Harbor Freight 5-drawer cart picture review

twincam00 · Dec 8, 2011

You guys convinced me to buy the HF 5-drawer service cart so I thought I would post up some pics and my observations on it. I used the coupon in Hot Rod magazine and got it for $170 plus tax. Theres a scan of the coupon under my pics on my profile. The only tools I used for assembly were a 13mm socket and ratchet, 13mm box wrench, and 12mm open end wrench. Overall I am very pleased with it, it is surprisingly high quality for a fair price. Assembly can be a little tricky at times, especially lifting the heavy cabinet onto the legs.

The box was much bigger than I expected, I enlisted the help of a friend to get it home. The box dimensions are 34" x 23.5" x 26" and on the side of the box it says it weighs 172 lbs.
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Heres what you see when you take off the top of the box, it is well packed.
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With some styrofoam removed
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The casters and hardware are packed in a box in the bottom drawer of the cart. I am very impressed with them, they feel very heavy duty and even have grease zerks.
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As recommended by others on this forum, I mounted the casters with the locking ones on the long side (but unfortunately I wasnt paying attention when I put the top part on and ended up with the locking ones in the back, Ill fix that eventually)
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After you mount the casters, you bolt the legs on, make sure you don't mount them upside-down
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After the legs are on, you bolt on the support brackets and little shelf. I had to bend the legs out a bit to get the pieces to fit. I would recommend leaving the bolts a little loose so that it is easier to drop the cabinet in.
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Finished! The foam liners for all the drawers and shelves are included.
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Ignore messy garage
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Here is the top storage compartment. The holes for screwdrivers and prybars are 1", 3/4", and 1/2". My only gripe here is that it only allows for 4 7/8" long handles, one of my prybars has a handle longer than that and doesn't fit.
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Here is the drawer locking mechanism. Its a little plastic thing you pull to the side and it opens the drawer. The drawers cannot be opened when the top is down. Time will tell how well this holds up.
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Side profile of one of the drawers. The ball bearing slides work smoothly, They work smoothly when they are loaded too.
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The chrome drawer trim is just plastic and slides around a little. It can be removed too.
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Heres a picture of the slide with the drawer removed. You can also see the little hole that the locking mechanism fits in
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This is the back inside wall of the cart. Paint coverage is kinda crummy but its the inside and you will never see it. You can also see the locking bar. Overall the paint on the cart is good, it has a few poor spots on it around welds.
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Finally, here is the rating decal on the back.
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Zick · Dec 8, 2011

Very nice review!
Always been thinking about getting one of those.

Thanks

diernosaj · Dec 8, 2011

awesome pictures thanks for the review. Been lurking on GJ for a long time and you guys have finally convinced me to actually go get the cart with this coupon out of HOT ROD magazine. Gonna go get it this weekend.

jgj5150 · Dec 8, 2011

It looks alright, but im guessing China. Ugh.

jjjrmx5 · Dec 8, 2011

LOL.

I;ve got an empty one that is the older maroon color out in my garage.

Built like a tank and will last forever. Mine was used on a production/mfg floor used daily so they do hold up. Drawer locks will hold up fine as well.

Make sure you level that thing as there is slop in the vertical post holes that allow you to make things are square when you assemble it. And get the wheels in the right place. LOL.

Other than than that, I swapped my lid shocks our for Snap_On chrome elbow hinges due to an almost yearly shock failure. 30 days after purchase and HF says no to replacements and they run $15 to $20 ea. to replace each shock.

I'll post a pic to show you what I did, but killer cart for a killer price.

BTW-last coupon I had was $159 + tax for that cart. I assume you had the same?

machine_punk · Dec 8, 2011

Great pictorial review!

After assembling mine, I would recommend that the lower section be assembled on a bench, until you add the drawer section. I assembled it on the ground and it was awkward, to say the least.

I took the chrome and logos off mine...
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Then put a 'wrench' handle on it...
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Then hung the 7-drawer end cabinet from it (which makes it so you cannot close the lid). The end cabinet will go somewhere else eventually, but for now, it works...
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twincam00 · Dec 8, 2011

jjjrmx5 said:
LOL.

I;ve got an empty one that is the older maroon color out in my garage.

Built like a tank and will last forever. Mine was used on a production/mfg floor used daily so they do hold up. Drawer locks will hold up fine as well.

Make sure you level that thing as there is slop in the vertical post holes that allow you to make things are square when you assemble it. And get the wheels in the right place. LOL.

Other than than that, I swapped my lid shocks our for Snap_On chrome elbow hinges due to an almost yearly shock failure. 30 days after purchase and HF says no to replacements and they run $15 to $20 ea. to replace each shock.

