey stores Newton, Mount Holly, and Hackets town. If you are further north like Sussex county, try Pennsylvania, or up State ny
@@moe4490 I went to the Saddle Brook store, it's off I80 a few miles from NYC. The stores around here are cleaned out of Series 2. What surprised me was the answer I got when I asked about the Series 3 27 inch.
It’s frustrating as I have three series 2 26” boxes. My shops are in my fair size basement which is built with three rooms and my two car garage. So other than my 48” Craftsman toolbox and upper unit I bought way back in the 1980s, I don’t have room for big boxes. So the small ones are perfect. But I’d like two more. The problem is that here in NYC, I don’t drive, so I lay the $96 to get each delivered. And yup, I like yellow. They’re now in sale for a ridiculous $180!. But I can’t get them as they’re store only. I guess I’ll have to get the new ones at higher prices than the series 2. What I don’t like is the deep top draw. I use those top thin draws for measuring tools, mill bits and tapping equipment. I can’t think of how I’ll use that deep top drawer. All the things I use the most use a small depth. It also takes a draw away because of the double height of the new drawer.
@@melgross If all you need are shallow drawers get the 26 inch top section and buy a two shelf cart. When assembling the cart flip the top drawer upside down, place the 26 inch top section on it. All your small stuff will be at a height where you don't have to bend and you can use the bottom shelf to store bulky stuff.
@@MrSloika that’s exactly the opposite of what I need. The 8 draw chest is exactly what I need. I have to see over the top of the chest. Don’t think I haven’t thought of buying a top chest.
I have been saving my money to buy a series 2 toolbox. I don't make very much on my disability and now all the series 2 are discontinued, and the series 3 are way too expensive now. Thanks, harbor freight. 😢
I’d love to see some sort of middle box option like a spacer box. I’m 6’7 and the work center is awesome but not very practical if I have to duck to work in it.
Since they don’t sell it you could always make your own riser. It would be very cheap and easy to do out of wood or you could do metal if you can weld. I’d be to the exact height you want and you could even get more storage out of it.
US General line, IMHO, is the best value proposition that HF has. These are excellent quality for the price point. I am not a pro but if I were I would have to think about where to spend my money: On the tools that actually make me money, or the box to keep them in. Answer is easy to me.
I am a "pro" and I agree. My boxes are ancient and were all free or cheap. They hold tools. They work. My tools are where I spend the money, and even then, I'm choosy.
Really sucks they got rid of the chrome trim. Maybe I’m just a boomer but it sure looks nice to me. Could’ve sold black out kits that fit series 2 and 3 for the mennonites among us.
I see lots of snap on and matco at work. The new series 3 is really good deal. The truck brand names doesnt entice me enough to spend thousands of dollars and make monthly payments. These boxes do the same thing, hold tools and look great too.
I personally don't think you even need to buy one of these U.S. Generals unless you HAVE to have a new box. I've been acquiring antique boxes for years, for free or cheap. I actually work out of them. My money goes into the tools themselves, instead.
Thanks 👍 for the insight into the new boxes. Very helpful! I would love to have any of them. And I have to tell you, I just love your old man voice! I chuckle every time I think about it. Thanks for injecting the humor in your videos. Laughing all the way to the shop! 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤
I have a US General box that has been riding around in a heavy wrecker STUFFED full of tools for 14 years now. The amount of abuse piled on that thing is unbelievable, there is nothing in any shop that compares to banging around in a 40,000 pound truck a couple thousand miles a week. Still that thing functions flawlessly, everything is completely intact except for the plastic logo. In 2018 I put SnapOn top box in the other side of that same wrecker and the slides are now gone to the point that it has become extremely hard to open, the drawer faces no longer line up and hit each other when pulled out. The SnapOn will be replaced with US General here in the next couple weeks. US General boxes are just an amazing value, I feel they are the best thing at Harbor Freight.
I took the cheap way out and got the Series 2 44x22, 2 lockers, and an end cabinet at the clearance prices. The end cabinet replaced a crappy 1-drawer night stand next to my bed (shoulda got two!). SOOO much better.👍 One thing that HF should do is sell additional shelves for the end locker. 3 shelves and the drawer on the bottom is all you get. I could use another shelf or two in my lockers. Thanks, Bear.
Some perspective: Back in the 70's I had a set of boxes from Kennedy, a brand often seen as a premium machinists' line. Forget inflation; I paid as more in 1976 for the Kennedy than I would today at Harbor Freight for a US General. The Kennedy had drawer slides that only let the drawers come 3/4 of the way out. Only then was Kennedy testing the market with very pricey, long lead time optional ball bearing drawer rails, with a further add-on if you wanted "full" extension slides. Quality? It didn't take very long for frequent movement to cause several spot-welds to break. I guess they didn't really expect you to actually move the boxes around much. Fast forward to today: My Gen 2 US Generals have ball bearing slides that let the drawers come out 90%. Even the end cabinets -- which I set on dollies and move about frequently -- remain solid (no broken welds). Full width drawer pulls (compared to dinky handles on the Kennedy). Latches on each drawer. Explain again why I should avoid Harbor Freight.
You could put bigger wheels on the 27 to bring the height up if you'd rather have the tops line up rather than the bottoms. In fact, maybe they put smaller wheels on the 27 and that is the difference? It's a metal box, you have many options for changing its height.
