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

[PelicanPines]

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.

I have seen the side cabinet mounted even with the bottom of the cart and it leaves the lid in original function and condition. It's my humble opinion... that is the way to go.

You do have to trim the lip off the side cabinet but i'm rambling...

 

[thepipe]

I like the look of your idea better. However, I feel the top lip mount would provide much more surface area from which support will be derived. Aside from the appearance, upon which we can subjectively agree is more attractive with bottom alignment, is there another reason you suggest this?

 

[nelstomlinson]

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

Consider NAPA? To me the price and quality seem similar to Craftsman. The store will deliver tools like the tool trucks, without the tool truck price.

 

[PelicanPines]

I like the look of your idea better. However, I feel the top lip mount would provide much more surface area from which support will be derived. Aside from the appearance, upon which we can subjectively agree is more attractive with bottom alignment, is there another reason you suggest this?

Because it wont look like a hack job... it will look like you thought it out instead. It could represent the type of finished product you get paid for... I can go on all day.

Bolts would easily support it... provided you use fender washers and a nice sized bolt. You could even use a strap of metal on the inside to really reinforce it.

 

[thepipe]

I like the strap idea for the additional reinforcement...hadn't thought of that.

 

[Al Borland]

You could close that upper lip with a pair of flange pliers...
carefully to avoid paint damage...

 

[John in OH]

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

Consider NAPA? To me the price and quality seem similar to Craftsman. The store will deliver tools like the tool trucks, without the tool truck price.

NAPA's Carlyle line of tools seems to be really nice and made in Taiwan rather than China. Kabo-made possibly?? There are several threads here on GJ about the Carlyle tools, for example: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158341&highlight=show+carlyle+tools

Don't know much about the NAPA Evercraft line, but it is Chinese and appears rather "meh".

Now to return to the cart thread discussion ......

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I chopped one of these HF carts up a little a while back. Got rid of the lid and added a shelf for wrenches and stuff. Also put a drain pan on the thing that swivels around to be over the cart or off to the side. Drains down to a can below. Pretty darn handy cart. I take it under the car with me when working off the lift. Ed.

 

[PelicanPines]

I chopped one of these HF carts up a little a while back. Got rid of the lid and added a shelf for wrenches and stuff. Also put a drain pan on the thing that swivels around to be over the cart or off to the side. Drains down to a can below. Pretty darn handy cart. I take it under the car with me when working off the lift. Ed.

Damn nice. Impressive mods with great finish work.

 

[upgrading]

Real cool.
Love the pan.

 

[John in OH]

I chopped one of these HF carts up a little a while back. Got rid of the lid and added a shelf for wrenches and stuff. Also put a drain pan on the thing that swivels around to be over the cart or off to the side. Drains down to a can below. Pretty darn handy cart. I take it under the car with me when working off the lift. Ed.

Nice tool cart mods. Off the topic, but what are the machine tools in the background of your pics? Any GJ thread on these?

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

"Nice tool cart mods. Off the topic, but what are the machine tools in the background of your pics? Any GJ thread on these?"

Thanks guys. John that picture was taken in the "tool room". That is a 40s Hardinge BB4 and a Hardinge TL to the right in the picture. Also part of the carriage on a Reed lathe to the left. No GJ threads yet but some on PM. Don't want to get to far off topic but here is a pic of the Reed and a 12 x 5 Hendey that also lives in there. Ed.

 

[white 450]

Try this link.

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

You get a pair... so only order ONE

You have to drill new holes in the cross member on the cart... let me know if you need the measurements...

Has anyone ordered this part number lately? I just did and only got in a single hinge, the one that sits kinda angled. I called Snap On and while the lady was very helpful and thorough in her search, claims that this part number is solely for one hinge for a KR??? cart and that cart uses the same part number on both sides. I have an RGA already for it and I guess I could roll the dice and try to order again but just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this.

 

[PelicanPines]

Has anyone ordered this part number lately? I just did and only got in a single hinge, the one that sits kinda angled. I called Snap On and while the lady was very helpful and thorough in her search, claims that this part number is solely for one hinge for a KR??? cart and that cart uses the same part number on both sides. I have an RGA already for it and I guess I could roll the dice and try to order again but just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this.

So not true... they are two totally different hinges left and right. If you need pictures let me know. The description even says SET.

 

[white 450]

I've seen what it should have been and was definitely only sent the one that folds out into the little "notch" near the pivot. Looking at my packing slip, it says

KRBC8T9 HINGE ASSEMBLY

If you click on your link, which is exactly what I ordered, I do see where it says set. I guess I just need to call back and maybe get another rep. I had to have been on the phone with her for 10 minutes explaining that many of my friends have used this part number and got pairs but I got nowhere. Guess I'll try again in the morning and maybe get someone else.