I'll post a pic to show you what I did, but killer cart for a killer price.

BTW-last coupon I had was $159 + tax for that cart. I assume you had the same?

Thanks for the tip! mine isnt quite level, but I'll fix that later. Ide love to see a pic of your hinge mod.

I the couon i had was only for $169

I saw yours before Machinepunk, I love that wrench mod. What did you use for a spacer behind the wrench?

SiCkSTi04 · Dec 8, 2011

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I cant see from the pictures but is there a size limit to what can put in the side holders? Its used for pry bars, breaker bars, ratchets etc.

twincam00 · Dec 8, 2011

The holes are 1", 3/4", and 1/2". The space is just under 2" wide by 4 7/8" high

Edit: heres a pic, prybars and breaker bars will fit, as long as the handle isnt too long, you can see the handle sticking out the top
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MustangRick · Dec 8, 2011

I bought one last year. I was working in a garage part time and it worked our really good to look the laptop in and to store all my commonly used tools in. It is definitely well built, I think the casters are over built for the unit which is nice. I left the handle for the top off, I figured it would just get broken off. Overall, I would buy it again if I had a use for something that size. It is pretty big compared to the smaller cart that goes on sale for $100.

The Lazy Destroyer · Dec 8, 2011

Thanks for the pictures, i have been eying this one lately.

Also digging the B-Body in the background :thumbup:

jam022316 · Dec 8, 2011

Thanks for the detailed pictures and write up. May have to pick one of those up.

Hammer1963 · Dec 8, 2011

For the money, these carts are really hard to beat. Small mods here and there will make them everything you could ask for in a tool cart. Source the top props from an auto-parts store and you'll be in good shape

rickairmedic · Dec 8, 2011

jgj5150 said:
It looks alright, but im guessing China. Ugh.

Would you like to take a wild guess where Snap ons service carts are made

. Hint most likely the same factory

.The COO is the same .

Rick

rburke65 · Dec 8, 2011

I bought mine 2 months ago and I think it's a great buy, well built, and should last a while. I'm sure we will all find out down the road but I'd buy another.

JimVonBaden · Dec 8, 2011

I have just the cart, but am seriously considering the drawer cart above.

The roll cart is plenty strong, and I usually keep my welder in the top part of it. Very handy tool I got on sale for $40.

Jim

Cougar67 · Dec 8, 2011

That was a nice write-up. Thanks for taking the time to post. I'm considering this unit as I'm out of storage space. Question: I'm wondering if it would be possible to assemble the legs lying on their back and slide the drawers into the legs and then stand the whole unit up? Would that be possible? I'm too weak to lift the drawers onto the frame. I would assemble it on a blanket to avoid scratches.

Walterchang · Dec 9, 2011

I bought the same cart almost a year ago, it has held up great. I did not have any help assemblying it. While I put it together I took out all the drawers. Upon putting in the bottom drawer the drawer slide. I replaced it, but that is the only problem I have had with it.

Steves32 · Dec 9, 2011

Got some dimensions? Width, height & depth?
I need something like this when the car is up on the lift. Walking back & forth fetching tools is getting old.

RonRock · Dec 9, 2011

Cougar67 said:
That was a nice write-up. Thanks for taking the time to post. I'm considering this unit as I'm out of storage space. Question: I'm wondering if it would be possible to assemble the legs lying on their back and slide the drawers into the legs and then stand the whole unit up? Would that be possible? I'm too weak to lift the drawers onto the frame. I would assemble it on a blanket to avoid scratches.

Timely thread for me. I just assembled mine yesterday. I did mine on the shop floor, used the box cardboard to assemble on to avoid scratches. And built the bottom section, then slid the box into it. Loosely bolted together and stood up the unit before tightening all of the fasteners. Piece of cake.

I am thinking about disabling the lock mechanism though. I want to be able to open drawers with the top down. Anybody do that yet? I'd like to do it without destroying any parts just in case I want to go back.

twincam00 · Dec 9, 2011

thanks guys, I like seeing pictures of things before I buy them so I figure some people must think the same way

It would probably be possible to assemble on its back, but its is easier if its standing upright for 2 reasons: A) gravity helps the drawer part settle in place so you can get the bolts in and B) its gonna be tricky to lift it upright with the casters, itll wanna roll away from ya

Overall dimensions: 37.7" W x 20.7" D x 41.4" H

jjjrmx5 · Dec 9, 2011

twincam00 said:
Thanks for the tip! mine isnt quite level, but I'll fix that later. Ide love to see a pic of your hinge mod.

