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

[CarsonConcepts]

I personally don't, but this thread has some ideas for making holders out of PVC. Could bolt it the side or back depending on what you prefer.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=175913

 

[cliftonbros89]

Any one have their grease gun on their cart and how?

I have one posted in the thread that CarsonConcepts posted here.


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[pstemari]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3989999&postcount=1056

Gotta ask, why do you have a rusty putter on the back of the cart??

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[PelicanPines]

Gotta ask, why do you have a rusty putter on the back of the cart??

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To retrieve the tool that bounces off my toe into Narnia ... under where ever it rolled to.

There is also a machete there now... used to discuss why I don't like the dirt bikers using my side acre as a cut thru.

 

[dsgreen3]

The hook type will work fine as the other poster stated. I did that mod to mine and it worked out great. It's back there soimewhere in this thread. I decided that I would put some ATP on the shelf and I also put some door edge guard around the edges to keep the shelf from banging on the cart when it's in the trailer. It's worked out great.

how does the red shelf match up to the red of the tool cart?

 

[winlinmac]

Does anyone know if these drawers are compatible with the 5-Drawer Cart?

 

[dodge610]

Not sure what you mean by compatible. But a few other members have put one on the side of the 5 drawer cart. One guy put wheels on the side box after mounting it to the cart to make it a little more stable.

 

[by921]

Does anyone know if these drawers are compatible with the 5-Drawer Cart?

In a way yes, you can just hook it to the side but it tips easy.
This is a better way to do it


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[winlinmac]

Now that's awesome. Has this side drawer item ever gone on sale (coupon, discounted price, parking lot price, Black Friday price? etc)
$189 is a bit too steep

I wonder how sturdy it is when setting it on the floor

Also, how did you hook to the side? Were those parts included or purchased separately at the hardware store? Thanks again

In a way yes, you can just hook it to the side but it tips easy.
This is a better way to do it


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[PelicanPines]

Parts and skills needed are extra. If you read this thread it goes into the needed modifications.

Price... yes it goes on sale but it's well worth it at that price you mentioned.

You have been around a while... guess you forgot the answers to your questions.

 

[velillen01]

Any one have their grease gun on their cart and how?

I do. I just got some PVC, cut to length, and bolted it to the spray can tray. I capped the bottom so any leaks wouldn't go on the floor.

id upload a photo but the computer is being silly. im sure I posted the pic here but it was a few months ago

 

[PelicanPines]

I do. I just got some PVC, cut to length, and bolted it to the spray can tray. I capped the bottom so any leaks wouldn't go on the floor.

id upload a photo but the computer is being silly. im sure I posted the pic here but it was a few months ago

I attached a length of pvc to the front of each forward legs to store oversized striking screwdrivers. Fab'ed it... now I will paint it. Pictures soon.

Needed to offset the pvc... wait till you see how I did it... kind of a hack... but it works.

 

[dsgreen3]

can't wait to see pictures.

 

[PelicanPines]

I attached a length of pvc to the front of each forward legs to store oversized striking screwdrivers. Fab'ed it... now I will paint it. Pictures soon.

Needed to offset the pvc... wait till you see how I did it... kind of a hack... but it works.

can't wait to see pictures.

Ok... I got those 2 striking screwdrivers... 18+ inches long... wanted to hang them on the cart... thought of the PVC idea... but it needed to be kicked away from the cart a bit... thumbed through my scrap **** and found nothing...

then those electrical box ceiling light straps popped into my head... the rest is history.

Still deciding what color to paint the PVC... Looking for a contrast...

 

[ndnchf]

I'm still amazed that this thread that I started nearly 5 years ago is still going strong. I check it now and then, but admit that I've not kept up on everything.

This leads me to a question about the 7 drawer add-on cabinet mentioned above. Has anyone added wheels to one for use as a stand alone cabinet? If so, what wheels did you use and was it difficult to add them? I'm in need of more tooling storage for my metal lathe, and have a location that this cabinet would just fit into. So I'm thinking about getting one.
Thanks!
Steve

 

[cheechi]

I have put the 7 drawer on the smallest/cheapest (don't remember the dimensions) of the HF movers dollys before. I plan to build a real frame for it and do exactly that, but for now it is not portable. HTH

 

[ndnchf]

The HF store is only a mile away, so stopped in to look over the 7 drawer box. I was impressed, it seems very well made. I also looked at wheels. I can get 4 suitable wheels for $15-20. I'm not in a big hurry, so i'll wait a while and see if it goes on sale for better than $189.

