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

[Crazyjake8493]

I was looking at this pegboard online: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-1-Piece-Steel-Pegboard-Actual-16-in-x-16-in/50220687

The pic shows the mounting holes on the edges, and at 16" wide, this works for the 4-drawer cart. But the reviews say the mounting holes are 12" apart. Did you have to run some flat bar or similar material between the cart's uprights in order to mount the pegboard, or did you bypass the mounting holes and secure the pegboard to the cart's uprights?

Edit: I think I figured it out - those holes along the edges aren't mounting holes, they are meant to secure adjacent panels to one another so that pegboard hole spacing is continuous across panels. The actual mounting holes are a couple of inches in from the edge. So for attaching to the cart's uprights, probably easiest to use one of the pegboard holes along the edge (enlarging as necessary for fastener to be used).

That's correct. I'd have to look at mine, but if I remember right I cut those tabs off and drilled holes in the cart uprights to line up with 4 holes of the pegboard, and used a 1/4-20 machine screw and nut to attach them. I had bought a piece of 16x16" steel pegboard from Lowes and a 16x16 plastic piece from HD, and put one on each side of the bottom of the cart.

 

[stickshift]

That's correct. I'd have to look at mine, but if I remember right I cut those tabs off and drilled holes in the cart uprights to line up with 4 holes of the pegboard, and used a 1/4-20 machine screw and nut to attach them. I had bought a piece of 16x16" steel pegboard from Lowes and a 16x16 plastic piece from HD, and put one on each side of the bottom of the cart.

I might get 3 of those steel pegboards - 2 for the side bottoms, and cut one to fit side top (on side of handle). That third piece will also serve to hide the long-handled prybar/screwdriver storage mod.

 

[Muggzy]

The handles were salvaged from a cheap grill that was getting tossed out. They were about the only thing that didn't rust [emoji16] the locking pliers rack is made from a piece of 1 1/2" angle. I welded a piece of 3/16 rod to the edge to give it a lip so the pliers don't fall off. I then drilled varying sized holes down the length and turned them into slots with my angle grinder.
The mag wrench holders are just the ones from HF with yellow duct tape wrapped around 'em to keep the wrenches from slipping down.

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[phule]

I like the plier rack!

 

[JMLangford]

I bought some 4 1/2" diameter swivel/total locking casters at a flea market a couple of week ago and cleaned them up and mounted them on my 5 drawer cart....


The mounting base was half the size of the HF ones, but I drilled new holes....


Now my cart glides across the shop floor like it's on ice


.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

I bought some 4 1/2" diameter swivel/total locking casters at a flea market a couple of week ago and cleaned them up and mounted them on my 5 drawer cart....


The mounting base was half the size of the HF ones, but I drilled new holes....


Now my cart glides across the shop floor like it's on ice


.

Nice, they look like they would roll better than the OE casters.

 

[Tp2177]

I'm sure someone has done this before, but used one of my free/super cheap (can't remember) 18 inch magnetic strips on my 5 drawer today. Just drilled out the holes bigger to accept the already made holes.



May add my other strip at the bottom. Not sure yet.


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[Muggzy]

Thanks!

I like the plier rack!

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[N2 Many Projects]

Some good ideas in here.

 

[VC455]

I mounted those same magnets behind that panel, so they basically grab the screwdrivers from underneath.
Keeps them from rattling around and or falling through.

[QUOTE=Tp2177;7464269]I'm sure someone has done this before, but used one of my free/super cheap (can't remember) 18 inch magnetic strips on my 5 drawer today. Just drilled out the holes bigger to accept the already made holes.



May add my other strip at the bottom. Not sure yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro[/QUOTE]

 

[BAGN1T]

Great idea!

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[winlinmac]

Clever, especially when rolling in the shop. I like the 4-drawer cart more than the 5-drawer cart, especially for what its worth. HF themselves can't even assemble the 5-drawer cart properly, always appears wavy from an angle; the only good aspect is the depth of storage, and that I can stand deep sockets up-right. I had to use a punch-tool for aligning one of the holes on the 5-drawer cart when assembling mind. Always feels like its leaning on one side now, probably unleveled floor

I mounted those same magnets behind that panel, so they basically grab the screwdrivers from underneath.
Keeps them from rattling around and or falling through.