I the couon i had was only for $169

Here ya go.

Bought the chrome hinge set for the 4 dwr. Snap-on /Blue Point carts. $8.65 plus tax with free shipping from snappy.
Comes with 2 hinges (1 locking, 1 std.), 4 thru pins with holes for cotter pins and four lock cotter pins.

Drill 2 new holes in bottom portion of vertical support and use hdwre Snappy sent you for bottm mount point.

For top lid portion, use exisiting holed flanges, just go to hdwre store and buy longer mounting pins with holes in them, (2) 1/4" thick nylon shims and (2) M6 x1.00 washers.
Put it together using shim and washer and use locking cotter pins Snappy sent you for the top.

$10 in parts total and you get a lifetime warranty on the hinges from Snap-On and the hinges take up far less access space than the shocks, and can be removed quickly if you want to flip the lid all the way open. HF shocks are not warranty items. As for soucing the shocks, automotive hood and trunk shocks are too high pressure, so you need shocks from teh camper/RV stores and they are &^%$ pricey.

LMK if you have any questions.

Oh, and I kept the existing ball mounts for the shocks (just screwd them in the existing empty holes in the box) in case I ever sell the box and it can go back to OEM in 5 minutes.

twincam00 · Dec 9, 2011

Wow that is really ingenious, do you happen to have the part number for the hinges? or the cart model so I could look them up?

jjjrmx5 · Dec 9, 2011

Sure do.

I have a used Blue Point 4 dwr cart that was passed around at work from owner to owner like a $10 ***** that I love and I got for cheap and the PO took poor care of it and only had the non-locking hinge side when I bought it.

I ordered a new set of hinges and went WTF--why am I paying for new shock sets from HF every year (they are ******) at $25 to $30 with shipping. Good shocks are fine if used daily, but the HF stuff failed , or, I guess, slowly deflated over time and on a regular schedule.
$9 and Snap-On . Win.

I;ve got a ton of hatch shocks around but they are too strong for the lid to close without springing open and busting you in the chin. Only shocks that I found that work are those for camper caps or RV windows that are much lower pressure, but you still have to do the center to center measuring and hope they work. And pay out the nose.

I went old skool and said %^&* it. One and done and good even if the zombies come.

Specs:

Blue Point 4 dwr lift lid service cart: KRBC8T
(mine is in Ultra Yellow) so PES are last 3 letters after the T.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/part...rewdriver+Compartment,+Red;$0.00;KRBC8T;73613

Hinge, clip and pin set:
KRBC8T9

$9.15 (sorry-price went up a lil')

I assume replacements will be there for a decade more at least. LOL.

Shims for the lid mounting point is only because HF moved them from the Snap-On box specs so the elbow hinges are not a direct fit, but damn close.

The "L" brackets on teh lid for the shocks are moved 1/4" to 3/8" ish to the outer lip of the box vs Snappy bieng more inboard causing the need for the shims. It just keeps the hinges verticle so the do not bind, but there is slop that gets them close but not close enuff.

twincam00 · Dec 10, 2011

Thank you, I will save this info for when my shocks go out

bczygan · Dec 10, 2011

When this cart is at the sale price of $199 online and in the store, you can use the 20% coupon and get it for $160. Great cart!

twincam00 · Dec 10, 2011

bczygan said:
When this cart is at the sale price of $199 online and in the store, you can use the 20% coupon and get it for $160. Great cart!

If confused why people keep saying this. Maybe its just my local harbor freight, but they wont accept the 20% coupon for anything that is on sale. the cart is always on sale for $199

bczygan · Dec 10, 2011

twincam00 said:
If confused why people keep saying this. Maybe its just my local harbor freight, but they wont accept the 20% coupon for anything that is on sale. the cart is always on sale for $199

Don;t confuse sale prices and super coupons. You can NOT use the 20% coupon on top of a super coupon. You MAY use it on items that are on sale like the 5 drawer service cart (But NOT the roller tool cabinets like the 13 drawer). If they won't accept the 20% coupon on sale priced items have them call corporate for verification.

Which store won't do it?

diernosaj · Dec 10, 2011

I just got home from spending $250 at HF

got me the 5 drawer cart.

I had the HOT ROD mag in my hand ready to go. The guy at the register had 2 different flyers in his pockets. Looked at one then looked at another one the inside track flyer and it was 149. So I paid for the inside track club membership which was 20, then got the cart for 149, then he scanned the 20% off coupon, THEN i got the free $5 volt meter lol. Along with a bunch of other **** I got. THEN I got a $10 gift card which they turned around and applied to the whole order also. He didn't have some code or the physical gift card or something and just did everything through the register manually. Couple kids running the place looked like they were doing whatever they wanted which was the easy route on everything.

