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

[twinturbogarage]

Hahah good to see your still posting on the thread. I loved reading your posts.

 

[deafcon]

Any tips or tricks on attaching those magnets to the lid? I've heard 3M trim tape only lasts so long before it gives out so thinking of attaching with nuts and bolts. Also what is the best way to drill a hole into the lid without bending the lid or causing the paint to chip? Wanna make a nice clean cut hole.

I used machine screws, washers, and nuts that I happened to have laying around. I just used an appropriately sized drill bit, then deburred with a step bit. No chipping issues for me. I will say that since I'm planning to paint mine eventually, I wasn't particularly worried about chipping.

The washers and screw heads on the outside of the lid aren't particularly attractive, so I mights shoot a coat of red rattle can on them to made a bit better. Rivets may be a more stealth option in that regard.

 

[Buyerz]

I've seen some pretty cool stuff done to these carts in this thread so I thought I share my humble buggy. I work on Semis & trailers in a large/dirty building and I don't like walking to my main box to get commonly used Items. (You could call me LAZY)

Here's a list of things I've done to it:
Added handle from 44" cabinet
Added side shelf and stool holder
Grinder holder, welding clamp rack
Cup holder, creeper holder
And a little custom detailing

 

[dfreeman616]

lazy? how about efficient?

 

[Tucker99]

Got my 5 drawer few days ago. Mods I've done are the rubber grommets in the screwdriver holes, swapped out the 2 fixed casters with 5" swivels from HF (blue color), ordered snapon hinges, replaced drawer liners with 3mm yoga mats, disabled the locking mechanism on the back of all the drawers so they can open while the lid is closed.

Also used the HF free coupon for the 18" magnets. Plan on picking a few more of those up. Any tips or tricks on attaching those magnets to the lid? I've heard 3M trim tape only lasts so long before it gives out so thinking of attaching with nuts and bolts. Also what is the best way to drill a hole into the lid without bending the lid or causing the paint to chip? Wanna make a nice clean cut hole.

I was going to put mine on with JB weld. Page back a few and you'll see a guy that used screws and countersunk the heads, very impressive work. I'm not crazy about drilling holes in the top.

 

[archirelic]

Still waiting to see if my local Harbor Freight will start carrying the side shelf. Would love to add that to my 5 drawer unit.

 

[twinturbogarage]

Still waiting to see if my local Harbor Freight will start carrying the side shelf. Would love to add that to my 5 drawer unit.

Maybe they're out of stock?

 

[Bagherra]

My local HF had about 5 of them as of yesterday...

 

[twinturbogarage]

My local HF had about 5 of them as of yesterday...

Mine sold out fairly quickly.

 

[Bigtee]

https://store.snapon.com/PARTS-KRBC8T9-P665649.aspx

Thanks SlowAl, just ordered a set. It's backordered but I should eventually get it.

 

[MrWrencher823]

How did you guys mount the wrenches for the handles? I really like this idea and would like to add one to my top box. I can't seem to send a private message because tapatalk will crash. Thanks.

 

[DoyleDee]

So, I recently purchased two of the side shelves, only to find out (not a big deal) that it really doesn't fit the black 4 drawer cart. It works, but is just a bit wider. For the lids on mine I added the anti fatigue mat material and cut it to fit. I'm using one in the garage with a craftsman box and the second in my shop to accompany the 44 set that I bought. I haven't put the second shelf on the shop cart yet, but will be soon.

 

[DoyleDee]

I have a tendency to place wrenches and tools on the top....then not being able to get under the lid. (My locks have been removed for the drawers)

 

[cheechi]

Here's a list of things I've done to it:
Added handle from 44" cabinet

Do the holes line up?

 

[RonnieC]

I installed the HF shelf on my 5-drawer. Bought their rubber drawer liner to put down on the top of the shelf with some adhesive spray. My only reservation is that the shelf doesn't take much of a vertical bump before it disengages from its "locked" position. Trying to think of a solution to make it a bit less likely to dump everything. But asking you guys seems easier than thinking for myself.

 

[deafcon]

I installed the HF shelf on my 5-drawer. Bought their rubber drawer liner to put down on the top of the shelf with some adhesive spray. My only reservation is that the shelf doesn't take much of a vertical bump before it disengages from its "locked" position. Trying to think of a solution to make it a bit less likely to dump everything. But asking you guys seems easier than thinking for myself.

I'm thinking a latch with a hook on it could work. Something similar to the type you'd see on a sliding screen door. Mount one side to the angled piece of the shelf, and the other to the side of the cart. When connected it would prevent the angled piece from swinging out when bumped. It would be cheap and could be mounted with VHB tape, so even if it doesn't work, it wouldn't be a big deal.

 

[jakemac]

................. My only reservation is that the shelf doesn't take much of a vertical bump before it disengages from its "locked" position. Trying to think of a solution to make it a bit less likely to dump everything. But asking you guys seems easier than thinking for myself.

Simple solution - Get a short rubber or bungee chord. Hook one end to the middle outside of the shelf, and the other end to the middle of the bottom of the support where it sits in the channel. The tension will keep the shelf from bouncing up and coming out of the channel. TA-DA !