[QUOTE=Tp2177;7464269]I'm sure someone has done this before, but used one of my free/super cheap (can't remember) 18 inch magnetic strips on my 5 drawer today. Just drilled out the holes bigger to accept the already made holes.



May add my other strip at the bottom. Not sure yet.


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[/QUOTE]

 

[Tp2177]

I mounted those same magnets behind that panel, so they basically grab the screwdrivers from underneath.

Keeps them from rattling around and or falling through.



[QUOTE=Tp2177;7464269]I'm sure someone has done this before, but used one of my free/super cheap (can't remember) 18 inch magnetic strips on my 5 drawer today. Just drilled out the holes bigger to accept the already made holes.







May add my other strip at the bottom. Not sure yet.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[/QUOTE]



That’s a good idea. My box rarely moves but when it does. I’m usually doing brakes or something like that on a vehicle. Wanted to have a “frequently used” spot I could just stick it to then can organize after I get done working m


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[Davis2088]

I made my own drawer organizers ($3 each drawer with supplies from Michael's.) Installed the magnetic strips on the side and front of the box. Also painted the drawer handles bronze and added an LED strip to the lip of the lid. It's powered by a 9V battery secured with magnets.

 

[wirelessmodz]

Yoga mat on Amazon different colors and thickness $20. Get you a 24in x 72in roll

 

[JuliusPepperwood]

Has anyone thought about putting strong magnets on the cart to be able to stick it to a tool chest so u can roll them around connected

 

[mbshop]

Is it just me or has the price of the 4 drawer cart gone up ? Seems the best prices at super discount is now 109.00 . It is all I have seen, no more 99.00 prices.

 

[WWheeler]

Has anyone thought about putting strong magnets on the cart to be able to stick it to a tool chest so u can roll them around connected

To do something like this you would want to have a cart with all 4 wheels that turn or the two that don't will be skidding sideways when turning. They'd need to be some strong magnets and it probably wouldn't be benign to a painted finish where they meet.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Is it just me or has the price of the 4 drawer cart gone up ? Seems the best prices at super discount is now 109.00 . It is all I have seen, no more 99.00 prices.

Looks like it now comes with a side shelf and gas struts for the lid, which is probably worth the extra $10 since the shelf is about $20 alone.

 

[FigureItOut]

Has anyone thought about putting strong magnets on the cart to be able to stick it to a tool chest so u can roll them around connected

Like Wwheeler was saying, one of the two pieces would need to have 4 swivel casters. You could put two short lengths of flat bar, bent into a narrow flat hook, at the bottom of the chest, such that you could lift one end of the cart slightly to hook it on.

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[Pontiac787]

Looks like it now comes with a side shelf and gas struts for the lid, which is probably worth the extra $10 since the shelf is about $20 alone.

The website still says that the tray is sold separately. The database has a coupon for $99 through mid December I think.

 

[PT Doc]

I just did a paint job on mine because I didn’t want the plain black. I wanted to remove those studs that prevent the rest of the doors from opening if the lid is shut. I couldn’t unbolt them for whatever reason so I just chopped them so they wouldn’t engage. I’ll also put some hdpe sheet on the lid since this will mostly be used for composites/fiberglass work.


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Homage to Pollock. Nice!

 

[Morgan44]

Hey, new guy here, and first post. I should probably check for an intro section but I just wanted to throw a pic of one the new colors for the 5 drawer carts. I’m working on getting her loaded now, only mod was the 10” pneumatic casters, but I’m sure there will be more to come.

 

[Slinger646]

Who’s doing pegboard for the 5 drawer models? I picked up the blue hawk steel pegboard from Lowe’s and I’m not happy with the amount of engineering that will have to be done to make it work.

Uline has 18x19 steel pegboard for a double saw-buck. Anyone tried that?

 

[clubairth]

First orange one I have seen. Looks good!
This flyer shows six colors but I have not seen all 6 in the store yet?
Anyone seeing them out and displayed?

