Modifications to the HF 4 and 5 drawer service carts - what changes have you made?
- Thread starter ndnchf
- Start date
jmhinkle
Well-known member
I'm considering it, but the spacing on the holes I'd like to use for 1/4 might not allow for it.
rick carpenter
Well-known 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.
It looks like the bottom plate slides to access the air tools, and locks. If I'm seeing this right, that's very innovative!
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Used the step bit to get the holes upsized. Got tight in the corner. Had to unbolt the corner of the box, move the leg over a bit and get the last two holes from the bottom.
Everything in place that fits:
No love for these two as the handle shape doesn't lend to the organization pattern. It's ok though as I have a hard time using them due to cost and looks. The 1/4" standard length Nepros is my go to in that size though.
Starting putting my Vessel Megadoras in the left side and they wouldn't stand up on the orings. Had a look see and realized the bottom of the Megadoras have a raised portion that fits in the holes perfectly.
Everything in place that fits:
No love for these two as the handle shape doesn't lend to the organization pattern. It's ok though as I have a hard time using them due to cost and looks. The 1/4" standard length Nepros is my go to in that size though.
Starting putting my Vessel Megadoras in the left side and they wouldn't stand up on the orings. Had a look see and realized the bottom of the Megadoras have a raised portion that fits in the holes perfectly.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
The have released the accessories in all the colors. Didn't have the glove holder in stock, but the 30% coupon works on these as they are $9.99.
I'll move things around, but just wanted to stick them on to see how they look.
I'll move things around, but just wanted to stick them on to see how they look.
jakemac
Well-known member
Cut the bottom of the tray out, leaving a lip. Then make your own bottom spaced to your liking.
(just spitballing ideas)
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PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Like button pressed
jmhinkle
Well-known member
I did the lid lock mod. I don't need the drawers to lock, but once in a blue moon. I prefer to use them with the slide locks just to keep them in place. I put the caps back on the vertical bars until I find a can of paint to touch up the cut pieces and they are just low enough to not function the locks.
fartymarty
Well-known member
Anybody have problems with the Snap-on bumpers not sticking? Even though it is 3M adhesive on there I kind of wonder if the so called Snap-on quality has gone down hill a bit? I cleaned the legs of the cart first, but the things are still getting loose in different spots. Later tonight I'm going to try applying some heat and use a wallpaper seam roller to see if that helps.
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also, if you've got nothing better to read:
I've been reading this thread for over a year. I'm not sure when I started exactly but I know for sure it was no later than April of 2018. I just felt I had other stuff to do, and as long as I could find a valid coupon for the 5 drawer cart for $169 I would use the expiration date as my deadline. As it approached I'd find a new coupon with an expiration several months further along than the last and I would move my deadline accordingly. Currently there is a $169 coupon that doesn't expire until December of this year (it is only usable on red, black or blue models) and since I wanted a red one, accordingly that was my new deadline,....however...while I was in the local HF I overheard a guy trying to use same coupon. They didn't have any red ones in stock, so he decided to get a black one. They said no, none of those in stock either. He didn't want a blue one, but it didn't matter they were out of those as well ('cause I asked after he left). Panic/paranoia mode started to set in, and I went home and started calling around to different HF stores to see if they had any red ones in stock. First two said no, so I asked about blue and black, again "no". I started to think (no thinking really, just paranoia) that maybe with the tariffs in place that maybe HF was just going to fight that coupon by not stocking any of those colors anymore (yeah stupid, I know, that's why it's called paranoia). Called one more store and he said he still had a red one in a box in the back. I went and got it the next morning. So paranoia got me off the pot and out to get one. Walked into my local HF a week later and they had all six colors in stock. DOH!!!
