What would you do with this cart?

[signcrafter]

I love waking up and having coffee while searching marketplace for deals on shop stuff. This was posted this morning about 20 minutes away for 25 dollars. Did a little searching and there isn't much info out there on it but it's made by harloff which seems to make specialty carts for medical and auto repair and applications like that. It's marketed as a laptop computer stand for diagnostics. Not sure if I want to use it for that or not but for 25 bucks for a quality made in the USA cart I figured I would get it and figure out what I want to do with it. Might be nice for service data right at the car but as for scan tools I have an autel blutooth tablet so don't see this cart handy for that. I do use a laptop with forscan on it for fords. Not sure what I would put in the drawer yet if I did use it for a laptop cart. Or the shelf down low. I have a desk in the shop work area with a laptop hooked up to a 42" wall mounted tv that I use for service data and ordering parts and stuff like that. That's only a few feet away from working area so don't see a need to set this cart up with a laptop. If I get a pico scope I could see setting this up with laptop for that and store all the accessories in the drawer. So if nothing else it will collect dust until that day comes. Just curious if anyone has some interesting suggestions on other uses for this cart in auto repair shop setting?

Since I buy used stuff when I see a deal I do things backwards by trying to find a use for shop equipment instead of buying when I have a need for it. But I get good deals so it always works out in the end one way or another. Always able to find a use for things and organize the shop better, just have to think a little more sometimes. Plus I couldn't afford all the quality shop equipment if I waited till I needed it to buy, got to jump on the deals when they pop up. Here is a link to what little I could find googling, was really hoping to see some pictures of it in action and how others have set it up.

A1617 and A1617DW Laptop Cart

The A1617 and A1617DW Laptop Carts from Harloff help techs transport and secure laptops used in shop environments. The cart features a small profile that saves space, while the...

www.vehicleservicepros.com

 

[RMERR]

While it looks perfect for it's intended use, seems a bit small and light for anything too heavy. I could see taking off the hinged top and just putting on a slightly bigger flat top and use as a smallish tool cart. A commercial aluminum baking tray comes to mind. They're cheap, fairly sturdy, easily screwed onto the top and have a shallow lip to keep things from rolling off.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/choice-half-size-13-x-18-19-gauge-wire-in-rim-aluminum-bun-sheet-pan/407BUNHALF.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Dx-sTXyQVla-ei7L8achzMSoSk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItdTFrvyWjQMVQDStBh1LHQXbEAQYBCABEgKId_D_BwE

 

[GeoBruin]

Cool cart. What you do is going to depend on the kind of work you do and what you already have in your shop. It sounds you're primarily an auto shop so that's one set of uses. I'm in a metal fab/machine shop, so that's a totally different use.

Personally, I would find a nice, compact granite surface plate to mount on top since it would be protected by that flip top, and I would put all my gauge blocks, height gauges, sine bars and the like in the drawer.

 

[ecotec]

I’ve got nothing. It seems pretty specialized towards a laptop. If you have the space, maybe something will reveal itself down the road.

For my uses, that would take up way too much space for a laptop and dongles and such.

 

[richfinn]

Soldering station or coffee maker stand (you could stash cookies in the drawer)

 

[signcrafter]

Cool cart. What you do is going to depend on the kind of work you do and what you already have in your shop. It sounds you're primarily an auto shop so that's one set of uses. I'm in a metal fab/machine shop, so that's a totally different use.

Personally, I would find a nice, compact granite surface plate to mount on top since it would be protected by that flip top, and I would put all my gauge blocks, height gauges, sine bars and the like in the drawer.

I’ve got nothing. It seems pretty specialized towards a laptop. If you have the space, maybe something will reveal itself down the road.

For my uses, that would take up way too much space for a laptop and dongles and such.

Yes primarily auto repair related. I would use it for it's intended purpose as a laptop station but have a desk just steps away with a laptop and big monitor so I don't see this benefiting as a computer station. Can't recall too many times I've needed my computer outside of the car right at the car like this stand would be. Either go to desk to look something up quick or using laptop inside car for diagnosing. I may give it try and see if I like it.

