Tool carts come in a multitude of configurations - from a simple two-tray unit, to super wide units with multiple drawers and a flip lid, to rolling cabinets. So how does one decide upon the one that is most appropriate?
Officials at Snap-on, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks (www.snapon.com), offers some guidance.
If the technician 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, they say. 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, as some pulls offer very little finger room and use cumbersome detents.
CONSTRUCTION
If the top of the cart is used as a work surface, the weight capacity and parts’ sizes needs to be considered, say the Snap-on officials. It 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, they note.
Carts which use a welded design, usually associated with toolboxes, have a more rigid case, giving the cart both high mobility and durability.
SECURITY
Another element to factor in when selecting a tool cart is security.
Does the cart need to be locked and unlocked several times per day? If so, simple, single hook lock may not last long.
Consider an internal locking lever/switch and two point lock bars for extra security, Snap-on officials recommend. 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.
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.
CASE DESIGNS
Welded case designs with more wide drawers, more toolbox-like construction and locking drawers that can be opened or locked when the lid is down may be found in the premium storage units, say the Snap-on officials. Features of such units include:
- Drawer Capacity. High-end tool 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 they 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 tool carts have retaining latches to keep drawers from sliding open and damaging nearby vehicles. For example, some tool carts 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 four-bolt vibration dampening casters.
- Bumpers. Protect carts and nearby objects.
- Drawer Pulls. Premium tool 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 powdercoat 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.
