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

[kazlx]

Plasma cut a tool holder for my tailstock tools for my lathe. Fitted with rubber grommets from McMaster. The shanks are MT4. Bought the cart just to hold my lathe tooling. Working on getting it organized. Pretty damn good bargain for $150.

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12009603_10153655591559168_6774666379658215667_n.jpg?oh=6ca2dca233e2c8e7fd4f0b08d8ba0a8c&oe=56A3CF03

 

[zhaddock]

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.

Where did you get those holders for the cordless tools?

 

[Scottwi]

Where did you get those holders for the cordless tools?

I got them at Hepfner Racing Products.

http://www.hrpracing.com

 

[Scottwi]

Plasma cut a tool holder for my tailstock tools for my lathe. Fitted with rubber grommets from McMaster. The shanks are MT4. Bought the cart just to hold my lathe tooling. Working on getting it organized. Pretty damn good bargain for $150.

Nice!

I wish I cut cut steel on my CNC, oh the things I would make.

 

[stanleyrleonard]

Plasma cut a tool holder for my tailstock tools for my lathe. Fitted with rubber grommets from McMaster. The shanks are MT4. Bought the cart just to hold my lathe tooling. Working on getting it organized. Pretty damn good bargain for $150.

https://scontent.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/12009603_10153655591559168_6774666379658215667_n.jpg?oh=6ca2dca233e2c8e7fd4f0b08d8ba0a8c&oe=56A3CF03

Beautiful!

 

[Bagherra]

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.

Where u get the tire pressure gauge holder?

 

[iScream]

I got them at Hepfner Racing Products.

http://www.hrpracing.com

Nice. I'm ordering one of those brackets for my liquid filled Longacre gauge.

Now I just want to find a good pre-made bracket to hang my torque wrench, 1/2" breaker bar and a couple long handled ratchets off the side of my cart.

Chris

Edit: No, I won't be ordering one with $14 shipping.

 

[iScream]

Plasma cut a tool holder for my tailstock tools for my lathe. Fitted with rubber grommets from McMaster. The shanks are MT4. Bought the cart just to hold my lathe tooling. Working on getting it organized. Pretty damn good bargain for $150.

That is really well done.

 

[Scottwi]

I purchased the tire gauge holder from Hepfner Racing Products

http://www.hrpracing.com/

 

[Scottwi]

Nice. I'm ordering one of those brackets for my liquid filled Longacre gauge.

Now I just want to find a good pre-made bracket to hang my torque wrench, 1/2" breaker bar and a couple long handled ratchets off the side of my cart.

Chris

Edit: No, I won't be ordering one with $14 shipping.

I didn't know shipping was so high, I live in the area and picked them up. If you want me to see if I can ship cheeper, PM me.

 

[Scottwi]

Nice. I'm ordering one of those brackets for my liquid filled Longacre gauge.

Now I just want to find a good pre-made bracket to hang my torque wrench, 1/2" breaker bar and a couple long handled ratchets off the side of my cart.

Chris

Edit: No, I won't be ordering one with $14 shipping.

Do a search on cordless drill holder, other places sell their products. Like pit stop USA

 

[iScream]

I didn't know shipping was so high, I live in the area and picked them up. If you want me to see if I can ship cheeper, PM me.

Do a search on cordless drill holder, other places sell their products. Like pit stop USA

Thanks man. It does look like you can get them from a few different places. After staring at it for a bit I might even just make my own. I don't have jack when it comes to metal working tools but I've been wanting to try using a router on plastic.

 

[SKT]

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Wow, lots of great ideas in this thread!

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[BaMaDuDe87]

Just picked up a 5 drawer. Looking forward to stealing ideas!

Edit: Wow. Heavier than I expected by far. All I can say is having a helper wold make this 100 times easier to get together and who ever said don't tighten bolts until it's all together is a genuious. It's all together now and the only "mod" I did was to flip the push Handel and move it to the top bolts. Don't know why but it looks better to me that way. Also picked up a magnet strip, working on putting that on the outside and using the factory bolts to hold it.

 

[Scottwi]

Thanks man. It does look like you can get them from a few different places. After staring at it for a bit I might even just make my own. I don't have jack when it comes to metal working tools but I've been wanting to try using a router on plastic.

Have you seen this idea? It is from another thread.

I have made them for the shop, but wanted something smaller for my mobile cart.

 

[PelicanPines]

Just picked up a 5 drawer. Looking forward to stealing ideas!

