Another thread about the new series 2 HF tool cart

[JMLangford]

After watching this video last week

I bit the bullet and drained my tool budget yesterday and treated myself to the new Series 2 Harbor Freight 5 drawer tool cart and side shelf......


I got started about 2 hours before dark yesterday, and wasn't in a hurry to try and beat the clock.....I just took my time and enjoyed a warm evening out in the shop.

I started by laying out all the fasteners to make sure they were all there...


This cart was extremely well packaged (much better than import items I've seen in the past) all parts and pieces were carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and the box unit itself was surrounded by thick Styrofoam.....
......that being said, I was surprised to find the small side can tray was slightly bent but nothing else had even a scratch on it.....the paint is impeccable.
A little tweaking with a dead blow hanmmer and it's as good as new....


I got it all together except for going around and tightening everything.....it was getting dark so I rolled it in the shop an closed up for the night

Today I tightened everything down real good, and started trying to figure out where/what I wanted to put in it......




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[JMLangford]

Of course, I had to decorate it with a few (magnetic) stickers....


Top tray....


First small drawer....


Second small drawer....


The deep drawer....


First wide drawer....




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[JMLangford]

Bottom wide drawer....


I splurged for the side tray/shelf also.....I'm still thinking about what type of "top" I want to put on it.....


Can holder....


So far, I have a small shop vac on the bottom shelf space....


I'm planning on installing this power strip under the side shelf....


This new tool cart is replacing my old single drawer cart I got from Harbor Freight also about 10 years ago.....


Well, that's it so far......of course I'll be changing it all around as I figure out what and how I want to use it, but I'm happy and know I'm going to enjoy using it as I work (play ) in my shop....

I believe Harbor Freight has them a winner on their hands with this cart.....If you're on the fence about getting one of these carts, I'd say don't wait too long because they'll soon probably go up in price.....I think $199.99 is as low as they will be also, but in MHO it's well worth every penny.

I stated in another thread that if this cart was put in front of me to assemble.....with NO manufacturer's markings on it......from the quality of the materials and finish, I'd swear it was made in the U.S.A.


When my tool fund heals up, I'm going to get a couple of the strip magnets to fasten to the lid and stick wrenches or whatever on them.....


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[Musicinabottle]

Not for me, but looks good!

 

[JMLangford]

I originally paid $199.99 for this cart because I couldn't find a coupon on https://www.harborfreight.com/ ......well after reading the thread on modifying the 4 or 5 drawer carts, I found a coupon on http://www.hfqpdb.com/ for $169.99

I went back to the store yesterday and they refunded me the difference, no problem at all.....in fact it was the easiest and fastest transaction ever!

So.....while I was there I picked up two 18" magnetic strips to mount to the lid of the cart.....first magnet I got 20% off and then used a coupon I found on http://www.hfqpdb.com/ I got the second one "free" with any purchased

Two magnetic strips for $4.23



(they're not attached yet.....they're just stuck on backwards for the pic)



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[protegeV]

I had a HF cart for a long time. Served me well before I upgraded to my current MAC. No complaints with HF for the money though

 

[RandyRanderson]

They're not bad. I picked up a black one a couple weekends ago. After the coupon, it was $180 after taxes. In retrospect, I should have gotten something else. I have yet to use it for its intended purpose. It will likely never leave its spot in my small shop, so I could have gotten something with more drawers.

 

[JMLangford]

I'll put just the commonly used basic tools in mine and use it under my 18' x 20' carport I have at one end of my shop......If there is something I need special for a vehicle I don't have in the cart, it's just 28' across the length of my shop to one of my other larger tool boxes.
Here are a couple of older pics of my shop & carport......


The small cart I had before didn't hold many tools and I was constantly going back and forth into the shop to get tools......maybe with this cart I won't walk myself crazy.....I'll be more efficient
This is the former cart.....(as seen above)




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[xin]

They're not bad. I picked up a black one a couple weekends ago. After the coupon, it was $180 after taxes. In retrospect, I should have gotten something else. I have yet to use it for its intended purpose. It will likely never leave its spot in my small shop, so I could have gotten something with more drawers.

