Harbor Freight 5 Drawer Tool Cart - Setup and Organization

[@mikaldene7146]

I was a machinist for 40 years. I had a cheap box and tools for the first year but eventually I bought better tooling and a better box. I still have all of it even after I retired. Investing in good tools will make your life easier in the long run...

[@sdriza]

while it's not too of the line, I think the cart is better than most of the stuff from HF

[@justinwest5200]

Anything with life time warranty

[@mr2_mike]

Agreed. Busted sockets and broken ratchets suck and not worth it if you're actually a higher end weekend warrior.

[@michaeldesjardin4241]

I partially agree, I think you need to invest in good power tools and good, lockable, strong, indestructible storage. But in my opinion, don't buy expensive ratchets, they break too often and are very abused. I will note, I do have a toothless ratchet for the rare circumstances that I need it

[@spencersullivan5198]

@@michaeldesjardin4241 are you buying cheaper ratchets that still have a lifetime warranty?

[@vgullotta]

I have had that US General tool cart for like a decade now. I heavily overload it all the time and it is stuffed with all of my tools. Drawers still work flawlessly, I have even left the big drawer fully loaded with screws at full extension for several weeks because I forgot to push it in and didn't notice. Absolutely no problem lol. The thing is a beast and is like the best deal in all of tools on the planet

[@Adam-kj4pp]

"I have even left the big drawer fully loaded with screws at full extension for several weeks because I forgot to push it in and didn't notice" How did you not notice a fully extended drawer for weeks? Are there blind and a quadriplegic? How often have you forgotten to lock you doors when you leave/enter your car or house/home?

[@CyphDragon]

One of my good friends (and a professional wrench on bucket trucks) told me a long time ago - when you go to buy a tool, buy the cheapest decent quality you can find (eg, Harbor Freight). If you manage to break or wear out the tool, then you use it enough to justify the cost on the highest-end tool that you can find. It's saved me literally thousands over the years listening to that advice. I have a few tools that I've had to replace under the broken/worn out clause, but for a home gamer like me the less expensive stuff (Home Depot and Harbor Freight mainly) is usually perfectly adequate for the work I'm doing. In the end, it's not the price tag that matters - it's if you can get the work done. (note: since I saw a comment below about cut-off wheels...this only applies to the tools, not consumables like cut off wheels, grease, anything that you *will* have to replace with time. In that case, the couple extra bucks from a known-good brand can save you from an expensive/life-altering mistake)

[@jawadulkarim9498]

I’d definitely do this with stuff that’s not the bare minimum (sockets/power drill/screw drivers). Very good idea

[@jeremyalbert2069]

I have had a harbor freight 5 drawer cart for over 12 years and it keeps on going strong i use it every day , and just bought a 4 drawer cart , they are great quality for the money . Well worth it .

[@BrayZap]

Harbor freight needs respect. Now a days their stuff is just as good as anything else that I'm seeing. For power tools I still like to stick to Dewalt/milwaukee but all the Pittsburgh tools and stuff are just fine

[@lazerbeam3928]

Here are a few tips regarding your tool cart & tools that could have saved you a couple of bucks and some time. 1. HF sells swivel casters that are an exact match with the ones that come with the tool cart. You could have bought only two (using the already included swivel ones) and no drilling required. 2. HF sells magnet packs (2 pack for $.99) that are the same width as the magnetic strips. Put 2 or 3 on the back of the strip magnet and just place the strip where you want them on the lid. No drilling required. 3. If the HF socket organizer is steel use the same magnets in #2 tip to attach it to cart. Should eliminate the difficulty removing the sockets as these magnets are really strong. 4. Not a money saving tip but, I would have looked a buying HF's Quinn line of tools. They cost slightly more than Pittsburg, have the same lifetime warranty but are better quality (much closer to Lowes Kobalt line in quality as a comparison). The Quinn screwdriver and plier sets are significantly better than the Pittsburg line. As a side note I was wondering how you could see any tools on the underside of the cart's lid with all those distracting stickers? 😉

[@I_Died_2_Weeks_Ago]

You can keep your Harbor Chinese Freight "tips"

[@DownloaderVideo]

@@I_Died_2_Weeks_AgoSays the guy watching a video about Harbor Freight Cart and Tools..😂😂😂 Sorry for your loss…..brain loss.

[@terrydavis7389]

getting it all organized is the hardest part, but once you do get it where you wan it, makes life so much easier. it almost becomes muscle memory where tools are at, and it also helps you see when something is missing.

