GSE_Diego
Member
How about a pic?
you got it. I dont get into work until 3pm mountain time, as soon as I get in I'll snap a pic!
Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
- Start date
you got it. I dont get into work until 3pm mountain time, as soon as I get in I'll snap a pic!
I've been saving up for one of these. When I get one, I'd kind of like to paint it. I'm not a fan of red at all. Unfortunately, I don't have a compressor...or even a garage/shed, so I'd be stuck using my driveway and I'm worried that I won't be able to do a decent job there.
You guys who painted them right out of the box...did you sand them down to bare metal before priming and painting? Could I just rattle-can primer over an untouched box and then rattle-can paint/clear coat it?
Kind of thinking a dark grey metallic with a Ford oval in place of the US General badge. Or maybe Caterpillar yellow with no badge at all.
...or orange body with navy blue doors and a Chicago Bears decal.
You guys who painted them right out of the box...did you sand them down to bare metal before priming and painting? Could I just rattle-can primer over an untouched box and then rattle-can paint/clear coat it?
Kind of thinking a dark grey metallic with a Ford oval in place of the US General badge. Or maybe Caterpillar yellow with no badge at all.
...or orange body with navy blue doors and a Chicago Bears decal.
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GSE_Diego
Member
Here's it is. Isn't much to look at, but it works.
GSE_Diego
Member
Nice, thanks!
chipper
Well-known member
Your paint job will only be as good as your prep work
skulldrinker
Well-known member
I'm sure with a single bolt sticking out centered below that clamp it would act as a stop and you could set a can in there. Or even a little piece of metal bent at a 90.
GSE_Diego
Member
Sure would, though, in hindsight, I could have used a smaller clamp if I didn't have such a big coffee cup!
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NorthCountry
Banned
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I don't own a 4- or 5-drawer HF tool cart but I did modify the 1-drawer a bit. It's my bodywork and painting cart. This 7-bottle rack is the latest modification and could be made to fit on the bigger carts as well. The paint is still tacky so the bottles aren't in the rack yet.
uh... how about just spraying some graphite lubricant in there?
machine_punk
Well-known member
YES! Just call Harbor Freight customer service, explain the situation, and they will be happy to send you a new lock. It will likely be free...but even if you have to pay, it would only be a few dollars.
I've called them before, when the box I bought had the key locked into it. I drilled the lock and called customer service...the lock was here in just a few days.
kev
I've called them before, when the box I bought had the key locked into it. I drilled the lock and called customer service...the lock was here in just a few days.
kev
Sick Puppy
Well-known member
So do you guys in the states have the straight / normal keys, or the tube / round ones?
jakemac
Well-known member
On the carts, the 44/56" boxes, and the side cabinets it's the straight double sided key. On the 26" stack it's the barrel style.
machine_punk
Well-known member
On the 5-drawer cart, I have the round, barrel key. On the 7-drawer end cabinet, there is a 'Christmas Tree' key...looks like a pine tree of ziggurat...not sure which part of the key presses against the pins...never seen that style before.
You can call HF customer service and order enough 'keyed alike' locks to match all of your HF cabinets...then only use one key for all.
Kev
You can call HF customer service and order enough 'keyed alike' locks to match all of your HF cabinets...then only use one key for all.
Kev
Got a 5 drawer @ the $159 price today. I'll put it together on Thanksgiving and start modding it shortly after that. 
I'd like the top of the lid to be a work surface. I have a can of spray-on car undercoating left over from something else. Anyone think that'd be worthwhile?
Or is there maybe a form of adhesive that would hold a rubber mat to it even with work going on on top of it? Hmmmmmm.
I'd like the top of the lid to be a work surface. I have a can of spray-on car undercoating left over from something else. Anyone think that'd be worthwhile?
Or is there maybe a form of adhesive that would hold a rubber mat to it even with work going on on top of it? Hmmmmmm.
kool_BOY8323
Well-known member
Got a 5 drawer @ the $159 price today. I'll put it together on Thanksgiving and start modding it shortly after that.
I'd like the top of the lid to be a work surface. I have a can of spray-on car undercoating left over from something else. Anyone think that'd be worthwhile?
