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

[the74impala]

Loaded up, but I need more room

I had a second one that I really haven't used as efficiently as I did this one, so I started cutting it apart.

Had to drill out the pop rivets to get to the flange for the next part

This is what was left over of the second one.... I will just use it for storing tools I have used for a project until I am done.

This is the middle track, it was a pain to reinstall

Did a bunch of paint removal, then a sloppy weld thru primer, and started spot welding

Messy- Just used 6/32 x 3/8 Philips head bolts and had to use a grinder to get them short enough to do the middle of the double drawer level.

Trial fitting

Final Shot tonight. Just need to clean it up and add more tools. Not bad since I think I paid ~$89 each for them a few years back. I forgot to do the locks on the bottom, but I don't lock it anyhow.

My Faux Snap On will be even more useful now.

 

[winlinmac]

^^^How much did it cost you all together (including cart price) after doing the mod?

 

[PelicanPines]

^^^How much did it cost you all together (including cart price) after doing the mod?

He says in his post how much it cost.

Each cart was about 89 dollars...

Only other costs would be time and a few bolts... not significant.

 

[winlinmac]

Ah thanks, the pictures were overlapping the text on my screen. Two carts to create an hybrid, nice

He says in his post how much it cost.

Each cart was about 89 dollars...

Only other costs would be time and a few bolts... not significant.

 

[stg454]

After researching my issues with the drawers not closing right I found that I need to replace two of the drawers slides. After talking with HF they are not available as a replacement item. Has anyone needed to replace any of theirs? What did you end up using. I did buy some replacements from HF while I had them but they are for the 44" roll away. Not sure if they're going to be the same or not. Have to wait and see

 

[PelicanPines]

Just noticed the $$$ shot up on both the 4 and 5 drawer HF carts. 159 and 199... significant increase. About 7 to 10% above regular pricing.

 

[alpinewhite]

Just noticed the $$$ shot up on both the 4 and 5 drawer HF carts. 159 and 199... significant increase. About 7 to 10% above regular pricing.

It goes on sale regularly. In fact, it's on sale more often than it's not.

 

[PelicanPines]

It goes on sale regularly. In fact, it's on sale more often than it's not.

That was the new sale price...

 

[mnoeltne]

I saw those prices out in the middle of the ad. But there were coupons at the front of mine for one of those at the more usual sale price. And in another ad I received I saw the other cart also at the cheaper normal sale price. $100 for the black one, and $170 for the red one.

 

[the74impala]

He says in his post how much it cost.

Each cart was about 89 dollars...

Only other costs would be time and a few bolts... not significant.

I've had them 3 years or so. I got them with the cheapest coupon at the time. I bought the spot welder and weld thru primer for a car project about 5 years ago, and had not used them since. Th e biggest expense was all the tries at getting pop rivets that would work. I just went with the small machine screws 6 x 3/8 I believe. I put 2 nuts with a lock washer tight between them, then used the grinding wheel to shorten them. Worked out great for the middle slide screws.

 

[kburgess816]

Just got my first mechanicin job I am 20 lol filling this full of cman for now but shoot me some ideas!


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[Mrmontebuilder]

I read through all the posts in this thread and picked up a used one in nice shape locally for $100 tonight. Has the side shelf, tubular key lock and 2 magnetic strips for wrenches on the lid. All mods I planned to make anyway and at current prices I saved about $100 over new. Plus I will feel better about making more mods to a pre loved one than a brand new one. Some great ideas in this thread I plan to do to mine as soon as I get out of my truck.

 

[BigDirtyHippie]

Go online and find a coupon. They are always available

 

[TerryH]

Go online and find a coupon. They are always available

If coupons only worked on these that would be an awesome suggestion.

 

[stanleyrleonard]

If coupons only worked on these that would be an awesome suggestion.

http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/3_ITEM_30___5_DRAWER_TOOL_CART_1464789192.4613.JPG


http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/10_ITEM_26___4_DRAWER_TOOL_CART_1463345281.86.jpeg

 

[dclassical]

I also thought you meant a 20% coupon, which does not work on those.

 

[Chucktin]

I looked at these in the store. Sheet metal seemed a bit flimsy to me.

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[stanleyrleonard]

I also thought you meant a 20% coupon, which does not work on those.

When comparing SUPER COUPONS [mentioned above] with "normal 20% off" coupons:

http://www.harborfreight.com/26-in-4-drawer-580-lb-capacity-glossy-black-roller-cart-61634.html
^ > 20%

http://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-5-drawer-glossy-red-tool-cart-61427.html
^ About 10%--Not bad

Just trying to help--Stan

 

[ashstudly]

Just got my first mechanicin job I am 20 lol filling this full of cman for now but shoot me some ideas!


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r

P

Ei


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[Tejaas]

Has anyone considered bolting a piece of butcher block to the top of a 5 drawer?

I am considering picking up a cart, and have a remnant of block left over from topping a vidmar... Was wondering if anyone else has tried it?

I'd rarely have to lift the top, but was wondering about the struts/lid opening angle?


~Tejaas~

 

[jakemac]

Has anyone considered bolting a piece of butcher block to the top of a 5 drawer?

I am considering picking up a cart, and have a remnant of block left over from topping a vidmar... Was wondering if anyone else has tried it?

I'd rarely have to lift the top, but was wondering about the struts/lid opening angle?


~Tejaas~

You'd likely need heavier struts.
Before drilling holes, you could try mounting the block with DST (double sided tape), just to feel it out first.

 

[Chucktin]

What's a vidmar?