[@TheOfficialKevvG]

True

[@joruckus]

I bought my box 20 years ago and am still organizing it today, lol. Good video!

[@garrettborden2962]

I use and would recommend tekton organizers for all of my sockets and they work great

[@chrisp174]

Most guys in my shop own Snapon toolboxes. A few guys bought Harbor Freight carts. After several years they still hold up good. The guys like them because they dont feel guilty about beating the tar out of them. More expensive carts that cost thousands will cause someone to baby it more.

[@trevormorgan7138]

I use one of those 5 drawers at work. You really need a cab or another box for storage so you can keep all your commonly used tools in your service cart, and anything you don't regularly used stashed away in the big box. Helps out a ton. Because you will still have your less commonly used tools, but you will have everything you need commonly in arms reach and well organized. Like I work with metric mostly... So i keep all my standards in the bigger box so I don't mix them up as I am grabbing and setting down tools. The key is to have space to throw your shit around and not make a disorganized mess because if you don't have a lot of space on the top you will mix them in and lose shit slowing you down.

[@mattwilliams316]

For the inside of the lid, I painted the magnetic holders a neon color for contast from my stickers. It worked like a charm.

[@Tofuandtwowheels]

I was gonna suggest this too. Personally wouldn’t store tools on magnetic strip on lid.

[@daltonfox1]

Texton makes some of the best socket holders IMO and you can buy extra individual socket holders as well.

[@richardbates2367]

I like their wrench holder racks and the rolls but i don't have those yet..

[@mralexc]

I'm a master auto technician been in this business over 20 years I've had my harborfreight box same as yours for over 10 years and I've dropped it a car has hit it, it's always overloaded the only things that are wrong after a decade of abuse there is no rubber left on the wheels from rolling in chemicals and greases. And the lift supports I replaced with a bar when they gave out and the lock froze up and I had to replace. As for I tell this to all the new GST that come in, buy cheap replace with quality as they break. I have tens of thousands in snapon, matco,and Mac but in my main box I also have backups of every socket and wrench and ratchet in husky, craftsman, Cresent, vicegrip, duralast, etc ... even the most expensive best quality tool wears out and brakes and the tool truck only comes once per week.

[@robgregorski2182]

My son went to a two year tech school for automotive and was given the list of tools recommended by the school, your basic starter setup. The estimated cost through the school with all the major brand names snap on, matco etc with a "school discount "was around 8-10 thousand dollars with a tool box. We went to harbor freight and bought everything on that list including the optional tools and few more I knew he would need and a bigger tool box than the recommended size for 2500 dollars. He is still using them everyday and have not had any issues. I agree that some tools you shouldn't go cheap on but you don't need to go into debt on the tool truck to do your job.

[@chrisp174]

For a freshy straight out of school its smart to not go into deep debt. Eventually he will want to replace the cheaper tools with premium tools but its worth doing that over a lifetime. My old man has been using some of the same tools like orginal USA made Vise Grips, Snapon wrenches, etc for over 20 years. No reason to go into debt in the short term when you can buy over the long term and pay cash for stuff.

[@robgregorski2182]

@@chrisp174 exactly what I told him, upgrade when he can afford it and if it's needed.

[@TheSaw410]

Down payment on a house, much better investment than Snap-on and Mac tools!!

[@AK4TF]

Toolgrid for organization of everything. I haven't done my whole box yet, but I have my entire socket drawer in my 84in Epiq setup, moving to wrenches soon

[@big88jeep]

You’ll be chasing that roll of paper towels across the shop soon. 😂 The box of rags be a good addition for that bottom tray.

[@luish8056]

Man, Chris seems like a riot. Congrats again on the shop progress Block.

[@jhdodd087]

Harbor freight sells socket sorters made by U.S Generals called Peg-Type i have them in my U.S. General rolling tool box and i highly recommend them the peg doesn't snap into the socket it just goes through them it would solve all the problems of the sockets there is no fight at all with them.

[@jhdodd087]

They make them in metric and SAE i have both sets

[@whatmakesittick8362]

I also have these and they are excellent. A bit odd that they have 1/2” drive all the way down to 1/4” and 8mm or so, but I love them anyway. I got mine in different colors for each metric/sae

[@BlockheadMoto]

I’ll have to check those out!

