Need a Cart Now, Harbor Freight??

[earlthegoat2]

I am still trying to find a small box or service cart on the used market and am coming up short. Mainly looking for a smaller Snap On box or a SO, Mac, Matco service cart. I saw some positive reviews about one from HF. I think it is this one:

Linky

Would this be a viable substitute for a higher quality box until I can find the right one?

It will be used professionally and that is why I would like a really nice box. What are some of the better features of this one or are there any better options out there?

 

[back2class]

The black 4 drawer one is great. only bad thing I can say about it the lock is kind of weak.

 

[Arachnotron]

For the price I think that is the best option.

 

[Tatsuya]

The black 4 drawer one is great. only bad thing I can say about it the lock is kind of weak.

There's also a coupon for this out there, $99.99.

 

[dharma-bum]

Just used the $99.99 Coupon- All I can say is, that for a hundred bucks my new cart is just dandy. It aint fancy and the pry bar/screwdriver rack is pretty shallow, but the drawers move fine, it hold most of what I need on the day to day and if I kill it its not a disaster.
All the Best,

 

[kc-steve]

Like others have said, the 4-drawer box at $99 is a good value considering the materials cost at least that much.

The casters are the weak point. First, they attach directly to the lower sheet metal tray and will eventually bend the tray when moving the cart around a garage. I cut 1/8" thick flat metal supports and made the lower tray beefier.

Second, the quality of the casters is not the best. My homemade projects always have high-quality casters that allow me to push things easily with a single finger. Unless you have used a high quality caster though, you won't know the difference.

Steve

 

[countryroad82]

I have the 4 drawer, its great!! I use it on a daily basis and have no qualms with it at the moment, maybe later I might upgrade but for the money it can't be beat!!

 

[thrifty bill]

The $99 cart is a no brainer. Nothing closest that price.

 

[ADaughen]

Another happy 4-drawer cart owner.

 

[iajonesy]

I bought the 5 drawer 2 weeks ago and am quite happy with it. Just remove the U S General badge and replace with Snap On sticker and nobody is the wiser.

Mike

 

[Cryptic1911]

I'm another with the black 4 drawer cart, for the $89 I spent on it, it was a great buy. I use that damn thing constantly

 

[NJHandyGuy]

i must be the exception to the rule here i HATE that damned cart the frame diamonded pushing it over a crack in the floor

 

[NWphotog]

Another happy 4-drawer cart owner.

Me too. At $99 an incredible deal. At full price not bad. Sounds like the OP really needs the bigger red one which is incredible too. I think it goes on sale at $159. It is taller and heavier duty than the 4 drawer. Perfect for the serious mechanic.

 

[NWphotog]

i must be the exception to the rule here i HATE that damned cart the frame diamonded pushing it over a crack in the floor

A little overloaded perhaps?

 

[NJHandyGuy]

A little overloaded perhaps?

nope not even 160lbs in it at the time no big sockets no wrenchs just pliers screw drivers a 3/8s ratchet ad 6mm-19mm kit and a bunch of parts

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

flimsy , but most of them are

 

[Drdaves49]

Just picked up 2 of the black ones on monday.....for 99.00 bucks it's hard to beat.

 

[teleman37]

When does the five drawer red one go on sale?? Can you use the 20% off coupon on that tool cart??

 

[onemore]

a friend has it and seems like you can't go wrong for the price

 

[earlthegoat2]

When does the five drawer red one go on sale?? Can you use the 20% off coupon on that tool cart??

I second this question. The 20% off coupon specifically states it cannot be used on tool "cabinets". So you probably cant use it on this either.

My store does not have the black 4 drawer in stock unfortunately.

 

[teleman37]

I thought I had read where someone had used the coupon on a tool cart?? It's not a tool cabinet, it's a tool cart

 

[jjjrmx5]

There's also a coupon for this out there, $99.99.

x2.

Helluva good deal.

I second this question. The 20% off coupon specifically states it cannot be used on tool "cabinets". So you probably cant use it on this either.

Nope.

You can use the 20% coupon on the carts, but not in addition to a sale coupon. For the 5 dwr cart, that gets it down around $160, normally $199.

 

[PT Doc]

When does the five drawer red one go on sale?? Can you use the 20% off coupon on that tool cart??

25% off on july 4 will make it the cheapest price. 20% off full price of second cheapest st 160.