So, all of that long story to say, yeah I finally have one and have been using all of the many tips found on here to fix it up the way I want it. When it's finally finished I'll be putting up too many photos to bore you all with, but probably not until late August as I have a lot of stuff to do planned for July and early August, after all I wasn't supposed to pick it up until December.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
also, if you've got nothing better to read:
I've been reading this thread for over a year. I'm not sure when I started exactly but I know for sure it was no later than April of 2018. I just felt I had other stuff to do, and as long as I could find a valid coupon for the 5 drawer cart for $169 I would use the expiration date as my deadline. As it approached I'd find a new coupon with an expiration several months further along than the last and I would move my deadline accordingly. Currently there is a $169 coupon that doesn't expire until December of this year (it is only usable on red, black or blue models) and since I wanted a red one, accordingly that was my new deadline,....however...while I was in the local HF I overheard a guy trying to use same coupon. They didn't have any red ones in stock, so he decided to get a black one. They said no, none of those in stock either. He didn't want a blue one, but it didn't matter they were out of those as well ('cause I asked after he left). Panic/paranoia mode started to set in, and I went home and started calling around to different HF stores to see if they had any red ones in stock. First two said no, so I asked about blue and black, again "no". I started to think (no thinking really, just paranoia) that maybe with the tariffs in place that maybe HF was just going to fight that coupon by not stocking any of those colors anymore (yeah stupid, I know, that's why it's called paranoia). Called one more store and he said he still had a red one in a box in the back. I went and got it the next morning. So paranoia got me off the pot and out to get one. Walked into my local HF a week later and they had all six colors in stock. DOH!!!
So, all of that long story to say, yeah I finally have one and have been using all of the many tips found on here to fix it up the way I want it. When it's finally finished I'll be putting up too many photos to bore you all with, but probably not until late August as I have a lot of stuff to do planned for July and early August, after all I wasn't supposed to pick it up until December.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Send it to me till December... I want to cut a series 2 up a bit... this could be my chance.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
My Snap-on bumpers are in the mail. I'll let you know if I have any problems getting them to stick.
shortymgee
Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2012
- Messages
- 24
Holly cow this is long and Im to lazy to go through every page. I wish their was some way to put all the pictures from this thread together. Thank all y'all for your time posting
shortymgee
Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2012
- Messages
- 24
I have a ? What do ineed to do to receive notifications when someone makes a new post on this thread? Thanks
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Click on User CP and you'll see a row on the left. The fifth category down is Subscribed Threads and under that is List Subscriptions. Click on that and you'll have a list of threads you subscribe to. On the right side there are boxes you can check. Check the ones you want notifications for and then go to the bottom of the list. Click on the box next to "Selected Threads" and you'll see four different notification options:
- No email notification
- Instant email notification
- Daily email notification
- Weekly email notification
shortymgee
Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2012
- Messages
- 24
Hey thanks man. I finally figured it out earlier. I clicked on "thread tools", right under where it says (page 167of 167)
fartymarty
Well-known member
No. Nice try but, no.
No it isn't. Double no.
Thanks!
jmhinkle
Well-known member
I put the mini trim around the top edges
Outer layer
Inner layer
Detail view
Outer layer
Inner layer
Detail view
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Snap-on bumpers arrived. I gave the one leg a quick wipe with alcohol and stuck two of them on. Had to trim the bottom one obviously. No issues sticking. To the contrary, I almost got the top one cockeyed. On the first one that didn't require trimming, I learned to make sure you spread them open a bit so you can get the corner in the right place. The tape and goo on the flanges will damn near suction to the metal leg when you get them pressed in on the corners. If you spread it open as you work down, you can get the corner set correctly and then press the flanges to the painted surface for a nice tight fit. I only did these two just to get an idea before I head out for daughters' cheerleading activities.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Finished up the bumpers. Trimming the rounded corners after cuts is the hardest part. Even from the factory there was some corners I cleaned up that didn't get cut nicely as you can see in the 2nd picture above. Sharp utility scissors works the best on the corners in my experience. Too thick to get a clean edge with a razor blade even. I had a few questions on them from the first post. Part number from Snap-On is KRBC10T23 for the set of 8. $31.70 shipped to your door and even though it said not in stock, they shipped immediately for me just like Real Tool Reviews said. I also ordered the extreme green side panel, which was by calling in only to get part number and availability. Not for their weird non-peg peg board feature, but to cover up the ratchets hanging down and give me a flat surface for the magnetic accessories. It arrives next Wednesday so I'll have an update to the cart next week.
fartymarty
Well-known member
Thanks jmhinkle. Keep an eye on those and see if they start to pull away in a few days.