I agree hutches for the small sizes are not worth it. But let's have a pre-made wood top like the Yukon as an option. Just drop it on top and make it easily replace
It would be nice for a workcenter hutch for the 42 inch models at least. I can understand why 27 inch workcenters wouldnt be ideal? Snap-On has a hutch for their 36inch.
The clearance prices for the Series 2 were great. I tried getting 2, one for my plasma cutter and one for my welder. The local HF told me they are no longer available and cannot be ordered. They couldn't say when the Series 3 would be available or at what price.
I was looking for a toolbox and went to my harbor freight and they had a display out and I wanted to buy a blue bottom and top. Didn’t happen. It’s crazy . One store will have a blue bottom and a green top. Another store a orange top and a yellow bottom. I could not get a top and bottom in the same color anywhere within 75 miles of my house. Went to Home Depot and got a the same size husky box on sale for $300. Missed sale for HF
That 27" S3 top box looked like it had 7 drawers instead of 8. Maybe that's why it's shorter than the wider boxes. The black trim is sexy on these boxes.
They need to make a line of smaller home garage boxes. 18” deep stuff with good drawer options. Why does it keep getting bigger and bigger? Like you’ve mentioned before, 22” deep doesn’t work well in some home garages.
If you can find any series 2 carts in stock, those prices are insane! I got the last one (“44”) in 100+ miles of me about 6 weeks ago for about $75 more.
My gen 2 72 inch I removed the latch and put a couple of magnet blocks from the magnet strip back when they were free, on the back of the drawers. Works very well for me.
@cbmech That is a great idea. Do you use them horizontal (1 strip per drawer) or vertical down the center with a little overlap) I have a Rollcab that has a handle that lift’s up , now I just can’t get over any other latching system. Your idea is genius , may I use it if I do expand and go with H/F? Noticed your name ( of whatever thy call it) Do you or did you work on Honda CB motorcycle’s.
@@marshallcollins8634 in those magnet bars there are 8 individual blocks. Pull the tape off the top and then with the wood chisel I popped them out. Stack 2 together and one stack on the back of each drawer. I didn't but a dab of silicone rtv will keep them from moving. On the full width drawer you may have to use 2 stacks
@@marshallcollins8634 no sir, I was a navy seabee heavy equipment mechanic (cbmech). I got the idea from a RUclips video about upgrades to a HF 5 drawer so go right ahead and use what you like. I'm always willing to pass on ideas to anyone who wants to use them. I did remove the factory latches.
I agree. There's no reason for a hutch on a 42 or 27, the top boxes are what you get for those. Like I'm sure there is five people that would buy a hutch for those over the next year but that's the entire issue.
That sucks, i had no idea they where discontinueing the series 2, never received anything about it wouldve for sure picked up a big roller to put my top box on 😑
I have the new 56. Love it. The ONLY complaint I have is that every drawer, in the last inch to two inches, doesn't want to come out smooth. I have to put a little oomph into it to get it all the way. Small thing for some, a little bit bigger for me as I put tools all the way back. Haven't tried pulling the slides out and re-greasing or anything like that yet as I haven't wanted to unload it yet, but that's one of the first things I'm going to try.
Dammit the minute you come out with a new video my boyfriend immediately gets a glint in hes brown eyes. He gets excited and probably wants to buy new stuff 😢😢😢
I painted my trim black immediately when I bought my 72 in series 2 from marketplace. Looks like a much higher end box with black to be honest. The trim comes off and on so easily it really only took me a couple hours including paint prep.
It's interesting because if they were always black...then chrome would be sought after.Today everyone likes the blacked out chrome on cars also.It's just a trend...and its new and different...and people like new and different..
was really hyped up for the drawer latches UNTIL i checked them out! thin and kinda cheapy feeling the series 2 latches that were on the bigger boxes while not full width were a better design and stronger. if the 42in drawers also have the detents like they used to when closed i will just pull the latch plastics out of it as i dont have a reason to have the drawers latched shut, mine sits stationary and doesnt get moved around at all. also they changed the top design of the 42in top box (not sure i like that yet) as well as the drawer layout of the 42in roll cab
Anyone who thinks a tool brand is "worth the money" typically talks about warranty. Icon has a good warranty from them, the old craftsman stuff did before sears went under, snap on and matco are great, if you have a truck coming by routinely. Snap on boxes are pretty decent, but if they make it, we've broken it. Their drawers still have cheap plastic on it that will wear out and break with daily use. Their ratchets are pretty decent, but nothing to write home about. Their wrenches are pretty decent. Their pliers are super nice though. If i had some spending money, I'd go with sonic tools just for their foam system. For home/semi professional use, I'd go series 3 boxes and Tekton hand tools just for the huge range they throw in with their kits. Yea, you don't always need a 34mm socket, but when you do it's awesome to have a set of stuff that all sits neatly in a drawer. Then I'd mix in some snap on or knipex stuff to round it out. Just find a brand that excels in a thing and get that. Extreme brand loyalty is trash. No self respecting individual buys snap on power tools.
