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Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
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chipper
Well-known member
For anybody that has added the sunex prybar holder do I have to modify the lid also I'm assuming I have to drill and bolt is that right( I have the holder already and will pick the cart this weekend)
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
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No need to modify the lid of the cart. The holder will just tuck up under the side of the cart, after you saw the small diagonal edges off of the holder lip. I drilled 2 holes and used a file to square them so I could use a matching cartridge bolt.
The bottom I just ran a couple of self drilling machine screws, since they're not visible and make it easier to remove. There are two front holes on the holder that makes them easy to access.
chipper
Well-known member
No need to modify the lid of the cart. The holder will just tuck up under the side of the cart, after you saw the small diagonal edges off of the holder lip. I drilled 2 holes and used a file to square them so I could use a matching cartridge bolt.
The bottom I just ran a couple of self drilling machine screws, since they're not visible and make it easier to remove. There are two front holes on the holder that makes them easy to access.
A picture is worth a thousand words...This makes much more sense now I was thinking it hung like a side box thanks for the help
eyeballengineer
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- Jan 31, 2014
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SpeedHoles
Active member
Have had a 5 drawer still sitting in its crate in my barn for about a month now!
I think I'll finally get a free day this week to assemble it, but now this forum thread has inspired me to go get the HF 7-drawer end cab first before I begin assembly.
I don't have a clue why it just recently dawned on me just how much time I waste running around for my tools, then going back because I grabbed the wrong size, or arrive at the back of my barn and can't remember why I went back in!? Lol, has been good exercise but what a waste of time on my part.
Now I'll just get this cart loaded up with all the main essentials and I'll be set to bang out some work!
I don't have much of any welding skill, but I may try to build a small frame for the casters and just bolt it in there and reinforce the best I can.
Also surprised I didn't see any photos of these carts with any vises on them.
I have a spare vice but it may honestly be way too big for this cart.
I think I'll finally get a free day this week to assemble it, but now this forum thread has inspired me to go get the HF 7-drawer end cab first before I begin assembly.
I don't have a clue why it just recently dawned on me just how much time I waste running around for my tools, then going back because I grabbed the wrong size, or arrive at the back of my barn and can't remember why I went back in!? Lol, has been good exercise but what a waste of time on my part.
Now I'll just get this cart loaded up with all the main essentials and I'll be set to bang out some work!
I don't have much of any welding skill, but I may try to build a small frame for the casters and just bolt it in there and reinforce the best I can.
Also surprised I didn't see any photos of these carts with any vises on them.
I have a spare vice but it may honestly be way too big for this cart.
SpeedHoles
Active member
Finished. Had to trim the lip off. Used tape and cardboard to protect the paint.
"weight will try to separate the two halves putting strain on the lower connecting bolts. The cart bottom shelf will become distorted from the pulling stress."
Does not seem to be a problem. If it does I will put a plate inside the cart on the bottom shelf.
Looking now to put a vise on the cabinet. Will post better pictures when I can pull it outside.
I really dig how you attached your side cab here.
Do you happen to have some photos of the holes you drilled and hardware used for the side cabs?
I don't want to hang mine, but wondering how many and how heavy duty hardware I'll need to connect and support the two together...
SpeedHoles
Active member
How many and at what locations? Just 4 corners?
Using washers under bolt head and nut to reinforce, or no?
Here you go!
Attachments
SpeedHoles
Active member
Very nice! Quite interesting how you seem to have built drawers to fill the open basket area in the cart, but then you ditch your 7-drawer to have an open basket area... kind of ironic, but I do love how it looks, appears VERY usable!
Oh, and I wussed out today and didn't pull the trigger on the 7-drawer like I had planned... not sure what to do now. I tried to wheel and deal the price down from $189 and they wouldn't budge one bit so I just didn't buy; couldn't get myself to pay more for the side cab than the cart just to store some cordless power tools.
On another note, anyone notice how many people are using higher end carts like the waterloo for example, with add-on side cabs but none of them bother relocating casters... noticed this in the Tool Cart pictures thread.
SpeedHoles
Active member
I'd appreciate it, but no rush. Take your time and rest up. I just got over a harsh sinus infection myself about a week ago. One reason I joined this forum, had a lot of free time on my hands to browse the net for tool cart ideas!
I needed a new welding cart. My 1 drawer blue point was not enouvgh for me anymore. This 4 drawer is as old as hf is to my town lol. Drilled the lid off. Holds a ton of stuff all in one place now. Freed up a drawer in my toolbox when I filled the extra drawer on the cart.
I'd very much like to see pics of that welding cart. Especially with what you have in the drawers (and even better, what you chose not or could not put in the drawers and why).
I have wanted to do this but don't have enough info how well it will hold up with casters, stuff in drawers, etc.
