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

[oneandgone]

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.

I never said anyone was wrong to buy the shelf for $30 shipped, it's not highway robbery by any means. However, I was pretty anxious to have a shelf and had the time and skills to whip one up. It ended up costing less and being usable sooner so I thought I would post about it. I don't know why that's been an issue or worth arguing about. To be honest I'm quite confused, I thought with this being the bottom dollar cart out there any mods that could be done for bottom dollar would fit right in. I guess it's ok to scrimp on the cart, but not the accessories?

For those on a really tight budget, Dollar Tree has 9x13 cookie sheets for $1, add another $6 for 2 brackets, $2 in fasteners, and a $3 can of black spraypaint and you have a $12 folding shelf. I wish I had used a cookie sheet myself, it already has a nice lip and would have cost less.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I'm thinking of making a cookie sheet side self now, I'm all about making stuff on a budget.

 

[alpinewhite]

I'm thinking of making a cookie sheet side self now, I'm all about making stuff on a budget.

Pls post pics.

 

[oneandgone]

Finished product. I painted and assembled it this morning.

 

[alpinewhite]

Finished product. I painted and assembled it this morning.

Very nice. Kudos to you.

 

[oneandgone]

Thank you.

 

[Exceller8]

Anyone else not have fun putting this thing together? I had to crack out the drill because the holes didn't line up in some places. I finally got it together and it looks great but man it wasn't fun.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Anyone else not have fun putting this thing together? I had to crack out the drill because the holes didn't line up in some places. I finally got it together and it looks great but man it wasn't fun.

What?

Put a packing blanket down. Flip main box portion upside down ( with lid locked lol)and assemble upside down. Use a level to make sure legs are level before final tightening of fasteners and check for squarness.

I've assembled more than a dozen of them.

Trying to squre and level (much less assemble) with the weight of the box on the legs is not advised. Flip upside down and it's only the weight of the lower storage shelf plus the legs.

No drilling or fabbing should be necessary.

 

[Exceller8]

What?

Put a packing blanket down. Flip main box portion upside down ( with lid locked lol)and assemble upside down. Use a level to make sure legs are level before final tightening of fasteners and check for squarness.

I've assembled more than a dozen of them.

Trying to squre and level (much less assemble) with the weight of the box on the legs is not advised. Flip upside down and it's only the weight of the lower storage shelf plus the legs.

No drilling or fabbing should be necessary.

I must have had a bad one? No matter which way I tried the rail holes were off. Not by much, but enough where I couldn't get the bolt through the hole. It's together now so no harm no foul.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I think it comes down to the classic "Made in China - Don't tighten ANYTHING down until it's all together." Mine went together fine this method, although it was a shaky mess for the whole assembly.

 

[alpinewhite]

I must have had a bad one? No matter which way I tried the rail holes were off. Not by much, but enough where I couldn't get the bolt through the hole. It's together now so no harm no foul.

My 5-drawer holes all lined up perfectly. Assembly, per instructions, is right-side up.

 

[STGFordCrazy04]

I had no trouble with my 5 drawer either

 

[oneandgone]

Went together like butter.

 

[purpurite]

Easy assembly, and without any other lifting help available, I assembled it on it's side. Had no issues of anything not aligning properly. There is definitely a proper order for everything to go together in, though.

 

[Badger05]

I didn't have many problems putting mine together last weekend. Assembled everything finger tight as I went. Then went back and loctite'd every bolt one by one as I cranked them tight.

Only issue I have is the top cover is not perfectly centered left-right on the box it closes onto....I'll get over it for the price though. Now time to start looking at all of these mods you guys have posted!

 

[Thunderbisciut]

Yeah, finger tight is key for most things.

So this piqued my interest, Mountain MTN3350RA side locker:

17.75" deep 15" wide and 34" high. For comparison the HF 7 drawer side box is just over 33" high, so this is about perfect height.

Discount Fleet Supply has them for $157 shipped, which seems to be the best in stock price I could find.

 

[Exceller8]

Yeah, finger tight is key for most things.

So this piqued my interest, Mountain MTN3350RA side locker:

17.75" deep 15" wide and 34" high. For comparison the HF 7 drawer side box is just over 33" high, so this is about perfect height.

Discount Fleet Supply has them for $157 shipped, which seems to be the best in stock price I could find.

Oh well... Back to the mods!!

 

[Thunderbisciut]

More possible goodies:

Sunex 8013LS 4 locks and key set, Summit Racing or Tooltopia are good sources (about $10):

Sunex 8023 side bin 16.25" x 7" x 3", Summit Racing on this one(about $12):

Sunex 8006RB Single drawer, Summit Racing or Tooltopia(about $67):

Sunex 8016 triple drawer, again Summit or Tooltopia(about $110):

The add on drawers I'm not sure will fit, and exact dimensions are hard to get. Supposedly they're 30" wide, but sunex says you only need 26" between sides, another site says 28". Sunex says the triple drawers are 3" deep, but they're only 1.5" deep, so who knows.

I also noticed that ATD has a lot of the same products as Sunex for the carts, like exact same, only they're about twice the price.

 

[itsvegas]

that side locker looks nice, if someone picks one up be sure to snag a picture of it on the cart!

