Harbor Freight Service Cart - Re-purposed - Part 2

This is a continuation of Harbor Freight Service Cart Re-purposed - Part 1 - In this video I give you alot of examples of how other people have modified their Harbor Freight tool Chest and carts - this is to give you ideas for how you may want to modify yours

[@haroldswick9962]

Great ideas here. I use pvc pipie to make holders for drills impact wrench and drivers. Great use of space.

[@billnowlin9148]

Thanks for taking the time to compile these ideas. Some of these will keep me busy for a while.😂

[@AJH10000]

Great video thankyou

[@BoomDocs14K]

It's August 2024 and I just bought the 5 drawer tool cart in slate gray from Harbor Freight. As for the magnetic bars, I got them for almost a dollar. Since they are magnetic on one side, I put them back to back with a short bolt, washer, and nut. Now one side sticks to the lid and the other side for the tools. No holes drilled and I can move the strips around as needed.

[@richb2229]

If you can get used carts, then these modifications make sense. But buying new, there are enough options, such as the 26” and 44” tool boxes that it doesn’t make sense to overly modify carts.

[@TheHandsomeRyan]

Since buying one of these carts I have looked at a lot of "tours" and other videos but this was by far the most interesting. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Thanks

[@determineddad7935]

I'm a home diy mechanic and handyman. Cart is awesome. My wife got it for me for our anniversary. Definitely a good purchase

[@TheHomeHandyman]

agree and very handy to have for so many projects and can be modified to your liking

[@rodw]

First a big Thank You!!! for taking the time to put this video together for the purpose of helping US. I love the creative part that's inside all of us, and pictures can really help to spur those on. Having your expertise explaining along the way made it that much better. Thanks again, Rodney

[@TheHomeHandyman]

anytime and thanks for the reply

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

Lots of different mods out there. Thanks for sharing

[@j.m.1389]

I never thought of making my own toolbox like this. Very inspirational!

[@TheHomeHandyman]

and not as costly - You can also make it the way you want..........thanks

[@poostang3798]

Wonderful video, man! Keep it up!

[@xxants2286xx]

Thank you for making this video learned alot of great ideas

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Thanks for the comment ......

[@mvanalst2003]

Incredible video. Thank you so much for creating and posting this! It has given me some good ideas.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

no problem and good luck

[@yellownp22541]

Outstanding job! 1000 thank you very much for your video. My favorite is the double chests cart will look into doing this.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Your welcome - alot of variations and hopefully everybody finds something that they like.........

[@bryansmith5980]

I used 3m double stick body panel tape for Mag Strips. I am now getting ready to fit a 3 drawer mid section in the bottom tray. then 7 drawer side box.

[@adamtrojacek]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. I couldn't find anybody selling a similar tool box cart that proto sells (cart with 2 cabinets on each side) and couldn't justify spending the 1k+ on it. Now I see how I can mod a US general and have the same cart. Thanks!

[@TheHomeHandyman]

agree and modifications are not that hard to do really

[@joshuagarcia7791]

Awesome information thank you for sharing

[@medicineandmedicalreview3152]

no problem...........there are many ways to redesign these........have fun and thanks

[@PaganWizard]

This was a brilliant video. One thing that is nice about these modifications is that they are not limited to Harbor Freight boxes. It doesn't matter if you picked up a used tool box for $25 at a garage sale or flea market, or if you have a Snap On Epic box, or anything in between. There is no laws saying that you can not modify anything you own...........just do it.........and of course......share it.

[@joncart5834]

Nice ideas, thank you very much

[@Group_Anonymous]

Thanks for all the great tips

[@frugalprepper]

Great Video with lots of Ideas

[@kickdowndoors4291]

I need to take a welding and metal chopping course. So many great ideas. Side trays and vise attached. Exactly what I wanted but no one will manufacture.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

yeah thats why i posted this is so people can modify what they have to their own personal needs....... welding you can learn off KZbin

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Yeah I found you have alot of options so im glad you found one .......thanks

[@240zron]

Great ideas and put together very well, thanks.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Thanks

[@bobjohnson8206]

Yes, this was GREAT! A lot of good ideas, thank you for sharing it!

