If the tool user is moving from job to job several times per day or
rolling several hundred feet per day, a minimum caster size of
five-by-two inches provides protection from obstacles and grates;
manufacturers such as Snap-on offer six- by two-inch casters. Soft
monoprene caster material that is quieter on bumpy floors will also
keep tools from shaking around. If the technician uses the cart for
drawer storage and accesses those drawers often, consider the comfort
of the drawer pulls. Some pulls offer very little finger room and use
cumbersome detents.
If the top of the cart is used as a work surface, consider the weight
capacity and parts’ sizes. Some lids are constructed of stainless steel
or heavy gauge material. If the material flexes, it is probably not
designed to be a work surface. Consider the construction: chrome plated
tubular stock, L-brackets, or a welded case design. An L-bracket design
usually supports more weight than square stock. Carts which use a
welded design, usually associated with tool boxes, have a more rigid
case, giving the cart both high mobility and durability.
What about security? In many cases, a cart may need to be locked and
unlocked several times per day. A simple, single hook lock may not last
long in this scenario. Consider an internal locking lever/switch and
two point lock bars for extra security. A lock with an independent
rotating collar will outperform a simple cylinder lock and welded
locking tabs on the back of the drawer add security against prying.
Is the cart a permanent location for the primary tools? Expandability
may be required; some carts have an optional end cab that can be added.
A 16- to 18-inch width is common for the lower cost carts; 20 to 24
inches provides more tool space and more drawer space. An open bottom
tray is a convenient way to transport large bulky items. That is less
expensive than all drawers, but it depends on the need for security. If
open space is needed in the bottom tray, then the cost is much lower;
if the bottom section needs to be secure, the cost is higher.
Welded case designs with more wide drawers, more tool box-like
construction and locking drawers that can be opened or locked when the
lid is down may be found in the premium storage units. Studying the
features below, one can see where value comes in.
• Overall Size – Any cart more than 32 by 20 inches is considered large.
• Drawer Capacity – High-end carts offer 100 pounds per drawer; value carts offer 50 pounds or less
• Drawer Width/Count - Wide, deep drawers are the most expensive.
• Top Compartment Depth - A deep (five inches or greater) functional top compartment provides convenient space.
• Lid Functionality – Simple open top trays may be lower cost, but
tend to be catch basins for junk. Flip lids and sliding lids cost more
but have advantages such as secure storage in the top compartment.
Some flip lids open automatically when unlocked. That may be an
inconvenience when moving around the shop. Sliding lids can either be
split in the middle and slide in both directions, or they can be
one-piece and slide all at once. The value of either design depends on
the size, weight and clearance required. A solid lid that can be used
as a work surface and will hold more than 100 pounds is harder to find.
• Drawer Retention – Some carts have retaining latches to keep
drawers from sliding open and damaging nearby vehicles, some carts, for
example, are equipped with a latch that keeps drawers from drifting
open.
• Caster Quality – Available options include anything from lower
cost four by one inch stem casters to more expensive six by two inch
4-bolt vibration dampening casters.
• Bumpers - Protect carts and nearby objects.
• Drawer Pulls – Premium carts tend to offer more finger room and
comfort. The more a drawer is used, the more a generous drawer pull is
appreciated.
• Liners – simple six-pound foam is found in less expensive carts
and non-slip material in the higher end carts. Some carts can be
upgraded.
• Pry Bar/Screwdriver Storage - Some carts offer hanging/organizing space within the lid or as a side attachment.
• Welds/Steel Gauge/Stiffness – A fully welded design, such as a
Snap-on 40 inch cart, is tested to endure a lifetime of use. Required
length of service is always an important consideration. The real yearly
cost is the overall price divided by anticipated years of use. For
example, a $1,000 cart that lasts 10 years ($100 per year) might be a
better choice than a $600 cart that lasts three years ($200 per year).
• Color Palette and Paint – Normally powder coat is more expensive
and chemical resistant, and higher end carts tend to offer more color
options.
Jobs and tools come in different sizes and functions, distinctive to
the various ways in which professional technicians work. Understanding
the needs of the tool users and choosing carts with the technician and
job in mind is the key to choosing the optimal cart for each unique
situation.