Does anybody have this Harbor Freight tool cart?

[biggsean]

I already have a Craftsman two tray service cart, but I wanted a cheap cart with ball bearing drawers. This seems to be a pretty good value at $99. Does anybody have any experience with this cart?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95659

 

[Uncle Buck]

No experience, but it does not look bad.

 

[Danglerb]

They had a special on those for $79 a few months back at one of the sidewalk sales and they were selling like hotcakes, but if I bought one I would want to reinforce it either by using heavier gauge steel in the L supports, and/or welding them instead of bolting, too wiggly (demo may not have been bolted tightly though). The function of the box and layout was very nice. Its locking, and inside the top in the back there is a row of holes to drop screwdrivers down the back, but still have them secure.

 

[64merc]

All of their carts and such have always seemed too wiggly for me. If you don't mind a little wiggle they seem good for the money.

 

[Norton155]

Looked at the cart at the BM store, it was marked 169.99. Saw the price online and am definately considering picking one up for the garage. I think at that price it would perfect for my weekend wrenching. I remember reading somewhere about using caulk on bolt together sheet metal furniture like that to stiffen it up a little. Anyone have a comment on that?

 

[T56 Impala]

I would use Gorilla glue not caulk. I may well pick one of these up this weekend. They seem to be decent enough when I looked at them. The ones on display are poorly assembled and have had folks like us tugging at them constantly. I doubt you would put one together as poorly or abuse it as much so it should hold up well.

 

[Norton155]

I would use Gorilla glue not caulk.

What is Gorilla glue?

 

[64merc]

What is Gorilla glue?

That's not a type of glue, that is the actual product name I believe.

 

[Norton155]

Thanks, should have googled earlier. Never seen/used this stuff. Does it set up hard like wood glue, or stay pliable like rubber cement?

 

[russlaferrera]

Thanks, should have googled earlier. Never seen/used this stuff. Does it set up hard like wood glue, or stay pliable like rubber cement?

Sets up hard. Use a little it expands. Wear rubber gloves. If it gets on you you will wear it for the week.

 

[engnerdan]

I built my parts washer out of one of the much cheaper ($25) carts from HF, and if you tighten all the bolts they don't wiggle.

-Dan

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a tool cart similar to the HF one. It is okay if you don't plan to weigh it down too much and roll it all over God's green earth.

 

[T56 Impala]

Thanks, should have googled earlier. Never seen/used this stuff. Does it set up hard like wood glue, or stay pliable like rubber cement?

Oh yeah, this stuff is awsome. Sets up hard as rock. A mentioned, use just a touch of it. Maybe a dot about the size of the bolt you are using. Place one to the outside of eery bolt. This stuff expands and fills the void if there is one. I use this all the time for stuff.

I do wood working. This is the best glue I have ever used for joints and repairs. It will also work on green/wet treated lumber. I built a laminated beam out of 2x10s for a bridge I put over the creek in the back. I glued 2x10's together then ran bolts thru them every 8". Both were over 20 feet long when completed. (Built on site!) The glue has shown no sign of breaking down.

It can be messy. Even with gloves on I still managed to get it on my hands. It will leave a purple stain on your hand for about 10 days. I have also used it on metal. I bought some SS doored garage cabinets from Costco. They were a bit flimsy to say the least. took them apart and used the glue. Solid as a rock now.

 

[biggsean]

I just drove 30 miles to pick this baby up today, and it was worth every penny. The construction is pretty solid, if you can get past the terrible instructions, and the ball bearing drawers are pretty smooth. Another unexpected perk is that it came with precut liners for all 4 drawers and the top and bottom trays. The timing couldn't have been any better because I'm pulling the motor out of my WRX tomorrow. Here are some pictures:

 

[Deafautotech]

damn!!! it look like blue point service cart.... i am former own of snap on (blue point) service cart but too thin metal wall so i traded in for heavy duty matco tool and i am happy... i bought used matco tool heavy duty service cart and i used it a lot....

 

[Norton155]

Thanks for posting. I think the pictures have convinced me to pick one up. Looks perfect for my needs. Oh and, who makes and where did you pick up those extra long long-nose pliers in the center of the drawer?

