Tool carts?

[FunkyfullWidth]

I have the single drawer hf tool cart. It rolls around easy and is perfect for what I need it for. With a price tag of 80 bucks it's fantastic. I don't use a cart as an extra tool box, it seems like most guys do. I only have a need for the one drawer which I put nick nack things in it like rubber plugs to cover lines, zip ties, bungees. Tools on the top, parts on the bottom. I have it in my personal garage so no need to lock up the tools in it at the end of the day.

 

[brass89]

So long as they're sturdy, for the price and size the HF carts look decent. One thing I've noticed, it's like a wheelbarrow. Contractor sizes are nice but just cause stuff fits doesn't mean it's easy to push. My bottom and top chest mac chest has wheels but I'd hate to have to wheel it around all day. I picked up an ATD 2 drawer cart (#7035) for around $180 I think - right at $200 or under, but that was 8-9yrs ago too. I like the taller handles and the flip up lid. With the lid shut things in cases (tool kits) can be rolled out with it and the handles help keep them on the top. Within reason anyway, not like wheeling it across town or anything. It's sturdy, never tried to tip over on me. I'd imagine the HF carts are similar.

My buddy had a much larger snap-on, 5 drawer with screwdriver/pry holes on the side, slide open top. In a cramped shop that thing sucked. It was loaded to the gills, felt like pushing a small car. I will say it was a lot sturdier, he could hammer stuff on his top. Wouldn't have attempted that with mine, mine was definitely just a dust lid. The slide open split tops have their good and bad. The good, you still have a shelf/work surface with access to the tools in the top. The bad, they take up a lot of room while open and more chance of knocking it into a car if it's too close. Depends on the location, so long as you have wide open space you're golden. Our shop was cramped, he usually worked on a symmetrical side post lift and there was a tire balancer near his bay. Getting that beast of a cart anywhere nearby and you ended up going around and around to get past it.

 

[MattPersman]

Exactly what I was thinking lol

My next one will be the sliding top snap on full drawer. I've got the snap on man down to $1100 cash still working on it lol

I can get the cor well one for 850 cash. But no sliding top

1100 is good for the KRS43

 

[MattPersman]

What would the one drawer be for? I would rather have no drawers and get a plastic rubbermaid type cart or a full drawer unit like a KRSC snap on.

Its a preference though, but the cheaper the cart the worse they are as far a metal drawer stuff goes, locks, slides, construction, etc.

 

[erty67]

Another solid cart is the Cornwell 4 drawer cart. I've seen them sell on craigslist as low as $250. Two of my friends use this cart and beat the heck out of it. Stands up will for what they cost. I'm actually looking to replace my cheapo Kobalt cart with one next time I see the right deal.

 

[brass89]

erty67, probably not a bad idea. Seems like as with most things, used is the way to go provided it's in good condition. So long as it's not rusted out or beat up too bad, the newer stuff just doesn't use the same quality. Everything keeps getting thinner and more flimsy. The old craftsman stuff was pretty solid. Knew a kid that picked up a kra snap on a few years back, got it on sale for like $1400 - pfft, definitely not the same one they show holding up the semi. One of my coworkers put his hand on it and a little pressure and it flexed worse than a tin coffee can. Lucked out on my mac chest, forget what model it is..an older pro model before they were using the 'macsimizer' branding. A little scuffed, but the drawers and slides are solid and its built like a tank.

 

[bart1]

And when you want to sacrifice practicality and cost just to be cool, you can get this baby. I have a vise and light mounted to mine.

 

[zkling]

And when you want to sacrifice practicality and cost just to be cool, you can get this baby. I have a vise and light mounted to mine.

Those things are so cool, but $. I'm waiting for HF to come out with their version for $99.99.

How stable is that vise? I'd hate for you to spill your drink.

 

[JKennedy]

And when you want to sacrifice practicality and cost just to be cool, you can get this baby. I have a vise and light mounted to mine.

I do like being cool over practical

 

[spoon671]

That Hazet cart is probably the most practical thing in this entire thread.

 

[bart1]

Those things are so cool, but $. I'm waiting for HF to come out with their version for $99.99.

How stable is that vise? I'd hate for you to spill your drink.

There is a cheap Taiwanese copy for $275 and the ikea raskog(?) for $50.

Not very. Mounted on a little post. Useful as a third hand, but not a heavy duty vise.

 

[WhiffySpark]

If any one has ideas to make it less tippy I'm all for it

Sent from my RM-940_nam_att_200 using Tapatalk

 

[zkling]

If any one has ideas to make it less tippy I'm all for it

Load op the bottom shelf with weight to lower the CG of the cart.

