Fellas,
I have read a few threads over the years about tools and how to get them to the jobsite. As a matter of fact, there was one just a couple weeks ago.
I have the best answer to this problem. A garden cart! I saw these tool carts in Trading Spaces and finally saw a photo of one up close. Theirs is a red wagon with a wooden box on top (I always thought they were metal). I built one from a garden wagon that I bought at Lowe’s (under $80.00).
The cart is suppose to hold 1500 lbs. and its sides fold down. The great thing is the size of it. It’s only 2 feet wide, 4 feet long and 15 inches high. I built a box (out of scraps from the job) that takes it to 42 inches tall. For all of you lucky guys that work out of trailers, this is an easy thing to carry around. But, I work out of a van and I use a set of ramps to get it in there. It is easy to push it into any jobsite.
I am a trim carpenter and the first day with this thing I loaded it up and pulled it through soft sand and over pallets and 2 by 6’s. It easily fits into any doorway because of the width and carries everything I need (even the chop saw).
I hope that you check out the attached photo and consider making yourself one. I have tried everything else. If you like making several trips to the truck, this isn’t the thing.
Splinky
Replies
I'm learning how to attach photo's ... be patient.
Hey,Splinky- Nice cart,although it could use a handle-how do you drag it upstairs?
PS-please don't bring that radio on my job
Baseboard been VERRRY good to me
I have one of those carts too but still use it arround the house for gardening and getting things from the truck to the house . I have been thinking of making one , getting wheels and so on. but I think ill go buy another one , bolt a box to it and go , now that ive seen yours , I have a trailer wivh a door that is a ramp when its open.
Thanks for posting pics so we could see a better way to do that same old thing/ haulin and luggin. dogboy
Has anyone tried one of these? $169-219 at Tool Crib. Looks like a lot of potential. I think HF has a cheaper copy. I bought one of the green wagons at one of the roving junk tool sales (Homier, Cummings, etc) for $39 and have used it on several longer jobs. My problem is if I create a flat spot it is covered up in the first ten minutes.
I use four of the Contico 37" black boxes that Lowes and HD have and they fit great on the wagon. They are great and sturdy but I can have them piled up in five miutes.
We did a store building once and I bought a set of the wire shelves like the use in kitchens with casters, four feet wide and six high. It was very handy. They have a cart made like that also and it was handy. I have the luxury of taking jobs were things are pretty secure, these would not work for most job sites (unless you use the optional pit bull restraint).
Tipke 1300 Fold-It Utility CartTipke Manufacturing
View Image
Edited 2/9/2004 9:56:21 AM ET by RASCONC
Ya ive seen it and it seems like its good , I first started seeing these at art shows my wife and I do as she is a watercolerist and stained glass artist. and many people use them because they fold up and you can pack them in a trunk/Van etc. and take up little room. they are a good idea for sure. dogboy
It does have a handle (just like a wagon). I just push it up the steps using a ramp.
BTW - What's wrong with my radio?? =o)
Splinky
If I can get the wire to my digital camera and I can figure how to post pictures ill show my set up, so far. I like you're wagon.
dogboy
My problem is if I create a flat spot it is covered up in the first ten minutes.
I`m assuming your speaking of the subs?
Never ceases to amaze me how guys just seem to be waiting for me to set up my workbench so they can have a place to set down their sh!t.
Flipped out so bad one time the electrician thought I was crazy....refused to work with me on the job.
Cluttering my workspace and "borrowing" my extension cord gotta be my two biggest jobsite pet peeves. Nothing worse than gettin` that crown moulding sitting just right on the miter saw only to find out someones unplugged me...I see red!J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I think they are starved for a flat work top, but don't want to bring one. That's why they are working in the dirt all the time. Now, if some benefactor brings one...
Alway thought that having a work top improved production. I just have to do a strong but light folding one that will fit on my hand truck. Aircraft wing, I am told.
Put out a couple of site-built tables and they will get a lot of use.