I have wanted to do this but don't have enough info how well it will hold up with casters, stuff in drawers, etc.
fitz11
Well-known member
I never understood why people think they can haggle on price at a retail store? It's not a flea market
thanks! i just moved the 7 drawer to my new 44". I was using the cart as my main tool box, but it's so much nicer to have a cart with just the tools for the current job. and have it right there where you are working
I wonder if there's a suggestion box at HF.
What I'd like to buy would be a sub-$100 open cart that was built out of the same stuff as the five drawer product. Basically, use the same bottom shelf, casters, somewhat taller supports, and then another shelf like the bottom shelf...all made from the same sheet metal as the current cart.
The drawer-less carts they sell are way too spindly.
What I'd like to buy would be a sub-$100 open cart that was built out of the same stuff as the five drawer product. Basically, use the same bottom shelf, casters, somewhat taller supports, and then another shelf like the bottom shelf...all made from the same sheet metal as the current cart.
The drawer-less carts they sell are way too spindly.
SpeedHoles
Active member
I never understood why people think they can haggle on price at a retail store? It's not a flea market
You never understood because maybe you've never had it work successfully.
Because it works occasionally. Check the harbor freight coupon thread, fairly recent example there, but that instance was a larger sale than I was bargaining, not to mention with the manager and not a reg. sales associate.
I remember years ago working retail in the cycling industry, you were MUCH better off trying to "haggle" than just happily throw down payment on retail.
Not like I'm trying these things at department stores or grocery markets.
SpeedHoles
Active member
thanks! i just moved the 7 drawer to my new 44". I was using the cart as my main tool box, but it's so much nicer to have a cart with just the tools for the current job. and have it right there where you are working
Sounds perfect. I was so close to doing the 44" for $349 this weekend instead of the 7 drawer side cab... but honestly that would just add hotter fuel to the fire in my quest to attain mass quantities of tools to fill these things, resulting in the wife killing me.
In the cart and side box only had to drill two holes.
Two in the top where the handle bolted on.
In the reR had to drill that one inside the factory hole.
The bottom two were located by using the existing holes in the side cabinet.
I mounted mine flush with the face.
borgdog
Well-known member
I picked up the 4 drawer a while back with one of the $99 dollar coupons, not totally sure what I was going to do with it. Put it together, and looking at it it struck me that I could make a darn nice welding cart for my little Hobart 140 to replace the tiny low one that the welder came with in some package special.
First thing I wanted to do was close in the bottom so I could store my helmet and other larger items in a less dusty place. I took some 20" wide aluminum flashing (because it's cheap and I had it), cut to 2" longer than I needed and folded over 1" all around to stiffen it up a bit and hide the sharp edges. I undid bolts holding each corner together slid it behind the corner supports and drilled and bolted it back together and then added some pop rivets in between to hold it nice. Repeat for 2 more sides.
Since I was taking the top off to set the welder up high where I wanted it, as I mostly do small projects on top of a bench and am to lazy to bend over, I measured the top up and figured out how to cut it leaving the hinges in place on two pieces to make doors for the lower front. A little cutting, a little grinding, and one poor quality bend due to not having the right tool, and I pop riveted the hinges to the corner supports on the front side, added a cheap magnetic cupboard door catch I had lying around, and lo and behold I had a closed in spot.
I test fit the Hobart on top, but could not open the door to the wire because it was too low. Added some 2x6 cross pieces and cut some scrap 3/16" aluminum diamond plate scraps I had to fit, screwed them in place and problem solved.
Bent and drilled couple of hooks, screwed them on, and cross another item off the list.
That leaves somewhere to put the gas tank. using more scraps I had lying around, part of a bed frame and part of the tray from the old cart I fit a tray to the end opposite the handle to hold the tank. you can see in one of the pictures below that I also offset the wheels on that end so they half supported the cart and half the tank tray. I swapped the wheels for fixed set as I thought the swivels were too wobbly. Added some black paint (is there any other color?) bolted it on and called it done! Added my welding tools and any other metal working tools I had, sadly not much, and I am slightly more organized than before and got to spend a weekend in the shop using up scraps instead of making them for a change
Time for the pictures
First thing I wanted to do was close in the bottom so I could store my helmet and other larger items in a less dusty place. I took some 20" wide aluminum flashing (because it's cheap and I had it), cut to 2" longer than I needed and folded over 1" all around to stiffen it up a bit and hide the sharp edges. I undid bolts holding each corner together slid it behind the corner supports and drilled and bolted it back together and then added some pop rivets in between to hold it nice. Repeat for 2 more sides.
Since I was taking the top off to set the welder up high where I wanted it, as I mostly do small projects on top of a bench and am to lazy to bend over, I measured the top up and figured out how to cut it leaving the hinges in place on two pieces to make doors for the lower front. A little cutting, a little grinding, and one poor quality bend due to not having the right tool, and I pop riveted the hinges to the corner supports on the front side, added a cheap magnetic cupboard door catch I had lying around, and lo and behold I had a closed in spot.
