Goofy tool cart observation, what am I missing?

[HanShotFirst]

I have noticed a common modification to tool cart is filling in the open space at the bottom of the cart with more drawers. So, why didn't you just buy a 26" - 40" tool chest lower and save the headaches? What am I missing here?

 

[Mikeske]

I do not get it also but it is what ever a person cooks up. Might be better then out at the bars and getting in trouble.

 

[Alchymist]

Someone gets a buy on a used cart, then finagles a set of drawers?

 

[plinker]

I've got a Matco full drawer cart and the only thing different about it compared to a roller box is the top compartment where the lid is. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

I had actually built a (wood)top with a lid to fit a 30" roller box to use as a cart. Ended up being a catch all more then anything.

 

[itstippy]

My tool cart has a nice deep upper storage compartment with a hinged lid that I use as a work surface. When I'm disassembling something I carefully arrange the pieces I remove onto the work surface in order as I remove them. Inevitably I need to open the lid to get at a tool. This gives me an opportunity to use magic words my father taught me years ago.

A bottom roller box lacks this essential feature.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I would only buy a full drawer service cart. That is really the only way you get adequate storage. NAPA may still have their version but for the most part the starting price for a full drawer service cart would be right around 1000. The NAPA/Homak one was around 500.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have noticed a common modification to tool cart is filling in the open space at the bottom of the cart with more drawers. So, why didn't you just buy a 26" - 40" tool chest lower and save the headaches? What am I missing here?

False sense of economy, oftentimes.

 

[shanny19]

My tool cart has a nice deep upper storage compartment with a hinged lid that I use as a work surface. When I'm disassembling something I carefully arrange the pieces I remove onto the work surface in order as I remove them. Inevitably I need to open the lid to get at a tool. This gives me an opportunity to use magic words my father taught me years ago.

A bottom roller box lacks this essential feature.

Nicely put, and 100% true.

 

[Mikeske]

My tool cart has a nice deep upper storage compartment with a hinged lid that I use as a work surface. When I'm disassembling something I carefully arrange the pieces I remove onto the work surface in order as I remove them. Inevitably I need to open the lid to get at a tool. This gives me an opportunity to use magic words my father taught me years ago.

A bottom roller box lacks this essential feature.

I have acquired a bunch of those magnetic parts trays that Harbor Freight gives away free when you buy something else and put them on the lid and then as I remove the parts I place them in the trays. If I need to open the lid no issue just open it and the parts stay put for the most part.

 

[plinker]

My tool cart has a nice deep upper storage compartment with a hinged lid that I use as a work surface. When I'm disassembling something I carefully arrange the pieces I remove onto the work surface in order as I remove them. Inevitably I need to open the lid to get at a tool. This gives me an opportunity to use magic words my father taught me years ago.

A bottom roller box lacks this essential feature.

I have the opposite problem, too much **** in the top so you cant close the lid for it to be a practical work surface. I corrected this issue by acquiring an aluminum rolling table/cart for 65$.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092GTJL4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[ex-x-fire]

I don't get why some fill the top with tools (mostly every socket that they own), where do they put the stuff that they are working at the moment.

 

[Schurkey]

I have noticed a common modification to tool cart is filling in the open space at the bottom of the cart with more drawers. So, why didn't you just buy a 26" - 40" tool chest lower and save the headaches? What am I missing here?

Yup, that's what it's come to.

Tool boxes are now so damned big and cumbersome that we have to buy little tool boxes to actually roll around the shop, while the "big" box sits in a corner.

Won't be long and casters will be an extra-cost option on the big boys.

 

[SuitorsGarage]

With a hinged lid it only takes 5 seconds to clean the top of your tool box off

 

[bcradio]

This is the exact reason i replaced my tool cart with a 26" tool chest just this weekend. So much wasted space on the tool cart and the 26" chest actually takes up less space. Now i am way more organized and have a lot more room.

