fartymarty
Well-known member
You mean the cutouts?..if so then I believe he said he used this stuff:
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-94635.html
Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
- Start date
You mean the cutouts?..if so then I believe he said he used this stuff:
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-94635.html
I was able to cut about 2 inches off of the drawer side of the bottom tray. I cut down the side just inside where the vertical posts attach and then across the front in a U shape. This allowed the posts to attach.
I removed the drawers from the top of the second cabinet by drilling all the pop rivets. It’s just dropped after that. Then I set the removed drawers on the bottom tray and had enough clearance. Midway up the posts there are four supports that the drawers sit on, I installed all of them except for the one across the front of the drawers. The two empty bolt holes on the drawer side were used with some large washers to tighten up the lower set of drawers.
There was enough sheet metal on the second middle vertical piece that holds the small drawers that with a little convincing was able to attach to the bottom of the upper drawers middle piece.
The rest was drilling out rivets, drilling new holes and adding rivets.
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I considered doing that at first based on another members design on the first gen red carts. I chose not to do that because the drawer latches were not really removable easily or ambidextrous. There is no sheet metal in the center section to create the latch hole. You could add a new piece of sheet metal though. The middle piece of sheet is light gauge and riveted to the bottom of the top. You would have to remount all of the slides but you will do most of them anyhow to move drawers.
The small drawers all have the latch mechanism on the left side and the large drawer on the right. You could modify the mechanism and switch it from right to left but you will be short on latches for the right side.
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That’s a lot easier then mine. Similar processes on my cart just everything on my cart was spot welded there was no Rivets to drill out so it was more time consuming to go with a hammer and chisel to remove all the spot welds holding the top lid to the drawers.
Didn't like using straps on different parts of the frame so I added some d-rings at the corners to make it easier to load in trailer for the track.
Couple of rubber and nylon washers to keep the d-ring somewhat flexible in direction and to keep from scratching the paint and some 5/16th bolts and it's way easier to load and secure.
Couple of rubber and nylon washers to keep the d-ring somewhat flexible in direction and to keep from scratching the paint and some 5/16th bolts and it's way easier to load and secure.
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DIY side shelf I made for the stacked tool cart today. I think it’s pretty sweet, im probably going to add a second on to the other side
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CNCmachinist32
New member
MTNsleder fantastic job reorganizing all those drawers and getting them to sit in so straight. Thats a fantastic mod, one of the best custom 10 drawers around.
Does anyone know if the bolt pattern for the casters is the same on the gen 2 cats as the gen 2 26x22 cab? I am trying to get the cab for work as I already have a cart at home and want to get them both on swivels casters with only buying one nice set, if possible. Id like to get them from elsewhere than HF because I want black casters instead of the blue ones. Any insight would be great!
This thread is legendary
Does anyone know if the bolt pattern for the casters is the same on the gen 2 cats as the gen 2 26x22 cab? I am trying to get the cab for work as I already have a cart at home and want to get them both on swivels casters with only buying one nice set, if possible. Id like to get them from elsewhere than HF because I want black casters instead of the blue ones. Any insight would be great!
This thread is legendary
i modified mine to open vertical. new, longer struts, drilled a couple new holes and it worked perfectly. i can send you pics and part number of the struts if you like
Got a new series 2 cart thought I would customize it a little. Rubber grommets in the screwdriver holes and carbon blacking the chrome drawer pulls.
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Did you use the grommet kit from harbor freight?
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ptgarcia
Well-known member
Post up part numbers and pictures. Most that have done this used the Snap On hinges.
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Ya got some, i keeper pretty full
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Few more drawers, some are a little empty
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So a couple years back I bought a us general 26” roller with the top chest and loved it. Just recently I had filled up all the drawers and had a few things that just wouldn’t work with the shallow drawers it comes with, so I decided to start looking at bigger boxes. I had no idea they came out with the series 2 with so many new colors until I went into the store to look. I ended up buying a yellow 44” roller and top chest with the side locker. It was a tough choice between green and yellow, but I really dig the yellow. I found coupons, and in total saved 80 bucks. I’m sure I could have saved more if I waited, but I’m a bit impatient. None of it was in stock, so I have to wait to pick it up. I originally wanted to keep the 26”, put a small side cabinet on it, build a frame around, and put my welder on top of the side cabinet. So I started doing a little research and stumbled on this thread, which made me decided to sell my 26”, get a 5 drawer service cart to match my new 44” and use it for my welder/service cart so when I’m wrenching I don’t have to walk to my box every time I need something. I have a guy coming tomorrow afternoon to pick the 26 up so all I’ll have is my service cart until my new box gets to the store. I’m pretty excite to make a little project out of this cart and make it my own. I plan on putting the side cabinet on this and building a frame out of angle iron like I’ve seen on here. Here’s a picture of it with some of my tools thrown in from my 26 until the 44 arrives.
