Utility cart as a tool cart?

[Bennylava]

I'm considering using a utility cart as a mechanic's tool cart. Not professionally, but I do most of my own mechanic work. I've been reading threads on the subject, and some people say plastic might be better cause you get less dents or scratches on fenders. And the plastic carts are less expensive than the good metal ones that start at $250.

I linked one below, and I would like to add a paper towel roll, and a single drawer underneath the top. Ideally it would have a middle shelf, and still have enough room on the bottom shelf for jugs of antifreeze and motor oil. My plan is to use the top for the nuts, bolts, and car parts that I'm using. With the middle shelf being largely for tools. And the lower part being for large stuff like the jugs and canisters.

It would be nice to just buy one already configured that way, but they start getting kinda pricey. So if anyone knows of a decent one with most of that stuff, I'd much rather buy it than cobbling together my own.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-32-6-in-Drawer-Shelf-Utility-Cart/5014822605

 

[Jgaz]

Yes using a utility cart as a mechanic‘s cart works!
In my experience plastic is a better choice than steel.

I worked professionally in two different depts. for almost 14 years using the Rubbermaid cart I linked below.
I used it for parts, fasteners, some tools, really most anything. I did have a roller tool box that carried most of my tools and served as a work surface.

BTW. THE 500lbs is only a suggestion.
I have way exceeded that number many times.
Think an engine, trans, and Ft crossmember strapped to a pallet that was clamped to the cart.

Rubbermaid® FG450089BLA Black Small Lipped Two Shelf Utility Cart with Extended Handle

Easily transport a vast range of products, supplies, or equipment with the Rubbermaid® FG450089 black, two shelf utility cart! This utility cart is made of durable structural foam that will not leak, rust, chip, dent, or peel, and features two shelves that can hold a wide variety of items. The...

www.webstaurantstore.com

No experience with the Lowe’s cart you linked.
If it was my money I’d get the Rubbermaid. Buy once, have it for life.

Google cart modifications

 

[LXCam]

I/we go through a ton of carts both metal and plastic. But I’ve 100% transitioned to plastic over the last 4-5yrs. The good heavy duty ones last much better, are quieter and are more reasonably priced. But you’re not going to get off cheap.

Rubbermaid is a solid product which I’d recommend too. But I’ve moved my entire crew and over to Klein mod carts. For what we do they’re a complete win. The stock 6” casters are excellent as is but bumping up to the 8” wheels is a whole new level of mobility. Problem is, this stuff gets pricy fast.

Buck fify for the 18” wide and two fify for the 24” wide then another buck thirty for the 8” wheels. It’s a buy once cry once thing.

 

[zimman]

I'm considering using a utility cart as a mechanic's tool cart. Not professionally, but I do most of my own mechanic work. I've been reading threads on the subject, and some people say plastic might be better cause you get less dents or scratches on fenders. And the plastic carts are less expensive than the good metal ones that start at $250.

I linked one below, and I would like to add a paper towel roll, and a single drawer underneath the top. Ideally it would have a middle shelf, and still have enough room on the bottom shelf for jugs of antifreeze and motor oil. My plan is to use the top for the nuts, bolts, and car parts that I'm using. With the middle shelf being largely for tools. And the lower part being for large stuff like the jugs and canisters.

It would be nice to just buy one already configured that way, but they start getting kinda pricey. So if anyone knows of a decent one with most of that stuff, I'd much rather buy it than cobbling together my own.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-32-6-in-Drawer-Shelf-Utility-Cart/5014822605

I found a small service car used, added a drawer and it works great for my electrical and general usage cart.
Even added a shelf from HF.
Zim

 

[Aaron_W]

The US General 1 drawer cart is budget friendly, and decent. I have one I use for my cordless tools. I believe they are less than $150 and go on sale often for much less. I think I got mine for $99 a year or two ago.

Similar to what Zim started with above.

 

[BobnCO]

But I’ve moved my entire crew and over to Klein mod carts. For what we do they’re a complete win. The stock 6” casters are excellent as is but bumping up to the 8” wheels is a whole new level of mobility. Problem is, this stuff gets pricy fast. .

The Klein’s are sweet, I’ve moved on but used to do a lot of commercial / institutions construction and remodel, never had something that nice. I’m on the lending side now and had seen them but never really looked until now… I was too busy cracking up watching guys use grocery carts, which looked terrible!

 

[cvairwerks]

We use a couple of sizes of the RubberMaid style carts at work. Our tool boxes are large cabinets and have to remain plugged in for access and tool tracking. We typically grab a cart and a small tote and toss what we need in them and wheel them over to the airplane. They serve as tool benches, work benches and parts carts as we do various tasks.

