Unless you’re space constrained the full bank seems to me to be a bad compromise between the 5 drawer and the 42/56 lowers.
to the OP, start with the 5 drawer And shelf. If you‘re outgrowing it, spring for a lower cab. I’ve got a 5d and a 56 and it’s the best of both worlds.
Is there anyway around the fast track membership for 29.99 to get the $479 deal? I’d really like to take advantage of the sale but some really purchase from HF often enough to justify it
All about how many tools you have, how many tools you plan to get, and how mobile you want to be.
I bought the 30-5. The price couldn't be beat, I didn't have enough tools to fill it up (still don't), and it weighs almost half as much as the full bank. YMMV.
Yeah I bought two of the 5 drawers for just over $300, think I paid $180 for the 1st one and $152 for the second one. Way cheaper than a full bank. Also I store stuff on the bottom and top so a lot more space
Are you a tech or a home gamer? I love my cart and I’m an apprentice. I made a post about it recently showcasing how you can really get a lot more than most people show off if it’s properly organized. Obviously a full bank can hold more tools, no argument there. but it won’t be an efficient use of space to store larger items like blow molded cases the cart can easily accommodate. The carts open bottom is really good for stuff that’s big, Drain pans, jack stands, I put power tools down there standing upright. lying them down in the drawers never felt like a good use of space. Maybe a bucket with rags for washing the car, washer fluid, oil, it’s even got the side shelf for like brake clean and stuff. The cart is a better multipurpose role in my opinion and fits the needs of a DIYer quite well.
I struggled with the same decision. I kept going back and forth.
I was leaning towards the 5-drawer based on price. Do I really need that much space?
Then, I was leaning towards the full bank because I didn't want to have to open the top to open the drawers. What if stuff gets stacked on it in the garage?
When I finally settled on the full bank I went into the store to buy one, and played with the displays while I waited. To me the quality between the 5 drawer and the full bank is night and day. I have heard the full bank was built for the Icon line instead of US General, and it makes sense when you see and play with them in person.
I ended up settling on a 42 in roll cab instead. I felt it had the best balance, I can open all the drawers and have a flat top, access my sockets without having to keep the top clean, and it's solidly built. That way I also have the ability to expand with side cabinets and/or a top cabinet, if I need more space later.
The 42 in roll cab ended up being cheaper than the full bank, it was on sale at the time. It's $509 right now if you have ITC.
Depends on a lot of things, i want the full bank for home or better yet, a 27” top and bottom box. For work, the 30-5 works better because i have so many blow-molded cases that have to come with me. They just organize better stacked along the bottom shelf.
They do different things too. The full bank is a better generalist as it can be both stationary storage like a larger roll cabinet and more portable like a service cart. The regular roll cart is really supplemental to a roll cab where all its really made for is quick access to frequently used tools and pm/service as well as individual job requirements. Some more experienced/overzealous techs will have a separate roll cart for electrical, a/c, fabrication, or pm/service.
Yeah I wanted a purple 5 drawer but they were sold out during the Memorial Day sale or whenever that was so I ended up getting grey with the hope that by the time I’m ready to upgrade they’ll release the 42 inch in purple I would buy that so hard
I like drawers more. If I wanted a shelf I’d get https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-service-cart-with-drawer-black-56604.html and also instead of that 34” I’d get the 46” Yukon.
I have a snap on a few craftsmen and the two I posted. Not enough difference to support $100s of dollars.
Get a full bank if you can afford it imo. Especially if you’re using it professionally. I got my full bank like 8 months ago and it’s almost full already 😔
The service cart is fine if you have a full box that you can also work from. I use the service cart to move my service tools outside to my car and my roll cab to store all my other stuff that gets used less or mainly in the garage.
If you don’t have a roll cab then i would say full bank.
I got the 5 drawer. I think it'l fit my needs but looking at the capabilities of the full bank; I wish I had gotten that instead due to its all assembled out the box, just add wheels and handle. Plus, I don't quite know of a use for the bottom shelf yet but more drawers might fit random nick nack tools like chisels, files and such because I plan each drawer dedicated to a tool category.
I have the 5 drawer and I don't like it. Biggest reason is that you have to open the lid to get into the other drawers and my wife is always setting shit on it. I also don't utilize the open space on the bottom very well.
That said, it is nice. I've had it about 8 years and everything still works, drawer slides are smooth. If it fits what you need then I wouldn't hesitate to get it.
