Service / Utility carts....

[TheGrooveking]

A few of my new techs (under 1 year) are looking at a few of the following carts:

NAPA 4 drawer (Homak TSS BK06032000)

Craftsman 4 drawer (actually manufactured by Waterloo model UC410BK)

Now they both are similar in price and size, but what I want to know is the build quality, they both weigh within a few pounds of each other, so based on that the steel is there, its all up to the forming/design.

So who here has personally handled/laid eyes upon both the Craftsman (Waterloo) and the NAPA (Homak) carts? What's your take?

TheGrooveking

 

[Zrexxer]

They look nearly identical in construction, which I notice because they're both nearly identical to my Cornwell.

Not sure if they're all made by the same outfit or just use the same design, but there's more than a passing resemblance. If they are the same as the Cornwell, I can tell you that one is hell for stout, and a pretty nice cart.

 

[KingConstruction]

I saw the craftsmen cart when I was at sears the other day, and it looks very close to the Matco cart that I have as far as the way everything is layed out, drawer size and location, and the way that it was put together. It didnt look like it was as nicely built as mine, but for a few hundred less I would def consider it

 

[yogitech]

I have had the NAPA (Homak) at work for the past yearand a half. I put some mileage on this daily. The only issues i've had is the detents have began to allow the bottom drawer to roll open on high speed turns . I paid $250 on sale, which is a third of the cost of some of the others. The quality and build of this cart is really nice. Heavy construction and glides smoothly over uneven shop floor. Casters are identical, Drawer slides operate similar but not bad. They also have a different locking mechanism. NAPA cart usses two push rods that lock the drawers in place with the automatic open gas struted lid is closed. Assembly is a little bit of a pain but like anything with a million small nuts and bolts...

When comparing side by side to a co-workers Matco its nearly identical. Only difference is measurements...
NAPA
30.5" W x 40" T x 19.5" D
Matco
34.25" W x 39.5" T x 20.25" D

Hope that helped.
Mark

 

[pawscal]

I would get this harbor freight one for 99$ minus 20%. thats a steal, good quality too
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...ailA_share.html&cust=78137655402&keycode=0000

 

[bb1970]

I would get this harbor freight one for 99$ minus 20%. thats a steal, good quality too
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...ailA_share.html&cust=78137655402&keycode=0000

Yeah get one of these. So they are never quite satisfied with it. And there is abosolutly no value in it when they want to upgrade. Just like everything else in that shithole store.

 

[R6 Racer]

"Just like everything else in that shithole store."

You shouldn't hold your feelings in, it's not healthy! Tell us what your really thinking!

 

[yogitech]

Yeah get one of these. So they are never quite satisfied with it. And there is abosolutly no value in it when they want to upgrade. Just like everything else in that shithole store.

Man... can't we all get along? The one thing you have to think about is the OP said the guys are just starting out. I would say it might be a good idea to look into the HF cart. Alot of guys starting out come to the realization that they may not want to do it much longer

 

[TheGrooveking]

I can appreciate the lean towards the Harbor Freight stuff but I am trying to steer these guys eventually into higher end stuff so they can keep it for a life time. These service carts will start them out and then when they migrate to bigger and better these will be perfect for the home garages.

TheGrooveking

 

[TheGrooveking]

Wanted to temper my previous comment, as that I stress the seriousness of a career as being a tech to each new guy, especially during the interviewing process. I make it clear that it will take an investment in time for school and money for tools but that it does give back what you put into it and that you need to be serious. We do a fair amount of testing and the typical interviews are 2 to 3 hours long to make sure the incoming have their heads on straight. With that we even offer an employee tool program where there guys can buy up to the value of one paycheck of tools and then pay the company back 10 to 20 bucks a week.

We pay for their schooling, which is 3 to 4 years depending on the classes they choose in addition they get a bonus at each year interval towards tools and it increasing progressively, so 1 year $1,000, 2 years, $1,500 and $2,000 at 3 years, so I don't think the guys should at all feel the pain of buying good tools/boxes is on them alone.

In addition we have a very generous standard tool kit we hand each tech to use. I maybe be biased since I started buying tools when I was 10 and still buy them weekly, there's always something new. A great tool company once used as it's logo "Cheap tools are for chumps" is very appropriate.

Don't get me wrong I fully understand the father who has children to put through college and all of the financial responsibilities that come with life and see a place for the Harbor Freight tool boxes. But they are not the boxes I want carrying ten thousand dollars worth of tools all over my plants. I want our customers/visitors to know when they see our techs/tech group that we mean business in every aspect of what we do.

TheGrooveking

 

[yogitech]

Wanted to temper my previous comment, as that I stress the seriousness of a career as being a tech to each new guy, especially during the interviewing process. I make it clear that it will take an investment in time for school and money for tools but that it does give back what you put into it and that you need to be serious. We do a fair amount of testing and the typical interviews are 2 to 3 hours long to make sure the incoming have their heads on straight. With that we even offer an employee tool program where there guys can buy up to the value of one paycheck of tools and then pay the company back 10 to 20 bucks a week.

