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Best tool Cart For $150

Ben1967

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
170
Location
York PA
Im looking to maybe purchase a new or used tool cart for around $150 or so. I was looking at just getting a used bluepoint tool cart off of craigslist. Let me know what you would do.

Thanks
 
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wren57

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Jan 13, 2016
Messages
92
I just got a 30" red cart from harbor freight for 159. The thing is a beast.
 

APS2000

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Joined
Jun 20, 2017
Messages
239
Courtesy from http://www.hfqpdb.com/

3_ITEM_30___5_DRAWER_TOOL_CART_1497993681.7511.JPG


10_ITEM_26___4_DRAWER_TOOL_CART_1499437588.0055.png
 

ptgarcia

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 15, 2016
Messages
1,202
Location
Alta Loma, CA
The US General 5-drawer cart from Harbor Freight is my only tool box and I love it. At $159 its a great deal.
 

CraigStu

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Joined
May 22, 2014
Messages
4,009
Location
Blacksburg, Va
Do you need a mobile 5 drawer tool box? If not one like this is really nice because it usually won't hurt a car.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/H-Wilson-18-in-x-35-in-3-Tub-Shelf-Utility-Cart-Gray-EC111HD-G/206164322
When I was working as a tech many of us had these. We would stick the stuff needed to do an oil change, a tire rotation, a brake pad replacement,and other simple services in the top in the AM. Mine actually had a lid that I put on at night w/ a small padlock. W/o the lid some guys just dedicated one drawer in their tool box for the cart tools.
 

85blazer

Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2016
Messages
21
Nothing wrong with the HF boxes but I would keep looking for something on CL.
I found the Mac tools polymer cart with optional drawer for 80.00 not long ago and it's been great. I see blue point and other nice vintage carts all the time.
 

Mr_B

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,373
Location
Reading
Yeh something tool truck off CL is always nice but HF 5 drawer cart is decent solution when nothing decent used available .
Few mods to the HF carts and they perfect .
 

M_George

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Joined
Sep 25, 2016
Messages
966
Location
Eastern Pa.
Yeh something tool truck off CL is always nice but HF 5 drawer cart is decent solution when nothing decent used available .
Few mods to the HF carts and they perfect .

What mods would would you recommend to the HF cart?
 
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gordyy

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Joined
Jan 10, 2013
Messages
180
Location
North Dakota
the add on folding shelf usually is an extra $10. off when purchased with the red cart
I love em both!!

the shelf thing under the pull handle is awesome for your must have PB blaster silicone spray brake cleaner etc keep it full cans never fall over or out
 

mbshop

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
1,539
Location
visalia ca
I bought an hf 4 drawer cuz I needed rolling space. Then I dug out my mac two drawer cart that I paid a good price for. As a mac guy, I have to say the hf way outshines the mac. So if yer cought up in the name, you will pay for that. Otherwise buy either of the hf ones and pocket the differance.
 

Mr_B

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Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,373
Location
Reading
another thing I seen done is buy a pretty decent used top chest and turn it into a trolley with some angle iron and set of castors, worked with a guy who done a real nice one with metal peg board panel, can holders and long tool side holder all well finished in fresh paint, was based off a masterforce 41" chest he got used for 120bucks .
 

jhermann

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Joined
Mar 1, 2017
Messages
48
Location
northwest Iowa
I've had the black HF for over a year, no problems. My only regret is I didn't buy the red one, it has little more space and available accessories.

I have both, and the red is nicer and bigger than the black. But the black is maybe a bit better deal at $100 than the red at $160.

I got the black first, filled it up, thought about getting another and decided to upgrade to the red, and I'm glad I did.
 

kythri

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Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
6,330
Location
Lebanon, OR
The red is certainly bigger than the black, and it may be a heavier-duty cart, but the black cart is no slouch. I've got two of them, and they're tough as hell.
 
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bubinga

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Joined
Jul 26, 2014
Messages
12,744
Location
Bridgeport Ohio. (Across River From Wheeling WV)
I just got a 30" red cart from harbor freight for 159. The thing is a beast.

