Utility Carts?

[Beemer]

Looking into plastic (Rubbermaid, Uline) rolling utility carts and am on the fence about flat top vs depressed lipped trays.
I previously bought a lipped recessed top one that has been very useful but someone confiscated it to gardening work so I'm on the hunt and on the fence about the most useful shelf shape.

The flat top would be useful to occasionally hold the power chop saw and a platform for unloading small purchases but the lipped trays would be better for rolling parts and tools around to various tasks.
The stumbling point is that the chop saw would not work in the depressed top shelf and it needs a place to sit and get rolled around because it's getting too heavy to be wrestling with.

I can picture making a removable filler shelf in a lipped shelf but then again the same applies for the flat top shelf with bolting on a wood rim to make a depressed area.

Having a flat plastic shelf would be nice for cleaning it without having the bends and corners to deal with.

Comments would be welcome.

 

[whateg01]

I have metal carts with a recessed top and some I flipped the top over for a flat work surface. At times I need the flat top but it has stuff on it. In that case I have a piece of plywood that fits with a couple cleats underneath to keep it from sliding. It's worked for me so far.

ETA: flat surfaces collect stuff. Flat surfaces with walls collect stuff but in deeper piles.

 

[lardy1]

We have one from Zoro with about a three inch pan for a top with three small holders in the handle. Very basic. Either her or I are using it for something all the time. When I get the basement done it's going back out to the shop and we'll get her another. I'm not sure I'd like the flat top. Stuff falling around when the cart inevitably gets bumped.

Well worth the hundred twenty we paid for it. Handy AF.

 

[SBAG]

Why stop at one? Flat topped hydraulic cart plus lipped one for tool cart. I like the Franklin large plastic cart (they make a small too) at HF for a tool caddy. Also their 1000lbs hydraulic lift cart. Can catch both on sale.

 

[gleman]

Looking into plastic (Rubbermaid, Uline) rolling utility carts and am on the fence whether flat top of depressed lipped trays.
The flat top would be useful to occasionally hold the power chop saw and a platform for unloading small purchases but the lipped trays would be better for rolling parts and tools around to various tasks.

Anyone have either type to comment on?

I've seen a discussion on welded carts in a search here but I think plastic (composite?) would suffice for the limited weights expected and minimal maintenance, not to mention lower cost.

The Rubbermaid is excellent. Make a plywood top insert and have the best of both worlds!

 

[sparky 1971]

I have two of each size of the lipped Rubbermaid and think they are the greatest thing ever as far as carts go. I had metal carts, but they were too noisy and went in the dumpster. I have a buddy that has a transmission shop that uses the flat top. Those are perfect for setting and rolling transmissions around on, but I don't see a benefit for my use.

As far as for chop saw use, I don't get mine out often enough to justify having a cart because of it. It sits on the bottom shelf of my bench and when I need it, it goes on a 6' folding table that leans against the wall when not in use.

 

[Beemer]

I have metal carts with a recessed top and some I flipped the top over for a flat work surface. At times I need the flat top but it has stuff on it. In that case I have a piece of plywood that fits with a couple cleats underneath to keep it from sliding. It's worked for me so far.

ETA: flat surfaces collect stuff. Flat surfaces with walls collect stuff but in deeper piles.

Is the Doo-Dah diner in Doo-Dah KS?

 

[whateg01]

Is the Doo-Dah diner in Doo-Dah KS?

Yes it is. Good food but you have to get there early!

 

[LordLupulin]

Work provides us with the small lipped cart from global industrial with th flat handle as it fits under our packaging lines. The lipped version will collect liquids from dis-assembled equipment. We roll them up and hown slopes, driveways and ramps between buildings and the lip helps prevent things from rolling/sliding off. Some of the guys have mdf inserts to place down for when they want a flat surface or to transport a tool chest around and be able to open the bottom drawer all the way.

 

[Fedwrench]

I like the all metal welded Durham Carts:

Heavy Duty Service Trucks Archives - Durham Manufacturing

www.durhammfg.com

they also have mobile tables. Not cheap but, tough & durable.

