Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
- Start date
240addiction
Active member
I used some pieces of cardboard that were thick, but some dowel rod would work too.
Maybe I'm asking the wrong way. I know it was in this thread. I want to remove the mechanism that requires you to have the lid raised to open the drawers. Does this make sense? There are two "risers" in the back that spring up when the lid is opened and release the drawers. For home use, this is just an inconvenience as the drawers have a slide lock as well.
ptgarcia
Well-known member
No cutting, no drilling necessary...if you're talking about the four drawer cart. Mine is an older version but here is what I did. Remove the drawers for access. Remove the plastic cap on top of the rods. Remove the four bolts (two on each side) holding the mechanism in. The bright silver slide (see photos) will travel up and out. With a little manipulation, the entire mechanism can be removed intact in case you ever want to reinstall it. Drawer liner now covers the hole. Be advised that the drawers have a detent that will keep them closed when wheeling the cart around but you lose the ability to lock them. Don't know if the five drawer cart is the same.
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shannos
Member
Oh. Nevermind. Toolmutt beat me in post 3806. I did that on two 4 drawer carts yesterday. I expect the same basic mechanism when I drill out the rivets on my older 5 drawer cart. I don't want to open the lid to open drawers. If I don't throw the parts away this is reversible.
fartymarty
Well-known member
If you don't have a riveter then I guess the "best" way is to cut them however you can. I personally think that darkzero's way is best which I repeated in post 3438. It is reversible, it's cleaner in that you don't get metal shavings all down inside the tool box, and if you desire you can even spray paint the cut ends of the metal. It's also more likely that you'll make some ******-ups with a multipurpose tool than you will drilling out rivets. So all that to say what is the "best" way is very subjective.
Good point. When I did the same thing to my red series 1 cart I painted them black also. I didn't mention it in my post but the rivets on both my carts were black. I painted the new rivets black before installing them.
The mod was much more useful on my series 1 cart. Series 1 doesn't have detents for the drawers like the series 2, only the latches, so when moved around the drawers can pop open. It's nice to be able to put the caps back on & still have them lock.
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jmhinkle
Well-known member
I went the cutting route, buried deep in this thread, but it is not a permanent change in operation. You slip off the black cover, cut the bars flush with the housing using either a vibrating cutter or small, fine angle cutter. Save the pieces you cut off and place the caps back on the bars. If you want them to work again, just put the pieces inside of the black caps before slipping them back on.
Went digging and my pics are gone so here they are again. You cut off this much and keep them somewhere you'll find them if needed.
Place the caps over the bars remaining and it doesn't lock with lid closed now.
Looks like something changed with how we post from Imgur so I'm not sure how to get pics back up.
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
If I could go back in history... Series 1 cart... I would have fabricated a CAM LOCK for the drawers that was engaged via a knob or something. TO allow unlocking/locking the drawers when the lid was open. The position of the LID would not change the locking or unlocking of the drawers.
Are you guys happy with the folding side trays? I was thinking of adapting one to my Homak, since they don't offer a side tray.
https://www.harborfreight.com/folding-side-tray-for-black-tool-cart-64642.html
They've been out of stock at my local store, so I haven't had a chance to handle one.
https://www.harborfreight.com/folding-side-tray-for-black-tool-cart-64642.html
They've been out of stock at my local store, so I haven't had a chance to handle one.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
I use mine all the time when I roll the cart out and use it to work on the car. Otherwise I keep it folded away.
Bogie1632
Well-known member
slowTA
Well-known member
All I have handy are the depths.
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Appreciate my man! Also do you know the width and length of the drawers?
tncumminsguy
Well-known member
I’ll let the picture speak for itself...
It’s pretty much buttoned up. Just need to touch up some paint in a few spots, tighten down a few bolts, and figure out a way to secure the bottom drawer section. I’m really happy with it!
I ended up trashing the spare cart idea, so I put all four locking casters and both spray can holders on this cart. I also cut up the spare lid to create the new center drawer divider. It was just easier that way since the lid already had a 90 degree bend at the lip that I utilized. I don’t have a brake press...
So far I’ve added a shop towel roll holder and a glove box holder. I’ll be adding/making a pry bar holder as well. Eventually, I think I’ll rivet some tool holders and wrench racks on the inside of the lid to free up some drawer space for future purchases and put all my main tools in one area.
what do you mean by secure the bottom section? I'm looking to do exactly this with my current gen 1 5 drawer as I need more space at the track in my enclosed trailer
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tncumminsguy
Well-known member
I take my 9yr old service cart with me to the track in my enclosed trailer and wanted a bit more storage and didn't like the giant open area. So went to HF and used the 15% off coupon and bought the open roll cart with one drawer. I did this instead of a 4 drawer or another 5 drawer because I made no mods to the tool cart to combine it with my 5 drawer. need to do some cleanup work with the sander and waiting on the color match paint I found in this thread. Only had to cut the bottom lip and will drill some holes to bolt the upper tray in. Unfortunately the now bottom tray isn't as deep but I do have a great place to store giant pry bars etc.