I can't imagine how you could find a better deal than the 30", 5-drawer cart from HF for $160!

+1 for the HF 5 drawer red cart.

Those HF are the best you can get for the money. I have the Black one and it is great.

I have the red HF cart at work. Every person there loves it and comments on how nice it is.

The US General 5-drawer cart from Harbor Freight is my only tool box and I love it. At $159 its a great deal.

Harbor freight 5 drawer red cart

The red HF carts are a better quality than the black ones. That reflects in the price difference.

I bought an hf 4 drawer cuz I needed rolling space. Then I dug out my mac two drawer cart that I paid a good price for. As a mac guy, I have to say the hf way outshines the mac. So if yer cought up in the name, you will pay for that. Otherwise buy either of the hf ones and pocket the differance.

The red is certainly bigger than the black, and it may be a heavier-duty cart, but the black cart is no slouch. I've got two of them, and their tough as hell.
This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Fellow at work had the red one, other fellow had a MAC one.
HF was every bit as good as the MAC.
I brought a black blue-point off CL, It was nice, made nice and all, But I would have got the Red HF had I had known. The top till on my blue-point was not deep enough.
 

zendriver

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Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
29,682
Location
Indiana
My ego can handle using HF products, plus, I can't see wasting a lot of time and the effort, searching craigslist for someone else's worn out purchases, when something as good or better is available new at a good price. Really

I have both the red and black and although both are fine I like the red one better, since it's roomier and a bit more solid.

As to whether they are better than the "truck brands", I guess you could load them all up with tools and then push them off a cliff to see which one survives the best. Otherwise they are tool carts that roll around in the garage.

I have no doubt that mine will last me the rest of my life with no problems.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Bacon Man

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2017
Messages
91
When it comes to the Harbor freight ones the 5 drawer is worth the extra money. You cannot beat it.

A lot of guys at work have the black one and after a year in an industrial setting they are starting to show their price.

I have a red one that I loan to a utility guy here at work.
Mounted a powerstrip, ladder stand, and a coat hook.

Menards has a 4 drawer one for a little over 150 and i feel they are better built than the 4 drawer harbor freight, but it has only 2 full drawers with two half ones.

Home Depot has a husky which is very well built.

Guy at work bought a black blue point new off the snap on guy, wasn't to impressed with it.
 
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sberry

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Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
My Bud used a red one for most of a career. Worked dandy especially since most of the used stuff simply sits in the top. I was going to buy one but what I have works well enough and wont make me any more money.
 

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Al Borland

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Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
1,598
I had the black HF cart. It was great.
Until I forgot it was behind my truck.
It gave as good as it got.
It's funny now, but at the time...
I would have rather had a softer, flimsy box.
 

Crazyjake8493

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Joined
Sep 26, 2014
Messages
3,948
Location
Upstate NY
I've got the 4-drawer black cart at work, and the 5-drawer cart at home. I love both of them, although I've been thinking about swapping them. The 5-drawer is substantially heavier when loaded up, and the floors are much nicer at work vs my garage/driveway at home. I also have more room at work, and the 4 swivel casters on the black cart would be easier to manuever at home. The only thing I dislike about the red cart is that the lid does not open 90 degrees to be completely vertical, but easily fixed with a mod or two.

Both are a great value for the money.
 

Mr_B

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Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
5,373
Location
Reading
5 drawer with a coupon is a steal buy really, not as cheap as was as all HF box prices gone up recently. lid mod is easy as is other mods for your personal usage scenario . don't mind drilling holes in them either or getting bit scratched if in rougher work setting .
 

johndeereman

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2014
Messages
441
Location
WILL COUNTY IL
I know we have all heard it before but yes the 5 drawer cart from HF is not only a great buy but man are they workhorses i have two of them.
 

mbshop

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Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
1,539
Location
visalia ca
As I had mentioned I have the 4 drawer. Was thinkjng of the red one but I have to consider weight and height due to the fact I use a wheelchair. So red one was out.
but I find the 4 drawer to fit my needs perfectly.
 
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