Does the coupon apply to the Blue color as well if so do you got the link?

 

[JMLangford]

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/30",+5+DRAWER+TOOL+CART

The red cart is number 64061.....the other numbers are the black and blue ones

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[firworks]

It's a beaut. I kinda wish I had a few of those instead of the 44" just because my garage is so small and I never work on cars IN it but always in front of it.

 

[MushCreek]

I wish I could justify getting a blue one. I use a red one at work, and have two 44's at home. I really don't even need all that I have, but ya know....

 

[xin]

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/30",+5+DRAWER+TOOL+CART

The red cart is number 64061.....the other numbers are the black and blue ones

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Thanks for the coupon!

 

[jkesselr]

Is there a difference between the series 1 and series 2 carts? I know the boxes are deeper, but what about the carts?

 

[AmishFury]

i think the carts are deeper too... i know for certain the series 2 cart lid opens fully where the series 1 was at an angle

 

[Parrothead]

Two magnetic strips for $4.23



(they're not attached yet.....they're just stuck on backwards for the pic.

If you don’t want to drill holes in your lid, 3M automotive trim tape works great. I’ve used it. A+

 

[CallumRD1]

A question for those of you who have assembled the Series 2 tool cart: would it be possible to assemble it with the chest of drawers resting on the bottom shelf or bolted just above the bottom shelf? (Without excessive custom fabrication. New holes and such are a non issue, but I don’t want to be remaking the uprights or the base.) If so, I’m looking at using one to make a router table. I’d put the drawers as low as possible, Mount the router table top on the top of the frame uprights, and then hang the router in the space between the top and the chest. The drawers would make great use of the wasted space for storage of accessories and the like.

 

[ptgarcia]

Is there a difference between the series 1 and series 2 carts? I know the boxes are deeper, but what about the carts?

It seems the only differences are the 90* lid, a new lock and a newly designed badge. Capacity remains the same.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

A question for those of you who have assembled the Series 2 tool cart: would it be possible to assemble it with the chest of drawers resting on the bottom shelf or bolted just above the bottom shelf? (Without excessive custom fabrication. New holes and such are a non issue, but I don’t want to be remaking the uprights or the base.) If so, I’m looking at using one to make a router table. I’d put the drawers as low as possible, Mount the router table top on the top of the frame uprights, and then hang the router in the space between the top and the chest. The drawers would make great use of the wasted space for storage of accessories and the like.

That's a smart idea! I have the Series 1 cart, but I'm going to look at mine tonight after work to see what could be done. You just opened up a bunch of possibilities.

 

[JMLangford]

I got a little time out in the shop and added a few more things to my HF cart...I put a ribbed rubber mat on the side tray....


I glued the mat to a 1/4" piece of hardboard and then countered sank the screw heads.....then a touch of Testor's flat black....


I like it....

If you don’t want to drill holes in your lid, 3M automotive trim tape works great. I’ve used it. A+

I know I should have used the 3M tape......but I just had to physically mount it solid.....so, I drilled some holes.....


Also mounted my power strip....




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[JMLangford]

Put a clip lamp on the side tray.....I'll move it around where I need light....


Plugged in my cordless drill charger....I'm going to clean up the cords a little better later....


Lastly, (for now anyways ) I re-arranged some of the drawers....
I put a box of drill bits in the small deep drawer with the drills, and move the impacts to the bottom drawer with the hammers....




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[jmw-1955]

It seems the only differences are the 90* lid, a new lock and a newly designed badge. Capacity remains the same.

I would agree, not much changed other than the lid opens to 90°. Mine is the series 1. I measured a Series 2 this afternoon at HF, it’s the exact same dimensions as my series 1 cart, even though the ad info on each different colored cart says it’s 22” deep, It’s not. Both carts are 19.25” in depth. Both carts are 30” in length though. While not a deal breaker, it’s disappointing. Just my 2¢ worth.

 

[Bagherra]

Dammit...i dont really have a need for one but at that price, kinda hard to pass up...

 

[GeoBruin]

Dammit...i dont really have a need for one but at that price, kinda hard to pass up...

I would double check the price. This was a 5-year old thread. Prices have gone up since then.