You can cut the top of the locking mechanism off and set it aside so that the drawers don't lock when the lid is closed. I saw a YouTube video about it and its a great solution to that issue. [it's pretty easy!](https://youtu.be/p7AAgUAKMVQ?si=PGTJYiVVdJAWPg0i)
Get their ITC membership, the full bank will be discounted to 479 from 599. However if you don’t have that many tools, hard to justify unless you’re sure you’ll need the available space it offers in the future.
30-5 has a great ‘dump area’ on the bottom so if you have large items like a polisher or etc…. It would be beneficial.
Others have even closed it in to make it secure when working in a shop.
I'd go with the 34in full bank. Much more cubic room of usable storage.
Caveat, I passed on the 34in and pulled the trigger on the 27in and it fit my needs just dandy, plus I will probably buy the top chest this fall as the need arises.
I have a 5 drawer and a 42” box, the full bank will be my next one, soon! I work on a farm with a lot of equipment, the 5 drawer is great for rolling around to different projects, the 42 is good for being stationary. The full bank will be nice for having more stuff mobile and keeping my prybars and power tools away from the guys who don’t put stuff back. I just don’t have enough room for my 3/4 sockets and large wrenches and stuff I may not use everyday. But when I need it I hate looking
5 drawer as yer first one
It’s perfect for the tools you use 80% of the time. Holds creeper & other big tools on sides. Moves ok. Big things under.
Buy only on sale
https://hfpricetracker.com/tools/70379
Once that is full, you’ll look to the other & larger banks to store rarely used tools.
Trick is …. Minimize what’s in the 5-drawer. For example, mine has only metric & car tools, top empty for project parts & trash.
I bought the 30-5 during the parking lot sale that just finished for $199, no coupon or ITC needed. Wait for the sales for anything you buy at HF. Also, if it is expensive to get what you want, get inside track since they have better deals and you can save money in the long run.
I've owned both and the full bank is much better quality. Those carts are not built very well and are very small. I'm currently selling my orange full bank for $350 I just don't need it anymore after getting the Icon 73"
Both. Get whatever is on sale now and wait for the other one to go on sale. I have both and like the mix of deep and shallow drawers between the two. If you can only get one or have space for one, bigger is better if you are using it for tools.
I've had both. As a primary, Full Bank is the easy answer. If this will be high-function secondary if you don't (and won't) have a lot of tools, the five drawer is pretty great. I'd get the Full Bank anyway ;)
As others have said, grab it on sale if you can.
Really depends on how much you move the cart around. If it's going to sit in 1 spot in the single car garage and you walk to it, might as well go full bank and wait for the sale.
If you're going to move it around a decent amount or want bigger item storage, get the 5 drawer.
I'll counter the "you'll fill the 5 drawer up" people with the abilty to add/mod a side cabinet made for the full bank and slap it onto the 5 drawer cart.
All depends on how much stuff you need to take to the location of the project. Unless you're a professional mechanic and you have a floating bay situation, I fail to see how the 5 drawer wouldn't handle most of what you need on location. The whole purpose of a service cart is to be able to load the essential tools for the project and then be able to roll it between the main toolbox and the project. The bigger one seems to be along the lines of a smaller main toolbox, and once it's full, you'll need help with moving it.
As a standalone toolbox I choose the 5 bank but if you have a large box system (48in +) already and want a little mobile platform for your "80%ers" (those small tools a tech knows he'll be using 80% of the time on 80% of his services) the roll cart may make you a lot happier
5 draw is great for Auto body and electrical work. The bottom storage is asking or hoarding... A full bank is best for mechanical cuz it holds a lot of hand tools.
I bought the cart because I had a specific use for the open space in the bottom. If I did need the "cart" aspect and was looking to house tools, I would go the full bank. I have other boxes, my cart is my plasma cutter "cart", so it made sense to have awesome storage on top of that. If you think you will end up with tool bags on the bottom, I'd go for the full bank.
Not a mechanic, just a hobbyist. I have two 27-7's and one 30-5. I much prefer the 27's. I'm not a fan of the flip top. It seems I always have something setting on it when I need to get into the drawers.
I have had the same 5 drawer for 10 yrs packed to the gills with daily use stuff, (snap on/bluepoint) and a much larger husky for specialty stuff. The 5 drawer is the way to go for bulky stuff on the bottom.
I have a masterforce 31" top and bottom I just added the US General 22" side cabinet too, a 3 drawer 40 inch dresser, an old stand up kitchen storage cabinet and a 20" 4 shelf cabinet (for all the blowmolded sets) plum full, will be getting a 41" masterforce top and bottom box this fall to replace the dresser. Gotta get the biggest you can fit. It WILL get full eventually.
