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

[TEKWRX]

I got the 4-Drawer cart put together without issue. I also added the folding side tray. I was thinking about mounting a small vise to it. Is that a bad idea? I've wanted a vise for a while, but I don't have a proper work space, so I figured the side tray might be a good spot. Thoughts?

Also, what would be a better budget vise between these three? I'm sure none of them are great, but it's about all I can afford at the moment.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-swivel-vise-with-anvil-63330.html ($30 after coupon)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-4-1-2-in-Light-Duty-Bench-Vise-with-Swivel-Base-BV-HW45/205023078

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-4-5-in-Light-Duty-Workshop-Vise/1000235243

 

[Rogers954]

I just ordered... When did you get out of stock notification?

I put my order in last night and it showed that they were out, lmao I don't even have my cart yet but I figured I might as well get on a backorder since these always seem to be out and I plan to get a cart in the next month before the super coupon expires.

 

[Rogers954]

I got the 4-Drawer cart put together without issue. I also added the folding side tray. I was thinking about mounting a small vise to it. Is that a bad idea? I've wanted a vise for a while, but I don't have a proper work space, so I figured the side tray might be a good spot. Thoughts?

Also, what would be a better budget vise between these three? I'm sure none of them are great, but it's about all I can afford at the moment.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-in-swivel-vise-with-anvil-63330.html ($30 after coupon)

https://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-4-1-2-in-Light-Duty-Bench-Vise-with-Swivel-Base-BV-HW45/205023078

https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-4-5-in-Light-Duty-Workshop-Vise/1000235243

If I was working with the budget you have I would probably go this route, I have a bigger wilton and I love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00101V1S8/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new

 

[fartymarty]

I also added the folding side tray. I was thinking about mounting a small vise to it. Is that a bad idea? I've wanted a vise for a while, but I don't have a proper work space, so I figured the side tray might be a good spot. Thoughts?

Well since you asked for thoughts, and you said you were thinking of mounting it to the side tray?

If that is correct, then my thought is NO!

The only kind of vise I would even think of putting on a side tray would be the very small and light duty vacuum base type mount. If you really need a a vice like the ones you showed and it had to be mounted on the cart, then I would go with a hitch receiver mount either at the rear, or on the side of the cart opposite the folding shelf. Keep the vise and it's attached shank in the bottom of the cart until needed. With these light/medium duty vises you could probably get by with a 1 1/4" receiver instead of the bulkier 2" ones. I personally would go with a 1 1/4" receiver tube across the back of the cart that could have the vise mounted at either side as needed. You may want to reinforce the mounting location for the receiver tube on the inside of the cabinet as well, as you don't want the cabinet to start flexing and racking when you decide to really crank on something in the vise.
Just my thoughts and worth every penny of what you paid for them.

 

[arvidj]

I just ordered... When did you get out of stock notification?

Around noon on Wednesday the 9th. Used this link ... https://store.snapon.com/PARTS-Set-Clip-amp-Pin-Hinge-P665649.aspx ... added it in the cart and got this message ... * The quantity you are requesting is greater than the quantities currently available. Please read the Gift Card and Backorder Policy in the left panel of this page.

 

[fartymarty]

Around noon on Wednesday the 9th. Used this link ... https://store.snapon.com/PARTS-Set-Clip-amp-Pin-Hinge-P665649.aspx ... added it in the cart and got this message ... * The quantity you are requesting is greater than the quantities currently available. Please read the Gift Card and Backorder Policy in the left panel of this page.

I got the same thing when I ordered the SO bumper guards, but I ordered them anyway and they were here in a few (2 1/2?) weeks.

 

[StormcrowAz]

Just got my Snap On hinges last night, ordered on January 4th. I hadn't run across a good picture of these, so thought I'd drop it here for reference.

20190110_160712

 

[Catch_22]

Anyone know if HF sells just the spray can tray attachment (the one on the lower left) for these carts? I cant seem to find it online. I don't want the magnetic one, I'd like the one that comes with the cart.

 

[Slinger646]

So got my snappy hinges in. No way they will fit. They are too short. What am I missing?

 

[fartymarty]

So got my snappy hinges in. No way they will fit. They are too short. What am I missing?

I don't even have my cart yet....so take what I say here as dumb guessing...
Do you have one of the newer carts? Perhaps the mounting points have moved, I think the SO hinge mod was designed for the earlier carts that didn't open all the way?

