Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
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velillen01
Well-known member
I have it on my cart. Works great. Its a copy of other brands but thats ok with me since it is simple and seems to be well built
MoparTrucks
Well-known member
I looked at both and bought the HF for $19.95. You can't beat it but at my nearest HF they sell out quick so you have to figure out when they come in.
I have an older side tray that came with my Huot (bought at a yard sale) and the HF version is every bit as good and its certainly finished better.
I have an older side tray that came with my Huot (bought at a yard sale) and the HF version is every bit as good and its certainly finished better.
OK so my sunex shelf arrived on friday. I went to HF sat morning and saw the HF one. Got home without buying it since I bought the Sunex one already, got it out of the box and it's bent to the point where the hinge won't open fully.
CPO is great and they are sending me a return label. I am buying the HF one and I'm going to take it out of the box and check it out before i leave.
The sign on it says it's for their carts and cabinets. So I'm thinking they are meaning it to be compatible with the 26" stack but whether it might also fit on the 44" i am going to investigate further my next trip.
CPO is great and they are sending me a return label. I am buying the HF one and I'm going to take it out of the box and check it out before i leave.
The sign on it says it's for their carts and cabinets. So I'm thinking they are meaning it to be compatible with the 26" stack but whether it might also fit on the 44" i am going to investigate further my next trip.
brhokel606
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Been reading this thread for awhile, love it! Got my Hf 5 drawer a few weeks ago, did a few modifications. Added folding shelf, but weight capacity was to low so I welded bracing on the shelf to support the Hobart Welder. Cart is exclusively a welding cart and made a kind of bracket to hold the stick electrodes on the other side and also welded up a cord hanger attached to shelf.
I think I am going to follow suit and make a new base and double shelf to add a mig welder under the arc welder. If I dont add a bigger base and more casters, it will be way to heavy on that side and would tip really easy. Right now the electrodes balance the welder quite nice. I am also trying to figure out how to enclose the bottom with double doors to store larger items like a couple welding helmets and face shield.
I have tried attaching multiple pics but seems to only show 1.
I think I am going to follow suit and make a new base and double shelf to add a mig welder under the arc welder. If I dont add a bigger base and more casters, it will be way to heavy on that side and would tip really easy. Right now the electrodes balance the welder quite nice. I am also trying to figure out how to enclose the bottom with double doors to store larger items like a couple welding helmets and face shield.
I have tried attaching multiple pics but seems to only show 1.
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brhokel606
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brhokel606
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brhokel606
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brhokel606
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brhokel606
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Welder is 100 lbs, it's not gonna tip it, I tested it. If you take all of the welding rods off, you can lift the handle side pretty easy but not with rods on. It only rolls on concrete but before MIG is put on I am going to build extension for base and add casters.
That shelf is obviously pretty sturdy and you did a great job to get it to hold that kind of weight.
But I would not move that cart with that welder sitting on that shelf. You never know who is going to bump into something or other unexpected occurrence.
But I would not move that cart with that welder sitting on that shelf. You never know who is going to bump into something or other unexpected occurrence.
brhokel606
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I appreciate the concern but it actually is extremely stable surprisingly, now no way would I take it off a concrete surface but I was shocked at how secure the thing is. The welder it's self carries all the weight at its base, no way would I want to dump a $500 welder.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Keep us updated with the other mods you mentioned. Can't wait to see it with the mig added. Awesome job.
As far as the stability... it would'nt work for me. I have a "transition" between my concrete garage and driveway... and the driveway has enough "tilt" to make moving my 5 drawer cart uncomfortable when spinning it. I'm sure you tested yours out tho... so no worries for you.
stg454
Well-known member
I just picked up the 5 drawer this past weekend. Very impressed so far. A little disappointed that the lid doesn't open up to 90 degrees like the floor model did. Ordered a Snap On emblem for it. I'd like to change the lid handle over to something a little nicer not sure what way to go yet. A lot of nice ideas in this thread.
brhokel606
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Bought the shelf first, then after I put it on, I noticed that the welder would fit but weighed to much. Ended up spending too much time on mods, but it was fun.
