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

[bmxdad]

But why are they so large? almost 3/4" hole .... strange. Also, where are people getting the socket holders that stand stand them up?

What is the first mod that people usually do?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

As far as socket trays that stand them up:
Harbor Freight
Hansen Trays
Kobalt (older style, which I don't think Lowes has anymore, but are on eBay)

There are some fat handled screwdrivers that work great with the larger holes, but I also store my larger breaker bar in mine, and have used the smaller holes for 3/8" and 1/2" drive extensions.

Dig through this thread as far as mods go, and see what will work for you. I bought a 4 drawer and installed a Sunex pry bar holder and shelf, and did a bunch of minor mods to it as well. Congrats on grabbing that 5 drawer for $100. I don't need one, but probably would have grabbed it for that price anyway.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

But why are they so large? almost 3/4" hole .... strange. Also, where are people getting the socket holders that stand stand them up?

What is the first mod that people usually do?

they're that large for large prybars, screwdrivers, ratchets etc.

all my mods, in the order i remember them -

1. added battery operated speakers and rubber glove holder, lubed slides, sticker removal.

2. fabbed up and added a creeper hook, added a clock, used coat hangars to make hooks for air tools and hang them off the edges of the cart and make a hook for my clipboard.

3. added magnets to the lid to hold pliers and such and magnetic hooks to use however for whatever, keys, extra clipboard, light weight tools, etc.

4. created custom socket boards from HF socket rails and plywood that fit my top right drawer and half of the bottom drawer.

5. used an old ford fuel filter bracket to hold a power screwdriver off the front, made the holes for larger prybars just a bit larger for my new prybar set.

6. upgraded the lid struts to heavy duty versions designed to hold up a mini van tailgate, 60 lbs each (i don't care for the snap on hinge mod, it's cool, but i like the struts.)

7. added the HF 7 drawer side cabinet, with extra swivel casters, to the right side, moved the creeper hook to the rear of the cabinet.

8. bought the 26" HF cabinet combo to match, added coat hanger hooks to that.

here they are in all their glory -



about 6 months after that i left the auto industry and went into IT. now i have a damn nice home collection...





Drawer pics available on request..

 

[bmxdad]

Didn't even think about pry bars ... thanks guys.

 

[DoyleDee]

So far I haven't modded my four drawer carts much, removed the drawer locks on one of the 4 drawer carts (I bought 2-- why buy one 5 drawer when I could get 2 4 drawer for just a little more... $99 each). I recently purchased the 44" bottom and top box, so these carts are just to used while working under cars. Pics soon

 

[Drewstang]

Picked up a HF 4 drawer this morning on Black Friday Sale for 99.99. I'm going to start mods tomorrow after reading this entire thread.

 

[Drewstang]

Bought two magnetic strips this morning for $4.99 each. Stopped and got some button head 1/4-20 x 1/2" screws and lock nuts to mount them to the lid.
I threw a couple of wrenches on there to test. My cart is not going to be my primary toolbox but more like a mobile work station. I work in my driveway alot and I'm tired of bringing arm fulls of tools in and out.

 

[M6erfan]

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. :3gears

Just joined to reply to this post, I laughed my a$$ off!!!!

 

[Ohmthis]

Sorry OT, but cool boy nice set of skins you got there. Is the shop space climate controlled? I couldn't leave mine with such crazy swings in temp and humidity.
To everyone else nice ideas

 

[SpeedHoles]

5. used an old ford fuel filter bracket to hold a power screwdriver off the front

Have any closer photos of this?
I'm always setting my power drill/drivers on the top of my side cabinet, but I know one of these days I'm going to elbow it to the cement.
Would be helpful to have a holster of some sort.




I'm also working on a grease gun holder for mine. I'll post pics if it works out well.

why buy one 5 drawer when I could get 2 4 drawer for just a little more... $99 each

Not to knock the 4 drawer, I have one for my garage, but the 5-drawer is nicer quality IMO, just a little more stout.

Just joined to reply to this post, I laughed my a$$ off!!!!

Haha, thanks, I forgot I wrote that.