 

[cvairwerks]

I've got a couple of the NorthernTool lipped carts and they work for most everything I do.

Beemer: Get a lipped one and make a drop on platform for the saw. Piece of 1/2 ply and a couple of 2x's and some screws and it's done. When you need the saw, plop the top on there and then the saw and you are in business.

 

[tarbellb]

Building a insert for the lipped is def one way to go. Those poly carts are so versatile.

But I'll tell you what, buying a proper mobile base for any chop saw is total game changer
- folds up
- materials supports on both sides
- mobile

the material supports alone are worth the $99 bucks I just paid

 

[LXCam]

I bought one of these years ago for tooting around hanging bins. Turns out the top perimeter pieces flip out of the way to make a flat surface. That has actually turned out to be really handy at times. Kind of a best of both worlds deal. I don’t know if being able to utilize the bin feature works for you but I figured I toss this into the mix.

Bin Utility Cart - 11 x 5 1/2 x 5

Excellent portable workstation with convertible top for assembly or transport. Non-marking 5" casters: 2 locking swivel, 2 rigid. Tray compartments hold pens and tools. Tough structural foam resists dents. ULINE offers over 41,000 boxes, plastic poly bags, mailing tubes, warehouse supplies and...

www.uline.com

 

[AEAdam]

Don’t put a chop saw on a rubbermaid cart with or without wheels.
I recently bought the ridiculously expensive Bosch T4B mitersaw stand. It costs more than most mitersaws do. Worth every penny. Love it.

I’d get, I have, the Rubbermaid carts with the well in the top, not flat tops. There are a couple different sizes and styles. I have the 24X36. Don’t get the HF version. It’s **** compared to Rubbermaid.

 

[ybnormal]

Looking into plastic (Rubbermaid, Uline) rolling utility carts and am on the fence about flat top vs depressed lipped trays.
I previously bought a lipped recessed top one that has been very useful but someone confiscated it to gardening work so I'm on the hunt and on the fence about the most useful shelf shape.

The flat top would be useful to occasionally hold the power chop saw and a platform for unloading small purchases but the lipped trays would be better for rolling parts and tools around to various tasks.
The stumbling point is that the chop saw would not work in the depressed top shelf and it needs a place to sit and get rolled around because it's getting too heavy to be wrestling with.

I can picture making a removable filler shelf in a lipped shelf but then again the same applies for the flat top shelf with bolting on a wood rim to make a depressed area.

Having a flat plastic shelf would be nice for cleaning it without having the bends and corners to deal with.

Comments would be welcome.

go buy "someone" a cheap cart and take yours back. problem solved.

 

[Beemer]

I like the all metal welded Durham Carts:

Heavy Duty Service Trucks Archives - Durham Manufacturing

www.durhammfg.com

they also have mobile tables. Not cheap but, tough & durable.

Thanks but way overkill for my purpose.

 

[Beemer]

The Rubbermaid is excellent. Make a plywood top insert and have the best of both worlds!

Something like that might be the answer.
I want a scubbable surface so maybe Formica countertop or polyethelene cutting board insert.

 

[Beemer]

I have two of each size of the lipped Rubbermaid and think they are the greatest thing ever as far as carts go. I had metal carts, but they were too noisy and went in the dumpster. I have a buddy that has a transmission shop that uses the flat top. Those are perfect for setting and rolling transmissions around on, but I don't see a benefit for my use.

As far as for chop saw use, I don't get mine out often enough to justify having a cart because of it. It sits on the bottom shelf of my bench and when I need it, it goes on a 6' folding table that leans against the wall when not in use.

The cart wouldn't be primarily for the saw but it can roll ober to the shelf where the saw is in the garage and wheel it out the door where sawdust isn't an issue.
The saw an I are both old; the saw is heavy and whenever I hoist it for long it takes a day to decompress my spine. Not giving up though!

 

[Beemer]

Yes it is. Good food but you have to get there early!

