For those wanting to put grommets on all holes, you will need two packs of these in link above. I did it the other nice and other than needing to rearrange since the ID is now smaller with the grommets, I am pleased. Thank again photok
Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
- Start date
For those wanting to put grommets on all holes, you will need two packs of these in link above. I did it the other nice and other than needing to rearrange since the ID is now smaller with the grommets, I am pleased. Thank again photok
excursion1141
Member
I was looking at the 5 drawer carts today. Sad to find that the red and black carts use a heavier gauge metal for the box than the blue, orange, yellow and green carts. I was going to put off this purchase for a while, but I want to grab one with the heavier gauge while they're still available. Durability first.
www.rubberfeetwarehouse.com has some better options for the rubber grommets
archirelic
Well-known member
Where'd you see information regarding the metal gauge?
excursion1141
Member
Was looking at the 5 drawers with the manager. The top of the front panel with the lock has the metal pressed over at the top. Visually as well as by touching and running your finger at the pressing it is obvious that it's thicker. We both agreed that there was no question about it.
As for gauge, I would be guessing at 18 on the black and red, 20 on the other colors.
As for gauge, I would be guessing at 18 on the black and red, 20 on the other colors.
MushCreek
Well-known member
I just checked my new yellow 5 drawer against my old red one. The metal was the same thickness; in fact, the drawers and uprights were made of thicker material than the red one. I checked them with a micrometer. The newer carts have a better lid support so the lid goes all the way up, rather than leaning over on an angle.
excursion1141
Member
That's great to hear. I wonder what's going on? When I get down to Vegas, I'll check what they have. Maybe I'll have better luck on an orange one down there.
jakemac
Well-known member
Chances are, they have them made at different factories in China that use whatever steel they have on hand or what they think they can get away with. What you get is potluck.
taumac
Well-known member
I was at HF today and they had a new layout with all the new colored carts. They all seemed to be same thickness metal from what I saw.
MushCreek
Well-known member
That's my take on it. One week they stamp 'em out of old Chevy hoods, the next week, Fords.
Thank you for this thread. Read from the end all the way back to page 135, March 2018. I am contemplating purchasing two of the new lime green five drawer carts- one for the shop and one for home, for a little vinyl cutting equipment that we have.
excursion1141
Member
The thicker ones at my HF has less flex in the top panels. That was the first sign that made me look harder.
This is more an addition than a modification, but I added a RAM mount for an iPad on the side of my cart. My little area here is for working on my motorcycle and I can use the iPad to display repair manuals, watch repair videos, look up parts online and a host of other things.
Paul
Great idea!
Odd-job
Well-known member
Made an air tool holder on the bottom of my spray can rack to free up some drawer space.
5 pack of Milton connectors from Amazon + a trip to the hardware store for the appropriate hardware and somehow spent $40 on this. Could have bought harbor freight connectors and saved $10. Works nice though. Not sure if I copied somebody’s idea, but was inspired by the air tool display at Home Depot.
Also stuffed a husky 26 inch mid chest on the bottom for more drawer capacity and better space utilization.
5 pack of Milton connectors from Amazon + a trip to the hardware store for the appropriate hardware and somehow spent $40 on this. Could have bought harbor freight connectors and saved $10. Works nice though. Not sure if I copied somebody’s idea, but was inspired by the air tool display at Home Depot.
Also stuffed a husky 26 inch mid chest on the bottom for more drawer capacity and better space utilization.
Attachments
Slinger646
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2017
- Messages
- 213
Here’s my work in progress, used a door mat on the lid and tray held with magnets for easy removal, cleaning and replacement. Added a power outlet down low but thinking about adding another somewhere up high that includes a USB port. I ordered the door weatherstrip on the previous page to use for edge guards. I should have mitered the edges but you live and learn.
Attachments
lightning struck
Member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2012
- Messages
- 20
4Kings
Well-known member
Where did you get the bottle racks
metaldad
Well-known member
interesting thread.
i was using a food service 3 self stainless cart, but, there was not real storage. i work between 2 buildings, and was always losing stuff in the street.
hf had one helluva deal coupla months ago. bought the cheap black one.
changed out the casters, the oem seemed weak, and i didnt want one to collapse while crossing the street. with hf 5'' rubber casters.
glued some rubber sheeting to the top and shelf. using a wire shelf for wrench/plier organizing. drilled a coupla holes. bent a couple of 4'' 1/4/20's for hangers. not completely moved in yet.
where are replacement pistons available? the few links i found in this thread, aren't active.
i was using a food service 3 self stainless cart, but, there was not real storage. i work between 2 buildings, and was always losing stuff in the street.
hf had one helluva deal coupla months ago. bought the cheap black one.
changed out the casters, the oem seemed weak, and i didnt want one to collapse while crossing the street. with hf 5'' rubber casters.
glued some rubber sheeting to the top and shelf. using a wire shelf for wrench/plier organizing. drilled a coupla holes. bent a couple of 4'' 1/4/20's for hangers. not completely moved in yet.
where are replacement pistons available? the few links i found in this thread, aren't active.