 

[1 Grumpy Old Tech]

I added the cordless impact holder from Killer Tool Co. Right now I am just using the magnets but it can be bolted on .

 

[Dubree]

I'm still amazed that this thread that I started nearly 5 years ago is still going strong. I check it now and then, but admit that I've not kept up on everything.

This leads me to a question about the 7 drawer add-on cabinet mentioned above. Has anyone added wheels to one for use as a stand alone cabinet? If so, what wheels did you use and was it difficult to add them? I'm in need of more tooling storage for my metal lathe, and have a location that this cabinet would just fit into. So I'm thinking about getting one.
Thanks!
Steve

God bless you!

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[cheechi]

One of those dollys has 4 wheels for prob $8 with a coupon. Unless you need different size the dolly wheels are basically as good quality as the singles they sell.

Someone here put me on to that idea. If you need a set of casters buy the dolly, harvest the casters, spend half the money. Only downside is they are 4 non locking swivels. I forget who to give appropriate credit.

 

[ndnchf]

One of those dollys has 4 wheels for prob $8 with a coupon. Unless you need different size the dolly wheels are basically as good quality as the singles they sell.

Someone here put me on to that idea. If you need a set of casters buy the dolly, harvest the casters, spend half the money. Only downside is they are 4 non locking swivels. I forget who to give appropriate credit.

Good idea. A set of locking castors would be nice, but my shop floor is pretty level, so I think I can use the regular ones - thanks!

 

[cheechi]

Glad I could help. GJ is full of great ideas.

 

[mike93lx]

One of those dollys has 4 wheels for prob $8 with a coupon. Unless you need different size the dolly wheels are basically as good quality as the singles they sell.

Someone here put me on to that idea. If you need a set of casters buy the dolly, harvest the casters, spend half the money. Only downside is they are 4 non locking swivels. I forget who to give appropriate credit.

On top of that, you also end up with 4 decent pieces of hardwood for other projects.

 

[mbshop]

I found that I needed a tool cart. so decided on the 4 drawer on sale. after waiting a while till they got some in I got one. got it home and opened it up. I immediately got this
mixed feelings of being ticked off and just general sadness. the box was an older model.
its the one with the metal drawer locks and no screwdriver holes in the cross braces.
my question is from ya'll experienced gents is between the newer and older versions are there really a preferred version ? hate to haul this one back and not sure this will just bug me till I shoot it. thanks,

 

[PelicanPines]

I found that I needed a tool cart. so decided on the 4 drawer on sale. after waiting a while till they got some in I got one. got it home and opened it up. I immediately got this
mixed feelings of being ticked off and just general sadness. the box was an older model.
its the one with the metal drawer locks and no screwdriver holes in the cross braces.
my question is from ya'll experienced gents is between the newer and older versions are there really a preferred version ? hate to haul this one back and not sure this will just bug me till I shoot it. thanks,

Got a picture?... never saw that version.

 

[archirelic]

I found that I needed a tool cart. so decided on the 4 drawer on sale. after waiting a while till they got some in I got one. got it home and opened it up. I immediately got this
mixed feelings of being ticked off and just general sadness. the box was an older model.
its the one with the metal drawer locks and no screwdriver holes in the cross braces.
my question is from ya'll experienced gents is between the newer and older versions are there really a preferred version ? hate to haul this one back and not sure this will just bug me till I shoot it. thanks,

If you're having reservations about it at all, I'd recommend taking it back and picking up the red 5 drawer unit. Built much more "heavy-duty" than the comparable black unit.

 

[mbshop]

if you look at post #5 you will see the steel type lid/drawer lock.

as to the red one, I'm in a wheelchair so its a bit to big and tall. plus it just does
nothing for me.