But other then laptop I was trying to think of something for my scan tools or electrical diagnosing leads and adapters and stuff like that. Maybe battery testers, tpms scan tool, or something. Some kind of diagnostic or specialty tool cart of some kind. Usually something clicks in my head, pretty good at visualizing things but nothing is coming to mind right now.

Soldering station or coffee maker stand (you could stash cookies in the drawer)

I have a workbench setup for electronics with soldering station and power supplies and that kind of stuff. Still in the process of arranging things and moving them around but it's the bench on the right of the blue tool box in this picture.

 

[KnurledNut]

I see you got a polisher and bench grinder there on pedestals. How about a polishing or grinding station? Be easier to move around and could store compounds and PPE in the cabinet.

 

[richfinn]

Yes primarily auto repair related. I would use it for it's intended purpose as a laptop station but have a desk just steps away with a laptop and big monitor so I don't see this benefiting as a computer station. Can't recall too many times I've needed my computer outside of the car right at the car like this stand would be. Either go to desk to look something up quick or using laptop inside car for diagnosing. I may give it try and see if I like it.

But other then laptop I was trying to think of something for my scan tools or electrical diagnosing leads and adapters and stuff like that. Maybe battery testers, tpms scan tool, or something. Some kind of diagnostic or specialty tool cart of some kind. Usually something clicks in my head, pretty good at visualizing things but nothing is coming to mind right now.

I have a workbench setup for electronics with soldering station and power supplies and that kind of stuff. Still in the process of arranging things and moving them around but it's the bench on the right of the blue tool box in this picture.

What about a dedicated battery testing/charging station, maybe a battery support unit on the bottom shelf whilst diagnosing or programming.

It might make a cool portable Oscilloscope/engine analyser if you attach a swing boom for the cables.

I kinda like the idea of a rolling "Technical Information System" maybe with a printer and stationary drawer

I know where your at, I bid on used stuff all the time with some feeble repurposing notion and then it ends up as a completely different project when you actually get hands on, it looks like a bargain at $25 though, quality shop furniture can cost $$$$$$$

GYS Diagnostic Workstation Trolley - Maverick Diagnostics

GYS Diagnostic Workstation Trolley: Storage for multiple diagnostic tools and enough room for a PC to be housed in the bottom.

www.maverickdiagnostics.com

 

[PackagingSea]

Another idea: turn it into a mini detailing station. Drawer for brushes, clay bars, microfiber, shelf for spray bottles or polishers. Could roll it right up to the car and keep your main bench free.I’ve got a Harbor Freight cart I did that with and it’s way more convenient than dragging out buckets every time

 

[signcrafter]

What about a dedicated battery testing/charging station, maybe a battery support unit on the bottom shelf whilst diagnosing or programming.

It might make a cool portable Oscilloscope/engine analyser if you attach a swing boom for the cables.

I kinda like the idea of a rolling "Technical Information System" maybe with a printer and stationary drawer

I know where your at, I bid on used stuff all the time with some feeble repurposing notion and then it ends up as a completely different project when you actually get hands on, it looks like a bargain at $25 though, quality shop furniture can cost $$$$$$$

GYS Diagnostic Workstation Trolley - Maverick Diagnostics

GYS Diagnostic Workstation Trolley: Storage for multiple diagnostic tools and enough room for a PC to be housed in the bottom.

www.maverickdiagnostics.com

A charging/testing cart had crossed my mind. I can't visualize what all I would put on it or how. But it has that big open bottom space. I have a bigger charger and a smaller new style charger, a couple jump packs and then a conductance tester and carbon pile. Maybe a set of jumper cables just to store them. Might be an option.

I'm thinking it would work really good for an oscilloscope cart, but not sure when I will get one of those. It's on the list of tools somewhere down the line. Laptop up on top like it's made for and then all the accessories on the cart somehow. When I get one I think this cart will be used for that for sure. But until then I'll figure something out so it's not just taking up space.

If I had a shop with multiple bays or didn't already have a computer a few steps from where I will be working then I would set it up for service data to be able to roll to the car. But since I have access to that a few steps away and have a big tv as a screen that I can see from the car if needed then I'm not sure I want to go that route with this cart.