[@TheHomeHandyman]

thanks for the reply

[@G34RH34D]

Go on Craigslist or OfferUp and you can find some pretty cheap tool cabinets/boxes for projects like this.

[@johngibson3594]

Some of these mods are great . I love to see what people do to mod their stuff

[@TheHomeHandyman]

agree its creative and useful..........thanks

[@prmayner]

great vid love those impact holders, i was wondering how i was going to hang mine now i know, thanks for posting.

[@frederickhundertmark7068]

So I was looking at my cart as I was organizing it, and I realized I had several magnetic tool bars I wanted to install on my lid... I was skeptical about drilling holes in the lid... I took two strips back to back and bolted them together. Then i attached to my lid. I did this with two sets and they hold wrenches perfectly....

[@TheHomeHandyman]

This is a another very good idea and the magnets are not costly and you do not need to drill anything.....very good

[@justice4all603]

Add some peg board to back of cart and you can hang tools from the peg board

[@johningram2153]

Whoa, I had no idea the side cabinet worked with the cart! That's tremendous. Expandability was my biggest reason for considering NOT getting the cart. Thanks!

[@buddybrackett9180]

Problem with it is pushing it around it gets tipsy

[@mikeswindell4917]

Awesome video

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Thanks

[@bradg8682]

Your a youtube genius sir

[@Godzillah]

The side box at 6:30 is neat u just earned a sub and liked. My is blue.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Thank you

[@mattmcmillan8920]

Now that was a great video thanks for sharing.

[@jeremycole6873]

Smart ideas

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Thank You

[@davidhaddock4882]

Metal supermarkets - 4 four foot sections of 2x2x1/8 angle iron for $34

[@johndoe-zk1yu]

I like the last cart with the larger wheels. Something like that would be great for those of us who do not have a garage to work in. Would be able to bring tools needed for the job and not have them in the dirt while working on the job at hand. I would not use pneumatic tires though.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

I see your point about the wheels and I agree in your situation that not using pneumatic is what i would want to do also

[@johndoe-zk1yu]

@@TheHomeHandyman I have a hand truck that came with pneumatic tires and dry rot ruined the tires, the good thing is HF have solid wheels that are the same size.

[@BrewCityRider]

Good idea. I'm trying to decide between the 4 drawer and the larger 5 drawer tool cart. That 4 drawer is on a crazy sale now for $109.

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Yes its hard to beat the price drop and with a few more dollars you can make it the way you want ......

[@frederickhundertmark7068]

Get the 5 drawer... it is 18" deep where as the 4 drawer cart is like 15.5" deep. There is more stability with the 5 drawer cart.

[@BrewCityRider]

@@frederickhundertmark7068 Thanks, yeah, I ended up getting the 5 drawer...love it!

[@TheHomeHandyman]

@@frederickhundertmark7068 Good idea.....thanks

[@yeetyeet8424]

5 tbh

[@Bo------]

At the 3:02 mark, the box on the left looks to have the bottom enclosed. do you have more information on this?

[@davidfulkerson1187]

I like this video lots of great ideas. If I add the side box to my 5 drawer Harbor Freight cart. Won't it be heavy on that side and the cart tilt on those casters?

[@TheHomeHandyman]

You have a point if it will have heavy items - unless you can add casters to the side box bottom - I would have to look closer but may be able to figure out a way to add them on to avoid the problem

[@6.4DieselDoctor]

Or mount another side box to the other side

[@TheHomeHandyman]

yes good idea

[@6.4DieselDoctor]

Only issue is you’d have to use a series 1 side cabinet instead of a series 2 because the length is different (18 vs 22). Or use a craftsman side cabinet which would be around the same size. I’m already in the process of doing just that

[@1234cdsarver]

Cool thank you

[@fredthornburg2356]

What is this forum you mention?