There is a cheap Taiwanese copy for $275 and the ikea raskog(?) for $50.

Not very. Mounted on a little post. Useful as a third hand, but not a heavy duty vise.

Yea, I'm familiar, I don't consider the idea offering comparable at all. $275 for the Taiwanese knock off, while cheaper than the true Hazet, ain't cheap enough for this guy.

 

[NorCalWrenchin]

Exactly what I was thinking lol

My next one will be the sliding top snap on full drawer. I've got the snap on man down to $1100 cash still working on it lol

I can get the cor well one for 850 cash. But no sliding top

These carts are freakin awesome, and for that price!!
I love this thing!

 

[erty67]

If any one has ideas to make it less tippy I'm all for it

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some lead in the bottom tray?

 

[bart1]

...
Yea, I'm familiar, I don't consider the idea offering comparable at all. $275 for the Taiwanese knock off, while cheaper than the true Hazet, ain't cheap enough for this guy.

I agree. I kept looking until I found an Assistent for a reasonable price.

 

[spoon671]

I agree. I kept looking until I found an Assistent for a reasonable price.

How do you like the Assistent so far?

 

[aaronrkelly]

Ive ALMOST bought a tool cart a few times.

Last time I went to buy one I ended up buying a 26" rolling chest because it was on sale and I thought "hey, more drawers".

Problem was I never ended up using it as a tool cart - it set stationary........and eventually I found a good deal on a top box and made it a full tool box.

Ive got a suspicion if I bought a HF tool cart it would end up being left stationary....Im only 8 or 10 feet away from my tools most of the time anyways, 20 ft tops.

I have something every similiar to this I use almost every day.

If Im working on a motorcycle/mower/car etc I will wheel it over there....put my tools and parts on it and work from it. Small but big enough.....fairly sturdy, rolls easily.

Its really handy when your done with a job to roll over to the toolbox, wipe down and put your tools away from one location. Also has three little divided sections I use to put bolts in when Im taking something apart.

 

[orca8589]

I just got this Matco cart this weekend - anybody know a model number, or approximate date of manufacture? I've looked all over this one, inside & out, and I can't find any mfr. model or date anywhere.

I've looked for this specific kind of cart for a while, so when I found it on CL, I jumped on it.

I paid $80. (probably too much, I know), and it's pretty much perfect, other than the faded paint. The only thing I didn't like is the friction slides, but after checking it out, I found that, for friction slides, they actually function more smoothly than most roller slides I've used.





~Chris

 

[bart1]

How do you like the Assistent so far?

I've had it for a few years and love it. Understand, you can't store a ton of tools in it.

 

[ATC]

Exactly what I was thinking lol

My next one will be the sliding top snap on full drawer. I've got the snap on man down to $1100 cash still working on it lol

I can get the cor well one for 850 cash. But no sliding top

May I ask why you guys think the truck-brand carts are worth 10x or more the price of the HF? Yes, I agree that they are a little higher quality with better attention to the fit & finish....but 10-15 times better?

My HF carts are built just as beefy as my MAC toolbox.

*Edit*
Maybe I worded that wrong. Let me try again.
Why do you laugh and scoff at those who compare their $160 cart to someone's $1400+ cart?

 

[chicane]

How do you like the Assistent so far?

Cool cart but the price for those things is outrageous.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

May I ask why you guys think the truck-brand carts are worth 10x or more the price of the HF? Yes, I agree that they are a little higher quality with better attention to the fit & finish....but 10-15 times better?

My HF carts are built just as beefy as my MAC toolbox.

*Edit*
Maybe I worded that wrong. Let me try again.
Why do you laugh and scoff at those who compare their $160 cart to someone's $1400+ cart?

If you read the quote I had highlighted, I was laughing at those who say their HF cart is 'as built as good as or better than the truck brand carts'

That is funny.

Everyone thinks their HF cart is so awesome. Hey, that's fine. But don't feed me a line of bullsh/t that it's as good or better than a truck brand cart. There is no comment here on price, we're talking strictly quality.

 

[WhiffySpark]

May I ask why you guys think the truck-brand carts are worth 10x or more the price of the HF? Yes, I agree that they are a little higher quality with better attention to the fit & finish....but 10-15 times better?

My HF carts are built just as beefy as my MAC toolbox.

*Edit*
Maybe I worded that wrong. Let me try again.
Why do you laugh and scoff at those who compare their $160 cart to someone's $1400+ cart?