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Motorman55
Well-known member
If I were still working F/T and not retired, I think I'd experiment with bolting a new 5 drawer cart and a new single bank 26" roller cabinet bottom together side by side, shimming for the 1-3/4" height difference for a even deck height and rework the wheels so the whole unit rolls and turns easily.
Just for the hell of it.
Just for the hell of it.
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dodge610
Well-known member
dos4ever
New member
Here are some mods I made:
Added two more swivel casters switched blue wheels with the black ones from the stationary casters.
Painted Drawer trim black. Added Side Shelf with small vise. Added magnetic paper towel holder.
Added magnetic glove holder. Added magnetic can and screw driver holder.
Moved Pull Handle to front ( Beefed up Handle mount location with 18 in. Magnetic Tool Bar.)
Mounted 18 in Magnetic Tool Bars to inside Lid and Side for tool mounting.
Used Anti Fatigue Roll Mat for Top Bottom Drawer and Side Shelf Liners.
Added Hooks. Added Magnetic Power Strip with 25 foot cord.
Modified drawer latches with wooden dowels holding latch open.
Removed top lid lock bars and cut off flush with housing, to lock lid replace plastic
ends with cut off piece inside and lid will now lock.
Added two more swivel casters switched blue wheels with the black ones from the stationary casters.
Painted Drawer trim black. Added Side Shelf with small vise. Added magnetic paper towel holder.
Added magnetic glove holder. Added magnetic can and screw driver holder.
Moved Pull Handle to front ( Beefed up Handle mount location with 18 in. Magnetic Tool Bar.)
Mounted 18 in Magnetic Tool Bars to inside Lid and Side for tool mounting.
Used Anti Fatigue Roll Mat for Top Bottom Drawer and Side Shelf Liners.
Added Hooks. Added Magnetic Power Strip with 25 foot cord.
Modified drawer latches with wooden dowels holding latch open.
Removed top lid lock bars and cut off flush with housing, to lock lid replace plastic
ends with cut off piece inside and lid will now lock.
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rick carpenter
Well-known member
For all y'all with carts where the lid is up all the time and will never be shut/locked, why not replace it with a permanent vertical storage solution such as pegboard etc?
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
ptgarcia
Well-known member
Anyone find peg board other than the hard board stuff that fits the sides with out needing to be trimmed?
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I would use the metal pegboard ... cutting the stuff is pretty easy with a carbide blade or cutoff wheel. Go slow. It won't be a cut and done... you will need to file the edge. You probably won't find a perfect size that won't require some fabrication.
You will hide the cut edge behind the legs for side panels...
For the lid... u will need to fab stand offs and trim for around the edges. Car door trim comes to mind.
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Just picked up a blue version of the tool cart to go between the garage and race track on the weekends. Pretty solid cart for the money!
Is there anyone with a blue cart that would be interested in trading their two short half width drawers for my tall half width drawer? I have more smaller tools than large and feel like the full height drawer isn't utilizing the space as well as I could.
Is there anyone with a blue cart that would be interested in trading their two short half width drawers for my tall half width drawer? I have more smaller tools than large and feel like the full height drawer isn't utilizing the space as well as I could.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Duplicate post deleted... no idea how it duplicated.
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Interesting modification... you will need to do some fabrication to get the second set of slides on the right. Take a lot of pictures if you start the mod.
Call HF customer service... they might sell you two drawers and a set of slides.
I use that one deep drawer for my ear, eye, respirator, gloves, head lamp.
Got a green 5 drawer cart the other day. I was running out of space in my Hovak box anyways. In typical ME fashion, I got excited to put this together, didn't really look at the instructions. Was so proud of myself for getting it all together without too much issues. However, after getting the wheels on (bought two HF swivel wheels to replace the fixed ones), I noticed putting the uprights on the bottom tray was difficult (hint).
So, I get done, take my shower, and I'm browsing this very thread. And I notice something looks different about everyone else's cart than mine, but can't quite put my finger on what.
Then it hits me. I installed the bottom of the uprights INSIDE the bottom tray instead of outside. C-R-A-P!! How the hell did I even begin to think that was right? At first I imagined having to un-assemble the whole darned thing to fix this little Oopsy. Ended up being a 10 minute fix after I turned the entire unit on its head and just unbolted the bottom tray and installed it correctly... Proves you can have all the tools in the world, but there's no tool that will give you more common sense.
Glad I noticed that before I moved in to my new cart, or I would have been up a creek. Anyway, planning a few modifications, but nothing that hasn't already been done. Planning on locking myself in the garage tonight, turning on the AC and some music, cracking a cold one or three, and moving in to my new cart...
So, I get done, take my shower, and I'm browsing this very thread. And I notice something looks different about everyone else's cart than mine, but can't quite put my finger on what.
