I don't believe the proto with the flip top would be anything like this cart. I would assume it would be like Macs 3 drawer, which is about 2 steps down from this. The cart in between the two is the 197 Cary and that is prob the best bang for your buck, however is a hair smaller than what I am looking for.
That is awesome! I really think the three drawer is the way to go for me. I am glad to hear it is a solid built cart. I have a maximizer triple bay that I am impressed with so far, that replaced a Mac tech series. I had a Mac 197 cart also a long time ago that was replaced with the tech box. So I have been a long time supporter of Mac tool storage. It however seems like a lot of money for a cart.I have the cart in the 5-drawer config. The 3 drawer has an optional bottom tray that can slide out and hold bulky items.
I think the cart is exceptionally well built, and the self closing drawers are neat as hell. I've had mine about a year, and it has held up very well in daily auto shop use. The t-track rails on the side are nifty, I bought the spray can holder and the little 3-tray organizer. I made a glove dispenser by bolting one of those $8 harbor freight dispensers to a piece of plywood and painting it matte black to match.
My ONLY ***** about the cart is due to personal preferance - I find I do not like the slide-to-side top. Thats just personal, as I work on multiple cars at once and tend to put the tools in current use in the top middle, and parts in the top right tray. If I have to switch from one task to another, it is difficult to move the cart with the "wings out" and they don't close with all my stuff in the middle.
The thing I could see needing improvement is if they could make a lock to keep the sliding tops in the 'extended' position. I have a pair of little magnets that I'll snap onto the back rail when I need them to stay open.
Here are some pics of the drawers from last July - sorry for the extreme close ups, they were for insurance updates.
Inside the left "wing"
<a href="http://imgur.com/SbowFZG"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/SbowFZGl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
Top Drawer
<a href="http://imgur.com/baU671r"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/baU671rl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
Second
<a href="http://imgur.com/avhYv5u"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/avhYv5ul.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
Third
<a href="http://imgur.com/gmQ3tMU"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/gmQ3tMUl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
Forth
<a href="http://imgur.com/hMQDz14"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/hMQDz14l.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
Fifth
<a href="http://imgur.com/1tJnS7Q"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/1tJnS7Ql.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
Thanks, I appreciate the info. Cart looks great. I am also attracted to all the attachments you can add to them. That is really what has me interested over the 197 Mac cart.i ordered one before mac tool fair last year. and my experience is truly one to take note. I got mines brand new from my dealer and day one the top slide tray was not aligned correctly. it wouldnt slide fully out as the slide rails sagged on one side with no weight on it. the first batch of these boxes are bolted together if you notice in my photo. the black bolts i believe after the took note of my problem they started welding these boxes instead of bolting it to the frame. ( similar to what snap on did to their carts too) after a few months waiting i got a brand new replacement from mac tools because they couldnt fix my current cart problem. very minor to say the least that the top slide drawer didnt fully extend and sag a little i just paid 1300 bucks for it i better get a perfect box. when my new box came in i notice the paint didnt match the same to my first box but i know these boxes are powder coated so color matching isnt always 100%. a month into having this box i notice ripples in the paint almost like bubbling underneath the powder coating. am still upset the quality isnt worth the price tag. but the Options like the side racks you can install is what i liked about this box. and the slide top opening rather then front to back lid style as most carts are.
left is the new designed box right is the first batch bolted carts
but you can tell my new box the paint is somewhat dull and not as bright as the box on the right
i liked the gun rack and the spray can rack. i also have the coolant jug holder as well. as it sits it hold almost all my daily use tools top section has my sockets, 1 drawer screw drivers, 2nd drawer master torx set/etc trim tools, 3rd drawer all my hammers torque wrench etc. top left slide drawer is my pliers and the right side my metric wrenches