[@michaeldavidmontalvo2402]

Holy shit ! Its the comedian from Watchmen!!! 😂🤙 great video

[@TheHomeHandyman]

Weldingweb - Weld.com, Family woodworking - American Assoc of Woodturners etc are a few popular ones i follow but i have many on my list that i scan and look for topics of interest to discuss topics

[@relikvija2]

assembling these takes some time

[@TheHomeHandyman]

agree but then you can add what you need to it

[@neilsdahlberg1323]

sort of fun though...

[@dalewilliford3834]

I what the Option on the first pic the operator of the cut off saw

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

Greatvideo! I just picked up the sunex pry bar holder for my new cart, I was looking for a video exactly like this! Thank you for taking the time to put this together... Idk if you have but the MAC website has some other add-ons that are really neat. These videos are great for people looking to purchase and decide what they could do instead.

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

also theres the $70 red small us general carts with the single drawer thats about 26inches wide and 16 inches deep i think, but i think I can take the drawer from that cart and grind the metal side down on the 5 drawer and make it fit fairly easy, getting yourself a extra drawer on your service cart and then also can use the new mini cart as a parts cart or whatever else you like. I will make a video of my add ons... Please make a part 3 once mine is closer to being done and add it to it =)

[@TheHomeHandyman]

ill take a look and thanks

[@davidfulkerson1187]

Also maybe add a box on both sides to even out the weight. Then casters can stay where they are. I just wonder if those casters on the 5 drawer Harbor Freight Tool Box are heavy enough to handle the weight with the cart and the two 7 drawer boxes on each side

[@TheHomeHandyman]

You could do what your suggesting and at Harbor Freight they sell casters and you could also replace them with heavier duty ones if you wanted - I like the poly wheels that are heavy duty as they seem to roll much smoother - alot of people do not want to spend the money unless they have to but it is a option - I replaced them on another pc of equipment in my shop and just favor that type of caster

[@shamong9]

Why dont you do a video on casters?

[@TheHomeHandyman]

good idea and ill look into that.............thanks for the suggestion

[@Ratchet-strap-Garage]

What's the forum?

[@jrperez3088]

You should do some visine commercial. At the end of your videos you should say "woow"

[@frederickhundertmark7068]

I bought some 2 x 2 x 3/16" angle steel and built two of these carts... The first one is a blue US General 5 drawer 30" service cart with a red first generation US General 7 drawer side box 16"x 18" and a red side tray. On this one, I added aluminum diamond plate to wrap the 2 x 2 steel... The second is a blue US General 26" tool chest. I am going to purchase a blue Series 2 US General 7 drawer 14.5"x 22" side box (Special ordered because store had none in stock) and install a blue side tray on this one as well... I need to purchase more aluminum diamond plate to wrap this cart and to complete the first cart.... Lastly I have a black US General 30" 4 drawer service cart that is my "Power Station" It has a 120 volt AC to 14.5 volt DC power supply, a tractor battery, USB and 12 volt accessory ports for charging cell phones... Here is the twist, I also installed a Pioneer head unit with a marine cover, four 5" round Boss marine speakers, two 4 x 6" Infinity speakers, and a Kenwood Amp. The lower storage portion of the cart is enclosed with plexiglass to help produce bass in the system. I plug my phone or Ipad into the accessory port and have music or sound for videos. Is there an email where I can send pictures. Thank you!!

[@TheHomeHandyman]

You bet.....ill use it in one of my videos .....that sound awesome that you did it like that...... [e-mail]

[@frederickhundertmark7068]

I tried to email you the pictures and keep getting the mailer demon is your email correctly written?

[@TheHomeHandyman]

@@frederickhundertmark7068 [e-mail] that should be it.......let me know and thanks

[@roberthutter74]

I have a $169.99 coupon for the cart that's good until 12/31/19

[@TheHomeHandyman]

You may just end up with a new cart then.........LOL