 

[PelicanPines]

Tell them... the set has TWO hinges... one locking... one not locking.

 

[thepipe]

Has anyone ordered this part number lately?

Is last week "lately" enough? Ordered it June 28 and and got it July 1. It is absolutely, positively, no-question-about-it, TWO hinges. Check your email and paper receipts from Snap On. Mine reads:

Item number: KRBC8T9
Description: Set, Clip & Pin, Hinge (notice: SET)
Qty ordered: 1
Qty backordered: 0
Amount: 11.25 USD
Total: 11.25 USD

Although the hinges they just sent me have been slightly redesigned from the pictures posted here, there are two in the package. As PelicanPines already noted, the hinges are different from one another. On the locking one, it is the locking mechanism itself which has been redesigned. Now, a sleeve slides over the hinge to keep it locked, rather than the hinge hyperextending into a machined notch from which it must be manually released. Just by looking at it, I like the new design better.

 

[PelicanPines]

I got the new design too... with the sleeve... i have bad knees so no "Hyperextending" for me.

 

[white 450]

So I called back yesterday and got another rep who emailed me a pdf file of the parts for this cart and it clearly shows that there are 2 hinges in this part #. She was very cool about it and said she would send out the part # again to me no charge. Hopefully when it's pulled this time they will get both pieces. I'll report back in a few days when it shows up.

 

[white 450]

Is last week "lately" enough? Ordered it June 28 and and got it July 1. It is absolutely, positively, no-question-about-it, TWO hinges. Check your email and paper receipts from Snap On. Mine reads:

Item number: KRBC8T9
Description: Set, Clip & Pin, Hinge (notice: SET)
Qty ordered: 1
Qty backordered: 0
Amount: 11.25 USD
Total: 11.25 USD

Although the hinges they just sent me have been slightly redesigned from the pictures posted here, there are two in the package. As PelicanPines already noted, the hinges are different from one another. On the locking one, it is the locking mechanism itself which has been redesigned. Now, a sleeve slides over the hinge to keep it locked, rather than the hinge hyperextending into a machined notch from which it must be manually released. Just by looking at it, I like the new design better.

Yep, mine says exactly the same as yours for this part number and description. It appears to me that that was simply just a mispull somehow.

 

[white 450]

Just wanted to post back and note that after it was reshipped I did get a pair of hinges, so clearly it was simply an oversight on my first order.

I've been working on fitting a different lower box for one of these so hopefully I can post up some pics this weekend. I found a Waterloo pro that fits the underside great and even matches the paint pretty decent too.

 

[thepipe]

...I've been working on fitting a different lower box for one of these so hopefully I can post up some pics this weekend. I found a Waterloo pro that fits the underside great and even matches the paint pretty decent too.

I'll be waiting eagerly for this!

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

You cant use the 20% on tool boxes or carts. Get the big one its heavier duty heres a coupon http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/3_ITEM_30___5_DRAWER_TOOL_CART_1445228041.4675.jpg

Not sure if this thread is active anymore but Thank you for posting that last post for the coupon I was able to go to
http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons and search in the list for a CURRENT coupon for the 5 drawer chest.. HF will refund me the difference. I picked mine up last week.

Anyway thanks to this thread and djdaredevil for posting..

 

[winlinmac]

Wasn't that cart $159 a couple of months ago?

Not sure if this thread is active anymore but Thank you for posting that last post for the coupon I was able to go to
http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons and search in the list for a CURRENT coupon for the 5 drawer chest.. HF will refund me the difference. I picked mine up last week.

Anyway thanks to this thread and djdaredevil for posting..

 

[PelicanPines]

Wasn't that cart $159 a couple of months ago?

Kinda a year ... from memory. They raised the normal sale price a bit recently tho... I got mine in May 2014 with a $169 coupon but there still were a few $159 coupons around. The normal sale price in 2014 was $185 without coupon.

 

[white 450]

Well here is the "almost" finished product. I still need to break it back down and shim up one side about an 1/8th and remove all the tape but I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. In the sunlight the color is a little darker than the HF cart but right now it's not enough to make me want to do anything about it. Assembly and fabrication was actually pretty straight forward once I removed the bottom of the cart. I simply used 4 pieces of 1.5" aluminum angle and marked the locations for all the holes and got after it. The pictures of the angle should show how simple it was but I can answer any other questions if any is interested. It rolls great and feels like it is mounted plenty strong.

I chose the Waterloo pin263rd because of the measurements, color, and drawer latch mechanism which is kinda like how an Epiq opens. It isn't a terrible box, but I was expecting something a little stouter being in their "Pro" line but it should work just fine for this cart and my intents.

