Last week, I spotted this full-to-the-brim tool cart at Ikea, and I had to know what it was. I was nearly certain it was a Rubbermaid utility cart, and it is.
Rubbermaid describes this as a Trades Cart.
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This seemed to be the workers’ general purpose display renovation cart, and it looked like they were doing some drywall and general renovation work.
As an aside, upon seeing both Dewalt and Milwaukee drills on the cart, I asked the two workers which they liked better. One of the workers mentioning preferring Milwaukee over Dewalt, and the other also said they like Milwaukee over Dewalt, but would prefer Bosch, if not for that brand being too expensive. Interesting.
Previously, I have seen other Ryobi and Milwaukee cordless power tools being used for installation or renovation work at the same store.
The Rubbermaid 2-drawer commercial utility cart (FG618000BLA) has top and bottom shelves, and a midsection that holds two trays at the center and 4 parts boxes at the ends. It looks like the two trays can be retrieved from either side of the tool cart, which would be a good convenience.
Rubbermaid advertises the two storage trays being sized to hold essential hand tools and supplies.
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The utility cart supports up to 330 lbs – 180 lbs on top, 150 lbs on the bottom. It has 2 fixed casters and 2 swivel casters, both 5″ in diameter, and is said to move easily over hard surfaces. There’s also a cord wrap at the end opposite the handle.
Its dimensions are given as 17-1/4″ wide x 19-1/2″ height x 38-1/4″ long, and it weighs 50 lbs.
The corners are rounded to help protect walls and furniture, and the non-metallic construction (plastic? polymer? composite?) won’t rust, dent, chip, or peel.
Price: $335
Country of Origin: USA
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Zoro)
See Also(Cart with cabinet panels via Zoro)
There’s also a version of the cart that has enclosing panels on the bottom, including a locking front panel.
Discussion
I wonder if the Ikea workers could have made better use of Milwaukee’s new 40″ tool cart.
The Milwaukee is a lot bigger, but I’m more referring to the larger drawers, the removable and adjustable side bins, and the lip around the top compartment.
Or maybe some tool boxes or open-top bins on the bottom would have been enough to better organize things.
As it is, it looks like the tool cart is just one big bump away from spilling half of its contents off the side of the top.
John Fleisher
I’ve been using these Rubbermaid carts for data center work for about 10 years. They hold up well, I’ve loaded them with 300+ pounds of servers with no issues. We use them as crash carts all the time. Solid units.
Wayne R.
I’ve got one of these Rubbermaid units with the side panels, and – now that you’ve got me thinking about it – for almost 20 years now. I can’t compare it to other types as this one’s covered my needs just fine, still stable, not messed up at all. A winner.
Wayne R.
Oh, and the flat top on the Rubbermaid is an advantage to how I use it, too.
Chris
That first picture is just disgusting ?
Adam
That kind of mess is what my boss’ desk looks like every day. It drives me crazy, especially when a tool I need is buried in there.
Greg
I always have a weird disconnect when it comes to the higher end Rubbermaid products. I see the name Rubbermaid and think one thing, then I see the price tag and am surprised.
I know they can be good products and in some cases damn near indestructible, but there’s something in my brain that just won’t accept it.
Steve the Gullible
Ahh, you got me again Stuart. Another thing I didn’t know I need but can see perfect use for. I ended up buying a SunTech after going to Amazon but it will work well.
My need isn’t as much to get the tools I need to the job I’m doing,. It is to haul back all the tools I found out I needed after making a dozen trips back into the shop from the carport because I was wrong those aren’t sae they are metric, whoops, they are a mix. Anyhow I always end up with a miscellaneous pile of stuff I didn’t know I was going to need until I needed it and I don’t put it back right then because I might need it again. It will be nice to load it all into the cart and roll it into the shop to put away instead of the 6 trips I make now with armloads of stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X9MFV3L/
Dt
We used the enclosed version at my previous job. Link via webrestaurant store
They worked well but leave plenty of room for improvement.
1. The 2 trays in the center fit poorly.
2. Install taller wheels on it to save your back.
3. The locking door on the bottom can be easily bypassed.
4. They are overpriced.
Steve
Mighty expensive! HF has a few options, including the rolling tool carts, which are now in many colors. I think the concept is solid though….rolling tool carts are really useful in facilities and shops for frequently used tools.
MT_Noob
Not to be Mr. Negativity, but I suspect that even if they had the larger cart, that it too would be piled up to the brim and also one big bump away from catastrophe.
All kidding aside. I often think I’d love that kind of cart.
Bill Jordan
I have used these carts at work I found the wheels were small and jumped around on even the smallest unlevel surface the side trays fall out and there are no sides on the top and tools and whatever you are moving want to fall off all the time Plus they are way over priced for what they are.
Julian Tracy
That’s a sloppy ass contractor. Jesus – take 5-10 min at the end of the day or 2-3 min after each task to organize. What a mess.
Nathan
I was interested till I saw the price. little high for what I expected. But I like the ideas. I know they make other versions – I’ve been thinking about one for a while now to use in the garage – but I don’t so much need one.
Facility MX in my building started to put a hitch like attachment on theirs – so they can bring them along when they use the lift device. (it’s a personal electric drive stand lift)
SO you see them motor down the hallway and behind it is a cart.