$1,000 Budget For EVERY TOOL YOU NEED (And The Box) *Harbor Freight*

Eric picked up this brand new white US General tool box at a pawn shop for just $150 and we decided to fill it up. Today we're going to build a complete mechanics tool kit for less than $1,000 at Harbor Freight, and then spend a little extra on power tools to make our lives easier.
MERCH: shopWatchJRGo.com
Shop Motul: motul.com
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Common Questions:
What motorcycle do I ride? A few. Ducati 1198, Honda Goldwing, Honda Grom, Honda Ruckus
What do I do for a living? Make KZbin videos.
Can you wheelie? No, I suck.
Are you fast? Sort of. I suck mostly though.
Where can I keep up with you off the bike?
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Facebook: WatchJRGo (or JRGo, FB hates my branding)
Do you go to school? College, for 2 classes.
Why do you ride so dangerously? What do mean? I was doing 25.
Do you go to the track? Of course, hopefully there will be videos in the future.
Do you play video games? No, but I might stream N64 Goldeneye at some point. Twitch: WatchJRGo
Are you afraid the police will watch your videos and arrest you? Something something evidence something something warrants and due process of law
#MechanicTools #ToolSet #HarborFreight

[@indysteve4969]

Harbor freight deserves our respect for trying to keep us cheap guys in the game.

[@breakupgoogle]

Shout out to modern day Harbor Freight. They mostly have quality tools at an affordable price for the working class. It wasn't like this 20 years ago. I only wish we had it this good.

[@RealRickCox]

Everyone always rags on Harbor Freight tools... but they really are the best bang for the buck and they do hold up reasonably well. You would have spent $10,000 on the same tools from one of the box trucks and they wouldn't have done the job any better.

[@MomJeans2]

A young guy getting started can pull together a few hundred bucks and get a starter set like this. Then once they are getting a paycheck they can sit aside a little money from each check to buy the things they find out they need or to buy better versions of the stuff they have if something breaks or the better quality is going to increase comfort or productivity.

[@bradleyborno71]

Plus they have the option to have warranties, I never lose buying tools from there

[@Spikemonkey80]

As long as you don't get Pittsburgh you're good to go for years!

[@mattdudley3789]

Pittsburgh is okay. Ratchets are mediocre but sockets are okay. Pittsburgh Pro is where it’s at, and Quinn. Most of my work sockets and my box are HF tools

[@WatchJRGo]

Oh absolutely, grew up on Craftsman, but I’ll probably only buy HF from now on.

[@jake_of_the_jungle9840]

As a person who never had tools growing up I always felt like I couldn’t do anything. I bought a lot of tools of an estate sale and I’ve been doing mostly my own work on my cars and houses since

[@bmxdenver1]

Not sure if you’re a Inside Track Club member at harbor freight or not. But it’s worth it! It’s $30 for a year membership. Those boxes go on sale for ITC members all the time, Hercules has “buy this battery get a tool free” sales too. The membership fee pays itself off in one purchase. You can save tons of money with the membership and coupons. Essential if you shop HF often

[@WatchJRGo]

Oh I am, mostly because it knocked a couple thousand off when I bought the big toolbox 😳

[@jeremiahgaskins9127]

I agree. Into my second year as a member. Best 30 spent each time.

[@davidsnow8928]

but you have the one tool Eric doesn't a golden ratchet..😀

[@WatchJRGo]

3 of them 😂😂😂

[@MN2_Kevin_Hill_1970]

As a mechanic I really enjoyed watching a toolbox tour.

[@esiebert7625]

While you are at Harbor Freight pickup the 10mm essential socket set that has a 10 different 10mm type sockets. I don’t like the chrome on those boxes, if you buy the gray one all the trim is black, i removed all mine used plastidip to make it black.