Or is there maybe a form of adhesive that would hold a rubber mat to it even with work going on on top of it? Hmmmmmm.
you do know you cant open the drawers with the lid closed right? unless you disable that function.
otherwise yeah, I think undercoating would work, but the spray on bed liner is the way id go.
jakemac
Well-known member
3M's #77 spray adhesive should work. Just spray both pieces, wait a few minutes, and put them together. A j-roller helps to seal the bond. Make sure you lay the rubber down correctly the first time, spray77 is a strong contact cement, you won't get a second try. It might help the bond if you scuff the paint on the top of the lid first.
It should be available at most local hardware stores.
Attachments
kool_BOY8323
Well-known member
used #90 (green can) and bunk board carpet to line my waterloo box. its been 4 years, no signs of coming off. stuff's incredible.
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Caconman424
Member
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2013
- Messages
- 22
You sir, what company do you work for? Assuming by your user name and avatar, you workat an airport as ground service equipment mechanic. Just wondering, because that is exactly what I do. I work at Minneapolis International airport as a contractor to Delta Airlines.
Btw, I made some recent mods to. My HF tool cart. Pics coming soon.
I have a cheapo top chest with paint and chrome that matches the cart, so I went ahead and put it on the bottom before putting the drawer section in place. Now I just have 6 extra drawers instead of that big tray.
It's too big to remove with disassembling the cart, so it's going to be staying there.
It's too big to remove with disassembling the cart, so it's going to be staying there.
Wow some amazing work guys
Hey guys I have a quick question though I have the 40' double tier Craftsman griplatch tool box and I was wondering what you guys think about installing lights and an electric stip on the top of the top box???
any advice on how to do it????
Hey guys I have a quick question though I have the 40' double tier Craftsman griplatch tool box and I was wondering what you guys think about installing lights and an electric stip on the top of the top box???
any advice on how to do it????
This thread has great ideas. After reading the thread and following it for a few weeks, I finally broke down and disregarded my cardinal rule of no black Friday shopping and went to the closest HF and picked up a 5 drawer cart at the $159.99 price. Also grabbed some socket organizers at $9.99 (with 25% off coupon).
I am not a fan of HF anything. My few experiences with HF in the past had turned me off to them big time, but this cart is definitely a decent piece of equipment.
The first mod was to install the Sunex tray. Next I used an odd Mac 15mm combo wrench to replace the handle. I had intended for the wrench to have the open end slightly angled upwards, but have it angled down. I will have to flip it for this effect.
I also removed the US General badge, and will be replacing it with Facom decal.
My old flimsy and small Excel cart had some mods on it already inspired by this thread, electrical outlet with 25 ft power cord, cup holder/ aerosol can holder, retractable work light, broom holder for my 24 " SK breaker bar, etc.. Now the Excel is relegated to my Craftsman and SAE tools mostly, which don't get used as much. I had the Excel so loaded up with tools, I thought one more socket would cause it to collapse.
Here's how I have the HF cart organized for now..
Sockets in the top
Sorry, some of the pics are fuzzy.. Cornwell, Facom and Beta ratcheting combo wrenches
Wrenches mostly Facom combo in clip, Facom and Crescent adjustable, Williams / SK midget, various Box wrenches Facom, Beta, Heyco, Stahlville, Bonney open ended, KD and Allen flare nut.
Pliers drawer..
Oil change stuff in the bottom, gloves, shop rags, etc..
and the old Excel cart..
I am not a fan of HF anything. My few experiences with HF in the past had turned me off to them big time, but this cart is definitely a decent piece of equipment.
The first mod was to install the Sunex tray. Next I used an odd Mac 15mm combo wrench to replace the handle. I had intended for the wrench to have the open end slightly angled upwards, but have it angled down. I will have to flip it for this effect.
I also removed the US General badge, and will be replacing it with Facom decal.
My old flimsy and small Excel cart had some mods on it already inspired by this thread, electrical outlet with 25 ft power cord, cup holder/ aerosol can holder, retractable work light, broom holder for my 24 " SK breaker bar, etc.. Now the Excel is relegated to my Craftsman and SAE tools mostly, which don't get used as much. I had the Excel so loaded up with tools, I thought one more socket would cause it to collapse.