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[dimichele]

Upgraded casters. These bolted right up.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NCZYYL7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Loose Ctrl]

I've only seen red and blue on display. I saw a black one being assembled in the parking lot. I overheard the buyer say to his friend that he wanted to be sure this one was able to be assembled right. He seemed a bit agitated. I avoided any Q&A with him.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Upgraded casters. These bolted right up.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NCZYYL7/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Are there problems with the OE casters? Just too small? My concrete floor has a few rough places in it. Could the OE casters be susceptible to getting hung up and cause the cart to tip over?

 

[PelicanPines]

Are there problems with the OE casters? Just too small? My concrete floor has a few rough places in it. Could the OE casters be susceptible to getting hung up and cause the cart to tip over?

Four swivels are better than 2 fixed 2 swivels... In my area anyway...

Mine is overloaded and if there is ANY INCLINE it feels like it will tip.... I no longer pull it onto my driveway because of it. I have a small lip … 1/2" at the end of my garage door... going down that lip is scary... going UP the lip is too hard to try again. 1/2" doesn't sound like a lot but it is when you are trying to lift 1,000 pounds over it... even with casters.

 

[dimichele]

Are there problems with the OE casters? Just too small? My concrete floor has a few rough places in it. Could the OE casters be susceptible to getting hung up and cause the cart to tip over?

The main reason I got them was that I wanted 4 swivel casters. These are a little bigger, alot beefier, and not much more expensive than 2 more swivel casters from HF. The OE casters aren't bad and I doubt you'll have any issues with tipping.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

I see. Four casters would be better for getting around in my small workshop.

 

[PelicanPines]

I see. Four casters would be better for getting around in my small workshop.

Swivel Casters... yes

I'm old... been doing this stuff for a long time... if you don't worry about tipping... when you do tip... you will remember that day forever... specially when you get old like me.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Swivel Casters... yes

I'm old... been doing this stuff for a long time... if you don't worry about tipping... when you do tip... you will remember that day forever... specially when you get old like me.

I've dumped a few tools carts in my time. The most memorable one was when I was working on an aircraft. It was the head mechanic's box. He was also the shop owner. I was a pilot and worked for the FBO as an aviation line service tech and mechanics helper. I didn't break anything thankfully. It took Rich and me about three hours to put everything back in it's somewhat same place. I almost took out a Beechcraft wing.

 

[reddog90]

Anyone seen a blue folding side tray in stores? Not shown on the website.

I want a side tray, paper towel holder and glove dispenser as well. I like blue but I don't want a blue cart and red accessories.

 

[Slinger646]

Anyone seen a blue folding side tray in stores? Not shown on the website.

I want a side tray, paper towel holder and glove dispenser as well. I like blue but I don't want a blue cart and red accessories.

I was told today that they would be in my local shop after the first of the year. Maybe sooner in larger metro areas.

 

[reddog90]

I got a 15% off until Wednesday coupon via email today. Do they typically have a better sale for Black Friday?

 

[PelicanPines]

I got a 15% off until Wednesday coupon via email today. Do they typically have a better sale for Black Friday?

Can't use a % off coupon on tool boxes or carts.

The most common coupon is 20% off one item... but excluding above.

 

[mark883]

Can't use a % off coupon on tool boxes or carts.

The most common coupon is 20% off one item... but excluding above.

These you CAN. They are SPECIFICALLY for ANY US General Tool Storage item in stock AT stores only. Not web order.

Slightly blew my mind when I saw the email.

They also have a 15% for any generator, and other brands excluded from the 20%

Good til the 21st.

 

[mbshop]

Yup, the 15 percent coupon is one that can be applied to anything.

 

[reddog90]

I currently have a coupon in a drawer for the 5 drawer cart for $189, good till sometime in February 2019. I also have a 20% off anything coupon at home that excludes carts, cabinets, and chests among other things. The email I mentioned specifically pictured the 5 drawer cart and is 15% off ($177) till 11.21.18 only. I called the store and asked about Black Friday, they told me to look up the coupon online. It lists the 44" cabinet and 4 drawer cart on sale but does not show the 5 drawer cart.

I didn't know the 15% off till wednesday coupon was for in stores only.