tool carts, what do you have?

[bry@n]

Okay, so a while ago, I had three carts. Two msc11 matco's that I liked and a mac 195 cart. A few years ago I needed to unload some stuff and now I need another cart. I have a Mac MB1700 with a riser that is just taking up too much room in the garage for what it does and I think a cart will be better suited to my needs and then I could sell the box to make my money or some of it back.

I like the macsimizer cart from mac.
http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-330108-macsimizer-cart-orange.aspx

I also liked the msc11 from matco, but I can't find it on their site anymore.

I am not really a fan of what I see on SO's site, but I haven't seen them upfront.

any advice would help. This will be for a home garage and I am looking for one from the big three. The only other cart I liked was the napa cart.

 

[shockwave]

Take a look at cornwells website they offer some really nice carts and even one with an optional side cart where I have never seen one since u will try and find u a pic

 

[PT Doc]

The Cornwell version of the 46" wide so cart is pretty darn nice. For someone that wrenches daily, it's a good value. For a homeowner that tinkers, it was too much for me. The napa is pretty darn nice for the money.

 

[shockwave]

Here is the carts I was talking about u use the smaller of the 3 carts they offer since I like the open space on the bottom and I paid about 450 for http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat...=Apprentice-Sets-&-Tool-Storage/Service-Carts

 

[JKady]

I've got a Snap-On KRSC40 that I work out of every day with no complaints.

 

[kmoon]

The 5 drawer I have on sale now

 

[bry@n]

I thought about the HF cart but I'm not a fan of HF.

 

[glenmore]

At the Harbor Freight site, the cart is on further sale for $169 w/ coupon.

Can anyone confirm the width of this HF cart? Spec says 37.7". Is this for the box only or with handles and trays included?

 

[chepe]

I just bought this Harbor Freight cart 4 107 dollars out the door.

 

[bry@n]

I just bought this Harbor Freight cart 4 107 dollars out the door.

That actually doesn't look bad. Considering that if you can get one for $167, plus using a 20% coupon, that is relatively cheap. I may rethink this.

meeting the snappy guy tomorrow to look at what he has at the whse.

 

[iowa4x4dieselman]

i had a macsmiser cart as my first box, and i loved it, just outgrew it for my main box, very heavy duty built. the top tilts up and slides back, has a tray at top, and holes on both sides for screwdrivers and hammers. My dad has a msc4 i believe. the matco 4 drawer cart, and he used that instead of pushing his double bay macsmiser around, now hes a road tech, and took the lid and wheels off and it sits in his van. I would say its partially personal preference and how many tools you plan to load it with to say for sure what you should go with. the HF carts are good for what they cost, a tech i used to work with had one, but the wheels were horrible and would never push straight. so for a small upgrade in wheels there a decent cart. (he had the black one). I wish i had cornwell tool man around us, to see what they had to offer. everyone says the tools were decently priced and good quality, we just never could get a salesman around the area.

 

[Mastermind]

the red HF is quite a bit larger than the black ones, i have about two yrs on a black one seriously overloaded most of the time, for the 100 it cost me, i'd do it again in a heartbeat. and i'm talking professional daily use and a couple moves. i slow down for the crack in the floor, and its only been to the parking lot a couple times. if i had to replace it i might get the red one for just a little more room.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

The red and black HF carts are like comparing a Yugo to a Honda. Technically both are cars, but there's a whole world of difference in quality and construction between them.

The red cart I have and it's just solid. It's built well enough that you really do have to wonder if this came from HF or not. The red US General stuff has been proven to be pretty darn impressive and by no means embarassing to own.

 

[Benji]

Snap on KRSC 33 in electric orange every day for 4 weeks now and it is a awsome cart SO has really bad pics on their site you can't evon see it I don't have anny pics yet but google has some decent ones.

 

[greasemonkey44]

i had a HF 4 drawer for two years
it worked well, but i out grew it
last year i bought a full drawer cornwell cart for 400$
its pretty sweet, i store a ridiculous amount of stuff in it

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I have the HF 2 drawer red cart and have used and abused it the three years it's been in my possession. It was basically free since I had a $50 gift card and a 20% off coupon the day I got it, but I haven't one complaint. The cracks in the cement/sidewalk/shop floor can cause a choir for the little guy, but it's been good to me.

I'm an autobody guy. We (at least ALL the body guys I've ever known/worked with)tend to be a little rougher on tools/tool boxes compared to mechanics. My boxes are always filled (inside and out) with body dust and primer overspray.

 

[chepe]

That actually doesn't look bad. Considering that if you can get one for $167, plus using a 20% coupon, that is relatively cheap. I may rethink this.

meeting the snappy guy tomorrow to look at what he has at the whse.

I got a coupon out of American Iron, a motorcycle magazine for $99.99, I paid 107$ out the door. VERY CHEAP

 

[kythri]

The red and black HF carts are like comparing a Yugo to a Honda. Technically both are cars, but there's a whole world of difference in quality and construction between them.