 

[jakemac]

So the Waterloo box is hanging from the corners by the aluminum angle in the back ?
What holds it in the front ?
Is it touching the bottom tray ?
Did you cut/trim the front bottom rail ?

 

[white 450]

So the Waterloo box is hanging from the corners by the aluminum angle in the back ?
What holds it in the front ?
Is it touching the bottom tray ?

No, I used angle on all four corners just like the one pictured. That pic shows two bolts but I went back in and added 2 more per corner so 4 bolts per corner on front and rear. The bolt holes I drilled into the box were very close to the edges so I used button head bolts from the inside and it barely cleared the back and front walls of the box. The angle is attached to the frame legs using the factory 8mm1.25 carriage bolts and flange nuts.

I'm probably not explaining it the best also and looking at the pic I see why you asked your question. Four pieces of angle are attached to the leg frames using the stock carriage bolts then I simply drilled holes into the corners and edges of the box, marked the hole location on the angle, drilled the angle, then bolted it all together.

Yes, I did have to trim the bottom lip about 1" to make it work.

It is not touching the bottom tray but it is barely above it, no useful space there now.

Did that help to answer your question better?

 

[jakemac]

Got it. Thanks.
Looks great.

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

First mod complete. De-badge and a little personalization.

Still trying to decide which socket and wrench organization products I want to go with.

-Chris

Are those Wera Kraftform screwdrivers//? Nice set you have there

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

Wasn't that cart $159 a couple of months ago?

I am not sure the lowest I have seen it is for 169.00

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

Kinda a year ... from memory. They raised the normal sale price a bit recently tho... I got mine in May 2014 with a $169 coupon but there still were a few $159 coupons around. The normal sale price in 2014 was $185 without coupon.

The recent "sale" price I have seen here at the Torrance, CA store was 189.99
SO aside from their annual side walk sale I think the 169.99 is probably the cheapest i will see it around here. I was able to go in today and use a 20% off coupon and get the tableHF Folding side table 62207 for $23.97.
The Sunex side table SUN8004 $26.58 +7.99 s/h & $3.11 tax --- higher than i would want to pay.

I installed the HF side table today.. it is very sturdy and heavier duty than i expected.

My next step is to cover the side table & top surface with carbon fiber vinyl..

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

I want to add/Install something like this 2 gang receptacle with extension cord
onto my HF tool chest..

I am no electrician so I am hesitant to just cut the end off of and extension cord and hard wire to a 2 or 4 gang receptacle.. Not sure of the proper cord for draw/Amps.

I will be using the cord to power things like

• shop Vac,
• small air pumps,
• cordless drill battery chargers,
• laptop or chrome book,
• heat gun/ blow dryer

I want to add a 2 or 4 gang receptacle to my cart with an extension /male plug that I can simply plug into an existing 120 receptacle in my garage..

How can I do this properly with a clean finish and using the right type of cord & receptacle Box..?

Has anyone done this and if so any specific list of items ( cord type, receptacle type.. ) so i can be sure it is done in a safe clean way attached to the side of my cart?

 

[mdbeck1]

I want to add/Install something like this 2 gang receptacle with extension cord
onto my HF tool chest..

I am no electrician so I am hesitant to just cut the end off of and extension cord and hard wire to a 2 or 4 gang receptacle.. Not sure of the proper cord for draw/Amps.

I will be using the cord to power things like

• shop Vac,
• small air pumps,
• cordless drill battery chargers,
• laptop or chrome book,
• heat gun/ blow dryer

I want to add a 2 or 4 gang receptacle to my cart with an extension /male plug that I can simply plug into an existing 120 receptacle in my garage..

How can I do this properly with a clean finish and using the right type of cord & receptacle Box..?

Has anyone done this and if so any specific list of items ( cord type, receptacle type.. ) so i can be sure it is done in a safe clean way attached to the side of my cart?

I'm not a sparky (electrician) either. Just a guy that's been around this stuff some. Grab you a multi outlet power bar from your store of choice. Make sure it's got a breaker on it. Tie it to the leg with a couple of zip ties and toss a 25 foot extension cord on top. You'll be good to go. The highest wattage thing on your list is the heat gun. I'd be willing to guess it's only about 1000 Watts. As long as you aren't running too long of a distance you should be fine.

If the distance gets longer get heavier wire. In wire terms the lower the number the better the extension cord.

 

[mdbeck1]

I want to add/Install something like this 2 gang receptacle with extension cord
onto my HF tool chest..

I am no electrician so I am hesitant to just cut the end off of and extension cord and hard wire to a 2 or 4 gang receptacle.. Not sure of the proper cord for draw/Amps.

I will be using the cord to power things like

• shop Vac,
• small air pumps,
• cordless drill battery chargers,
• laptop or chrome book,
• heat gun/ blow dryer

I want to add a 2 or 4 gang receptacle to my cart with an extension /male plug that I can simply plug into an existing 120 receptacle in my garage..