 

[MagnumForce]

Those of you with the side cab attached to the 5 drawer. How hard is it to push? Building an angle base would be no issue for me if need be. But I push the thing a half a mile or so a day, no joke.

 

[hr31hr]

Those of you with the side cab attached to the 5 drawer. How hard is it to push? Building an angle base would be no issue for me if need be. But I push the thing a half a mile or so a day, no joke.

Mine is no problem.

 

[SpeedHoles]

I don't think the angle iron frame is necessary if you have your 5 drawer loaded with tools, or unless you're pushing over uneven ground. I really have to try to get mine to lift off the ground.

 

[MagnumForce]

I have unlimited access to all the free steel I want for use in the shop. New Casters and material are no issue and I can even do it on company time.

 

[MagnumForce]

Got a nice bonus today so pulled the trigger on the side cab. I'll put it on tomorrow at work.

 

[MagnumForce]

Put some 1000 lb casters on it from the tool crib and put a half inch steel plate in the base. I can put my 230 lbs on the side cab and she doesn't move. Rolls like a dream! Way better without 4 swivels, no more dog tracking through the plant.

 

[SpeedHoles]

Put some 1000 lb casters on it from the tool crib and put a half inch steel plate in the base. I can put my 230 lbs on the side cab and she doesn't move. Rolls like a dream! Way better without 4 swivels, no more dog tracking through the plant.

Yeah I told you it doesn't tip easy, and I'm sure now it's really planted with your steel plate in there!!
But it's odd, mine came with 2 swivels and 2 fixed wheels. I was wishing it came with all swivels because my barn has some tight areas where I feel like austin powers trying to turn it around.


I like the side cab installed flush with the bottom better too. But you have to take a cut-off wheel to the upper hanging lip and redrill holes. Looks way smoother and the lid functions better too.



I see you must be in the Mitten too! With the Tigers, sparty, and Bells stickers. Where you located, approx., if you don't mind me asking?

 

[MagnumForce]

Actually Northwest Ohio Henry/Defiance Counties but grew up just across the border in Hillsdale County. But even down here, more Tigers' fans than Indians Fans.

I took a cut off wheel to the lip of the lid. Works fine, nice clean cut.

 

[alpinewhite]

Put some 1000 lb casters on it from the tool crib and put a half inch steel plate in the base. I can put my 230 lbs on the side cab and she doesn't move. Rolls like a dream! Way better without 4 swivels, no more dog tracking through the plant.

Which casters are fixed? The two rear ones? I can see the front ones in varying positions from one picture to another. And you mentioned "better without 4 swivels".

 

[MagnumForce]

First pic is after new Casters, 2nd was right after I mounted the side cab. Center/Front are now fixed. These are an inch or so shorter. Much fatter and twice as wide. Very hard plastic and very free rolling. They are what we use for custom built racks that get pushed around the plant. I am the one that builds those, too.

 

[KAOTIK Motorsports]

Here's a little idea I seen on YouTube......
"Alvarez Metal Works" is the one who built this to hold his laptop while at each job instead of running back and forth to the table to type in his progress of each job....
Pretty kewl idea I think...
What yall think?

 

[SASORacing]

It looks like it would be uncomfortable to type like that. Your wrists don't have a flat place to rest due to that metal wall. I would want the laptop higher up too, for eyesight improvment too.

If you made a metal tray that swivel ed up and locked about 8-12 inches higher that would be great. You wouldn't be able to close the carts top lid, but a quick lowering of the laptops tray would be quick.

Edit. Haha it was hard to tell by the pics on my phone. But it looks like you did just that. Good job.

 

[PelicanPines]

I keep a 7 inch tablet in my shirt pocket for internet access while in the garage. It's a Kindle Fire HDX.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'm also working on a grease gun holder for mine. I'll post pics if it works out well.

Grease gun brackets are about $6-7 online.

 

[hackwelder]

Converted my 4 drawer cart to a MIG welding cart, used scrap steel I had on hand...works well and will free up some floor space, this replaces a DIY welding cart I built years ago. The gas bottle holder itself is welded for strength but is attached to the cart with bolts.