[@richardbradfield7437]

We built in 2 HF 42” tool boxes into the bench work in my son’s garage renovation back in March 2015. They have been heavily used in a DIY scenario building and maintaining a race car and daily driver cars/trucks ever since and we have had absolutely NO problems with build quality. Also have several HF floor jacks and other hand tools and a HF tool cart in the enclosed car hauler with a duplicate set of tools for the track. We have a mix of Kobalt, Craftsman, and HF hand tools, floor jacks, jack stands and Milwaukee power tools in both the garage and car hauler! No problems with any of these brands in the last 9 years! In my experience there is nothing wrong with HF tools! Although, some of the super cheap tools are just that, cheap, and not worth buying, luckily they have a range of good,better,best to choose from! We also have had the Predator generator for about 6 or 7 years that has worked flawlessly at track weekends with minimal maintenance!

[@charlesdalton985]

Last fall, after years of neglect, I organized my shop (garage) and tools. Instead of "where is that?" I can lay my hands on anything immediately. You are so right about the built in charging. I bought one upper box, with built in charging, super convenient. ~ Chuck

[@Kuzican01]

Love the tool videos along with Rich Rebuilds just randomly pops on by. NICE!

[@breakupgoogle]

Random Rich ftw!

[@donniebryant3238]

Started my career with an expensive at the time, Craftsman set with the tool box included, in October, 1986 for the on sale price at $880. I am still using these tools today and they are older than most of the new technicians I am working with. A lot of them are going to Harbor freight for some of those same tools but, you always have the one guy that must have Snap-On everything. He is also the guy with a second job to just pay for the tools.

[@DachsAutos]

Good setup, I picked up a similar setup last summer and it's been great. Just today I brought home the 56" series 3 for all of my metalworking tools so I can consolidate stuff shoved everywhere.. Organization is KEY!

[@jeremyhansen3711]

Unless you're going to work on semi trucks or tractors, take those SAE sockets and wrenches out of the box. Those take up too much space for not being used. If anything, set up another box with just SAE tools

[@WatchJRGo]

This freaking Walker mower is all SAE 😡

[@paynemeikle5853]

Sae is used in every day in my mechanic field

[@leytonmcnamee]

@@paynemeikle5853 as a person who hasnt used my sae drawer in like 2 years what line of mechanic are you

[@jpcii]

That is the exact toolbox. I bought to store my homebrewing hardware in. It’s a great toolbox.

[@05milmachine90]

I both love and hate tool box organization. I can never settle on a layout that both fits everything and makes sense in my head when looking for tools. I want everything Shadowed in foam like my Air Force days, but I would need 5 more toolboxes for that. :-)

[@techguy3424]

Love Harbor Freight, bought a drill master circular saw for $35 plus $5 for a blade to use for a small project at home. Was able to rip a treated 1x6 like butter. My methodology for buying tools isto buy whatever is most affordable to get the job done and if I break it then it is time to get the more expensive tool.

[@MikeJohnson-ld9rn]

Loved this tool rodeo!

[@69Dartman]

Love good tools, and being able to find them and easily move or get what you need saves time 👍😊

[@avioncamper]

Great tool box and selection. Your niece is so cute with her tools.

[@wdsmauglir4683]

Totally geeking out on sockets, love it 😂

[@brianselt291]

When I took back a broken socket, they wanted the whole set to cover the warranty so Be Prepared to take back a lot of stuff for a simple socket replacement.

[@dmann1209]

Excellent tool box and tools.

[@WatchJRGo]

This is the default box now, mine, Eric’s, my nephews… US General everything 🍻

[@alanmoore78]

I'm still doing most of my repairs with the same 169pc Channellock tool kit my wife bought me nearly two decades ago. I've replaced all the ratchets by now but all those wrenches and sockets and allen keys and bits still see daily use. I've added so much from estate sales, garage sales, and Harbor Freight since then. It's all the little specialty tools that add up over time, but I do wish I had been able to start my collection with the 428 piece Quinn set because it really IS the best starter set out there. Better yet, it's a tenth the price of what a similar set would cost from a tool truck name brand. If you manage to break a Quinn tool, replace it with the equivalent ICON one. If you manage to break that, go ahead and sign off the kidney for the Snap On version.