Edit: Wow. Heavier than I expected by far. All I can say is having a helper wold make this 100 times easier to get together and who ever said don't tighten bolts until it's all together is a genuious. It's all together now and the only "mod" I did was to flip the push Handel and move it to the top bolts. Don't know why but it looks better to me that way. Also picked up a magnet strip, working on putting that on the outside and using the factory bolts to hold it.

Yea... built mine by myself... had to take all the drawers out so I could lift the box onto the legs. My neighbor offered his lift AFTER it was together. If you roll back to page 52... I think that's were my mods were listed.

 

[FigureItOut]

I built mine upside down then just flipped it over. Wasn't easy to flip but easier probably than lifting the top box.
My mods are on 167.

 

[gonmad54]

Added the drawer from the single drawer cart to my 4 drawer.

 

[cheechi]

That's a pretty neat idea. you deserve a cookie.

 

[stg454]

Any good ideas for a replacement handle for the top. The one it came with is just too cheesy. I've seen some on hear with a wrench that was drilled for the handle. What size did you guys use?

 

[firworks]

This thread makes me hope that a HF cart will come up on Craigslist nearby so I can join the club and start hot rodding one.

 

[iScream]

This thread makes me hope that a HF cart will come up on Craigslist nearby so I can join the club and start hot rodding one.

The ones I've seen around here on Craigslist have been listed at ridiculous prices. You can get a brand new black one for under $100 before tax.

 

[stage20]

This thread makes me hope that a HF cart will come up on Craigslist nearby so I can join the club and start hot rodding one.

all of them around here have snap on, mac or matco stickers on them and people want 150-250 bucks for them wore slap out.
buy new. you will not regret it. very good pieces for the money if you use a cart. i ran out of room and sold mine. ive got too many other boxes in the way at the moment to have one.

 

[johndeereman]

I used a 1/2'' if i was going to do it again i think i would have used 5/8'', just my thought sorry no pix.

 

[stg454]

Thanks johndeereman!

 

[PelicanPines]

Any good ideas for a replacement handle for the top. The one it came with is just too cheesy. I've seen some on hear with a wrench that was drilled for the handle. What size did you guys use?

I had the idea of taking 2 screwdriver handles... remove the shafts and **** the 2 handles together and use them as a handle. Didn't try it... but you were looking for ideas.

 

[FigureItOut]

Any good ideas for a replacement handle for the top. The one it came with is just too cheesy. I've seen some on hear with a wrench that was drilled for the handle. What size did you guys use?

After you asked I went out to the garage to check it out. I don't think I'll do it but I decided that if I did I'd use a 3/4" stubby and the existing holes would line up well.

 

[BAGN1T]

I was hoping to pick up the 4 drawer cart and get the sunex folding shelf and screw driver holder...but need to know how much that adds to the size of the box. I was hoping someone with that setup **cough cough ihateminimumwage cough cough** might be able to measure theirs for me. The website only has one dimension...I'm assuming that is with the handle...so adding the dimension of the shelf and screwdriver holder would yeild an inaccurate number. Thanks in advance.

 

[iScream]

Not including the handle, my black cart is 30.5" wide. When folded down, my Sunex shelf adds almost 1.5" to the width.

 

[BAGN1T]

According to the tooltopia website, the sunex screwdriver holder is 3.75"...so that would be a total width of 35.75". Awesome. Thanks iScream!

Now...I just found a coupon code to order it online for $99 (61877533). My new question is, can I do a "ship to store" to save the $7 shipping or would this code work in the store? I may just have to swing by the store to find that out. If I do have to order it online, I see 3 different part numbers, all look about the same...the only difference I can find is less than an inch in dimensions, the shipping weight, and one has the badge in a different location. Any ideas on if there is a true difference? Item #s 95659, 61952, 61634. Coupon code works on all 3.

 

[PelicanPines]

According to the tooltopia website, the sunex screwdriver holder is 3.75"...so that would be a total width of 35.75". Awesome. Thanks iScream!

Now...I just found a coupon code to order it online for $99 (61877533). My new question is, can I do a "ship to store" to save the $7 shipping or would this code work in the store? I may just have to swing by the store to find that out. If I do have to order it online, I see 3 different part numbers, all look about the same...the only difference I can find is less than an inch in dimensions, the shipping weight, and one has the badge in a different location. Any ideas on if there is a true difference? Item #s 95659, 61952, 61634. Coupon code works on all 3.

Best idea is to call your store... that way you can see if they already have them in stock and you can ask about the coupon at the same time.