My paper strips over the sticky stuff where a little yellowish so maybe mine were old. I had assumed that the yellow was coming from the excess glue but maybe they were just old.
I trimmed my lower pieces as well but I saved the trimmings to put on the corners of the can shelf 'cause I just know that's going to hit more stuff in my garage than any of the other edges of the cart.
Earlier in this thread I asked...
I don't think anyone responded, if they did I missed it. However now I can answer my own question. If you want the heads on the bolts to be black, then paint them all before assembly. I know, well DUH! My problem is that I didn't know that's what I wanted to do at the time. It just didn't occur to me until I had installed the black trim and black bumper guards. So now I'm going through the cart removing a couple of bolts at a time and painting the heads with black appliance touch up paint that comes in a little bottle like fingernail polish. When they're dry I put a little locktite on the threads and put it back together. At the rate I'm going through it I may be done by L̶a̶b̶o̶r̶ ̶D̶a̶y̶ Halloween.
My paper strips over the sticky stuff where a little yellowish so maybe mine were old. I had assumed that the yellow was coming from the excess glue but maybe they were just old.
I trimmed my lower pieces as well but I saved the trimmings to put on the corners of the can shelf 'cause I just know that's going to hit more stuff in my garage than any of the other edges of the cart.
Earlier in this thread I asked...
I don't think anyone responded, if they did I missed it. However now I can answer my own question. If you want the heads on the bolts to be black, then paint them all before assembly. I know, well DUH! My problem is that I didn't know that's what I wanted to do at the time. It just didn't occur to me until I had installed the black trim and black bumper guards. So now I'm going through the cart removing a couple of bolts at a time and painting the heads with black appliance touch up paint that comes in a little bottle like fingernail polish. When they're dry I put a little locktite on the threads and put it back together. At the rate I'm going through it I may be done by L̶a̶b̶o̶r̶ ̶D̶a̶y̶ Halloween.
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jmhinkle
Well-known member
Mine were yellowed as well and I do believe it's from that glue like substance on the rubber itself. Is your tape pulling away from the rubber side or the cart side? When I peeled the paper off the tape on my first one I notice a few spots of air under the tape to rubber mating side. Before installing the rest I rubbed the tape down to the rubber good before peeling the tape and installing on the cart. They sure seemed to be stuck good after install. I'll definitely keep an eye on them. Great idea on the scraps as well for the can shelf. I'll do the same since I saved mine also.
fartymarty
Well-known member
Cart side.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Thanks for the idea on the shelf bumpers. Two of the pieces cut off were almost perfect. Removed another 1/4" off them and slapped them on when I got home from work a few minutes ago. I noticed when cleaning the shelf with alcohol that it had significant powder remains that wiped off. Must be overspray from the crappy powder coat facilities because the finish was baked, glossy and clean after the wipedown.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
You may have to call in and ask about part KRBC8T9 for the hinges. Snap-on doesn't use them anymore as the new carts look identical to the HF series 2 carts now.
fartymarty
Well-known member
Progress report. I knew you all were waiting with bated breath for me to show some photos of my cart. headshake ah, no Marty, not really) I couldn't make you wait until late August for it to be finished as that would be just too cruel (again Marty, no, not really 
).
Anyway, interested or not, here they are in varying stages of progress.
I put the HF swivels in the back and a couple of Home Depot dual locking swivel casters in the front. I used some steel to raise the HD casters a bit, and to add a little more beef to the bottom since the HD casters had smaller mounting plates.
I probably purchased too much trim, so accordingly I'm using it EV-ER-Y-WHERE and still have more to go. I removed the U.S. General badging, and I'm going with the Craftsman subterfuge.
