I’m a Sucker For Snap-On Taco Carts

[dr_clyde]

My dealer knows I’m an addict for the unusual or old stuff. I have a bit of a fetish for cool old toolboxes and cabinets.

So occasionally I get a text with pictures saying “just took this on trade, interested?” I usually say yes.

He sent me these yesterday. Looks pretty clean for the age. Needs a little elbow grease, but I'm into it. I told him YES. Immediately. It will be here tomorrow. I’m pumped.

I have no place for it and no reason to own it but I’m all over it.

 

[dr_clyde]

I am going to see if SO will get me new casters, these look pretty rusty, and there is a bit of rust on the bottom lip. But the drawers look pretty good other than a few corners and the sheet metal isn't all dented and beat to hell from being pulled around a hanger for years.

Nothing a little body hammer and some dolly work can't fix.

 

[M635_Guy]

That is the coolest kind of crazy

Congrats!

 

[930dreamer]

Can't beat a SO Taco box, nice find.

 

[cweidert03]

I want one of those taco carts. Wouldn’t have a good place for it but I’ve wanted one for a few years

 

[FMB4]

I don't need another cart/box, but I want that.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I have four of them.

Check the bottom drawer on the side. Three of mine have ball bearing slides on that drawer. Yours looks to be from the late '70s so it may be friction slide.

Not counting that drawer, I think there's three different friction slides used on the box.

That one looks to be in very good shape. What's the price?

 

[gerryw]

sorry, but why are called ”taco trucks”?

gerry

 

[dr_clyde]

sorry, but why are called ”taco trucks”?

gerry

If you squint a bit and imagine an umbrella on the end they sorta resemble a street vendor's taco cart.

They got that nickname years ago and it stuck.

 

[Ohmthis]

I would have no really good place for one, but man it would be #1 or #2 on my toolbox want list. That looks good!

 

[carmantl]

I've been trying to buy my brother's SO taco cart that his previous employer gave to him FOR FREE in the 80's. He doesn't even use it anymore since he's now a hotshot driver. He turned down $1000. Am I an idiot for offering that much or is he for not selling?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I've been trying to buy my brother's SO taco cart that his previous employer gave to him FOR FREE in the 80's. He doesn't even use it anymore since he's now a hotshot driver. He turned down $1000. Am I an idiot for offering that much or is he for not selling?

If it's in great shape, no. If it's well used, that's a lot IMO. Of course it depends on your location and how often you see them come up for sale.

I bought one a year ago in very good shape for $450. Had no intention of getting another one, and even told the guy I was going to pass on it, then changed my mind. Figured it would be almost impossible to find that deal again.

 

[wafrederick]

Go on Midwest Tool Review's youtube channel,he has one that he restored and bought it for $50.00

 

[gerryw]

If you squint a bit and imagine an umbrella on the end they sorta resemble a street vendor's taco cart.

They got that nickname years ago and it stuck.

 

[quickfarms]

I just a taco cart today and it included a top box, a vise and two side shelves.

The guy I got it from bought it for the tools from the wife of the original owner

I don’t know what I am going to do with the top box

its very dirt but straight so after a cleaning , some paint touch up, new slides and new locks it will be back in use

 

[930dreamer]

Very nice!

 

[Ronson25]

i need one now. if your happy with the price you paid that makes it truly a good deal and worth it

 

[quickfarms]

I just pad $500 and will probably sell the top cabinet for half that!

deals are out there, there were 4 within a hours drive of me and this was the cheapest and straighter than the $800, another one was $1,250 and the last one was more than double that

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I just pad $500 and will probably sell the top cabinet for half that!

deals are out there, there were 4 within a hours drive of me and this was the cheapest and straighter than the $800, another one was $1,250 and the last one was more than double that

If you get that top box clean and operating well you should be easily able to get $250 for it. I'd list it for $300.

 

[Packard V8]

It's good we never see taco carts for sale in this area. I definitely don't need one, but I'd be hard pressed to pass if one came along.

They definitely don't work in a small garage. They were designed for aircraft maintenance in large open areas.

jack vines

 

[quickfarms]

Miguel was back at work today after his monthly vacation, unpaid, and I showed him the snap on taco cart.

he looked it over and said that one of my Kennedy versa benches would make a better taco cart.

He said that open storage on the back of the Kennedy would make a good speed rack for mixing drinks.

He also said the larger wheels on the Kennedy would be better for out running the cops!

 

[TJMtl]

Miguel was back at work today after his monthly vacation, unpaid, and I showed him the snap on taco cart.

he looked it over and said that one of my Kennedy versa benches would make a better taco cart.

He said that open storage on the back of the Kennedy would make a good speed rack for mixing drinks.

He also said the larger wheels on the Kennedy would be better for out running the cops!