 

[PelicanPines]

if you look at post #5 you will see the steel type lid/drawer lock.

as to the red one, I'm in a wheelchair so its a bit to big and tall. plus it just does
nothing for me.

Didn't know there was a newer 4 drawer... that's the only 4 drawer, post #5, I knew about.

 

[mbshop]

If you look up some you tube videos you will see some differances. One is the drawer locks are plastic. The other is that the cross braces are drilled with holes for screwdrivers and extensions.

 

[PelicanPines]

If you look up some you tube videos you will see some differances. One is the drawer locks are plastic. The other is that the cross braces are drilled with holes for screwdrivers and extensions.

I'd be glad then... metal locking mechanism sounds better... sad about the screwdriver issue... there are options you can add that may accommodate.

Good luck with whichever direction you go.

Height is an issue for me as well. At this time my arms are unable to raise above my neck... two severely torn rotator cuffs...

Would love to see how you load your cart...

 

[mbshop]

Yea, came to the decision last night to keep it. I will call hf and chew them out though. One mod would be to install pegboard on one side so that would eliminate using one side anyway. So thanks guys, sometimes talking it out helps the thought process.

 

[mbshop]

ok, the last of it for me on this particular issue. called hf and talked to the manager and explained my displeasure though i was still going to keep it. he proceeded to explain to me that they have 3-4 manufacturers that make that box. thus the different part numbers on the cart. those manufacturers make them a tad different and the stores just get what they get. so that explains a lot. but he said he understood my disappointment and then offered me 20% off the receipt for the toolbox when i came in next time. he also offered an extra 20 % off anything else i bought at that visit ! thats not one item but the total purchase. shoot, can't complain about that. so i got my smile back on and hitting the fliers for those tools i might need one of these days. for sure a side shelf would be nice if they get them in. thanks for listening guys,

 

[mbshop]

well, got it together today. my son did all the work. I first lubed the wheels before assembly. then went at it. took a while but the process went well and there were no issues. everything lined up and the drawers are functioning properly. contrary to what I have read, there were no nuts, bolts or washers left over. also an interesting bit, the key for the hf cart is identical looking to the key of my mac cart that I got over 10 years ago. so now I'm a very happy camper !

 

[winlinmac]

If HF was an eBay seller, I'd be filing a Item Not As Described case on eBay's resolution center.

These minor differences actually make a big deal in the long run. Plastic vs. Metal? Both have its pros and cons. Also, the newer item numbers feel flimsier compared to the original item # / SKU's (floor display models)

The prices after coupon sounds about right

If you look up some you tube videos you will see some differances. One is the drawer locks are plastic. The other is that the cross braces are drilled with holes for screwdrivers and extensions.

 

[mbshop]

i have changed my plans a bit. i will use my mac 1 drawer as my main use cart with the hf4 cart as my tool storage for tools i need quick access to but not the ones i need hourly. the hf4 still fits my needs perfectly as i need to easily move things around.
and yea, the screwdriver part is basically useless unless modded. probably use it for some sort of storage area instead. was planning on putting some attachments on but as i'm retired i just don't need to go that far. if i do need something i will probably use some sort of tracking shelf stuff so i can easily add and take off whatever quickly. but then there is always tomorrow ! still reading posts so not done with all your excellent ideas yet.

 

[mbshop]

for those interested i just got an email with coupons from hf. they have the red cart for $159.99.

 

[kball]

A co-worker recently had his 5 drawer cart struts fail. He got these as replacements and they work great. Same size as originals and they lift the lid no problem, not just hold it open like the original struts.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018C85VK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mrmontebuilder]

Just ordered my Snap-On hinge set finally. I have 40 wrenches on magnetic strips on the lid and it was too much for the struts finally and they won't hold it open now. Once the hinges arrive I can keep going with the rest of my planned mods.

 

[619DioFan]

A co-worker recently had his 5 drawer cart struts fail. He got these as replacements and they work great. Same size as originals and they lift the lid no problem, not just hold it open like the original struts.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018C85VK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those are the ones I got to replace the HF struts when they failed on my cart. these ones are far stronger and seem to hold the lid open a little higher.

 

[Snakebyt]

great thread, im going to have to steal some ideas