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

[dodge610]

I am still waiting for my blue one to come in

I am going to get a Blue one today at my local HF

 

[Shootnjunky]

I am going to get a Blue one today at my local HF

Well I called today and they had one in stock in blue. even though mine I guess was coming tomorrow on the truck I stopped and snagged the one they had today.

All together and now just have to spend time organizing stuff. Which is not high on my list today

 

[NitroShark]

Re: Remove Lid Lock but Not Permanently

I wanted to be able to open the drawers with the lid closed. There are a number of people who have done this. But I wanted the ability to add that feature back in when wanted/needed.

..

Thanks for this Mod. I been trying to come up with a simple solution and you nailed it.....



.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Are there any of those still available?

This guy in Upstate NY is selling the older 44" chest with the older side cabinet. Doesn't say if he'd separate or not, but it's getting harder and harder to find the older standard depth boxes.

https://albany.craigslist.org/tls/d/middle-grove-us-general-toolchest/6824279861.html

 

[dodge610]

Well I called today and they had one in stock in blue. even though mine I guess was coming tomorrow on the truck I stopped and snagged the one they had today.

All together and now just have to spend time organizing stuff. Which is not high on my list today

Just emptied my box out that i sold into the new yellow one

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Went by HF to pull the trigger on a black 5 drawer yesterday (glad I didn't since there's a better coupon a page up) and was surprised the only black shelf they offered is the smaller one for the 4 drawer cart. I measured and it's too skinny to line up with the bolt holes on the 5 drawer black cart.

Any chance someone has the old Sunex shelf installed and could get the measurements of it? I know it fit perfectly on my old 4 drawer, but I sold that years ago. I just know I used the hell out of the shelf on my old cart with a diagnostic laptop and as a general catch-all.

 

[archirelic]

They offer color coordinated shelves for all the 5 drawer carts.

 

[ptgarcia]

Went by HF to pull the trigger on a black 5 drawer yesterday (glad I didn't since there's a better coupon a page up) and was surprised the only black shelf they offered is the smaller one for the 4 drawer cart. I measured and it's too skinny to line up with the bolt holes on the 5 drawer black cart.

Any chance someone has the old Sunex shelf installed and could get the measurements of it? I know it fit perfectly on my old 4 drawer, but I sold that years ago. I just know I used the hell out of the shelf on my old cart with a diagnostic laptop and as a general catch-all.

I have the Sunex prybar/screwdriver holder and the bolt holes do not line up. I don't know how it compares to the shelf, though. I can measure the width when I get home if its helpful.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

They offer color coordinated shelves for all the 5 drawer carts.

Well, I'll be damned. I just checked the HF site and found a part number for the full size black shelf. Shows me for listening to the local manager saying the little one is all they offer.

 

[braxx]

I've looked but I didn't see info for what tool chests fit in the bottom of the series 2 , 5 drawer cart.
I'm looking to pick on up tonight but I don't want to assemble it until I have a set of drawers to put on the bottom.
I found a pic for reference but I'm wondering if there is a "best" option of filling the bottom with drawers.

 

[Super Mech]

I've looked but I didn't see info for what tool chests fit in the bottom of the series 2 , 5 drawer cart.
I'm looking to pick on up tonight but I don't want to assemble it until I have a set of drawers to put on the bottom.
I found a pic for reference but I'm wondering if there is a "best" option of filling the bottom with drawers.

I’m curious about this too.

 

[Hammer1963]

I've looked but I didn't see info for what tool chests fit in the bottom of the series 2 , 5 drawer cart.
I'm looking to pick on up tonight but I don't want to assemble it until I have a set of drawers to put on the bottom.
I found a pic for reference but I'm wondering if there is a "best" option of filling the bottom with drawers.

I am anxiously waiting to some info on this subjects as well

 

[toolmutt]

^^^^^I don't know why but George Carlin's routine on bigger house / more stuff just came to mind.

 

[zanyad]

I have a small middle chest I plan to put in the bottom of my service cart. Haven't decided exactly how to mount it. Things to keep in mind when choosing a chest to insert in the lower shelf opening:

• Width of drawers must be less than width of opening in cart
• Total height of drawers fits vertically within opening
• Allow for access to drawers, using one of two methods:
  • Design a platform that will both lift the chest to the correct height for access and block it in to keep it from sliding around
  • Cut lip to allow access (may need to reinforce shelf with angle iron or a piece of steel to replace strength lost to cut)

Some posts to check out:

• Cut bottom lift, add rollout tray on sliders
• Angle iron reinforcement
• Waterloo pin263rd with mounting pictures
• Add Performax chest with frame
• Add drawers from 2-drawer service cart

 

[Odd-job]

^^^^^I don't know why but George Carlin's routine on bigger house / more stuff just came to mind.

That’s my box! No offense taken. I think you are right I just filled it up with stuff I think I need but in reality don’t use.

 

[toolmutt]

That’s my box! No offense taken. I think you are right I just filled it up with stuff I think I need but in reality don’t use.

Just means you need a bigger box (house). Then you get more stuff. Then need a bigger box. Then get more....oh, you get the idea.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Just means you need a bigger box (warehouse). Then you get more stuff. Then need a bigger box. Then get more....oh, you get the idea.

