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

[archirelic]

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

I put a shelf on both sides of my cart and mounted the handle over the shelf. You lose hardly any real estate on the top of the shelf when it's positioned in the up position. All I had to do was shim the bottom of the shelf with a couple washers.

I'll try to throw up some pictures later today when I'm out in my garage.

 

[DFB]

Kudos to the poster that recently said to just double up back to back the US General bar magnets HF gives out as freebies.

I had a few hanging around (with no real need prior for them) but did want to attach something to the big lid of my new bulk storage cart.

My first thought was to use a couple of the round 60lb pull magnets HF sells for like $3 apiece to attach one of these bars.

I was already using that type of magnets for my Milwaukee M12 stick light, much less expensive than the OEM option and holds great but the doubling up of the bar even sets it off a bit further away from the lid than the round magnets would, and then ratchets anvils fit when facing the lid and helps to locate them from sliding around at all.

Lets face it the quality control on these "free" magnet bars leaves a little bit to be desired some magnets are just about flush with rolled metal outside edge others are set in deeper and some of the backs of the steel bar channel are slightly rounded and don't sit flat against a solid surface. Seems to vary with the different part# they have. Though obviously when wall screw mounting them don't much matter.

I also have used one, my best flat surface one a for socket rail too.

 

[WoodMotorsports]

Found some left over 3m 1080 carbon fiber wrap from dechroming the wife’s car. Works fine for dechroming the cart as well.

 

[MushCreek]

I used fender trim, but I discovered that if you just take the HF chrome trim off and turn it upside down, you can't really see the chrome.

 

[WoodMotorsports]

I used fender trim, but I discovered that if you just take the HF chrome trim off and turn it upside down, you can't really see the chrome.

I did that to start with, but the chrome just made it around the bottom corner just far enough to trigger OCD.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Found some left over 3m 1080 carbon fiber wrap from dechroming the wife’s car. Works fine for dechroming the cart as well.

That's pretty cool. I'm not really a chrome fan either but the little bit on the HF tool cart isn't that big of a deal for me.

 

[Super Mech]

I put a shelf on both sides of my cart and mounted the handle over the shelf. You lose hardly any real estate on the top of the shelf when it's positioned in the up position. All I had to do was shim the bottom of the shelf with a couple washers.

I'll try to throw up some pictures later today when I'm out in my garage.

I would love to see how this was done as I want to add two side shelves also.
Please post pics if you can. Much appreciated.

 

[dodge610]

I would love to see how this was done as I want to add two side shelves also.
Please post pics if you can. Much appreciated.

Me too ^^^^^^^^ I have 2 new ones and would be interested in seeing this.

 

[dodge610]

Found some left over 3m 1080 carbon fiber wrap from dechroming the wife’s car. Works fine for dechroming the cart as well.

I did this to my yellow HF cart really sets it off.

 

[archirelic]

Here are some pics.

Don't mind the messy garage...I have several projects going on.

 

[Super Mech]

Thanks for posting the shelf pics!

 

[archirelic]

Thanks for posting the shelf pics!

 

[dodge610]

Yes thank you looks like i need to get a few more shelves

 

[archirelic]

I've thought about putting a black side cabinet on the tool cart...but think I'll hold out and see if they release it in green.

 

[dodge610]

I've thought about putting a black side cabinet on the tool cart...but think I'll hold out and see if they release it in green.

Me too i need yellow and orange I would expect them to after all the carts they have sold. It would only make sense.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

My Harbor Frieght yellow but no green shelves.

 

[Ign]

Here are some pics.

Don't mind the messy garage...I have several projects going on.

So you brought the handle up. No big deal but it negates the benefit of the handle being below the plane of the closed lid for setting long objects on top. Totally not an issue for me since I removed my lid altogether.

 

[Ign]

Found some left over 3m 1080 carbon fiber wrap from dechroming the wife’s car. Works fine for dechroming the cart as well.

I do like it. Did you remove the trim to apply the wrap or just do it on the drawer?

 

[WoodMotorsports]

I do like it. Did you remove the trim to apply the wrap or just do it on the drawer?

Took them off. Could be done either way. I find that for small stuff like that it’s easier to just take it apart to get a good wrap.


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[Ign]

Ok I searched the thread for "trim removal" and it claims no results, so how does the drawer trim come off?

 

[dodge610]

Ok I searched the thread for "trim removal" and it claims no results, so how does the drawer trim come off?

Should be able to slide the whole plastic chrome piece off might have to heat it with a blow dryer.

 

[archirelic]

Ok I searched the thread for "trim removal" and it claims no results, so how does the drawer trim come off?

You can just pull down on the trim and it will easily come off.

 

[dodge610]

You can just pull down on the trim and it will easily come off.

Slide pull down either way some of them have a glue substance on them. Supposed to help them stay on i guess lol.

 

[ptgarcia]

The trim pieces on my 5-drawer peeled right off. There wasn't any glue or anything else holding it on.