[@whatmakesittick8362]

@@BlockheadMoto Ask for the different color socket organizers. Usually set on the end cap 👍

[@hobbitfootmoto9685]

I came here to say the same thing. I have the peg style trays and they are great. Some come labeled as well, so it’s easier to find what size you need at a glance

[@Patd3163]

way to poke fun at maxwell for not posting in forever! 🤣 in all seriousness though I hope everything's going well for his business! love his videos!

[@BlockheadMoto]

Miss that guy! Haven’t seen him in too long

[@2wheelinheathen]

I like the ernst socket boss socket organizers. Also the Hanson peg style trays. It is a never ending job, organization always changes, because we just keep buying tools. Lol

[@deathventure]

I agree with the socketboss kits. Super customizable and they have them at Northern Tool if they're in the area as well.

[@redrider0151]

New tagline..."What time is it....ITS HORSEPOWER TIME!!" LOLZ On the box...my wife took my tie downs and hung them from the handle....was GREAT spot for them since then I didn't need to fold them up.

[@theewiildcard8018]

would you say harbor freight / home depot / lowes tools are good for a start in a dealership?

[@BrayZap]

Just got this toolbox for $180 black friday which is honestly a steal

[@everperez8538]

YEP, you’re never going to stop organizing your tools. It’s a love/hate relationship. Most importantly does it lock, because I don’t let anyone touch my tools.

[@Honeybadger4473]

Go to a second hand store and get some baking tins for organizing extensions ratchets and stuff like that.

[@morten9868]

Put on a powerstrip. Its nice to have power on the cart for charging work lights, power tool batteries and such. Pretty handy to have more than one power option at the time

[@tonyg41]

one of things that should be brought up is harbor freight has different grades of tools aswell like their higher end icon ratchet feels and sounds drastically better than the ratchet you had shown in the other video in harbor freight

[@mikedewsberry1774]

You will never stop changing the cart to suit your needs or the amount of tools you will accrue during time in the shop..........side cabinets for both sides would be a great addition as well.........

[@josephnavarro3620]

My man Chris looks like a guy that makes a pit stop at the rest area on the way home from work to play with random guys hunting for meat. He's definitely a goer 🎉

[@vabearcub]

magnetic storage trays work great!

[@mikes8697]

Ernst manufacturing makes a pretty dope socket rail system called the socket boss if you're more into that style vs a westling setup. Pop off a rail from the base and take it to your lift, walk it back over and pop it back on. Easy peasy. Can even switch it out with other rails from your main box so your service cart has more of your "every day use" sockets and what not.

[@patricksandler-hodges7584]

As a mechanic for the last 30+ years and still going. I have all those high end tools at work. But at home . Most of them are harbor freight tools. Except a few tools that you don't want to skip on. Like ratchets. It sucks when they break and you smash your hand on something 😕 On a side note, that socket organizer you didn't like because they where hard to get off. That is done intentionally. That is made where you can grab the hole thing and take it anywhere and the sockets won't fall off

[@FeArhsma21]

He's a pretty boy, I have a year old female Rottie she amazing. As far as tools organization go's magnetic socket holder they will speed everything up, plus the bottom of them are magnetic as well you can stick the tray anywhere and keep working. Good luck, God Bless, and have a good one!

[@TheBikeLyfe]

I will say snap on, Matco, Mac tools all make twist lock socket organizers and they are relatively inexpensive and they are amazing and come in a variety of colors. I have blue for metric and red for standard and orange for torx/triple square.

[@josephnavarro3620]

For anyone watching this and wanting to put 4 caster wheels on your US General cart, it already comes with two caster wheels and two non caster so you only have to purchase two more caster wheels and they have the correct ones there and you do not need to drill anything. I think I paid like $5 per wheel on sale usually about $8.

[@arrowrod]

Probably most of the viewers are amateurs like myself. I work on everything. Have tools everywhere. I'm always amazed how 10mm sockets disappear. I've probably bought 10 of them from Lowe's, which is less than a mile from the house. Everything: HVAC, plumbing, electrical, motorcycles, trucks, cars, scooters.

[@aciidbeard1381]

Harbor freight makes a magnetic paper towel holder might be worth the less then 10 dollars to get for the cart.