I fixed that for you.

 

[giants]

For the magnetic tool holder,

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-magnetic-tool-holder-61199.html

is it possible to remove the plastic backing so that screws don't have to be driven into the cabinets and the magnetic back can directly attach to the cabinet?

 

[aka Larry]

For the magnetic tool holder,

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-magnetic-tool-holder-61199.html

is it possible to remove the plastic backing so that screws don't have to be driven into the cabinets and the magnetic back can directly attach to the cabinet?

Mine has a metal backing, and when I tried to remove it, the magnet cracked. I then pop-riveted mine to inside of the cabinet lid.

 

[jfrey123]

Grab a couple extra magnets and screw/epoxy them onto the ends of the tool holder.

 

[hoonjr]

For the magnetic tool holder,

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-magnetic-tool-holder-61199.html

is it possible to remove the plastic backing so that screws don't have to be driven into the cabinets and the magnetic back can directly attach to the cabinet?

You can get another one and then bolt them together back to back. That way you don’t need to pop rivet or epoxy them to your box. I always use the free coupon to get extras.

 

[scissor]

I set up my 5 drawer to use for amateur endurance racing. I'm hoping that this will simplify getting our tools on and off the trailer, as well as help us keep organized at the track.

I started by boxing in the bottom. Then added a 2x4 "bumper" to the back and wrapped it in some HD door mat. Made a couple of hooks to screw to the back of the bumper to hang an extension cord and air hose.

I borrowed TerryH's solution for my longest handled pry bar and breaker bar, and Rx7toAudi idea to use HF magnets to keep screwdrivers from rattling around. I also added a power strip on the bottle holder.

To keep ratchets and extension bars in the side rails, but also have them easy to get a hold of, I added some 2" aluminum angle leftover from the breaker bar mod to raise them up.

The top tray and all of the drawers are shadowed using HF anti-fatigue floor tiles. This should make it obvious when tools are missing, minimizing the chances that we send a car out on track with tools under the hood. I put all of the sockets on generic aluminum rails from Amazon and screwed neodymium magnets to the bottoms to keep them in place.

6 plastic ArtBin bins fit just about perfectly in the bottom section to hold consumables. I like having handles on the front and hinged/attached lids that won't go missing.

Oh, and of course a bottle opener for when the track goes cold.

 

[Ign]

I'm planning on using mine largely under a 2 post lift.

In my shop I don't need to lock it and I decided the lid was just too "muchy" open upright. It eats up Z space and means you can't come at the cart from any direction.

Folded back I still wasn't crazy about it, it makes the cart deeper overall and I could see the pockets of my pants catching on it.

So I just drilled out the rivets and removed it. I then removed the lock 'cause they did an impressive job of making it protrude way into the top tray.

Then I decided I wanted to de-badge it just 'cause. The adhesive is pretty serious. I easily got the badge off w a heat gun, then remove as much of the foam adhesive as you can with heat and a plastic scraper. Finally, chlorinated brake cleaner broke down the remaining goo (Goo Gone didn't touch it).

I might sell the lock with keys or the struts if anyone wants them. PM me

 

[MushCreek]

The older ones had a big yellow safety sticker on the upper right hand drawer. I tried everything known to man to get that stupid sticker off. I ended up damaging the paint by the time I got it all off of there, so I covered the damage with a 'Binford' sticker. Thankfully, my new yellow one didn't come with that sticker. I was able to remove the 'US General' badge just by slowly pulling it off. It didn't even break.

 

[PelicanPines]

Scissor, beautiful mods.

 

[giants]

There was a comment early on here that a nut can get loose and force shut all of the drawers. The poster suggested tightening the nut, but didn't explain where the nut is.

Can someone post a pic of that nut's location?

Thanks!

 

[Handyandy23]

The top tray and all of the drawers are shadowed using HF anti-fatigue floor tiles. This should make it obvious when tools are missing, minimizing the chances that we send a car out on track with tools under the hood. I put all of the sockets on generic aluminum rails from Amazon and screwed neodymium magnets to the bottoms to keep them in place.
.

Where did you order the neodymium magnets from? I have those same socket rails and that looks like a really good idea!

BTW all of the modifications are really well done, nice set up!

 

[seabeerob213]

HF magnet rails and steel wrench rack, HF socket rails. Through socket organizer is just a scrap piece of particle board with some holes drilled in it, and part of the package from the set screwed to it to hold the wrench and extension. May just make a new "rail" for it's sockets and put the wrench in the top with the ratchets. Capri bit sockets, and kobalts. Metric Capri and kobalts left, sae Capri right. Wera screwdrivers. Spray can tray mount up top for blades and brushes and the like.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
Edit, just got another wrench rack and more magnets.

 

[scissor]

Thanks everyone - this thread was an inspiration and the reason I created an account. The project was a lot of fun.

The magnets are from eBay. Something like $15 for 25 of them. They were pre-drilled in the centers so #4 flat head screws fit perfectly. They are brittle, so I put a washer between them and the rail to keep them from breaking when the screws were tightened. After that I haven’t had any issues.

