Looking for a Tool Cart

[Cactus_Juice]

Looking for a Tool Cart (For a New Comer)

I've been looking for a good tool cart to use professionally. I've looked at the homak 7 drawer Rs Pro service cart, but they dont offer yellow anymore, but i really do like that cart though. The HF tool cart is nice but I'm looking for something with drawers all the way down; and Im not rolling in dough so lets keep it under $700 please!

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the montazuma cart, similar idea, mine is 6 drawers with a flip top. MUCH sturdier than the typical 5 drawer HF cart, I've owned both.

If you require the additional volume, I feel a flip top is the way to go. If you will give that up, you can simply use a single bay toolbox as a cart, and have a work area. I've seen people mount a vise up there, but beware as the metal is a bit thin.

Is this legitimately a cart for basic work, or are you new to the industry and will keep most of your tools in there? If it's the latter, you need to go for size/volume over all else. If it's the former, layout and efficiency are king.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Re: Looking for a Tool Cart (For a New Comer)

Harbor Freight has a smaller bottom box that a couple people at my shop use as a cart I can’t remember the size but it’s the size of a normal cart it has drawers all the way down. Their boxes and carts are amazing I am also a professional mechanic and they work great.


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[Cactus_Juice]

I have the montazuma cart, similar idea, mine is 6 drawers with a flip top. MUCH sturdier than the typical 5 drawer HF cart, I've owned both.

If you require the additional volume, I feel a flip top is the way to go. If you will give that up, you can simply use a single bay toolbox as a cart, and have a work area. I've seen people mount a vise up there, but beware as the metal is a bit thin.

Is this legitimately a cart for basic work, or are you new to the industry and will keep most of your tools in there? If it's the latter, you need to go for size/volume over all else. If it's the former, layout and efficiency are king.

I definitely need the storage, because this will be my primary tool storage for the moment. Those montazuma carts do look like they have incredible quality though. thanks for the response!

 

[Cactus_Juice]

Re: Looking for a Tool Cart (For a New Comer)

Harbor Freight has a smaller bottom box that a couple people at my shop use as a cart I can’t remember the size but it’s the size of a normal cart it has drawers all the way down. Their boxes and carts are amazing I am also a professional mechanic and they work great.


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I've gotta check that one out in store. if it has enough space for my tools; it seems like it would be great! Thanks for the response.

 

[1982fxr]

Not sure about your area, but around me $700 gets you in the game for used truck brand versions of what you want.

 

[Fedwrench]

Have you looked at Sunex? they don't offer yellow but, they do have six drawer carts with either a flip top lid or sliding top. Yo need to shop around though for the best deal.

The issue with the small Harbor Freight rollaway is that you can't rearrange the drawers. If using a rollaway as a cart I would want the top drawer to be deep enough for 1/2 drive deep impact socket to stand up in it. Nice cart other than that.

 

[Cactus_Juice]

Have you looked at Sunex? they don't offer yellow but, they do have six drawer carts with either a flip top lid or sliding top. Yo need to shop around though for the best deal.

The issue with the small Harbor Freight rollaway is that you can't rearrange the drawers. If using a rollaway as a cart I would want the top drawer to be deep enough for 1/2 drive deep impact socket to stand up in it. Nice cart other than that.

Ooo the sunex box looks nice, and I agree the top drawer of that harbor freight does seem slim for all the sockets. Thanks for the response!

 

[plinker]

I had a Matco full drawer cart, Homak was the OE for it (they didnt offer them at the time), it was decent overall, only gripe was drawer detents would get worn out. I had traded it in for a larger Matco JSC cart a while back. The Sunex carts look pretty good overall as well.

The way I do things, a slide top cart or a basic 26"-30" roller chest would actually work better to use as a cart. The only thing you really lose with a roller box is prybar storage, which could be worked around. Having a work surface of some sort is handy.

 

[Cactus_Juice]

I had a Matco full drawer cart, Homak was the OE for it (they didnt offer them at the time), it was decent overall, only gripe was drawer detents would get worn out. I had traded it in for a larger Matco JSC cart a while back. The Sunex carts look pretty good overall as well.