Another idea: turn it into a mini detailing station. Drawer for brushes, clay bars, microfiber, shelf for spray bottles or polishers. Could roll it right up to the car and keep your main bench free.I’ve got a Harbor Freight cart I did that with and it’s way more convenient than dragging out buckets every time

That's another good idea and I've thought about a detail cart in the past. I have a few other carts I've collected over the years also. One of them is a audio visual cart like they used back when I was in school, https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...E7LDiI_NGONhp0eKHP54rV1c0NupzIvPCktWz1B7Swkpk. I've thought that cart might make a good detail cart. Have also thought about using this audio visual cart for a coolant cart with a couple 5 gallon pails on the bottom, one with dexcool and one with universal coolant and maybe one more for when I need one of the other types of coolant. Then have all my coolant testing and filling stuff on the cart and hookups to each bucket for the vacuum filler to **** out of. Right now I have to fill up a 5 gallon bucket and then bring it to the vehicle and it can be a pain on a taller truck with a long suction hose and keeping that hose in the bucket. My thought was to stick a piece of copper pipe down to the pail and then have some sort of quick connect to attach the hose from the vacuum filler to. Sounds like I need to make a detail cart and a coolant fill cart so sounds like I need another cart from marketplace. LOL

 

[LXCam]

I don’t know about you scott. But that thing screams for a pony keg down low, a couple mugs shadow boxed in the drawer. Raise the pivot point on the hood and mount your tap there.


That way, no garage debris gets all over it





Other then that, you got a cool worthless cart to find a place for

 

[NUTTSGT]

Maybe as a drill press work table. Set up next to drill press when you have multiple parts to be drilled, drawer for oil can, brush and air nozzles.

It would as definitely work as a laptop stand when you're working on something and trying to watch a YT video figuring it or or a wiring schematic online.

 

[signcrafter]

I don’t know about you scott. But that thing screams for a pony keg down low, a couple mugs shadow boxed in the drawer. Raise the pivot point on the hood and mount your tap there.


That way, no garage debris gets all over it





Other then that, you got a cool worthless cart to find a place for

Then would have to put a glycol chilling system on it too?

For a while a few years ago I had a 4 tap keg cooler in the shop, had a nice 8' long stainless steel top for a workbench. I come across lots of restaurant equipment for free when I am doing a remodel job.

 

[LXCam]

Then would have to put a glycol chilling system on it too?

Absadamnfnlutely

I had to stop drinking more than a decade ago. I really-REALLY miss having an ice cold one every now and then on a casual shop day.

 

[signcrafter]

I'm from Wisconsin so there is no cold "one", had a half barrel kegerator in my first "shop" I rented at 19 and it was the hang out back then. If you google drunkest cities in the US my hometown often is number one, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/americas-20-drunkest-cities/21/. Good or bad thats the culture I grew up in. I have always enjoyed my beer but I've cut way back in the last few years and probably have fewer beers in a month then I used to drink every day. I have a beer fridge in the new place so that will do.

 

[cody1325]

I'd stick my typewriter on it, or use it as intended. I have an old laptop I run on Linux, and keep meaning on taking it down to the shop for ordering parts and looking up diagrams--something I may end up getting a bit newer Getac for--that GD8200 is 14 years old and has a useless battery.


Keep meaning to get one of those old little typewriter tables, as I try to use my old Smith Corona Courier to avoid having to deal with the aftermath of my chicken scratch handwriting. Thus, forms (as in those I couldn't fill out on the computer) and my lists tend to be written out on it.

 

[RoninB4]

If you google drunkest cities in the US my hometown often is number one, https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/americas-20-drunkest-cities/21/.

-No suggestions for cart, that would depend upon what you do most in the shop. I did follow the link out of curiosity. I first visited Appleton as a FIB (Chicago) in 1979. There was a solar eclipse and the town had a rather festive atmosphere with a nice vibe. Thirst was often quenched at Epe's Inn if that sounds familiar.

 

[signcrafter]

-No suggestions for cart, that would depend upon what you do most in the shop. I did follow the link out of curiosity. I first visited Appleton as a FIB (Chicago) in 1979. There was a solar eclipse and the town had a rather festive atmosphere with a nice vibe. Thirst was often quenched at Epe's Inn if that sounds familiar.

