Harbor freight tool carts
- Thread starter Rawlins87
- Start date
I'd say it depends on your needs. The 5 drawer is definitely a better cart, but you can get the 4 drawer for almost half the price, so if your needs are basic that could be the way. The lesson I learned here is if you're using it as a tool chest, you will outgrow it. Go straight to the 5. Either way is a win for what they cost. These are two good threads to do some research...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46050&highlight=tool+cart
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137365&highlight=tool+cart
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46050&highlight=tool+cart
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137365&highlight=tool+cart
I bought a craftsman box before learning of this place and am regretting not getting the hf44". I want to use the cart for all my sockets,ratchets, wrenches and the like.
There's a coupon for the 4 drawer for $99 and i seem to be leaning towards getting that. But if spending more to get the 5 drawer is worth it then I will pursue that.
There's a coupon for the 4 drawer for $99 and i seem to be leaning towards getting that. But if spending more to get the 5 drawer is worth it then I will pursue that.
sberry
Banned
I agree with the post above. I had some interest in cart threads and mine really doesn't move so I want a 44 general chest for my cart. The top of a top chest always seems too tall, I like to stack as many tools I use on top as I can, a version of a folding cover would work if I had to lock it I spose.
Ok, better pic. I need about this much stuff to sit on top of it. The side locker is a collection of junk but I love the space on top.
I have been refining the design and one of these days break up some specific metal partitions/trays. For now its use what I find and it accumulates in a hurry. Its not quite this neat in service.
Ok, better pic. I need about this much stuff to sit on top of it. The side locker is a collection of junk but I love the space on top.
I have been refining the design and one of these days break up some specific metal partitions/trays. For now its use what I find and it accumulates in a hurry. Its not quite this neat in service.
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I bought that cart. It wasn't bad but I think it's worth the extra $ to get the 4 drawer.
lotsoftools
Well-known member
It really just depends on your needs. When I used to service a laundromat I kept a 4 drawer cart there. It had just the tools I needed to fix about anything in the place. I kept it locked up and stored in the back room, and wheeled it out to whatever machine I needed to work on.
Figure out what you really need the cart for then you'll be able to figure out what tools to keep in it and you'll know which one to get.
Figure out what you really need the cart for then you'll be able to figure out what tools to keep in it and you'll know which one to get.
bmxr4life87
Well-known member
I have the 5 drawer that I use at work and I find the storage space to be just about right for my needs working on medium duty trucks. I keep all of the tools I require to perform 90% of repairs
shoggoth80
Well-known member
I have the black 4 drawer. It's a nice cart for the money. I find the locking mechanism a little cheap, but it's mostly for deterrence anyway. If someone really wanted into your cart, they could get in. Mine has taken a few hard hits, and has tumbled over before (my fault), and it is still ticking. I AM however, starting to outgrow it. I haven't been in the automotive industry all that long, and I am trying to come up with ways to pack more/more organization into it. Thinking a chest/rollie cab might be the way I go next.
genevabuck
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2012
- Messages
- 227
My friend is 84 years old. He is a transmission legend around here. He came to Ohio after having his own transmission shops in Washington DC and Mannassas Virginia in the late 1960's. Even the dealerships occasionally outsource their trannys to this guy. He has the same cart and never bought a tool off of a truck until about five years ago. He bought a couple of ratchets, an impact gun and some extensions from Snap On. He now laughs and says that he has always bought tools from NAPA and can own anyone. Don't know where he got the HF tool cart, but it works for him and didn't cost him a grand.
Super Mech
Well-known member
HF 5 drawer cart is the best thing I have ever bought! 169.00 with coupon. It's a steal, holds damn near everything I use day in and day out. I hardly ever go to my 72" snap on box anymore. I highly recommend it.
alpinewhite
Well-known member
Ditto
crazytrain
Well-known member
I pondered one of those but went with the 44" and will be getting one of these that regularly has $50 coupons.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/93748745@N03/9669742550/
I have this one and use it everyday, It works great so far. I kep a few things on the lower shelf and some stuff in the drawer. Only bad thing was the casters squeaked terribly when I first put it together. A shot of WD40 to each got rid of the squeaks, no big deal. I use it hard all day everyday.
cburnscrx
Well-known member
I put some Superlube on some casters at work...OMG, it's like it's on ice. (and no I didn't put it on the wheels themselves, very funny)
3oheight
Well-known member
I was all gunho to get the 4 drawer cart to organize my stuff at work, but when I got to harbor freight yesterday to get it I played with both the red 5 drawer and the black 4 drawer carts. I really liked the red 5 drawer cart. I'll have so save a bit more for it
The way the drawers worked and the lid was way better on the 5 drawer.
The way the drawers worked and the lid was way better on the 5 drawer.
upgrading
Well-known member
ex-x-fire
Well-known member
I'd get that black one for home use & the red one for work. Unless you do a lot of work at home.
Deskmechanic
Well-known member
Consider your use before buying any cart - I love my HF 5-drawer but in a serious home garage setting it's become just another roll cab, but less useful since I can't use the top for a work surface. If I was still a full-time tech I would use it as it's intended to be used. But since the walk from my toolbox to the bench, motor or car I'm working on isn't far it does not make much sense.
I may reorganize my tools to make more use of it, but ultimately I think I'll replace it with a proper small roll cab with a good bench top.
I may reorganize my tools to make more use of it, but ultimately I think I'll replace it with a proper small roll cab with a good bench top.
AV tinker er
Well-known member
I keep all my ratchets, extensions, pliers, screw drivers, metric sockets, and wrenches in my 5 drawer. If im working on my own or family/friends cars it is nice to have the commonly used tools right next to you.