We pay for their schooling, which is 3 to 4 years depending on the classes they choose in addition they get a bonus at each year interval towards tools and it increasing progressively, so 1 year $1,000, 2 years, $1,500 and $2,000 at 3 years, so I don't think the guys should at all feel the pain of buying good tools/boxes is on them alone.

In addition we have a very generous standard tool kit we hand each tech to use. I maybe be biased since I started buying tools when I was 10 and still buy them weekly, there's always something new. A great tool company once used as it's logo "Cheap tools are for chumps" if very appropriate.

Don't get me wrong I fully understand the father who has children to put through college and all of the financial responsibilities that come with life and see a place for the Harbor Freight tool boxes. But it not the boxes I want carrying ten thousand dollars all of my plants. I want our customers/visitors to know when they see our techs/tech group that we mean business in every aspect of what we do.

TheGrooveking

I think what you do for your guys is awesome. Unfortunately its become the exception more and more. I've been at my current dealer (Ford) for the past 5yrs and unfortunately were not given any tool aloowances or assiastance. I think it makes an employee feel like a part of a group and that they matter. but, so is life...

Anyway, I say go for the NAPA cart if your looking for quality and reliability. Can't go wrong, Good luck!

 

[benjamming]

Why consider only those two? Why not Kennedy as well?

 

[TheGrooveking]

Kennedy doesn't make a service cart like those two, besides the Homak is made by Kennedy.

TheGrooveking

 

[rpsurfr]

I just went on line to look at NAPA cart- no mail order no price
How much is the darn thing?
Why is this better again?

 

[TheGrooveking]

The Homak/NAPA cart is $499, but some here bought it for $250 when it was on sale, late last year/earlier this year.

TheGrooveking

 

[benjamming]

I didn't realize that Homak was made by Kennedy. Thanks.

 

[Kilo70]

Has anyone seen the Latest 7 Drawer version of the Homak Cart at Napa?I went into my Store and looked at it.Looks pretty good for $399 right now.
It looks a lot like the 7 Drawer Cornwell cart.

 

[crewchief888]

I can appreciate the lean towards the Harbor Freight stuff but I am trying to steer these guys eventually into higher end stuff so they can keep it for a life time. These service carts will start them out and then when they migrate to bigger and better these will be perfect for the home garages.

TheGrooveking

IMHO the worst thing a young tech can do is spend his paycheck on the biggest shiniest, tool box/ cart, and have nothing inside it.
the last 3 guys we hired just had to have brand new shiney boxes, then constantly wanted to borrow tools. i;m not talking about anything special, i'm talking comb wrenches, a test light, DVM, or a torx bit.

believe me , i understand being young, and just starting out, i had to borrow tools when i got started, after having to borrow something a 2nd time, it was time to buy.
when my (meager) boxes filled up,were added onto, filled again and i decided that "i guess i'm gonna be a mechanic" i already had a pretty good assortment of tools that i needed to have, and had them paid for, thats when i bought my kr550/555.
figured i'll never fill this thing up, i'll never have to buy another box

i was wrong

 

[rickairmedic]

I know you have said you are against the HF carts but I would highly recomend having a look at their 5 drawer carts . I have one and can tell you theres more steel in it than there is in my 14 drawer Craftsman stack or my 13 drawer husky cabinet ( both ball bearing slides ) . The slides on the HF 5 drawer cart even feel better and the drawers have positive locks on each drawer so even if the lids open the drawers wont go sliding out on a tight turn. The current price is $199.00 which is at least $200.00 cheaper than the others you pointed to and thats at least 1 if not 2 Snappy ratchets worth of price differance .


http://www.harborfreight.com/five-drawer-service-cart-95272.html


Rick

 

[SM Racing]

Are you certain the Homak cart is made in this country? It sure looks like the HF cart with a couple upgrades. The padded corners look nice, but I bet that most of the other parts are the same as the HF boxes.

I have the biggest HF red cart and it is very nice, just as nice as my friends MAC cart. Not as nice as the Snap On but well worth the money. You can save some money on these guys and let them have more to load the box with if you buy a slightly cheaper box.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

PLease see my sig

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I would get this harbor freight one for 99$ minus 20%. thats a steal, good quality too
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...ailA_share.html&cust=78137655402&keycode=0000

I agree completely...

 

[dumper]

Yeah get one of these. So they are never quite satisfied with it. And there is abosolutly no value in it when they want to upgrade. Just like everything else in that shithole store.

yea, sure, buy the HF cart for $99, use it for a day or a year or two...its still worth at least $75. Try that with a truck brand cart.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

IMHO the worst thing a young tech can do is spend his paycheck on the biggest shiniest, tool box/ cart, and have nothing inside it.
the last 3 guys we hired just had to have brand new shiney boxes, then constantly wanted to borrow tools. i;m not talking about anything special, i'm talking comb wrenches, a test light, DVM, or a torx bit.