The way I do things, a slide top cart or a basic 26"-30" roller chest would actually work better to use as a cart. The only thing you really lose with a roller box is prybar storage, which could be worked around. Having a work surface of some sort is handy.

I agree the work surface from a cabinet does seem very useful.

 

[ChefRex]

I have this cart, https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunex-37-in-3-Drawer-Slide-Top-Utility-Cart-in-Black-8035XTBK/3039
Of course it was just over $800 with tax when I ordered and after receiving two damaged ones it only was just over $600 for my inconvenience when I got good one.
It's a nice cart and the sliding top is the way to go.
I have a full sized box too and this only holds basic service tools but is larger than some of the service carts the kids have in the shop that hold all their tools.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

One thing my coworker did to her cart at work was got the 5 drawer from Harbor Freight and she got sheet metal and riveted it to the bottom and in the front cut out a door and put a latch and lock on it and that was actually a brilliant idea in my opinion. Then she reenforced the front with a double layer to make it sturdy. I can understand though if drawers are what you are needing I was just bringing up that idea as I find it really cool and it’s a suggestion.


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[Cactus_Juice]

One thing my coworker did to her cart at work was got the 5 drawer from Harbor Freight and she got sheet metal and riveted it to the bottom and in the front cut out a door and put a latch and lock on it and that was actually a brilliant idea in my opinion. Then she reenforced the front with a double layer to make it sturdy. I can understand though if drawers are what you are needing I was just bringing up that idea as I find it really cool and it’s a suggestion.


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Wow, that's a really good idea! Thanks man

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Wow, that's a really good idea! Thanks man

I agree. No problem.


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[SeisMec]

You might consider getting both. A 5 drawer cart and a single bank roller cabinet totals to $470 with current coupons.

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/30%22%2C+5+DRAWER+MECHANIC%27S+CARTS+%28ALL+COLORS%29

http://www.hfqpdb.com/best_coupon/26%22+X+22%22+SINGLE+BANK+EXTRA+DEEP+CABINETS

If you decide to go that route and need them like now, settle for a color they have in the store. Lots of complaints in the last couple months over on the Harbor Freight reddit about waiting a couple months for carts and roller cabinets to arrive when ordering to get a specific color.

 

[Hammer1963]

Like others have said, Sunex is a good choice. I have two and they are very well built. They have several unique colors and themes that you might find to your liking

 

[Taco Truck]

The way I do things, a slide top cart or a basic 26"-30" roller chest would actually work better to use as a cart. The only thing you really lose with a roller box is prybar storage, which could be worked around. Having a work surface of some sort is handy.

I agree with this. This would help alleviate the prybar storage if using a standard 26" roller chest. https://sunextools.com/products/large-locking-screwdriverpry-bar-holder-for-service-cart-red/

 

[SeisMec]

Taco Truck's prybar add-on takes care of large prybar/screwdriver storage.

All the 'standard' 26" roller chests I've seen have shallow drawers at the top and the lower drawers get deep as you go down.

Anybody know of a middle chest to go on top of a standard 26" roller chest for socket/ratchet/extension bar storage. A middle chest (not a top box with flip up top) so you still have a flat surface to put disassemble parts on.

 

[CGarage]

Is she hot, Blake? You should wife it.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Is she hot, Blake? You should wife it.

LOL. I do like the fact she is a mechanic. I would but she is 6 years older than me and has 4 kids so I don’t want to be brought on all of those bills that come with that LOL.


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[941designs]

I just snagged a brand new Sunex cart, new in box for $450 in the Tampa area off FB. I freaking love it. Heck of a deal and well built.

It was the 8057 model in red white n blue.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Re: Looking for a Tool Cart (For a New Comer)

I've got a bit of a thing for yellow as well!

If I found myself in your exact situation I'd buy the U.S. General 44" yellow lower roll cab. The wider truck brand carts are all 36"-40" and even wider. A 44" lower box offers a ton of storage and you only trade off the top compartment for a work surface which I think is more desirable anyway. You can also add several color coordinated accessories from HF as well.

If it were me I'd paint the drawer trim black and swap the casters out for 4 full swivel locking casters for ultimate mobility.

Chris



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