I don't have to worry much about the time being 1500 miles away. Just curious about the name and location which the diner revealed.

 

[Beemer]

Building a insert for the lipped is def one way to go. Those poly carts are so versatile.

But I'll tell you what, buying a proper mobile base for any chop saw is total game changer
- folds up
- materials supports on both sides
- mobile

the material supports alone are worth the $99 bucks I just paid

Thanks but the saw has grown too heavy, or more accurately I've grown in the opposite direction, to not have it on (4) wheels to move it outside.
Nice looking gizmo though for my next life.

 

[Beemer]

go buy "someone" a cheap cart and take yours back. problem solved.

Uh, no. Can't afford the lawyer. Hundred and fifty dollar carts are a bargain.

 

[Beemer]

Don’t put a chop saw on a rubbermaid cart with or without wheels.
I recently bought the ridiculously expensive Bosch T4B mitersaw stand. It costs more than most mitersaws do. Worth every penny. Love it.

I’d get, I have, the Rubbermaid carts with the well in the top, not flat tops. There are a couple different sizes and styles. I have the 24X36. Don’t get the HF version. It’s **** compared to Rubbermaid.

I have one Uline, (Rubbermaid rebrand?) and looked at HF today. Totally agree on your assessment of theirs.

 

[sparky 1971]

The cart wouldn't be primarily for the saw but it can roll ober to the shelf where the saw is in the garage and wheel it out the door where sawdust isn't an issue.
The saw an I are both old; the saw is heavy and whenever I hoist it for long it takes a day to decompress my spine. Not giving up though!

What I call a chop saw is the 14" metal cutting saw. What you're calling a chop saw, I call a miter saw. Mine is on a stand made for it. It has work supports on both sides as well as stops for matching repetitive cuts. Mine doesn't have wheels, but others do, making them more portable and useful than any part time cart ever could.

 

[Beemer]

It seems the consensus is get a lipped top model and build an insert of some sort for times when a flat top would be more useful.
As mentioned above I'd want the insert to be scrubbable but I'm thinking a polyethylene cutting board or heavy shelf liner on the insert might do the job.

Thanks for ALL the opinions.

 

[Beemer]

What I call a chop saw is the 14" metal cutting saw. What you're calling a chop saw, I call a miter saw. Mine is on a stand made for it. It has work supports on both sides as well as stops for matching repetitive cuts. Mine doesn't have wheels, but others do, making them more portable and useful than any part time cart ever could.

Sure, miter saw. I just do length chops, not miters though. Mine is not accurate enough to do what I'd consider miters which is finish carpentry to me.
But "more" useful isn't what I need. Just plain useful is good enough because it only was used twice last year because of it being past portability for me now.
A cart will do be me fine.

 

[Wamsutta]

Get a flat top one; that way you can set a tool box on there and be able to open the drawers.

 

[danski0224]

Don’t get the HF version. It’s **** compared to Rubbermaid.

This.

The HF version (and other off brands that look like it) have a two piece top and handle. They flex at this joint.

The HF style is also much heavier.

The Rubbermaid knockoffs that are structural foam are the ticket. Tuff Cart makes a bigger version with 4 swivel casters.

 

[lardy1]

The cheaper ones may have PVC components. PVC breaks too easy.

 

[gleman]

I'm a fan of mobile carts for tools. I have the same old and fat problems.







I made a outfeed table with storage for awkward tools. My old miter lives in it and keeps it out of sight.

The top is a MDF sandwich that was stained and sealed. Cleanup is easy, you might want to consider it for your top.

 

[danski0224]

Looking into plastic (Rubbermaid, Uline) rolling utility carts and am on the fence about flat top vs depressed lipped trays.

The flat top ones are useless for keeping stuff in place when moving, other than stuff in bins or boxes, set on the flat top.

Do NOT get a plastic cart that has a separate piece for the push handle, like the Harbor Freight plastic cart (there are other off brands that look like it).

