Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?

[ndnchf]

Mine measures 25-3/4" wide x 19" deep. That depth doesn't include the the locking bars which intrude a bit. Counting these, the depth is about 17-3/4".

 

[bimmerZ5]

why are you guys so against the shocks and prefer the hinges? most of the time, the shocks are considered an "upgrade" from hinges.. idgi...

 

[ndnchf]

While the cart itself is great, the quality of the shocks is lacking. They wear out quickly (depending on the amount of use), then they sag and the top falls down. They are expensive to replace too. The SO hinges are inexpensive ($10 a set), hold the lid open further and will last a lifetime. What's not to like?

 

[bimmerZ5]

While the cart itself is great, the quality of the shocks is lacking. They wear out quickly (depending on the amount of use), then they sag and the top falls down. They are expensive to replace too. The SO hinges are inexpensive ($10 a set), hold the lid open further and will last a lifetime. What's not to like?

if the ones provided by HFT for this cart ****, can't one replace them with something better? Perhaps order a part from Sears from their "heavy duty" tool chest line that has shocks for the top lid? there must be some place online where one can source them cheaper and possibly better... perhaps even longer extension version so the lid can open vertically?

 

[jjjrmx5]

if the ones provided by HFT for this cart ****, can't one replace them with something better? Perhaps order a part from Sears from their "heavy duty" tool chest line that has shocks for the top lid? there must be some place online where one can source them cheaper and possibly better... perhaps even longer extension version so the lid can open vertically?

You may find a different source than HF like Sears, Snap-On, etc. but they are goona be quite a bit more than $15 ea. Trust me- I hunted for months.

Shocks have an overall closed length from center to center of the balls and then an overall travel length at their max from ball center to center.

The top lid tab is welded in so no changing that point of pick-up. If you use a longer shock, you risk that the closed point of a longer shaft and body is too long thus binding before the lid is fully closed and not being able to close and lock the lid.

Automobile hatch and hood shocks are still more than $15 but have way too high of a charge and pressure rating so they will stay up but be very difficult to close. I tried it wih several OEM German car hatch and hood shocks. No &*^%ing way.

The closest match I found was the shocks found at RV and camper stores that hold up things like exterior storage compartment doors , small window closers and the like on 5th wheels and tent campers. .

Those will work, but the price each on those was at a min. of $25 each and usually closer to $30 each.

Again, $10 each for the HF cart and I was fine. $38 for two including shipping was a no-go for me from HF. Most I saw were even steeper.

The HF shock in front of me from my 5 dwr cart is 13-1/2" maximum travel extended, and 9-3/8" at fully closed.

Have at it with Google my friend.

 

[mdbeck1]

You may find a different source than HF like Sears, Snap-On, etc. but they are goona be quite a bit more than $15 ea. Trust me- I hunted for months.

Shocks have an overall closed length from center to center of the balls and then an overall travel length at their max from ball center to center.
...
The HF shock in front of me from my 5 dwr cart is 13-1/2" maximum travel extended, and 9-3/8" at fully closed.

Have at it with Google my friend.

Do you think this one might work?
https://www.dawsbetterbuilt.com/index.php?option=com_ixxocart&Itemid=150&p=product&id=411&parent=19
or one of these???
http://stores.ebay.com/strut-your-s...68634017&_sid=985136237&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
or maybe one of these???
http://stores.ebay.com/strut-your-s...67783017&_sid=985136237&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

 

[bimmerZ5]

these seem like a possibility based on your dimensions:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/14-24-Colum...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item564f805ab2

it would be $26 + $10 shipping for a pair w/ 3yr warranty

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Mine measures 25-3/4" wide x 19" deep. That depth doesn't include the the locking bars which intrude a bit. Counting these, the depth is about 17-3/4".

Damn, was hoping I could wedge my Kobalt plastic socket racks in there. Looks like there'll be no way cram them in...
Worst case I can just use some Ernst rails and make it work...