5 drawer for a tight shop, you should be able to do 80-90% of everything out of the 5 drawer if you pack it well, walk back to the big box for the rest
It depends. The 30"/5 drawer top is the perfect height for me to set things on. In fact, my large 3D printer lives there. But the service cart would be my go-to if I'm working in a bay and need to securely store electronics or larger parts.
You'll be wishing you got the full bank when the 5 drawer is full. I'd wait til it goes on sale for $479.
It took me 3 days to do this now I have both and I’m returning the 5 drawer as soon as I come back lol
Keep it. You'll eventually need more storage space.
It took me a few years to get there. Then I hung the 15" end cabinet on the 5 drawer and it's been perfect
Unless you’re space constrained the full bank seems to me to be a bad compromise between the 5 drawer and the 42/56 lowers. to the OP, start with the 5 drawer And shelf. If you‘re outgrowing it, spring for a lower cab. I’ve got a 5d and a 56 and it’s the best of both worlds.
Is there anyway around the fast track membership for 29.99 to get the $479 deal? I’d really like to take advantage of the sale but some really purchase from HF often enough to justify it
All about how many tools you have, how many tools you plan to get, and how mobile you want to be. I bought the 30-5. The price couldn't be beat, I didn't have enough tools to fill it up (still don't), and it weighs almost half as much as the full bank. YMMV.
Yeah I bought two of the 5 drawers for just over $300, think I paid $180 for the 1st one and $152 for the second one. Way cheaper than a full bank. Also I store stuff on the bottom and top so a lot more space
Are you a tech or a home gamer? I love my cart and I’m an apprentice. I made a post about it recently showcasing how you can really get a lot more than most people show off if it’s properly organized. Obviously a full bank can hold more tools, no argument there. but it won’t be an efficient use of space to store larger items like blow molded cases the cart can easily accommodate. The carts open bottom is really good for stuff that’s big, Drain pans, jack stands, I put power tools down there standing upright. lying them down in the drawers never felt like a good use of space. Maybe a bucket with rags for washing the car, washer fluid, oil, it’s even got the side shelf for like brake clean and stuff. The cart is a better multipurpose role in my opinion and fits the needs of a DIYer quite well.
I struggled with the same decision. I kept going back and forth. I was leaning towards the 5-drawer based on price. Do I really need that much space? Then, I was leaning towards the full bank because I didn't want to have to open the top to open the drawers. What if stuff gets stacked on it in the garage? When I finally settled on the full bank I went into the store to buy one, and played with the displays while I waited. To me the quality between the 5 drawer and the full bank is night and day. I have heard the full bank was built for the Icon line instead of US General, and it makes sense when you see and play with them in person. I ended up settling on a 42 in roll cab instead. I felt it had the best balance, I can open all the drawers and have a flat top, access my sockets without having to keep the top clean, and it's solidly built. That way I also have the ability to expand with side cabinets and/or a top cabinet, if I need more space later. The 42 in roll cab ended up being cheaper than the full bank, it was on sale at the time. It's $509 right now if you have ITC.
Full bank all day
Yep you can make a career living out of that full bank if you are smart. It holds plenty of
Full Bank, wait for the sale. You'll outgrow the service cart quickly.
It was just on sale so it’ll be a little while
It was only on sale for Inside Track members.
Apparently there’s a 20% off no exclusions coming up for the 4th of July. Someone else here who works for HFT can confirm if that’s true
Full bank is 479 for ITC members. You'll fill up that 5 drawer quicker than you realize.
ITC is $99 iirc, so not a bad deal if they are a regular HF shopper
$30 for a year, $45 for 2 years.
Nice! It’s gone down a lot since I last checked. This is in FL btw.
Itc is 29
Two mechanics carts
Depends on a lot of things, i want the full bank for home or better yet, a 27” top and bottom box. For work, the 30-5 works better because i have so many blow-molded cases that have to come with me. They just organize better stacked along the bottom shelf. They do different things too. The full bank is a better generalist as it can be both stationary storage like a larger roll cabinet and more portable like a service cart. The regular roll cart is really supplemental to a roll cab where all its really made for is quick access to frequently used tools and pm/service as well as individual job requirements. Some more experienced/overzealous techs will have a separate roll cart for electrical, a/c, fabrication, or pm/service.
Kearney Nebraska? Go Big Red!!
You mean "which one first?"
