Ultimate Toolbox Organization and Setup! - Harbor Freight (U.S. General) 5 Drawer Tool Cart
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
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I wanted to put together a quick follow-up video about my Harbor Freight 5 Drawer Tool Cart that goes over how I'm organizing all of the tools in my setup! I love a clean tool setup, and it seems this is a pretty popular item from Harbor Freight so I'm sure there's people out there looking for a cool way to organize their tools in their box! This is definitely a more budget-oriented setup, so it's perfect for the weekend wrenched or anyone on a budget!
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@hnat_automotive
#HarborFreight #HarborFreightToolBox #ToolBoxOrganization - Auta a dopravní prostředky
The days of harbor freight being junk are over and they have been for awhile now. I hate seeing the stigma behind hf
Harbor freight is just if you work if it’s for diy when you do professional work they just can’t stand being that many times ratchet and pliers mainly is what I’m talking abt
The Pittsburgh 1/2” deep impact sockets can handle every day pounding. Those things are massive and heavy. Lots of full time techs using harbor freight tools now. The ICON wrenches are Top notch as well
Harbor freight still has a TON of absolute junk. The basic Pittsburg wrenches are case in point. However, Icon? Quite good.
They have come a long ways, and are actually worth a look.
ehhh i agree and disagree with you, yes they arent the best quality but they actually arent thattttt bad but also that is the whole point of them existing in the first place, everyone knows they arent the best but they sure are the cheapest and will get the job done and where harbor freight comes inn and makes it even more valuable is with the lifetime warranty. it breaks? get a new one no questions asked. the value of that is superior to the tools themselvess@@illbetherejk3212
Harbor freight is junk but they have some decent brands
The magnetic pickup tool is a lifesaver!
I'm a full time mechanic and my tool box looks like this! Love the organization man!
Thanks Mason, I appreciate it!
I love seeing videos like this of people making the absolute most of what they can with what they have.
Yea definitely! Thanks Ryan.
Thanks for the tour! I’m just getting started with tools and am not a mechanic just a home owner weekend fixit guy, so I’ve picked up some of the Quinn line and find them to be great so far. I love the 5 drawer cart for $200 I think it’s an awesome product. Harbor Freight is great for the weekend warrior and hobbyist.
Quinn is made by one of the big boys, can’t go wrong with that or the Doyle line at HF.
I know this is two years later but. It reality unless you're a diesel or aircraft mechanic all you should need is the 5-drawer cart the 36" 6-drawer cart and a work bench. it's amazing how much those two boxes can actually hold
Well done sir! You’ve made me rethink my tool cart purchase. I just preordered a bigger US General tool cart set up from Harbor Freight. I’m going back to cancel that preorder and get the one you have and set it up the same way. You’re garage looks spectacular.
Cool. I use one dollar entry floor mats from the dollar store to make drawer liners. They work great. I have a ten drawer craftsman top box (c. 1980) that I got for $40 at estate sale. I collect and restore vintage hand tools so my box is a mix of old and new.
I'm stealing this whole setup family.
Haha do it! I made this video to give others ideas for their setups!
That’s a nice set up. I personally changed my tool boxes into plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and wood working boxes. Had so many tools it really needed the organization.
Thanks! That sounds like a cool way to organize things! I have a “stationary” tool set in this box and then an “on the go” go bag tool set for road-trips and things like that.
Great Toolbox for the money! I tool the wheels and top off mine and made it a custom tool box for my enclosed trailer. Works great for the landscape business and it didn't break the bank!
Oh that’s another great way to use it! 👍🏼 Gotta love good ol’ Harbor Freight!
Drill a hole in those socket organizers and put a scre win the middle to hold them down in the middle.
Was going to say exactly this. Just also countersink the head so it doesn't catch any socket clips above.
Thanks for the tour..I just ordered the Canadian version of this cart. We have Princess Auto the Canadian version of Harbor freight. I have so many tools for different situations..now I will be able to keep my automotive and small engine repair tools separate from my electrical, plumbing and wood working tools.