Then it hits me. I installed the bottom of the uprights INSIDE the bottom tray instead of outside. C-R-A-P!! How the hell did I even begin to think that was right? At first I imagined having to un-assemble the whole darned thing to fix this little Oopsy. Ended up being a 10 minute fix after I turned the entire unit on its head and just unbolted the bottom tray and installed it correctly... Proves you can have all the tools in the world, but there's no tool that will give you more common sense.
Glad I noticed that before I moved in to my new cart, or I would have been up a creek. Anyway, planning a few modifications, but nothing that hasn't already been done. Planning on locking myself in the garage tonight, turning on the AC and some music, cracking a cold one or three, and moving in to my new cart...
sweet victory
Well-known member
Dang, that's a serious little war wagon!
mwalsh9152
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 14, 2016
- Messages
- 349
Glad to read that I'm not the only one who did that! I caught it before getting much further though.
I got a green one a while back it arrived damaged but still want to use it I stay in Scotland so was a lot of Hassle to get it here and cost more than 3x what it would have if I was in the USA I did get a bit of the money back from the seller because of the damage but never knew it was this bad
the lid has split about 1/3 of the way across would I be able to sort this somehow
I think if I just use it as is the lid will eventually just come right off
Other fault is when you close the lid the to Plastic parts go down but when I lift the lid only 1 springs back up I have to take the plastic part off and pull the metal up a bit so I can get in to the drawers
the lid has split about 1/3 of the way across would I be able to sort this somehow
I think if I just use it as is the lid will eventually just come right off
Other fault is when you close the lid the to Plastic parts go down but when I lift the lid only 1 springs back up I have to take the plastic part off and pull the metal up a bit so I can get in to the drawers
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you could do with several rivets for the lid, but I'd want a replacement.
My guess about the locking mechanism is one of the bars is bent, pull out all the drawers and watch how it moves; might be a simple fix might be too much to be worth it.
My guess about the locking mechanism is one of the bars is bent, pull out all the drawers and watch how it moves; might be a simple fix might be too much to be worth it.
KSJeff
Well-known member
Bought a Gladiator Clean up Caddy on Amazon for $16 and put it on my cart.
It comes with two tabs up top that could be drilled and screwed into the side, but I keep my cart open all the time so I just bent them over and it hangs there. Easy to pull off if I need to close the lid. Hold my gloves, scissors and a roll of paper towels. I like it.
It comes with two tabs up top that could be drilled and screwed into the side, but I keep my cart open all the time so I just bent them over and it hangs there. Easy to pull off if I need to close the lid. Hold my gloves, scissors and a roll of paper towels. I like it.
TerryH
Well-known member
Bought a Gladiator Clean up Caddy on Amazon for $16 and put it on my cart.
It comes with two tabs up top that could be drilled and screwed into the side, but I keep my cart open all the time so I just bent them over and it hangs there. Easy to pull off if I need to close the lid. Hold my gloves, scissors and a roll of paper towels. I like it.
I like it too. Seems quite handy.
mbshop
Well-known member
Boy, not a mod but the prices sure have gone up. Tariff prices ?
Fir2t8lood
New member
Added an extra tray for spray cans, an attachment for air tools, 3 clamps on the back for grease guns, and a hitch to pull the cart around the shop with the golf carts.
papawhellie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2012
- Messages
- 13
Anybody know where to get the snap on hinges. They still seem to be out of stock. Another knock off brand?
taumac
Well-known member
taumac
Well-known member
Well I guess I should add mine. This was a road side find that was going to the dump. It’s pretty rough but I’m working on fixing it up and definitely modified to turn into a mobile work table.
It had no casters, no flip top, locks on flip all jacked up, whole thing bent and rack to hell, but the drawers all opened just needed sand cleaned out. Here’s how it looked after alittle work with hammer and vise straightening things out.
Bottom I didn’t get to yet but I have no concerns cutting and modifying it at all because no money invested. It’s going to be fun project
It had no casters, no flip top, locks on flip all jacked up, whole thing bent and rack to hell, but the drawers all opened just needed sand cleaned out. Here’s how it looked after alittle work with hammer and vise straightening things out.
Bottom I didn’t get to yet but I have no concerns cutting and modifying it at all because no money invested. It’s going to be fun project
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boostin20v
Member
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!!!
Do you recall the snap on part number for the bumper guards? There seem to be a few different choices on their site....possibly item KRBC10T23??
Fir2t8lood
New member
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Got a new series 2 cart thought I would customize it a little. Rubber grommets in the screwdriver holes and carbon blacking the chrome drawer pulls.
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Started doing this on mine thinking the grommets were an awesome idea for using the holes for ratchets, not screwdrivers. It did not go so well considering none of the grommets in the kit accommodate 1/2 ratchet handles or Nepros handles nor do the holes with grommets inserted accommodate handles in the appropriate placing. 1/4" ratchets had to hang in 3/8" holes and 3/8" in 1/2" holes. I'm going to have to rethink the grommet idea for ratchet storage.