Someone messed up on ordering a couple of the small ones and got them with swivel casters for all 4 wheels. It's sometimes a race to see who can get one of those at the start of shift.....

 

[senlow]

I/we go through a ton of carts both metal and plastic. But I’ve 100% transitioned to plastic over the last 4-5yrs. The good heavy duty ones last much better, are quieter and are more reasonably priced. But you’re not going to get off cheap.

Rubbermaid is a solid product which I’d recommend too. But I’ve moved my entire crew and over to Klein mod carts. For what we do they’re a complete win. The stock 6” casters are excellent as is but bumping up to the 8” wheels is a whole new level of mobility. Problem is, this stuff gets pricy fast.

Buck fify for the 18” wide and two fify for the 24” wide then another buck thirty for the 8” wheels. It’s a buy once cry once thing.

I'm with you on plastic vs. metal carts. One positive trait that you didn't mention is that plastic carts cause less damage when bumped into things. Yes, it happens to all of us.

I got rid of the metal cart in my home shop over a dozen years ago and bought a Rubbermaid. Before I put it into service, I made a set of caster risers and installed 6" casters. I despise bending over to push a cart or use the top tray. At work, I switched my department to plastic carts 4 or 5 years ago.

I didn't know that Klein made carts until reading your post. I'm impressed with them. The come from the factory with 6" casters and can be fitted with 8" casters. The 39" height is a game changer. They also have some cool features that add utility to the cart without reducing the critically important upper tray area.

I would buy a Klein if I were in the market for a new cart. The Kobalt cart that the OP linked looks a bit like a gimmicky toy to me. The wasp-waisted top tray is a non-starter as far as I'm concerned.

 

[tarbellb]

The Rubbermaid ploy cart is the unspoken hero of many shops

They are like cockroaches, you can't kill them. Nothing to rattle loose, no rust, no paint to worry about, they just work.

 

[NUTTSGT]

At $140, I would much rather have a USG 4 drawer service cart at $150/ITC sale price.

You get the same bottom shelf like you want and a top to put stuff on while you work. Unhook the drawer latch and you have drawer space as well.

 

[Bennylava]

Are you Rubbermaid guys talking about the really big ones like this?

After looking at all these carts, I realize that I don't know how big it should be. Some of the ones suggested seem kinda narrow, like you wouldn't have a lot of room to work if you needed to for some reason.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I have a Snap-On cart I use as my primary tool box and use a utility cart as a work cart.

I load up the tools and parts I will need (or at least, I think I will need) and wheel it over to whatever I am messing with.

FWIW - just a home retirement shop, not a business.

 

[LXCam]

Are you Rubbermaid guys talking about the really big ones like this?

After looking at all these carts, I realize that I don't know how big it should be. Some of the ones suggested seem kinda narrow, like you wouldn't have a lot of room to work if you needed to for some reason.

Whatever you have space for. My preference would be the 2’ wide ones but the one I keep in my truck is 18”w.

If you’re gonna go plastic I highly recommend the Klein stuff. As @senlow pointed put there’s a bunch of add on options that really make it super useful. I’ll see if I still got some pictures on this phone to share and come back.

Here’s some older stuff when I first went down this road. This zipper bags are damn useful and not expensive either The ladder clips kickass and those lights clip on as well It sure is nice keeping a bunch of tools off the top and still organized.

 

[Jgaz]

Are you Rubbermaid guys talking about the really big ones like this?

After looking at all these carts, I realize that I don't know how big it should be. Some of the ones suggested seem kinda narrow, like you wouldn't have a lot of room to work if you needed to for some reason.

The Rubbermaid carts I’m familiar with were the smaller, narrow carts. They seemed to work better getting between a hoist and the wall or around other equipment.

I never had a cart with the handle above the edge of the top shelf. I wouldn’t want it based on the way we used/abused ours

YMMV

 

[cvairwerks]

We've got narrow and wide carts, some with the handles up, but most with the handles flat. I prefer the narrow, handle flat carts for most of my routine tasks, as I can get into places with it that the others won't go.

 

[CraigStu]

As a dealer tech I spent 20 yrs w/ a rubbermaid cart. Mine also had a top that I could lay on it and attach a standard combination lock. When I retired it was still 100% so I gave it to the newest guy in the shop. I really like the Klein cart linked above but hadn't seen them at the time. OP I'd be careful about weighing your cart down. I can't see a need to push a bunch of gallon cans of liquid around at 8# per gal. My theory is to carry the tools that will get 80% of the work done, w/ the rest in my standard tool box that is too big and heavy to move.