Hello again, Jeff and Mrs. Bear 🐻 Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I wanted to tell you. We have another tool box player. Announce during Sema 2023. On Dmaxryno RUclips channel. I don't know if you saw this or not. Core Toolboxes. So HF may have some competition. That's good for us consumers. Again thank you 😊
Dear Den Of Tools I would like to tell you my first complaint is that I live in Rockford IL. and I wanted to buy the Us generation 2 26in x 22in bottom box in green. The store in Loves park IL. said that the store in Dekalb IL. had one, but I should call first to see availability. So I called and they had one. Then I asked if they would hold it for me until I have time to get there, witch was about one hour away. When I got there to buy the box , the store manager said that he can sell me the box because I didn't have a suv or a truck to take it home in. So I wasn't told that I had to have a certain vehicle to take it home before I drove the hour to get there. So I had to have my father dive down to Dekalb IL. with his suv so I could bring it home . I think that if you are going to sell something it should be up to the customer on how they bring it home ,and not refuse to sell you that item. Thanks love your show, watch every episode, Mark Eye
Yes, they should have told you that they won't load it into a car. This is why they won't load that stuff into a car: "Dude, strap that 400 pound box to the roof of my 1982 Ford Escort." {10 minutes later} "Dude! That box scratched the roof of my 1982 Escort. I'ma sue you now!"
I have a 42" Series 2 box, I have one drawer that is basally broken because it does not slide right I had drawers that dont keep shut. The one drawer that does not slide right i had to take it off the tack and it was since then that it does not work right. i should spend time to see really why it does not slide. I thought you can remove them and reinstall them. I also have a SONIC Box and i took out the drawers a couple times and no issues with them and they close and stay that way.
Alright Bear, hear me out. I think that Icon should bring back their 36” cart and make a hutch and side locker for it. Right now Snap On is the only one offering such a setup. And in their Epiq line no less. It’s for a VERY niche market but they’re the only ones going for it. Their social media heavy hitters have featured them and they’ve garnered, I think, enough attention to at least talk about a potential concept. A small toolbox to harbor the absolute essentials, a side locker to house the bulk items, and a hutch to have all the screens and scanners. I KNOW the idea would have a few takers. So if Harbor Freight is listening, I challenge you to at least draw it up and ask people on Instagram/Tiktok would consider having such a setup.
I wanted the 42 and I'm going to wait for it to hit the stores. Your remarks about how people keep digging on HF for not being good enough, not 30 inches deep..... My first thought was a 30 inch deep box would be great but I'm not paying for any of the boxes that are 30 inches deep.
Interesting new boxes, but unfortunately not quite what i need for a secondary machinist box. Time to either get a second series 2 or hunt for a deal on a used kennedy
Den of Tools Guy: If Harbor Freight changed the drawer latch system to the same latch system found on the Snap-On Epiq series and Tekton tool boxes, it would increase sales big time and a Game changer. I would definitely buy a US General tool box !!!!
Not only is the top drawer taller on the 27", but they did away with all the super shallow drawers, and made the roll cab the same height as the 42, 56, 72. I think they missed an opportunity to make a more usefull top box for the 27 at probably a lower cost. Make the 3 little top drawers into just one wide one to fit more stuff without restrictions (sell a divider kit if you want). Then the very top of the 27"... why does it need to open? Make it a fixed flat top like the top of the bottom cab, and perhaps add one more drawer. If everyone is anything like me, you'd much rather put stuff on top rather than have that top open. I agree that the under drawer unlocking interface sucks. Not a fan. It does look like the 27" stack is shorter. Fail on that. Finally, I'm wondering if pliers racks will work with these new drawer heights?
I wanted to buy the Series 2 $99 26” (yellow advertised cheaper) top chest, but they’re all out of Series 2 and ordered the $250 new Series 3 for $250. Still a good deal I guess, but it’s expected to arrive to the store in like a month (Jan 10, 2024). I hope that key locks up the entire box not just the top part.
My Spap On KRA series box is only 18" deep, 22" would be much appreciated. I am hoping for a top slide cart, and for 3 drawers all the way across instead of 2 on the Icon and next series of General in 72" and 56 atleast. Here's to hoping.
Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Craftsman are all great tools and affordable same for their boxes. There’s really no reason why anyone should settle for Harbor Freight when these other competitors are easily 10 times better quality and are not crazy expensive.
i have a end cabinets and i put metal wheels on them used one as a table top drill press stand stores a lot of drill bits and i have for metal working has a bandsaw on the top i want to put grinder holders on the side but i have not down that yet
To be truly modular, mixy-matchy they need to make drawer height modular. I know that'll never happen. Making and selling separate empty boxes and drawers of different heights would cause cost/complexity of manufacturing, inventory and warehousing to skyrocket. But it would let customers have the toolboxes that actually fit their needs, not just boxes aimed at a compromised approximation of average of users. The electronics industry does this. They make electronics cabinets based on a standard width and height for all drawers, panels and enclosures (19"wide x multiples of 1.75" high). A costlier approach than HF is ever likely to consider, especially since nobody in the toolbox space has anything like it that would show how marketable the idea would be. But it is vastly more flexible and space efficient for the end user.
Personally i just want to pull the drawer and have it open, really don't care for the sliding unlock deal, doesn't matter if it's a snap on or us general.
If they could, I’m sure they would. The problem with manufacturing in the US is three fold; government regulations, unionization, and NIMBY people who say they want to support American workers, but every time it comes around to authorize construction of a manufacturing plant they vote sure just not near my house.
Those are tested in a clean lab, I need to see them tested out for a year in a real shop like the ones i worked in when I was a kid, grease everywhere, beer/soda/salsa gumming up the slides, solvents all over. That being said I still have my series 1 boxes, they live outside out in the open and besides the paint fading they still work well.
