US General Series 3

[emeraldcoupe]

I feel like the Icon series needs to be updated to 30" depth and latch system upgraded to something similar to Snap On epiq latches. USG boxes need a 24" depth update and give it the latch system the Icon series currently uses.

At 22" deep, the usg is good for a home garage where space is limited. anything deeper really cuts into space in the typical two car garage.

 

[GeoBruin]

At 22" deep, the usg is good for a home garage where space is limited. anything deeper really cuts into space in the typical two car garage.

Or 1939 1-car garage like mine!

 

[UglyViking]

If the drawers were actually 22" deep, then I think they would be great, but if memory serves they are like 18-19" and the biggest issue, they don't fully extend.

I would have loved to see them get a hair deeper to be honest. I think 27+" is too much for the target audience, but I would have liked to see a 24" box with a true 22" drawer. At the very least, give me a bit more drawer, like 21".

Either way, as @GeoBruin pointed out, you add too many features, make the box too large, etc. and you price yourself out of the market. I think they still have some catching up to do, if we are being honest. The latching system still seems super hokey, and it really the worst part by far in my eyes. Seems like they addressed a lot of the other concerns, but the biggest one that remains for me is the latch and the "soft close drawers". I won't lie, one of my best friends is a diesel tech and got an epic a year ago. It's by far the nicest toolbox I've ever laid my hands on, and it makes me mad that my USG is so much worse every time I open his. That said, I just haven't been able to bring myself to spending Snap-on cash for something that holds tools while I'm not using them. If I were to win the lotto tomorrow, sure, but until then the best I can realistically buy new will be an Icon.

Side note, if the crew of employees that works on any of his assets uses anything other than Harbor Freight items, isn't that a pretty telling story? Would love to know the details and truth.

I don't really think it's telling for anything. The number of dealer techs that don't own a vehicle from the same manufacture they work on is staggering. In fact, at least locally, I don't think any of the Merc mechanics I know actually own a Merc. Is that telling?

I think you're really making this an all or nothing kind of deal, and it really doesn't have to be. I don't think that the CEO of HF goes to bed ay night concerned that any of us have quality tools, or that he's doing good for his employees. I assume he goes to bed like we all would like to, with a super model wife next to him in a multi million dollar mansion with chefs and all that. Well, I'd go for a person chef, but I don't want a mansion. And if my wife asks, she's the supermodel.

 

[Max]

for a person chef, but I don't want a mansion. And if my wife asks, she's the supermodel.

Smart man!

 

[ianguilly]

Hutch is too short looks like they took a page out of cornwell and matco. Not 27" deep at a minimum is a miss. The lockers look good. I'll be interested to see pricng.

 

[daithi]

Looking forward to seeing what they will do with the 44" and 56" boxes. My coworker has the S2 56" and other than the latches it would be enough box for me. Sure the SnapOn boxes in the shop are "nicer" but no way are they 10x nicer.

Oh interesting. It is backward compatible. I find the existing side lockers to be a little small considering they're my only "tall" storage. Maybe I could swap them in?

@GeoBruin we're gonna need a shop tour of that sweet setup!

 

[Mr_B]

If the drawers were actually 22" deep, then I think they would be great, but if memory serves they are like 18-19" and the biggest issue, they don't fully extend.

I would have loved to see them get a hair deeper to be honest. I think 27+" is too much for the target audience, but I would have liked to see a 24" box with a true 22" drawer. At the very least, give me a bit more drawer, like 21".

Series 2 is around 19" front to back drawer depth (varies about half inch pending what factory version you get) .
Seems like the Series 3 is 20" and they made design effort make sure the slides will give full opening of the drawer .
Hopefully the latch is a fairly good improvement and prices stay minimal .
Lot of potential buyers already holding back on series 2 purchases as prices reached a new high so I don't think a major price hike on a series 3 release would be a good thing for sales numbers unless quality/design of box increased a lot .
If they introduce these with good discount/coupons it might be only time lot of people find the price acceptable expected value ...

 

[RalphInCA]

At this point all they need is a tool truck and they could probably knock off Matco and Cornwell.

