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

[16again]

I posted this earlier on the toolbox thread and someone said i should post it here also. It's just 2x2 angle iron and the original casters welded on.

That’s a great idea!
Need to do this to my cart at work.

 

[mbshop]

I'm liking your idea here. I have a problem with most answers or situations, I'm a paraplegic and use a wheelchair. So mounting any tools, etc is an issue because I need to have them mobil but also on something that allows my wheelchair to go underneath. I have my grinder and vise on a moveable metal table but it's a tad to big for my space. But if I could mount those plus my drill press, and made the top overhang as you did, that could solve my problems. Thanks,

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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[mbshop]

Nice mercedes ya got. Even using the old mb color.

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

 

[PelicanPines]

LeroyJenkinns, Welcome to the party. I have to look to see where Irvine CA is... i have family south of SanFran... and south of LA...

This thread also brought me here... to this fine forum. I modified my 5 drawer cart as others have... and have continued to add do dads, hangers, etc to the cart to the point ... it's full captain... It's a series 1... I could use a second cart but have no room for one.

If I were to do it all again... I would have fabricated an ON/OFF latch of some kind on those lid/drawer locks. I have some traffic in my garage and wanted to prevent tools with legs. But still have full access when I'm using the top as a work surface.

Yea... banning happened probably because there was a "group of" actual spammers that joined when you did. The moderators here are QUICK and EFFICIANT in keeping things running smoothly.

I look forward to seeing pictures of your build.

I'm the guy that cut the lower front lip off the bottom shelf and uses the bottom shelf to store 7 old metal DEWALT power tool boxes that were repurposed to store stuff.

Happy Fabricating...

View media item 52070

 

[speed88]

I guess I’ll join the party as I just picked this up yesterday

 

[racinfarmer]

For those of you with a green cart, they now have the magnetic powerstrip in green.

 

[dodge610]

For those of you with a green cart, they now have the magnetic powerstrip in green.

I am waiting for the orange power strip havent seen one yet at my HF lol

 

[riceaterSLC]

I guess I’ll join the party as I just picked this up yesterday

nice! what is that little shelf above the main shelf on the left side?

 

[tulowd]

I got my 5 drawer cart about 5 yrs ago, removed the top retaining mechanism so it could flip all the way to the back out of the way. The top compartment is filled with air grinders and related accessories, some sockets, prybars and commonly used supplies.

Got the HF 8 drawer end cabinet (made for the big roller cabinets) and added it to the cart. This was primarily for the welding and fabrication stage of the car restoration taking place in the car shelter 20 feet away; this made for a smaller and more useful footprint along with providing some useful horizontal surfaces.

 

[speed88]

nice! what is that little shelf above the main shelf on the left side?

It’s harbor freight’s little side tray/ screwdriver holder.

 

[racinfarmer]

Not sure if they are offering the orange/yellow/white or not.

 

[alpinewhite]

Not sure if they are offering the orange/yellow/white or not.

yes/yes/yes

https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=power+strip&utm_campaign=opensearch&cid=opensearch

 

[speed88]

Add a few little things here and there lol. Also put some edge trim around the box to help cushion the lid. Only added it to the sides and a little bit to the front as it interfered with locking and unlocking the lid.

 

[purpurite]

Is the paint can side tray available separately or only with the 5-drawer cart? I'm guessing it's bolt-on and not magnetic, correct? I'd like to find a couple of green ones for my 44" base cabinet and can't find them on the HF website.

 

[darkzero]

Is the paint can side tray available separately or only with the 5-draw cart? I'm guessing it's bolt-on and not magnetic, correct? I'd like to find a couple of green ones for my 44" base cabinet and can't find them on the HF website.

It's not sold in stores/online, comes with the cart. You'd have to buy it as a replacement part.

 

[javyLSU]

Is the paint can side tray available separately or only with the 5-draw cart? I'm guessing it's bolt-on and not magnetic, correct? I'd like to find a couple of green ones for my 44" base cabinet and can't find them on the HF website.