 

[PoorOwner]

good one, look 98% like this one costco is selling for $250

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11192069

 

[89MustangGX]

I just drove 30 miles to pick this baby up today, and it was worth every penny. The construction is pretty solid, if you can get past the terrible instructions, and the ball bearing drawers are pretty smooth. Another unexpected perk is that it came with precut liners for all 4 drawers and the top and bottom trays. The timing couldn't have been any better because I'm pulling the motor out of my WRX tomorrow. Here are some pictures:

That looks surprisingly nice. I'm really thinking about this one now.

Do the drawers have some type of detent or other system to keep them from opening while moving or do you have to lock it to keep them secure? And speaking of moving, how are the casters?

Adam

EDIT: I don't have a current flyer -- is this on sale now for $99 or is it a coupon or how do you get the $99 price?

 

[porcupine73]

That looks like a neat cart for $99. The $99 is showing up right now as the price on the internet commerce site. In my experience if you walk into the store with a print out of the price on the internet site and the current in store price is higher they'll meet the internet price.

I've noticed on the heavier/larger items the price on the internet site is always a little mroe than the best in store price, probably to make up for th extra shipping cost I figure since HF charges a flat rate shipping based on order total (except of course heavy stuff they have to get a ltl truck for).

woot! deltacams just came out with a cam and valve kit for the WRX STI's to compete with costworth.

 

[martell06]

anybody have current 10% of 15% coupons?

 

[Tom R]

Thanks, should have googled earlier. Never seen/used this stuff. Does it set up hard like wood glue, or stay pliable like rubber cement?

My wife says I can't go near that stuff...I have a bit of a reputation for getting glue on everything in sight

Thanks...TMR

 

[M3Pilot]

I have repaired 2 broken gorillas with gorilla glue & it has performed well. I have had a problem with it hardening in the container though.

 

[89MustangGX]

Ok -- I stopped and looked at the cart today. As I expected, it was put together very poorly. I liked the design, and figured I could put it together better, but something stopped me. As much as I knew it was a good deal, and I liked the way it looked, I couldn't figure out what I'd use it for.

You guys who have rollaways and other boxes -- what do you generally keep in these? I pretty much setup my stuff to be in my rollaways with a portable toolbox for junkyard and other excursions. Give me some ideas so I can take advantage of this deal.

Adam

 

[jimvannoy]

I have a tool cart with a lot of my body work tools in it. Various air tools, body hammers, dollies, stud welder, puller, grinders, etc. I need another one for sockets, wrenches, etc to save me from having to walk across my shop to a tool box.

 

[jay50]

I have a tool cart with a lot of my body work tools in it. Various air tools, body hammers, dollies, stud welder, puller, grinders, etc. I need another one for sockets, wrenches, etc to save me from having to walk across my shop to a tool box.

Just pull the toolbox closer..

 

[jay50]

Thanks, should have googled earlier. Never seen/used this stuff. Does it set up hard like wood glue, or stay pliable like rubber cement?

That explains why gorillas are an endangered species...

 

[Danglerb]

When your main tool chest starts to fill up a cart lets you buy more tools.

Nice to put all the stuff from one job in the cart.

 

[89MustangGX]

I guess I'm still torn. My situation doesn't meet any of these ideas for needs, and I can't think of a reason why I need it -- but for some reason I just still want it.

Does that mean I have a problem?

 

[jamm]

I just put my cart together that was purchased a couple of weeks ago. I told the manager that I was out of town when they were selling for $79 and he agreed to let me have it at that price. I bought a few other trinkets and they even let me use a 20% off coupon on the cart also. For $64 I think it is definately worth the money.

The assembly instructions stink, but anyone on this forum shouldn't have any problems. Mine doesn't have any wobble and the overall quality seems pretty good. I may go back and get a red one for the house garage just so the wife can have something to keep her "tools" in.

 

[Norton155]

Nice score Jamm! How deep are the drawes? You think air tools (1/2 impact, 3/8 ratchet etc) would fit into either of the full length drawers?