 

[ford guy]

Please keep the mods coming!
Here is my work in progress...combining two carts into one.

To fit the lower, I removed the lid & temporarily removed the drawer locks.
I had to notch the rolled lip (the blue tape was a cutting guide) so the top would slip in between the vertical supports...

I then set the other top where it belongs...

I've got a long way to go, but it is "do-able". I've got a plan to make all the drawers lock with the lid & I'm still working on finishing the edges.
Also, I will fit a Snap-On KRA lock with extending locking rods, to secure the lid.

Back to it!

Bob

 

[BSAschields]

Thats an ambitious and awesome mod. Will the previous top space be usable now that its covered by the top chest? I know you said you are not finished yet but just asking?
Wade

 

[glenmore]

Put mine together a few weeks ago and everything went smoothly. Not quite like IKEA but perfectly fine. For $186 you can't beat it. I've been trolling CL for months for a small box/cart and nothing comes remotely close. I am very happy with the quality.

A ratcheting wrench is essential. Whoever invented this thing deserves every dollar in royalty he gets.

Assemble finger tight and then use a magnetic level to get it vertical left to right and front to back and tighten down.

If the drawers look a bit wonky, swap them around and they'll look perfect.

My floor is a little tilted towards the front so the drawers tend to lean out a tiny bit. This makes the lid pop back up and not close completely because the drawer lock mechanism cannot operate correctly. I shimmed the front wheels and all is good.

 

[ford guy]

Thats an ambitious and awesome mod. Will the previous top space be usable now that its covered by the top chest? I know you said you are not finished yet but just asking?
Wade

My plan for the unusable former top section (subject to change) is to install a flush fit power strip from the back side, so only the switch & outlets are showing. Also I'll add a 12VDC power supply with just the on/off switch & a place to plug in a set of test leads with alligator clips for powering auto / motorcycle circuits. If I get ambitious, how about a sound system?

With the cabinet supports that HF uses under the lower drawer, you lose approx 1 inch of the old top space.

Bob

 

[itsvegas]

ford guy: i really like the idea of using two carts into one. but that kinda makes for a weird drawer layout. could you move them around possibly?

 

[ford guy]

ford guy: i really like the idea of using two carts into one. but that kinda makes for a weird drawer layout. could you move them around possibly?

I feel the same!
With all three rows of drawers being different depths, it would me a major undertaking.
The sides where the drawer slides are mounted are flimsy and will require bracing before the lower drawer support is removed....THEN the drawers could be moved around. There is a pretty stiff lower support under the bottom drawer that will have to be removed before changing the drawer layout.
Once I get it all leveled & bolted together I'll definitly look at doing it.

On another note, who would ever design a drawer slide that is pop-riveted? I do have a plan to add side supports that will allow me to tap & thread machine screws to mount the slides.

Bob

 

[skulldrinker]

If you're going to stack two sets of drawers why not just go buy a Craftsman bottom chest. You can find them on ebay for $100.


http://tinyurl.com/aeefdct

 

[paigej]

Please keep the mods coming!
Here is my work in progress...combining two carts into one.



That is awesome! Can't wait to see it finished

 

[paigej]

If you're going to stack two sets of drawers why not just go buy a Craftsman bottom chest. You can find them on ebay for $100.


http://tinyurl.com/aeefdct

Holy ****, original price $599

 

[ford guy]

If you're going to stack two sets of drawers why not just go buy a Craftsman bottom chest. You can find them on ebay for $100.


http://tinyurl.com/aeefdct

Too late now!!

I did look at base cabinets, actually I have two in my shop right now. I wanted the top storage, and more importantly, I wanted a project.

Bob

 

[Thunderbisciut]

So it looks like the side locker isn't available anywhere in red. I've found a few that still have it in blue though. I should say, people charging sane prices.

 

[itsvegas]

ford guy: i might have pickup another black one if changing the drawer layout wouldn't be too bad. i like the top part to put stuff in with the lid but a full row of drawers would be better than that kinda wasted space on the bottom.

 

[purpurite]

What's a draw?

 

[itsvegas]

oops.

 

[purpurite]

Just giving you a hard time.

 

[oneandgone]

Looks good Fordguy, can't wait to see more!

 

[rick carpenter]

I think it comes down to the classic "Made in China - Don't tighten ANYTHING down until it's all together." Mine went together fine this method, although it was a shaky mess for the whole assembly.

That's not just a China thing. That's good practice for any assembly regardless of COO.

 

[supra90turbo]

I wanted the top storage, and more importantly, I wanted a project.

Bob

Proof we never grow out of that. I'm almost 30 and my girlfriend wonders when I'll stop with my projects. I guess the answer is never!

Cool project, Bob!

 

[Larwyn]

That's not just a China thing. That's good practice for any assembly regardless of COO.

That is where these are a big help....

 

[Reality Sucks]

 

[alpinewhite]

Yeah, finger tight is key for most things.

So this piqued my interest, Mountain MTN3350RA side locker:

17.75" deep 15" wide and 34" high. For comparison the HF 7 drawer side box is just over 33" high, so this is about perfect height.

Discount Fleet Supply has them for $157 shipped, which seems to be the best in stock price I could find.

Harbor Freight has this box too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-t...-end-cabinet-for-roller-tool-chest-67436.html