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

[Fyrme]

..........My only problem with it is you still have a cheap tool box. Kind of like making a Silk Purse out of a Sows Ear...........

As you can see most of us in this thread see the value and quality that can be had with these carts. While you go get a loan to buy your Snappy cart, we will take the 20% off coupon and buy these 4 and 5 drawer carts and still have cash left over to fill them with tools and custom fit them to our personal needs. No one EVER claimed in this thread that we are making silk purses, More like sewing extra pockets on our DENIM work pants.

But I guess there's one in every crowd

 

[cheechi]

before someone nit picks about the 20% coupon on the cart, there is a coupon that makes the cart very reasonable and you all know it.

Service carts aren't supposed to be where a large chunk of your tool storage investment goes anyway. It's just a tool for bringing other tools to the scene of the crime, not your primary tool storage. At the end of the day, it's still just a tray with wheels so you don't have to carry everything.

 

[nine4gmc]

As you can see most of us in this thread see the value and quality that can be had with these carts. While you go get a loan to buy your Snappy cart, we will take the 20% off coupon and buy these 4 and 5 drawer carts and still have cash left over to fill them with tools and custom fit them to our personal needs. No one EVER claimed in this thread that we are making silk purses, More like sewing extra pockets on our DENIM work pants.

But I guess there's one in every crowd

 

[oneandgone]

Heh, I'm what would be called by most a Snap On nutswinger, but in the case of these carts I can't find enough difference between them and the ones Matco sells to justify the $500+ cost difference.
I'm 99.9% sure the Matco cart for $700 is a rebadged Sunex cart and I'm not sure the Sunex cart isn't the HF cart. One of the guys I work with has the Matco cart, I can't wait to get the HF one and put them side by side. I think they're going to be unsurprisingly similar.
I started a thread about this a while back and after I posted links to the Matco and Sunex carts and stated that I thought they were the same someone told me if I look at the dimensions I'll see the difference. Funny, they're the same. Only diff is the Matco one shows an additional .5 inch due to the plastic bumpers. Guess those pieces of plastic must cost $125 each.

EDIT: I do have to say I see a difference in the Snap On carts that come welded rather than bolted. Also, their dimensions are different. I'm fairly sure they're selling their own carts, but I could be wrong. Also they're sure to come with the same great drawer liners that my KRL1003 has. However, for the price of the HF cart I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[VC455]

This is exactly the way it should be. Any weight is placed on the lock hinge with a slight dip in the non lock side.

Quick question about this SO hinge thread, RE 'mounting' I can't see how the not straight/bent side is doing ANY WORK, with the resolution of forces, it seems to me you might as well not have the second hinge, what kind of force/work is it doing? What am I missing.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Service carts aren't supposed to be where a large chunk of your tool storage investment goes anyway. It's just a tool for bringing other tools to the scene of the crime, not your primary tool storage. At the end of the day, it's still just a tray with wheels so you don't have to carry everything.

Yup...AND By nature of design they are meant to be rolled around and in the process, virtually guaranteed to get beat & banged up. Why beat & Bang up a 800.00 unit when a 100 buck unit does the same? I was leery of it I'll be honest...still am. Tired of cheaper ****...my CMan toolbox has served its time, bottom drawer is so warped & bowed its hard to open & close now.

Sounds like bang for the buck cant be beat. Still doesnt change the fact that in a perfect world, if money were no object, I'd still prefer the SO KRSC10FPC, but theres a 1295.00 Difference in price... Thats a little much to overlook.

 

[jjjrmx5]

This is exactly the way it should be. Any weight is placed on the lock hinge with a slight dip in the non lock side.

Quick question about this SO hinge thread, RE 'mounting' I can't see how the not straight/bent side is doing ANY WORK, with the resolution of forces, it seems to me you might as well not have the second hinge, what kind of force/work is it doing? What am I missing.

The chrome Snap-On hinges when used on a Snap-On or blue Point cart puts the lid near dead verticle or actually leaning just a hair to the rear. In that postion, the locked side is holding what wheight there is tha the main piano hinge is not.

BUT, if you roll the cart around or place any weight or tools on the lid itself, the lid moves rearward and thus rests on both the locking side and the open elbow side. Thus the need for it. It just distributes the weight.