Interesting thought.

 

[GeoBruin]

@GeoBruin we're gonna need a shop tour of that sweet setup

Ha! Thanks. That's definitely the most well organized wall in my shop. I'll try to get a good wide angle of the whole shop once I clear out a couple of projects that are currently in the way.

 

[BlackBowtie]

If you all had your way, you would "upgrade" these boxes right out of my price range. There are already options out there for people who want boxes that deep with those features and are willing to pay those prices. The USG boxes are often hailed as the last bastion of affordability around here that still have passable build quality.

So which is it? Do you want US General to become Icon and and Icon to become Snap On or do you want boxes a home gamer can still own without leveraging their house?

There's always Milwaukee/Husky boxes at HD for those that think they're too much.

 

[GeoBruin]

There's always Milwaukee/Husky boxes at HD for those that think they're too much.

Yes but every time this comes up, the consensus seems to be that the USG boxes are a step above the Husky boxes in terms of materials. That's part of my concern... if USG gets too expensive, it's not like there's another competitor with similar build quality in this price range. You would have to "settle" for a less well constructed box with minimal peripherals available and in 1 of about 2 color options.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I bought a bunch of series 2 boxes for home, love em the drawer depth is fine, when I ran out of room I just added more boxes. I can't see the hutch being useful in a home shop but it's nice to have that option. I went this route cause of the value, bought right before covid & I think they need to keep the middle price point. I have a feeling lots of people that looked at Icon probably went with a truck brand & could see them phase out Icon boxes & keep updating the USG line to appeal to the masses. I've since picked up a 5 drawer cart, 7 drawer service cart, 2 side lockers, 2 end cabinets & 2 single drawer carts. Personally I feel the Husky is a step down so I hope they can keep the USG line competitive.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I don't get the point of the hutch. What is the draw with this? How is it normally used?

I've always had a top chest on a roller cabinet so I'm not familiar with the hutch layout.

House computer plus monitors, pegboard type rear for hanging tools or shelves for manuals, easily lockable to secure it all.

 

[UglyViking]

I feel like the hutch is only realistically valuable for shop space, or if you really just want the look. The only other case I could see there being value is if you have above storage, as that makes it easy. That said, you could probably bridge the gap in cheaper ways.

 

[CarsonConcepts]

I've been wanting to do a hutch setup in my small home garage, not for security, but dust control. Set up things like the computer, power tool battery chargers, radio etc. in the hutch (Things that normally would be on a bench or shelf). Then easily close the door when grinding, sanding, etc. to protect them. Would also be nice for more delicate tear down projects that you want protect while working on something else.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I've been wanting to do a hutch setup in my small home garage, not for security, but dust control. Set up things like the computer, power tool battery chargers, radio etc. in the hutch (Things that normally would be on a bench or shelf). Then easily close the door when grinding, sanding, etc. to protect them. Would also be nice for more delicate tear down projects that you want protect while working on something else.

Dust/ soot control is a bigger issue in a shop that people realize.

There's a constant layer of rust powder and cigarette smoke accumulating on everything.

 

[UglyViking]

I'll admit, I had not thought about the dust control, but that's a very valid point.

 

[dagofast]

I'm not sure why HF swapped the deep drawer from the bottom left on the series 2 to the bottom right on the series 3. I'm just really glad I got mine back when I did, back before all of the BS trade war tariffs, covid and supply shortage madness.

 

[HPRifleman]

I've been trying to convince myself that I need a new (larger) tool chest and have been leaning towards the U.S. General because of all the positive comments. With this new Gen 3 I may just wait until next spring and see what they actually introduce before I pull the trigger.

 

[m6z]

Do we know what sizes will be offered?

I might have room for a 42" box with a hutch..

 

[GeoBruin]

Do we know what sizes will be offered?

I might have room for a 42" box with a hutch..

72" first, others to follow.

 

[1982fxr]

I have a 56" set of Gen 2.

What are you guys talking about when you say drawers aren't full extension? Mine sure are...

 

[Madjik Man]

I have a 56" set of Gen 2.

What are you guys talking about when you say drawers aren't full extension? Mine sure are...