Is this what you're referring to?

If so, it is magnetic and available separately.

 

[racinfarmer]

It's not sold in stores/online, comes with the cart. You'd have to buy it as a replacement part.

Unfortunately, I didn't see it as a replacement part on their .pdf.

 

[purpurite]

Is this what you're referring to?

Nope, this one...

Unfortunate that this piece can't be purchased separately, or as a replacement part. I'd love to be able to add this to other HF boxes.

 

[TheToolEnthusiast]

This tray works really well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-tray-with-screwdriver-holder-black-64644.html

 

[darkzero]

Unfortunately, I didn't see it as a replacement part on their .pdf.

Unfortunate that this piece can't be purchased separately, or as a replacement part. I'd love to be able to add this to other HF boxes.

HF now has parts lists w/ pricing for some of their items but those pdfs don't list all the parts.

Download the owner's manual, it shows the tray as a separate part. You'd have to call them to check price & availability.

Maybe these new parts lists were created to show only what parts can be purchased, I don't know, but it doesn't hurt to try calling. HF is actually pretty good about supplying replacement parts & in most cases their prices are pretty good. Last I remember they even offered free shipping on replacement parts.

 

[purpurite]

Thanks, that helps!

 

[darkzero]

Here's another option. Some of Grizzly's roller chests have a tool tray. Grizzly is very reliable for replacement parts. This is the only model that I found that Grizzly has the tray available for purchase. There might be more models though.

Says the tray is 4x18. Picture shows that it looks like it has holes for screw drivers. Replacement part page doesn't show an actual pic but based on the description I don't see what else could be the "tool tray".

$18 is not bad & it's in stock, you'd probably want to paint it. Their shipping prices can be kind of high sometimes though. Please don't blame me if you buy it & it ends up not being what it seems. Just throwing this out here.

https://www.grizzly.com/parts/grizzly-tool-tray/ph7730008

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-10-drawer-rolling-tool-cabinet/h7730

 

[darkzero]

Since we talking about these tray, sorry I can't help but to rub it in that I have 2 of em on my series 2 cart. I won't bother explaining how I got it but it was by accident. I have the side fold out tray on both of my 5 drawer carts & a second tray is a bit useless, for me anyway. I know that you said you wanted them to add on other boxes.

 

[riceaterSLC]

It’s harbor freight’s little side tray/ screwdriver holder.

Awesome thanks. Looks like it’s fits really well.

 

[demarpaint]

Subscribed.

 

[Tucker99]

Subscribed...

 

[purpurite]

Subscribed.

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You know you guys can go to the top of any thread and click Thread Tools then click "Subscribe to this Thread" to accomplish the same thing without posting in the thread.

 

[PugetDude]

You know you guys can go to the top of any thread and click Thread Tools then click "Subscribe to this Thread" to accomplish the same thing without posting in the thread.

You can also post "Subscribed" to let the OP know that you appreciate them starting the thread and look forward to future updates.

 

[PelicanPines]

You can also post "Subscribed" to let the OP know that you appreciate them starting the thread and look forward to future updates.

:rolleyes

:

Yea... it's kind of like standing on the sidewalk in the day with binoculars... letting everyone know... you are looking in their windows.

On topic :

Has anybody modified the 26" cart for anything?... I turned the top of mine into a "grinding station"... 2 6" grinders, dewalt belt sander stand, knife sharpener...

Will post a picture tomorrow... My modifications only include adding an industrial power strip on the side using an existing nutsert location.

 

[Bogie1632]

Yea... it's kind of like standing on the sidewalk in the day with binoculars... letting everyone know... you are looking in their windows.

On topic :

Has anybody modified the 26" cart for anything?... I turned the top of mine into a "grinding station"... 2 6" grinders, dewalt belt sander stand, knife sharpener...

Will post a picture tomorrow... My modifications only include adding an industrial power strip on the side using an existing nutsert location.