Be aware that there are 3 main cart sizes, and ULine is in the middle. The ULine plastic structural foam carts are NOT the same size as the bigger Rubbermaid carts.

The flat top would be useful to occasionally hold the power chop saw and a platform for unloading small purchases but the lipped trays would be better for rolling parts and tools around to various tasks.
The stumbling point is that the chop saw would not work in the depressed top shelf and it needs a place to sit and get rolled around because it's getting too heavy to be wrestling with.

There are plenty of mobile miter saw stands.

Or, get 2 carts. One flat top for the saw, one lipped cart for general tasks. A filler piece can be made to make a lipped cart flat.

 

[AEAdam]

Sure, miter saw. I just do length chops, not miters though. Mine is not accurate enough to do what I'd consider miters which is finish carpentry to me.
But "more" useful isn't what I need. Just plain useful is good enough because it only was used twice last year because of it being past portability for me now.
A cart will do be me fine.

I’m 60 and building a house myself. Bending over and picking up my mitersaw could really cost me. Just not worth the risk. Ive had this saw for 25 years but just bought the stand.

 

[Firebrick43]

For years before I built an addition with a basement I did most of my woodworking by hand in the living room. Wife actually let me have an 8' woodworking bench there, isn't she great? Of course we didn't have kids by that point.

Anyways I have a good neighbor/friend that had a table saw, planer, and miter saw in his pole shop. He gave me a key to the shop to use when ever I needed. His miter saw was on a rolling cart and was terrible to use. Finally I bout a cheap 100 dollar ryobi stand for the miter saw. He was amazed on how more useful it became with a stand.

 

[tarbellb]

Beemer I'm telling you.... get a nice one w wheels that can be moved without collapsing

(built-in material supports means no more saw horses to drag out too!)

 

[AEAdam]

Beemer I'm telling you.... get a nice one w wheels that can be moved without collapsing

(built-in material supports means no more saw horses to drag out too!)

Yeah. I’m sure he gets it, but for anyone else, it’s not just the convenience of rolling the thing out of the way, but the safety factor of a stable base, that’s at the exact same, comfortable height every time you use it.

For all this work I was cutting on the bed of my pick up, or kneeling in the grass or inside. It’s amazing I didn’t cut myself.

(Zoom in. A lot of tricky finish carpentry here)

This is the bank side of my barn conversion in-work. This was just an empty hole with rotten sliding doors covering it. The picture I posted earlier is inside looking out. For scale, the french doors are 8 footers (tall), opening was 15’ wide, 12-1/2’ high).

 

[kbeefy]

I have a MAC composite cart with a lid. I don't think I've removed the lid in 3 years, I use it as a flat top cart almost every day.

Like this one...

 

[seber]

I had both styles of the Rubbermaid carts. When the wife told me she was going to confiscate one, there was no question that I was keeping the flat top. For general purpose work the raised sides were always in the way.

 

[Aileron]

couple scrap 2x4 and a piec a plywood fills in that dropped center. If you pyut a miter saw on it , than you dont have a cart to put your misc tools, so you will need two.

 

[Beemer]

couple scrap 2x4 and a piec a plywood fills in that dropped center. If you pyut a miter saw on it , than you dont have a cart to put your misc tools, so you will need two.

They have two shelves for that.
I did wall shingle repairs with mine. Tools in the top shelf and box of shingles in the bottom shelf.
Always room for everything.

 

[Aileron]

They have two shelves for that.
I did wall shingle repairs with mine. Tools in the top shelf and box of shingles in the bottom shelf.
Always room for everything.

if he puts the miter saw on the top shelf , bending over to pick , screwes , pencils , misc tools from the bottom of the cart defeats the purpose. The purpose of the cart is to not keep bending over for small stuff.

 

[Beemer]

if he puts the miter saw on the top shelf , bending over to pick , screwes , pencils , misc tools from the bottom of the cart defeats the purpose. The purpose of the cart is to not keep bending over for small stuff.

If any of us can't bend over to reach an ankle level shelf we'd better give it all up.
This discussion has gotten ridiculous.