God that craftsman chain wrench brings back terrible memories from the army lol I've torn through many oil filters and have the oil dump all over me with that damn thing lol
It could be worse...I was Air Force...and doing oil changes on 707s...and dumping the lav. Yes...the hose broke once, and my reflexes just were not quick enough. I went home that day and burned my BDUs and boots and everything. Fond memories...
hahahah idk even wanna know how many thousands of gallons of hydraulic fluid a 707 can hold@@RipRoaringGarage
Thanks for sharing! Great set up
Thanks for the tour. I’m going to set mine up like that and buy some more tools
Looks really good actually. Nice budget box. Has pretty much everything ys need.
Perfect DIY tool box setup. Thanks for sharing! 🙏🏾
Highly recommend adding the fold out shelf, especially if you ever move the box around the shop. I have my 5 drawer cart set up with detailing stuff and tools so I will roll it around our shop which I have found the shelf to be very handy to have. As I get more tools i will probably pick up a smaller cart for my detailing stuff.
Yea I'm looking at getting that shelf, seems like a great piece to setup to give you an extra platform for a mini work space while in the middle of a job.
I'm a launch pad technician at nasa and I approve of this setup lol
I like the idea of moving the shelf lower on the cart, never thought about that
Looks great. Good set up bro.
very smart with the mdf! love it
Professional tool collector/organizer.
Nice set up. Appreciate you sharing it.
Thanks! And of course 👍🏼
Good job with the organizing of your tools.
Bought same tool box but blue. Thanks for the advice. Nice work!
Good job with video.. seems like something every guy should have....I'm a master mechanic and got 100k worth of tools but sure can do 80%of stuff with that and u ready bro
Looks like a great starter Tool Cart.
It definitely is! My first one and I’m thoroughly pleased with it.
Used to subscribe to dirty tool box thing, mine was constantly unorganized and messy, but I more I started working in industrial setting, more realized a clean toolbox is a must especially with how much time your saving
Nice job I’m fired🔥 up about organizing my tools 🤙
Super clean and organized. I'm definitely getting a US General box soon.
Thanks! Yea they're great boxes for the price!
No hater here...nice job from Houston Texas
I just switched from those blue socket organizers to the labeled ones with the poles sticking up. Although they take up more room in the box they make a big difference in quality and feel.
Good to know! Thanks for the tip. I'm kind of getting tired of how flimsy the blue ones feel.
..dude the magnet on the lid is a great idea just what I was looking for..sure like the socket tray with those racks bolted in...
Hey glad I could help! Yea the magnetic strips have been so nice to have when I just need to grab a wrench really quick then throw it back on when I’m done. The socket rails definitely made good use of the top compartment when you open the lid.
Nice, I have the 4 drawer cart. One upgrade I would suggest tool wise, replace the adjustable wrenches with Carlyle brand ones from NAPA. Very little wobble in the adjustable jaw and very precise adjustments. I never realized how good an adjustable wrench could be.
I was just thinking the other day, I need better adjustable wrenches that don’t have so much play! Glad I found your comment!
Thanks for this. I want to get this tool cart, and it helps to see ideas about how to organize it.
Of course, glad I could help! I’ve loved it so far, really great bang for your buck setup.
Thanks for the realistic set up that doesn't require crazy foam or grid systems.
Of course! Glad you liked the setup. Working on a slightly revised setup now.
Spray adhesive under the original drawer mats works perfect. Put it in the drawer, lift up half, spray, lay down, do the other half, lay down. Good to go
That came out sweet
Thanks Ken!
I’m a DIY guy and HF tools are decent enough for me. I’ve never had any problems with them. Nice setup bro.
I’m in the same boat! I always tell people if I was doing this as my full time job I’d invest in some higher end tools, but HF has met my needs as a weekend wrencher without breaking the bank! Thanks man 🤙🏼
Maybe get toque wrenches if ever need them or to bobble extion that let u move socket around just a small bit. .those come in handy I'll tell u what
Cool looking tool cabinet.