About the different item numbers... many have come up with why there are different #'s but I can only say, I have noticed differences in what casters you get... 2 fixed & 2 swivel vs 4 swivel. I got 4 swivel and LOVE IT. Some prefer 2 fixed tho... no idea which goes with which tho.

 

[BAGN1T]

I saw some in the store when I went a few days ago. I'll just swing by again. I noticed in store that the 4 drawer cart had 4 swivel and the 5 drawer has 2 of each. My purposes will require 4 swivel...all 3 listings on the website show "2 swivel, 2 locking swivel" so I think I'm good on that.

 

[PelicanPines]

I saw some in the store when I went a few days ago. I'll just swing by again. I noticed in store that the 4 drawer cart had 4 swivel and the 5 drawer has 2 of each. My purposes will require 4 swivel...all 3 listings on the website show "2 swivel, 2 locking swivel" so I think I'm good on that.

The 5 drawer has some strong *** casters for what it's worth. I was impressed. To be honest if I got the black 4 drawer... I would swap in 4 rubber swivel casters. They have a nice selection in the store. I rarely move my 5 drawer more than 10 feet... a smaller cart would go all over the place. But that's just me... your situation may be different.

 

[iScream]

The 5 drawer has some strong *** casters for what it's worth. I was impressed. To be honest if I got the black 4 drawer... I would swap in 4 rubber swivel casters. They have a nice selection in the store. I rarely move my 5 drawer more than 10 feet... a smaller cart would go all over the place. But that's just me... your situation may be different.

I'm not following you on this. The 4 drawer already has 4 swivel casters. Are you saying you would replace them with different ones? If so, why?

 

[MagnumForce]

I changed mine over to 2 swivel and 2 fixed as the thing dog tracked like mad. Then again I had to push mine a quarter of a mile from one end of the plant to the other.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[andy013]

I changed mine over to 2 swivel and 2 fixed as the thing dog tracked like mad. Then again I had to push mine a quarter of a mile from one end of the plant to the other.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

Yes, there are several 4 drawer carts where I work and the casters aren't holding up all that well. But we have a big facility with tracks in the floor and if the carts are loaded with how they are hard to pull in a straight line. But if where you are going to use the cart is smooth then it shouldn't be a problem.

A few guys' carts went drawer side down being top heavy as the little casters twisting into the gaps near the tracks in the floor.

I'll post up my 5 drawer cart sometime. Made a few mods to it. Love that cart.

Been creeping on here a long time, just haven't said anything till now. Good thread, lots of ideas.


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[thaas4488]

I have not had any trouble with the casters on mine and I've kicked the snot out of it and it was in a truck/trailer for most of its life.

I will however say the bottom plate on mine is starting to bend from the load and abuse it's taken over the years and the wheels track like **** when it's rolling.

If I ever get the time to unload it I'll take the casters off and put a peice of 1/2" steel in the bottom of it to straighten it out. May not be a bad idea for some of you other guys.

I did this on my second cart before I loaded it and it's holding up great so far.

 

[BAGN1T]

Mine will be light duty...bring my tools out to the driveway type thing. I'm going with the 4 drawer for the height. The 5 drawer is going to be too tall for where I'm planning to keep it below my work bench.

I'm not too worried about the casters being too light duty...but I do need all 4 swivel so I can roll it straight back into the slot where I will keep it. If they fail, I'll unload the box and replace them...the stock ones should be fine for my needs most likely.

 

[FigureItOut]

I have not had any trouble with the casters on mine and I've kicked the snot out of it and it was in a truck/trailer for most of its life.

I will however say the bottom plate on mine is starting to bend from the load and abuse it's taken over the years and the wheels track like **** when it's rolling.

If I ever get the time to unload it I'll take the casters off and put a peice of 1/2" steel in the bottom of it to straighten it out. May not be a bad idea for some of you other guys.

I did this on my second cart before I loaded it and it's holding up great so far.

Mine also lives on a trailer much of the day, and I've got some 3/16" and 1/4" reinforcements in key places. Before that it was bowing up really bad. I also was strapping it down tight with a large strap over the top, which wasn't a good idea at all and was the main cause of the bowing.

 

[BAGN1T]

Just confirmed at the store...coupon code #61877533 can be typed in at the register to get the 4 drawer cart for $99. Expires Jan 2, 2016. For those of you who don't have a store near you, they have a flat rate shipping for $7. I also saw their black friday sale flyer...it is the same price for that weekend as well.