I decided not to use contact cement for the side tray/shelf. I thought that down the road if I want to change it, it would be easier dealing with 4 holes rather than having to remove a bunch of sticky goo. I used plastic automotive type push pins instead of screws as they won't scratch stuff, and are easily replaceable.
Doing a couple a day, I currently have three sides finished painting the bolt heads black and reassembling with Loctite. I wish I painted them all first.
Since I put trim on both the cart top edge and the lid, I had to do just a bit of bending the lid edges so it would close. My garage has to do everything, so I want to be able to close it both to keep sawdust out, and to provide an occasional work surface. 99% of the time it will be open.
Later next month, after an intervening project,
I plan on:
1) putting metal pegboard on the left and rear sides of the bottom open area.
2)attaching a square piece of tubing (smaller size, not the two inch trailer mount stuff)just under the cart handle for occasional mounting of a small vise either front or rear.
3) mounting an aluminum tray to the top with bolts or rivets, that will have a couple of Craftsman magnetic holders in it and an available rubber mat insert.
4) a side mounted plastic tube to store the above mentioned mat rolled up inside.
5) possibly a foam covered PVC frame on the back as a bumper, as everything in my cramped garage has to be on wheels and movable, so whatever is usually bumping to all the other whatever and I have 4 motorcycles that are already sporting way too many scratches.
6) replace the lid handle with something black.
7) Probably make a sliding insert tray for the deeper top right drawer.
I was thinking originally of doing the screw driver area modification so that pry bars could be put in there and still close the lid, but then it occurred to me that I just don't use pry bars all that often. In fact I just bought a set because they were cheap and I had points to use at Sears to make them even cheaper, so no, the pry bars are going somewhere else in the garage. I did put HF grommets in all the holes though.
headshake ah, no Marty, not really) I couldn't make you wait until late August for it to be finished as that would be just too cruel (again Marty, no, not really ).Anyway, interested or not, here they are in varying stages of progress.
I put the HF swivels in the back and a couple of Home Depot dual locking swivel casters in the front. I used some steel to raise the HD casters a bit, and to add a little more beef to the bottom since the HD casters had smaller mounting plates.
I probably purchased too much trim, so accordingly I'm using it EV-ER-Y-WHERE and still have more to go. I removed the U.S. General badging, and I'm going with the Craftsman subterfuge.
I decided not to use contact cement for the side tray/shelf. I thought that down the road if I want to change it, it would be easier dealing with 4 holes rather than having to remove a bunch of sticky goo. I used plastic automotive type push pins instead of screws as they won't scratch stuff, and are easily replaceable.
Doing a couple a day, I currently have three sides finished painting the bolt heads black and reassembling with Loctite. I wish I painted them all first.
Since I put trim on both the cart top edge and the lid, I had to do just a bit of bending the lid edges so it would close. My garage has to do everything, so I want to be able to close it both to keep sawdust out, and to provide an occasional work surface. 99% of the time it will be open.
Later next month, after an intervening project,
I plan on:
1) putting metal pegboard on the left and rear sides of the bottom open area.
2)attaching a square piece of tubing (smaller size, not the two inch trailer mount stuff)just under the cart handle for occasional mounting of a small vise either front or rear.
3) mounting an aluminum tray to the top with bolts or rivets, that will have a couple of Craftsman magnetic holders in it and an available rubber mat insert.
4) a side mounted plastic tube to store the above mentioned mat rolled up inside.
5) possibly a foam covered PVC frame on the back as a bumper, as everything in my cramped garage has to be on wheels and movable, so whatever is usually bumping to all the other whatever and I have 4 motorcycles that are already sporting way too many scratches.
6) replace the lid handle with something black.
7) Probably make a sliding insert tray for the deeper top right drawer.
I was thinking originally of doing the screw driver area modification so that pry bars could be put in there and still close the lid, but then it occurred to me that I just don't use pry bars all that often. In fact I just bought a set because they were cheap and I had points to use at Sears to make them even cheaper, so no, the pry bars are going somewhere else in the garage. I did put HF grommets in all the holes though.
