Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
- Start date
I got it.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
You have 2 options.
Drill out the pop rivets in the top storage area of the lid for the two plungers and then remove or disable the plunger mechansim.
Option two is to gently remove the dwrs and then gently pry or push the lockrod u-tabs for each rear lock-rod up, down or out to make sure they do not engage the rear dwr. lock slot when lid is closed depending upon box year.
Good part about that, is that resetting/ mending the tabs means box works as usual in reverse.
Rag Roc
ALLIANCE MEMBER
NOTABLAZER
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2010
- Messages
- 108
I use my 4-drawer cart for all of my automotive specialty tools (to keep everything in one central location),and so far all I've done to it was bolt a grease gun bracket to the side of it.
blghalryape
Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2012
- Messages
- 5
For those pry bars and stuff that won't let the lid close. One of those household holders for brooms, mops, etc. 5 pop rivets, so it's pretty sturdy.
Rusty Musket
Well-known member
earlthegoat2
Well-known member
I cut a relief in the can holder so it can fit a Nalgene bottle in there. Summer is brutal here.
when i see stuff like this:
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tls/2950528396.html
i just laugh thinking about the 5-drawer red cart in this thread... i mean, i understand that SO may be better quality, but for that price for a USED one, I can buy *5* HFT *new* ones... i can't fathom that the quality is 5x greater and used.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/tls/2950528396.html
i just laugh thinking about the 5-drawer red cart in this thread... i mean, i understand that SO may be better quality, but for that price for a USED one, I can buy *5* HFT *new* ones... i can't fathom that the quality is 5x greater and used.
zsuperbee
Well-known member
Has anyone removed the top and made a rolling work bench out of this ? Butcher block maybe ?
I love the ideas here, thanks.
My only mod so far is some pegboard over the screwdriver area on the right side, opposite the handle (black four-drawer). I also had to enlarge some of the prybar holes to hold my combo square and catspaw.
This week I will go mount an extension cord for charging the cordless screwdriver.
My only mod so far is some pegboard over the screwdriver area on the right side, opposite the handle (black four-drawer). I also had to enlarge some of the prybar holes to hold my combo square and catspaw.
This week I will go mount an extension cord for charging the cordless screwdriver.
karl1672
Well-known member
Here's mine, finally organized. Love this cart, especially for $149 (coupon). Amazing what it will hold. Probably have 80 - 90% of the stuff I regularly use in it.
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
Rusty Musket
Well-known member
Where did you source the awesome decal/badge from?
I just had a graphics buddy alter a stock SO image for me. Then printed it up on the home computer. I probably have a PDF file somewhere. PM me if you want a copy.
Vividlyvintage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2011
- Messages
- 128
tank4114
Well-known member
the only thing i dont like about mine is the top could be a fraction deeper so the lid doesnt hit my screw driver handles and pry bars
Vividlyvintage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2011
- Messages
- 128
Modify it!
Make a few brackets to raise it up and maybe get some L angle diamond plate to extend the lip around the sides and front. I say use L angle so you can bolt it to the box or bond it.
thanks,
Douglas Johnson
"Skrach"
www.VividlyVintage.com
Last edited:
vartz04
Well-known member
I just picked up a craftsman 6 drawer tool caddy for mine. gonna have a little project this weekend to put that on there as well as an old intermediate box underneath. I should be able to fit everything then.
mines a blue point but I should be able to play too its the same thing as the HF black 4 drawer.
mines a blue point but I should be able to play too its the same thing as the HF black 4 drawer.
blghalryape
Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2012
- Messages
- 5
Sure, remind us again how much MORE than $150 that "Blue Point" cart was.
Busted_Knuckles
Well-known member
Ive got a 5 drawer, I pulled the lid off mine before it went into use. Mine is at home, and nobody is in my "space" except for my dog, and she does not have thumbs, so Im not worried about locking it up to keep anyone out.
I did put a spray can holder on one side, and a nitrile glove dispenser on the other.
I took the top off, because I saw no need for it, and my pry bar handles stick up to high as well.
I did put a spray can holder on one side, and a nitrile glove dispenser on the other.
I took the top off, because I saw no need for it, and my pry bar handles stick up to high as well.
Attachments
machine_punk
Well-known member
That's a great plan! My lid stays open all the time anyway...who cares if it is even there? Cool.
View media item 12085
Do you have a part number? My matco cart struts are shot and I need to replace them.. Thanks
Got my Snap-On hinges installed tonight. Man are they nice! The lid locks solidly in the vertical position and closes fine. A bonus is that the lid now stands straight up, not leaning in at an angle like it did before. jjjrmx5's directions and measurements were right-on, thanks for the detailed explanation. I made the spacers out of 1/2" aluminum rod. I drilled out the hole in the top of the hinges to 5/16" to match the hole in the lid's flange. Then attached them with stainless bolts, flat washers and nylock nuts. This is an excellent improvement for under $10.