[@peteramberley9952]

Wow beautiful tool box

[@brandons9398]

Harbor, freight quality, and prices are definitely better and hard to beat. I used to buy namebrand tools. but now they only do so if I pick them up at a pawnshop😊

[@hungryhungryhummer]

This is exactly what I did a few months ago just starting out as a mechanic. I love the Quinn set and the cordless ratchet. I skipped out on the impacts tho and saved up for Milwaukee mid torque. My box is orange too!

[@pops55650]

I’ve broken Craftsman tools, but with Sears selling off the name and closing stores, Harbor Freight is now closer to my home. For a hobbyist like me, the amount of abuse I would put them through they might last for ever

[@richardbates2367]

You should do a toolbox tour and make suggestions for your audience of what they might consider buying for their diy project Jr sir

[@derekmunguia8766]

Cool video. Possibly do a homeowners kit with cart? First tools, essentials, budget minded. That would be cool.

[@RoadhogRNA]

Looking mighty good JR, you guys are getting set up.

[@Aj992588]

just grabbed my first 1/2in impact Dewalt dcf891 and a Quinn 1/2in Impact master set. I have a craftsman master set, but hate the blow molded box. Going to snag me one of these HF tool boxes this spring!

[@nosetdirection]

I just bought a Honda Navi and love it! Super fun to ride.

[@MrMattDat]

Take some color matched paint pens to those sockets and make them pop (but also make them easy to read for when your on your 14th hour of the day!)

[@JimmyShawsTidbits1]

Next trip to HF, pick up the flex head Pittsburgh 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets. You will not regret it.

[@RobertLaneTech]

I had that same problem with two of my 1/4 sockets on the tray. I just through them in the vise and drilled the middle out more. Coming from auto and skid steers, I'd recommend checking out the new 58" prybar, way better price than the trucks

[@paulmysliborski4832]

Harbor Freight has moved above Home Depot and Lowes in DIY tool quality in my opinion. They (smartly) changed their business model about 10 years ago, and it has been a win/win for the homeowner/DIY crowd. Any of HF's ICON, US General, Hercules, or Quinn offerings are better than Husky, Kobalt, Rigid, or Ryobi in my opinion. Great vid, and nice set-ups!

[@yodasbff3395]

That is a really nice tool set-up. If those tools were Snap On they would probably cost 5 to 10,000 dollars. 👍

[@mikehathaway2842]

I do more home building than auto work and use the yellow power tools. The HIgh end stuff is better if you are going to spend 4 to 8 hours doing nothing but drive screws into wood, and you will see the blue tools die out much faster. However for auto mechanic work the tools are run for much much shorter periods of time and the HF stuff will do just fine. I am also a huge fan of start cheap and go high end when you break the cheap stuff.

[@frh-freerangehuman]

Wait. JR bought something with working hood struts!? 😂

[@WatchJRGo]

Two in one week, this toolbox and the Walker mower 💯

[@frh-freerangehuman]

Haha oh yea!!

[@sccarguy8242]

Pawn shops are another great way to get good tools cheap. You just have to be careful as you can get ripped off as well.

[@thomasmroz]

Enjoy the 10mm sockets now, they'll go missing shortly.

[@ng-ht1vx]

At Canada's version of Harbor Freight, they sell a ten pack of 10mm sockets made by Astro Pneumatic.

[@jonathonmason6394]

Why would you say that🤣 you jinxed the new tool set.😬😱😂

[@richardbates2367]

I bought a decent used husky brand h194mts mechanic tool set and i have $125 in it and it is one of most complete sets for the money except for the 1/2 Dr deep well sockets

[@JackSmith-jj3bi]

I get all my socket organizers from Temu. I actually purchased 15 for less than $20 including freight. Wrench racks too. Harbor Freight is my go to place. I am an Inside Track Club Member.

[@Anne6621]

any mechanic worth their salt would go into hock for 30 year and buy all Snap On but the smart money is on tools like this

[@RearEngineShop]

At work when I’m a “professional” I use mostly snap on. In my home shop where I work on stuff and make my KZbin videos I use a lot of harbor freight tools. They are pretty good.

[@markstevens1729]

So you now, and Taylor Ray in Florida getting the same box at the same time from the same store for the same reason. KZbin coincidences never fail to amaze me.