 

[LivnDream]

Any one have a pic of what snapon hinges your using on the 5 drawer cart?

 

[Emmo213]

If you look through this thread there are multiple pictures of the hinges and a link on where to purchase them.

 

[LivnDream]

Thanks

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

The reflections make it look pretty bad.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Just got my SO hinges put on, best mod so far! Lid near vertical, easier to read my wrench sizes, opens and closes quicker, and will never wear out!

 

[twinturbogarage]

Just got my SO hinges put on, best mod so far! Lid near vertical, easier to read my wrench sizes, opens and closes quicker, and will never wear out!

Could you post a pic?

 

[alpinewhite]

The reflections make it look pretty bad.

Do you have zoomed out pictures of this?

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Do you have zoomed out pictures of this?

I will take one later when I put the drawers back in. I painted the silver drawer handles black for kind of a Hazet look.

The Snap-on hinges arrived today also.

 

[twinturbogarage]

I will take one later when I put the drawers back in. I painted the silver drawer handles black for kind of a Hazet look.

The Snap-on hinges arrived today also.

What was your prep work for painting?

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

What was your prep work for painting?

A little bit of scuffing, then Sail Blue Rustoleum rattle can.

It could be better and it probably won't be that durable. I will probably have to touch it up a couple of times a year.

I wasn't sure how much work I wanted to put into it. In the end, it is still a cheap Chinese tool cart.

If I had it to do over, I might not have bothered with the paint as it was too time consuming. Snap-on hinges, yes. New lid handle, yes.

 

[PelicanPines]

A little bit of scuffing, then Sail Blue Rustoleum rattle can.

It could be better and it probably won't be that durable. I will probably have to touch it up a couple of times a year.

I wasn't sure how much work I wanted to put into it. In the end, it is still a cheap Chinese tool cart.

If I had it to do over, I might not have bothered with the paint as it was too time consuming. Snap-on hinges, yes. New lid handle, yes.

Looks like you did casters too... the bolt holes look different... I could be wrong. I considered painting just my drawers metallic flake black... someday maybe. Love your new lid handle... might consider something like that for my cart...

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Looks like you did casters too... the bolt holes look different... I could be wrong.

Oh yeah, did that also.

It came with two straight, two swivel. I wanted all swivel. Out of all the casters I have here, none were the right bolt pattern. So I just used a quality set of Wagners that were the same wheel diameter.

I also drilled out he rivets for the lock bars and removed them.

 

[PelicanPines]

Oh yeah, did that also.

It came with two straight, two swivel. I wanted all swivel. Out of all the casters I have here, none were the right bolt pattern. So I just used a quality set of Wagners that were the same wheel diameter.

I also drilled out he rivets for the lock bars and removed them.

Cool, mine came with 4 swivels... somehow I think we talked about this already. Can't wait to see your finished product.

 

[goldie lox]

i was almost gonna buy this cart and after looking at these mods, think i might just make a frame with large rubber wheels and sit my one spare tool box on it so it will look basically like it but with 7 drawers i think (5 full with 2 half). anyone else ever done this, if so would like a pic

 

[goldie lox]

[/QUOTE

this would be perfect for me when i have my archery shoots out back. instead of taking my tool box i could use this, would be nice with those wheels being able to roll over the grass.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

Cool, mine came with 4 swivels... somehow I think we talked about this already. Can't wait to see your finished product.

Wasn't me. I just got my a cart a couple of weeks ago.


Mostly done. Put the Snap-on hinges on today. Need a new lock. I have a couple of spots to touch up, but most of the weird looking spots are shadows and reflections.

 

[madcrisis]

[/QUOTE]

this would be perfect for me when i have my archery shoots out back. instead of taking my tool box i could use this, would be nice with those wheels being able to roll over the grass.[/QUOTE]

It works great! I reccomend it.

 

[MadMike842]

I really need to post my build up, but as for the lock you can fit a snap on tubular lock assembly with little filing on the 5-drawer. You don't even have to modify the latch just bolt in to the lock assembly.

 

[Dr.JohnnyFever]

What it really needs is a Hazet sticker:

 

[Flathead Red]

That's sweet


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[skulldrinker]

I got lucky and found the other half of the key in my house but who knows it could have been lost forever. This is the key from my Red 5 drawer. Cheaply made not having full metal surrounding the king ring hole. Be warned.

 

[twinturbogarage]

Has anyone used 3M's Command product line? Like the hooks with the strip adhesive. I've been thinking about that for that last month. No drilling or anything, and could hook it right on, like wrenches and pliers. I'm gonna do that and get around to posting some pics.

 

[PelicanPines]

Has anyone used 3M's Command product line? Like the hooks with the strip adhesive. I've been thinking about that for that last month. No drilling or anything, and could hook it right on, like wrenches and pliers. I'm gonna do that and get around to posting some pics.

Use them all the time in my house to hang stuff... I didn't think to use them for tools until... I tried using a large hook to hold a tire pressure gauge near my compressor but it failed after a year or so. I replaced it with more substantial screwed in hardware.