Let's (definitively) talk roll/utility tool carts.

[MA70Donnie]

I've been digging on this subject for a week, and been frustrated to discover that there is a decade worth of threads. But all repeating the same questions, with contradictory responses, if any at all.

So let's cover it? Slide vs Flip tops, layouts, quality, rough service survivability. General experiences? Likes and dislikes? Who manufactures what, for whom?

Details and reviews are shockingly sparse on the greater internet, and even moreso here. But thus far, we have the apparent standard, the Homak 35" and it's varied rebadges (ATD, Sunex, OEM. And more, I presume.) The HF specials and their equivalents (Husky, etc). All the way up to and including, the more wild ExtremeTools, and the Snapon and tooltruck competition's offerings.

As for me? I've been eyeing the Homak, or it's ATD rebrand. But not having seen one in person, in the seven years since I left automotive, it's difficult to pull the trigger sight unseen. And unlike some roll cabs, no NAPAs seem to actually have them in stock, opting instead to drop ship.

So what say you, gentlemen and ladies?

 

[plinker]

How much shop space you have to deal with when moving the cart around and what you want to keep in the cart is probably going to be the main answer to the cart question in general. A good drawer lock/latch is a big thing to me as I really dont want drawers opening when moving.

I've had a couple different flip tops, both full drawer, the last being a Matco 40" JSC753. The flip lid was one of the main problems. Too much height with the lid up to move it around in the shop. I had considered a slide top, but didnt like the current Matco unit (missing one drawer, larger top till, slide bar to lock drawer). A slide top may work better in some ways the the flip type, but I can see some issues with getting into the top till if the top only slides so far when open.

FWIW, The first flip lid cart was a Matco MSC4 full drawer and it came with a handle that said Homak on it (Hmm). Not a bad unit, drawer detents didnt hold up too well, but they're replaceable. At the time ('15) Homak didnt offer a full drawer cart. Durability overall was good in the three years I had it. it was somewhat overloaded for a while.

I'm currently using an old Snap-on KR557 32" roller box and it's working far better for me as I can actually move it around stuff in the shop easier and it holds what I need it to.

I'm considering picking up one of these at some point, another deep drawer would be nice though. https://www.menards.com/main/tools/tool-storage/tool-chests/masterforce-reg-36-x-24-6-drawer-rolling-tool-cabinet/me3607rc1gmm/p-1490163926962-c-9188.htm?tid=-5837042233180709782&ipos=12 Add a prybar rack and its good to go and has a work surface to pile **** on.

 

[whateg01]

I purchased a black 4 drawer cart from HF a few years ago. It's done what it's supposed to do, but over the years, I have come to hate the top of the tool box/cart, flip lid or whatever. It's a handy place to put things. Which means that all manner of stuff gets put there and it just piles up. Maybe if I *HAD* to close it every day, I would do a better job of not putting stuff there. But, here's my thing. If I use a regular roller cabinet, I can work off of the top. If I have something with a lid, I can't. If stuff is small enough to fit in the top with the lid closed, then it should be able to fit in a drawer the same height. I'm replacing my tool boxes now and unless I find that I really can't handle the top drawer being just below eye level, will be just using a bottom box on top of another bottom box. I guess I don't understand the appeal of a lid.

 

[bobcatdan]

I tried several tool carts in the early days of them gaining popularity as mini tool boxes. I went through several designs trying to find what worked best for me. Overall it was never really about having my most used tools right there as it was a mobile work surface. I end up ditching the carts and getting a smaller hydraulic lift cart. That thing is the handiest thing in my work for a cart. If my situation was to change that a tool carrying cart would fit that new environment best, I think I'd go with a split top for the work surface.

 

[Robbie B]

Well, I’ve had 2 of them. A snap on cart and a harbor freight cart. The snappy was about 1500, I bought it with the intent of replacing my main tool box at work and it was super nice, I loved it and I wouldn’t mind having another one, that said I’ve currently got a HF one that sits in my shop and I used for a while when I was turning wrenches for a living. It’s not as nice as the snap on. It’s not as heavy or well built but it cost a lot less.

Honestly this is one of those questions no one can answer for you, they can say how they like what they have, and how it works for them, how well it’s held up and would they buy it again but they can’t tell you what you need for your situation. Only you can figure that out.