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[stanleyrleonard]

What's a vidmar?

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Stanley Vidmar:

https://www.google.com/search?q=sta...X&ved=0ahUKEwik7KLPmsTNAhWm6IMKHSMACQUQsAQIGw

Hope this helps--Stan

 

[Chucktin]

Thanks

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[Tejaas]

You'd likely need heavier struts.
Before drilling holes, you could try mounting the block with DST (double sided tape), just to feel it out first.

Good info, and great idea.
Thanks bud.


~Tejaas~

 

[DSM21]

Although not a HF, I did MOD my Kobalt tool cart. Ended up with an extra work top so I decided to use it for when I need the extra work surface. This box is only used during larger jobs for parts storage and organization of same. I have to be careful, with noting in the tool box the extra leverage can tip the box over.

Regards,
HAP

Hey amazing thread guys. I was wondering if anyone could tell me where I could a get a power strip like the one above that I could add to my cart/tool box

Thanks in advance.

 

[DBurg90]

Has anybody combined two of the 5 drawer carts together side by side? Like conjoined tool carts.

 

[jakemac]

I think someone did an over-under, but I don't recall a side-by-side posed yet.

 

[arms1970]

Just noticed the $$$ shot up on both the 4 and 5 drawer HF carts. 159 and 199... significant increase. About 7 to 10% above regular pricing.

4th of july sale, 169.99 and 25% coupon. Im gonna go get one for my garage. Talked to a few mechanics who beat em to death and they held up.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

4th of july sale, 169.99 and 25% coupon. Im gonna go get one for my garage. Talked to a few mechanics who beat em to death and they held up.

Dont think you can use the coupon on them.. but its worth a shot

 

[arms1970]

Dont think you can use the coupon on them.. but its worth a shot

Says nothing on the coupon excluding that item. one coupon per item is it. My first large purchase from there. Only bought some parts bin for my boxes.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Says nothing on the coupon excluding that item. one coupon per item is it. My first large purchase from there. Only bought some parts bin for my boxes.

it saysit excludes storage cabinets, chests or carts. but like i said give it a shot I have heard some stores with honer it.

 

[arms1970]

it saysit excludes storage cabinets, chests or carts. but like i said give it a shot I have heard some stores with honer it.

I've had the coupon in my truck for like 2 weeks now. I just read the fine print. You are correct. But hell im gonna try it anyway. Gonna buy one of those side shelves. I know that I should be able to use a coupon.

Got a flyer yesterday advertising that box for 199 now. They're all over the board it seems.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

I've had the coupon in my truck for like 2 weeks now. I just read the fine print. You are correct. But hell im gonna try it anyway. Gonna buy one of those side shelves. I know that I should be able to use a coupon.

Got a flyer yesterday advertising that box for 199 now. They're all over the board it seems.

yes like i said doest hurt to try i have heard of some people getting away with it. either way the box is worth it for the price. I have two myself one at work and one at home

 

[CarsonConcepts]

Made a new top for my Black 8-Drawer. I've had a chunk of bamboo from a Husky 52" box sitting around for a while. After moving it several times over the last few months, decided to cut it up, stain it and make a top. It won't see heavy use as I use the top area for tools, so it's open when I'm working on something. Think it turned out well for a quick "use it or toss it" project.

 

[thepipe]

After reading every post in this thread over the past few days, please allow me to say I feel privileged to be on the same forum as you with these skills. Simply incredible work and attention to detail. I remain awestruck.

I have a red 5-drawer on which I just installed (and then immediately removed) the HF folding shelf. I saw the amount of wasted space underneath it and thought of the 7-srawer side box idea so many here have done. To those with that addition...do I REALLY need a frame with that setup? I plan to use the main cart for heavy tools and the side cabinet for lighter stuff like a multimeter, zip ties, etc... I really don't want to make a frame if I don't absolutely have to. Thanks.

 

[PelicanPines]

Made a new top for my Black 8-Drawer. I've had a chunk of bamboo from a Husky 52" box sitting around for a while. After moving it several times over the last few months, decided to cut it up, stain it and make a top. It won't see heavy use as I use the top area for tools, so it's open when I'm working on something. Think it turned out well for a quick "use it or toss it" project.

Holy **** that's nice. Nice enough for the bedroom.

 

[PelicanPines]

After reading every post in this thread over the past few days, please allow me to say I feel privileged to be on the same forum as you with these skills. Simply incredible work and attention to detail. I remain awestruck.

I have a red 5-drawer on which I just installed (and then immediately removed) the HF folding shelf. I saw the amount of wasted space underneath it and thought of the 7-srawer side box idea so many here have done. To those with that addition...do I REALLY need a frame with that setup? I plan to use the main cart for heavy tools and the side cabinet for lighter stuff like a multimeter, zip ties, etc... I really don't want to make a frame if I don't absolutely have to. Thanks.

Wish I did the side box. My stuff is all heavy so I would make a frame but if you keep it "less heavy"... you might be ok. I would mount it with bolts instead of the hanging lip.. only because I would not want to trim the lid to make it fit.

 

[SB440R/T]

Holy **** that's nice. Nice enough for the bedroom.

Haha, that is not a bad idea.

 

[thepipe]

Wish I did the side box. My stuff is all heavy so I would make a frame but if you keep it "less heavy"... you might be ok. I would mount it with bolts instead of the hanging lip.. only because I would not want to trim the lid to make it fit.

I don't mind cutting a small portion of the lid. I may mount it with a few extra bolts in addition to the hanging lip/bottom bolts anyway, depending on how it feels after I do it.