I test fit the Hobart on top, but could not open the door to the wire because it was too low. Added some 2x6 cross pieces and cut some scrap 3/16" aluminum diamond plate scraps I had to fit, screwed them in place and problem solved.
Bent and drilled couple of hooks, screwed them on, and cross another item off the list.
That leaves somewhere to put the gas tank. using more scraps I had lying around, part of a bed frame and part of the tray from the old cart I fit a tray to the end opposite the handle to hold the tank. you can see in one of the pictures below that I also offset the wheels on that end so they half supported the cart and half the tank tray. I swapped the wheels for fixed set as I thought the swivels were too wobbly. Added some black paint (is there any other color?) bolted it on and called it done! Added my welding tools and any other metal working tools I had, sadly not much, and I am slightly more organized than before and got to spend a weekend in the shop using up scraps instead of making them for a change
Time for the pictures
SpeedHoles
Active member
Has anyone here with a 5 drawer tried redrilling the lid strut holes further back so the lid will stand up closer to 90deg.?
I put a zip tie on one of my struts to check travel and there appears to be about a half inch or so of travel left when closed... just not sure how much closer to 90deg. that half inch would get me...
I put a zip tie on one of my struts to check travel and there appears to be about a half inch or so of travel left when closed... just not sure how much closer to 90deg. that half inch would get me...
Blasphemy.. That's a Stahlwille wrench
Then again, at least the lid handle will never fail from now on..
borgdog
Well-known member
Assuming you were talking to me.. Thanks, and no plans to paint the aluminum, but I do have a little touch up on the cut edges of the former lid, now doors to do.
SpeedHoles
Active member
Haven't posted up photos of mine yet...
This is about all I have on my phone, I got too deep into the project to take any photos after cutting off the lip from the side cab to mounting it!
Only real mods I've done is mounting the HF Side cab (which I found I don't need to relocate casters since when loaded it's damn hard to get it to want to tip), and I mounted some magnets, used some door trim guard on most all bare edges, put in rubber grommets into screwdriver holes, and used some Ernst and mechanic time savers products to organize. Oh and removed us general badges and placed some low key LSX badges...
Have a few other minor mods in mind, like a holder for a grease gun... and possibly the mod for tall pry bar handles, but I'll have to remove the side cab to do that.
I'll try to remember to take some complete photos of it later and post those up.
This is about all I have on my phone, I got too deep into the project to take any photos after cutting off the lip from the side cab to mounting it!
Only real mods I've done is mounting the HF Side cab (which I found I don't need to relocate casters since when loaded it's damn hard to get it to want to tip), and I mounted some magnets, used some door trim guard on most all bare edges, put in rubber grommets into screwdriver holes, and used some Ernst and mechanic time savers products to organize. Oh and removed us general badges and placed some low key LSX badges...
Have a few other minor mods in mind, like a holder for a grease gun... and possibly the mod for tall pry bar handles, but I'll have to remove the side cab to do that.
I'll try to remember to take some complete photos of it later and post those up.
SpeedHoles
Active member
how bout bolting 2 carts together for a 10 drawer setup. could always put end cabs on each side too.
Maybe just 5 carts bolted together in a pentagon around 60gal compressor and a gas generator with contractor lights on top, then I'll put a hitch on it and tow it around with my cub cadet.
Oh and BTW, not sure how many people reading here are subscribed to the HF coupon thread, but I was fortunate enough to get my sidecab for $142 when the power was out at my local HF and the kid at the counter didn't know any better to accept a 25% off coupon from the sale price of $189!!! Was so pumped that worked out!
ihateminimumwage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2012
- Messages
- 3,960
Maybe just 5 carts bolted together in a pentagon around 60gal compressor and a gas generator with contractor lights on top, then I'll put a hitch on it and tow it around with my cub cadet.
Hell, throw an engine and steering on it and just drive it around the shop from job to job.
mucksavage
Active member
Speedholes;
Care to share who you're magnetic holders on the lid came from?
Thank you!
Care to share who you're magnetic holders on the lid came from?
Thank you!
SpeedHoles
Active member
Hell, throw an engine and steering on it and just drive it around the shop from job to job.
Haha, then maybe I'll have reason to get a black 4 drawer for a service cart to service my pit service cart.
They are Mechanic Time Savers. The thicker ones with stronger magnets, called a Magnarail I think. The cheaper weaker ones are called Magnastick and probably won't hold much vertically or upside down. I'm still experimenting with placement so I have not screwed them to the lid yet, but so far I was amazed that they hold themselves up with the tools attached! The big wrenches will come off with the lid down if you roll the cart over a bump though.
jakemac
Well-known member
Hell, throw an engine and steering on it and just drive it around the shop from job to job.
I was thinking more like an electric golf cart, or stand-on pallet mover.
SpeedHoles
Active member
There are coupons for $99 if you look around. I may still even have one that might be good til the 31st.