I think I know which MIG i'm gonna get so I have dimensions, bought some angle iron and going to start mocking up extension for MIG. Got a few construction jobs to get finished up, then work on my stuff! I'll post when get done. Side note, fricken casters are expensive as hell!
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Try buying some from Cripesdistributing.com Pretty good prices there.
Can you snap a picture of the floor model gas struts? maybe there is a part number or note the hole where the strut is mounted? same location as the box you bought? I would like a 90 degree lid opening but retain the gas struts. Yet to see a good solution for that mod, do not want the mechanical snap on hinges that is commonly used.
brhokel606
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Is the inside cylinder to long to be able to just drill a new hole to make lid at 90 degrees. Or is the strut going to keep it from closing all the way?
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Strut travel and where you can drill prevent that solution. $10 hinge from snap on solves it. You get a pair in the set.
FigureItOut
Well-known member
Love this thread, brace yourself for a long one.
My cart spends a good part of it's work day on the tiny 49"x40" harbor freight trailer at highway speeds and on dirt roads. The whole setup took a couple months to tweek it just right. I'll skip the mistakes I made and describe it in the order I'd do it if I had to do it again.
First I cut one of the short sides off the lower shelf so I could slide my main tool bag in and out, and fit my cordless vac. The bag goes into customers cars with me so it had to come in and out easy. This necessitated a 1/4" steel plate across the that side which also supports the hooks I need to fasten it down to the trailer. The side support bar on that side stayed unbolted at one end to become a little door to hold stuff in while loading and unloading.
The other end got 3/16" angle iron bolted in, supporting the hooks on the other end. I also added the side shelf, to which I added just the top of HF's clamping work table. On the front the straight PVC pipe holds my heavier wire fishing rods, the curved PVC on the end clips into spring clamps screwed into the side columns and has my epoxy fish tape.
The little can holder that screws into the side fit the bottom of my creeper like a glove, so it got bolted on the bottom at the back, the creeper slides in and is bungeed at the top to more hooks that also hold a little drawstring utility bag I use for trash, and the canvas bag that has my lighter fish rods.
The top section holds only my backup cameras and monitors, and I only need one of each for any job, so I get them out and have the whole top plus the folding side shelf to work on. To make that possible I cut the tabs off inside the top compartment that slide down and lock the drawers. That way I have access to the drawers even with work pieces on the top. I screwed some thick plastic strips to the cut off pieces and they'll fit back on when I'm traveling and need to lock everything.
All in all the setup works pretty damn well. Everyone on this thread should know that US General is built very well, but my cart is absolutely proving it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
My cart spends a good part of it's work day on the tiny 49"x40" harbor freight trailer at highway speeds and on dirt roads. The whole setup took a couple months to tweek it just right. I'll skip the mistakes I made and describe it in the order I'd do it if I had to do it again.
First I cut one of the short sides off the lower shelf so I could slide my main tool bag in and out, and fit my cordless vac. The bag goes into customers cars with me so it had to come in and out easy. This necessitated a 1/4" steel plate across the that side which also supports the hooks I need to fasten it down to the trailer. The side support bar on that side stayed unbolted at one end to become a little door to hold stuff in while loading and unloading.
The other end got 3/16" angle iron bolted in, supporting the hooks on the other end. I also added the side shelf, to which I added just the top of HF's clamping work table. On the front the straight PVC pipe holds my heavier wire fishing rods, the curved PVC on the end clips into spring clamps screwed into the side columns and has my epoxy fish tape.
The little can holder that screws into the side fit the bottom of my creeper like a glove, so it got bolted on the bottom at the back, the creeper slides in and is bungeed at the top to more hooks that also hold a little drawstring utility bag I use for trash, and the canvas bag that has my lighter fish rods.
The top section holds only my backup cameras and monitors, and I only need one of each for any job, so I get them out and have the whole top plus the folding side shelf to work on. To make that possible I cut the tabs off inside the top compartment that slide down and lock the drawers. That way I have access to the drawers even with work pieces on the top. I screwed some thick plastic strips to the cut off pieces and they'll fit back on when I'm traveling and need to lock everything.
