Rolling Service Cart Recommendations?

[Beemer]

I need a cart to roll tools and parts around including on blacktop.
Drawers are not important nor desired, but I see it might be a needed concession based on what is out there.

It seems to possibly come down to the HF 30" single drawer cart or something in the Rubbermaid 2 level (no drawer) carts.

I haven't seen either in person but I wonder about the lateral stiffness of the HF if the leg material is very thin. The drawer would be lost space for the bottom shelf use where I'd put heavier things but, again, I might have to live with that.

The Rubbermaid type is the geometry I'd think would be more suitable, but I am a bit afraid of the plastic cracking under stress, particularly when shoving it around.

Any first hand experience would be appreciated and other recommendations would be welcomed.

 

[Jlarson]

We have several Rubbermaid carts, a couple probably have more miles on them then some people's cars lol. Only one we ever tore up kinda maybe possibly went airborne out the back of a pickup on the freeway once between jobsites, that one does have some handle damage.

 

[Beemer]

We have several Rubbermaid carts, a couple probably have more miles on them then some people's cars lol. Only one we ever tore up kinda maybe possibly went airborne out the back of a pickup on the freeway once between jobsites, that one does have some handle damage.

Know anything about similar Luxor? They claim to be made in the USA.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have the Harbor freight single drawer cart. I'm about to get another. One is the base for my blast cabinet, and I'm going to make a welding cart out of the other.

The drawers are easy to get rid of, especially on the 1 drawer cart. See the attached photo. Notice the drawer? It's sitting on my workbench to the left. And below that are the drawers from a 4 drawer cart.

I plan to use angle iron to make a base for the gas bottles on the welding cart (similar to the bracket for the SWAG table on the 4 drawer in the picture) but otherwise I don't plan to reinforce it. They're pretty stout. While it's true the 4 and 5 drawer carts use more steel, the 1 drawer cart is shorter so there's just less deflection.

Hope that helps!

 

[Beemer]

I have the Harbor freight single drawer cart. I'm about to get another. One is the base for my blast cabinet, and I'm going to make a welding cart out of the other.

The drawers are easy to get rid of, especially on the 1 drawer cart. See the attached photo. Notice the drawer? It's sitting on my workbench to the left. And below that are the drawers from a 4 drawer cart.

I plan to use angle iron to make a base for the gas bottles on the welding cart (similar to the bracket for the SWAG table on the 4 drawer in the picture) but otherwise I don't plan to reinforce it. They're pretty stout. While it's true the 4 and 5 drawer carts use more steel, the 1 drawer cart is shorter so there's just less deflection.

Hope that helps!

If you push it around, does it wobble?
I'm less concerned with load capacity than I am about the top shelf falling over.
I'm sure adding some gussets or knee braces would probably cure those kinds of problems but I'd like to know ahead of time.

 

[GeoBruin]

If you push it around, does it wobble?
I'm less concerned with load capacity than I am about the top shelf falling over.
I'm sure adding some gussets or knee braces would probably cure those kinds of problems but I'd like to know ahead of time.

Like I said, it's much shorter than the 4 drawer cart but has the same footprint (approx 16 x 30). The blast cabinet makes it a lot more top heavy than it would be normally but it's still not bad. If you just had a bunch of tools in the top tray, I can't imagine it would be too tippy.

 

[Fedwrench]

Heavy Duty Service Trucks Archives - Durham Manufacturing

www.durhammfg.com

Look at Durham Manufacturing metal carts. you can get them from MSC and possibly ZORO. Not cheap but, sturdy. we use them as a small mobile bench for tools & removed parts.

 

[Beemer]

Heavy Duty Service Trucks Archives - Durham Manufacturing

www.durhammfg.com

Look at Durham Manufacturing metal carts. you can get them from MSC and possibly ZORO. Not cheap but, sturdy. we use them as a small mobile bench for tools & removed parts.

Wow, 4000 and 5000 pound capacity. They look serious with real structural steel posts rather than light gage metal.
Zoro is an interesting reference site but Durham is about a half hour from me and maybe they sell direct.
Amazon doubled the price on one compared to Zoro.
I need something smaller than 24" wide but I'll look through their stuff and keep it in mind.

 

[TJMtl]

Rousseau makes one, called the Multitek, comes in a few configurations.

 

[Odd-job]

Know anything about similar Luxor? They claim to be made in the USA.

I have a couple of Luxor EC111 type carts (2 and 3 shelf) that I got on the cheap thanks to Amazon warehouse deals. Unfortunately these have a couple of limitations.