Very well said. I believe steering a brand new young tech into tool truck debt is doing him a disservice...

 

[jvitez]

Wanted to temper my previous comment, as that I stress the seriousness of a career as being a tech to each new guy, especially during the interviewing process. I make it clear that it will take an investment in time for school and money for tools but that it does give back what you put into it and that you need to be serious. We do a fair amount of testing and the typical interviews are 2 to 3 hours long to make sure the incoming have their heads on straight. With that we even offer an employee tool program where there guys can buy up to the value of one paycheck of tools and then pay the company back 10 to 20 bucks a week.

We pay for their schooling, which is 3 to 4 years depending on the classes they choose in addition they get a bonus at each year interval towards tools and it increasing progressively, so 1 year $1,000, 2 years, $1,500 and $2,000 at 3 years, so I don't think the guys should at all feel the pain of buying good tools/boxes is on them alone.

In addition we have a very generous standard tool kit we hand each tech to use. I maybe be biased since I started buying tools when I was 10 and still buy them weekly, there's always something new. A great tool company once used as it's logo "Cheap tools are for chumps" is very appropriate.

Don't get me wrong I fully understand the father who has children to put through college and all of the financial responsibilities that come with life and see a place for the Harbor Freight tool boxes. But they are not the boxes I want carrying ten thousand dollars worth of tools all over my plants. I want our customers/visitors to know when they see our techs/tech group that we mean business in every aspect of what we do.

TheGrooveking

Mr. Grooveking: please let me give you a big hearty congratulations on your professionalism, leadership, backbone, and pride. How inspiring to read that some people still get it. It's this philosophy that built Canada and America, and took us from being just New World forests and plains to the First World nations we are, though I wonder for how much longer. Cheaper-cheaper/faster-faster seems to be the mantra of the decade, and where has it gotten us? The best way to encourage loyalty is to earn it. Hire the right people and treat them well, exactly as you do. Well done!

I certainly would shudder if I saw a HF cart in a Ferrari dealership. If you're trying to show professionalism, everything must follow along, including quality of tools.

 

[kgorman]

We use the Waterloo cart in our shop and it's been bombproof. I'd buy another.

 

[GTO]

I have the NAPA that I was able to purchase for $250 earlier in the year.It is made in China.
The OP wasn't asking to compare it to the HF cart. I love how these threads turn into a HF vs. the world thread.
The quality of the NAPA cart is good.I feel it was worth $250 to me.
I don't know how it compares to the Craftsman Cart though.

 

[JSGAuto]

Are there actually any USA made service carts?

I have looked and researched the HF ones, and they are a good deal, but would like to see a USA one before I purchase the HF one.....I just can't seem to find any.

Homak ones are made in China, with Kennedy's specs.

 

[Vettman]

Someone gave me a HF 7 drawer side box. I mounted it on a HF service cart. I know it's cheap and Chinese, but I'm in it around $140.00

 

[rickairmedic]

Very Slick Vettman now grab another one for the other side to even it out and you will have a mega service cart .

Rick

 

[Boost Creep]

my guess is that they've probably picked out their carts by now since this thread was started in march.

and i have no problems with buying from hf but the OP stated that its not an option he wishes to use. quit trying to push them on people that have no interest it them. it does get annoying

 

[jmh21586]

My friend and his dad own the Napa store in town. He said the Napa ones sell really well. They look nice to me. Not sure they're the same ones as these though.

 

[archirelic]

Out of the two listed, I would have to go the Napa route as well. Craftsman to me has just not been very impressive as of late with respect to their boxes/carts.

lol, so i just saw that this was thread was started back in March.

 

[Vettman]

my guess is that they've probably picked out their carts by now since this thread was started in march.

and i have no problems with buying from hf but the OP stated that its not an option he wishes to use. quit trying to push them on people that have no interest it them. it does get annoying

Nobody's pushing anything. I just thought it might be of interest as this thread was regarding service carts. Have a Happy new year

 

[41ratrod]

the company I worked for last year had the craftsman boxes and I was replacing the wheels (casters) because the plastic inserts for the stems
were wearing out ,would of been better to put larger steel casters with rubber
wheels on them -but did what I was told to do.
The carts were over loaded and was on a rough floor.
god luck with the cart you buy

 

[GYOGI65]

I dont post alot but i would rather see a less expensive cart or box full of quality and knowlege than 10,000 dollar truck boxes full of junk tools or not much of anything.I recently purchased the napa 7 drawer cart to relieve th overflow cart great but wheels will need an up grade when full.been turning wrenches over 30 years and Istill think a technician pumps porta-potties i am a mechanic.