Every 56" and 72" I've tested out does not fully extend. There's an inch or so that remains recessed under the drawer above.

 

[powertrip]

Every 56" and 72" I've tested out does not fully extend. There's an inch or so that remains recessed under the drawer above.

It's been discussed how different part #'s may extend fully while others don't on the same size box. if you notice their boxes have several part#'s listed online for the same box. There is a thread somewhere on this subject.

 

[mepstein]

Every 56" and 72" I've tested out does not fully extend. There's an inch or so that remains recessed under the drawer above.

I probably have an inch of overhang on my 56 but it wouldn’t make a difference if it pulled out s bit more. I can easily get to tools and see the entire drawer without bending down.
I just spent the day working at our shop. I don’t keep any tools there so I grab what I need from the techs. There are two large snap on boxes a very large matco and a small harbor freight. They all had drawers that opened with tools inside. It really made no difference what box I pulled the tools from.

 

[albundy]

haven't touched the series 3 yet, but from what i can see in the sema videos, it looks and should feel like the 34" tech cart. i have 2 of them, 1 bought at launch and the other bought this summer. both are parked on either side of my snapon kcp1422 and used daily. they look the same, feel the same and all have given me zero issues. they're so similar i would swear they rolled out of the same factory. even the plastic that runs under the drawer handles for the latch looks identical. the drawer slides attach the same and look identical as well. i even started a youtube channel because of them "Semi Interesting".

that said i hate the latch on all previous generation usg boxes. i had 2 of the 5 drawer carts and constantly pulling on one side of the drawers was starting to twist the drawers and make them jam up. also the drawers are only held to the tracks with 3 tiny rivets per side.

looking forward to this launch, i'll be buying at least one of the lockers for my kcp since snapon wants about the same for 1 locker as i paid for the box with the hutch.

 

[kdeboy]

I'm glad I got my Series 2 (56" roller and 5 drawer tech cart). The price was right at the limit I can afford right now and the quality is a lot better than the Husky boxes I checked out at Home Depot. If the Series 3 is backwards compatible and they make a hutch for the 56" box I'll probably get one and set a computer up on it.

 

[HPRifleman]

I was in Harbor Freight yesterday and took a look at the tool cabinets to take some drawer measurements.

When I tried opening the drawers I thought they were locked. It turned out these had a locking mechanism that required you to blindly unlatch something at the end of the drawer handle before the drawer would open. I vaguely recall reading complaints on this forum regarding this but I never really understood the annoyance. Now I do.

I asked the store manager about this and she confirmed the requirement to reach under the handle to unlatch the drawer. She also said that the Gen 3 models will have an improved system but she was not specific. Here's hoping that is true as I would have a hard time buying a Gen 2 unit simply because of this.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

maybe i'm missing something, but i just don't get the hate for the latch on the side of the drawers. my 72" has them, it's a non-issue to use them. after the first time opening a drawer, you don't even think about it anymore.

 

[Mr_B]

maybe i'm missing something, but i just don't get the hate for the latch on the side of the drawers. my 72" has them, it's a non-issue to use them. after the first time opening a drawer, you don't even think about it anymore.

I guess it not just using it but long term issues of the plastic latch springing apart/breaking .
Could live with the simple solution concept if it proper made durable .
For guys using these boxes more professionally it was one of biggest complaints besides wheels and some slide issues for those using them well loaded and not stationary .
Never know why they didn't keep latches and slides in retail stock ...

 

[Madjik Man]

I was in Harbor Freight yesterday and took a look at the tool cabinets to take some drawer measurements.

When I tried opening the drawers I thought they were locked. It turned out these had a locking mechanism that required you to blindly unlatch something at the end of the drawer handle before the drawer would open. I vaguely recall reading complaints on this forum regarding this but I never really understood the annoyance. Now I do.

I asked the store manager about this and she confirmed the requirement to reach under the handle to unlatch the drawer. She also said that the Gen 3 models will have an improved system but she was not specific. Here's hoping that is true as I would have a hard time buying a Gen 2 unit simply because of this.