On the 27" they didn't do the same top lid. It's unfortunate for sure. I don't know why HF has such a problem with consistency. They often seem to go 98% and stop. It's just another thing for the diehard tool truck guys to call out.
Ok so my Snapon box is amazing. 13k awesome? Meh…… I broke down and gave my 2 husky boxes to a new mechanic, and bought the series 3. I have to say I’m impressed by the quality. BUT the power drawer pisses me off. You can’t even charge the Milwaukee batteries with drawer closed. They could’ve done the bottom left drawer as the power drawer. But everything else is amazing. I love the latches because the drawers stay closed in my service truck vs the huskies that always opened leaving drawers on the floor.
@5:50. Yes removing money from family funds to have a a off the truck box is hard to justify. Take care of family, not worry about being shamed by Jim-Bob at work. A buddy would watch a coworker buy a tool off the truck, go on line and buy the same manufacturer tool for less than half and wave it in his face,
Apparently harbor freight doesn't want my money any more. Their website blocks me from browsing just because I have ad/tracking blockers. Guess they won't get any more of my money, even for these sick ass toolboxes.
I have the same question. HF says in the video that S3 will be backwards compatible to S2, but they don’t address if the S3 27” top will fit the S2 26” bottom.
@@markhovermann8297 yeah, it doesn't make sense why they changed the name. I measured my bottom box and it's like 26.5" or something at the top. Why change the name unless it's different. I get it with the 44/42" the old measurement didn't make sense there before.
A store associate said he didn’t think it was but he also couldn’t quite remember. I know the guy in the video says it will but he seems to reference the bigger boxes for that. I’m tempted to order one and try it. Guess I’ll return if not
The new plastic door latch are cheap and a pain. I was at HF today and was trying to open a drawer and the plastic latch wouldn't open and actually broke. Very disappointing! Definitely like the latching on the Series 2 better.... sounds like a downgrade!
3-72 inch boxes with hutches....what a wall of cabinets that would be...18 feet of just amazing storage..
I love the harbor freight rep using the correct words to describe the products.
Not in the market for any of these. But I have an idea some people might like. Slide out shelves for the lockers. Maybe with a one or two inch tall sides and back. Maybe as a conversion kit.
"Slide-out shelves" GREAT idea.👍 I hadn't thought of that.
The problem with depth, it's not really just a troll thing nor should it be dismissed. None of the techs in the shop i work for have any room to build more left or right. We can go a bit deeper or we can go vertical. As a diesel tech those extra inches of depth has made storing my larger tools and sockets so much less of a pain in the ass. That said for the price point i am 100% getting one of these for the home shop, and any tech needing a box on a budget these are amazing.
I'm hoping they'll come out with these in the new purple. I'm already in Team Blue with the 34" full cart and Yukon 9 drawer, but I'd go to the purple in a heartbeat.
Yesterday was my first day at our newest local store as a part-time employee. Looking forward to working there and the discount.
how much is the discount?
20% on top of the sale prices. You can't use coupons and the 20% though.
@@shawnevans827 Is that 20% off the ORIGINAL price, in addition to the sale discount?
Because, if it is, that's potentially 40% off, since my understanding of retail is that the average sale is 20% off of the regular price...
I applied for a part time job at HD. I know the store better than most employees.
@@larrywildes4004 from what I hear there's no employee discount there as a good friend if mine from high school worked there for about 3 years. He said their margins are so thin the company can't give a discount. I call BS on that regarding HD. I trust my friends telling me the truth though.
Have come to love Harbor freight 😊
Hutch, hutch, hutch. What about Starsky?
I had a 25% off coupon (not valid on boxes) so I went to HF today to buy a hand-held planer. Anyway, there are NO Series 2 boxes left at my local store, or any store within a hundred miles of where I live (North Jersey). I asked a store employee if he knew when the new Series 3 27 inch was coming in and he didn't have a clue Dude was like, "US Gen-what???" Way to go on employee training HF.
Where in North Jersey are you located. There are a few North Jersey stores Newton, Mount Holly, and Hackets town. If you are further north like Sussex county, try Pennsylvania, or up State ny
@@moe4490 I went to the Saddle Brook store, it's off I80 a few miles from NYC. The stores around here are cleaned out of Series 2. What surprised me was the answer I got when I asked about the Series 3 27 inch.
It’s frustrating as I have three series 2 26” boxes. My shops are in my fair size basement which is built with three rooms and my two car garage. So other than my 48” Craftsman toolbox and upper unit I bought way back in the 1980s, I don’t have room for big boxes. So the small ones are perfect. But I’d like two more. The problem is that here in NYC, I don’t drive, so I lay the $96 to get each delivered. And yup, I like yellow. They’re now in sale for a ridiculous $180!. But I can’t get them as they’re store only. I guess I’ll have to get the new ones at higher prices than the series 2.
What I don’t like is the deep top draw. I use those top thin draws for measuring tools, mill bits and tapping equipment. I can’t think of how I’ll use that deep top drawer. All the things I use the most use a small depth. It also takes a draw away because of the double height of the new drawer.
@@melgross If all you need are shallow drawers get the 26 inch top section and buy a two shelf cart. When assembling the cart flip the top drawer upside down, place the 26 inch top section on it. All your small stuff will be at a height where you don't have to bend and you can use the bottom shelf to store bulky stuff.
