New Harbor Freight US General Series 3 Tool Boxes – First Look
Harbor Freight’s line of US General tool storage cabinets and accessories are widely regarded as delivering good quality at an excellent value. The retailer has launched a new generation of US General tool boxes, starting with their 72″ roller cabinet and modular components.
The new Harbor Freight US General Series 3 tool boxes were first teased several months ago, with the promise of an improved drawer layout, integrated power drawer, and “much more.”
New to the lineup is a 72″ work center hutch, which sits atop the roller cabinet.
The initial launch includes the roller cabinet, top hutch, and a top tool chest option.
When the US General Series 3 line was first revealed several months ago, the 72″ roller cabinet was showcased with the top hutch and matching side lockers. The side lockers are not yet available.
Harbor Freight made sure to address compatibility concerns. Yes, the new Series 3 top hutch will fit on top of the outgoing Series 2 triple-bank roller cabinet.
The roller cab has launched in 8 colors: red, blue, black, green, orange, grey, yellow, and white.
The US General Series 3 roller cabinet looks to have been completely redesigned.
In terms of aesthetics, the silver trim is gone, and so are the corner edge protectors. The Series 3 drawers have black drawer pulls across the line.
The drawer configuration is also different – as promised – with two long top drawers instead of just one. The overall drawer count has decreased from 18 drawers for Series 2 to 14 drawers for Series 3.
There’s also only one central lock, rather than a central lock and independently locked drawer bank as with the Series 2 roller cabinet.
The roller cabinets still feature a side handle – with new look – and (4) 6″ shock-absorbing casters, 2 swivel and 2 fixed.
A 12-drawer top chest is available, and fits Series 2 and 3 72″ roller cabinets.
The tool chest has an easy-opening lid with gas struts on both sides.
The top hutch features a slotted back wall and comes with two trays to get you started with organizing your tools.
Shown here is a fully-loaded top hutch, with laptop, tools, and various Harbor Freight US General magnetic tool box accessories, which are sold separately.
The hutch has a pull-out cover, and can be locked closed.
Back to the roller cabinet, the power drawer features a built-in power strip, with (5) 120V AC outlets and (2) USB charging ports.
Harbor Freight says that the USB charging ports are both “fast-charging USB 3.0 outlets,” but it’s unclear what they mean by this. One is a USB-A port, and the other USB-C.
The power drawer is designed to fit cordless power tool battery chargers, and can also charge other devices such as compact worklights.
The next drawer down features a cordless power tool and air tool holder, for convenient storage of drills and impact drivers.
The deep top drawer is tall enough to fit deep sockets vertically, and long enough to hold tools such as pry bars and breaker bars.
As mentioned, you also get a long shallow drawer beneath it. The Series 2 roller cabinet only had a single extra-wide drawer.
The drawers are all equipped with full-extension ball bearing slides that support up to 120 lbs per pair.
Lastly, the drawers feature full-width drawer latches for easier opening.
Pricing and Availability
72″ Roller Cabinet – $1800
72″ Top Tool Chest – $1000
72″ Top Hutch – $700
The Series 2 72″ roller cabinets are also now on clearance, for $1300.
Harbor Freight lists all of the new Series 3 tool boxes as being available in-store only.
What do you think about Harbor Freight’s latest generation tool storage products?