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jmhinkle
Well-known member
FartyMarty, the very first bumper I put on, front upper right, has just an edge that does want to pull back a little. It's only about a 2" section from the bottom up on the side towards the handle. That was the first one I did and had to readjust it a bit as I put it on by peeling the paper first. Not sure why I did that because I've installed a million things that you peel the tape from as you go down and I did it that way in the rest of the strips. That is the only one that doesn't stick perfect and it's hard to say I didn't cause it. Just thought you would want an update on it.
I got double goodies today for my birthday. First the side panel came in. $22ish shipped from Snap-on. Hides the ratchets and gives me magnet space.
And secondly, this arrived early to replace my old 44" set up. Still waiting the top though.
I got double goodies today for my birthday. First the side panel came in. $22ish shipped from Snap-on. Hides the ratchets and gives me magnet space.
And secondly, this arrived early to replace my old 44" set up. Still waiting the top though.
slik560
Well-known member
I like those magnet/panels on fartymarty's cart lid. I wish I would have seen those before I bolted three HF magnet bars to the lid of my Homak.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Agreed!
Marty, where did you get those magnet panels and are they pretty strong for holding ratchets and extensions?
Handyandy23
Well-known member
FartyMarty, the very first bumper I put on, front upper right, has just an edge that does want to pull back a little. It's only about a 2" section from the bottom up on the side towards the handle. That was the first one I did and had to readjust it a bit as I put it on by peeling the paper first. Not sure why I did that because I've installed a million things that you peel the tape from as you go down and I did it that way in the rest of the strips. That is the only one that doesn't stick perfect and it's hard to say I didn't cause it. Just thought you would want an update on it.
I got double goodies today for my birthday. First the side panel came in. $22ish shipped from Snap-on. Hides the ratchets and gives me magnet space.
And secondly, this arrived early to replace my old 44" set up. Still waiting the top though.
Is that holder for the box of nitrile gloves a HF item? That looks handy!
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Just released them on July 3rd in all the colors to match the rest of the line up.
fartymarty
Well-known member
I got them from Sears, but I think Lowes has them too. I got the idea from someone else either in this thread or the Sears deals thread. I bought a lot of stuff before I got the cart, the price on those panels has gone up quite a bit since then. Yes, as long as whatever you are putting on the panels touches across a gap it is held pretty well. I can close the lid and it all stays put.
However those HF ones are pretty stout, if you have an extension going across three of those I doubt the Craftsman one could come close to the holding power.
Yes Thank You!
ptgarcia
Well-known member
The magnetic panel is in fact a Craftsman item from Sears. I added one to mine, too. It works well enough, but if you drop the lid it will dump items with smaller contact area. Mine holds my 1/4 drive ratchets and breaker bars.
I have also added a Sunex locking pry bar holder to my cart.
I have also added a Sunex locking pry bar holder to my cart.
Attachments
jmhinkle,
I searched the Snap on site for side panels but did not see any that matched yours or at the price you mentioned. Can you provide the part # for the peg board side panel you added? Does it bolt on or did you have to cut or drill anything to mount it?
I searched the Snap on site for side panels but did not see any that matched yours or at the price you mentioned. Can you provide the part # for the peg board side panel you added? Does it bolt on or did you have to cut or drill anything to mount it?
jmhinkle
Well-known member
They only have the red panel, part KRBC9T18, listed in the replacement parts section. I emailed them to get the green part number and then called the order in since you can't order it online. Green is KRBC9T18PJJ and price is 22.75 shipped, unless you live in a state with taxes. It has 6 mounting holes and 4 of them line up perfectly with the bolts in the handle and bolts in the can tray.
QwikKotaTx
Well-known member
They also now have the magnetic spray can holders in various colors. I modify it a little and make a cupholder and cell phone holder for my old Willys jeep. Now I can have a blue one
Very cool!