Thanks!
Magnetic socket holders are awesome. And spray adhesive to keep the black rubber liner from moving
Magnetic tool holders are great. I have thought of using spray adhesive, but not sure if I want to deal with the mess if I ever want to change up the liners haha
A handy "tool" I made, took a automotive voltmeter in a housing and added alligator clips. The alligator clips have quick plug and I can swap it out for cigarette lighter adapter. Had a 91 Escort with a switched cigarette lighter, so just left it plugged in, start reading when engine runs. One day showing low voltage and a wire had burned in two. Saved my Bacon.
That sounds awesome! Thanks for the comment Jeffrey!
Drill a hole in the middle of your socket holders, then run a screw through it!
I like my US General tool cart. I upgraded to a matco full drawer cart at work and the us general is at the home shop now.
Yea they’re really great! Sounds like a nice setup you have.
Great review! I'm building a house and a 30' X 40' shop on my property and I am considering the cart for the garage connected to the house. The shop will have a 72" rollaway and 56" chest with most of my tools, but to hold some basic tools, I think this cart will work just fine.
Thanks! This cart is a perfect size for an average 2 car garage in my opinion. Best of luck with your house build!!
I have some old harbor freight tools I bought when I first started wrenching that refuse to die lol if it gets the job done then that's all that matters! Nice box man!
Same! Some tools from them are absolutely great and last forever while others (mostly the cheap power tools) barely last a weekend project haha. Thanks, I appreciate it!
Awesome...thanks for sharing..🤣😂👍
Holy Harbor Freight! The whole store is here.
Haha pretty much
Thanks for the magnet tip
No problem!
I have that cart. I would recommend that folding side shelf. Works out great for me. But I recognize depending on how you sue the cart it may not work as well.
Yea I may end up getting one soon, although my car mostly stays put so it would take up a little more space against my 3D printing cabinet. Floor space in my garage is getting tighter and tighter with all of my tools and projects haha.
You can use the magnetic strips for you socket also to eliminate that flex in the middle.
That's what I was going to say. Use mag strips instead of all the finicky/sticky socket holders.
Nice set up, dude! Well organized tool cart...I'm buying one of these carts this weekend to replace a Craftsman bottom , middle, and top that are all beat up and drawers don't even open and close properly. Love me some HF tools! Liked and subbed!
Hi. You provided some good ideas. Just a thought on the middle of the socket rails lifting up. You may want to try silicone or since they are on a board, run a wire around the center through the board or use a screw with a washer. Good luck with it.
Thanks Darryl, I appreciate your input! Yea at some point in the future here I’ll either be using a countersunk screw or some type of adhesive to hold the rails down
For the socket organizers you should try adding a strip of magnetic tape on it I found it to work great just get a strong magnetic tape
Yea that's definitely a good idea, thanks!
Bought all my original tools from harbor freight and have been slowly replacing things as they’ve broken. Definitely the way to go if you can’t afford nice tools to begin with.
Yea HF is hard to beat especially if you’re a weekend warrior / DIYer. Some of their power tools could be better, but I’ve had great success with all of their hand tools (minus the cheap torque wrenches, which is to be expected I guess haha)
Nice organization! Makes mine look like a disaster area! LOL!
You're not alone bro lol
You could use a counter sink drywall drill bit in the middle to make a nice flush screw hole on those socket organizers. Keep it from flexing.
Thanks Dustin, yea that's definitely a good idea and would for sure solve the issue. I'm in the process of revamping this tool box with some cheap and easy shadow foam. Video coming soon.
Do you have any problems with rotating handle end on the Husky picks? Like when using them do you wish they’d be a fixed end cause for leverage or overall general use/handling.
I tried the HF wrench holders and I hated them, I saw a guy in Canada using the magnetic strips like on you lid for his screwdrivers so I tried that for my wrenches in my drawers on my US General 44" box. I only use one, the weight of the tools holds it down and I use the same set up for my screwdrivers, pliers, ratchets, extensions, etc.
