Great video! I just bought a returned cabinet from Harbor Freight for 50% off. They told me the keys were lost/locked in it and suggested I drill it. Watched your video for inspiration, Rather than pick each drawer...I flipped the entire cabinet over...all the locks drop out simultaneously. Took the top drawer out and there was the key set. Great way to save $250!
Yep. As long as it is empty, you can flip it. You probably could flip it with tools inside but what a mess and boy would it be heavy. You got a steal on your box. Thanks for sharing
This doesn't work on the newer cabinets like the 44" that I picked up 2 weeks ago. There is no loose pin in the back to manipulate and the holes in the top that you can use for access are about 1/2" in diameter. What does work is to flip the cabinet upside down. Now that still keeps the doors locked on the new design, but it isn't perfect and if you can catch just one drawer that will open then you're in and can remove the other drawers. Since there are no pins you just reach in, lift the bar, and remove the next drawer that you hope contains the keys that your son accidentally locked inside.
I could see how that could work. Anything that’ll lift that bar should work. Only problem with the magnet is that it would stick to everything as you were fishing it down
Going to give this a try. I have the key, but it won't unlock the cabinet. It's full of late tooling, so turning it upside down is not an option. Hopefully, this method will do the trick.
Oh no, that sounds like something I'd do. In goes the key, slam goes the drawer. Glad you had the smarts to figure it out. And I loved your thumbnail! LOL
Great video thanks. I just bought my HFT cabinet and went to assemble it today. Unlocked the drawers, pulled the key out and put them in the drawer and closed it. I never intend to lock it since it is in my home workshop. Reached down to the bottom drawer to get the handle and wheels out and it wouldn't open. I thought, oh no another defective cabinet. This was an exchanged one since my 1st one was bent, kind of twisted. (By the way the HFT people in East Peoria IL are awesome. Took good care of my return do problem.) So I tried another drawer and realized, you guessed it, I locked it. After watching your video I thought my cabinet is empty, why not just turn it upside-down. All the drawers unlocked :-) and while it was upside-down I went ahead and put the wheels on it. Thanks again.
Yep, you got lucky it was empty. I’ve seen one where someone was moving it and didn’t lock the drawers closed. It tipped and bent drawers and tools were everywhere. I wouldn’t want to do that intentionally. Thanks for watching
Is Heneral. Red white and Blue, and now, Yella. Thanks Asia. For producing all the good stuff that we take for granted of every day.. .Invest in ASR....
Thanks for this! Brought home brand new box and my son locks the keys inside. Thankfully, it was still empty so I flipped it upside down and was able to open the top draw and fish the keys out. Lesson learned...set aside a spare somewhere and label it. The design is different now so I don't think this method works any longer. You'll have to order a new key based on the code.
Thanks for this video. You sort of indirectly saved me. I bought a new one of these and was dumb enough to throw the little bag of keys into the top drawer (before I put any tools in the box) and close the drawer... not realizing that the drawers were actually in the lock position. But from looking at your video of how the latches work, I was able to turn the entire box onto its top and those little bars all released, allowing me to slide the top drawer open (upside down) and get the bag of keys out. Saved a ton of headache. If you get a new one of these... do NOT put the bag of keys in the drawer and slide it shut unless you know the cabinet is NOT locked.
That won’t work on the new ones I just had to drill my lock out on the new cabinet I just bought they don’t have that little rod in there no more the whole thing goes up and down and locks so that won’t work on the newer ones.
I just got a new HF box with keys that operate the bar but won't unlock the drawers. I had considered trying to turn it upside down to see if the part would slide up (down) and release the drawers. But the cabinet weighs 400#s! There are two drawer stacks so can't look in from opposite corner. There is an outside chance I could snag the right point but it seems highly unlikely. Thanks for the video.
I tried it using one of their long magnets for hanging tools on the wall. It didn’t move it a bit. To far away from the back side of the too box. A stronger magnet would be hard to slide up so that it could free the latch.
Question: A Harbor Freight near me is selling an open box tool box for cheap. The catch is they lost the key and all the drawers are locked. Once it's open, I don't need the toolbox to ever lock again (it'll be sitting in a locked home garage). If I do what you did in this video and unlock all the drawers, will this permanently keep the drawers unlocked, or is there something more I'll need to do to the lock itself?
Ask to try different keys at the store there is only so many. Get it home flip it upside down open the drawers check for keys. After its open just remove the cylinder lock
I tried Opening with bent wire with no luck. Finally tried turning the lock counterclockwise with pair of channel locks. It opened then turn lock back to the original position and it works like new.
Thanks Everyday Journey. This video and subsequent posters got me to turn it upside down. With a little wiggle behind the top drawer, it opened. My side cabinet is new and from a new HF store (June 2022) and going upside down worked.