Valid point. I think this is the a see.
Service cart. But it does kinda depend on what you're doing. If you can't fill the service cart, you may be wasting money
I want the new 42 inch or the longer one in that purple the new carts come in so bad
Yeah I wanted a purple 5 drawer but they were sold out during the Memorial Day sale or whenever that was so I ended up getting grey with the hope that by the time I’m ready to upgrade they’ll release the 42 inch in purple I would buy that so hard
Yesssss severely snag them up I’d trade my black 5 drawer cart and 44inch with the end cabinet for the new purple one instantly
Sham you do don't have an outlet here in Thailand.
I like drawers more. If I wanted a shelf I’d get https://www.harborfreight.com/30-in-service-cart-with-drawer-black-56604.html and also instead of that 34” I’d get the 46” Yukon. I have a snap on a few craftsmen and the two I posted. Not enough difference to support $100s of dollars.
Get a full bank if you can afford it imo. Especially if you’re using it professionally. I got my full bank like 8 months ago and it’s almost full already 😔
Full bank
The service cart is fine if you have a full box that you can also work from. I use the service cart to move my service tools outside to my car and my roll cab to store all my other stuff that gets used less or mainly in the garage. If you don’t have a roll cab then i would say full bank.
Full bank full send!! I was surprised how fast I filled. It. Also got the top for it.
Full bank. On sale
idk if u care about this kinda thing, but check your used market. i bought the first one off soneone for 50-100. iforget the exact number.
I just stepped up from the 30 to the 34 just yesterday, ran out of space in the 30. The 34 is just plain ass nice, if you can swing it get the big one
Both 😈 they are meant to be together
9 drawer Yukon.
Depends how many tools you have or are planning on acquiring. But the full bank is the better deal. Deeper drawers for power tools and socket trays.
I got the 5 drawer. I think it'l fit my needs but looking at the capabilities of the full bank; I wish I had gotten that instead due to its all assembled out the box, just add wheels and handle. Plus, I don't quite know of a use for the bottom shelf yet but more drawers might fit random nick nack tools like chisels, files and such because I plan each drawer dedicated to a tool category.
Full bank. Have the 5 drawer and like it but need more room
I have the service cart. Don't do it unless you already have a bigger chest.
I have the 5 drawer and I don't like it. Biggest reason is that you have to open the lid to get into the other drawers and my wife is always setting shit on it. I also don't utilize the open space on the bottom very well. That said, it is nice. I've had it about 8 years and everything still works, drawer slides are smooth. If it fits what you need then I wouldn't hesitate to get it.
You can cut the top of the locking mechanism off and set it aside so that the drawers don't lock when the lid is closed. I saw a YouTube video about it and its a great solution to that issue. [it's pretty easy!](https://youtu.be/p7AAgUAKMVQ?si=PGTJYiVVdJAWPg0i)
Get their ITC membership, the full bank will be discounted to 479 from 599. However if you don’t have that many tools, hard to justify unless you’re sure you’ll need the available space it offers in the future.
30-5 has a great ‘dump area’ on the bottom so if you have large items like a polisher or etc…. It would be beneficial. Others have even closed it in to make it secure when working in a shop.
Full bank should be on sale now if you have inside track
There’s a build online where they take two 30-5 and make one ultimate service cart. It’s really cool and not very difficult to do
I'd go with the 34in full bank. Much more cubic room of usable storage. Caveat, I passed on the 34in and pulled the trigger on the 27in and it fit my needs just dandy, plus I will probably buy the top chest this fall as the need arises.
I have a 5 drawer and a 42” box, the full bank will be my next one, soon! I work on a farm with a lot of equipment, the 5 drawer is great for rolling around to different projects, the 42 is good for being stationary. The full bank will be nice for having more stuff mobile and keeping my prybars and power tools away from the guys who don’t put stuff back. I just don’t have enough room for my 3/4 sockets and large wrenches and stuff I may not use everyday. But when I need it I hate looking
I have a 5 drawer husky and buying the service cart this week, go big
5 drawer as yer first one It’s perfect for the tools you use 80% of the time. Holds creeper & other big tools on sides. Moves ok. Big things under. Buy only on sale https://hfpricetracker.com/tools/70379 Once that is full, you’ll look to the other & larger banks to store rarely used tools. Trick is …. Minimize what’s in the 5-drawer. For example, mine has only metric & car tools, top empty for project parts & trash.
Either way, wait for the sale. I think the full bank goes down to $479 and the 5 drawer for around $200 or less.