Fine with me, I finally got the cart I been wanting for a long time.

twincam00 · Dec 10, 2011

bczygan said:
Don;t confuse sale prices and super coupons. You can NOT use the 20% coupon on top of a super coupon. You MAY use it on items that are on sale like the 5 drawer service cart (But NOT the roller tool cabinets like the 13 drawer). If they won't accept the 20% coupon on sale priced items have them call corporate for verification.

Which store won't do it?

The 20% coupon says that you cant use it with any other coupon or discount, they told me the 'sale' (regular) price of 199 was a discount so I could use it. There always strict there though, its the east side Green Bay HF

jjjrmx5 · Dec 10, 2011

diernosaj said:
I just got home from spending $250 at HF

Looked at one then looked at another one the inside track flyer and it was 149. So I paid for the inside track club membership which was 20, then got the cart for 149, then he scanned the 20% off coupon, THEN i got the free $5 volt meter lol.

Couple kids running the place looked like they were doing whatever they wanted which was the easy route on everything.

U should be arrested 'cause you just got away with a crime... LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

My local HF is a "free for all" as well with double coupon action and a great deal of irreverence toward "corporate".

If you get car mags, look for the MOAA (mother of all ads) from HF for the Xmas rush.

Full toolbox in your face page in Autoweek Dec. 12 I just got today. Looks like a Ferrari ad there is so much red.

Epic. Craftsman just got the slap down.
LOL.

I'll scan and post later.

jjjrmx5 · Dec 10, 2011

Boom.
Offshore dumping at its finest. :lol:

Good til 4/12/12.

And $289 for a 6 foot tall 16 dwr. 26" roll cab and top chest combo.
Beat that Sears.

Yowsa.

bczygan · Dec 10, 2011

twincam00 said:
The 20% coupon says that you cant use it with any other coupon or discount, they told me the 'sale' (regular) price of 199 was a discount so I could use it. There always strict there though, its the east side Green Bay HF

Make them call corporate and also tell them to input the code below the barcode to see if the system will take it. Some stores make their own rules and you can get them to change. Get the 800 number and call and confirm before you go.

BevoZ06 · Dec 10, 2011

jjjrmx5 said:
U should be arrested 'cause you just got away with a crime... LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

My local HF is a "free for all" as well with double coupon action and a great deal of irreverence toward "corporate".

If you get car mags, look for the MOAA (mother of all ads) from HF for the Xmas rush.

Full toolbox in your face page in Autoweek Dec. 12 I just got today. Looks like a Ferrari ad there is so much red.

Epic. Craftsman just got the slap down.
LOL.

I'll scan and post later.

I just opened my December 12 Autoweek. I will be buying the 26" 8+8 roller cabinet and the 5-drawer roller service cart to be used as part of my garage finishing project. Those are great prices.

Group B · Dec 11, 2011

I've had this cart for about a year now. It's awesome for the price!

diernosaj · Dec 11, 2011

jjjrmx5 said:
U should be arrested 'cause you just got away with a crime... LOLOLOLOLOLOL.

My local HF is a "free for all" as well with double coupon action and a great deal of irreverence toward "corporate".
.

Hahaha I didn't feel the least bit guilty.

I put my cart together with a cherry picker. There was no way I was lifting the drawers onto the base by myself without damaging it or me, its heavy.

RAYJAY · Dec 11, 2011

i have 2 of the same carts both wrinkle finish, one at work and one at home, on the top cover of one i just removed the cylinders and put rubber bump stops on the back of my cart lid will flip right over the back side to the bump stops, will try to get pictures tomorrow

twincam00 · Dec 11, 2011

bczygan said:
Make them call corporate and also tell them to input the code below the barcode to see if the system will take it. Some stores make their own rules and you can get them to change. Get the 800 number and call and confirm before you go.

I'll try that next time I buy somethin there

olytdi · Dec 22, 2011

Just picked up this cart tonight for $149. I am very impressed with the robustness of the materials. It really is an unbelievable deal at that price. Exceeded my expectations once I put it together.

$149 coupon over in the "harbor frieght coupons" thread courtesy of anyheck...

jdub63 · Dec 22, 2011

Is there a way to setup the drawer locks so they don't lock with the top closed? I would like to use the closed top as a bench and still be able to get something out of the drawers.

Harbor Freight 5-drawer cart picture review

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