Attachments
metaldad
Well-known member
i now see the bottom is buckling. i thought i should have put some steel there to strengthen it. gotta be from pushing it outside. shitcago doesnt have the best streets. and yes, i threw out the metric bolts and keepsnuts.
next project.
i like the idea of putting a intermediate chest in the bottom, OJ. obviously, you raised the box from the bottom to allow the drawers to open. what did you use?
next project.
i like the idea of putting a intermediate chest in the bottom, OJ. obviously, you raised the box from the bottom to allow the drawers to open. what did you use?
chipjumper
Well-known member
The KRBC8T9 clip and hinge set is in stock at the Snap On website for $12.15 plus tax. FREE shipping right now. I have tried to buy this kit for a couple years and it’s never in stock.
metaldad
Well-known member
thanks, chip.
what exactly is it? no pic on snap on site.
doesnt state if in stock, i didnt go thru the ordering process too far.
https://store.snapon.com/-R665649.aspx?ProductName=krbc8t9&IsPartsSearch=1
chipjumper
Well-known member
It’s the Snap On OE hinge set in lieu of the sh*tty gas tube struts the HF boxes come with. Holds the top lid open. I ordered a set today.
slowTA
Well-known member
So the snap on hinges replace the gas rods and not the piano hinge that holds the lid on.
chipjumper
Well-known member
I received a shipping confirmation from Snap On. Wow it’s been a while since I’ve browsed this forum and it’s amazing to see the amount of upgrades. I wish there was a way to consolidate just the photos at the beginning of the thread to show every single variation.
Odd-job
Well-known member
Was going to try bolting it through the top, but figured it was dead space anyways. Ended up using wood to prop it up. Had to use my planer for a precision fit. Thinking I need to wedge the sides a little now as moving a quarter inch to either side gets the intermediate chest drawers jammed up with legs. It is literally a perfect fit. Didn’t want to take any material off the legs if I can help it
lightning struck
Member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2012
- Messages
- 20
I bent them up out of abs, and then installed them with rivnuts. ABS works pretty easily with a decent heat gun.
Last edited:
TEKWRX
Well-known member
I just picked up the 4-Drawer cart today. I've been trying to get one for 3 weeks now, but they never had it in stock. They got 3 units in over the weekend, so I grabbed one. They didn't want to honer the $85 coupon at first (rang up at $108), saying that I need the whole flyer because the sale date may not have started yet. I explained that this coupon has been out for a few months and people online were getting it for that price. I eventually got a manager to override the price, and while she was doing that, the first cashier slipped me his email address and asked me to send him the coupon, LOL. I guess that price is better than whatever employee discount they get. I really wanted a 5-Drawer (in orange!), but couldn't justify the almost $100 price difference for my needs.
I need to start reading through this huge thread to get ideas on how to mod the cart, but is there anything I need to watch out for during assembly? I think I'm going to paint all the chrome/silver accents orange, so I guess I should mask and paint before putting it together?
I need to start reading through this huge thread to get ideas on how to mod the cart, but is there anything I need to watch out for during assembly? I think I'm going to paint all the chrome/silver accents orange, so I guess I should mask and paint before putting it together?
aka Larry
Well-known member
Don't tighten ANY fastener until you have it ALL together. Ask me how I know.
jakemac
Well-known member
And inspect the whole thing before you start putting it together. Open the top, pull out all the drawers. My first one had bad damage in multiple places including the drawer sides. Glad I didn't take the time to assemble then open it up to find that.
Received email from them, today until midnight 50% off everything, use code FlashSale
crazyjim30
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2017
- Messages
- 38
Considering how much I just paid McMaster Carr for a bag of 1-inch grommets...[emoji24][emoji24][emoji24]
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
metaldad
Well-known member
ConductorChris
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2017
- Messages
- 160
Came across this video of some unique upgrades to a cart:
Never mind that he spent too much on his cart.
I love the funnel buddy
Never mind that he spent too much on his cart.
I love the funnel buddy
Bryanthegreat
Well-known member
The Funnel Buddy is the best
And they appear to be out. The 2019 allocation of 12 clip and hinge sets are gone. Waiting patiently for 2020 I guess ...
And they appear to be out. The 2019 allocation of 12 clip and hinge sets are gone. Waiting patiently for 2020 I guess ...
I just ordered... When did you get out of stock notification?