 

[PoorOwner]

I think it's great if you regularly fix your car in the driveway so you can push a set of tools out but otherwise I don't have space for it, the floor space is important to me in a 2 car garage

 

[biggsean]

Wow, this thread really took off since the other night. I used this cart all day yesterday while pulling my motor out of my Subaru. It was an absolute godsend, and was worth every penny. Best of all, I didn't misplace a single tool while performing all of this work!

To answer some questions:

The casters seem to be very rock solid, and the cart moves around very smoothly.

The drawers open/close freely as long as the top lid is open. Once you close the lid, the drawers lock.

 

[jamm]

Nice score Jamm! How deep are the drawes? You think air tools (1/2 impact, 3/8 ratchet etc) would fit into either of the full length drawers?

The top is 3-3/4" deep.
The top two narrow drawers are 1-3/4" deep.
The middle drawer is 2-3/4" deep.
The bottom drawer is 3-3/4" deep. My 1/2" impact fits in the bottom drawer just fine. Anything bigger, like a DA will go on the shelf underneath. It would be nice if it had a 6 or 8" deep drawer, but for the price I'm not complaining.

Each drawer pulls out almost all the way and has 14-1/2" of depth.

 

[Norton155]

The top is 3-3/4" deep.
The top two narrow drawers are 1-3/4" deep.
The middle drawer is 2-3/4" deep.
The bottom drawer is 3-3/4" deep. My 1/2" impact fits in the bottom drawer just fine. Anything bigger, like a DA will go on the shelf underneath. It would be nice if it had a 6 or 8" deep drawer, but for the price I'm not complaining.

Each drawer pulls out almost all the way and has 14-1/2" of depth.

Thank you very much Jamm. Going to pick one up tomorrow monring. Hope they take either the expired 10% off coupon or the 20% off with no experation date I have.

 

[alohavw]

I don't have space for it, the floor space is important to me in a 2 car garage

Me neither but I'll probably pick one up using my 15% off coupon if they have it in stock.

 

[PoorOwner]

I used my 15% coupon that was mailed to me on some impact sockets!
I am going to wait till they go on $79 again and if I have coupon on hand I will go for it even to store some misc tools in the shed

 

[jamm]

I said it once and I'll say it again.

"I just put my cart together that was purchased a couple of weeks ago. I told the manager that I was out of town when they were selling for $79 and he agreed to let me have it at that price. I bought a few other trinkets and they even let me use a 20% off coupon on the cart also. For $64 I think it is definately worth the money.

The assembly instructions stink, but anyone on this forum shouldn't have any problems. Mine doesn't have any wobble and the overall quality seems pretty good. I may go back and get a red one for the house garage just so the wife can have something to keep her "tools" in."

Save your money and get the cheaper HF tool cart. I have not had any problems with mine. Knowing that it was from HF, I used gorilla gllue when I put it together. As stated above, the instructions stink royally, but it does come with lock nuts which helps it maintain rigidity.

 

[agfisher]

Where are you guys getting all these coupons? I looked online and that cart is at $159.99, did it just come off sale? I would love to get it sub-100 bucks at some point.

 

[maximus96]

I said it once and I'll say it again.

"I just put my cart together that was purchased a couple of weeks ago. I told the manager that I was out of town when they were selling for $79 and he agreed to let me have it at that price. I bought a few other trinkets and they even let me use a 20% off coupon on the cart also. For $64 I think it is definately worth the money.

The assembly instructions stink, but anyone on this forum shouldn't have any problems. Mine doesn't have any wobble and the overall quality seems pretty good. I may go back and get a red one for the house garage just so the wife can have something to keep her "tools" in."

Save your money and get the cheaper HF tool cart. I have not had any problems with mine. Knowing that it was from HF, I used gorilla gllue when I put it together. As stated above, the instructions stink royally, but it does come with lock nuts which helps it maintain rigidity.

where exactly do you apply the gorilla glue? do you use it like loctite and apply it to the thread of the bolts?

 

[89MustangGX]

The cart was on sale online for $99 (my store had it regular price but matched the online price).

The coupons come in some emails and some flyers that get sent by US mail.

Adam