I don't recall Epe's Inn but I was born 2 years after you first visited. There used to be a bunch of random Inns/motels that mostly have been torn down over the years as the bigger chain hotels were built. Every smaller motel I can remember always had a bar of some kind. Do you remember where it was or what part of the city?

 

[RoninB4]

I don't recall Epe's Inn but I was born 2 years after you first visited. There used to be a bunch of random Inns/motels that mostly have been torn down over the years as the bigger chain hotels were built. Every smaller motel I can remember always had a bar of some kind. Do you remember where it was or what part of the city?

-Don't really recall the location due to my brief visit being 45 years ago, my failing memory, and there was a lot of beer involved during the visit. It was just a hole-in-the-wall type place out in the boonies and was run/owned by Jeannie VanEpperen. Nice gal, cozy place, beer was cold. No surprise if the place was torn down during the encroachment of chain hotels. The towns of Appleton, Kaukauna, and Little Chute all sort of run together in my blurred memory. Wow I feel kinda old now.

 

[Hakeem]

I often use YouTube videos and photos that I’ve taken to help guide my repairs, but it gets awkward finding a place to prop my phone up. If it were me, I’d clean it up and use it for that

 

[signcrafter]

Well after taking a deep dive in the rabbit hole of scopes and talking with 2ndgear last night I decided it's time to pull the trigger on one in the near future. Going to get an entry level PICO for now to start playing around with and start learning on. So guess I'll be using this as it's intended for and putting a laptop up top and then filling out the drawer and bottom area with accessories as I add them. Will see the best layout when I purchase the scope and accessories. Will figure out some way to store the leads, 2ndgear and richfinn mentioned a boom/arm to store leads. Might figure something out for that or another way to store leads on the side of the cart. Never having used one I will have to wait and see what the best way to do it it when I start collecting the stuff. I'm also going to add a battery charger to it, will be nice to roll cart over to car and keep a small charger on it while diagnosing or working on it. I have one of these that may work good for it, https://www.amazon.com/Clore-Automo...tainer-20/dp/B007ESQW08/?tag=atomicindus08-20. Have a bigger charger for starting really dead batteries that is on wheels so don't need or want to incorporate that. If my smaller charger isn't adequate for keeping battery topped off while testing then I will upgrade to a charger made for programming down the road, https://www.jbtools.com/solar-pl610...HH2BrJqF3nQHpWUzb-amsS4Qx1jL05IwaApaJEALw_wcB. Could probably mount it to the back of the cart somehow and make up some hangers for the leads. Not sure if I would make a holder for my battery tester on that or not. Don't really need a cart for battery tester but might be a good place to store it since if I'm testing a battery chances are I will be needing a charger anyway so just roll the whole thing over to the car. Maybe even throw one my my scan tools on it too then. Or just keep them all together on the workbench. Will have to see how things work out as I start putting it all together. Cart has cutouts to run electrical so need to figure out how all the chargers for laptop and scan tool and battery charger will hook up and be out of the way. Maybe a retractable cord reel on the car to be able to pull out the cord to plug whole cart in, or mount a reel on the ceiling above where I'll be working to pull down and plug cart in. Then just have a surge strip mounted on the cart to plug everything in. Maybe will have to get a wireless printer down the road to print of wiring diagrams and stuff when needed. Or if I am using this a lot it may be worth it to get another laptop dedicated to the scope/scan tool stuff on this cart. Lots of stuff for down the road. Lots of ideas when you google lab scope cart or diagnostic cart.

Last night I came across another cheap cart on marketplace that I think would work great as a detail cart. It's made for a different specific task but looking at it I think it would work perfect for detailing cars. Going to have a collection of carts but trying to get everything organized as I put the shop together and more importantly make things easy to use. I'm horrible at taking the time to detail my vehicles, mainly because I have to grab everything and carry it out to the vehicle. Just bought an electric pressure washer to mount on the wall with a hose reel so it will be ready to go anytime I want to give a quick wash. Going to setup a shop vac with a hose reel with long hose to be able to vacuum out cars so that will be ready to go anytime. Maybe it's a mental thing but in my head knowing I have to take the time to get out and setup the pressure washer or shop vac prevents me from wanting to do those things most of the time. If they are all hooked up already and ready to go I will do it more often. And if detail cart is all set up to roll out to car it will get done more often.