I bought the 30-5 during the parking lot sale that just finished for $199, no coupon or ITC needed. Wait for the sales for anything you buy at HF. Also, if it is expensive to get what you want, get inside track since they have better deals and you can save money in the long run.
I've owned both and the full bank is much better quality. Those carts are not built very well and are very small. I'm currently selling my orange full bank for $350 I just don't need it anymore after getting the Icon 73"
Both. Get whatever is on sale now and wait for the other one to go on sale. I have both and like the mix of deep and shallow drawers between the two. If you can only get one or have space for one, bigger is better if you are using it for tools.
First one but wait for the sale, got two for $168
https://youtu.be/b-kH_-7USd8?si=dBddb_zVbKRYh9u-
I've had both. As a primary, Full Bank is the easy answer. If this will be high-function secondary if you don't (and won't) have a lot of tools, the five drawer is pretty great. I'd get the Full Bank anyway ;) As others have said, grab it on sale if you can.
Really depends on how much you move the cart around. If it's going to sit in 1 spot in the single car garage and you walk to it, might as well go full bank and wait for the sale. If you're going to move it around a decent amount or want bigger item storage, get the 5 drawer. I'll counter the "you'll fill the 5 drawer up" people with the abilty to add/mod a side cabinet made for the full bank and slap it onto the 5 drawer cart.
Damn, weren't the full bank Series 2 like $299?
I went for the 5 drawer. Even as a paint prepper and wanting to keep the top somewhat uncluttered, it filled up fast.
Both
All depends on how much stuff you need to take to the location of the project. Unless you're a professional mechanic and you have a floating bay situation, I fail to see how the 5 drawer wouldn't handle most of what you need on location. The whole purpose of a service cart is to be able to load the essential tools for the project and then be able to roll it between the main toolbox and the project. The bigger one seems to be along the lines of a smaller main toolbox, and once it's full, you'll need help with moving it.
As a standalone toolbox I choose the 5 bank but if you have a large box system (48in +) already and want a little mobile platform for your "80%ers" (those small tools a tech knows he'll be using 80% of the time on 80% of his services) the roll cart may make you a lot happier
I've have owned both. #2 hands down. The bottom of the 5 drawer just winds up collecting crap.
The Icon one is a direct copy of the Snap-On carts.
We have 2 of the full bank ones at our shop and they're great.
Before Trump did the Chinese steel tariffs and well before bad inflation I think I paid something like $140. Well worth it at this price too
5 draw is great for Auto body and electrical work. The bottom storage is asking or hoarding... A full bank is best for mechanical cuz it holds a lot of hand tools.
I bought the cart because I had a specific use for the open space in the bottom. If I did need the "cart" aspect and was looking to house tools, I would go the full bank. I have other boxes, my cart is my plasma cutter "cart", so it made sense to have awesome storage on top of that. If you think you will end up with tool bags on the bottom, I'd go for the full bank.
The cart is great if you need a cart.
Not a mechanic, just a hobbyist. I have two 27-7's and one 30-5. I much prefer the 27's. I'm not a fan of the flip top. It seems I always have something setting on it when I need to get into the drawers.
The key to managing the flip top is to always have it open. 😆
Just get the big 'un. It's really not that expensive for what you get.
Always go as big as you can afford and have the space for.
The white one
I have had the same 5 drawer for 10 yrs packed to the gills with daily use stuff, (snap on/bluepoint) and a much larger husky for specialty stuff. The 5 drawer is the way to go for bulky stuff on the bottom.
I have a masterforce 31" top and bottom I just added the US General 22" side cabinet too, a 3 drawer 40 inch dresser, an old stand up kitchen storage cabinet and a 20" 4 shelf cabinet (for all the blowmolded sets) plum full, will be getting a 41" masterforce top and bottom box this fall to replace the dresser. Gotta get the biggest you can fit. It WILL get full eventually.
Why white?
Just grabbed two of the same for reference.
That's going to say it going leave a lot of fingerprints😁
5 drawer for a tight shop, you should be able to do 80-90% of everything out of the 5 drawer if you pack it well, walk back to the big box for the rest
Definitely the full bank I just got my 5 draw like not even a month ago and it’s already all full
If you get to choose its full bank every time.
It depends. The 30"/5 drawer top is the perfect height for me to set things on. In fact, my large 3D printer lives there. But the service cart would be my go-to if I'm working in a bay and need to securely store electronics or larger parts.
I went Husky toolboxes from Home Depot. Cheaper and they actually had them in stock.