Just wanted to take a moment and say THANK YOU!! Went to HF thinking, of course, they have extra keys or can order... But, No... I followed your advice and got it opened, thanks again my friend!
Harbor Freight won't do squat for you. Once they have your money and you are out the door, you are forgotten. They have never seen you before, don't know who you are. My lock is stuck, can't get in, keys won't work.
I feel you. You could try a locksmith if my way didn’t work for you. If you lived near Knoxville Tennessee, I’d come over to help you out. I hope this was at home and not at work
Great video! I just bought a returned cabinet from Harbor Freight for 50% off. They told me the keys were lost/locked in it and suggested I drill it. Watched your video for inspiration, Rather than pick each drawer...I flipped the entire cabinet over...all the locks drop out simultaneously. Took the top drawer out and there was the key set. Great way to save $250!
Yep. As long as it is empty, you can flip it. You probably could flip it with tools inside but what a mess and boy would it be heavy. You got a steal on your box. Thanks for sharing
My tool box is FULL. I bet it weights over 1,000 lb. No way it's flipping upside down.
It can be done :-) . I don’t want to help pick it all up if you do. Good luck my friend
This saved me. I locked my keys in the drawer and was able to get into my tool box in about 15 minutes. Thank you! You are a life saver
Always glad to help
This doesn't work on the newer cabinets like the 44" that I picked up 2 weeks ago. There is no loose pin in the back to manipulate and the holes in the top that you can use for access are about 1/2" in diameter. What does work is to flip the cabinet upside down. Now that still keeps the doors locked on the new design, but it isn't perfect and if you can catch just one drawer that will open then you're in and can remove the other drawers. Since there are no pins you just reach in, lift the bar, and remove the next drawer that you hope contains the keys that your son accidentally locked inside.
Thanks a bunch bud
Did you get yours open, or did you just need to “borrow” someone else’s tools? :-)
Oh man, I could just imagine all the tools everywhere. It should work though
A small magnet taped to the end of a wire bent 90 degrees worked on the newer box it lifted the locking mechanism in the back of the drawer
I could see how that could work. Anything that’ll lift that bar should work. Only problem with the magnet is that it would stick to everything as you were fishing it down
Great help. Closed the drawer with the keys in side. After viewing your video I flipped the entire cabinet over. All drawers opened!
Going to give this a try. I have the key, but it won't unlock the cabinet. It's full of late tooling, so turning it upside down is not an option. Hopefully, this method will do the trick.
Just be patient. It can work
Thanks! I just broke into mine because I left my keys in the top drawer. Couldn’t of done it without you!
Just glad to help. Figured I’d share with others because I was sure I wouldn’t be the only one
Oh no, that sounds like something I'd do. In goes the key, slam goes the drawer. Glad you had the smarts to figure it out. And I loved your thumbnail! LOL
I’m glad too. I had my spare key in my other car and this happened at the start of my shift
Great video thanks. I just bought my HFT cabinet and went to assemble it today. Unlocked the drawers, pulled the key out and put them in the drawer and closed it. I never intend to lock it since it is in my home workshop. Reached down to the bottom drawer to get the handle and wheels out and it wouldn't open. I thought, oh no another defective cabinet. This was an exchanged one since my 1st one was bent, kind of twisted. (By the way the HFT people in East Peoria IL are awesome. Took good care of my return do problem.) So I tried another drawer and realized, you guessed it, I locked it. After watching your video I thought my cabinet is empty, why not just turn it upside-down. All the drawers unlocked :-) and while it was upside-down I went ahead and put the wheels on it. Thanks again.
Yep, you got lucky it was empty. I’ve seen one where someone was moving it and didn’t lock the drawers closed. It tipped and bent drawers and tools were everywhere. I wouldn’t want to do that intentionally. Thanks for watching
The new series 3 isn't like this at all lol
I'm gonna have to check those out. Maybe I can offer a fix with them too
Yeah I can’t get my series 3 to unlock even after flipping it upside down
@@michaelhaile401 I had to cut a hole in the top and fish my keys up. With the rubber and the top hutch on top no one will ever know haha
@@TJsVette I would return it and buy a new one before I drill into my brand new toolbox. But thanks for the info lol
@michaelhaile401 they only had one at the store. I got mine brand new. Had to go to 2 stores to get the entire set. Otherwise I would have.
I like your shirt!!! It matches the toolbox...
Thanks for watching. Hope you didn’t have the same problem I did. They can take a while to get into once locked up
Or just turn the toolbox upside down and all the drawers will unlock. This is of course easier if the toolbox is empty, like mine.
Is Heneral. Red white and Blue, and now, Yella. Thanks Asia. For producing all the good stuff that we take for granted of every day.. .Invest in ASR....
