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

[ndnchf]

I stopped by the local HF store the other day. For the first time they had all the new color tool carts on display. Wow, they really were beautiful. When I started this thread back in 2012, I never imagined they would be so popular and that HF would expand the line as they have. If I didn't already have my original red cart, I'd buy one of those green ones in a heartbeat

 

[Welderguy24]

Just picked this up, now to start scoping out all the mods i want to perform.

FYI for those curious, the green is a pretty good match to Snap-On Extreme Green.

 

[Pontiac787]

The Blue side trays are finally in my local store.
Got mine today.

I put mine on yesterday. I’m really glad the color matches perfectly. Having bought the blue cart a few months back, before the trays were available, I was afraid the color may have been off slightly.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I went down to get the blue large cart with the $169 coupon along with the coupon on the side tray that expires today, and realized that the open space on top where I put my socket rails is actually about 3/4” narrower than my existing 4 drawer model and my socket rails wouldn’t fit. The drawers are also narrower than the 4 drawer cart as well. I left really bummed without a new blue cart. I love the color, but it turns out that my old black 4 drawer black cart still fits my needs better. Chris

 

[dodge610]

Just picked this up, now to start scoping out all the mods i want to perform.

FYI for those curious, the green is a pretty good match to Snap-On Extreme Green.

I need to get myself one of those green carts that green is awesome.

 

[jon72vega]

I put mine on yesterday. I’m really glad the color matches perfectly. Having bought the blue cart a few months back, before the trays were available, I was afraid the color may have been off slightly.

Pontiac787,
Here's mine installed.
I cut a piece of vinyl carpet runner that I got from Lowes and glued it on to serve as a mat.

 

[Pontiac787]

Pontiac787,
Here's mine installed.
I cut a piece of vinyl carpet runner that I got from Lowes and glued it on to serve as a mat.

I was planning on using a piece of drawer liner but the vinyl looks more durable.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Pontiac787,
Here's mine installed.
I cut a piece of vinyl carpet runner that I got from Lowes and glued it on to serve as a mat.

That is a great looking box!!!!! No mods are necessary! Chris

 

[DFB]

Pontiac787,
Here's mine installed.
I cut a piece of vinyl carpet runner that I got from Lowes and glued it on to serve as a mat.

I did the same with my new 2 drawer service cart, rubber runner. Width is just about perfect. We had almost 50 feet of runner at the orchard packing house to protect the floor when it got too dirty my boss told me to rip it out, throw it away and go get new stuff. Shoot I kept the old stuff A little Ruglyde cleaned it up nicely

What glue did you use? I have a can of DAPWeldwood spray adhesive

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Come one come all. Get ch'er rubber grommet kits right here.



I found these. Good idea on using them in the side holes. Less clanging.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079NG9F4G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jon72vega]

I did the same with my new 2 drawer service cart, rubber runner. Width is just about perfect. We had almost 50 feet of runner at the orchard packing house to protect the floor when it got too dirty my boss told me to rip it out, throw it away and go get new stuff. Shoot I kept the old stuff A little Ruglyde cleaned it up nicely

What glue did you use? I have a can of DAPWeldwood spray adhesive

DFB,
I used this contact cement, and brushed it on.

 

[Hammer1963]

Here is a few upgrades for my Harbor Freight tool cart. I wanted something that would be eye catching!!! I have a couple mods yet to do. Enjoy!!!

The cart looks great! what did you use for the black corner guards?

 

[Mitch7c]

Anyone have the link for the cheapest 5 drawer tool cart coupon?

 

[2000-cvpi]

Anyone have the link for the cheapest 5 drawer tool cart coupon?

Google “harbor freight coupon database”. Once there you will find every current coupon price and a coupon you can have scanned on your phone. Bob’s your uncle.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Google “harbor freight coupon database”. Once there you will find every current coupon price and a coupon you can have scanned on your phone. Bob’s your uncle.

Bob is my uncle. How did you know?

 

[terence3]

The additions this week is the orange side tray which I had to cut the bumper guards to fit properly, the power supply with USB ports & USB lights which I've yet to figure out where I want them to be placed? Next to my HF cart is my big box from Husky!!!!! My next task is matching the wood on my Husky box to my HF cart!!!!