Watch the video of the Gen 3. It’s a full length latch handle.

 

[mepstein]

The latch on the 56” gen 2 is annoying for a day or 2 and then your brain remembers it and the annoyance goes away. I go into our shop and use tools out of 4 different manufacturers cabinets and they all open differently. It may take a second or two at the beginning of the day but then it’s a non event the rest of the day. Everything in life has trade offs and compromises so you have to decide what you can live with and what is a non starter. Latches aren’t really high on my list but for other people, they might be.

 

[UglyViking]

The latch on the 56” gen 2 is annoying for a day or 2 and then your brain remembers it and the annoyance goes away. I go into our shop and use tools out of 4 different manufacturers cabinets and they all open differently. It may take a second or two at the beginning of the day but then it’s a non event the rest of the day. Everything in life has trade offs and compromises so you have to decide what you can live with and what is a non starter. Latches aren’t really high on my list but for other people, they might be.

I feel differently than this. I have had my USG box for around 6 months now, and while I'm only a weekend warrior, I can't tell you how many times I attempt to open the drawer quickly only to realize I didn't get the latch all the way out.

I do find it pretty surprising that HF just doesn't so non-latching similar to the Husky or other "soft close" options. Can't imagine there is much, if any, difference in cost between the two.

 

[mepstein]

I feel differently than this. I have had my USG box for around 6 months now, and while I'm only a weekend warrior, I can't tell you how many times I attempt to open the drawer quickly only to realize I didn't get the latch all the way out.

I do find it pretty surprising that HF just doesn't so non-latching similar to the Husky or other "soft close" options. Can't imagine there is much, if any, difference in cost between the two.

You can place a nut in the latch mechanism to defeat the latch and be able to pull the drawer open. My floor isn't perfectly level so I feel more comfortable leaving the latch in place. I did think about defeating the latch and using magnets at the back to secure the drawer but I doubt I'll ever get around to it.

 

[Madjik Man]

I feel differently than this. I have had my USG box for around 6 months now, and while I'm only a weekend warrior, I can't tell you how many times I attempt to open the drawer quickly only to realize I didn't get the latch all the way out.

I do find it pretty surprising that HF just doesn't so non-latching similar to the Husky or other "soft close" options. Can't imagine there is much, if any, difference in cost between the two.

The 44" are detents/non-latching

 

[UglyViking]

You can place a nut in the latch mechanism to defeat the latch and be able to pull the drawer open. My floor isn't perfectly level so I feel more comfortable leaving the latch in place. I did think about defeating the latch and using magnets at the back to secure the drawer but I doubt I'll ever get around to it.

Yeah, I've seen all the "hacks" and such, I just don't understand why HF hasn't made this change. As @Madjik Man pointed out, the 44" is already a "force to overcome" drawer system without any latches, so I'm not sure why the rest of their product line isn't.

 

[Mr_B]

Funnily enough one of factories that done the 56" used detent slides as well as the latches so you could remove latch and just run the detent ...
shame not all was done like that as giving user options is always best way have a more satisfied consumer base ...

 

[daithi]

Any updates on this? Is "Spring 2023" looking like end of Feb or start of June

 

[yellowbox]

Frankly, I’d much rather they make a 29” or 30” deep Icon 72” wide box.

Yup I have 29 deep snap on , wouldn't even consider a shallower box
Had a few people open the drawers and they are surprised how deep they are
Cause they have the shallow classic boxes lol

 

[yellowbox]

I bought a bunch of series 2 boxes for home, love em the drawer depth is fine, when I ran out of room I just added more boxes. I can't see the hutch being useful in a home shop but it's nice to have that option. I went this route cause of the value, bought right before covid & I think they need to keep the middle price point. I have a feeling lots of people that looked at Icon probably went with a truck brand & could see them phase out Icon boxes & keep updating the USG line to appeal to the masses. I've since picked up a 5 drawer cart, 7 drawer service cart, 2 side lockers, 2 end cabinets & 2 single drawer carts. Personally I feel the Husky is a step down so I hope they can keep the USG line competitive.

Blue , my new favorite color , looks good !!!