When I bought my first BP cart the previous owner removed the locking side and only used the elbow. It did hold the lid up but was dangerous as hell and could not be rolled around with the lid open that way.

Those hinges are a cheap solution that will last decades with little to no maintnece is my only choice to like them over teh struts. Honestly, I don't think any of the cart designers saw the lids as heavy *** tool storage areas using magnets or clips, thus many owners having to rework a solution.

I've found them to be more than adequate when used daily on a shop floor.

 

[JimVonBaden]

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 put my most comonly used tools in it and roll it up to wherever I am working. I have a small garage, but it saves a lot of steps on a long job.

Jim

 

[ford guy]

I see the black 4 drawer cart on sale with coupon for 99.00.

Has anybody considered buying two 4 drawer carts and adding the second 4 drawer section under the main box's drawers? It looks like there would be enough room to fit.

I'm sure it won't be a direct "bolt in" fit, but I have tools, and am not afraid to use them

What do you'all think? (Especially you folks that have a black 4 drawer cart)

Thanks,
Bob

 

[nine4gmc]

I have the black one, good idea! The drawer section is roughly 11.5" high and the space below is 13.5". You could leave a 2" gap(long pry bar storage) or make a 2" filler easily.

 

[cheechi]

If you were going to do that, why not just get a 26" middle section 2 or 3 drawer (depending on your needs) chest?

 

[ford guy]

I have the black one, good idea! The drawer section is roughly 11.5" high and the space below is 13.5". You could leave a 2" gap(long pry bar storage) or make a 2" filler easily.

If you were going to do that, why not just get a 26" middle section 2 or 3 drawer (depending on your needs) chest?

Thanks for the replies & measurements! The pictures you guys posted of the black 4 drawer cart looked like another set of 4 drawers would fit underneath. The "only" obstacle I see will be the modification to use the top lock to lock ALL the drawers of the cart

I'm looking to set up a roll cart for my son, who just started Mororcycle Mecanics Instute in Orlando. I plan to paint it to match a Snap-On KRA 4114 / 4107 combo in Harley colors for him.

Right now, I'm in the planning stages, and looking to get the best bang for my buck.
I guess I need to head to the local Harbor Freight with a tape measure...

Thanks again....
Bob

 

[Thunderbisciut]

Just put together my 5 drawer cart today. They're on sale through tomorrow for $169, and I couldn't find any current $150 coupons so I bit the bullet.

I think the first mod I'm going to do is rework the screwdriver holes in the top. I was thinking about drilling them all out to the same size, and making removable inserts to reduce the diameter to better fit my drivers.

While I'm doing that I plan to recess some a few inches to make it so I can close the lid with my pry bars and ratcheting driver in there.

I want to add more spray can storage, double or triple what is there already.

Also, add a better way to store my dead blows and sledges.

I'm gonna add the side box at some point and dedicate that to pneumatic tools and supplies as well.

I'll probably add a glove and rag dispenser, and top it off with a cup holder.

 

[alpinewhite]

Just picked mine up today and put it together. One more tip (in addition to tightening everything at the end) is to make sure that the cover is closed when you begin to tighten. My setup was racked preventing the lid from closing. I had to loosen most of the nuts, close the lid, and re-tighten everything again. It could've saved me a few minutes if I lined up the lid from the get-go.

 

[alpinewhite]

I put a Snap on sticker on the front of my 5 drawer and most people don't know the difference.

Mike

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned. Is the Snap On cart the same as this cart? The dimensions are exactly the same. I wouldn't be surprised if these are the same exact carts except for small items such as the struts and the handle.

 

[kapster]

And the drawer configuration, i like the harbor freight's better. yea other then that id say they re made side by side. I almost ordered the side shelf for 45 from snap on but then went with the sunex. The harbor freight also uses 4 bolts on each corner, snap on 2.

This kind of bothers me too, im guessing the lid strut setup was the same when they used the hinges. So when they went to shocks, they left the lid mounts in the same place on the harbor freight but moved it on the snap ons. So they re putting extra effort into making the harbor freight lid not open to 90 and the shocks in the way. Hope that makes sense, if you look at the two it would make sense.

