Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
- Start date
MagnumForce
Well-known member
So I added the fake diamond plate today to protect the top and allow me to haul stuff around the plant with it. It looks awesome. Used 3M spray adhesive and diamond plate paneling left over from restroom remodeling at our plant. It is a tough plastic and quite resilient.
http://www.menards.com/main/paint/p...ve/acp-diamond-plate-wall-panel/p-1677980.htm
And yes, I am a huge State fan stuck in Ohio. Both my brothers went there.
Lance-AR
Well-known member
That plate looks great!
DarkMonohue
Well-known member
Yep, me too. I have always enjoyed living in a state. And my brother once went to one as well.
Sorry, couldn't resist...
MagnumForce
Well-known member
That was in reply to a question to me on the previous page. 
Looks good! You should weld a piece of flat bar with a hook on it to loop the gun and ground around.
DarkMonohue
Well-known member
Yes, I know.That was in reply to a question to me on the previous page.
Nevermind. I thought the joke would be more obvious.
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billmanweh
Well-known member
Hmmm, I wish the 5 drawer cart came in black
Askme42
Well-known member
It can with a little elbow grease and a few rattle cans.
ServerSage
Member
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- Dec 17, 2013
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- 5
PelicanPines - Where can one get those dewalt boxes? Or are they something you've had for years that are no longer available? I have a ton of drills, saws, etc... that need good homes and they look perfect.
those dewalt boxes used to be cheap on ebay. you should be able to source them on craigs. they were made for basically every 12 14.4 and 18v tool ever made. you can grind out some of the tabs on the inside and make them suit your use.
for example, i took a saws all case that was designed for saw charger and 2 batteries, and made it fit 2 saws all. i keep charger and batteries with drill, so eliminate a case.
for example, i took a saws all case that was designed for saw charger and 2 batteries, and made it fit 2 saws all. i keep charger and batteries with drill, so eliminate a case.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Took me about 5 yrs of an automatic ebay search. I didn't pay more than $19 for any of them. Did get 2 for $10 each once. All of the ones I have except 2 are completely clear inside. The 14.4 boxes are designed with a plastic insert. The 12v boxes have metal welded inside that is a pain getting out. The plastic insert pops out easy... no glue at all.
Now they are going for $30 on ebay cheapest... most try to get you for more.
I own 10 clean ones inside and 2 with that metal inside to position a drill. I also put those pull handles on them to make it easier to grab. I also put those pull handles on my other metal power tool boxes.
I did mask the dewalt off and repaint.
SASORacing
Well-known member
Just ordered a red Sunex side shelf, and instlaled a 6" Snap on sticker... Will get pics soon
SASORacing
Well-known member
5 drawer > black 4 drawer imo
I have both, bought the black one used 3 years ago for $70
I picked up the red one for $169 new a HF.
Wow great quality, the red is superior of course. Worth the extra money.
I have had issues with the locks in the rear on the black one, the bolts come loose etc. Red one fixed those issues and seems more robust in other ways. Gas shocks are just awesome! The red is taller and deeper spots for screwdrivers. I use the Black one for "junk" now. It holds power tools, grinders, detail and paint supplies. Red one is alll shiny hand tools! I love both though!
I have both, bought the black one used 3 years ago for $70
I picked up the red one for $169 new a HF.
Wow great quality, the red is superior of course. Worth the extra money.
I have had issues with the locks in the rear on the black one, the bolts come loose etc. Red one fixed those issues and seems more robust in other ways. Gas shocks are just awesome! The red is taller and deeper spots for screwdrivers. I use the Black one for "junk" now. It holds power tools, grinders, detail and paint supplies. Red one is alll shiny hand tools! I love both though!
SnowDrifter
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- Joined
- Jun 19, 2014
- Messages
- 46
Not sure if this classifies as a mod... But magnets to hold wrenches, a little boom box in it, and I got one of the HF add on boxes and made it work (you can see it peeking on the right side). Also has a little self heating/cooling cooler in the bottom
https://scontent-b-sea.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/1511591_4098062948099_1123330025000680863_o.jpg
https://scontent-b-sea.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/1511591_4098062948099_1123330025000680863_o.jpg
Premium08
Well-known member
Im gonna have to read through this thread , ive thinking about getting a mobile cart instead of adding onto my box so I dont have to push my tool bag around on a plastic cart
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Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
NewEdgePerf
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- Nov 24, 2012
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- 198
Snowdrifter,
What magnets did you use?
What magnets did you use?
Just purchased the red cart yesterday and have started to personalize it. Started by using spray on bed liner on the top and then used it to paint the silver trim on the drawers.
Next i plan on using some chalkboard paints on the inside on the lid to right measurements on while working.
Next i plan on using some chalkboard paints on the inside on the lid to right measurements on while working.
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chipper
Well-known member
That's a pretty cool idea with the chalkboard paint I don't think I've seen that before seems like it would be handy...I guess you could always use dry erase
I had Originally thought of using dry erase paint but remembered I had left over chalkboard paint. I'll post pictures tomorrow and let you know how it turned out
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
bamajoe
Well-known member
I've been writing on mine with regular dry-erase marker.. Seems to work well, but if I leave something on there for a couple weeks it's a little harder to erase..
Thought I would share some pics of my Harbor Freight service cart (Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics). I’ve had it for 8 months now. Here is a list of mods I’ve completed so far:
First mod was adding a frame around the bottom of the cart utilizing 2” angle iron and stronger casters (ran out of fixed casters, had to spot weld a pair to make them “fixed”). I’m a multi-craft maintenance tech in a large manufacturing facility, > 500,000 sq ft that also requires using freight elevators.
Removed the US General badge and added some cheap Snap On stickers (to piss off a co-worker).
Sprayed the lid with spray on bed liner to keep the top looking good.
