US General Series 3

[will335i]

Looks like the US General line is getting another update. Deeper drawers and they finally released a hutch. I wonder what this means for the Icon line.

Harbor Freight SEMA 2022 Photo Album

View SEMA videos on our landing page: CLICK HERE

go.harborfreight.com

 

[M6erfan]

Wonder if they got rid of those ridiculous drawer latches?

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

*Edit: double tap post*

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Interesting. I've been debating on getting a new USG setup but no hutch kept me from seriously pulling the trigger. Deeper drawers and a hutch option has me waiting to see what they come up with for the final product.

 

[will335i]

Wonder if they got rid of those ridiculous drawer latches?

Honestly one of the reasons I decided to go with the Icon along with the power drawer.

This draw layout looks really similar to my 73 just shorter so you lose a couple.

Curious on where the pricing goes on this and if it will push the Icon higher. I think that would be a bad move unless they are going to allow for more customization options with the Icon line.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Honestly one of the reasons I decided to go with the Icon along with the power drawer.

This draw layout looks really similar to my 73 just shorter so you lose a couple.

Curious on where the pricing goes on this and if it will push the Icon higher. I think that would be a bad move unless they are going to allow for more customization options with the Icon line.

If you zoom in on the materials setup in the hutch, it says integrated power is an option and that it has an improved drawer latch system. The side cabinets look a lot like the icon ones, except where the very top has that bevel on the top.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

The Den of Tools has a video up on youtube. Looks like a nice unit. You can now release the drawer from anywhere on the drawer handle.

 

[mike93lx]

Interested to see pricing and if they have any deals on series 2 stuff.

 

[Snapped-off]

Well ****... Maybe I'll pick up a 72

 

[2ndGearRubber]

That looks really nice, thanks for sharing the info.

 

[will335i]

The link has more pictures from their SEMA booth but this seems to be the only thing that is really new.

 

[hailwood1965]

Looks like the US General line is getting another update. Deeper drawers and they finally released a hutch. I wonder what this means for the Icon line.

Harbor Freight SEMA 2022 Photo Album

View SEMA videos on our landing page: CLICK HERE

go.harborfreight.com

The grey tool cart looks nice as well.

 

[Madjik Man]

Looks like I need to start saving up for spring time.

I assume the drawers are full extension?

 

[Craftfab]

Look forward to a more in depth video or photos from someone there that shows the drawer layout for each size and depth.

 

[TheToolEnthusiast]

How much deeper is this than the Series 2?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Questions right off the bat would be, price, warranty, and parts availability in the future. Well, that assume the build quality is up to par for the price they are asking.

I've noticed Harbor Freight has slowly been creeping up the price and quaility over the years.

At this point all they need is a tool truck and they could probably knock off Matco and Cornwell. Cornwell seems to be fighting to stay alive with their recent reboot on many items. Getting away from the square handle too.

 

[jumbojak]

I want the six drawer cart in white.

 

[UglyViking]

Questions right off the bat would be, price, warranty, and parts availability in the future. Well, that assume the build quality is up to par for the price they are asking.

I've noticed Harbor Freight has slowly been creeping up the price and quaility over the years.

At this point all they need is a tool truck and they could probably knock off Matco and Cornwell. Cornwell seems to be fighting to stay alive with their recent reboot on many items. Getting away from the square handle too.

If they do a tool truck then they will have to start screwing over the tool truck owners just like Snappy does. I would prefer HF only rip off the Snappy products, not the business model.

As for the USG series 3. I was hoping, but also pretty shocked to see this. I just bought a 56" series 2 this year, and while it works, the drawers are really getting to me. The USG series 3 looks to incorporate most of the items I wanted from the Icon line, without the price tag. (although HF, if you're listening, you should introduce a few more colors in the Icon line to compete with Snappy)

My primary questions for this new chest are:

• Drawers seems to have a new unlock mechanism, what is this like? What material is it made out of?
• How much deeper are the drawers? There was mention of deeper, but how much?
• Do the drawers fully extend? They appear to from the video of the power drawer, but man that would be my biggest pain point solved.
• Did they thin down the metal to make a more obvious distinction between the Icon line and the USG? If they made it less sturdy but added more features I think I'd be out.
• Is that gap between the hutch and cabinets something that will be in the final product? Looks super cheesy.