Posts from 2012:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2105166&postcount=33

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2168718&postcount=98

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2172492&postcount=100

Sorry if I've just added noise instead of any real help. My heart was in the right place even if my head wasn't.

 

[jakemac]

So got my snappy hinges in. No way they will fit. They are too short. What am I missing?

IIRC - if you read back somewhere in the thread, you’ll find that new mounting holes will need to be drilled to get the hinge to mount and open the lid all the way. You may need to eyeball it.

 

[StormcrowAz]

IIRC - if you read back somewhere in the thread, you’ll find that new mounting holes will need to be drilled to get the hinge to mount and open the lid all the way. You may need to eyeball it.

Check out Post # 33, 98, & 100

 

[fartymarty]

Check out Post # 33, 98, & 100

I guess the noise I added has an echo?
I guess it was a needed echo.

 

[StormcrowAz]

I guess the noise I added has an echo?
I guess it was a needed echo.

Whoops, sorry about that! Not sure how I missed your post?!?

 

[fartymarty]

Whoops, sorry about that! Not sure how I missed your post?!?

No worries, gave me a chance to work out my bad pun problem.

 

[reddog90]

Any solutions for pry bar storage? The lid won’t close with the longest two in the HF pry bar set.

 

[archirelic]

Any solutions for pry bar storage? The lid won’t close with the longest two in the HF pry bar set.

Page 23 of this thread has a great modification that will allow for storage of pry bars and screwdrivers that stick up too high for the top to close.

 

[alx.lake]

Newbie here just trying to share this for all those interested.

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[MushCreek]

Page 23 of this thread has a great modification that will allow for storage of pry bars and screwdrivers that stick up too high for the top to close.

I need to do that mod to mine. My biggest Williams screwdriver and two pry bars don't fit. Anyone have a paint match to the new yellow 5 drawer yet?

 

[fartymarty]

Newbie here just trying to share this for all those interested.

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After looking online at that cart, I gotta say it looks pretty good. I however have put the cart before the horse and have a Harbor Freight gift card and have all the stuff to mod the HF cart on hand (except the grommets) but no cart as of yet (they were out of 'em when I last tried at my local HF).
Thanks anyway, I'm sure someone else will be taking a second look at that one.
Was that price shown what you paid after use of a gift card? ..as I'm seeing $191.** .

 

[87 IROC LT1]

After looking online at that cart, I gotta say it looks pretty good. I however have put the cart before the horse and have a Harbor Freight gift card and have all the stuff to mod the HF cart on hand (except the grommets) but no cart as of yet (they were out of 'em when I last tried at my local HF).
Thanks anyway, I'm sure someone else will be taking a second look at that one.
Was that price shown what you paid after use of a gift card? ..as I'm seeing $191.** .

I bought this cart last week, the floor model was listed at 191.** but got a few bucks off for the floor model. Lowes pricing is VERY ymmv based on store and zip code.

overall after looking at the HF cart, i much prefer this one. While there are no screw-driver/pry bar holes on the sides, the drawer space is much better. And i never really liked the HF latch system.

Great purchase sub $200

 

[alx.lake]

I paid $139...I did use a gift card and amazingly enough I bought a $20 off Lowe's Code on eBay for $2

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[metaldad]

just order the s/o brackets.
no notification of inventory status
tekwrz - the metal is kinda thin. support, not a whole helluva lot. it really wont support a vice, or the pressures exerting working with one

 

[TEKWRX]

tekwrz - the metal is kinda thin. support, not a whole helluva lot. it really wont support a vice, or the pressures exerting working with one

Oops...too late

Already mounted it. Seems sturdy enough for my needs. Light duty, just to hold stuff while soldering or cutting using a small cut-off disk on the M12 Rotery Tool. The tray says it supports 35lbs, the vise is around 15lbs, so I guess I'll see how it holds up in the long term. I may move it to the corner closer to the tool cart when I remove the wood panel for painting. Might give it more support in that location.

 

[kctyphoon]

I wish there was a gallery only thread so we could just see all the pictures of what people did to these..

 

[Mhritz1986]

Hi there. Long time lurker, just registered so I could post for the first time.

I've got the Gen 1 5 drawer cart that I've had for several years now. I've changed some things here and there and added the 7 drawer side cart to it, but so far I haven't modded it too much. I put some wrench holders on the inside of the lid to help organize them but that's been about it.