1. The legs aren't attached to the shelves except through compression so when lifting over the lips in my garage the cart tends to disassemble itself. Need to get around to drilling and bolting these together.
2. The plastic does not like the CA sun. Left a cart out in the yard and it literally started to melt and the shelves warped.
3. The 500lb ratings seem optimistic, in the advertisements they even caveat it "must be evenly loaded". They seem to be more comfortable with about 100lb's on them.

These have been relegated to lighter duty tasks where they stay indoors. They were cheap and made in the USA so can't complain. Hopefully the Rubbermaid is built better.

Have since upgraded to a heavy duty cart like the one's Fedwrench posted and haven't looked back. Mine was made by Little Giant.

Edit: Wow prices have really increased. Up to $589 before Zoro 20% coupon.

Little Giant Utility Cart, 12 ga. Steel, 2 Shelves, 3600 lb DS2436X36PY | Zoro

Order Little Giant Utility Cart, 12 ga. Steel, 2 Shelves, 3600 lb, DS2436X36PY at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

 

[tarbellb]

The Rubbermaid carts are damn near bulletproof.
From your description, this is very likely your best bet.
I prefer the heavy wall plastic, takes lots of abuse and protects parts at the same time.

 

[gungatim]

LGR

 

[Beemer]

the no drawer red cart HF sells is about worthless...bought one for the shop and it is very flimsy, thin, and doesn't roll well. stay away from that one for sure...their bigger carts with drawers are nice but I also have the black 3 drawer and the rivets holding the lid hinge have pulled out and the powdercoat is beginning to flake...

Yes, I looked at them this morning. The $50 cart is shameful to even put on display.

I also looked at the 0ne drawer 16x30. It seems sturdy enough for my use but it did not roll well, even on their vinyl floor. I went to their castor display where the castors with mounting plates seem to have similar bolt hole layouts, so I took one over to the one drawer cart display and I might have guessed that the mounting hole layout on the cart is unique and the upgraded castors won't fit without redrilling the thin bottom shelf pan with new holes very close to the originals.
The 30" size seems just a bit small too.

 

[Beemer]

I have a couple of Luxor EC111 type carts (2 and 3 shelf) that I got on the cheap thanks to Amazon warehouse deals. Unfortunately these have a couple of limitations.

1. The legs aren't attached to the shelves except through compression so when lifting over the lips in my garage the cart tends to disassemble itself. Need to get around to drilling and bolting these together.
2. The plastic does not like the CA sun. Left a cart out in the yard and it literally started to melt and the shelves warped.
3. The 500lb ratings seem optimistic, in the advertisements they even caveat it "must be evenly loaded". They seem to be more comfortable with about 100lb's on them.

These have been relegated to lighter duty tasks where they stay indoors. They were cheap and made in the USA so can't complain. Hopefully the Rubbermaid is built better.

Have since upgraded to a heavy duty cart like the one's Fedwrench posted and haven't looked back. Mine was made by Little Giant.

Edit: Wow prices have really increased. Up to $589 before Zoro 20% coupon.

Little Giant Utility Cart, 12 ga. Steel, 2 Shelves, 3600 lb DS2436X36PY | Zoro

Order Little Giant Utility Cart, 12 ga. Steel, 2 Shelves, 3600 lb, DS2436X36PY at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

Thanks for that information. It's incredible that it melted. How hot could the sun be on a surface???

I just looked at the Little Giant line and those are some serious carts. I am sure they fit industrial and commercial clients very well.
They look to be out side my price range having just put a new chainsaw on the shelf. I don't need to skimp to the HF cart but $600 would seem to be more full time user. If I get 100 pounds per shelf without distress I'll be covered.

 

[Beemer]

The Rubbermaid carts are damn near bulletproof.
From your description, this is very likely your best bet.
I prefer the heavy wall plastic, takes lots of abuse and protects parts at the same time.

What model or size do you have?
They seem to be hard to locate around here, and even on-line. Wonder if they are an import.

 

[Odd-job]

Thanks for that information. It's incredible that it melted. How hot could the sun be on a surface???

I just looked at the Little Giant line and those are some serious carts. I am sure they fit industrial and commercial clients very well.
They look to be out side my price range having just put a new chainsaw on the shelf. I don't need to skimp to the HF cart but $600 would seem to be more full time user. If I get 100 pounds per shelf without distress I'll be covered.