 

[Madjik Man]

If they do a tool truck then they will have to start screwing over the tool truck owners just like Snappy does. I would prefer HF only rip off the Snappy products, not the business model.

As for the USG series 3. I was hoping, but also pretty shocked to see this. I just bought a 56" series 2 this year, and while it works, the drawers are really getting to me. The USG series 3 looks to incorporate most of the items I wanted from the Icon line, without the price tag. (although HF, if you're listening, you should introduce a few more colors in the Icon line to compete with Snappy)

My primary questions for this new chest are:

• Drawers seems to have a new unlock mechanism, what is this like? What material is it made out of?
• How much deeper are the drawers? There was mention of deeper, but how much?
• Do the drawers fully extend? They appear to from the video of the power drawer, but man that would be my biggest pain point solved.
• Did they thin down the metal to make a more obvious distinction between the Icon line and the USG? If they made it less sturdy but added more features I think I'd be out.
• Is that gap between the hutch and cabinets something that will be in the final product? Looks super cheesy.

I always found it odd that the 44" Series 2 have full extension drawers but not the 56" or 72" Series 2.

Why?

It's the main reason I was going to buy two 44" boxes. But I'm going to hold off and buy a 72" Series 3 so it seems.

 

[CJM8515]

as a home user im still quite happy with my gen 1 44" with the side drawers and the 26" gen 1 top and bottom set i picked up on the cheap cause it was damaged. but man that box does look tempting..

reality is i just have too many tools lol. i mean is that possible?

 

[Craftfab]

I always found it odd that the 44" Series 2 have full extension drawers but not the 56" or 72" Series 2.

Why?

It's the main reason I was going to buy two 44" boxes. But I'm going to hold off and buy a 72" Series 3 so it seems.

I ended up with one 44" series 2 that is full extension and another that is not full extension. Thought it was odd not all got the same.

 

[mepstein]

I bet the icon boxes go away.

 

[d.mcfarland]

If they do a tool truck then they will have to start screwing over the tool truck owners just like Snappy does. I would prefer HF only rip off the Snappy products, not the business model.

Eric Smidt house (also has a 9.2 Billion net worth):





You think he cares who he rips off? Wonder if there is a single Harbor Freight tool in that house?

 

[M635_Guy]

If they do a tool truck then they will have to start screwing over the tool truck owners just like Snappy does. I would prefer HF only rip off the Snappy products, not the business model.

If I were them, it would be HF-owned trucks operating within a certain radius of existing stores. They'd sell singles or wrenches, sockets, etc, do warranty stuff and have the same kind of financing they have in the store and something similar-to but better-than the Inside Track Club.

I doubt they'd put much of a dent in SO, but I agree that others might struggle to compete.

 

[mepstein]

HF isn’t going to do tool trucks. Why try compete with an outdated model when they are selling like crazy in the stores and opening new stores every day. I would think their next step might be online sales with some sort of guaranteed 1 or two hour delivery. Many businesses are using the Uber eats model to have low paid, independent drivers deliver retail store items in the same manner they deliver your take out food. Order a socket set, sandpaper or cordless drill from their “menu’, and have an uber driver drop it off to your door or the work site.

 

[superspec]

I think I’ve finally found the last 5 years worth of gift cards. If this years pans out I’ll get my 72” depending on price changes

 

[Dig Doug]

That is Disgusting!

I can’t believe the pool is that far away from the house!

I mean you need a golf cart for a quick dip in the pool before bed

I bet they throw a great Father’s Day BBQ !!!

Eric Smidt house (also has a 9.2 Billion net worth):





You think he cares who he rips off? Wonder if there is a single Harbor Freight tool in that house?

 

[Madjik Man]

Eric Smidt house (also has a 9.2 Billion net worth):





You think he cares who he rips off? Wonder if there is a single Harbor Freight tool in that house?

If I had that much money I guarantee you that you wouldn't be able to see a single neighbor for miles.