 

[MagnumForce]

How do you open the door to change the wire?

 

[hackwelder]

How do you open the door to change the wire?

It swings up to horizontal no problem, checked that out before I committed to the project...not as convenient as opening all the way but good enough for what I do, as a hobbyist it takes me a LONG time to use a roll of wire and I've settled on using 0.030 for everything.

 

[MagnumForce]

Ahhh, thought it was like my 251 and the door wrapped around the top.

 

[alpinewhite]

Converted my 4 drawer cart to a MIG welding cart, used scrap steel I had on hand...works well and will free up some floor space, this replaces a DIY welding card I built years ago. The gas bottle holder itself is welded for strength but is attached to the cart with bolts.

Painting the drawers blue would make it look so sick.

 

[DoyleDee]

The only thing that I have done so far, is remove the locking bars so I can open the drawers with the lid closed.

 

[SpeedHoles]

Painting the drawers blue would make it look so sick.

Definitely. Keep the black border theme going, with just blue painted doors, would look like a Miller OE option!

What welder is that hackwelder? I'm currently in the market for an entry level unit, and also may consider converting my 4 drawer to do the same as yours there when I pick one up. I was also looking at a Hobart...

 

[MagnumForce]

Miller owns Hobart now and the quality and support is very similar. If it was me I would find a good used Millermatic 251. It can do anything you ever want and they are as bulletproof as can be.

 

[hackwelder]

Definitely. Keep the black border theme going, with just blue painted doors, would look like a Miller OE option!

What welder is that hackwelder? I'm currently in the market for an entry level unit, and also may consider converting my 4 drawer to do the same as yours there when I pick one up. I was also looking at a Hobart...

hmmm, think you both are right, will have to paint the drawers when the weather improves. My Miller is a 172, have owned it 10 years or so and it has been trouble free, the 180 is the current version. It looks like the 180 and 211 use basically the same case as my 172 so they should just fit the 4 drawer cart (the 172 is 17" L x 10" W x 15.5" H)

 

[BrianTN]

Question for those who use these magnetic rails, has anyone had issues with the tools becoming magnetized themselves? Maybe not an entire 1 1/8" wrench, but the tip of a screwdriver or whatever.

 

[LG63]

Question for those who use these magnetic rails, has anyone had issues with the tools becoming magnetized themselves? Maybe not an entire 1 1/8" wrench, but the tip of a screwdriver or whatever.

Yes, I regret storing a couple Mitutoyo steel rules this way. They are literally chip magnets now.

 

[PelicanPines]

Any chips my wrenches pickup quickly get transferred to the rails they live on. No regrets here. It would be a problem with my rulers... but those live in a dedicated drawer.

 

[SpeedHoles]

Yeah it always happens. You can get a cheap magnetizer/demagnetizer from Bahco or Wera/Wiha etc...

 

[silverbug420]

Pictures of update.

The z-Clips were made from L brackets and painted. Used 5/32 rivets to attach to lid.

Snap On Badge... So now my neighbor calls it... "Your Snap On Cart"

Would it have been possible to use self tapping screws for that? Im curious why you chose to use riivets for the magnets.

 

[silverbug420]

What would it look like if you painted the DeWalt boxes red?

Can we see the back of the power strip?

Can you show me how you did that work to your box? Thant looks great. I've been wanting to do something similar but don't want to mess up the box. I like the magnets up top. saves a lot of space

 

[PelicanPines]

Would it have been possible to use self tapping screws for that? Im curious why you chose to use riivets for the magnets.

I don't like self tapping screws... I love rivets tho. I have had metal tear but the rivets held. With tapping screws... I strip the hole out from time to time leaving me with a new problem to fix. Never had a single issue with rivets messing up the hole.

Ok to be honest a nut and a bolt with a washer would probably be my first choice if I could easily access both sides of the attachment. In this modification... I used adhesive to attach the foam to the lid and was not able to put a nut there.

I have also done a lot of Nutserts... but this application screamed rivet for me.