At work i have a same but I screwed a half c circle clamp on the back to go pro bars and different things and a little magnet with a hook to hold your gloves, your box looks good
Oh nice, that's a good idea!
Thanks!
Was the organizer tray bought at HF. I could really use that for my sandpaper discs
i would recommend getting a prybar asap
My wife told me the house was her toolbox, if you take something from a drawer clean it and put it back in the same spot. When she said it like that it blew my mind. Been happily married ever since.
Haha that’s a good rule of thumb!
Nice!
Thanks!!
Re blue socket holders, drill hole mid way and screw to mdf base.
I have the exact tool cart... and the same exact white pipe, but mine is the handle for my cherry picker...
Just got my 5 drawer yesterday. I've had the roller chest twice before. They have come a long way. Very nice quality and I'm very happy with mine. Their new ICON series is expensive for Harbor Freight but I looked at them yesterday and they are super nice for the price. Also I notice you're missing your corner support brackets in the corners?
Icon might be more expensive than Pittsburgh however they are 1/3 the price of Tool Truck tools.
Good litl video fan of Gordon too!!!
Haha thanks, I've had that poster since I was a kid!
I like how you screwed the rails in so you can pull the sockets off without the rail tipping over.
Yea it's definitely a handy feature to keep everything straight and organized!
Heads up on those socket organizers, if you keep them in a garage or shed that isn't sealed correctly they will rust your sockets and seize them on. Keep an eye on your tools folks.
I keep silica packs in all my tool bags/boxes/chests. Don’t know if it is my secret weapon or not but I don’t have any rust issues. I live near the coast in Jersey so summers are relatively humid.
Gotcha thanks for the input!
I got the Quinn master mechanics set 400+ piece for $300. Love it
Yea I’ve had my Quinn sockets for 5 years now, love them!
That is a great buy! I missed the BF deal on it so went with the 250pc Kobalt Mechanics set. Lots of good sockets and wrenches there to mate up with my current stuff. That HF kit is the stuff! Enjoy!
Kewl!
Nice job on the tool cart setup on that note about a clean and organized tool box and not doing enough work is BS a organized person can do twice the work inthe same amount of time s unorganized person plus having clean tools helps the overall quality of your work my Dad used to put every tool we used during.a project into a specific pan and at the end of every work day every tool got degreased dried and put away in its proper storage place for the next work day I inherited his wrenches and sockets he bought in the late 1950s and they all look and perform like new ones despite being nearly 60 years old !BTW they are SKWayne and some SnapOn for nostalgia reasons thos are my favorite tools to use
Haha my thoughts exactly! Good to hear! Sounds like you got some nice tools! I’ve got a few old old craftsman and snap on tools that I use in my mobile tool box, they still work great!
What did he clean them with
@Hnat Automotive Can you make room in the center of your socket rail? And drill in a screw. This should help with the flexing.
Yea I've definitely thought of doing that. The trick is getting a small enough screw that is countersunk into the slider rail so the socket sliders can move over it still.
Jeff Gordon looks so cute in your poster!
Haha I think that poster was from like 96 or 97.
@@Addimotive Just having fun :)~ I'm a NASCAR fan too. 👍
Great set up, on the flex on the rail can you drill for a short 1/8 pop rivet so it doesn't go through the wood but swells and grabs it
Awesome idea, thanks Rodney!
I really like my Quinn drivers
Same! Have had mine for almost 4 years now and they’ve been great! Only thing to make sure that I found out the hard way is don’t get brake fluid on them, or else it eats away at the red/blue ring around the socket haha
Most everyone in our machine shop under 40 uses the US General cart. Spend enough money on tools.
Like ur T-shirt 👊
Haha thanks!
Seeing your cart tells me i need to get another box . Because my cart in jamed packed
Yea things will definitely pile up quickly as you accumulate more tools!
nice.. my tools are all in bags
Hey whatever works for you! If I’m disorganized it takes me 10x longer to get stuff done haha
I use both bottom drawers for wrenches. I need a better wrench holder.