[@mike_0213]

I find myself in the garage most nights after work messing with my tool cart and moving shit around and trying to make it look better. LOL I have soooooo many different socket trays, rails and such that I move my sockets around all the time. Who ever made that comment on the last video was 100% right. You will be moving and changing the cart all the time. LOL

[@andyclear6382]

Check out the olsa tools socket organizer, they’re magnetic and a lot easier to get sockets out of

[@dadandmad]

That top drawer looks awful satisfying! So cool to see one of our stickers up on there too! Mad was very pleased 👧🏻👊

[@chroughnie6098]

JNCOs mentioned. deserves a like

[@Dubsspeed]

Personally wpuld have went with the outside holes to guide the drilling. Spread your center of gravity out as far as possible for as much topside stability u can get u will need it lol

[@DLuccia327]

Olsa tool makes some amazing socket organization stuff give them a look

[@busarob3679]

Great video man, thank you😊

[@aeroekins5415]

Awesome video love your inputs on the negatives!!! Give some nice tips for when I go to buy/organize mine!

[@MotoInvestor]

Try Westling machine socket organizers. Great American made aluminum trays that are reasonably priced.

[@flueky021]

Snap on A288B is a decent socket holder and can buy clips separately

[@sefertonshaves]

Should do an update to this I would be curious how the harbor freight setup is holding up. The good the bad and the ugly.

[@Adam-kj4pp]

Yeah an update would be nice.

[@Greatgadgetsgear]

I thought that red wrench holder in drawer was for screwdrivers lol. Looks just like mine. I love the magnetic socket trays better than the push on pegs, easy on and off but stay in place.

[@janbrittenson210]

Get a DeWalt DCL050 LED work light. Uses the same 20V XR batteries, and trust me - once you get used to always having a good work light on hand you'll feel like you're in the dark without it.

[@daniellee2708]

Nice setup.. Like the wheels with the gold lip. What brand are they? & Are you running those on a Harley?

[@BlockheadMoto]

They’re SMT, they’ll be going on Goldzilla (FXLRS)

[@ericscorpyo]

I've ways organized my sockets and wrenches in order of size not metric or SAE. Just makes sense to me. Also when you have the bolt in your hand looking for the size is so much faster. Inefficiency?

[@robertrollins8506]

I have the same tool cart an I brought Pittsburgh sockets in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 inch shallow an deep in metric an sae an I got the socket trays also. You had some loose sockets I know harbor freight sells magnet socket holder that holds 10 sockets I got one in 3/8 maybe you should try one they come in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 inch

[@ivansaligo2783]

Please check out mechanics time saver for your rails and organizers

[@scoobymoto9858]

We always enjoy the Zuko cameo

[@hankster2241]

should have'd put the casters on the outside to make it more stable. use rivets to hold your socket holders down, works great. don't ever put a sticker on my box. i'm a little OCD. love your vids

[@RBLK89]

I like how this video series started with Snap-On picks and now that you're showing this drawer done no sign of the picks at all in your drawer😂

[@eastcoastbrushworks6327]

I used to work retail. The store I worked for sold JNCO's. lol I hated them!!! The YUGE flare bottom pants. lol

[@BlockheadMoto]

I had a friend that had a pair that covered his shoes entirely. It looked like he was floating when he walked, lol

[@eastcoastbrushworks6327]

@@BlockheadMoto I grew up in the 70's, so I know all about bell-bottom pants, corduroy pants, and the fashions of the decade. Hated them back then. When JNCO brought them back, I was thinking this is even worse. No one I knew wore them. It was the "skater kids" that wore those. My friends wore Champion sweatpants, Adidas or Z-Cavarichi pants. lol

[@everperez8538]

That pup at the end of the video was so happy walking the garage.

[@collectorbob810]

this is crazy, I was just thinking of doing this very thing, only better. it would be for offroad wrenching. for the men that go out to the backyard rust bucket finds and see if they can get them running. using HF tools and box with a dolly. a 4x4 dolly

[@jpholderness2010]

Take a look at the magnetic socket organizer from Olsa tools.

[@williambakehouse4533]

Get socket racks! They show socket size and it’s just a post. So easy to grab and id sockets

[@Lovenlife139]

What do you do about the popular sizes that are missing out if the sockets sets? 21mm 18mm some 10mm's

[@MichaelBertini]

Chris’s 💧 though. 🔥🤘🏼

[@rebel_ltz]

The lost T25 bits are having a party with the lost 10 mm sockets.

[@trollingpatroll7196]

great video, if you dont want to take stickers off you could see if theres any special paint you can use to colour the handles of the tools to make them easier to see

[@tweakyfurball4452]

what kind of socket set did you buy?

