Plastic Utility/Tool Carts

[T45]

Can someone school me on these? What are the better iterations of the design and what materials are the best? They seem to be made by alot of brands like rubbermaid, husky, sunex etc. Pretty robust and cost effective.

https://www.terapeak.com/worth/rubb...ty-cart-lipped-shelves-medi-new/302240648467/

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/m...-tray-service-utility-cart-8-pneumatic-caster

https://www.northerntool.com/images/product/2000x2000/147/14719_2000x2000.jpg

I like the idea of plastic for some things; its quite, doesn't get cold, doesn't chip paint/rust corrode, dent etc. One question is do they have issues with shop chemicals and how do they clean up?

 

[T45]

Another variation

Although I'm sure these things are reasonably mainstream, found this image-angle interesting.

 

[Rarified27]

I love these carts.

Over time I've had four and still use 3 (gave one away). The link below is closest to what I have, except mine are/were gray or tan. They're all Rubbermaid.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001602VI2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought one with a mid level shelf which I ultimately removed because the space between was just too small for anything but, well, small stuff.

They've had the hell beaten out of them all with no cracks or serious damage. My only complaint are the wheels have a non-marring layer which tends to get flat spots or with a few, peel away. They're easy enough to replace, but trying to move stuff before you get new ones can vibrate the tools and parts all over the place. They also hold a ton of weight. I've used them to move 300+lbs on just the top with no issue.

To solve the issue of any parts which leave a large volume of liquid behind, I drilled a 1.5" hole at the center of an edge near the top of the one I use as a work surface, so I can leave a bucket on the bottom shelf to collect whatever is left behind. The shelves are smooth, so instead of wasting towels and soaking/wiping forever, I just squeegee whatever is left behind to the drain hole, wash it, then drain it again.

We've got two "big" ones at work and I have a "skinny" one at home. It's same length as the big ones, but smaller width. I used it as a tool cart when we took our house down to the studs and now it's a driveway cart for the cars.

 

[Gmonkee]

I had a Rubbermaid cart. It had a tag fir a tire company and somewhere along the way the handle cracked.

I patched up the handle and found a buyer the same day. Well used, well built and easy resale. Wish I had found a dozen of them.
It was too wide to pass a door in the shop so kinda useless to me but a lot of other folks were interested.

 

[IndyGarage]

About 8 years ago Milwaukee brought out a line of them called Tradesman - they are really nice, big and tough - They priced them at $600 and they didn't catch on, so they got discontinued in about a year or two.

A few years ago I bought 3 of them off a company that bought a bunch of them. I use one of them for my main tool cart - it works great.

Edit: They were called "Trade Titan" not Tradesman. If you could find one of them for sale, they are the best plastic carts I've seen.

 

[74craig]

I’ve been trying to find one of those Milwaukee carts had a coworker who had one with the lockable bottom cabinet great carts!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[T45]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Very helpful to get some feedback.
anyone upgrade the casters do other customizations?

 

[Socket Pounder]

I wouldn't be surprised if all the good carts are rebranded Rubbermaid.

 

[WittHay]

My Mac dealer had a deal on the Mac MB6UC carts. Wasn't interested but i remember him saying people were using them as mini work benches as they have a lockable lid. No idea idea how they compare in strength to the Cat branded one in your picture

 

[Marctrees]

I've had good luck w the Rubbermaid.

Added a middle shelf.

Sam's / Costco may have best price.

Actually, that Amazon link above is pretty good price, and shipped... but probably China made nowadays.

I got mine 15 + yrs ago, pretty sure USA. Marc

 

[Marctrees]

"Trade Titan" - not cheap though....

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tra...UICygC&biw=1229&bih=608#imgrc=tHwOJsHiYf0bRM:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Tra...y-ab..1.4.1658...0j0i22i10i30k1.0.UOcnDnlzArs

 

[danski0224]

Those Milwaukee carts weren't that expensive compared to paying full price for a genuine Rubbermaid branded cart- those go for over $400.00 new.

As much as I hate to say it, the version sold by Harbor Freight for about $140 works well. My only complaint is that the handle part is not molded in with the top tray, so it wobbles a bit in use.