 

[plinker]

I tried several tool carts in the early days of them gaining popularity as mini tool boxes. I went through several designs trying to find what worked best for me. Overall it was never really about having my most used tools right there as it was a mobile work surface. I end up ditching the carts and getting a smaller hydraulic lift cart. That thing is the handiest thing in my work for a cart. If my situation was to change that a tool carrying cart would fit that new environment best, I think I'd go with a split top for the work surface.

Very big point here, if a work table/surface isnt around, you need to be able to work off something, even if you are just setting parts on it. I had picked up a 20"x36" aluminum food cart for cheap off amazon and use that in tandem with the small box. It's working great for me.

 

[Azzkker]

I've got a snap on krsc430 in extreme green that I got in 2015. The split top is awesome in every situation but one. I originally bought it to hold all my common use wrench sets and alignment tools for use to roll around under an alignment rack while performing the work. A change of jobs led me to condense everything from a krl1001 into the cart for a few months. Had all my sockets in the top section under the split top, and all the drawers were packed as full as possible. This thing was severely loaded and it handled it easily.

The only negative with the split top is the amount of room required to fully open both split tops. It essentially doubles the width of footprint necessary to fully utilize the cart. If you use the cart as a cart and not a tool box stuck in a confined space, this will not be a problem.

I was happy to finally move back into my krl, but the krsc is built like a tank.

 

[Mr.Smoke]

I just ordered one of their 72" boxes. A friend of mine has their 36" cart and loves it. May not be for you, but these guys make a top quality product at a very competitive price. At least worth looking at as an option.





** PRICE IS CANADIAN DOLLARS **

 

[tez929rr]

The HF 5 drawer with the add on side tray works great for me. A place to pile up stuff without blocking the lid.

 

[65ranchero]

When I was still at the dealer I would have one Mac open cart I used as a tool holder which would follow me around the car when working on brakes , cv joints wheel bearings and etc. while on the lift its a great place to hold your impact gun.
In my bay when I worked also kept a No name brand closed top one with 2 drawers (lockable ) and another set of screw drivers,1/4 socket set and any tool I would need when working on the rear part of the car.
Held up good, I did cut a piece of 3/4 ply to line the bottom of the open cart to muffle the sound of dropping tools on it.

I did manage to destroy one open cart I crushed it into a steel work bench.
I had a 1976 f250 Hiboy with a 4 speed drove it into the shop cold, shut it off and forgot that I had left it in 1st gear.
Reached in to tap the key and it started and creep forward faster that I could shut it off pushed the cart into the bench!

 

[shawhite]

Snap-on is the only cart with a lifetime warranty to my knowledge. Slide top if you need to work on top of it flip top if you just need to store tools in it. I keep sockets, screw drivers and pry bars in the top of my snap-on for quick retrieval.

 

[Fedwrench]

I used a two cart system for the last 15 years or so. Cart one was a Cornwell seven drawer tool cart with a flip top lid that holds 95% of what I used regularly. It's similar to the Homak/Sunex/ tool carts but with an additional drawer or two. The Cornwell cart is no longer made.
Cart number two is a mobile work bench. I've used Durham carts https://www.durhammfg.com/products/...ce-truck-2-shelves-24-x-36-4000-lbs-capacity/

and I'm also fond of this Ikea (don't laugh) model as a mobile work surface: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/bror-utility-cart-black-pine-plywood-60333850/

The concept is simple, tools in one cart, mobile work surface and removed parts/new parts to install place on the second cart.

I prefer the flip top lid type tool cart as vim magrails are the ticket to organizing the underside of a lid. Just make sure the top till is deep, like 8 inches deep.

The slide top cart can be nice for additional work surface but, if you have to clear off stuff to get at what is stored under the sliding top, it defeats its purpose.

 

[M635_Guy]

The HF 5 drawer with the add on side tray works great for me. A place to pile up stuff without blocking the lid.

I really enjoy my 5-drawer w/ the tray. I try hard not to make the tray static storage. The rest of my tool storage is a USG 26" (the 5-drawer is most of my car-stuff, where the 5-drawer is stuff that overlaps or is home-centric). I like 'em both a lot, especially for the $$$. It would be nice to have slow-close and a more-natural latch, but I've gotten used to both.