TB
Hey Splinky,
I once saw a gal using a garden cart to make deliveries in office high rises in Dallas TX. Super duty cart, real expensive. The woman said it cost about $450 but it was the best money she ever spent. The cart fit real good in elevators, and went through doorways just fine. This cart easily handled a few hundred lbs. and needless to say I was impressed.
It didn't really fit my needs, and I was already set up the way I needed to be, or I would have got one.
Cork in Chicago
PS. Just now saw the pictures of your wagon. Looks great. I like the bench you built for it. Nice place to set up a saw.
Edited 2/5/2004 7:42:51 PM ET by cork
Thanks. I am calling this one "First Generation". I use a chop saw stand but I am looking forward to building in tool storage (i.e. level cases and nail drawers and stuff).
I like your cart but the fold up aluminum cart is more to my liking but I haven't gone out and bought one yet. My problem is that I don't have one set of tools it will very every day and as such I want something that will store easy and be large enough to set up as a work station once unloaded.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
You can tell splinky's a seasoned worker.
He protected his jam box.
Priorities!
I like the idea but how do you deal with stairs and steps?
Jonathan
How easy does that cart go up and down steps when you put a miter saw, bench saw, compressor, 2 nail guns, 2 routers, 2 levels, vacuum 2 drills jigsaw and 2 extensions for miter saw?
I saw an old patent once of square or triangler wheels with tank-tread type rollers on them for that very purpose.
Originally for wheelchairs I believe.
The stairs thing isn't too much of a big deal. Loaded up, it still doesn't weigh al that much (unless you have all cast iron tools or are a blacksmith). I just cut 2 - 8 foot 2 by 8's and push.
By the way ... yes I did build a box to cover Mr. Music, I do have priorities!
Splinky
David H. Polston
Sawdust, Norfolk Va.
Been using a wheel barrel for years.getting me to the front door is even worth it!
I even built me a tool cab with wheels that sits in my basement....looks like a coffin on wheels..lol.....the wheel barrel is the best
Be rolling
andy
My life is my practice!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Ya, mon. Wheelbarrow it is, has been, and shall be, mud without end, HAY-men....
I can't drive the truck up to the loading door of my shop (it's the basement walkout on the backside of the house), so without the wheelbarrow, I would have to do a lotta trips up to the driveway. This last fall, closing down a full-bore site (every tool I own except the shaper and the drill press) my helper managed to cram it ALL into the truck in one shot. Offloading back at the ranch we emptied it in seven trips. And there were 4 inches of snow down already, too.
I've been known to use my kid's sled in full winter conditions, tho....
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
And the wheelbarrow gives ya a nice comfy spot fer a siesta after lunch when ya tip it back on its handles.J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
That's spretty dag on handy. You a D.J. too?
Who Dares Wins.
That cart looks handy. Do like the bench on top.
Since my van doubles as a mini RV with a deck that makes a double bed with 54 cf of storage under, I am using a hand truck.
Harbour Freight just had a sale on big ones with 13x4 tires, so I upgraded. I found that 6" wheels did not really do well on our jobsites.
I think that 24" might be the thing. Someone must make an all-terrain hand truck.
My Stanley toolchest rides on the bottom with two Brute 20g trash cans on top. You can stuff all sorts of things into them and together they make a work station. I did a backer with four outlets and a small shelf that drops to hold the chargers. Currently I am working on the Mark II backer. I want level storage and a folding worktop.
ToolBear
Pictures coming soon I hope.
?? Of my humble Mark I tool tote/hand truck?
I could probably shoot a few. Have not built the backer for the new truck. The dimensions are different than the old. Keep hoping to come into some free 1/2" birch plywood for the job. Still have some of the 3/4 birch
TB
HERE'S WHAT I USE. THE HANDLES ALLOW FOR TWO GUYS TO PICK UP AND GO UP STAIRS. NOT AS VERSITLE AS A WHEELBARROW BUT PRETTIER. BUILT THIS OVER 2O YEARS AGO.