@@MrSloika that’s exactly the opposite of what I need. The 8 draw chest is exactly what I need. I have to see over the top of the chest. Don’t think I haven’t thought of buying a top chest.
The 42 still has the soft detent locks so if you want to remove the full width latch, you’ll still have a soft detent there to keep the drawer closed.
I have been saving my money to buy a series 2 toolbox. I don't make very much on my disability and now all the series 2 are discontinued, and the series 3 are way too expensive now. Thanks, harbor freight. 😢
Thanks bear, for keeping us updated. 😊
I Bought the 26" top box . I'm glad I didn't buy the roller cab because I thought the first 2 drawers on the 26 roller cad are too shallow
I’d love to see some sort of middle box option like a spacer box. I’m 6’7 and the work center is awesome but not very practical if I have to duck to work in it.
Six-foot-seven?!
Maybe you should remove the casters and put the whole setup on a Volkswagen chassis!
😂😂
I'm 6'3" and second this option. They should make a 2 drawer riser for the hutch.
Since they don’t sell it you could always make your own riser. It would be very cheap and easy to do out of wood or you could do metal if you can weld. I’d be to the exact height you want and you could even get more storage out of it.
Going tomorrow to get the blue 56" with top drawer chest and 22" side locker with accessories. I can't wait!
US General line, IMHO, is the best value proposition that HF has. These are excellent quality for the price point. I am not a pro but if I were I would have to think about where to spend my money: On the tools that actually make me money, or the box to keep them in. Answer is easy to me.
I am a "pro" and I agree.
My boxes are ancient and were all free or cheap. They hold tools. They work.
My tools are where I spend the money, and even then, I'm choosy.
Really sucks they got rid of the chrome trim. Maybe I’m just a boomer but it sure looks nice to me. Could’ve sold black out kits that fit series 2 and 3 for the mennonites among us.
I see lots of snap on and matco at work. The new series 3 is really good deal. The truck brand names doesnt entice me enough to spend thousands of dollars and make monthly payments. These boxes do the same thing, hold tools and look great too.
I personally don't think you even need to buy one of these U.S. Generals unless you HAVE to have a new box.
I've been acquiring antique boxes for years, for free or cheap. I actually work out of them.
My money goes into the tools themselves, instead.
I'm probably going to get one of the 72" boxes. I like the idea of having a place to put my impact guns.
Thanks 👍 for the insight into the new boxes. Very helpful! I would love to have any of them. And I have to tell you, I just love your old man voice! I chuckle every time I think about it. Thanks for injecting the humor in your videos. Laughing all the way to the shop! 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤
I have a US General box that has been riding around in a heavy wrecker STUFFED full of tools for 14 years now. The amount of abuse piled on that thing is unbelievable, there is nothing in any shop that compares to banging around in a 40,000 pound truck a couple thousand miles a week. Still that thing functions flawlessly, everything is completely intact except for the plastic logo.
In 2018 I put SnapOn top box in the other side of that same wrecker and the slides are now gone to the point that it has become extremely hard to open, the drawer faces no longer line up and hit each other when pulled out. The SnapOn will be replaced with US General here in the next couple weeks. US General boxes are just an amazing value, I feel they are the best thing at Harbor Freight.
I took the cheap way out and got the Series 2 44x22, 2 lockers, and an end cabinet at the clearance prices.
The end cabinet replaced a crappy 1-drawer night stand next to my bed (shoulda got two!). SOOO much better.👍
One thing that HF should do is sell additional shelves for the end locker. 3 shelves and the drawer on the bottom is all you get. I could use another shelf or two in my lockers. Thanks, Bear.
Did you, or can you bolt the 2 44 s(new 42s) together to make 1 solid rollcab ? I'm considering going this way vs. a 72".
Just order additional shelves through their replacement parts catalog.
Tell them too make a mag drill .love your video's
Wall of boxes = Goals!!!
Some perspective:
Back in the 70's I had a set of boxes from Kennedy, a brand often seen as a premium machinists' line. Forget inflation; I paid as more in 1976 for the Kennedy than I would today at Harbor Freight for a US General.
The Kennedy had drawer slides that only let the drawers come 3/4 of the way out. Only then was Kennedy testing the market with very pricey, long lead time optional ball bearing drawer rails, with a further add-on if you wanted "full" extension slides. Quality? It didn't take very long for frequent movement to cause several spot-welds to break. I guess they didn't really expect you to actually move the boxes around much.
Fast forward to today: My Gen 2 US Generals have ball bearing slides that let the drawers come out 90%. Even the end cabinets -- which I set on dollies and move about frequently -- remain solid (no broken welds). Full width drawer pulls (compared to dinky handles on the Kennedy). Latches on each drawer.
Explain again why I should avoid Harbor Freight.
I’d love a 42” hutch. I would put that and my (s2) 26” top drawers on a 72” cab
You could put bigger wheels on the 27 to bring the height up if you'd rather have the tops line up rather than the bottoms. In fact, maybe they put smaller wheels on the 27 and that is the difference? It's a metal box, you have many options for changing its height.
I agree hutches for the small sizes are not worth it. But let's have a pre-made wood top like the Yukon as an option. Just drop it on top and make it easily replace
1999 was the last year of the 2door Tahoes.