How can I do this properly with a clean finish and using the right type of cord & receptacle Box..?

Has anyone done this and if so any specific list of items ( cord type, receptacle type.. ) so i can be sure it is done in a safe clean way attached to the side of my cart?

I reread your question a little while after I posted the first response and felt kinda bad. Somewhere on this site there was a guy that was building a backstage rolling toolbox. He put several plug ins into the unit and then put in a cheap electrical cord box that was spring loaded. That's probably what you had in mind. Let's see.... to do what you are describing would take a plastic four banger box, two plugs, and an extension cord.

 

[Bob Heine]

I want to add a 2 or 4 gang receptacle to my cart with an extension /male plug that I can simply plug into an existing 120 receptacle in my garage..

How can I do this properly with a clean finish and using the right type of cord & receptacle Box..?

Has anyone done this and if so any specific list of items ( cord type, receptacle type.. ) so i can be sure it is done in a safe clean way attached to the side of my cart?

I put a couple of 2-foot fluorescent lights on a switch and a duplex outlet on my single drawer HF cart. The cable is bulk 12/3 but could have been an extension cord just using the plug end. The boxes are shallow steel with steel covers and have 1/2-inch knockouts with cable clamps. If this is the kind of thing you are interested in I can provide a parts list. Everything was sourced at Home Depot or Lowe's.

 

[FMC1959]

I want to add/Install something like this 2 gang receptacle with extension cord
onto my HF tool chest..

I am no electrician so I am hesitant to just cut the end off of and extension cord and hard wire to a 2 or 4 gang receptacle.. Not sure of the proper cord for draw/Amps.

I will be using the cord to power things like

• shop Vac,
• small air pumps,
• cordless drill battery chargers,
• laptop or chrome book,
• heat gun/ blow dryer

I want to add a 2 or 4 gang receptacle to my cart with an extension /male plug that I can simply plug into an existing 120 receptacle in my garage..

How can I do this properly with a clean finish and using the right type of cord & receptacle Box..?

Has anyone done this and if so any specific list of items ( cord type, receptacle type.. ) so i can be sure it is done in a safe clean way attached to the side of my cart?

Your male extension carries power, illegal in just about any part of the world... and dangerous

EDIT, on your cart to plug into a receptacle would be OK, a 14 gauge wire would be good for anything 15 amp. On your pic it looks like a receptacle coming from a wall, with a male end wire coming from it...definite no-no.

 

[stonesg]

Your male extension carries power, illegal in just about any part of the world... and dangerous

EDIT, on your cart to plug into a receptacle would be OK, a 14 gauge wire would be good for anything 15 amp. On your pic it looks like a receptacle coming from a wall, with a male end wire coming from it...definite no-no.

I think what he was saying was that you could use an extension cord with a plug already attached vs. bulk cable that you'd have to wire a plug on. IOW cutting the female end and wiring it into the receptacle box.

I suspect with the proper box connector it'd be legit as long as you sized the cable correctly.

TG

 

[FMC1959]

I think what he was saying was that you could use an extension cord with a plug already attached vs. bulk cable that you'd have to wire a plug on. IOW cutting the female end and wiring it into the receptacle box.

I suspect with the proper box connector it'd be legit as long as you sized the cable correctly.

TG

Yes, I caught that after the fact, something like Bob Heine did. I originally saw the link he had, this one
http://cdn.instructables.com/FSG/0W4I/H78T8O2M/FSG0W4IH78T8O2M.MEDIUM.jpg

I thought this was on a wall (connected), rather than what looks like just lying on the floor

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

I think what he was saying was that you could use an extension cord with a plug already attached vs. bulk cable that you'd have to wire a plug on. IOW cutting the female end and wiring it into the receptacle box.

I suspect with the proper box connector it'd be legit as long as you sized the cable correctly.

TG

Yes thank you for all the replies ......

that is what I plan on doing/using
25-ft-12/3-Extension-Cord
2-Gang-21-cu-in-Square-Wall-Box ,
15-Amp/125v Duplex Outlet-
15-20-Amp-Single-Pole lighted Switch

In reading up on this here is my basic understanding on how to wire this

• wire the BLACK Hot to the Gold on the Switch
• use a Black Hot jumper from switch to receptacle.
• White wire to silver on Duplex Receptacle
• bare copper Ground jumper to join the ground connections..

I would mount box on side of cart using self tapping screws..

Are these Items a right for what I am doing.. should I use 15 vs 20 AMP duplex? is there a reason NOT to use 20 amp?

I will not be running a lot of heavy high draw tools through this but I like to have the option of higher AMP IF Needed...

if my garage receptiocal on the wall is 120 would a 20 Amp duplex still work