Try out each one and let us know.

I can promise you no one would pick HF over a truck cart if they were free

My cart is an investment. It holds my tools and saves me time

 

[ATC]

If you read the quote I had highlighted, I was laughing at those who say their HF cart is 'as built as good as or better than the truck brand carts'

That is funny.

Everyone thinks their HF cart is so awesome. Hey, that's fine. But don't feed me a line of bullsh/t that it's as good or better than a truck brand cart. There is no comment here on price, we're talking strictly quality.

Fair enough.

Do you own, or have any experience with the 5-drawer HF cart?
And don't tell me all you've done is fiddled with the display model at the HF store...

I own 2 HF carts. I also have a MAC box. I don't have a comparable truck-brand roll cart, however I have played with my friend's S-O many times and a few of his co-workers carts at his shop...MAC, S-O, Cornwell, Blue Point (diesel mechanic).

My HF carts are built just as well as my MAC box, and any of the roll carts I've played with. Same thickness sheetmetal, ball bearing slides that are just as smooth, smooth casters, etc... It doesn't flex, twist, wiggle, tip, or rattle. It does what it's supposed to do (carry tools from point A to point B) just as well as any big name.

There's my line of ********.

I sure hope you don't laugh at people wearing lesser clothes than you...

And don't forget...OP asked for the best deal for the money. $1400 for something that a $100-$160 cart does just as well is absolutely nowhere near the "best deal for the money"...

 

[ATC]

Try out each one and let us know.

I can promise you no one would pick HF over a truck cart if they were free

My cart is an investment. It holds my tools and saves me time

Ya know...that would be neat.

Take all the similar roll carts made, debadge them, paint them all the same color, and put them in one room and have random mechanics, DIY'ers, etc., come through and try to identify each one.

I'd like to see that

 

[WhiffySpark]

Ya know...that would be neat.

Take all the similar roll carts made, debadge them, paint them all the same color, and put them in one room and have random mechanics, DIY'ers, etc., come through and try to identify each one.

I'd like to see that

Yeah HF would lose that

They just aren't comparable.

 

[ladrones]

In today's bi weekly flier.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Fair enough.

Do you own, or have any experience with the 5-drawer HF cart?
And don't tell me all you've done is fiddled with the display model at the HF store...

I own 2 HF carts. I also have a MAC box. I don't have a comparable truck-brand roll cart, however I have played with my friend's S-O many times and a few of his co-workers carts at his shop...MAC, S-O, Cornwell, Blue Point (diesel mechanic).

My HF carts are built just as well as my MAC box, and any of the roll carts I've played with. Same thickness sheetmetal, ball bearing slides that are just as smooth, smooth casters, etc... It doesn't flex, twist, wiggle, tip, or rattle. It does what it's supposed to do (carry tools from point A to point B) just as well as any big name.

So let me get this straight...I can't make a judgment on a HF cart by looking at it at the store, but you can gauge that your HF cart is as built as good as the carts you've played with at your friend's shop?

There's my line of ********.

I agree. That is a load of ********.

I sure hope you don't laugh at people wearing lesser clothes than you...

I'm sorry...how did we go from talking about tool carts to making fun of poor people?!?

And don't forget...OP asked for the best deal for the money. $1400 for something that a $100-$160 cart does just as well is absolutely nowhere near the "best deal for the money"..

I wasn't responding to the OP's post. Once again, if you read what I was specifically responding to, then maybe you'll figure it out.

Before you take issue with someone's viewpoint, make sure you're responding to what they're talking about, not attacking strawmen you've created out of thin air.

 

[RedneckWelder]

That Hazet cart is probably the most practical thing in this entire thread.

No it isn't, unless you are smoking some serious dope

It's a unique little cart but and fills it's own niche it's no comparison to a normal cart. If you had a rather small set of tools and you wanted an ultra portable cart for it, it'd be a contender though.

 

[fireeqpsrv]

I hate to say this but the equal is the size and design but not the quality. When it gets down to it it depends on what you are using the carts for. home or light duty I would say HF all the way lots of bang for the buck. but if you are using heaver tools and heavy work you cannot deny truck brands the lead. Its not a matter of short term in my eyes its long term investment. A guy starting out fresh out of school that want to see if a cart would work for him HF yes load it use it and determine if it holds all that you need then save up get the heavier duty cart and shift the HF to the house for home use. Remember a cart is still a tool box, it will have alot of weight and will be rolling around alot.