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[Ign]

Ok thanks all, I gave the drawer handle trim a light tug and tried sliding (relatively gently) before posting. I'll get after it more tomorrow

 

[seabeerob213]

Got more magnet rails and another wrench rack. Please forgive my lack of tools, I'm still building up my collection. SAE is going slow cause I dont use them often, and that small HF set and those various larger ones pieced together do as much as I need. That red snap on is odd, I think it's the industrial line, idk, I found it in the a parking g lot on base. Been ordering a different Capri flex head ratchet wrench every paycheck till I have one for every fastener on my car, although recently found a good gear wrench selection at a local Sears, and they sell individual, so I may go that route too. I made some of the side holes bigger I the top tray to fit other tools, would have used a cone bit, but didn't have one, so a sawzall and a file did the work, it's ugly, but does the job. Got a lock, thanks @IGN. All liners are stuck down with CRC spray adhesive, liner in the side tray too. The two top bolts on the very front have been replaced with ARP fasteners cause why not. They were spares getting rolled around the drawer, now I know where they are always.

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[PAToyota]

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.

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.

Ok, so what chest did you use on the bottom?

 

[archirelic]

Ok, so what chest did you use on the bottom?

It looks like an older Husky intermediate chest. I bought one prob. 8 years ago on clearance...handles are exactly the same.

 

[Ign]

Thanks for the advice on drawer handle trim. I got it to just pull off (DUH!) and just flipped it around as mentioned. The tiny bit of chrome visible is only at the right angle and it's so miniscule it doesn't bother me. I'd do a worse job with the wrap and that would bother me more

 

[Ign]

Also I notice in the print ads there are 2 item numbers for many of the colors.

I'm sure many of us have noticed the thread on the not-insignificant differences on the 56" chests. Has anyone ever tried to compare these 30" carts?

 

[Odd-job]

It looks like an older Husky intermediate chest. I bought one prob. 8 years ago on clearance...handles are exactly the same.

This is correct

 

[Ign]

I had hung my two most used hammers on my handle but since I want to add a second shelf that won't work forever.

I grabbed a scrap hunk of UHMW and bored a few holes as shown. I anchored with 10-32 button head cap screws and they actually look like the factory rivets more or less.

Since I removed my lid it doesn't matter that they stand up so high.

 

[Clcartagena89]

Picked one up for work, my krsc242 was packed. This thing gave me almost 2 drawers for me! Loving it so far.

 

[Ltdin94]

First time poster. Long time lurker. Combined two of the 5 Drawer carts into a 10 Drawer. Bit of a fitting issue and unfortunately both carts were of different timeframes/manufactures. Drawer fronts don't quite match in drawer pull profiles but they are close. Both carts were early series carts. Of course I changed the name.......

I added two shelves on one side. Swing up WorkMate on other side. Lights and Electricity to the back. I really set it up to work late at night in poorly lit areas (like a driveway). Added some cheap battery powered LED lights to see into drawers and top compartment. The aluminum angle brackets are hard to see as I painted them red. They are affixed with strong double sided tape. One switch turns on both lights. Black electric reel unwinds to plug in and power up the whole cart. Red reel leads to florescent light. I took all to pics in the basement before I brought it upstairs to the garage and filled it up with tools.

 

[toolmutt]

Nice setup Ltdin94. I'd like to see pics with it full of tools!

 

[PelicanPines]

First time poster. Long time lurker. Combined two of the 5 Drawer carts into a 10 Drawer. Bit of a fitting issue and unfortunately both carts were of different timeframes/manufactures. Drawer fronts don't quite match in drawer pull profiles but they are close. Both carts were early series carts. Of course I changed the name.......

I added two shelves on one side. Swing up WorkMate on other side. Lights and Electricity to the back. I really set it up to work late at night in poorly lit areas (like a driveway). Added some cheap battery powered LED lights to see into drawers and top compartment. The aluminum angle brackets are hard to see as I painted them red. They are affixed with strong double sided tape. One switch turns on both lights. Black electric reel unwinds to plug in and power up the whole cart. Red reel leads to florescent light. I took all to pics in the basement before I brought it upstairs to the garage and filled it up with tools.

Dang that's beautiful. Official Winner of the Nifty Award !!!

 

[fartymarty]

Ltdin94, Nicely done!

Are those Lutec work lights on either side up top? Looks like you made them
lock pin removable so you can put them back on their tripods if needed, correct?

I like the rebranding, I'm planning on doing the same.

I don't suppose for your second post you'd reveal how you made your motorcycle(?) lift (spied in background picture 5) over in the motorcycle garage section?

...and why is your motorcycle(?) lift in the basement?..or is it some other type of lift?

 

[NOR-CAL DENALI]

I really like the use of the lower second shelf Ltdin94. That mod has my wheels turning.

 

[Ltdin94]

Thanks for the kind words.

I took a picture and close-up of the lights. They were older LED units and were pricy in the day. I guess I always thought of mounting a pair. The store no longer stocked them so the second set came off eBay. There certainly are more powerful units available today.

You only have to drill two holes to mount the second shelf. It could have gone at any height but make sure you have clearance to roll the cart when it is collapsed.

New picture of back shows additional shelf with battery chargers on it. I guess you could say I ran out of real-estate back there with glove holder and paper towel rack as well. At least they are magnetically mounted and can be moved if needed.

 

[Ltdin94]

Here are the pics of the loaded box. Not quite as full as it could be. Certainly more centered on fixing electrics and diagnostics than full on repair. It certainly feed up some valuable drawer space in other tool boxes.