 

[LawnDart79]

I bought my dad the red 5-drawer cart in the OPs link. Great cart, I wouldn't be afraid to use it professionally.

 

[earlthegoat2]

That is what I may go with then.

There is a garage sale by me where a guy wants to sell 3 toolboxes altogether. If I cannot talk him out of just the Matco service cart (this will be my third attempt) then I will have to go buy the HF cart.

 

[kartracer55]

The black 4 drawer one is great. only bad thing I can say about it the lock is kind of weak.

I picked mine up for $100. Lock is more of an honesty lock (you could pry up the corners of the lid and get creative with an angle grinder...) but the build quality far exceeds what you would expect for $100. Definitely a solid buy. Mine has good fit and finish

 

[archirelic]

I'd definitely recommend the 5 drawer red cart, it's much, much beefier and provides ample storage and when combined with one of their regular coupons, can be had for just 69 dollars more, plus tax over the black 4 drawer.

 

[NWphotog]

I'd definitely recommend the 5 drawer red cart, it's much, much beefier and provides ample storage and when combined with one of their regular coupons, can be had for just 69 dollars more, plus tax over the black 4 drawer.

I think it depends 100% on use. For professional use the red one is definitely beefier. For me it was too tall and really heavier than I wanted. The black one for my use was perfect. YMMV.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I love my HF 4 drawer cart. I did a little "hot rodding" of the hardware and that beefed it up considerably. I cut out some 6x6 backers of ¼" plate to support the casters and put some improved bolts with larger heads in to hold everything together.

The only thing I didn't like was the flimsy plastic US General badge. Such a nice cart with a crappy logo plate didn't fly with me, so I replaced it with a Ford grille emblem. As far as the lock goes, I've got a Coke machine type lock from McMaster Carr that I intend to eventually put in there.

 

[domain]

+1 on the 4 drawer HF cart. $108 OTD is amazing for the quality. I have had it for a few weeks now and love it. Mine is "Assembled in the USA with global materials" hahahahhaha

 

[GTO]

Napa

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have the 4 drawer black one and love it!!!

Chris

 

[earlthegoat2]

Napa

Saw a recent thread on that one too.

I am impressed. I have a NAPA store local too. Dont want to go that route thogh because I will enventually be replacing this one with a truck brand.

 

[powertrip]

When does the five drawer red one go on sale?? Can you use the 20% off coupon on that tool cart??

the emplyees may tell you the 20% off coupon will not work on the carts, but it does. Have the cashier scan the cart and coupon. Their computer system will accept the coupon on the red 5 drawer cart. Coupons being accepted are detrmined by their computer system not employee or manager policy. I have personally bought one after the manager told me that the coupon would not work for the carts. Had the cashier scan it and it took it just fine. Just have a cashier scan it in the register. Should be able to get it for around $160.

 

[bassman]

I've been lusting after that red cart for a while now, gotta get one. Aren't the'rye 2 differant finishes available? A semi gloss vs. a rough finish?

 

[iajonesy]

a friend has it and seems like you can't go wrong for the price

The local HF was having a Parking lot sale. Everything outside was 20% off and I signed up for the Inside track thing and got another 20% off for doing that so I found it hard to pass up.

Mike

 

[3 at 8]

the emplyees may tell you the 20% off coupon will not work on the carts, but it does. Have the cashier scan the cart and coupon. Their computer system will accept the coupon on the red 5 drawer cart. Coupons being accepted are detrmined by their computer system not employee or manager policy. I have personally bought one after the manager told me that the coupon would not work for the carts. Had the cashier scan it and it took it just fine. Just have a cashier scan it in the register. Should be able to get it for around $160.

Same experience here, computer had no problem with it. 20% and 25% coupons work on a regular or sale price; just wont work combined with a "super coupon" discounted price.

 

[RAYJAY]

i must be the exception to the rule here i HATE that damned cart the frame diamonded pushing it over a crack in the floor

wow i use mine every day at work and never had a problem at all and its loaded with tools..

plus the bottom tray had all my key bars and other large heavy stuff on it

 

[regguy1]

I have the 5 drawer, can't complain...got it for the cost of sales tax on the SO

 

[kissmeimgerman]

just found the $99 coupon in one of my old maxims, i may go this weekend and pick one up