 

[richfinn]

I like the idea of this solution, slide top but with a deep top drawer so you can use it like a regular roll cab if you want to

Seems well thought out to me!!!

https://gb-jbtools.glopalstore.com/..._medium=wi_proxy&utm_content=en_US&utm_term=a

 

[setfocus]

it all depends on what you use the cart for.

I have a basic 2 shelf cart with the 2 U bar design. Mine has one drawer and lid that lock. I don't store any tools in it other than some stuff on the prybar rack and different odds and ends on the bottom shelf. The drawer is empty.

I load the top up with the tools for whatever I'm working on, also use it as a work surface, only one work bench in the whole shop. The shop I work in is super cramped. You wouldn't be able to even move around a big 40" cart

My bay is like a fort. My matco 4S to the right, flush machines and alignment pit to the left, coworkers snap-on epiq box straight ahead

 

[greg13]

I will tell you right now that if you go with a slide top, sooner or later you WILL pinch a finger closing it.
I have had 2 snap on flip top carts. broke the inner wall on the first and my second is acting the same way, I'll have to pull the drawers out and check.
Pay close attention to WEIGHT capacity.

 

[dmaxfireman]

I have had a blue point flip top, blue point slide top, and a KRL1056. I sold both blue point carts without regret, when I sold the 1056 with the intention of trying a snap on slide top I ended up buying another KRL1056 within 2 weeks of selling it. Still have the 1056 and it is perfect. Tall, 8 deep drawers, large worksurface.

 

[MushCreek]

I've seen a mod to a HF 5 drawer, making the top a cantilever motion. Rather than hinged, it moves up and back while staying level. I think that that would be a good compromise. The only drawback is if it's up against a wall you couldn't open it. I always leave the lid up on mine. Since I'm working at home, and security isn't an issue, I could just remove the top altogether. I have two 44" HF boxes, one has a top chest as well, and the little 5 drawer. I use the 5 drawer when I work outside. It has enough tools for general maintenance and light repairs, and it's easy to roll around.

 

[MA70Donnie]

My situation is a bit different than many. I do elevators, so having something that can both manage the abuse of being rolled back and forth, up and down, side to side all day, every day, at capacity, is critical. Many people opt for either a double bay, or the classic rubbermaid cart with two rally boxes on top.

However, being able to fit in most any passenger elevator is important to me, which beyond my current building, rules out most double bays. And I'd prefer to be able to roll my entire suite of tooling to my work space, and not need to return to a gang box for the rest of the day. Meaning securable storage for pry bars and the like is critical.

I've in other careers, worked out of everything from gen 1 HF boxes, to Cornwell cabs. So this is a new avenue for me, but the employer is offering to cover under a grand for a box. So I may as well make it count.

 

[Al Borland]

I would look for a 26-32" lower with a good set of casters and a solid base where the casters mount

 

[MA70Donnie]

I considered this. And it wouldn't be difficult to burn together a tube frame base to add some rigidity to it. But going that route would keep me from being able to keep my prybars on-hand, and securable, without necessitating side mounts. Which I'm not particularly fond of myself, and would add to the overall footprint of the setup.

I've found a KRSC used, at a reasonable price locally. I may be taking a look, though it looks like it's had a bit more use than I'd prefer.

 

[MA70Donnie]

Opted for the Homak 7 drawer. Currently ON SALE AT NAPA FOR $620.

 

[sonoronos]

I second the Rubbermaid Commercial Carts. They have pretty much taken over for anything involving actual motion.

My tool carts of all types, flip lids, slide lids, any number of drawers, all built like bank safes - all of them end up being used for long term storage. The lightest of them (the "service cart" as advertised) is probably 300lbs loaded. Moving it is a chore, and I don't like doing it much, mostly because I have to respect it In a fight between the cart and pretty much anything else, the cart will win every time.

The Rubbermaid Commercial Carts (I have two of the FG452088 - medium ergo handle ones with the lip on the upper shelf) are light enough to pick up and roll around. I can throw stuff on them without making ear-splitting noises. I can put parts on them without any danger of marring the parts themselves. They can ride up against the work without any problems. I can move it a foot or two in any direction without me having to make grunty noises. I can also take them down a grade without worrying about them tipping or getting away from me. They weigh about 35 lbs empty.

I like bobcatdan's idea of using the hydraulic lift cart as a utility cart, but for me, having a lip is important on the surface so that things don't roll out / fall out. Probably depends on what you use it for.

