I know the 30in 5 drawer Mechanic's Carts have been talked about a fair amount here but time for me to weigh in. I ushered my wife yesterday about 35 miles to our granddaughter's 'fashion' show. My wife knowing that I was only another 10min to the HF store gave me a pass since I have been on the road for the last 2 weeks straight with no seat time, shop time, gun time, no nothing. So... I dropped her at the event and proceeded to have a little me time.
It was their frequent 'Huge Parking Lot' sale. Walking in the door after checking out the stuff in the tent in the parking lot, I overhead Julie, the store manager talking to one of her employees about a tool chest and walked over hearing 50% off the 'marked' price. Looked at the ad, saw $229.99 reg., and $194.99 three days only. I asked what the deal was and she told me it was a return because the customer complained about water damage on the bottom of the box. The box had a fair amount of smashed corners and such like most HF boxes but no puncture wounds. She thought everything was fine with it, and told me that I had 5 days to return it if any issue. I couldn't refuse because it was marked at $175! I walked out of of there paying $87.50.
Well got it home and started assembling it late last night. Appeared that it had never been taken out of the box but I was skeptical. Was pretty tired and thought something must be missing but nope... all there. Instructions good. Not a scratch or dent! So I got started with something to sip on while I was it at!
:cool2:
A few tips... use a wobble drive and short extension on your impact driver. Makes it so much easier and faster to assemble. Tap the carriage bolts in with a soft mallet as it is tough to press them in with your fingers. Finger tighten all of the leg and lateral support bolts/nuts until after you set the box on the stand.
Got as far as I could on it (until I needed help lifting the box in place) so went to bed unfinished. Darn it. Then had to patiently wait for the wife to get home this afternoon so I could employ her. Was a bit of a lift for her but we successfully lifted and lowered on stand. Finished the assembly of the handles and tightened up all the bolts/nuts. Only a few extras (and yes I didn't forget any holes). Nice details... heavy casters (but wish all four swiveled instead of two), independent drawer latches and a key that locks the top and drawers, and drawer and shelf liners for all bottoms. Actually four keys... not sure why I would need that many but okay!
All put together! Went blue as you can see... but since it was a one of special deal I had no choice. Actually I really like the blue, black or red. Happy it wasn't lime green, orange, or yellow! Would have been a tougher call even at $87.50. :laughing:
I can highly recommend this cart even at the sale price. Oh and brought home another dolly and the three piece step drill bit set. A good day at HF!