Love mine, hard to find Slate grey 2wd.
It would be nice for a workcenter hutch for the 42 inch models at least. I can understand why 27 inch workcenters wouldnt be ideal? Snap-On has a hutch for their 36inch.
i have a 42 inch box and i love it and i get most of my tools at harbor freight both top and bottom
That Darth Vader box looked sweeet!!
I'll enjoy my series 2 for the rest of my life but enjoy your videos
The clearance prices for the Series 2 were great. I tried getting 2, one for my plasma cutter and one for my welder. The local HF told me they are no longer available and cannot be ordered. They couldn't say when the Series 3 would be available or at what price.
I'd love to be able to get my hands on one in the uk
16:33
Best commentary of the entire video.
...maybe of the channel's history.
I'm watching for the 26" top box to go on clearance at my HF.
I was looking for a toolbox and went to my harbor freight and they had a display out and I wanted to buy a blue bottom and top. Didn’t happen. It’s crazy . One store will have a blue bottom and a green top. Another store a orange top and a yellow bottom. I could not get a top and bottom in the same color anywhere within 75 miles of my house. Went to Home Depot and got a the same size husky box on sale for $300. Missed sale for HF
Harbor freight doest stock tool boxes. What you saw were likely returns or rejected boxes. When you buy a box at hf you order it
Yep you just have to order it...not a big deal..
Side locker bottom drawer: Snack drawer!
So your saying the Series 2 26" at it's current clear out pricing is the better deal to the 27" series 3.
Cool. The 26" yellow top box is $100. Also, I just picked up the 44" top box in blue for $150 and it is indeed a bit taller than the 26" top box.
That 27" S3 top box looked like it had 7 drawers instead of 8. Maybe that's why it's shorter than the wider boxes.
The black trim is sexy on these boxes.
I would definitely get a 42 with a hutch on the top , doesn't make sense not to
They need to make a line of smaller home garage boxes. 18” deep stuff with good drawer options. Why does it keep getting bigger and bigger?
Like you’ve mentioned before, 22” deep doesn’t work well in some home garages.
It's a good point,but most really want at least 22 inches.It's that simple.very few would choose 18 over 22..
Definitely going to check them out. Thanks 👍🏽👍🏽
Top tip: say “hey siri(or just Siri in the latest updates) remind me to unmute my phone in 30 minutes”
I bought the 27” top box yesterday. If it was any taller, you wouldn’t be able to see inside the top & im 6’ tall.
4:11 man, idk if it’s the lighting or what but that red and black really pops and I’m partial to the green and black.
Harbor Bear Man, (don't know your name) you have a fantastic announcer's voice and delivery style. Good humor without trying to overdo.
If you can find any series 2 carts in stock, those prices are insane! I got the last one (“44”) in 100+ miles of me about 6 weeks ago for about $75 more.
My gen 2 72 inch I removed the latch and put a couple of magnet blocks from the magnet strip back when they were free, on the back of the drawers. Works very well for me.
@cbmech
That is a great idea.
Do you use them horizontal (1 strip per drawer) or vertical down the center with a little overlap)
I have a Rollcab that has a handle that lift’s up , now I just can’t get over any other latching system.
Your idea is genius , may I use it if I do expand and go with H/F?
Noticed your name ( of whatever thy call it) Do you or did you work on Honda CB motorcycle’s.
@@marshallcollins8634 in those magnet bars there are 8 individual blocks. Pull the tape off the top and then with the wood chisel I popped them out. Stack 2 together and one stack on the back of each drawer. I didn't but a dab of silicone rtv will keep them from moving. On the full width drawer you may have to use 2 stacks
@@marshallcollins8634 no sir, I was a navy seabee heavy equipment mechanic (cbmech). I got the idea from a RUclips video about upgrades to a HF 5 drawer so go right ahead and use what you like. I'm always willing to pass on ideas to anyone who wants to use them. I did remove the factory latches.
I agree. There's no reason for a hutch on a 42 or 27, the top boxes are what you get for those. Like I'm sure there is five people that would buy a hutch for those over the next year but that's the entire issue.
That sucks, i had no idea they where discontinueing the series 2, never received anything about it wouldve for sure picked up a big roller to put my top box on 😑
I have the new 56. Love it. The ONLY complaint I have is that every drawer, in the last inch to two inches, doesn't want to come out smooth. I have to put a little oomph into it to get it all the way. Small thing for some, a little bit bigger for me as I put tools all the way back. Haven't tried pulling the slides out and re-greasing or anything like that yet as I haven't wanted to unload it yet, but that's one of the first things I'm going to try.
Most likely its not because of lubrication but tighter tolerances in the design....a flaw if you will in the slides,that lubrication may fix.
Dammit the minute you come out with a new video my boyfriend immediately gets a glint in hes brown eyes. He gets excited and probably wants to buy new stuff 😢😢😢
I painted my trim black immediately when I bought my 72 in series 2 from marketplace. Looks like a much higher end box with black to be honest.
The trim comes off and on so easily it really only took me a couple hours including paint prep.