All in all the setup works pretty damn well. Everyone on this thread should know that US General is built very well, but my cart is absolutely proving it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Holy **** awesome... highest respect for you and the functional modifications to your cart.
the gypsy
Well-known member
Now that is a modification worth talking about. Shows off a few ideas. I especially like the portable workmate.
FigureItOut
Well-known member
Thanks, I especially like that one myself. Thinking about it I realize now that might be the only mod that could be applicable to many others. Most of the other stuff is pretty specialized to what I do.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
FigureItOut
Well-known member
The creeper itself? I knock that thing around like I'm mad at it, no problem at all with it. I'm under 200 pounds so it doesn't see a lot of stress, but $20ish I couldn't ask for more.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
zhaddock
Well-known member
I saw this pic and had to do a double take. I thought you had a tiny little chop saw mounted on it and I was trying to figure out why.
FigureItOut
Well-known member
That's hilarious. I can't not see that now.
Makes me want a tiny chop saw.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
I saw that too at first.I saw this pic and had to do a double take. I thought you had a tiny little chop saw mounted on it and I was trying to figure out why.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I saw this pic and had to do a double take. I thought you had a tiny little chop saw mounted on it and I was trying to figure out why.
I didn't see it a first, but now I do. And I want a Dremel tool sized chop saw too!
UncleJoe
Well-known member
Hey Figureitout, The cart looks great, you did not mention what you do. I can see you use fish rods and backup cameras and monitors but not sure what type of work you actually do. Just curious.
FigureItOut
Well-known member
What keeps me the busiest is installing backup cameras, mobile obviously. I run my wiring inside the frame, well protected. I also end up doing a lot of elaborate, difficult installations. RVs, trash trucks, multi camera systems etc. I've put cameras on a small airplane's wing tips for a customer with a hangar just barely big enough. That was interesting.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk
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1950mercury
Well-known member
dgxlh
Well-known member
Does anyone have the part number for the snap on 90° lid mod?
RalloZ35
Well-known member
What do you guys use to touch up paint?
Needn't be a hard *** nor a dumb *** ,, just cover your ***
Needn't be a hard *** nor a dumb *** ,, just cover your ***
jakemac
Well-known member
Interesting idea, how did you do it ?
FigureItOut
Well-known member
I did similar on a shelf in my garage with an NPT tap and female couplers.
Scottwi
Well-known member
After lurking in this tread for a year I am finally sharing what I have done to my cart. I purchased the cart because of this thread and almost all the modifications are inspired by Garage Journal.
I had been looking for a more efficient way to move tools between the shop and the trailer and this thread gave me the idea of using a 4 drawer cart. I have loaded the tools I need most to work on any vehicle(s) that I have in the trailer. I wanted to make it so my tools did not get bounced around too much during transport and wanted them to be easily accessed.
The cart has also made it much more efficient to work on vehicles at home. I just roll out to where I am working.
I am a graphics guy so the side panels are covered in vinyl. I figured it wouldn't scratch as easy and I am too impatient to let paint dry.
I plan to do something about the wasted space in the top section. Maybe cut the socket holders up and re configure them. Any ideas out there? I like that they have the size on the so I can easily know what I am missing and the kids can hand me the size I need quickly.
The foam insert I made on my CNC that I use to make signs.
I had been looking for a more efficient way to move tools between the shop and the trailer and this thread gave me the idea of using a 4 drawer cart. I have loaded the tools I need most to work on any vehicle(s) that I have in the trailer. I wanted to make it so my tools did not get bounced around too much during transport and wanted them to be easily accessed.
The cart has also made it much more efficient to work on vehicles at home. I just roll out to where I am working.
I am a graphics guy so the side panels are covered in vinyl. I figured it wouldn't scratch as easy and I am too impatient to let paint dry.
I plan to do something about the wasted space in the top section. Maybe cut the socket holders up and re configure them. Any ideas out there? I like that they have the size on the so I can easily know what I am missing and the kids can hand me the size I need quickly.
The foam insert I made on my CNC that I use to make signs.
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