[@nelsoncarvalho2337]

Where is the gold ratchet.

[@MrMattDat]

Nicely done. Have you put something together for a "charge shelf"? Something where you have all your batteries getting charged?

[@watts300]

Harbor Freight is rad. I have so many tools (even yard tools) from there. If the tool bill is running high without an impact on the list, just get a breaker bar and cordless ratchet. The most useful combination.

[@RicoCantrell]

Reminds me I need to Jordan Peterson my garage and clean my room.

[@nickycarts]

Saved video to favorites.

[@philipcheal552]

and on top of that you got something with good struts

[@chaselesser3191]

Lol. 👍. On buying your niece a toolset. I’m going to buy a little workshop for my kids for when I’m in the garage and they can play

[@savagebeast7626]

I’m about an hour from Boston. The wind has been crazy lately

[@worldofrandometry6912]

That's an excellent selection and organisation. What happens when you have a job to do away from home though, a separate carry box?

[@WatchJRGo]

I have a socket set in the truck and all-in-one screwdriver 🍻

[@Daniel-np8zo]

Needs some good pliers and box is set

[@frankm8533]

All my 'Good tools' are from Swap meets or pawn shops i was never a tool truck guy everything else is harbor freight or home depot for what i do its all i need cool vid JR

[@LSandL31]

Those 12 point sockets come is super handy!!

[@emmettturner9452]

It’s actually got some 8 point stuff too, which I guess is mostly for square nuts.

[@LSandL31]

@@emmettturner9452 and can be used for taps or extractors to use the ratchet wrench

[@mikeobrien3744]

Rich cracks me up

[@lindawilson4625]

Nice! Now I have to go check out Harbor Freight :-)

[@joseherrera9743]

@watchJRGO I am a transportation manager for Harbor Freight. I can probably get you a discount next time you shop there.

[@fastsilverado]

But I only have 6000 weeks left to pay snap on for a 1/4" rachet.

[@frankm8533]

😅

[@randyratcliff8790]

Very nice 😊

[@smoothboye4203]

The only problem with the Quinn tool set is the lack of slip joint and needle nose pliers.

[@douglasbray3563]

Good Evening John Ross

[@andrewthomason3857]

Has the little girl started getting constant emails about how the three day Harbor Freight parking lot sale has been extended?

[@rumplestilskin5776]

I have tool envy.

[@jeremiahgaskins9127]

I just bought the 27" roll cab and topper on sale and it is amazing for the price. I would have to be stupid to pay more for my needs. HF series 3 stuff is great.

[@chasebrown9851]

Harbor freight is my go to place

[@brandonosborne6894]

The Icon ratchet wreenches are the best thing since sliced bread. use em all the time

[@towboatjeff]

Only bad thing with those socket trays is if your like me ya gotta fill every spot. I've spent a lot of time and money filling out all my socket sets.

[@richardbates2367]

I have the brushed 18 v bauer drill 1/2 inch Dr and the impact gun of the same thing,, and the DeWalt 1/4 inch impact driver and now a home Depot deal 18v mainline Milwaukee 1/2 inch Dr and 1/4 inch impact Driver.... So several different brands of power tools..so several different chargers

[@bradleyborno71]

JR they’d better be paying you for this plug😂

[@kccreations5945]

Where are you at in Kansas?? I’m in Olathe!

[@noonehere1793]

I am so jealous….i have a lot of tools from Proto professional to 6 for 1.00 screw drivers. I have outgrown my roll-around BUT….I made a huge mistake and acquired all sorts of classic stickers over a 40 year period, and i stuck them on the box….😞…..i can’t replace it as it has some incredible stickers from things like a NATO tiger meet in Germany when i was with the F4 phantom program. It will never be replaced….but i might add to it and retire it for aircraft use only….😀

[@shanegaming2446]

I like these videos

[@bigbot1975]

Omg Uncle Rich yeah.