Just my two cents.

(There's an "adaptable cart" which is taller - 36" vs 33" for the heavy duty cart, which I think is better for working on - it's taller and has a built-in folding tabletop. Suncast also makes something similar to the Rubbermaid Carts.)

 

[wreckdiver1321]

I'm planning on picking up one of the HF service carts. Being able to have a spot to put parts and tools without walking back to the bench would be superb. I don't need a mobile tool chest, my shop isn't big enough to warrant that. I may go up to one of the nicer carts they sell, maybe even with a drawer, but I doubt it.

I also want to completely avoid storing anything on/in it long-term. My BIL has a nice roll-around cart with a shelf, a flip top, and a drawer. That thing has so much **** piled on it, it never moves and is basically useless. I don't want that nor do I have the space to waste on it. I essentially just want a shelf with wheels.

 

[CS454]

We're supplied with a basic industrial cart, I threw a KR53 on it and got rid of my HF 5 Drawer. Much quieter to roll around and far more versatile. In time I'll likely pair that down to a tote tray that I throw on it every day. Workspace is king!

 

[putergod]

I really like the design of the new Milwaukee cart, but I don't like the price - especially being made in China. I'll by a $50 cart if I'm getting a Chinese one. I would be willing to pay $200 for the Milwaukee, because of the design, but that's it.

So.. I don't have one either (and need one).

 

[javyLSU]

This is what I wound up doing - works perfect for my home shop use. Zero tools are stored in it (except an extra set of screwdrivers and ratchets), so it stays light and easy to roll around. Whenever its in use, I keep the lid all the way open so it functions as an open-till cart, and fits perfectly underneath the vehicles when I have them on the lift.

 

[isb cornbinder]

A few shop carts.

 

[BMoscato]

We're supplied with a basic industrial cart, I threw a KR53 on it and got rid of my HF 5 Drawer. Much quieter to roll around and far more versatile. In time I'll likely pair that down to a tote tray that I throw on it every day. Workspace is king!

This is great, I'm looking for something stout, but just to move stuff between my garage and driveway when i'm doing small repairs.

 

[CS454]

This is great, I'm looking for something stout, but just to move stuff between my garage and driveway when i'm doing small repairs.

Appreciated! Next step is to get half the **** off of it and back in the box where it belongs. After going to this sort of setup everything else I've tried just feels like a waste of time.

 

[isb cornbinder]

This is what I wound up doing - works perfect for my home shop use. Zero tools are stored in it (except an extra set of screwdrivers and ratchets), so it stays light and easy to roll around. Whenever its in use, I keep the lid all the way open so it functions as an open-till cart, and fits perfectly underneath the vehicles when I have them on the lift.

I like the look of this tool cart. The lockable casters look strong.

 

[banditbigdog]

Double post, uhhh

 

[banditbigdog]

Lista MP
Holding up like a tank for the last 5 years.
I don’t remember the drawer weight capacity but it’s pretty high.

 

[autobon7]

I purchased a black 4 drawer cart from HF a few years ago. It's done what it's supposed to do, but over the years, I have come to hate the top of the tool box/cart, flip lid or whatever. It's a handy place to put things. Which means that all manner of stuff gets put there and it just piles up. Maybe if I *HAD* to close it every day, I would do a better job of not putting stuff there. But, here's my thing. If I use a regular roller cabinet, I can work off of the top. If I have something with a lid, I can't. If stuff is small enough to fit in the top with the lid closed, then it should be able to fit in a drawer the same height. I'm replacing my tool boxes now and unless I find that I really can't handle the top drawer being just below eye level, will be just using a bottom box on top of another bottom box. I guess I don't understand the appeal of a lid.

I agree with this ^^^^^i had a HF 5 drawer that was nice for the money but eventually sold it and bought a regular roller cabinet like the above poster because it provides a flat sturdy work surface. Much more useful for me.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Double post, uhhh

What is your idea of a double post?

 

[banditbigdog]

My goof
I double posted somehow

 

[Al Borland]

Had the old HF 4 drawer, worked good for the garage until I ran it over.
Currently, a big Rubbermaid cart that I can put a smaller toolbox on fills the role.
More load capacity, better work surface, and rolls better/quieter.
Much more portable, if I had the need/want/desire to take it to work.