 

[redwrench60]

I feel the same way. Which is why I bought a used Snap On KRL 1056 single bank roll cab as my cart. I replaced the two fixed casters with swivel casters, installed handles on both sides and mounted a small vise in the top surface. It holds all my most used tools and supplies, gives me a large area 44” tall work surface, acts as a pack mule with 3600 pound load capacity to roll heavy drivetrain components between shops and just kicks *** in general.

 

[Mr_B]

I guess some people like the top layout of a cart but want more drawers.
Personally I like a 30" to 46" cabinet, add a wood or stainless top and side racks/shelves for screwdrivers, bars, consumables and enjoy the worktop space for parts and tools right by your work .

 

[mfewtrail]

My tool cart has a nice deep upper storage compartment with a hinged lid that I use as a work surface. When I'm disassembling something I carefully arrange the pieces I remove onto the work surface in order as I remove them. Inevitably I need to open the lid to get at a tool. This gives me an opportunity to use magic words my father taught me years ago.

A bottom roller box lacks this essential feature.

If this is an actual problem, those $29(with coupon) HF two shelf roll carts come in handy for throwing disassembled parts onto and keeping them off or out of your roll cart. Park them side by side near your work to speed things up.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I like tool full drawer tool carts for efficient storage of prybars screwdrivers and ratchets and a generous area for sockets with plenty of drawers for other tools.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[PelicanPines]

Unless you figure out how to utilize that open space... it becomes home to spiders and mice...

Installing additional drawers is the simple solution.

I chose a different route but am able to really utilize the open space by modifying it in such a way to store seven modified dewalt metal tool boxes... best use of the space for me.

 

[davethorik]

I feel the same way. Which is why I bought a used Snap On KRL 1056 single bank roll cab as my cart. I replaced the two fixed casters with swivel casters, installed handles on both sides and mounted a small vise in the top surface. It holds all my most used tools and supplies, gives me a large area 44” tall work surface, acts as a pack mule with 3600 pound load capacity to roll heavy drivetrain components between shops and just kicks *** in general.

How does that roll with 4 swivels? We had a few mobile work stations at my old job that were loaded down and had 4 swivel casters, and they had a tendency to crab walk when pushed around.

 

[redwrench60]

How does that roll with 4 swivels? We had a few mobile work stations at my old job that were loaded down and had 4 swivel casters, and they had a tendency to crab walk when pushed around.

It does just fine. It goes in the direction I push it. The casters are offset with “caster” built in so they all swivel in the same direction and track fine. I push mine around the shop and through the parking lot between buildings but not miles across a large plant facility. It’s loaded heavy so I have to hit potholes and pavement seams with some speed but the box is heavy duty enough to put up with it.

 

[Al Borland]

I had one, until it was tragically run over in the prime of it's life. (Black 4 drawer HF special). Worked fine, but could have been better.
Lack of a workspace on top was annoying, a lower tool chest would have been more my liking. Something about 46" high I could mount a small vise on.
Open space on the bottom was good for part storage, but attracted junk.
I've got an old Craftsman combo with the lower bulk storage hatch, and a Kennedy too, but the lowers are too low, and too small front-to-back.

 

[oversteer]

Sears used to have a tray that was molded to fit the top of their 26" lower chest. I used one for a year or so before I got the top box. It worked surprisingly well.dave

 

[Snakebyt]

I have 2 rollcarts, and like them both, worked out of them for a couple years, got more storage now, but still use both my carts.

 

[Gmonkee]

The work area of the shop for me is a ramp. Any cart would be a liability.

But we do have one with bad casters setting there with a vise on it and a load of the boss' ****.

I work out of a tote. Going from car to car where they set as need be. Storage needs vary way too much from shop to shop and man to man.

The cart one can modify is usually dirt cheap used and made to fit the needs of one man in one work area. In that each makes perfect sense.
Stepping back and looking at the wider picture is deceptive. You start to cookie cutter each into a group they may barely fit.

Needs vary, likes vary. Shallow drawers could be too shallow wide drawers can be too wide and it seems deep drawers are always too many in any mfg'd roller.
So guys make their own. It's perfect every time, until he tries to sell it....