 

[BarrelRoll]

I'm interested to see the price point. Depending on the Husky box home depot has them beat on price though the quality of the husky stuff is pretty bad. The US general stuff is creeping up in price, I wouldn't be surprised if this box is close to $2k for a 73" box.

Have they stated the depth yet? I've noticed a lot of the bigger husky boxes are 24 or 24.5" deep.

The hutch will be a big draw for entry level auto mechanics.

 

[d.mcfarland]

US general stuff is creeping up in price, I wouldn't be surprised if this box is close to $2k for a 73" box.

With the hutch and side lockers or without? With all the accessories I'd bet that picture shows $4,500 worth of stuff. The basic box alone is $2,000 - 2,500. Side lockers will be $500-$750 each and the hutch will be $800-$1,000. (All my personal bets, I have no insider knowledge. Just going based off of the current USG and ICON prices.)

If a very good condition Snap-On, MAC, etc box is available for about the same price, the choice probably should lean towards them in my opinion.

 

[jpaw]

If they do a tool truck then they will have to start screwing over the tool truck owners just like Snappy does. I would prefer HF only rip off the Snappy products, not the business model.

As for the USG series 3. I was hoping, but also pretty shocked to see this. I just bought a 56" series 2 this year, and while it works, the drawers are really getting to me. The USG series 3 looks to incorporate most of the items I wanted from the Icon line, without the price tag. (although HF, if you're listening, you should introduce a few more colors in the Icon line to compete with Snappy)

My primary questions for this new chest are:

• Drawers seems to have a new unlock mechanism, what is this like? What material is it made out of?
• How much deeper are the drawers? There was mention of deeper, but how much?
• Do the drawers fully extend? They appear to from the video of the power drawer, but man that would be my biggest pain point solved.
• Did they thin down the metal to make a more obvious distinction between the Icon line and the USG? If they made it less sturdy but added more features I think I'd be out.
• Is that gap between the hutch and cabinets something that will be in the final product? Looks super cheesy.

Now that you point it out... That gap between the hutch and the lockers is a bad look.

 

[jpaw]

I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

If the price is right and the quality is there you will see a lot more of these in a professional setting than Icon's.

My biggest concern is that HF has lost it's place in the food chain and the value is fading. Yes with every price increase there are improvements but at what price does the preceived value begin to fade with the masses?

I seem to remember a very successful tool brand that tried to step away from their bread and butter and what happened? I know the Craftsman downfall was more about Sears' business model but they created their own issues as well. But who knows, had they stuck with the values they had built as a brand maybe they would have faired better.

And today's Craftsman is not related to the days of old other than by name and colors. But who knows they seem to be headed in a better direction.

 

[Terra Nova]

Looks really nice and am glad to finally see a hutch option. Wondering if I should pull the trigger on a top box for my 56" series 2 now while they are still available. Would love a hutch but am assuming it won't be backwards compatible?

 

[Mr_B]

so are they planning keep the 22" series 2 line and have this series 3 as a more pro line ?
Looks like series 3 be a price hike so it not going be value choice for lot of home owners and possibly too large for lot of home users .
They getting messy with boxes like they do with power tool brand/choices, to me this been better under ICON as cheaper option and current series 2 could of had slide and pull latch and a hutch on current boxes .
If they drop series 2 lot of people going be stumped on expanding what they already bought into .

 

[legenddc]

I remember when they went to the Series 2 it was to avoid tariffs on smaller boxes. Have there been more tariffs passed or did the initial ones step up after a certain amount of time?

 

[Rickster]

Looks like a direct hit on the DIY market.

 

[will335i]

I bet the icon boxes go away.

I hope not because I still want to add a side locker to my box but I also wouldn't be surprised.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I was really hoping for a grip latch system for the drawers, like Homak, Montezuma/Masterforce, or even Rousseau uses. Just something other than the under the pull latches. Hopefully yellow sticks around as that’s my cart color and I’d like to match it up one day.

 

[m6z]

Man, that looks really nice.

 

[MarkH]

reality is i just have too many tools lol. i mean is that possible?

If you think you have too many tools. Get therapy. Keep posting. Line your garage/shop with tool boxes of multiple brands and make sure you get at an EPIQ utility vehicle for moving tools around. When full build a new shop.