#pimpmytoolcart

 

[Tp2177]

The additions this week is the orange side tray which I had to cut the bumper guards to fit properly, the power supply with USB ports & USB lights which I've yet to figure out where I want them to be placed? Next to my HF cart is my big box from Husky!!!!! My next task is matching the wood on my Husky box to my HF cart!!!!



#pimpmytoolcart

Where did you find the power strip if you don’t mind? Most that I have tried wouldn’t fit through the screw driver hole.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[4Kings]

The additions this week is the orange side tray which I had to cut the bumper guards to fit properly, the power supply with USB ports & USB lights which I've yet to figure out where I want them to be placed? Next to my HF cart is my big box from Husky!!!!! My next task is matching the wood on my Husky box to my HF cart!!!!

#pimpmytoolcart

Where did you get the bumpers

 

[thr3squared]

The additions this week is the orange side tray which I had to cut the bumper guards to fit properly, the power supply with USB ports & USB lights which I've yet to figure out where I want them to be placed? Next to my HF cart is my big box from Husky!!!!! My next task is matching the wood on my Husky box to my HF cart!!!!

#pimpmytoolcart

Nice modifications! I like all the trim/grommets/blacked-out hardware and drawer pulls. Mind if I ask what kind of trim you used?

 

[fartymarty]

Nice modifications! I like all the trim/grommets/blacked-out hardware and drawer pulls. Mind if I ask what kind of trim you used?

I'll again second the good work and nice looks comments.

I'm guessing that the trim is something like this stuff? (click photo for link)


But yes, it would be nice to know exactly what the trim is; and the bumper guard material is; since we know it obviously works very well with this cabinet, it would save many of us the experimentation risk.

Terence?

(he's gonna say "it was just some stuff I had laying around the shop"...I just know it. )

 

[2barevo]

If I had to guess the bumper guards are these:

https://store.snapon.com/PARTS-Bumpers-P666825.aspx

Realtoolreviews on YouTube used the same on his HF tool cart review.

I'll again second the good work and nice looks comments.

I'm guessing that the trim is something like this stuff? (click photo for link)


But yes, it would be nice to know exactly what the trim is; and the bumper guard material is; since we know it obviously works very well with this cabinet, it would save many of us the experimentation risk. [emoji106]

Terence?

(he's gonna say "it was just some stuff I had laying around the shop"...I just know it. [emoji38]_hitti )

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

 

[photok]

Link to the rings for the holes on side of top? That’s exactly what I need. Box looks great!

Look no further than a couple of isles away from the tool cart.

https://www.harborfreight.com/180-piece-harness-grommet-set-67582.html

 

[Craftfab]

Look no further than a couple of isles away from the tool cart.

https://www.harborfreight.com/180-piece-harness-grommet-set-67582.html

Thank you! Will grab those this week.

 

[DFB]

Just google up rubber corner bumpers and you can find all types, in various widths and lengths adhesive backed etc. even come in different color choices

 

[Loose Ctrl]

I'll again second the good work and nice looks comments.

I'm guessing that the trim is something like this stuff? (click photo for link)


But yes, it would be nice to know exactly what the trim is; and the bumper guard material is; since we know it obviously works very well with this cabinet, it would save many of us the experimentation risk.

Terence?

When I was in auto upholstery we called this trim windlace.

 

[fartymarty]

If I had to guess the bumper guards are these:

https://store.snapon.com/PARTS-Bumpers-P666825.aspx

Realtoolreviews on YouTube used the same on his HF tool cart review.

Thanks toobare'! Very helpful! I've ordered those, I think..seem to be a back ordered item...probably because the rest of you beat me to it?

 

[terence3]

Where did you find the power strip if you don’t mind? Most that I have tried wouldn’t fit through the screw driver hole.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I found the power strip @ Lowes for 5.99 & had to take it apart and re-solder the connections. The bumpers were found on the Snap-On website for 30 bucks, had to cut the bumpers for the side tray to fit properly. BTW, the SO website will tell you they are back-ordered for some odd reason. I also placed a couple magnets from HF inside of the cart tray to stop it from banging against the side off the cart while in motion. LOL, the edge guard was something I had just laying around & decided to put it in use....LOL It will keep you deck lid really snug & tight fitting. The Sony bluetooth speaker was also taken apart & secured to the cart... Next up the wood deck lid & tool placement...

