Harbor Freight has launched new US General tool cabinets with a purple color finish.
This isn’t big news, but seemed worth mentioning as I know some of you have been waiting for this color option.
Here’s what I’m seeing:
Advertisement
56″ x 22″ rolling tool cabinet – $890
72″ x 22″ rolling tool cabinet – $1800
72″ x 22″ top tool chest – $1000
72″ x 22″ work center hutch – $700
22″ end locker – $400
All are part of their Series 3 collection.
Existing US General products that are already available in a purple finish include their 5-drawer mechanics cart, 6-drawer full-bank service cart, mini tool box, and a couple of accessories.
rob masek
The series 3 boxes are just terrible vs the series 2 or 1 boxes. Thinner, worse drawer density.
EBT
Ok, I’m not the only one that noticed this. Buddy has the Gen 2 rolling 56″ and at the HF store near, I was checking out other color Gen 3 and it was thinner gauge, and didn’t feel as solid as my friend’s version. He has a few empty drawers so it was fair comparison vs loaded up. Are we gonna need calipers to take material measurements now, for gauge thickness? There has to be a point where its too cheap to be functional, let alone worth $900.
frobo
I suspect this is the result of a couple of things; reaction to tariffs, combined with the natural degradation in quality that comes from the need for companies continually grow profitability.
Andy
Their 27″ W x 22″ D rolling tool chest with 7 drawers is also available in purple.
https://www.harborfreight.com/27-in-x-22-in-roll-cab-series-3-purple-73368.html
Nathan
It’s harbor fright what would you expect? See your supposed to move to the new icon box if you want quality.
Sadly though currently I still think they are about the best you can get for the money.
Another Bob
I think the series 2 hit the perfect sweet spot in price vs what you got for your money. The whole lineup was now deep enough (22 inches), to compete with some of the higher end boxes. That was always my grip with the cheap ones. They were always like 18 inches deep.
I like they make the multiple different colors, but I prefer the silver chrome trim.
Sad to hear the material thickness was cheapened out in version 3 and wow, the price is double what I paid for my 72 inch series 2. . But I agree I think it’s still the best value, especially since you can go feel and touch it versus just ordering on line and gambling on quality.
Hopefully Harbor freight is able to keep up the value proposition as the series 2/3’s are just about the minimum quality you could expect to hold up in a serious hobby or light commercial setting. Any cheaper and I suspect these won’t hold up. And honestly, if you’re using them as a mechanic every day, you’re probably gonna be swapping out draw slides every few years. Still way cheaper than ordering Vidmar, Lista, Proto or the truck brand tool boxes.
Joellikestools
I have a purple technician cart and I do like it more because it is purple. It also stands out from the blue and black ones rolling around at work. I could see buying more if I need it. At least for the technician cart it was the best I could find for the price.
Yadda
Purple, historically, is considered the color of royalty. This doesn’t advance the conversation on tool boxes painted purple or explain the reasoning. Just a random factoid.
Nathan
If nothing else you’d think the hf offerings would attract more companies to offer more colors
Stuart
I had to remove your other comment. Please keep it PG.
HF IS inspiring other companies to offer more colors. e.g. https://toolguyd.com/craftsman-tool-cart-lowes-2025-launch/
Another Bob
I believe it was because of the rarity/cost to produce a purple dye. Glad to see someone delights in obscure facts like me 🙂