 

[oneandgone]

What Snap On cart, KRSC33? That's the only one on the SO site I see that's similar, but they don't share the same dimensions. Close though. The SO is welded, not bolted, has different drawer lock mechanism, has different shock mount braces, and from what I can tell doesn't have the holes for prybars to drop into. The drawer configuration is obviously different as well. It also has the slots/dots panels on the sides. Lastly, and most importantly, according to the SO site, it is made in the USA.

SO HF
Depth 20.5 20.7
Width 32 9/16 37.7
Height 43 5/16 41.4
Weight 157 155

All of that said, I have the opportunity to buy this SO cart in black for $500 locally in as new condition and I think I'm going to get the HF cart instead and paint it black. I think for the money and how similar they are it's the better buy.

 

[oneandgone]

Are we looking at different SO carts? I thought I recalled seeing a bolt together SO cart at one time, but I can't find it on their site...


EDIT: Nm, I think I found what you're looking at. The China made, Blue Point branded carts look to be the same thing, but the HF site shows theirs to be 7 inches wider...

 

[alpinewhite]

I was referring to the KRBC8T when ordering the hinges

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/part...rewdriver+Compartment,+Red;$0.00;KRBC8T;73613

Snap On:
Depth, inches (mm) 20 1/2 (520)
Width, inches (mm) 30 1/2 (775)
Height, inches (mm) 41 1/2 (1,048)

Harbor Freight"
Overall dimensions: 20.7" L x 37.7" W x 41.4" H

 

[oneandgone]

Ok, that's the China made, Blue Point branded one I ended up finding. It does look like the same thing, but the HF cart claims an additional 7 inches of width. I feel like all these carts are VERY similar and there can't be more than 1 or two places that make all of them, both of which are in China. The only one that stands apart is the welded SO cart that says made in USA, but it looks very similar as well. Maybe they just assemble it here?

 

[jjjrmx5]

Ok, that's the China made, Blue Point branded one I ended up finding. It does look like the same thing, but the HF cart claims an additional 7 inches of width. I feel like all these carts are VERY similar and there can't be more than 1 or two places that make all of them, both of which are in China. The only one that stands apart is the welded SO cart that says made in USA, but it looks very similar as well. Maybe they just assemble it here?

What is your point and your question?

(Aside from the ramblings above, to which you have neither made or a point nor asked a queston. )

Yes. BP service carts of a certain age are Chinese made. Yes, even USA made Snap-On carts share parts with BP carts in some cases.
Only Snap-On can tell you the details and componet sources.

Where built? Check the website.
Components? I'm sure that varies weekely, monthly or quarertly.
Even for Snap-On.

 

[oneandgone]

I thought you loved irrelevancy though? I guess what I'm getting at is they are the same carts and someones stated dimensions are wrong or their dimensions are different (someone stated earlier in the thread they were identical) and therefore different carts. Regardless, and again, I think there are only a couple places at most making these carts and everyone is putting their name on them. I've spent more time than I care to admit looking at all the different ones from all the different compainies to make sure if I get one I don't throw my $ away and to be sure I get the best deal out there. It has become a bit mindbending so forgive me if I ramble. Maybe I'm a tightass with a touch of OCD.

 

[kapster]

I was referring to the blue point krbc10tb, its the current model with gas shocks

 

[oneandgone]

I thought I would try to get this thread back on track as I bought a black 4 drawer cart the other day and started modding it already. This afternoon I built a folding shelf for it, I just need to paint it and assemble. Total cost was about $18, but I could've done it for less had I bought scrap steel instead of getting it at Menard's. It did warp on me a touch, but I guess that will help keep fasteners from rolling to the edge.

 

[Hammer1963]

I thought I would try to get this thread back on track as I bought a black 4 drawer cart the other day and started modding it already. This afternoon I built a folding shelf for it, I just need to paint it and assemble. Total cost was about $18, but I could've done it for less had I bought scrap steel instead of getting it at Menard's. It did warp on me a touch, but I guess that will help keep fasteners from rolling to the edge.

It's good to have skills ! Nice yellow tape bandaid

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Thanks to ihateminimumwage for posting the link!!!

Glad to help, it looks killer!
I finally got mine finished tonight. I'll get some pics up in a bit.

 

[morregerbert]

side tables from napa

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I was planning on buying the 5 drawer, but decided to go with the 4 drawer for multiple reasons; from it's similarities to the Blue Point cart, to the price, to the fact I'd probably just turn the 5th deep drawer into a junk drawer .