 

[isuhunter]

My lid cylinders are extremely weak - what do you guys use to replace them?

 

[PelicanPines]

I'll again second the good work and nice looks comments.

I'm guessing that the trim is something like this stuff? (click photo for link)


But yes, it would be nice to know exactly what the trim is; and the bumper guard material is; since we know it obviously works very well with this cabinet, it would save many of us the experimentation risk.

Terence?

(he's gonna say "it was just some stuff I had laying around the shop"...I just know it. )

I did the exact same modifications... I used grommets I ordered to size... the door trim was what I had left over from doing my wifes Subaru.

 

[TEKWRX]

I was all set to buy the 4-drawer version tonight, but of course my local HF was out of stock. The only near by store that shows a few in stock is over an hour away. The guy said they should get more on Jan 11 for the sidewalk sale (this cart is featured in the flyer), but they may come in sooner. I was just gonna order it online and pay the shipping charge, but when I put in the coupon code (the $85 one), the price only went down to $108. What gives? Are the coupons for online orders different? So I guess I'm waiting for it...

Besides the slightly smaller size, is the 4-drawer as good as the 5-drawer? It's less than half the price and the smaller size will suite me because I don't have a garage. But if it's junk, I will look at other options

 

[Loose Ctrl]

My lid cylinders are extremely weak - what do you guys use to replace them?

Snap on lid support.



https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7143281&highlight=snap#post7143281

 

[jakemac]

Besides the slightly smaller size, is the 4-drawer as good as the 5-drawer? It's less than half the price and the smaller size will suite me because I don't have a garage. But if it's junk, I will look at other options

It’s not junk, but it is made of lighter materials than the 5-drawer.
If you don’t overload it, it should be fine. Although, if you’re going to be rolling it over a rough surface or over a door sill to get it in and out, you may want to get stronger castors and beef up the mounts.

 

[excursion1141]

HF in St. George honored my $85 coupon for the 4 Drawer cart yesterday. The coupon scanned at $108 and after the cashier looked at the coupon, he overrode the total to $85. I hope this info benefits others.

 

[Shadowdog500]

HF in St. George honored my $85 coupon for the 4 Drawer cart yesterday. The coupon scanned at $108 and after the cashier looked at the coupon, he overrode the total to $85. I hope this info benefits others.

Sounds like a great score!

I see this is your first post, welcome to the forum!

 

[smokeyburb]

HF in St. George honored my $85 coupon for the 4 Drawer cart yesterday. The coupon scanned at $108 and after the cashier looked at the coupon, he overrode the total to $85. I hope this info benefits others.

Welcome to the madness.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[excursion1141]

Thanks for the welcome. I'm looking forward to modding this 4 drawer to keep my mind off the the orange 5 drawer that's flirting with me.

 

[DFB]

Man I have the new black cart with the one large drawer two shelves absolutely loaded with ALL my sockets, chrome and all impacts SAE AND METRIC from 1/4" to 1/2" standards and deep plus breaker bars, ratchets, extension and even a few cordless impact tools. Rolls around easily in my garage. Extremely solid...and really a surprising quality for something that only cost me $75 with coupon. The glossy black paint finish on the closed lid under a bright shoplight leaves a little to be desired but generally the lid is up and along with the rubber mat mounted when it down never even notice it.

Be awesome if they did a unit like this with several more large drawers all the way down.

 

[MushCreek]

I'm starting to accessorize my yellow 5 drawer. I wanted to 'de-chrome' it, so I took off the chrome drawer strips, and replaced them with black fender trim from the parts store. I realized too late that you can just turn the chrome ones around for black trim. I think I'm going to put black trim around the lid, too. I put grommets in the screwdriver holes, but it makes my Wright screwdrivers just a little too tall, so I had to remove most of them. Now I need to start adding vintage-type stickers to decorate it.

 

[Kent_B]

I have the older 4 drawer black cart. It has worked out well for me, have found no strength problem so far. I have loaded it with my SAE stuff and use it on my tractor.

 

[Slinger646]

Has anyone experienced leveling problems when replacing the fixed casters wth the HF swiveling one’s?

I’m guessing a washer is in order?