It's interesting because if they were always black...then chrome would be sought after.Today everyone likes the blacked out chrome on cars also.It's just a trend...and its new and different...and people like new and different..
was really hyped up for the drawer latches UNTIL i checked them out! thin and kinda cheapy feeling the series 2 latches that were on the bigger boxes while not full width were a better design and stronger. if the 42in drawers also have the detents like they used to when closed i will just pull the latch plastics out of it as i dont have a reason to have the drawers latched shut, mine sits stationary and doesnt get moved around at all. also they changed the top design of the 42in top box (not sure i like that yet) as well as the drawer layout of the 42in roll cab
2 door Tahoe? Sounds 90s 😎
Anyone who thinks a tool brand is "worth the money" typically talks about warranty. Icon has a good warranty from them, the old craftsman stuff did before sears went under, snap on and matco are great, if you have a truck coming by routinely. Snap on boxes are pretty decent, but if they make it, we've broken it. Their drawers still have cheap plastic on it that will wear out and break with daily use. Their ratchets are pretty decent, but nothing to write home about. Their wrenches are pretty decent. Their pliers are super nice though.
If i had some spending money, I'd go with sonic tools just for their foam system. For home/semi professional use, I'd go series 3 boxes and Tekton hand tools just for the huge range they throw in with their kits. Yea, you don't always need a 34mm socket, but when you do it's awesome to have a set of stuff that all sits neatly in a drawer. Then I'd mix in some snap on or knipex stuff to round it out. Just find a brand that excels in a thing and get that. Extreme brand loyalty is trash. No self respecting individual buys snap on power tools.
Hello again, Jeff and Mrs. Bear 🐻
Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I wanted to tell you. We have another tool box player. Announce during Sema 2023. On Dmaxryno RUclips channel. I don't know if you saw this or not. Core Toolboxes. So HF may have some competition. That's good for us consumers. Again thank you 😊
Dammit....that gray matches my Jeep Grand Cherokee....must match all the things...
Hey the series 2 us general are no longer just been sold! But their are still on the web site shipments comming soon!
Dear Den Of Tools I would like to tell you my first complaint is that I live in Rockford IL. and I wanted to buy the Us generation 2 26in x 22in bottom box in green. The store in Loves park IL. said that the store in Dekalb IL. had one, but I should call first to see availability. So I called and they had one. Then I asked if they would hold it for me until I have time to get there, witch was about one hour away. When I got there to buy the box , the store manager said that he can sell me the box because I didn't have a suv or a truck to take it home in. So I wasn't told that I had to have a certain vehicle to take it home before I drove the hour to get there. So I had to have my father dive down to Dekalb IL. with his suv so I could bring it home . I think that if you are going to sell something it should be up to the customer on how they bring it home ,and not refuse to sell you that item. Thanks love your show, watch every episode, Mark Eye
Yes, they should have told you that they won't load it into a car. This is why they won't load that stuff into a car: "Dude, strap that 400 pound box to the roof of my 1982 Ford Escort." {10 minutes later} "Dude! That box scratched the roof of my 1982 Escort. I'ma sue you now!"
That 44” double bank top chest isn’t even on their website.
They said they would have purple ones for sell but I don’t see them anywhere?
I have a 42" Series 2 box, I have one drawer that is basally broken because it does not slide right I had drawers that dont keep shut. The one drawer that does not slide right i had to take it off the tack and it was since then that it does not work right. i should spend time to see really why it does not slide. I thought you can remove them and reinstall them. I also have a SONIC Box and i took out the drawers a couple times and no issues with them and they close and stay that way.
Alright Bear, hear me out.
I think that Icon should bring back their 36” cart and make a hutch and side locker for it.
Right now Snap On is the only one offering such a setup. And in their Epiq line no less. It’s for a VERY niche market but they’re the only ones going for it. Their social media heavy hitters have featured them and they’ve garnered, I think, enough attention to at least talk about a potential concept.
A small toolbox to harbor the absolute essentials, a side locker to house the bulk items, and a hutch to have all the screens and scanners.
I KNOW the idea would have a few takers. So if Harbor Freight is listening, I challenge you to at least draw it up and ask people on Instagram/Tiktok would consider having such a setup.
I wanted the 42 and I'm going to wait for it to hit the stores. Your remarks about how people keep digging on HF for not being good enough, not 30 inches deep..... My first thought was a 30 inch deep box would be great but I'm not paying for any of the boxes that are 30 inches deep.
The icon series beat snap on' s entry level boxes all day everyday.
I know the guy in the opening. Lol
Picked up the series 2 44" green bottom $242 and green top for $108, no luck on the side cabinets he in Southern California.
Interesting new boxes, but unfortunately not quite what i need for a secondary machinist box. Time to either get a second series 2 or hunt for a deal on a used kennedy
Den of Tools Guy: If Harbor Freight changed the drawer latch system to the same latch system found on the Snap-On Epiq series and Tekton tool boxes, it would increase sales big time and a Game changer. I would definitely buy a US General tool box !!!!
Ordered a 42 series 3 sunday. Its going to a diesel shop. We will see if it last 5 to 7 years.
Our store has in stock. Yakima WA.
Meth heads tried to wheel it out today
Not only is the top drawer taller on the 27", but they did away with all the super shallow drawers, and made the roll cab the same height as the 42, 56, 72. I think they missed an opportunity to make a more usefull top box for the 27 at probably a lower cost. Make the 3 little top drawers into just one wide one to fit more stuff without restrictions (sell a divider kit if you want). Then the very top of the 27"... why does it need to open? Make it a fixed flat top like the top of the bottom cab, and perhaps add one more drawer. If everyone is anything like me, you'd much rather put stuff on top rather than have that top open. I agree that the under drawer unlocking interface sucks. Not a fan. It does look like the 27" stack is shorter. Fail on that. Finally, I'm wondering if pliers racks will work with these new drawer heights?