 

[jjjrmx5]

why are you guys so against the shocks and prefer the hinges? most of the time, the shocks are considered an "upgrade" from hinges.. idgi...

In "theory" they are.

But over time, much like the shocks on your hatchback, minivan or car hood,etc. they wear out over time.

Cavitation , oil loss, pressure loss and especailly lack of use just wears them out. add wieght to your lid for a shock that was not designed for it and they wear much faster as they just are not designed for it.

Snap-On is very good at warranting them if you bought off the truck and have a good dealer. They never ask questions. Just toss you new shocks.

Used box or no dealer and it's a wear item often. Especially for the BP line and almost any other brand box. You must pay out of pocket.

Old metal hood props were simple and easy but everyone bitched they got in the way. Now we have hood shocks and everyone ******* at replacment cost (duh) and having to use vice grips to hold their hood up.

You're a Bimmer guy. Go price a set of new OEM BMW 650 or Porsche 911 hood lid or boot lid shocks.
Yowsa.

If you keep them closed most of the time they fail quicker. If you add weight to them they fail quicker or do not hold at all. Over time they loose pressure and need replacing. Again, failure. And NO way to control it. They wear over time. They wear quicker if you don't use them or if you overload them. Hmmmmmm....

Drink the Kool-Aid all ya wnat. That's NOT an upgrade to me if dependability is of utmost importance.

And BTW, there are two ball mount holes on the 5 dwr. cart for the bottom mount. The metal hinge that the 4 dwr black cart uses is the close to the lid hole. 5 dwr carts AFAIK use the far hole from the lid.

You may need to check you O/A shock length for proper fit or for where to begin to mod what you have. I wann say that all 5 dwr carts have used the same shock but I can't confirm it from what I have heard.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Just for comparison:

KRBC10TB

4 dwr Blue Point Service Cart.

I can almost guarantee those chrome hinges will fit. They are now $10.10 for the pair.

KRBC10T22 is the p/n or the hood shock of the new carts. And you need 2.
$24.65 ea.

You only pay sale tax w/free shipping but now you have a milestone.

 

[skulldrinker]

I bought those magnets to do that but I was having trouble getting my wrenches to feel secure. I guess using two of them is the ticket.

You got 2 days to go get some magnets

 

[skulldrinker]

Are the lid shocks that go bad on these the same that are on the 44" box? Can the snap on hinges be used on that box also?

 

[70NOVA]

Does anyone know if SO pry bar handles will fit under the closed lid of the HF carts?

 

[tank4114]

nope neither will the larger SO screwdrivers

 

[kapster]

Just go with snap on hinges, I was bound and determined to make my lid go 90 degrees with the shocks. I was going to weld or bolt new tabs on the lid and would have to make a mounting bracket closer to the hinge pivot. About that time the hinges started going bad, for $10 its an easy fix. If you buy shocks for 3 times as much it still won't go 90 unless you do the above. And who knows how long they ll last.

 

[uzzaw]

Has anybody replaced the hinges on the black 4-drawer with the Snap-On (KRBC8T9) hinges mentioned in this post? I've only see people talk about replacing the 5-drawer hinges.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Has anybody replaced the hinges on the black 4-drawer with the Snap-On (KRBC8T9) hinges mentioned in this post? I've only see people talk about replacing the 5-drawer hinges.

the black cart already has hinges

 

[kapster]

I got my snap on hinges, you want them to fold forward right?

 

[ndnchf]

Yep, they fold toward you.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

@ndncfh:

That looks like an easy and quick thing to make out flat bar stock.

Yah, any excuse to cut, grind, and weld metal.

 

[ndnchf]

Dan - if you enjoy doing metal work, go for it! But for most of us who don't have those skill, $10 delivers a set to my door. That's a bargain that's hard to beat.

 

[kapster]

Hmm, im a machinist and i ordered them. Theres certain things that are so cheap, why screw with it.