Not a HF 26, but my 3 drawer 26 CM holds my drill press. Drawers hold bits/organizers, sanders, and my angle grinder. The bottom storage is kinda a **** storage right now. Definitely handy having the press a bit mobile.

V/R
Bogie

 

[speed88]

Sweet! Looks like a black trim kit is available to replace the crome trim on the drawers pulls.



https://www.harborfreight.com/merch...mechanics-cart-black-trim-kit-5-pc-57233.html

 

[fartymarty]

Subscribed.

Subscribed...

You know you guys can go to the top of any thread and click Thread Tools then click "Subscribe to this Thread" to accomplish the same thing without posting in the thread.

You can also post "Subscribed" to let the OP know that you appreciate them starting the thread and look forward to future updates.

Yea... it's kind of like standing on the sidewalk in the day with binoculars... letting everyone know... you are looking in their windows.

On topic :

Has anybody modified the 26" cart for anything?... I turned the top of mine into a "grinding station"... 2 6" grinders, dewalt belt sander stand, knife sharpener...

Will post a picture tomorrow... My modifications only include adding an industrial power strip on the side using an existing nutsert location.

" SUBSCRIBED!!!" , with Binoculars out awaiting PelicanP's grinding station photo, 'cause it's tomorrow already.

 

[Ign]

Nope, this one...

Unfortunate that this piece can't be purchased separately, or as a replacement part. I'd love to be able to add this to other HF boxes.

The answer is obvious: buy a small box & pan brake. Duh

 

[Dumb Mechanic]

Subscribing

 

[alpinewhite]

The answer is obvious: buy a small box & pan brake. Duh

And a TIG welder. But at least, you saved money not buying the tray, right?

 

[rangerfredbob]

First post here, just got through leafing through all pages of this thread, holy cow... good thing I changed the posts per page here so it was less clicking

Anywho, I got the 44" bottom cabinet a few years ago and it's been great, and I'm almost done building a 36'x48' shop for myself so I have room to breathe and that means buying more junk to store the junk I currently have in two places now instead of one . I went nuts and bought a blue 56" top and bottom cabinet as well as a side box taking advantage of the 25% off anything coupons a few months ago... I had very little space when I started, now I have 70" of toolbox shoved in an aisle of my garage that is too full, and I haven't poured the floor for the shop yet, at least a couple weeks out, then you have to wait a month before sealing it...

Ok, now for why I'm here, I was on an auction and there was the top part of an older 4 drawer box, no legs with some stuff in it (like eastwing 24oz ball peen and Dewalt random orbit) that I probably over paid for but had to have, ya know? Got tearing into it and found out the lower left slides are missing the middle piece or the bearings. It was in my way so I made a frame for it out of some angle iron I had on hand and some bed frame angle, and casters I had left over from another project. I attached a picture from the auction, and an after picture... No real mods yet other than I did make a plywood bottom shelf shortly after the picture, and the top wasn't bolted on yet. It seems pretty sturdy so far being actual angle iron and the bottom being welded solid.

That said, anyone have a good source for replacement slides for a 4 drawer box?

 

[PelicanPines]

Sorry... Had a minor disaster that needed to be cleared ... I didn't forget the pictures... well ... I forgot to take them ... and yea... post them... I'm gonna be in my shop all day Saturday... Camera is in my bag that will be with me... I promise.

FWIW... I don't use a Phone as a Camera... or a Wrench as a Hammer.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Then you've probably never used a hammer as a wrench? Don't use a prychiseldriver? geez...

I decided to attach pics of my current setup with the red boxes, and the new blue 56" box before I assembled it while sitting in the new shop on the trailer...

 

[darkzero]

How about a phone as a hammer? Do they have an app for that?

 

[fartymarty]

How about a phone as a hammer? Do they have an app for that?

Yes they do, but they won't let you download it until after you've drilled a hole where the headphone jack is underneath the cover.