 

[ATC]

So let me get this straight...I can't make a judgment on a HF cart by looking at it at the store, but you can gauge that your HF cart is as built as good as the carts you've played with at your friend's shop?

Sorry for not typing out a proper response...I was getting ready for work.
I have worked out of my buddies box several times. His boss is nice enough to let us use the shop on the weekends. We have installed many lift kits on vehicles and general maintenance. We obviously use his tools.

I wasn't responding to the OP's post. Once again, if you read what I was specifically responding to, then maybe you'll figure it out.

Before you take issue with someone's viewpoint, make sure you're responding to what they're talking about, not attacking strawmen you've created out of thin air.

I know exactly what you were responding to. I called you out and you have yet to respond to the question. You are too concerned with attacking my posts to take the focus off of yourself.

Do I need to repeat the question?

 

[zkling]

I agree. I kept looking until I found an Assistent for a reasonable price.

I'd just like to fondle one in person. I'm real curious how sturdy they are. The collapsibility aspect is what appeals to me. Here's to hoping.

 

[spoon671]

No it isn't, unless you are smoking some serious dope

It's a unique little cart but and fills it's own niche it's no comparison to a normal cart. If you had a rather small set of tools and you wanted an ultra portable cart for it, it'd be a contender though.

What could you possibly be working on at one time that the Hazet Assistent cannot accommodate the amount of tools for, and that a "normal cart" can?

I do get your point about the niche. If you need to lock it up and need more storage space, there are other carts. Each guy desires something different and any one cart may be more useful than the other one.

 

[MagnumForce]

If any one has ideas to make it less tippy I'm all for it

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I have mine way more loaded than that, up and down ramps in in two buildings at our plant, across the parking lot, over cracks and ruts, absolutely no issues with it being unstable.

I bet may cart moves more miles in a week than anyone else's carts here will move in a lifetime and has pretty heavy and full tool assortment in it and I have no issues so I flat out call the "truck box for heavy duty" comment not true. Things like latches are nicer but the HF 5 drawer is incredibly well built and would be a good deal at twice the price. It is strong, sturdy, stable and very easy to push. Honestly I don't know why anyone would want anything else other than as a status symbol or just because they can.

The functionality, dependability and ruggedness of the hf5 drawer is no less than a comparable truck brand 4 or 5 drawer. A Ford Focus is a great car, will be dependable for years and years, a BMW M5 is an amazing car but does nothing more than that Focus and costs many times the amount, just does it all in style. Same difference with these carts. If I had the money to blow I'd get the Beemer but I don't so I have the Focus and is a great car.

 

[chapiz]

I am a bit of a novice, but think of the cars mannesmman ??

look good to me.

 

[monomach]

I've got the HF 5 drawer beast/tank of a cart. It's fantastic and heavy duty. 5/5 stars for me. I'm not the only guy in my shop with one, either. It's a popular item.

If any one has ideas to make it less tippy I'm all for it

Sent from my RM-940_nam_att_200 using Tapatalk

I think you might make any cart out there tippy leaving the bottom empty like that.

I put an old Craftsman middle box in the bottom tray section before lowering the top onto the legs. It's a full three drawers and after loading it, it made my center of gravity a lot lower. It has just enough room left over on one side of it to hold a grease gun, too.

 

[bart1]

I'd just like to fondle one in person. I'm real curious how sturdy they are. The collapsibility aspect is what appeals to me. Here's to hoping.

It's a heavy, all metal cart. When opened up, the trays have some slop, though. Probably not what you would call sturdy. They are very durable and well built though.

The assistent doesn't hold a ton compared to these big carts. If you don't overstuff it and leave it where it can close, then it's like a very small 2 drawer cart. Also, you can lock it when you close it.

 

[chicane]

It's a heavy, all metal cart. When opened up, the trays have some slop, though. Probably not what you would call sturdy. They are very durable and well built though.

The assistent doesn't hold a ton compared to these big carts. If you don't overstuff it and leave it where it can close, then it's like a very small 2 drawer cart. Also, you can lock it when you close it.

It's not worth $1600...period.

 

[canuckian]

I'd just like to fondle one in person. I'm real curious how sturdy they are. The collapsibility aspect is what appeals to me. Here's to hoping.

I find mine sturdy enough. It's the larger 166C so that may help as it's wider and maybe a little heavier. I would love to find a decent priced N some day though, even if just for the cool factor . The feature I like is that when not in use, it can easily be stored under my workbench so it really doesn't take up useable space unless I'm using it.