It sometimes gets over 100 on a hot day over here in the Walnut Creek area. The sun here seems to eat everything compared to the Northeast. Plastic stuff tends not to survive very long whether it be pool solar covers (2 years max) or plastic trim on cars. I think the plastic on my kid's power wheels though held up to the sun much better than the cart.

 

[tarbellb]

What model or size do you have?
They seem to be hard to locate around here, and even on-line. Wonder if they are an import.

500lbs seems to be the mid tier for quality, I wouldnt mess with anything less than that.

This is similar to my shop carts, but has a funky (good?) handle.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F0GASU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$200 will last a decade of shop use

 

[Beemer]

500lbs seems to be the mid tier for quality, I wouldnt mess with anything less than that.

This is similar to my shop carts, but has a funky (good?) handle.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F0GASU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

$200 will last a decade of shop use

Thanks.
Does that handle fold down or remove? I want a flush top in case something long is to be carried.
Do you think the 300# model is rated that solely because of smaller shelf area, just proportioning the 500# value but using the same construction as the larger one?

 

[tarbellb]

Thanks.
Does that handle fold down or remove? I want a flush top in case something long is to be carried.
Do you think the 300# model is rated that solely because of smaller shelf area, just proportioning the 500# value but using the same construction as the larger one?

I couldnt tell you, I dont have that model of handle. Usually they are just fixed. As for payload, again, not sure....

Bet Rubbermaid might have decent set of literature on these, theyve been a staple for decades now.



ok I couldnt help myself and went to the site. Here is the model I have the most experience with-

Heavy-Duty Flat Handle Utility Cart, Lipped Shelf, Medium, 500 lb. Capacity - Black

Heavy-Duty Flat Handle Utility Carts (Lipped-Shelf). Heavy-Duty Utility Cart with Lipped Shelf transports materials, supplies, and heavy loads securely with up to 500 lbs. load capacity. The lipped shelves prevents items from falling off the cart and features an integrated V-notch to hold pipe and c

www.rubbermaidcommercial.com

 

[Beemer]

ok I couldnt help myself and went to the site. Here is the model I have the most experience with-

Heavy-Duty Flat Handle Utility Cart, Lipped Shelf, Medium, 500 lb. Capacity - Black

Heavy-Duty Flat Handle Utility Carts (Lipped-Shelf). Heavy-Duty Utility Cart with Lipped Shelf transports materials, supplies, and heavy loads securely with up to 500 lbs. load capacity. The lipped shelves prevents items from falling off the cart and features an integrated V-notch to hold pipe and c

www.rubbermaidcommercial.com

I see that model also comes narrower but retains the 500# capacity so I'm thinking it's the same basic structure.
Uline also has there copies for much less money: https://www.uline.com/Grp_37/Utility-Carts
They state "made in USA" and I wonder if they are Luxor manufactured.

 

[tarbellb]

Its been around for decades now, im sure other companies have sorted out how to build a very nice copy.

Ive got no experience with other brands, im sure they work just fine too.

 

[Ingram306]

I’m in the market for something similar, leaning towards the Rubbermaid, just haven’t pulled the trigger. This milwaukee looks interesting also but I’ve yet to see it in person

 

[dacan23]

I’m in the market for something similar, leaning towards the Rubbermaid, just haven’t pulled the trigger. This milwaukee looks interesting also but I’ve yet to see it in person

I have the Milwaukee and like it, but its on the big side for roll around parts and tools, pretty heavy duty though, but I collect Milwaukee tool storage. No idea what it goes for these days or if its available, think mine was $400-450 after discounts. The bottom slide out is mostly useless for me, something is always in the way to pull it out or I have so much weight on it I am afraid of it breaking or tipping the damn thing over.

I also have a Sunex (generic rebrand) 1 drawer flip top I use a lot and like, put a pad on the top. Car parts removed to be reinstalled usually live here

Amazon.com: Sunex 8013ABL Sunex 8013ABL Service Cart with Locking Top and Drawer, Blue : Industrial & Scientific

Buy Sunex 8013ABL Sunex 8013ABL Service Cart with Locking Top and Drawer, Blue: Service Carts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

What I mostly use is this, though it doesn't leave the garage, almost exclusively for tools while working.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BVRVJ5A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The OEM is the only one thats close to what I paid 5+ years ago, think I got it for $70 after discs was $99 regular and the Sunex was sub $150. So glad I went heavy into tool buying 5-10 years ago and have 95% of what I need, as the prices these days are outrageous. Milwaukees giant 60' workbench was on deal the other day for $900, I paid sub 6 bills.