 

[giants]

Thanks everyone - this thread was an inspiration and the reason I created an account. The project was a lot of fun.

The magnets are from eBay. Something like $15 for 25 of them. They were pre-drilled in the centers so #4 flat head screws fit perfectly. They are brittle, so I put a washer between them and the rail to keep them from breaking when the screws were tightened. After that I haven’t had any issues.

Thanks. Would you provide a link to eBay's listing?

 

[scissor]

Thanks. Would you provide a link to eBay's listing?

Found the listing, but I don’t have enough posts to post links. Try searching for “25 50 Strong Countersunk Ring Magnets 3/4" x1/8 " Hole 3mm Rare Earth Neodymium”. When I search for that it’s the top result.

 

[Muggzy]

I set up my 5 drawer to use for amateur endurance racing. I'm hoping that this will simplify getting our tools on and off the trailer, as well as help us keep organized at the track.



I started by boxing in the bottom. Then added a 2x4 "bumper" to the back and wrapped it in some HD door mat. Made a couple of hooks to screw to the back of the bumper to hang an extension cord and air hose.



I borrowed TerryH's solution for my longest handled pry bar and breaker bar, and Rx7toAudi idea to use HF magnets to keep screwdrivers from rattling around. I also added a power strip on the bottle holder.



To keep ratchets and extension bars in the side rails, but also have them easy to get a hold of, I added some 2" aluminum angle leftover from the breaker bar mod to raise them up.



The top tray and all of the drawers are shadowed using HF anti-fatigue floor tiles. This should make it obvious when tools are missing, minimizing the chances that we send a car out on track with tools under the hood. I put all of the sockets on generic aluminum rails from Amazon and screwed neodymium magnets to the bottoms to keep them in place.



6 plastic ArtBin bins fit just about perfectly in the bottom section to hold consumables. I like having handles on the front and hinged/attached lids that won't go missing.



Oh, and of course a bottle opener for when the track goes cold.

Very nice mods


Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[WoodMotorsports]

For the magnetic tool holder,


is it possible to remove the plastic backing so that screws don't have to be driven into the cabinets and the magnetic back can directly attach to the cabinet?

I just knocked the magnets out of the magnetic tool holder and put them in some 1/2" heat shrink to hold them together.

I can't post a link because I don't have enough posts, but if you search "U.S. General Series 2 Tool Cart Lid Storage" on youtube I put a video up about it.

 

[giants]

I just knocked the magnets out of the magnetic tool holder and put them in some 1/2" heat shrink to hold them together.

I can't post a link because I don't have enough posts, but if you search "U.S. General Series 2 Tool Cart Lid Storage" on youtube I put a video up about it.

Thanks.

Someone else said that he tried this and broke the magnet. What tool did you use to knock the magnets out of the magnetic tool holder?

 

[jdewitt]

I just knocked the magnets out of the magnetic tool holder and put them in some 1/2" heat shrink to hold them together.

I can't post a link because I don't have enough posts, but if you search "U.S. General Series 2 Tool Cart Lid Storage" on youtube I put a video up about it.

You only need one more post to upload images. So get busy, 'cause we want to see pics.

 

[WoodMotorsports]

You only need one more post to upload images. So get busy, 'cause we want to see pics.

Will do!

Thanks.

Someone else said that he tried this and broke the magnet. What tool did you use to knock the magnets out of the magnetic tool holder?

I pulled the paper/plastic sticker that covers the actual magnets off, then struck the bar on the edge of my steel welding table (pretty hard) and they just popped out and stuck to the table. Started at the top of the rail and worked down it popping one at a time. They didn't have much adhesive holding them in.

 

[WoodMotorsports]

Well, that was post #5, so now I can post the link.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YH4muLXctSE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[dodge610]

More mods coming on my new yellow box to customize it slightly.

 

[dalehsc]

I set up my 5 drawer to use for amateur endurance racing. I'm hoping that this will simplify getting our tools on and off the trailer, as well as help us keep organized at the track.

I started by boxing in the bottom. Then added a 2x4 "bumper" to the back and wrapped it in some HD door mat. Made a couple of hooks to screw to the back of the bumper to hang an extension cord and air hose.

I borrowed TerryH's solution for my longest handled pry bar and breaker bar, and Rx7toAudi idea to use HF magnets to keep screwdrivers from rattling around. I also added a power strip on the bottle holder.

To keep ratchets and extension bars in the side rails, but also have them easy to get a hold of, I added some 2" aluminum angle leftover from the breaker bar mod to raise them up.

The top tray and all of the drawers are shadowed using HF anti-fatigue floor tiles. This should make it obvious when tools are missing, minimizing the chances that we send a car out on track with tools under the hood. I put all of the sockets on generic aluminum rails from Amazon and screwed neodymium magnets to the bottoms to keep them in place.

6 plastic ArtBin bins fit just about perfectly in the bottom section to hold consumables. I like having handles on the front and hinged/attached lids that won't go missing.

Oh, and of course a bottle opener for when the track goes cold.

Super job creating a great set up!

 

[Ign]

I'm SERIOUSLY considering moving the handle to the front and getting a second shelf, ie one on both sides