Sounds like Miguel really wants your taco cart. lol

 

[quickfarms]

Sounds like Miguel really wants your taco cart. lol

So what you are saying is I should be a good boss and let Miguel work out of the taco cart and not be an evil capitalist like my son says I am?

miguel does not care for the thick metal door of the Kennedy versa bench

 

[quickfarms]

I cleaned all of the **** out of the drawers, got rid of the oil soaked red carpet and removed the vise and started cleaning it yesterday and I need some advice. What is the best way to clean the paint? Diluted simple green does nothing. Straight simple green works on some of the stains but there are stains that it is not working on. So what should I use that won’t destroy the paint?

new slides and locks are on the way from snapon

I am looking for the big side handle and the handle on the side door. Does anyone have a handle or know where i can get them?

 

[619DioFan]

Try a little rubbing compound ( in a non conspicuous place ) I would rub by hand vs a buffer.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I am looking for the big side handle and the handle on the side door. Does anyone have a handle or know where i can get them?

I'm confused... you're only referring to one handle, aren't you?

 

[quickfarms]

I'm confused... you're only referring to one handle, aren't you?

Two handles

I am looking for the big handle that goes on the end of the cart to move the cart a

I am also looking for the little handle that goes on the doors on the back of the cart

i am also looking for the hitch that bolts on the bottom of the cart or some pictures and dimensions so I can make one

 

[tarbellb]

Nice, those are only getting more collectible.

Gotta love those suspension casters

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Two handles

I am looking for the big handle that goes on the end of the cart to move the cart a

I am also looking for the little handle that goes on the doors on the back of the cart

i am also looking for the hitch that bolts on the bottom of the cart or some pictures and dimensions so I can make one

Okay, I got you. Snap On may have those. If not, probably eBay would be your best bet.

I don't know if I could've transported mine without the handle. I can load and unload those in my Nissan Frontier but it would be real dicey without the handle.

 

[quickfarms]

Okay, I got you. Snap On may have those. If not, probably eBay would be your best bet.

I don't know if I could've transported mine without the handle. I can load and unload those in my Nissan Frontier but it would be real dicey without the handle.

Snap On says neither handle is available

 

[ZRX61]

If anyone in the LA area wants to sell one, let me know.

 

[rharman]

I *really* like that. The combination of drawers on 2 different faces and the shelves on another are great. I'm going to file that away for a possible future project to build.

 

[quickfarms]

Has anyone put a butcher block top on one or should I just use 3/4” plywood

 

[Blind1]

I've been trying to buy my brother's SO taco cart that his previous employer gave to him FOR FREE in the 80's. He doesn't even use it anymore since he's now a hotshot driver. He turned down $1000. Am I an idiot for offering that much or is he for not selling?

Is he in love with it? If my brother offered me good money for something I wasn’t absolutely in love with I’d sell it to him in a heartbeat. Hell - I’ve just given him stuff too.

 

[Packard V8]

I *really* like that. The combination of drawers on 2 different faces and the shelves on another are great. I'm going to file that away for a possible future project to build.

Yes, if one is working in an aircraft hanger with 360-degree access and plenty of walk-around, the design is great.

However, a friend caught taco cart fever on here and paid top dollar at an auction for a really nice one. He brought it home to a two-car garage and found it impossible to use; just not enough space around it. It took six months of flogging it on craigslist/farcebook/next door but he finally got his money back on it. He now refers to it as "Montezuma's revenge."

jack vines

 

[dr_clyde]

Yeah, these are for sure not designed to work in tight spaces. That said, if you're smart with how you arrange your stuff, you can make it work. They work pretty good as a "peninsula" or on the corner of something else.

I decided to put mine in my manual machine area, I can access 2/3 of the sides this way, and frankly I don't really need the little cabinet on the back side right now anyway. It nestles in pretty much perfect on the corner of the back of the big Mazak lathe. That space is already kinda dead because of the chip conveyor, so it makes a nice spot to stuff things that are hard to place elsewhere. There is still plenty of room for the Bridgeport operator to use the mill or turn around and access the end drawers, which I will keep manual mill tooling in for now.





It also is about the perfect size for my large Kennedy mid section that really didn't have a great home before.



This thing is really in remarkable shape for how old it is. The drawers are all smooth and glide free, and there is only one or two dents. The rust on the bottom seam is pretty minor, and what I thought were bad dents on the drawers turned out to just be tricks of the light in the photos.



Just look at how clean these drawers are! Its like this thing never got used.




Someday this box will be part of an island work station in the center of my home shop. Seeing as how I don't HAVE a home workshop, for the time being it will be just fine holding wrenches, chuck keys, collets and other machining detritus in the back of the shop.

These boxes just don't pop up that often, so I had to snag it when I had the opportunity.

 

[msharley]

Wonderful boxes!

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Yes, if one is working in an aircraft hanger with 360-degree access and plenty of walk-around, the design is great.

However, a friend caught taco cart fever on here and paid top dollar at an auction for a really nice one. He brought it home to a two-car garage and found it impossible to use; just not enough space around it. It took six months of flogging it on craigslist/farcebook/next door but he finally got his money back on it. He now refers to it as "Montezuma's revenge."

jack vines

How much did he pay for it?

 

[The Frisco Kid]

Taco Cart is the cat's meow. Always a winner when cleaned up!!

 

[RedneckWelder]

Where do you get new slides? Coworker at work has an old one that has friction slides and some are busted.