Untitled by tn97d90, on Flickr
Untitled by tn97d90, on Flickr
Untitled by tn97d90, on Flickr
Untitled by tn97d90, on Flickrtncumminsguy
Well-known member
Stripped all the stickers, the remover i used faded the powdercoat so i had to buff it. Decided to take off the trim so it all matched and it go in the way sometimes when closing or opening. Found a paint that matches very very close thanks to this forum. It's almost buttoned up, unfortunately when using my 3m eraser wheel on a drill it left marks in the powder so i had to cover it with some stickers.
Untitled by tn97d90, on Flickr
Untitled by tn97d90, on Flickr555
Well-known member
X1 Mike
Well-known member
Stripped all the stickers, the remover i used faded the powdercoat so i had to buff it. Decided to take off the trim so it all matched and it go in the way sometimes when closing or opening. Found a paint that matches very very close thanks to this forum. It's almost buttoned up, unfortunately when using my 3m eraser wheel on a drill it left marks in the powder so i had to cover it with some stickers.
There is a lot of irony in this post. Removed the stickers, damaged the finish and had to cover it with stickers......
Doh!!!In the end all that matters is you get it where you want it.
tncumminsguy
Well-known member
There is a lot of irony in this post. Removed the stickers, damaged the finish and had to cover it with stickers......
In the end all that matters is you get it where you want it.
pretty much but isnt that how life goes
X1 Mike
Well-known member
Pretty much. My only suggestion is it looks like a Monster on the left side of the picture. If so that would have been a great place for a Ducati sticker.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Pretty much. My only suggestion is it looks like a Monster on the left side of the picture. If so that would have been a great place for a Ducati sticker.
Or an Epiq Snap On badge...
tncumminsguy
Well-known member
Pretty much. My only suggestion is it looks like a Monster on the left side of the picture. If so that would have been a great place for a Ducati sticker.
I actually ordered one to replace the two i put on
also good eye sir
TheToolEnthusiast
Well-known member
This thread inspired me to make a 10-drawer cart. Received a banged up donor box without drawer locks. Anybody willing to part with their set cheap?
Will post pictures once I'm out of picture jail
Will post pictures once I'm out of picture jail
Loose Ctrl
Well-known member
Yeah that minimum post limit got me as well.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Looks good. Take a few more pics and post please. Have been thinking about doing that.
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TheToolEnthusiast
Well-known member
Did you build a frame under the side cabinets?
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
No, it hangs right off the cart, there’s a folded lip.
The HF side shelves have increased the usefulness of my tool cabinets. Added a yellow shelf to my Dewalt tool box, red to my CM tool box. Drilled holes and used nutserts to secure with bolts. I didn't trust the tiny ledge to support the shelf with a laptop on the shelf. I drilled a small hole through both shelf supports and inserted an easily removed bent rod. No amount of accidental clumsiness will take down the shelf.
alpinewhite
Well-known member
You might want to look at this post on this thread:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2812673&postcount=243:p
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I was actually thinking of that when I did it, might be a future upgrade, thanks.
Radio Flyer
Well-known member
Mine seemed a little "tippy" with the side cabinet just hanging on it when I hit the cracks in my garage floor. I made a frame as well.
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X1 Mike
Well-known member
Not the 4 of 5 drawer but I specifically bought a 1 drawer to use as a mobile work bench. I have a picture with the drill press sitting on it but I plan to figure out some kind of modular mounting system to use multiple tools such as table saw, mitre saw, bench grinder and the drill. I’d rather be able to roll out in the driveway and send all the sawdust etc in the yard. All I did to get where I am is assemble the cart without handles and cut a 2x4 into 4 pieces. Hold them against the inside of the cart and screw the top down to them. There’s no play to speak of and the top is held down by gravity so it’s easy to convert back to rolling cart. Best mods are simple and functional.
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Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
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Hi, I have one of the older HF service carts and I am trying to find the latest fix for making the top open to 90 degrees. I couldn't find the Snap-On hinges mentioned in the earlier posts. Can the later HF struts be used? Are they available separately? What are the best swivel casters to replace the 2 stationary ones. Thanks, James