 

[charbar]

Got a welder? I made my own out of 1 1/4" angle iron, 4 new casters, and scrap plywood for the top and bottom. Scrap iron for the handle, towel holder, can holder etc on the sides. I have less than 100 bucks into it and it is a million times better than any of the cheap ones.

 

[Beemer]

Got a welder? I made my own out of 1 1/4" angle iron, 4 new casters, and scrap plywood for the top and bottom. Scrap iron for the handle, towel holder, can holder etc on the sides. I have less than 100 bucks into it and it is a million times better than any of the cheap ones.

Got one after adult ed night school novice class and sold it due to no acquired skill in the endeavor. Damn stick always seemed to have a magnetic attraction to the metal!

 

[ZRX61]

At the airport we use a couple made by Rubbermaid. No issues over 15-20 years. They hold a **** ton of weight. The only upgrade I did to one was to carpet the top part. They get 30 gallons of oil and/or toolboxes piled on them. No issues.

They look like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CCYK2JP/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[danski0224]

Actual Rubbermaid carts are pretty indestructible, they are structural foam not just plastic.

The top and handle are one piece on the Rubbermaid carts, which is nicer than the HF cart. The HF cart is not structural foam and it's quite a bit heavier.

The HF cart is available under different brands online.

The Milwaukee steel cart above is quite heavy and not really suited to be lifted into a vehicle for transport from job to job.

There's a company that makes Rubbermaid style carts, but longer and with 4 swivel casters.

 

[Beemer]

Decided to go with a ULINE, found to be made by and a Rubbermaid look alike except more attractive price.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I can attest to the durability of the Rubbermaid carts they hold a lot and stand up to abuse. I think a few of ours are the Uline clones too and they seem OK.

The Hf plastic carts feel much flimsier. The small Rubbermaid one I have I mounted prybars holders to it and I throw heavy parts on it all the time. Easy to modify for your needs and easy to clean.

 

[Beemer]

As I noted, got a ULINE. It was significantly less money than Rubbermaid and is a pretty close look a like with the only difference I can pick out is the handle. The cart is really stout, rated at 500 pounds, and I have no doubt it will have a long life. The wheels alone took the HF metal cart quickly off the list. Delivery was outstanding; one day crossing several states. Also "made in USA" was a selling point and it pretty reasonably priced.

Uline Utility Carts, Blue Utility Carts in Stock - ULINE

Uline stocks a wide selection of Uline Utility Carts. Order by 6 p.m. for same day shipping. Huge Catalog! Over 45,000 products in stock. 14 locations across USA, Canada and Mexico for fast delivery of Uline Utility Carts.

www.uline.com

 

[sparky 1971]

I have the large sized Rubbermaid, the Northern Tool equivalent, and a large and small Harbor Freight metal cart. The Rubbermaid and the Northern are equals and my go to's. The HF branded carts served their purpose, but now just collect junk in the shop. The metal carts are just plain noisy, especially on rougher surfaces and with light weight parts rattling around on them.

 

[u2slow]

I have an HF grade cart (princess auto). No drawers; 3 levels. It is still serving me well 10 years later.

Originally it spent time banging around in my van. Nowadays it's a work cart in the shop. Bottom level has my angle grinders and a few accessories. Middle carries my go-to impact sockets. Top is kept clear for the next job at hand.

 

[rick carpenter]

What are the top well and drawer dimensions in the HF single drawer cart? Specifically wondering if deep sockets will store upright in either. Heights says 35" but how tall to the top of the top well?? Better casters would raise it some.

If it would work for me, I sure wish they'd offer it in white.

 

[F-22]

If you want something high quality, very portsble and also with a cool retro look, I am really happy with my Hazet Assistent. Looks awesome, and the details are so overengineered in a German fashion. Everything from the wheels to the plastic knobs has some secret detail...

Their main trick is also that they fold up. Then you can easily take it in the car, or it is also just the right height so you can also use it as a seat...

That said, I paid 160€ for mine here in Europe. It was used. I wouldn't pay the price for the new one.

Stahlwille Rollmaster is another great old cart. They're a bit more rare, a bit more rigid but they can't fold up.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

I had one Rubbermaid for years, and I still have it. I added another larger Rubbermaid cart about 2 years ago. I use them all the time and love them! They roll around well and store what I need when I am working on them. I put all of my tools away between jobs.

If I was a tech in a shop, I would consider something with a drawer or two to keep a spare set of ready need tools in to reduce trips to the toolbox, but at home and in the shop the Rubbermaid serves me fine.