I bought this use with no keys! I had to drill out. But two of my top drawers are open
Thanks for this! Brought home brand new box and my son locks the keys inside. Thankfully, it was still empty so I flipped it upside down and was able to open the top draw and fish the keys out. Lesson learned...set aside a spare somewhere and label it. The design is different now so I don't think this method works any longer. You'll have to order a new key based on the code.
Thanks for this video. You sort of indirectly saved me. I bought a new one of these and was dumb enough to throw the little bag of keys into the top drawer (before I put any tools in the box) and close the drawer... not realizing that the drawers were actually in the lock position. But from looking at your video of how the latches work, I was able to turn the entire box onto its top and those little bars all released, allowing me to slide the top drawer open (upside down) and get the bag of keys out. Saved a ton of headache. If you get a new one of these... do NOT put the bag of keys in the drawer and slide it shut unless you know the cabinet is NOT locked.
I tried this but turning its upside down did not unlock it for me. I have the series 3, everyone else who tried this seemed to have series 2
That won’t work on the new ones I just had to drill my lock out on the new cabinet I just bought they don’t have that little rod in there no more the whole thing goes up and down and locks so that won’t work on the newer ones.
I'll have to check them out the next time I'm in a store.
I just got a new HF box with keys that operate the bar but won't unlock the drawers. I had considered trying to turn it upside down to see if the part would slide up (down) and release the drawers. But the cabinet weighs 400#s! There are two drawer stacks so can't look in from opposite corner. There is an outside chance I could snag the right point but it seems highly unlikely. Thanks for the video.
I turned the 42 in cabinet weighing 365 lbs upside down by myself but it did not unlock maybe because I have have the series 3
Thanks you very much. I did exactly what you show and open my toolbox
I’m glad I could help
Left my keys in the top drawer. Gonna try this soon. Thanks for the post!
Good luck. It can be done. Just need a steady hand and some patience
Love the thumbnail
Great video. Thanks appreciate you.
Glad to help
New cabinet? Turn it upside down!! The drawers unlock. Two strong guys and 2 minutes!!!
Yes that would work but if it’s full, better to do this method. Tools would be everywhere
Doesn’t work on series 3
Thanks, was just about to cut the lock out
Hey what about using a strong magnet from the back and drag it up once the little metal get attached to the back panel??
I might try that tomorrow just to see if it works. It’ll have to be very strong to work though
I tried it using one of their long magnets for hanging tools on the wall. It didn’t move it a bit. To far away from the back side of the too box. A stronger magnet would be hard to slide up so that it could free the latch.
Question: A Harbor Freight near me is selling an open box tool box for cheap. The catch is they lost the key and all the drawers are locked. Once it's open, I don't need the toolbox to ever lock again (it'll be sitting in a locked home garage). If I do what you did in this video and unlock all the drawers, will this permanently keep the drawers unlocked, or is there something more I'll need to do to the lock itself?
Ask to try different keys at the store there is only so many. Get it home flip it upside down open the drawers check for keys. After its open just remove the cylinder lock
All of these are valid points. I think finding a key from the store that works is like trying to win the lottery
@@EverydayJourney correct but you can't win the lottery if you don't play
or if it is feasible jsut flip it upside down
If it’s empty, that wouldn’t be a problem. But otherwise, heavy as all get out and tools would go be scattered everywhere
Doesn’t work on series 3
😢
Interesting video
I saw the thumbnail comment. I thought I’d play around a bit with the thumbnail editor a little.
I tried Opening with bent wire with no luck. Finally tried turning the lock counterclockwise with pair of channel locks. It opened then turn lock back to the original position and it works like new.
Thanks Everyday Journey. This video and subsequent posters got me to turn it upside down. With a little wiggle behind the top drawer, it opened. My side cabinet is new and from a new HF store (June 2022) and going upside down worked.
Whats all the junk stuck all over the tool boxes? Looks like crap
Thanks. I’ll never mistake another one for it though. Maybe my wife would like one that looks pretty but I don’t care about things like that
Exactly
Is busy making money and not keeping his box neat
Just wanted to take a moment and say THANK YOU!! Went to HF thinking, of course, they have extra keys or can order... But, No... I followed your advice and got it opened, thanks again my friend!
I think you are the first to acknowledge that you’ve locked your keys in it too. Glad to know I helped at least one person
Subscribed! 👍🏼
Harbor Freight won't do squat for you. Once they have your money and you are out the door, you are forgotten. They have never seen you before, don't know who you are. My lock is stuck, can't get in, keys won't work.
I feel you. You could try a locksmith if my way didn’t work for you. If you lived near Knoxville Tennessee, I’d come over to help you out. I hope this was at home and not at work