The red cart I have and it's just solid. It's built well enough that you really do have to wonder if this came from HF or not. The red US General stuff has been proven to be pretty darn impressive and by no means embarassing to own.

I gotta ask, have you seen the black cart as depicted in the pics above? It's every bit as solid as the red cart.

The red cart is slightly bigger and has more drawer space, sure. For some, it's likely a better cart in that respect, but there's absolutely no difference in quality and construction between the two.

 

[Cryptic1911]

We have the standard HF 4 drawer black cart. It's no Cornwell, but it holds most of what we need, and I think it was the best $79 I spent in the garage. I use that damn thing constantly

 

[Subyroo651]

For some, it's likely a better cart in that respect, but there's absolutely no difference in quality and construction between the two.

I don't know if I agree with that statement. The current ones in the new packaging may in fact be of the same quality, BUT the models on all the floors I've seen have been way off in terms of quality. The black carts I have seen were built more like the tall Black standup tool box that is complete junk.

 

[Scout Driver]

The black HF is currently being used at home in the garage. Great cart and an excellent value. Very solid and the drawers work well.

Scott

 

[njfl]

I don't know if I agree with that statement. The current ones in the new packaging may in fact be of the same quality, BUT the models on all the floors I've seen have been way off in terms of quality. The black carts I have seen were built more like the tall Black standup tool box that is complete junk.

X2

You can feel quite a difference in rigidity between the red and black ones on display. The specs for the red one state that they are 14 gauge. There is nothing listed for the black one, but it is definitely not 14 gauge.

 

[kythri]

OK, so, after measuring, I'll retract my "absolutely no difference in quality and construction" claim. My apologies.

The red cart is said to be 14 gauge. My black carts measure to 16 gauge.

But it's certainly not junk, and certainly is a quality cart. These carts do come unassembled, and I've found that the HF employees don't always put things together all that well for floor display.

 

[sjlee]

That actually doesn't look bad. Considering that if you can get one for $167, plus using a 20% coupon, that is relatively cheap. I may rethink this.

meeting the snappy guy tomorrow to look at what he has at the whse.

After checking out the SO cart, you should really check out the red HF cart and compare them. I purchased the HF cart earlier this year and have been very happy with it.

One thing that's already been mentioned is that it comes unassembled. For the most part assembly is pretty straightforward, but I did have to deviate from the instructions a little to get some of the parts to fit properly. This is fairly common with this cart as some people have reported that they had to drill holes to be able to get the parts to fit like the instructions indicate. I found it easier to just adjust the assembly (thanks to some advice from someone here)... no drilling necessary.

 

[Gman89]

Have you tried looking at the carts from Homak? They are the ones who make most of the carts for Matco, Mac, Cornwell, and Napa. Here is a website from Northern Tools : http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200513603_200513603

 

[Trbobuick]

My setup:

Buy american . We are slitting our own wrists when we spend money on chinese made products.These sheeple that are so worried about saving cash cant seem to grasp the fact that once the cash is sent to China , its NOT coming back.

It actually disgusts me that some of you take joy in throwing away this country that the last three generations of my family have fought to protect.

Once you throw all of your marbles over the fence , how are you going to play the game ?

 

[bry@n]

My setup:

Buy american . We are slitting our own wrists when we spend money on chinese made products.These sheeple that are so worried about saving cash cant seem to grasp the fact that once the cash is sent to China , its NOT coming back.

It actually disgusts me that some of you take joy in throwing away this country that the last three generations of my family have fought to protect.

Once you throw all of your marbles over the fence , how are you going to play the game ?

Not that I agree with everything you said but I am sure I get the tone of it. I agree with that tone btw. I like buying american, because I am a proud one.

I am still on the fence. I have to think about what I want. Your cart is huge and is almost too big for my needs. then again, the purpose of this cart is to get me out of a MB1700 I have taking up too much space. Maybe it is what I need.

 

[Youngblood77]

http://blogs.popularhotrodding.com/6736540/tech/tool-cart/

Interesting read. I'm all for buying American, but Where exactly in the dictionary under Patriotism does it state that I have to take food OFF my kids' plates in order to pay $800+ for a Snap On cart, when instead I could be buying them steak, and take them out for iced cream afterwards? Payed for of course, by the remaining $600 balance I saved by buying the HF cart that suits my budget and means just fine?

Why, WHY do I need to spend 4x the amount of cash on this Snap On cart? To make sure the over-payed, under-worked schmuck assembling them gets his $40 an hour? Or maybe for that shnazzy plastic emblem on the front that makes it hold my wrenches "better"?

Gimmie a break. Step down off your soap box, and be realistic. Every member here has the right to an opinion, and although it's not YOUR opinion, they still have the right.