All together I've made 5 modifications to my 5 drawer cart now:
1. Old Ford script wrench handle.
2. Rubber mat top added to the lid.
3. A 115v outlet box and 25' cord.
4. Indian motorcycle badge replaced the US General badge.
5. Snap-On hinges.
I think mine is about as tricked out as its going to be. A great addition to my garage
Vividlyvintage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2011
- Messages
- 128
Any new mods? Seems this thread sort of died.... i love seeing all of the great ideas you guys come up with
Last edited:
I traded my cart that I modified to one of my employees that left my shop.
What I did was cut out part of the lid on each side so the prybar handles fit through then I made a sheet metal box that I welded in to the lid " upsidedown" so I could close the lid and have it all be secure.
What I did was cut out part of the lid on each side so the prybar handles fit through then I made a sheet metal box that I welded in to the lid " upsidedown" so I could close the lid and have it all be secure.
kapster
Well-known member
I'm sure this has been done, but i just finished up a mod on my 5 drawer.
I like the lid but hate that it locks the drawers when shut. Mine is at home so wasn't worried about locking but wanted to make it still lock if need be. I drilled the rivets out and removed the locking bars. Cut about 3/4 off of them and reinstalled. Then I made plastic blocks to sit in the plastic caps, or could use the pieces cut off. This way the drawers dont lock, and if i need them to i just put the plastic caps back on.
Rivets are kind of hard to find but I did them at a farm supply, 5/32 or 4 mm. If i had 3/16 i would have considered drilling them out but i didnt have them or a rivet gun. Gave me an excuse to buy one.
I like the lid but hate that it locks the drawers when shut. Mine is at home so wasn't worried about locking but wanted to make it still lock if need be. I drilled the rivets out and removed the locking bars. Cut about 3/4 off of them and reinstalled. Then I made plastic blocks to sit in the plastic caps, or could use the pieces cut off. This way the drawers dont lock, and if i need them to i just put the plastic caps back on.
Rivets are kind of hard to find but I did them at a farm supply, 5/32 or 4 mm. If i had 3/16 i would have considered drilling them out but i didnt have them or a rivet gun. Gave me an excuse to buy one.
Recoil Rob
Well-known member
You know, if you lift the lid, open all the drawers, close the lid and close all the drawers they will still latch but will not lock if the lid is closed. At least it works on mine.
Vividlyvintage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2011
- Messages
- 128
kapster
Well-known member
Now you tell me....
Recoil Rob
Well-known member
Sorry about that Chief. I didn't consider it a mod and figured it was common knowledge. I found out when I was trying to find some better storage for the bottom shelf of a steel bench I had. I was looking at Lisco, etc. and then I realized that two of the tops from the 26" HF cart sets would fit perfectly. One was on sale at the local HF as a scratch & dent, I offered them $50 and they said " take it away. The other I had from a set and didn't need it on top of the bottom piece.
I thought I would either loose the top space or have to remove the lids. Then I tried opening the top, opening all the drawers and closing the top. The drawers go all the way in except for that last 1/4" of latch. I can open the tops enough to get what's inside there too.
I thought I would either loose the top space or have to remove the lids. Then I tried opening the top, opening all the drawers and closing the top. The drawers go all the way in except for that last 1/4" of latch. I can open the tops enough to get what's inside there too.
Vividlyvintage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2011
- Messages
- 128
Vividlyvintage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2011
- Messages
- 128
Sorry about that Chief. I didn't consider it a mod and figured it was common knowledge. I found out when I was trying to find some better storage for the bottom shelf of a steel bench I had. I was looking at Lisco, etc. and then I realized that two of the tops from the 26" HF cart sets would fit perfectly. One was on sale at the local HF as a scratch & dent, I offered them $50 and they said " take it away. The other I had from a set and didn't need it on top of the bottom piece.
I thought I would either loose the top space or have to remove the lids. Then I tried opening the top, opening all the drawers and closing the top. The drawers go all the way in except for that last 1/4" of latch. I can open the tops enough to get what's inside there too.
I like that idea.. if i didnt already have a perfect spot for my cart i would copy this idea.
thanks,
Douglas Johnson
"Skrach"
www.VividlyVintage.com
I love my 4 drawer us general cart. I bought the 5 drawer but returned it because of a few reasons. First I did not like the drawer locks. Then mine ony had 2 swivel casters and was a pain to get in position. Also the cart was just too big for my uses but I am just a home DIY guy. Lastly the drawer lock mechanism bound up some times, so I took it back! Now that I have my black 4 drawer it does everything I need and is very easy to move around!
kapster
Well-known member
Ha no big deal, I'm happy with my mod I did. This way the drawers latch too.
kapster
Well-known member
With those snap on hinges, do you have to fold them to shut the lid or just pull on the lid?
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
Both sides are just elbow hinges but one side has an additional square sleeve that rides around the hinge at the elbow and acts as the lock.
Lift surround collar up and both elbows bend to close. Open lid and lock sleeve slides automaticaly over elbow due to gravity to lock the elbow to prevent unintended clsoure and bodily harm.
It's a no muss system that does not wear out unlike the crappy gas struts HF uses.