You make some good points man. I might have to pick one of those up.
I wanted to buy the Series 2 $99 26” (yellow advertised cheaper) top chest, but they’re all out of Series 2 and ordered the $250 new Series 3 for $250. Still a good deal I guess, but it’s expected to arrive to the store in like a month (Jan 10, 2024). I hope that key locks up the entire box not just the top part.
What are you putting the top box on?
My Spap On KRA series box is only 18" deep, 22" would be much appreciated. I am hoping for a top slide cart, and for 3 drawers all the way across instead of 2 on the Icon and next series of General in 72" and 56 atleast. Here's to hoping.
Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Craftsman are all great tools and affordable same for their boxes. There’s really no reason why anyone should settle for Harbor Freight when these other competitors are easily 10 times better quality and are not crazy expensive.
5:06 BINGO!
Practice dip the chrome
Prefer the series 2. Fortunately bought on clearance
i have a end cabinets and i put metal wheels on them used one as a table top drill press stand stores a lot of drill bits and i have for metal working has a bandsaw on the top i want to put grinder holders on the side but i have not down that yet
What’s your thoughts on Husky Tool Chests?
His name is Markus. Lol
Why are they dropping smaller tool chest 27 inch
Surely they’re gonna have a Black Friday Sale on those Gen 3’s.
To be truly modular, mixy-matchy they need to make drawer height modular. I know that'll never happen. Making and selling separate empty boxes and drawers of different heights would cause cost/complexity of manufacturing, inventory and warehousing to skyrocket. But it would let customers have the toolboxes that actually fit their needs, not just boxes aimed at a compromised approximation of average of users.
The electronics industry does this. They make electronics cabinets based on a standard width and height for all drawers, panels and enclosures (19"wide x multiples of 1.75" high). A costlier approach than HF is ever likely to consider, especially since nobody in the toolbox space has anything like it that would show how marketable the idea would be. But it is vastly more flexible and space efficient for the end user.
Personally i just want to pull the drawer and have it open, really don't care for the sliding unlock deal, doesn't matter if it's a snap on or us general.
If HF could manage to build the cabinets, boxes and carts in the US for say a 10% upcharge........................sales would rocket.
True...but they could not.American made steel is a lot more money,that's part of the problem.
If they could, I’m sure they would. The problem with manufacturing in the US is three fold; government regulations, unionization, and NIMBY people who say they want to support American workers, but every time it comes around to authorize construction of a manufacturing plant they vote sure just not near my house.
Those are tested in a clean lab, I need to see them tested out for a year in a real shop like the ones i worked in when I was a kid, grease everywhere, beer/soda/salsa gumming up the slides, solvents all over. That being said I still have my series 1 boxes, they live outside out in the open and besides the paint fading they still work well.
On the 27" they didn't do the same top lid. It's unfortunate for sure. I don't know why HF has such a problem with consistency. They often seem to go 98% and stop. It's just another thing for the diehard tool truck guys to call out.
Its because the 27 is so small...they wanted to maximize storage capacity..
Ok so my Snapon box is amazing. 13k awesome? Meh…… I broke down and gave my 2 husky boxes to a new mechanic, and bought the series 3. I have to say I’m impressed by the quality. BUT the power drawer pisses me off. You can’t even charge the Milwaukee batteries with drawer closed. They could’ve done the bottom left drawer as the power drawer. But everything else is amazing. I love the latches because the drawers stay closed in my service truck vs the huskies that always opened leaving drawers on the floor.
Yeah I’m mad the 27” don’t align with the lockers 😢, I seen the sema videos and the 27 don’t match the rest
@5:50. Yes removing money from family funds to have a a off the truck box is hard to justify. Take care of family, not worry about being shamed by Jim-Bob at work.
A buddy would watch a coworker buy a tool off the truck, go on line and buy the same manufacturer tool for less than half and wave it in his face,
I was considering getting 2 56” boxes. And bolting them together. Is that possible, without butchering the sides 🤷♂️ can they just bolt together?
Apparently harbor freight doesn't want my money any more. Their website blocks me from browsing just because I have ad/tracking blockers. Guess they won't get any more of my money, even for these sick ass toolboxes.
Will the 27" top fit on the older 26" bottom?
I have the same question. HF says in the video that S3 will be backwards compatible to S2, but they don’t address if the S3 27” top will fit the S2 26” bottom.
@@markhovermann8297 yeah, it doesn't make sense why they changed the name. I measured my bottom box and it's like 26.5" or something at the top. Why change the name unless it's different. I get it with the 44/42" the old measurement didn't make sense there before.
A store associate said he didn’t think it was but he also couldn’t quite remember. I know the guy in the video says it will but he seems to reference the bigger boxes for that. I’m tempted to order one and try it. Guess I’ll return if not
I'll have to borrow a tape measure from them and check it out. Seems like an easier way to go.
The new plastic door latch are cheap and a pain. I was at HF today and was trying to open a drawer and the plastic latch wouldn't open and actually broke. Very disappointing! Definitely like the latching on the Series 2 better.... sounds like a downgrade!
Are they having any black friday sales on the 56" Yellow hutches
Any news on the power tool holster?