Granted, I myself own a SnapOn toolbox, but I sure as hell wasn't stupid enough to spend 10K on it.......I DID however trade a crappy old Honda Passport for it to a guy who WAS that stupid. Fare trade IMHO.....a 1K$ truck, for a 1K$ toolbox with an MSRP of $8400. <end rant>

 

[Neuswede]

Have you tried looking at the carts from Homak? They are the ones who make most of the carts for Matco, Mac, Cornwell, and Napa. Here is a website from Northern Tools : http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200513603_200513603

+1 for Homak. American company. Service carts are off-shore with American QC in the plants. You should already know why that is important. Their larger boxes are American made. Both the carts and boxes are very well built. Their website is here

 

[darkk]

I don't know if I agree with that statement. The current ones in the new packaging may in fact be of the same quality, BUT the models on all the floors I've seen have been way off in terms of quality. The black carts I have seen were built more like the tall Black standup tool box that is complete junk.

Ours is solid as a rock...it's as good as the red one that I see at HF.

 

[Village_Idiot]

i have a HF 4 drawer. its been light on fire, jumped on, smashed with a hammer, fallen on its face, and had many penises drawn on it by lewd co-workers over its past 2 years. i would buy another in a heart beat.

 

[redwrench60]

I had several carts before I gave up and just got a small toolbox to use as a rollcart. It's my mobile work surface, it houses my most used everyday tools, it gets used as a pack mule to move heavy parts from A to B and it releives overcrowding in my main box. It's got 6" castors and a 2400 lb. load capacity, most carts are in the 400 lb. to 700 lb. class.
Boxes like this regularly appear as trade ins or on CL when people are looking to upgrade to something bigger.

 

[Maexle]

Well HF got 8000 employees in the US, snap-on got 11500 (world wide) so if you buy HF items you support the US economy too in some way....and you can buy other stuff for the money you have saved. If you buy a used one off of CL you support the economy too if the seller buys something with the money he made and doesn't send it to the cayman islands or switzerland.....

So, don't worry about COO, buy whatever fits your needs, is of decent quality and isn't over priced.....

 

[Snapped-off]

I had several carts before I gave up and just got a small toolbox to use as a rollcart. It's my mobile work surface, it houses my most used everyday tools, it gets used as a pack mule to move heavy parts from A to B and it releives overcrowding in my main box. It's got 6" castors and a 2400 lb. load capacity, most carts are in the 400 lb. to 700 lb. class.
Boxes like this regularly appear as trade ins or on CL when people are looking to upgrade to something bigger.

I wish I could find one of those in rollcab or combo form around me. Everyone wants near list price on CL. I love those boxes.

 

[blacksuit99]

I have one that I built. It is not fancy by any means. It has no drawers, just top and bottle shelf. It is handy as hell and only cost me 2 or 3 bucks as I had most of the stuff to build it. Talk about AMERICAN made...

 

[Maexle]

I have one that I built. It is not fancy by any means. It has no drawers, just top and bottle shelf. It is handy as hell and only cost me 2 or 3 bucks as I had most of the stuff to build it. Talk about AMERICAN made...

that's the way to go...

 

[wafrederick]

I have Mac tool cart and some cheap brand tool cart.The cheap tool cart was my first one and grew out of that one.That is when I bought the Mac tool cart.The small tool cart is going good bye,see how much my Matco tool dealer will take on trade for it in a couple weeks.I have a new Matco toolbox coming in.I grew out of the Mac tool cart,starting to overload it and going to store my specialty tools in it including to lay tools in it also when my new Matco toolbox comes in.

 

[AirJunky]

My HF special. They have these carts on sale for around $40 all the time. As you can see there is tons of other stuff from HF in there too. The face shield, the cheapie flux welder itself, the gloves, etc.
I use tip dip & descent Lincoln wire & it'll do a good job... more splatter than with gas, but it'll stick fine. I've done a few projects that have done fine..... a golf cart roll cage, a surfboard rack on my truck, several patio chairs, etc.

 

[RCStocker]

At the Harbor Freight site, the cart is on further sale for $169 w/ coupon.

Can anyone confirm the width of this HF cart? Spec says 37.7". Is this for the box only or with handles and trays included?

Each drawer has a latch so it will not swing open when you move it around. It has room on both sides for your pry bars and long screw drivers. I have bought and sold so many carts through the years. I get carts cheap when I buy out a shop. They bring good money so I sell all of them. I kept one and sold it this year and picked up the FG box for $149.99 when it first came out and was on sale. I think it is as good if not better than most of the big brand boxes. It is on sale for $169.99 every few months. I would not spend the money to buy anyting else unless you want a service cart where the lid slides back. I liked it so well I have 2 of them and bought all 4 of my sons the HF service cart.

 

[Shocker]

I have this:

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=CTBMM700BL-%2d-7-Drawer-Blue-Cart#