My biggest problem that I'm running into is storage space. I've just about maxed it out. As an auto mechanic in a recon shop, there's a lot of tools I use on a daily basis that I need to have. I just can't justify spending the money that trucks want for a larger box. Plus I like the mobility that my cart allows me.

Some of the ideas I've tossed around to make it more functional for me are:
- Different hinges to replace the lid struts and a vertical lid when opened.
- Adding a second side box for more storage space (either another 7 drawer or the cabinet)
- If I add another side cabinet, close off the back of the lower storage area and add doors to the front for added security and storage space.
- Welding a lower support frame and adding extra casters to reinforce the cart and distribute the weight
- And finally, I've toyed with the idea of securing the lid in a vertical position and closing in the top section then adding a fold up door to increase the upper compartment storage space.

I've gone through most of this entire thread looking for different ways that people have modded their carts for increased functionality and so far haven't seen much in the way of people doing mods like I envision. So I'm kind of hoping for other people's opinions on the ones I listed to see if there's things I haven't thought of or taken into consideration.

 

[PelicanPines]

I wish there was a gallery only thread so we could just see all the pictures of what people did to these..

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=4473

 

[CarsonConcepts]

I wish there was a gallery only thread so we could just see all the pictures of what people did to these..

There's a paperclip icon next to the thread titles when you're looking at the General Tools Discussion page (or any that show the list of threads in a sub forum). It will give you a list of links for all the attachments in that particular thread.

 

[arvidj]

Around noon on Wednesday the 9th. Used this link ... https://store.snapon.com/PARTS-Set-Clip-amp-Pin-Hinge-P665649.aspx ... added it in the cart and got this message ... * The quantity you are requesting is greater than the quantities currently available. Please read the Gift Card and Backorder Policy in the left panel of this page.

Interesting ... the web site said they were not in stock. I placed the order anyway as I was willing to wait for the backorder process to work rather than having to continually look and wait for them to be in stock.

Got an email yesterday ... that would be the 16th ... that they have shipped and will be delivered today. I'll report back if all I get is an empty box

 

[TEKWRX]

Does anybody have a US GENERAL badge that they've removed and aren't gonna use? I made a mess of mine while trying to paint it and broke it in half. I'd like to get a new badge, but don't think HF sells them. Let me know and I can Paypal you a few bucks for shipping

 

[MushCreek]

The one on the front? How do you get it off?

 

[TEKWRX]

The one on the front? How do you get it off?

I just pried it off. It's held on with double sided tape. It cracked at the small part between the 2 words, and I tried to super glue it back together but it reacted with the plastic and made a mess. I then tried to paint just the raised letters, and that made a mess LOL. I might be able to salvage it, but I'd rather have a new one

 

[metaldad]

Interesting ... the web site said they were not in stock. I placed the order anyway as I was willing to wait for the backorder process to work rather than having to continually look and wait for them to be in stock.

Got an email yesterday ... that would be the 16th ... that they have shipped and will be delivered today. I'll report back if all I get is an empty box

mine came today.
7 days.

 

[metaldad]

I just pried it off. It's held on with double sided tape. It cracked at the small part between the 2 words, and I tried to super glue it back together but it reacted with the plastic and made a mess. I then tried to paint just the raised letters, and that made a mess LOL. I might be able to salvage it, but I'd rather have a new one

that's it? a little sticky?
thought it might have had plastic studs on the back. with me knowing that, ill take mine off monday. its yours if i dont break it

 

[PelicanPines]

that's it? a little sticky?
thought it might have had plastic studs on the back. with me knowing that, ill take mine off monday. its yours if i dont break it

Use heat and dental floss...

 

[metaldad]

Use heat and dental floss...

thats a great idea.

 

[56vette461]

heat gun to warm it up, then fishing line to separate the logo name plate from the box. It should come off cleanly with out cracking.

 

[TEKWRX]

that's it? a little sticky?
thought it might have had plastic studs on the back. with me knowing that, ill take mine off monday. its yours if i dont break it

That would be awesome. Please let me know

 

[isuhunter]

Anyone know where I could get some vinyl decals made in gunmetal grey/silver to mimic this box?

 

[smokeyburb]

Most local sign shops should be able to do the job. But, you will need to check with the manager because most will not reproduce copyrighted material such as the NAPA logo.

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