Here's how I have the HF cart organized for now..
Sockets in the top
Sorry, some of the pics are fuzzy.. Cornwell, Facom and Beta ratcheting combo wrenches
Wrenches mostly Facom combo in clip, Facom and Crescent adjustable, Williams / SK midget, various Box wrenches Facom, Beta, Heyco, Stahlville, Bonney open ended, KD and Allen flare nut.
Pliers drawer..
Oil change stuff in the bottom, gloves, shop rags, etc..
and the old Excel cart..
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jakemac
Well-known member
Duarte -
Welcome to the dark side.
I spy, with my little eye .......... a nice full set of 8pt 1/4"dr sockets on a socket rail in your new cart. What brand are they ?
Welcome to the dark side.
I spy, with my little eye .......... a nice full set of 8pt 1/4"dr sockets on a socket rail in your new cart. What brand are they ?
jgreen-fsi
Well-known member
Nothing special, but since I had a extra set of casters off of my 44" boxes I made into a Steevo bench, I used a set when I assembled my 5 drawer cart today. They are a little more heavy duty than the ones that came with the cart. The holes line up perfectly.
jakemac
Well-known member
Duarte -
What is that extra shelf you used on this side of the cart ? The one with the DOT4 and STP on it.
I'm wondering if it's the right size to re-make into a hanging/sliding shelf for the inside of the deep top drawer on the cart.
It's a magnetic shelf/ screwdriver holder from HF. I don't see it on the website though. I will check and see if it fits any of the drawers, will see if I can find a part# also..
jakemac
Well-known member
Interesting, I was just there today and didn't see one. Maybe I missed it, or maybe it isn't available anymore.
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,960
Was the Sunex shelf originally planned for the Excel cart? Just wondering why you didn't go with a red one. Also, did yours come with the pad, or is that something you cut yourself? Mine came bare, and I've only found 10 packs for the shelf pads.
Looks damn good overall
Oh, and what brand are those deep metrics, they look like Blue Point/Williams Taiwan from the pics, just want to see if I'm right.
It was in the tool cart section. part # 69319
It doesn't fit any of the drawers, but is handy because you can move it around and use it for various purposes. Not bad at $8.99 too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/12-magnetic-hanging-tray-with-screwdriver-holder-69319.html
Was the Sunex shelf originally planned for the Excel cart? Just wondering why you didn't go with a red one. Also, did yours come with the pad, or is that something you cut yourself? Mine came bare, and I've only found 10 packs for the shelf pads.
Looks damn good overall
Oh, and what brand are those deep metrics, they look like Blue Point/Williams Taiwan from the pics, just want to see if I'm right.
The Sunex shelf was for the HF cart. It's functional, so I don't care about the color matching or not. It works.
It's too big for the Excel, unless I attach it to the back, but it would probably tip over from the extra weight
I added the liner to the tray. Used some 3M adhesive on some tool box drawer liner that was left over.
The deep metrics are in fact Williams Taiwan. Just got them a couple of weeks ago. I only had deep 12 point Craftsman up until now, so I picked these up and the some Sunex 1/2" deep impacts recently.
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jakemac
Well-known member
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,960
The deep metrics are in fact Williams Taiwan. Just got them a couple of weeks ago. I only had deep 12 point Craftsman up until now, so I picked these up and the some Sunex 1/2" deep impacts recently.
I have the same set and love them. My socket rack OCD got to me, so I finished out the set with a Blue Point 20mm (which I still don't think I've ever used
).I have the same set and love them. My socket rack OCD got to me, so I finished out the set with a Blue Point 20mm (which I still don't think I've ever used
I hear you. I ended buying a 20mm Gearwrench to complete the shallow 3/8" set, but I've never used it and don't think any of our cars have 20mm, so I've resisted the urge to fill empty pegs with never needed sizes. I put swivel extensions on the empty pegs to fill the voids
I'll only buy an additional socket to complete a set if it is a common size. The 3/8" impact set was missing 14mm (why, I don't know..it has 15mm which I don't see much of), so I bought an Armstrong 14mm to complete that set.