Tool cart needed...CHEAP

[T56 Impala]

Okay guys, see what ya can do for me here. I need a tool cart. There are two real requirements . One is the top be at least 23 inches wide and 19 inches deep. The second is that it must be CHEAP. Around $100 is my limit per the wife.com. I wouldn't mind if it were black either. Third, it must have at least on drawer.

I have looked at the HF ones. The cheapest one that fits the bill is $199. Torin at Northern doesn't have a top deep enough. My local CL has only outrageously priced SO, Mac, and Blue Point stuff. I have no need for a $500 - $1400 cart. The Sears ones that are withing budget are so poorly made that I doubt they would stand up to any use at all.

So....any suggestions?

 

[Fedwrench]

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/SUN-8013.html

The above linked cart made by Sunex in the PRC is rebadged and sold by most tool trucks. You can also add things like a screwdriver holder or folding side shelf later. I don't know of a new cart matching your price and specs. Good luck in your quest.

 

[T56 Impala]

Thanks, but that one is not deep enough. I don't really care where it is made. China, Mexico, USA, Canada, Korea...... it doesn't matter to me.

 

[engineboy]

You wont find a cart with those requirements and that price without it being used and a lucky deal. You might be able to score on like above for 100 bux but carts are hot, and deals are rare on them, at least around here.

Good luck on your search and let us know what you score.

 

[Frank Elson]

what about a Sears one and strengthen it ?
of course here int he UK I have never seen a Sears one so may be talking out of my ***

 

[vc-onthepc]

Check ebay ...this week there is a black snap on 2 drawer cart with side shelf and prybar rack for 100 starting bid in new jersey . Realizing nj is a lttle far from georgia you could always use patience and check everyday for local listings . I found my dad a mac one drawer locking top yellow cart for 50 dollars on craigslist . but it took awhile . good luck in your search ... dont buy the harbor freight ones or from northern ....way to cheaply built for heavy use . would be better to drag tools one by one until you saved enough to get a decent one , then own one of those and have it fail next to a painted car and drag down the side of it .

 

[jshillin]

This is a little over your max price, but not that much. I picked up 2 of the benches last weekend and they are nice. I'm more than likely going to pick up one of these carts in the very near future.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=384394

 

[vc-onthepc]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...ryZ35001QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

here is the link to the cart i was talking about

 

[fasteddie24]

Costco Online has one for $89, which includes shipping.

 

[T56 Impala]

The costco one is too small IIRC.

I keep my eyes on CL but the folks around here are nuts about what they think a used cart is worth. At least I think they are!

I'll look for local eBay stuff. I hadn't thought of that.

 

[engineboy]

Carts are hot here, I have a waiting list for used ones and they never even make it a day without being bought up.

Good luck

 

[kythri]

dont buy the harbor freight ones or from northern ....way to cheaply built for heavy use . would be better to drag tools one by one until you saved enough to get a decent one , then own one of those and have it fail next to a painted car and drag down the side of it .

COMPLETELY disagree.

If you're able to wait for a Harbor Freight sidewalk sale, this one here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95659

goes on special (or has in the past, several times) for under $100, and a LOT of members here have given it a good review (myself, included):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16583&highlight=harbor+freight+cart

This is the same cart that NAPA sells for nearly $300, and yes, you can get it in black!

It's around $150 right now, with the 20% off coupon, but like I said, wait for the sidewalk sale, or take a check at your local store - when I bought mine, it was advertised in store cheaper than the website.

ETA: Looks like the new sidewalk sale prices are $139.99 instead of $99.99 these days, but that puts it at $112 with a 20% off coupon (there's a non-expiring 20% off coupon in the above thread).

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

the hf ones have toy casters

 

[kythri]

Hey hey hey - you might not even have to wait that long...

If $120 isn't too far out of your price range, that same cart above is listed in the "Greatest Tool Values" flyer for $149.99, at the bottom of page 4:

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa...eBook.do?bookid=236&preview=&type=RET&simple=

SKU# 95659

Add that 20% off, and you're down to $119.99, for a heck of a tool cart. Follow the advice in the other thread, regarding Gorilla Glue on the joints, and you're set.

 

[kythri]

the hf ones have toy casters

If by "toy", you mean sturdy plastic casters much like everything else today (and identical to just about every other option posted in this thread), sure.

 

[WSMC633]

COMPLETELY disagree.

If you're able to wait for a Harbor Freight sidewalk sale, this one here:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95659

goes on special (or has in the past, several times) for under $100, and a LOT of members here have given it a good review (myself, included):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16583&highlight=harbor+freight+cart

This is the same cart that NAPA sells for nearly $300, and yes, you can get it in black!

It's around $150 right now, with the 20% off coupon, but like I said, wait for the sidewalk sale, or take a check at your local store - when I bought mine, it was advertised in store cheaper than the website.

ETA: Looks like the new sidewalk sale prices are $139.99 instead of $99.99 these days, but that puts it at $112 with a 20% off coupon (there's a non-expiring 20% off coupon in the above thread).

I bought one based on the thread around here dedicated to it. Was $149 on sale then I had a 20% coupon. I've had it for about a month now and have been very satisfied with it. My only complaint is I would like the top to be about 2 or 3 inches deeper. Casters are fine so far. It ventures all over the shop all day long. If they ever become a problem... I'll just replace them.

I do think the OP's list of demands for a cart are a little tall. Your best bet is going to be getting really lucky on CL etc. or make a compromise or two.

 

[Vulturej]

You can buy a cheap two shelf cart, and buy a used intermediate chest and bolt them together.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=5770

http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-2-DRA...ryZ42363QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[NSXSOON]

The only thing I found inferior in the Harbour Freight carts are the caster inserts (plastic piece that presses into the square tubing/leg and then the caster post is pushed into it). I found that if you heavily load the cart that the HF caster inserts are not strong enough to take the weight causing the caster to tilt as the plastic insert deforms and the cart to roll poorly or not at all.
The solution: Swap out the HF POS's for the Snap on replacement part (I bought them years ago for about $3 each). Most of these carts were knock offs of the original Snap on version so they fit perfectly with no modification.

 

[WSMC633]

The casters on my HF cart bolt to the bottom shelf

 

[kythri]

As do mine.

 

[NSXSOON]

The only thing I found inferior in the Harbour Freight carts are the caster inserts (plastic piece that presses into the square tubing/leg and then the caster post is pushed into it). I found that if you heavily load the cart that the HF caster inserts are not strong enough to take the weight causing the caster to tilt as the plastic insert deforms and the cart to roll poorly or not at all.
The solution: Swap out the HF POS's for the Snap on replacement part (I bought them years ago for about $3 each). Most of these carts were knock offs of the original Snap on version so they fit perfectly with no modification.

These are the carts the above fix will work on:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47418

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90428

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97541

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97542