So here's my little Frankenstein, a mix of Harbor Freight, Blue Point and Sunex. Only took me a few days of work to drill, grind and file everything to fit without looking like a hack job.

Harbor Freight 4 Drawer Cart - $105 out the door w. coupon
Sunex Side Work Bench (SUN8004BK) - $21.10
Sunex Locking Screwdriver Holder (Sunex SUN8011BK) - $30.06
Blue Point Lock & Keys (KRBC8T1CAM) - $4.95
Blue Point Lid Handle (KRBC8T14) - $3.75

In total it cost about $174 including all taxes, shipping, and additional hardware (HF, Snap-On, Tooltopia and ACE Hardware). I might add a Blue Point Spray Can Holder down the line if I feel the need (KRBC9T19PC $16.65), but I'm extremely happy with how it turned out.

I drilled holes in the cart and used a file to square them so I could use matching carriage bolts to mount the locking box.

The box mounts at just the right height. It can accommodate a 24" prybar, as there's about 25 1/2" from the upper level of the shelf to the ground, and the cart's handle sticks out far enough the slide it straight up and through.

I had to bend the lip up on the shelf, and drill out holes for the cart's lower top carriage bolts to not interfere.

The Blue Point lock only took about 1 minute of filing the hole in the cart for it to fit in perfectly. It is very well made vs. the HF lock that comes on the cart. Better construction and almost no play compared to the rattling original lock. The handle is mounted perfectly center, just looks crooked thanks to the angled pictures.

I also removed the US General logo and just put some pop rivets in the holes for now. Overall, I'm EXTREMELY pleased with the way the cart turned out. Looking forward to getting it to the shop.

 

[tjmonsen5]

Minimumwage, thats awesome! Very cool that you fitted a blue point lock. I wonder if a Snap-on K1LA modern lock would work as well?

 

[dodge610]

I got took my HF 4 drawer did not come with a lid handle no holes to even put one.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Minimumwage, thats awesome! Very cool that you fitted a blue point lock. I wonder if a Snap-on K1LA modern lock would work as well?

Not betting on it, but I'll take a good look at my buddy's SO box on Tues and compare. I'd love to install one of those, but the mechanism is probably completely different. But if it turns, I might be able to weld the hook on the back.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Here's some links for anyone looking to do similar mods on the 4 drawer:

Folding Shelf:
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-8004bk.aspx

Locking Screwdriver/Prybar Box
http://www.tooltopia.com/sunex-tools-8011bk.aspx

And here's the parts listing for the Blue Point Cart (KRBC10TBPC) where I got the handle and lock. They also have the spray can holder and display board that will fit these carts.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/parts/pro_det.asp?Item_id=743163&group_ID=746226

 

[alpinewhite]

I liked this so much that I ordered my own shelf from Tooltopia too. I will probably just silicone the DP, though, so I don't have visible screw heads. Thanks.

 

[ex-x-fire]

You could also make a side shelf from a baking sheet. Add some paint & tool matting, you would never know.

 

[oneandgone]

^^^That's a great idea! Had I thought of that I would have been hunting for the size that suited me at Wal-Mart for sure.

 

[alpinewhite]

^^^That's a great idea! Had I thought of that I would have been hunting for the size that suited me at Wal-Mart for sure.

Yep. Then, we need the hardware for the fold-down mechanism. By the time all is bought, it would've been the same price as buying one from tooltopia.

 

[oneandgone]

Yep. Then, we need the hardware for the fold-down mechanism. By the time all is bought, it would've been the same price as buying one from tooltopia.

I got fold down shelf brackets at Menard's for $3 each. I bet a pan can be bought for another $5 or less. Not saying the shelf isn't a good buy, but it's still $30 shipped.

 

[alpinewhite]

I got fold down shelf brackets at Menard's for $3 each. I bet a pan can be bought for another $5 or less. Not saying the shelf isn't a good buy, but it's still $30 shipped.

Add the fasteners and powder-coating.

 

[oneandgone]

Oh dear lord. You win, your ultra cheap tool cart is better and cheaper than mine.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I'm usually all about building my own instead of store bought. But in this instance for the cost I don't think you can go wrong with a clean matching setup to bolt onto an already cheap cart.