 

[rogersmithiii]

So do you guys load up the cart with tools for a job, and roll it to the work area? I like the idea, but am thinking that filling those drawers for a temp job is a lot of work.

Do you guys find all the drawers helpful? I don't have a cart yet, and instead, throw the tools for the job into a Home Depot bucket.

Thanks

 

[kapster]

So do you guys load up the cart with tools for a job, and roll it to the work area? I like the idea, but am thinking that filling those drawers for a temp job is a lot of work.

Do you guys find all the drawers helpful? I don't have a cart yet, and instead, throw the tools for the job into a Home Depot bucket.

Thanks

I have all my sockets,ratchets,extensions, pliers and screwdrivers in mine. I put tools im using at the time in the top. Need to make room for simple combo wrenchs yet

 

[kapster]

Do you want it vertical or leaning back a little? I followed the drawing from page 5 and it makes my lid lean back a little. Also the locking hinge seems a little longer center to center, is that normal?

 

[ndnchf]

They are slightly different lengths. Not sure why, but they work. Mine is just about vertical, but I suppose a little variation can be expected and OK.

 

[cheechi]

The reason they are different lengths is so the weight of the lid is supported in the locking hinge rather than pushing down on the other side, which with a very heavy lid could wear the mounting point to the box. The difference in length should be slight, but noticeable.

 

[kapster]

Mine is the other way around, the non locking hinge is shorter and holding the weight

 

[ndnchf]

Kapster - I can't explain why, but that's normal. When the right-side hinge is locked, the shorter left-side hinge remains bent at the knee just a little. It works fine.

 

[kapster]

Ok, but do I want it vertical or tilting back? Yours looks vertical. I wasn't sure if they'd work right vertical

 

[ndnchf]

Decisions decisions...
I like mine vertical because I hang things on the wall behind my cart. The hinges work well in this position.

 

[kapster]

Ok cool, that's what I wanted to make sure, thanks man

 

[BullfrogJohnson]

I installed a HF side box for more room. Now my cart is way overloaded and the shop floors are terrible at work. The HF casters were not happy so I added 6" HD casters, I believe they are rated for 600lbs a piece.



I cut out a piece of 1/4" HDPE (cutting board material) to replace the top foam liner. My hood shocks died so I bought the snap on hinges. I have been lazy and only have one side installed.

 

[LWaite]

Your missing a side box on the other side

 

[BullfrogJohnson]

Your missing a side box on the other side

I keep all my prybars, chains, come-a-longs and sledge hammers on the right side to offset the weight of the side box

 

[AV tinker er]

I installed a HF side box for more room. Now my cart is way overloaded and the shop floors are terrible at work. The HF casters were not happy so I added 6" HD casters, I believe they are rated for 600lbs a piece.

I cut out a piece of 1/4" HDPE (cutting board material) to replace the top foam liner. My hood shocks died so I bought the snap on hinges. I have been lazy and only have one side installed.

Looks nice!

 

[kapster]

Hmm i put my hinges on and the lock side hits the lid when its closed. Keeps the lid from closing the last 1/2 inch or so. Guessing the hole should have been lower.

 

[cheechi]

How did you attach the side to yours?

 

[BullfrogJohnson]

How did you attach the side to yours?

It hangs on the roll cart lip, then I drilled holes in the lower tray of the roll cart. The side box has two holes in the bottom already, then I just bolted it together.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Finally picking up a 5 drawer this week, just been waiting on a check to come in. Already going to buy the Snap-On hinges, and planning on this folding side shelf:
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-8004.aspx

And also thinking about this locking screwdriver/prybar box for the stuff that has too tall of handles for the top.
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-8011.aspx

My question is, has anyone installed that box on the same side as the cart's handle? Not sure if the handle would make it impossible to get stuff in and out of it... I might see if I can mount the spray can holder under the folding shelf, or just remove it altogether. Just debating, since I'd rather order them both at the same time to keep shipping costs down. If nobody else has, I might just try it out anyway, but figured I'd check here first...