I really need to organize it better.
Istarted with the multi color Pittsburgh pro sockets istill used them at home now, upgraded to matco impact slim sockets
Nice! That sounds like a nice setup 👍🏼
They both are the Pittsburgh pro and the matco, i feel like I'm sending out the power ranger with those pro sockets xD.
Can you drill and countersink a hole in the middle of your socket organizer strips to make pulling sockets off the middle easier?
Im curious. Did you look for used boxes? Like an old SnapOn, Mac, Matco, Cornwell etc. I recently upped my box from a Mac Christmas tree setup (its old, as in 50th anniversary edition old lol) to a Matco twin bay with hutch. It cost me lest than any box on the market, barring the single bay ones. It was a no brainer for me, since the quality is excellent, and after a good cleaning and repacking of the drawer slide bearings, it feels like new. I could argue that the older ones are better than even the tooltruck brand ones today.
Nice
Thanks!
I have that same cart but when I put mine together i put my shelf for paint cans up to the top edge so it wasn't so low
Oh good thinking! I want to add one of the foldable shelves on that side, otherwise I'd probably move it up as well.
I put my shelf on the bottom of tool box for larger hammer.
czcams.com/video/KBDYzckolyY/video.html
I've found the best socket holders are the magnetic strips thenselves
That's actually a really good idea, thanks Jared!
Maybe use a fender washer and overlap them on the edge of the strip in the middle to hold it down. Or countersink a screw in the middle
Good idea! I'm leaning towards countersinking a small screw.
Arbor Freight is always my firs place I go to make sure I do not overpay for tools
Yea definitely a good starting place for affordable tools! Perfect for weekend warriors.
Put a screw in the middle of the socket rails
I actually riveted the rails on my service cart because iwould everyday hurt my hand when getting things from the bottom of my service cart.
Silicone or epoxy dots on the bottom of the socket strips will keep it held in place
Yea that’s one of the methods I’m thinking of. Either that or countersinking some small screws in the middle so the socket guides still slide over the rails.
Great job ! Are the ratcheting box ends on the magnets on the lid Pittsburgh also ?
Thanks! And yes they are! They’ve worked great for me so far.
If you drill a hole in the middle of the socket organizers and then screw it to the MDF that may solve your flexing issue. Nice set up!
Yep definitely plan on doing that and countersinking some small screws into the middle of each socket rail. Thank you!
@@Addimotive where did you get that black mdf for your tool cart? I really want to get that for mine.
@@ChristianRodriguez-fo8qs It was just regular MDF I got from Home Depot and painted it black with a truck bed coating in a can.
Do you have plans for your workbenches? They look really nice and are similar to what I need. Great review also!
Thank you! I don’t have blueprints but I did make a video on the grey one I have next to me tool chest!
czcams.com/video/bcxztH8m6Ug/video.html
On the idea that if everything is organized you're not withing hard enough, I've thought a lot about this and here's what I've concluded.
I do this stuff as a hobby. That means I do it for fun. And it's just not fun for me if everything is disorganized and filthy. I might not "get as much done" but I'm not in this to "get things done." I'm in it to enjoy myself. And I enjoy myself when things are clean and organized.
And if I were doing it as a career, here's what I think. I worked my butt of when I was younger and I got more and more frustrated and hated it more and more. The stress was killing me inside. I've come to believe that if you're going to be spending 40-60 hours a week doing something, you need to enjoy it as much as possible. And I wouldn't enjoy this work if my tools and material were all disorganized and filthy. So yeah, I might not be as productive, but I'd be a lot happier. And in the end, I think that leads to better work.
Yes Mitch and even in the long run by being organized you become more productive a little leg work goes a long way
Just drill a small hole in the middle of the socket rail then drill a larger hole just enough for the screw head to countersink below and screw down the middle part for stability
Yep that’s probably what I’ll end up doing once my corvette isn’t taking up so much of my free time haha
Thank you, that was very useful.
Awesome, glad it was helpful Max!