Completed mod that allows for longer handle pry bar storage under the lid.
Added a folding side shelf from one of my Craftsman bottom boxes that I’ve had since the mid eighties. Painted and spray on bed lined.
Added a Harbor Freight side cabinet. I didn’t want it hanging directly off the service cart, so I extended the frame, added 2 more swivel casters, center ones being fixed casters. I also wasn't fond of cutting the top lip off the side box for a closer fit to the main box so I used a couple pieces of ½”x 2” flat bar aluminum to fabricate spacers between the boxes and facilitate bolting the boxes together. Made for a nice clean addition.
Added the folding shelf to the back side of the side box since I set the side box flush in front and off- set in the back.
Future mods will include:
Awaiting set of pliers racks from Matts65ss here on GJ.
Watching eBay & Craigslist for an older used 4” Columbian or Craftsman vise(USA made). Wanting to add a small vise table.
Paint the support frame, especially after adding a vise table.
Snap ON lid supports that keep the lid completely vertical while open.
And of course better tool organization, socket racks, wrench racks, etc.
First mod was adding a frame around the bottom of the cart utilizing 2” angle iron and stronger casters (ran out of fixed casters, had to spot weld a pair to make them “fixed”). I’m a multi-craft maintenance tech in a large manufacturing facility, > 500,000 sq ft that also requires using freight elevators.
Removed the US General badge and added some cheap Snap On stickers (to piss off a co-worker).
Sprayed the lid with spray on bed liner to keep the top looking good.
Completed mod that allows for longer handle pry bar storage under the lid.
Added a folding side shelf from one of my Craftsman bottom boxes that I’ve had since the mid eighties. Painted and spray on bed lined.
Added a Harbor Freight side cabinet. I didn’t want it hanging directly off the service cart, so I extended the frame, added 2 more swivel casters, center ones being fixed casters. I also wasn't fond of cutting the top lip off the side box for a closer fit to the main box so I used a couple pieces of ½”x 2” flat bar aluminum to fabricate spacers between the boxes and facilitate bolting the boxes together. Made for a nice clean addition.
Added the folding shelf to the back side of the side box since I set the side box flush in front and off- set in the back.
Future mods will include:
Awaiting set of pliers racks from Matts65ss here on GJ.
Watching eBay & Craigslist for an older used 4” Columbian or Craftsman vise(USA made). Wanting to add a small vise table.
Paint the support frame, especially after adding a vise table.
Snap ON lid supports that keep the lid completely vertical while open.
And of course better tool organization, socket racks, wrench racks, etc.
Attachments
Last edited:
low_dakota94
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- Jun 26, 2014
- Messages
- 79
I'm kind of upset I got the big snap on cart I just picked up lol. I was really looking forward to building up a HF 5 drawer for use on side jobs at the house. I wanted to box in the bottom with carpeted MDF and throw a car stereo system in it like I've done in a few ice chests, for when I'm working out in the driveway lol.
ckblum
Well-known member
Hey PaigeJ I was thinking of doing the same thing as you with adding a section of drawers underneath and then having a second spare cart with just the trays. I already have one cart and need more room and would probably just bring the left over cart to work with me.
I wanted to ask you though, did you have to cut the drawer section off the top opening tray part? Or do they separate fairly neatly? Do you happen to have any in progress pics?
I wanted to ask you though, did you have to cut the drawer section off the top opening tray part? Or do they separate fairly neatly? Do you happen to have any in progress pics?
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Awesome mods Ducktape!!! I so wanted to add the side cabinet to my modified cart but the space the cart lives would not allow it. Add more pictures when you get the base frame painted. I used Rustolium Apple Red.
SnowDrifter
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- Jun 19, 2014
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Epoxy coated neodymium. Glued to the lid with thick black rubberized CA glue (basically super glue on steroids)
They'll hold wrenches even if I shut my lid pretty firmly and/or bang on the top. Takes a pretty good tug to get them off
http://www.magnet4less.com/product_info.php?products_id=660
MN4x4
Well-known member
Tell me more about the glue? I want to glue some of the HF magnetic strips to the lid of mine. I tried the 3M VHB tape but it didn't hold...
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I tried the 3m molding tape as well. It failed after a week with the heavy wrenches hanging on the magnet strips. I ended up making z clips and riveting the magnetic strips to the lid. I can post a picture later...
I live on a small farm and have no nice flat surfaces to roll my cart. I was thinking of purchasing the large inflatable casters at harbor freight but realized it would be more cost effective to purchase a yard cart and use it's tires. Has anyone tried anything similar?
Something like this and taking the tires and axles...
Something like this and taking the tires and axles...
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SnowDrifter
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Check out the weight limit on the yard cart first. The 5 drawer cart can hold 700 lb Not sure if that includes the weight of the cart which is about 140 lbs empty.
Also I have that yard cart for my portable compressor with spare tank and hose reel. It works well for that but the 5 drawer cart might end up being a bit too top heavy.
Please be careful...
flying eyeball
Well-known member
Wish I would have found this thread earlier, some great ideas here. What is the easiest way to defeat the drawer interlock? I see 4 rivets that appear to hold the piece that guides the lock bar in the top compartment. Drill those out and slide the bar out?
Or would it be easier to clip off the hook shaped pieces on each drawer?
I'd prefer a method that is reversible if possible.
Or would it be easier to clip off the hook shaped pieces on each drawer?
I'd prefer a method that is reversible if possible.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If you want to undo what you do... drill out those rivets and remove the springs rods and lock bars. You can re-rivet the covers back on but I didn't.
You can see my mods starting on page 52 of this thread. You will have to undo the lid shocks to pull the stuff up and out of the box. The lid angle will not allow you to pull it all out (if I remember correctly).