[@TKsGarage405]

You haven’t seen anything until you go to Canadian tire on a sale week

[@richardbates2367]

You guys realize that you could buy the us general power extension center in like 4 different colors and they are magnetic and use the Christmas tree bit and take the lower drawer out and cut the hole in the back of the box and the drawer and put the power extension center in the back of the drawer and plug it in and wahla a power drawer in the tech cart

[@robertvulliet3278]

Hey JR Quinn now has these Master socket sets that are completely skipless and only 6 point and its metric and SAE in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch but then you wouldn't get the rest of the 428 kit

[@barrytreadwell821]

A cheap tool is better than no tool any day.

[@JackSmith-jj3bi]

When you have to replace H.F. Batteries, stay away from the 2ah they go dead fast. 5ah works for me.

[@paynemeikle5853]

Put the wrenchs in the top 2 small drawer one drawer for sae the other below it for metric

[@dennisleslie]

I have that same Quinn tool set. My only complaints are the wrenches are WAY too short and if you put any amount of extra leverage on them they flex BAD.

[@kalybnielsen4183]

I like how lifelong mechanics either get by easily with budget tools, that are lifetime warranty and hold up just fine and then you have the other group that wouldn't be caught dead even trying a Harbor Freight tool. I have warrantied a lot more Snap-On ratchets than I have Harbor Freight ones, I have never broke a Harbor Freight socket, I have wore Craftsman sockets out to where they were 2 sizes bigger, but I had a drawer full of Snap-On and Mac sockets, sitting there waiting for the trucks to return. Harbor Freight is fine, the Quinn stuff is awesome and affordable

[@emmettturner9452]

Careful! Even as a huge Harbor Freight fan with this exact Quinn set, Harbor Freight sockets have definitely let me down. I tried to take off a motorcycle brake caliper in 2011 and the socket from their Pittsburgh 40pc socket set just split right open. It was only 3 bucks but I still claimed the lifetime warranty. Last year the battery cable came loose on my van, leaving me stranded even though I had a Pittsburgh 130pc tool set with me. You see, I needed to remove a stabilizer bar and fuse box to get to the battery terminal and the socket just split open. I got a ride and came back with my OTHER Harbor Freight tools: Quinn. Now, they worked great. ;)

[@gilbertpadilla4496]

GOOD TOOLS

[@TheTuneAce]

"my helmet fell off".😂

[@emmettturner9452]

Where are the impact sockets?! ;) That’s what got me when I built essentially the same set at the end of 2022. They discounted the Quinn Master Tech set for Black Friday then accidentally gave me the new credit discount TWICE. I negotiated deep down on the tool cart since it was damaged and they needed to meet some quota for Inside Track signups. Since I needed landscaping equipment on the same battery platform I went with DeWALT instead of Hercules but I was really tempted. The Quinn 1/2” Master impact socket set was a bit rich for my blood so I waited and hit it with a 25% off coupon.

[@damienrubio9585]

Aww "it's just Eric" 😂

[@titogreggy]

I have the same cart!

[@megaman010391]

You need the Quinn Master impact socket set.

[@jeremydiamond8824]

I LOOOOVVVEEEE TOOOLLLSSS AND ELECTRIC RACHET GUNS , BOYS AND GIRLS TOYS !! 😎👍🏻🇺🇸🦅

[@Tempsho]

Kind of surprised the ratcheting wrench didn’t go up to 18mm.

[@brianselt291]

I just purchased the same white box…the screwdriver slots won’t do me any good since even my best tools have to be wiped constantly to keep off the surface rust.

[@glenncrooks8222]

Crescent is proprietary name brand. It’s an ADJUSTABLE wrench

[@isaacbuller7007]

Did they have one of those metric crescent wrenches?

[@user-ds1nb9sg6n]

Lmao @ richbuilds...dude is classic

[@boriss.861]

John Pixies & Elves 10mm Sockets gone missing? Probably ended up seeing their 10mm Cousins with BigStacked over in Australia. They Party in a container with him!

[@SpaceTech54]

You Go "Rich" - Great Fuel Mileage on that Bike!! The Only Way To Travel...

[@lukasmeyer1992]

Bring Harbor Freight to Europe / Switzerland!