[@liamfoley4452]

My suggestion would be to put your ratchets and extensions up top with the sockets. That’s way what you use it together and you don’t have to go 2 different places in the box to get things that constantly with each other. Also laying your screwdrivers and pliers opposite of each other and flat will make it easier to see everything all at once and make it faster getting what you need

[@Honeybadger4473]

I like the wire racks for my pliers it puts them in a row and makes it easy to see what you have

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

I love Harbor Freight

[@alexanderjewison6758]

Ye there's a ton of stuff going on the 💠 inside sticker bomb. Harbor freight=great starter tools.

[@albertstabelli5869]

The clips that hold the sockets on the rail/ board will loosen their grip with use and time.

[@chadwhite5775]

Get the Olsa brand from Amazon there great

[@RickyBobber]

I have a recommendation. A Ricky Bobber sticker!😉

[@625jeffrey]

I agree with you on not having to buy top tier stuff if you are a DIY guy but you will find out that Pittsburg hand tools are not the best. I'd recommend spending a little bit more and getting a little better quality. For example Harbor freight torxs sockets are no good. They will break and round out eventually

[@1genuine_g619]

Nice video. But that Blue LRS is dope!!!!!

[@JoseHernandez-kf2vu]

Has anybody tried cutting out the tool box the sockets come in to use as the organizers. I saw one of them was removable if it fits it might be worth investigating.

[@JoseHernandez-kf2vu]

I had them in their original box but the box is falling apart where it locks and the hinges are next. So I was considering moving them into my tool cart while keeping the plastic molding they came in

[@alexanderjewison6758]

Are there rubber coating in the doors?

[@alancamarillo2942]

were do you buy the stickers

[@ChiefDLK]

The best toolbox organizers are the Tekton socket organizer and the toolbox widgets for your wrenches and pliers. Granted they are more expensive.

[@jsniper12]

I saw that SIG sticker ;). My man

[@terrydavis7389]

i have tools from all over the place. Harbor freight, grey pneumatic, gearwrench, husky, craftsman, parts store, lisle, ace hardware, snap on, mac, matco, cornwell.

[@sabledriver]

I have no tools from the tool trucks, but mine is the same. Lots of HF, since I could afford them. If it wasn't for HF, I would not have the amount of tools I have now. and my life would be much harder when working on my stuff.

[@GhostRider03]

Where do you buy the stickers from

[@chrisvasiliou1184]

Where did you bought the stickers from?

[@Stackali]

should have went with the peg type socket organizers.

[@shupe1995]

Best thing I ever bought for a tool box was buying a socket organizer that had the socket size marked for each size.

[@anonymousmc7727]

Put some led lights in that bad boy!

[@lincolnshire125cc]

What happened to John maxwell ?

[@joelgoody3590]

Use the long pecker (peg type) socket organizers from HF, no fighting involved to get sockets off. Bit more expensive, but you'll love em, put sockets in with ratchet end up so they sit down flush, they're labeled as well on top of peg.

[@philstarkey6094]

I love mine as well.

[@hotpackjay]

Where does he get the sticker kits from?!?

[@edwardpool3]

Yo block where did you get those stickers?

[@Shadowslayer347]

Can you post a video on how to change the oil on a motorcycle? I got a low rider s like you and I'm trying to save some money.

[@noladrone]

Hey Blockhead! Any chance we can get a list of tools used in this video? Looking to build a set for myself. Thanks!

[@timfrancis6774]

was hoping for same thing. just got 1 of those tool carts as gift. was tired of carrying tools in grocery bags

[@STHLance251]

Look for the video where he goes with Chris to Harbor Freight (fairly recent; only a couple weeks old). It shows 90% of what he put in his toolbox, including the box itself.

[@ryansraven]

It's taken me 10 years to get my work toolbox organized to work lol.

[@lenframe]

Great job!

[@markmeadows6401]

Proud of you Kid; nice job; kinda wished you would have given a little bit more on the durability on the cart; nice job

[@ShamelessTR]

Those single rails can work well to keep your extensions better organized. I personally much prefer to keep my extensions with my ratchets.

[@therealjoebailey2]

No shade tree surgeon sticker?

[@BlockheadMoto]

Didn't have any, I've gotta re-up!

[@DarksouIjah]

I do "bop" to my GSD nose all the time. lol

[@chadwhite5775]

Should have got more magnet strips bolted 2 of them back to back then you wouldn't have had to drill holes in your lid

[@EastboundDwn]

You need the paper towel holder...👍

[@BlockheadMoto]

For sure!